NGC 1 = UGC 57 = MCG +04-01-025 = CGCG 477-054 = Holm 2A = PGC 564

00 07 15.9 +27 42 29

V = 12.8; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 120d

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, slightly elongated ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 2 just 1.8' S.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, oval 3:2 ~E-W, small, bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star lies 1.9' NNE and a mag 13 star is 1.5' NNW of center.

13" (8/24/84): fairly faint, very small, small bright core.

13" (11/5/83): faint, very small. Forms a pair with NGC 2 2' SSE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1 on 30 Sep 1861 while testing the 11-inch f/17.5 Merz refractor of the Copenhagen Observatory, though he missed nearby NGC 2. This was his first deep sky discovery, though d'Arrest was uncertain if his object was identical to h4 or h5 (both of which refer to NGC 16). He described (combination of 4 observations) NGC 1 as "faint, small, round, 20", no concentration. In a straight line connecting two stars 11 and 14 mag." Herman Scultz also observed NGC 1 three times in 1866 and 1868 with a 9.6-inch refractor at Upsala and both observers missed fainter NGC 2. The NGC 1 and 2 visual pair are not physically related. NGC 1 lies at a distance of ~200 million l.y. with NGC 2 at roughly 320 million l.y.

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NGC 2 = UGC 59 = MCG +04-01-026 = CGCG 477-055 = Holm 2B = PGC 567

00 07 17.1 +27 40 41

V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 115d

17.5" (11/14/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness. A mag 12.5 star lies 1.1' W of center. Forms a pair with brighter and larger NGC 1, just 1.8' N.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, small, elongated ~E-W. A mag 13 star lies 1' W.

13" (8/24/84): very faint, very small, low surface brightness. Forms a close pair with NGC 1.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2 on 20 Aug 1873 using Lord Rosse's 72-inch and recorded a "vF companion [to NGC 1] south". Dreyer confirmed the observation on 29 Oct 1877 Dreyer and noted, "Nova 2' ssf easily seen, vF, eS stellar."

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NGC 3 = UGC 58 = MCG +01-01-037 = CGCG 408-035 = PGC 565

00 07 16.8 +08 18 06

V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 111d

48" (10/24/11): at 610x appeared fairly bright, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 30"x12", well concentrated with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus. A mag 11.5 star lies 1.3' SW. Brightest in a group with the other members much fainter. These include NGC 4 4.7' NE, NGC 7840 5.3' NNW and 2MASX J00074110+0814053 7.2' SE.

18" (10/21/06): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.4'x0.25', very small slightly brighter core, faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. A mag 11.5 star lies 1.2' SW. Brightest in a group of faint galaxies.

17.5" (8/2/86): fairly faint, small, bright core, slightly elongated. A mag 11.5 star is 1.2' WSW. Brightest in the NGC 3 group with NGC 7838 6.3' NW, NGC 7837 6.9' NW, NGC 7835 10' NW, NGC 7834 11' WNW and NGC 4 5' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3 = m 1 on 29 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "F, vS, R, alm stellar." NGC 3 is the brightest in a small group of faint galaxies (NGC 7834, 7835, 7837, 7838, 7840, 3, 4) all discovered by Marth on the same night.

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NGC 4 = PGC 212468

00 07 24.4 +08 22 23

V = 15.9; Size 0.4'x0.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 30d

48" (10/24/11): at 610x appeared fairly faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, high surface brightness. This description applies to the core as the faint thin extensions on the DSS were not noticed. Located 2.9' W of mag 9.5 SAO 109022 and 4.7' NE of NGC 3 in a group.

18" (10/21/06): extremely faint and small, round. This threshold object appeared virtually stellar, perhaps 4" diameter and only visible occasionally with averted vision. Located 3' due west of a mag 9 star. Another very difficult galaxy, NGC 7840, lies 4' WNW.

17.5" (8/2/86): faintest member of the NGC 3 group. Extremely faint and small, at visual threshold. Located 2.9' W of mag 9 SAO 109022 and 4.8' NNE of NGC 3.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 4 = m 2 on 29 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "eF". Marth's position is 10 tsec of RA following and 5' N of NGC 3 (discovered on the same night, along with 5 other faint galaxies). The galaxy listed here (PGC 212468) is situated 4.7' NNE of NGC 3, so is a close match in position. RNGC and PGC misidentify NPM1G +07.0004 = PGC 620 as NGC 4. PGC 620 is located 15' SE of NGC 3, so is much too far away to be a reasonable candidate.

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NGC 5 = UGC 62 = MCG +06-01-013 = CGCG 517-017 = PGC 595

00 07 48.9 +35 21 44

V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 115d

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, very small, round, small bright core.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 5 = St XII-1 on 21 Oct 1881 using the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "Small core of 13 to 14 mag, surrounded by a very small and faint nebula." His position matches UGC 62 = PGC 595.

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NGC 6 = NGC 20 = UGC 84 = MCG +05-01-036 = CGCG 498-082 = PGC 679

00 09 32.6 +33 18 31

See observing notes for NGC 20.

Lewis Swift found NGC 6 = Sw II-3 on 20 Sept 1885 with the 16" Clark refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eF; cE; vS; one of 5 stars which point to it is pretty near." There is nothing at his position, but 75 seconds of RA east and 47' north is NGC 20 = UGC 84. The RA offset is shared by several other objects discovered this night (NGC 19, 21, 7831, 7836) though the declination error is much larger (8' for the other objects). But his description matches the chain of five stars just following NGC 20. So, NGC 6 = NGC 20, discovered by R.J. Mitchell using LdR's 72" on 18 Sep 1857. The RNGC misidentifies NGC 6 as identical to NGC 7831. Kobold misidentified NGC 7831 as NGC 6. See Corwin's notes for more info.

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NGC 7 = ESO 409-022 = MCG -05-01-037 = PGC 627

00 08 20.8 -29 54 55

V = 13.9; Size 2.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 29d

17.5" (8/20/88): extremely faint, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE. Requires averted vision due to low surface brightness and elevation.

JH discovered NGC 7 = h4014 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "vF, pL, vmE, gvlbM, 2' long." The next night he observed the galaxy again and noted "vF, mE, vgvlbM." On a third sweep he called it "eeF, L, mE, requires the utmost attention to perceive though the sky is perfectly pure." His position matches ESO 409-022 = PGC 627.

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NGC 8 = Holm 3b = PGC 648

00 08 46 +23 50 16

=**, Corwin.

Otto Struve discovered NGC 8 on 29 Sep 1865 with the 15-inch refractor at Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg. He described it as fainter than NGC 9 (found 2 nights earlier) and placed it 3' northwest (10 sec of RA west and 1' north). At this exact separation is a close, faint double star at 00 08 46 +23 50 16 (2000) with components mag 15/17. MCG misidentifies MCG +04-01-030 as NGC 8. Although the RNGC New Description reads "looks like double star", the classification is a galaxy. HyperLeda (as of 2016) also misclassifies this object as a galaxy.

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NGC 9 = UGC 78 = MCG +04-01-030 = CGCG 477-059 = Holm 3a = PGC 652

00 08 54.6 +23 49 03

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 155d

17.5" (11/14/87): faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, weak concentration. Located at the western vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 9 stars 6' E and 6.5' NE.

Otto Struve discovered NGC 9 on 27 Sep 1865 with the 15-inch refractor at Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg while unsuccessfully searching for comet Biela. Struve's position is 15 sec of RA west and 2' south of UGC 78 = PGC 652, though he noted the mag 9 star that follows by 26 seconds in RA. So the identification is certain. See NGC 8.

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NGC 10 = ESO 349-032 = MCG -06-01-024 = PGC 634

00 08 34.5 -33 51 30

V = 12.5; Size 2.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 25d

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE. A mag 13 star follows by 2.9'. Located 21' SSE of mag 5.7 SAO 192367.

JH discovered NGC 10 = h4015 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "Not vF, L, lE, glbM, 1'.". On a later sweep he logged it "F, pL, R, bM, 40"." His mean position matches ESO 349-032 = PGC 634.

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NGC 11 = UGC 73 = MCG +06-01-015 = CGCG 517-020 = PGC 642

00 08 42.5 +37 26 53

V = 13.7; Size 1.6'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 111d

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, edge-on WNW-ESE. A close double star with mag 11/12 components lies 3' N.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 11 = St XII-2 on 24 Oct 1881 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at the Marseille Observatory and described "vF; vS; little irregular oval SE to NW; two very faint stars involved." Although Stephan did not record this object as an edge-on (very elongated), his position clearly matches UGC 73 = PGC 642.

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NGC 12 = UGC 74 = MCG +01-01-040 = CGCG 408-038 = PGC 645

00 08 44.8 +04 36 45

V = 13.1; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 125d

17.5" (12/19/87): very faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration, diffuse.

WH discovered NGC 12 = H III-868 = h1 on 6 Dec 1790 (sweep 984) and logged "eF, pS, irr F." The 4 Nov 1850 observation using Lord Rosse's 72" reads "Some stars seen in it, it is vF. Nothing further remarkable."

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NGC 13 = UGC 77 = MCG +05-01-034 = CGCG 498-081 = PGC 650

00 08 47.7 +33 25 59

V = 13.2; Size 2.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 53d

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core. A mag 13 star is 30" S and a mag 12 star lies 1.2' SSW of center. First of three with NGC 20 12' SE.

WH discovered NGC 13 = H III-866 = h2 on 26 Nov 1790 (sweep 981) and logged "vF, vS. 300 verified and showed 3 stars and the nebula placed in the form of a square; the nebula being the np corner." R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 18 Sep 1857, recorded "2 neb. nearly in line p. and f; about 14' apart; the p one [NGC 13] is of irregular outline; F; bM. The f. one [NGC 13] is S; R; pB; bM." The pair was observed 5 times up to 1873. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 14 = Arp 235 = VV 80 = UGC 75 = MCG +03-01-026 = CGCG 456-034 = PGC 647

00 08 46.1 +15 48 56

V = 12.1; Size 2.8'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 25d

17.5" (12/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SSW-NNE, broad concentration, faint extensions. Located 1.4° ESE of NGC 7814.

WH discovered NGC 14 = H II-591 = h3 on 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 590) and recorded "F, pL, iF, unequally bright." His position is at the west edge of Arp 235 = VV 80.

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NGC 15 = UGC 82 = MCG +03-01-027 = CGCG 456-035 = PGC 661

00 09 02.5 +21 37 28

V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 30d

17.5" (11/14/87): faint, small, very elongated SSW-NNE, brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 15 = m 3 on 30 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "vF, vS, R, bM". His position is reasonably match with UGC 82 = PGC 661.

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NGC 16 = UGC 80 = MCG +04-01-032 = CGCG 477-061 = PGC 660

00 09 04.3 +27 43 46

V = 12.0; Size 1.8'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 16d

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, fairly small, oval SSW-NNE, small bright core, stellar nucleus.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated ~N-S, bright core, stellar nucleus. NGC 22 lies 12' NE.

13" (8/24/84) : moderately bright, small, bright stellar nucleus, small fainter lens SSW-NNE.

8" (8/16/82): fairly faint, small, elongated N-S, bright nucleus at 200x.

8" (6/19/82): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, weak concentration.

WH probably discovered NGC 16 = H IV-15 = h4 = h5 on 8 Sep 1784. He recorded "Stellar, or rather like a faint star with a small chevelure and two burs [sic]. F, S." His RA is 1 min 24 seconds east (using a different star Corwin found an error of 1 min 6 seconds) of UGC 80. JH observed this object on 5 Sep 1828 and logged "pB; R; bM; 30" (? if not IV. 15)" Due to the difference in position he wasn't sure if his object was new, but listing it as a Nova. JH swept the area again 11 nights later and found h5, which he assumed was his father's IV-15: "a star 15m with a burr, RA from Cat.", though without an RA the identification of h5 is unknown. In the NGC, Dreyer equates h4 = h5 = H IV-15 = NGC 16 and Corwin favors this interpreation. Wolfgang Steinicke feels H IV-15 more likely applies to NGC 22 than NGC 16. His RA is off by 40 sec (too far east) and 7' too far south and the description "F, S, Stellar, or rather like a faint star with a small chevelure and two burs." may be a better fit.

J.L.E. Dreyer, using the 72" at Birr Castle on 29 Oct 1877, recorded "pB nucl with vF neby; round; E sp nf; 2 st 13 and 12 mag preceding in the parallel about 4' and 5' distant."

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NGC 17 = NGC 34 = MCG -02-01-032 = PGC 781

00 11 06.7 -12 06 27

See observing notes for NGC 34.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 17 = LM II-276 in 1886 and logged "mag 13.5, 0.1' dia, iR, two stars mag 9.5, 2.0' in PA 280°." Muller's position was 2.0 min of RA west of PGC 781 (typical error found in Leander McCormick observations) and his description of the nearby double star 2' west clinches the identification. This galaxy was independently found by Lewis Swift (VI-1) on 21 Nov 1886 (same year) at Warner Observatory and catalogued as NGC 34. Herbert Howe noted the identity NGC 17 = NGC 34 (Mon. Not. LXI) based on the descriptions, and Dreyer copied the correction in the IC II Notes section. I've used the primary designation NGC 34.

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NGC 18

00 09 23.0 +27 43 56

=**, Carlson and Corwin.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 18 on 15 Oct 1866 with the 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala Observatory. Schultz's micrometric position is 19 sec of RA following NGC 16 (at 00 09 04.2 +27 43 46) and corresponds precisely with a double star at 00 09 23.0 +27 43 55 (2000). Dreyer noted that Heinrich d'Arrest and Lord Rosse could not find NGC 18 and neither could Édouard Stephan (notes section of his 11th list).

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NGC 19 = UGC 98 = MCG +05-01-046 = CGCG 499-065 = PGC 759

00 10 40.9 +32 58 59

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 42d

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, diffuse. A mag 15 star is 1' W. Located 9' S of mag 6.8 SAO 53694. This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 21 in RNGC and UGC and NGC 19 is listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 19 = Sw II-4 on 20 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eeF; lE; in [the] center of 3 vF st forming an equilateral triangle, two of them double." There is no obvious candidate at Swift's position but 74 seconds of RA east and 8' north is UGC 98. Similar offsets in RA and Dec yield identities for NGC 21, 7831 and 7836, all discovered the same night (NGC 6 also shares the same offset in RA). Furthermore, his description of the surrounding stars matches this galaxy. Kobold's position for NGC 19 made in 1898 at Strassburg corresponds with UGC 98.

NGC 19 is mislabeled as NGC 21 in RNGC, PGC and UGC and not assigned a NGC designation in MCG and CGCG. Finally, RNGC misclassifies NGC 19 as nonexistent because of the error in Swift's position. See Corwin's Notes.

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NGC 20 = NGC 6 = UGC 84 = MCG +05-01-036 = CGCG 498-082 = LGG 001-008 = PGC 679

00 09 32.6 +33 18 31

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 140d

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is just 30" E and a brighter mag 10 star lies 2.4' E. Second of three with NGC 13 12' NW.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 20 using Lord Rosse's 72" on 18 Sep 1857 and recorded as "S; R; pB; bM"). Although no position was measured it was catalogued as GC 6 (Rosse nova) and later by Dreyer as NGC 20. Herman Schultz independently found the galaxy on 16 Oct 1866 with the 9.6" refractor at Uppsala and it was entered by Dreyer in the GC Supplement as GC 5086, though Dreyer added the comment "Query = GC 6". Schultz's micrometric position matches UGC 84.

Lewis Swift later independently found this galaxy on 20 Sept 1885 and published it in List II-3. Based on this entry this galaxy was catalogued as NGC 6, but Swift's position for the galaxy was 1.1 tmin W and 47' S of UGC 84. Swift's RA offset is identical, though, to the error in his positions for NGC 19, NGC 21, NGC 7831, NGC 7836 all found the same evening. Although the dec error is large, his description ("one of 5 st which point to it is p nr") matches the chain of 5 stars just following, so NGC 6 is a duplicate of NGC 20 (primary designation).

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NGC 21 = NGC 29 = UGC 100 = MCG +05-01-048 = CGCG 499-066 = PGC 767

00 10 46.9 +33 21 11

See observing notes for NGC 29.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 21 = Sw II-5 on 20 Sept 1885 and recorded "eF; S; lE." His positions for NGC 19, 7831 and 7836 from the same evening are all offset ~70 seconds in RA and 8' in declination. The offset position for NGC 21 lands on NGC 29. So, NGC 21 is a duplicate of NGC 29. RNGC, UGC and PGC misidentify UGC 98 = NGC 19 as NGC 21. See NGC 19.

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NGC 22 = UGC 86 = MCG +05-01-039 = CGCG 499-055 = PGC 690

00 09 48.2 +27 49 57

V = 13.6; Size 1.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 160d

17.5" (11/14/87): faint, fairly small, diffuse, slightly elongated, broad concentration. Located 2.5' S of a mag 10 star. Forms a wide pair with NGC 16 12' SW.

13" (8/24/84): very faint, fairly small, roundish, very diffuse, even surface brightness.

13" (11/5/83): extremely faint, small, round. A mag 9 star 3' N interferes with viewing. Located 12' NE of NGC 16.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 22 = St XIII-1 on 2 Oct 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and described "eF; pS; R; lbM, resolvable". His position matches UGC 86 = PGC 690 and he is credited with the discovery in the NGC.

WH possibly discovered this galaxy on 8 Sep 1784 (H IV-15, sweep 260) and recorded "F, S, Stellar, or rather like a faint star with a small chevelure and two burs." His position is poor -- 40 sec too far east and 7' too far south -- but the description is a reasonable fit. Dreyer assumed the observation referred to NGC 16, which is 1 min 25 sec of RA to the west and he commented in the NGC notes "Some error in recording the transit, probably simply of 1 min; reductions correct." Wolfgang Steinicke feels H IV-15 refers to NGC 22 and WH never observed brighter NGC 16 but Corwin favors Dreyer's interpretation.

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NGC 23 = UGC 89 = MCG +04-01-033 = CGCG 477-062 = Mrk 545 = PGC 698

00 09 53.3 +25 55 26

V = 12.0; Size 2.2'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 8d

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE, diffuse. Unusual appearance as a mag 14 star is superimposed 26" SE of center. Forms a pair with NGC 26 9' SE.

8" (7/24/82): faint, small, elongated NW-SE, stellar nucleus. A star is at the SE end.

WH discovered NGC 23 = H III-147 on 10 Sep 1784 (sweep 264) and recorded as "2 or 3 stars in a line, with seeming nebulosity between them." I only noted a single superimposed star, though the second "star" may be the nucleus. Dreyer observed the galaxy on 21 Nov 1875 using LdR's 72" and described a "vS neb, with a starlike nucl = 11-12 mag and a *13 in PA 135.2°. Dist 26.2"." The NGC position matches UGC 89 (Englemann measured an accurate position, in Astronomische Nachrichten 2485).

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NGC 24 = ESO 472-016 = MCG -04-01-018 = UGCA 2 = PGC 701

00 09 56.4 -24 57 49

V = 11.6; Size 5.5'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 46d

17.5" (8/2/86): moderately bright, pretty edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, 4.0'x0.8', large bright core. A mag 12 star is just east of the NE edge. This is a little-known striking spiral.

WH discovered NGC 24 = H III-461 = h2308 on 27 Oct 1785 (sweep 467) and logged it as "vF, cL, lE, glbM, 4 or 5' long." JH logged it from the Cape as "F; vL; vmE; vgbM; 4' l; 1' br." Herbert Howe, using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory, reported the length as 3' and PA = 45°.

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NGC 25 = ESO 149-019 = PGC 706

00 09 59.4 -57 01 14

V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 85d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, 0.8'x0.5', fairly well concentrated with a brighter core. Flanked by a mag 15 star 0.6' NE and a similar star 1' S. Located 2.7' SE of a mag 10.5 star. NGC 28 lies 4' NE, NGC 31 5.7' ENE, 2MASX J00101851-5700419 2.5' ENE and Fairall 1 3.0' SSE. NGC 25 is a member of AGC 2731 (distance ~420 million l.y.) and the first (SW end) in a distinctive string of galaxies oriented WSW-ENE that includes four NGCs. A total of 9 members were logged in the cluster.

JH discovered NGC 25 = h2309 on 28 Oct 1834 and recorded as "F; R; 30" across." His position matches ESO 149-019 = PGC 706.

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NGC 26 = UGC 94 = MCG +04-01-034 = CGCG 477-064 = PGC 732

00 10 25.8 +25 49 55

V = 12.7; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 100d

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, broad concentration. Two mag 13.5 stars are 1.0' NE and 1.2' N of center. Forms a pair with NGC 23 9' NW.

13" (12/18/82): very faint, fairly small, oval.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 26 on 14 Sep 1865 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen and made a total of 3 observations. His position and descriptions (combined in the NGC as "vF, pL, R, 2 F stars north) matches UGC 94 = PGC 732. Dreyer independently found this galaxy using LdR's 72" on 28 Sep 1875 and recorded "eF, pL, R. Clouds came on."

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NGC 27 = UGC 96 = MCG +05-01-044 = CGCG 499-063 = PGC 742

00 10 32.7 +28 59 46

V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 117d

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.4', broad concentration to a brighter core. Located 1.5' N of mag 9.5 SAO 73786. A wide pair of mag 13.5 stars are 1.4' NNW and 2.0' NNW. Forms a pair with UGC 105 10' SE. Alpheratz (Alpha Andromedae, V = 2.1) lies 28' WNW.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, small, roundish, very small brighter core. Situated between two mag 13 and 14 stars.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 27 = Sw I-1 on 3 Aug 1884 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded as "vvF; vS; E; B* nr." His position matches UGC 96 = PGC 742.

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NGC 28 = PGC 730

00 10 25.2 -56 59 21

V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 30"x25", fairly high surface brightness, steadily increases to a very small bright core and stellar nucleus. Located in the core of AGC 2731 with NGC 31 1.8' E, NGC 25 4' SW and PGC 394784 2.4' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 28 = h2310 on 28 Oct 1834 and described as "eF, preceding of 2. Requires attention, but no doubt remains." The 2nd object is h2311 = NGC 31. His position matches PGC 730. This galaxy is missing from ESO and RC3, but is included in the Southern Galaxy Catalogue (0007.9-5716) with the correct identification. The data in RC3 for NGC 28 refers to NGC 31 and PGC reverses the identifications of NGC 28 and 31. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 29 = NGC 21 = UGC 100 = MCG +05-01-048 = CGCG 499-066 = PGC 767

00 10 46.9 +33 21 10

V = 12.7; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 154d

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NNW-SSE, weak concentration. A mag 15 star is at the north edge. Located 13' N of mag 6.8 SAO 53694. Third of three with NGC 13 and NGC 20.

WH discovered NGC 29 = H II-853 = h6 on 26 Nov 1790 (sweep 981) and noted "F, S, E nearly in the meridian." Lewis Swift independently found this galaxy on 20 Sep 1885 and recorded it in list II-5. His position was offset 1m 10 sec of RA too far west and 8' in declination, and Dreyer, assuming it was a new discovery, catalogued the galaxy again as NGC 21. But Swift's position for NGC 19, 7831 and 7836, all discovered on the same night, carry this same offset. So, NGC 21 is a duplicate observation of NGC 29, with the discovery priority going to NGC 29. This galaxy was observed 8 times using Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded on 16 Oct 1854 as "Elongated on and s, * at on end of neb inv, and another rather fainter s of center."

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NGC 30

00 10 50.8 +21 58 37

=**, Carlson and Corwin.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 30 = m 4 on 30 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "Neb * 13." SDSS shows a very close double 1' N of Marth's position at 00 10 50.8 +21 58 37 (J2000). Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, states "*14 and ? neb *15 nf alm att; *13.3 nff 2.9'. Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 lists of NGC/IC corrections, identifies NGC 30 as a double star.

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NGC 31 = ESO 149-020 = PGC 751

00 10 38.5 -56 59 11

V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 5d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): this is the largest of 9 members of AGC 2731 viewed. Appeared moderately bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8', broad concentration, bright core. Situated in the center of the cluster with NGC 28 1.8' W, NGC 25 5.7' SW and NGC 37 6.3' ENE. A mag 12 star lies 1.7' NNE.

JH discovered NGC 31 = h2311 on 28 Oct 1834 and logged "eeF; the following of 2. Requires attention, but leaves no doubt" and on a later sweep as "eeF; S; R." The preceding object is h2310 = NGC 28. JH's positions clearly establishes NGC 28 = PGC 730 and NGC 31 = ESO 149-020 = PGC 751. Nevertheless, the PGC reverses the identifications of NGC 28 and 31. The galaxy identified in the RC2 as NGC 28 is actually NGC 31. The ESO entry (149- G20) for NGC 31 does not give the NGC equivalence. The SGC (Southern Galaxy Catalogue) identifications are correct although the PGC errata paper claims the SGC reverses the identifications.

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NGC 32

00 10 53.5 +18 47 46

=wide **, Corwin. =several stars, RNGC.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 32 = Au 1 on 10 Oct 1861 while observing Comet Encke with the 6.2-inch Plössl refractor at Athens Observatory. Although it wasn't Schmidt's first discovery, it was published (AN 1355) in time to be included in Auwers' 1862 list in new nebulae and by JH as GC 16. His position corresponds precisely with a pair of mag 13.6/14.7 stars at 27" separation in PA = 200. Harold Corwin identifies Schmidt's object as a double star and RNGC calls it several stars.

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NGC 33

00 10 56.6 +03 40 33

=**, Corwin.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 33 = m 5 on 9 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "eF, vS, or neb st." Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, describes NGC 33 as a "? Neb *13.7, eS, R; *9.5 sp 2.0', *13.0 ssf 1.8'." The POSS shows a faint evenly matched double star at 00 10 58 +03 40.5 located 2.0' NW of a mag 10 star. This appears to be Reinmuth's object although the *9.5 is sf 2.0' not "sp". Corwin also identifies NGC 33 as a double star near Marth's position.

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NGC 34 = NGC 17 = MCG -02-01-032 = PGC 781

00 11 06.7 -12 06 27

V = 13.0; Size 2.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 30d

17.5" (8/20/88): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. A close double star (WZ 1 = 12.4/13.9 at 7") is 2' W. Forms a pair with NGC 35 6' NNE.

This infrared-luminous galaxy is in an advanced stage of merger with a tidal tail to the NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 34 = Sw VI-1 on 21 Nov 1886, along with NGC 35, with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position and description ("equilateral triangle with 2 stars, one a close double") matches MCG -02-01-032 = PGC 781. Frank Muller (II-276) independently found this galaxy in 1886. His position is 2.0 minute of RA too far west (description matches) and the galaxy was catalogued again as NGC 17. So, NGC 34 = NGC 17 (discovery priority unknown). Herbert Howe, searched for NGC 17 unsuccessfully with the 20" refractor at Denver, and concluded it was equivalent to NGC 34 based on the similar descriptions.

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NGC 35 = MCG -02-01-033 = PGC 784

00 11 10.5 -12 01 15

V = 12.5; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 11.4

17.5" (8/20/88): faint, very small, round, fairly even surface brightness. A mag 15 star is at the NE edge. Forms a pair with NGC 34 6' SSW.

Lewis Swift independently discovered NGC 35 = Sw VI-2 (along with NGC 34) on 21 Nov 1886. Frank Muller also found NGC 35 = LM II-277 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Swift's position is 48" N of MCG -02-01-033 = PGC 784. The discovery priority is unknown.

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NGC 36 = UGC 106 = MCG +01-01-043 = CGCG 408-040 = PGC 798

00 11 22.3 +06 23 21

V = 13.2; Size 2.2'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 21d

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, bright core. A mag 14 star lies 1.9' NE. Forms a close pair with MCG +01-01-044 1.0' E of center (not seen).

WH discovered NGC 36 = H III-456 on 25 Oct 1785 (sweep 464) and recorded "vF, pS, irr figure." His position is 1.0 min of RA too far east, but it was corrected by d'Arrest and Bigourdan and the NGC position is just 1' south of UGC 106 = PGC 798.

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NGC 37 = ESO 149-022 = PGC 801

00 11 23.0 -56 57 26

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 35d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.4'. Sharply concentrated with a very bright compact core, surrounded by a low surface brightness halo. A mag 15 star lies 0.8' E. 2MASX J00111972-5657065, a very compact galaxy, is just off the NW side. This member of AGC 2731 is located 6.3' ENE of NGC 31. A couple of faint members lie 2.5' NNE (2MASX J00112633-5655018) and 3' NE (2MASX J00114159-5655469).

JH discovered NGC 37 = h2312 on 2 Oct 1836 and recorded as "extremely faint, small, round.". His position matches ESO 149-022 = PGC 801, though ESO does not label this entry as NGC 37.

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NGC 38 = MCG -01-01-047 = PGC 818

00 11 47.0 -05 35 10

V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80d

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, small, almost round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 1.4' WNW a mag 12 star 2.6' ENE of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 38 = St XII-3 on 25 Oct 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and described as "F; S; R; bM; bright stellar nucleus." His position matches MCG -01-01-047 = PGC 818.

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NGC 39 = UGC 114 = MCG +05-01-052 = CGCG 499-076 = PGC 852

00 12 19.0 +31 03 42

V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, diffuse. A mag 14 star is at the south edge. Forms a pair with NGC 43 12' SE.

WH discovered NGC 39 = H III-861 = h7 on 2 Nov 1790 (sweep 975) and noted "eF, S." JH made three observations as well as two by d'Arrest.

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NGC 40 = PK 120+9.1 = PN G120.0+09.8

00 13 01.0 +72 31 19

V = 10.6; Size 38"x35"

48" (10/23/14): this showpiece, annular planetary was viewed unfiltered (low-excitation) at 488x and 813x and a remarkable amount of detail was visible. The main section of NGC 40 is nearly round and 42" in diameter but outer extensions on the north and south ends increase the dimensions to roughly 63"x48" SSW-NNE. The darker interior surrounding the blazing mag 11.5 central star has a very uneven surface brightness and is slightly darker to the southwest of the central star.

The irregular rim in much brighter along fairly narrow N-S strips on the west and east side. The western rim is the brighter one and somewhat patchy with a slightly darker notch to the south of its center. At its north end is a small, faint extension. The eastern rim is more uniform in brightness, but a very faint, thin outer loop curls north and west at its north end! A small, detached, elongated patch floats near the north edge, but slightly south of the tip of the outer loop to its east. A very faint star or stellar knot is involved in this patch.

The rim is very weak on the south side and an easy star is at the southwest end. A very small, faint detached glow was easily visible at the southern extremity [32" SSW of the central star] of NGC 40. This patch forms the eastern vertex of a small triangle with a star ~10" NW (noted earlier) and a fainter star 10" SE.

17.5" (12/30/99): at 100x appeared (unfiltered) as a slightly elongated, moderately bright disc surrounding a bright mag 11.5 central star. A slightly fainter mag 12 star lies 1.0' SW. This is a low excitation PN with an OIII/H-beta ratio of just 0.4 and at 100x there was a noticeable enhancement using the H-beta filter while it dimmed with an OIII filter. At 220x, a star was intermittently visible at the SW edge and the PN was slightly elongated SSW-NNE. The best filter response with this power was using the UHC. The surface brightness appeared irregular -- darker around the central star and slightly brighter along the west and east side of the rim. At 280x, the faint star I noted earlier was barely off the SW edge and the PN was weakly annular with a brighter rim along the west and east side and a darker center. The SW and NE ends of the halo were clearly weaker, though. 380x provided a nice view with subtle irregularities in the interior.

17.5" (11/1/86): bright, moderately large, round. Contains a prominent mag 11.5 central star surrounded by a fairly bright halo.

13" (12/7/85): at 166x, bright central star visible centered within a fairly small prominent disc.

13" (10/12/85): moderately large, bright central star surrounded by a moderately bright halo at 166x-214x using a UHC filter.

8": the bright central star is surrounded by an easy halo.

WH discovered NGC 40 = H IV-58 = h8 on 25 Nov 1788 (sweep 886) and recorded "a star about 9th mag, surrounded with vF milky nebulosity; other stars of the same size are perfectly clear from that appearance. The star is either not round or double; but I am in the north and above the pole, I could not view it sufficiently to determine it. Less than 1' in diameter." On 20 Nov 1829 (sweep 228), JH logged "a star 11m with a luminous atmosphere 30" to 40" diameter." On 29 Oct 1831 he noted "a * 10m with strong nebulous atmosphere 15" diameter. Exactly round and pretty suddently fading away makes a double star class 5 with a star preceding."

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NGC 41 = MCG +04-01-039 = CGCG 478-042 = PGC 865

00 12 48.0 +22 01 25

V = 13.6; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (11/14/87): faint, small, round, broad concentration. Forms a pair with NGC 42 5' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 41 = m 6 on 30 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta (along with m 7 = NGC 42) and logged as "pF, S, lE, gbM."

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NGC 42 = UGC 118 = MCG +04-01-041 = CGCG 478-043 = PGC 867

00 12 56.3 +22 06 02

V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 115d

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus, compact. Forms a pair with NGC 41 5' SSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 42 = m 7 (along with NGC 41) on 30 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "F, vS, stell."

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NGC 43 = UGC 120 = MCG +05-01-054 = CGCG 499-079 = PGC 875

00 13 00.8 +30 54 55

V = 12.6; Size 1.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 49" NW of center. Forms a pair with NGC 39 12' NW.

JH discovered NGC 43 = h9 on 11 Nov 1827 and logged as "eF; has a 12m star 45" dist; pos 325°." His position is 2' N of UGC 120 = PGC 875 (nearby NGC 39 is also offset 1.5' too far N).

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NGC 44

00 13 13.4 +31 17 11

=**, Corwin. =NF, RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 44 = h10 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged as "eF, vS; not to be seen but in the clearest night." There is a faint, very close double star at JH's position (00 13 13.4 +31 17 11) on the SDSS. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, appears to identify this double star as NGC 44: "cF, eS, E, ident doubtful; BD +30d17 npp 6.6'; double star 16 and 12.5 nf 1.5', *14 sf 1.3'." Corwin's confirms the identification as a double star.

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NGC 45 = ESO 473-001 = MCG -04-01-021 = UGCA 4 = PGC 930

00 14 03.9 -23 10 52

V = 10.6; Size 8.5'x5.9'; Surf Br = 14.7; PA = 142d

17.5" (8/2/86): faint, large, almost round, very diffuse. A mag 10 star is attached at the south end. Located 4' ENE of mag 7 SAO 166132! Both stars interfere with viewing.

13" (12/7/85): extremely faint, fairly large. A mag 7 star 4' WSW detracts from observation.

13" (8/24/84): only suspected at visual threshold. The nearby mag 7 star interferes with viewing.

JH discovered NGC 45 = h 2313 on 11 Nov 1835 and logged "extremely faint; large; round; very gradually very little brighter in the middle; attached to and nearly involving a large star; the following of two. A very faint object of singular appearance, 3 or 4' diameter; forms a kind of cometic appendage to the star, which, however, is quite at the edge." His position is 9 sec of RA west of ESO 473-001 (error corrected by Herbert Howe in 1900).

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NGC 46

00 14 09.8 +05 59 16

=*, Carlson and Corwin.

Edward Cooper discovered NGC 46 = Au 2 on 22 Oct 1852 at the Markree Observatory, and noted as a nebulous star while compiling the Markree Ecliptic Catalogue. There is only a mag 12.2 star at his position. Auwers reported only finding a sharp, nebulous star on 28 and 30 Sep 1861, but included it in his 1862 list of new nebulae. Bigourdan also reported he could not find a nebula at the Markree position.

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NGC 47 = NGC 58 = MCG -01-01-055 = PGC 967

00 14 30.7 -07 10 04

V = 13.0; Size 2.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.4

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, bright core. Collinear with mag 9 SAO 128650 5.4' WSW and a mag 10 star 4.5' WSW. In a group with NGC 54 10' ENE and NGC 50 11' SSE.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 47 in 1886 with the 11-inch refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. There is no published record on his observation, so the discovery must have been communicated directly to Dreyer, but Tempel's position matches MCG -01-01-055 = PGC 967. Lewis Swift (list V-3) likely independently discovered this galaxy on 21 Oct 1886, though his position is 1 min of RA east of PGC 67. The discovery priority is unknown.

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NGC 48 = UGC 133 = MCG +08-01-031 = CGCG 549-027 = PGC 929

00 14 02.1 +48 14 05

V = 13.6; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 15d

17.5" (8/31/86): third and largest of six in a group (first of three NGC galaxies with NGC 49 and NGC 51 along with the IC trio 1534/1535/1536!). Fairly faint, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, even surface brightness, diffuse. Lower surface brightness than NGC 49 and NGC 51 but larger.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 48 = Sw II-6, along with NGC 49 and 51, on 7 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 0.7 min of RA east of UGC 1337. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 13 Oct 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) and as well as E.E. Barnard, who found them without prior knowledge (AN 4136).

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NGC 49 = UGC 136 = MCG +08-01-033 = CGCG 549-029 = PGC 952

00 14 22.4 +48 14 48

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 165d

17.5" (8/31/86): fifth of six in the NGC 51 group. Fairly faint, small, almost round, bright core. Second of three NGC galaxies and situated between NGC 48 and 51.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 49 = Sw II-7, along with NGC 48 and 51, on 7 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 0.5 min of RA east of UGC 136, though his description "middle one of 3 in line" pins downs the identification. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 13 Oct 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) and as well as Barnard (AN 4136). Barnard's sketch of the field was published in AN 4136.

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NGC 50 = MCG -01-01-058 = PGC 983

00 14 44.7 -07 20 43

V = 11.6; Size 2.3'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 155d

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE. Rises to a small, very bright core. Brightest in a group with MCG -01-01-057 3' NNW (logged as "faint, very small, round") and NGC 47 11' NNW.

Gaspare Ferrari discovered NGC 50 = Nova #13 = Sw V-1 on 8 Jan 1866 while searching for Biela's Comet. He was using the 9.5-inch Merz equatorial at the College Romain as an assistant to Father Angelo Secchi (see AN 1571).  His position matches MCG -01-01-058 = PGC 983.  Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 21 Oct 1886 and reported it as new in his 5th discovery list.  His position is 12 sec of RA too large and 25" too far south.  Swift noted in the errata to list VI, that V-1 was identical to GC 5092. Ferrari missed NGC 47 just 11' NNW, which was independently found by Wilhelm Tempel and Swift.  Only two out of the 14 objects found by Ferrari (Dreyer instead attributed discoveries to the director Angelo Secchi) can be identified with certainty!

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NGC 51 = UGC 138 = MCG +08-01-035 = CGCG 549-031 = PGC 974

00 14 34.9 +48 15 20

V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (8/31/86): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core. A faint star is superimposed on SE edge (or a companion galaxy). Brightest and last of six in the group. Also the third of three NGC galaxies in the NGC 51 group.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 51 = Sw II-8 on 7 Sep 1885, along with NGC 48 and 49, with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His RA is 0.5 min too large (similar offset as the other two). Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 13 Oct 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) and as well as Barnard (AN 4136).

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NGC 52 = UGC 140 = MCG +03-01-030 = CGCG 456-042 = PGC 978

00 14 40.1 +18 34 54

V = 13.3; Size 2.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 127d

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, small, thin edge-on 5:1 WNW-ESE, weak concentration.

WH discovered NGC 52 = H III-183 = h11 on 18 Sep 1784 (sweep 277) and recorded "eF, S, irr E." The NGC position is 0.4 min of RA east of UGC 140 = PGC 978. Bigourdan measured an accurate RA on 13 Nov 1889 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).

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NGC 53 = ESO 111-020 = PGC 982

00 14 42.8 -60 19 44

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 160d

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright and large, elongated 5:3 N-S, 1.2'x0.7'. Broadly concentrated then suddenly condenses to a sharp stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star lies 1.7' W of center. A faint star lies 1' NE of center [on the DSS it appears to be a very close double]. Several mag 10-12 stars are in the field.

JH discovered NGC 53 = h2314 on 15 Sep 1836 and recorded "extremely faint; round; very little brighter in the middle; 30" across." His position matches ESO 111-020 = PGC 982.

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NGC 54 = MCG -01-01-060 = PGC 1011

00 15 07.7 -07 06 25

V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 93d

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, even surface brightness. Located 10' ENE of NGC 47 in a group.

Wilhelm Tempel independently discovered NGC 54 in 1886 with the 11-inch refractor at the Arcetri Observatory, along with Lewis Swift (V-2) on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. Tempel's observation doesn't appear in any of his lists so the discovery must have been communicated directly to Dreyer and the discovery priority is unknown. Swift's published position is 10 sec of RA east and 27" S of MCG -01-01-060 = PGC 1011, but the RA is accurately stated in the NGC (probably from Tempel).

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NGC 55 = IC 1537 = ESO 293-050 = MCG -07-01-013 = PGC 1014

00 15 05.9 -39 13 01

V = 7.9; Size 32.4'x5.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 108d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran): NGC 55 nearly filled the 37' field of the 21mm Ethos at 264x, extending close to 30' in length WNW-ESE and roughly 4' in width.  The structure was fascinating at 429x with a highly irregular surface brightness due to dusty patches and rifts along with bright clumps and knots.  The "bright" central section, which is offset WNW of center, spans ~9' in length.  At the west end of the central section, the surface brightness dims significantly and the galaxy tapers, extending several arc minutes further WNW.  At the ESE side of the central portion is a bright, elongated, mottled core, roughly 1' in length and bulging slightly. Just ESE of the core are two noticeable knots; the first is small but elongated, the second knot is very bright and elongated.  With careful viewing the second knot resolved into two individual pieces or clumps.  Continuing further ESE, the surface brightness drops significantly very quickly and a large, elongated dark wedge appears to take a bite out of the galaxy.  Just as the galaxy begins to brighten again towards the ESE end, there is another bright round knot and a second very small piece just detached to the ENE.  At the ESE tip the galaxy brightens a bit more and has an irregular, patchy appearance with a couple of brighter stars superimposed.

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): viewed at nearly 60° elevation at 212x, this huge galaxy was an amazing sight and overfilled the 23' field (at least 25' in length).  Near the core were two small, prominent HII knots.  A couple of additional low surface brightness knots were visible further east along the mottled extensions.  The appearance was asymmetric with the brighter WNW section bulging slightly.

17.5" (11/1/86): very large, edge-on 6:1 WNW-ESE, 16'x3'.  Very asymmetric with a bright, elongated western portion, darker center and a faint eastern section (IC 1537).  Faint stars are involved at the west side.  The eastern portion appears tilted at a slight angle to the main western portion. 

13" (11/5/83): fairly bright.  The very faint eastern portion is near detached from the bright WNW section.

8" (9/25/81): very large, very elongated, brighter to the west, very faint eastern section.

15x50 IS binoculars (10/21/06): although very low in the southern sky, visible as a faint, relatively large elongated patch using handheld IS binoculars.  Easy to locate 3.8° NW of Alpha Phe as the galaxy is exactly collinear with three mag 7 stars to the east that are aligned east to west.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 55 = D 507 = h2315 on 7 Jul 1826 from Parramatta, New South Wales. Using his 9-inch f/12 speculum reflector, he described it as "a beautiful long nebula, about 25' in length; position N.p. and S.f., a little brighter towards the middle, but extremely faint and diluted to the extremities. I see several minute points or stars in it, as it were through the nebula: the nebulous matter of the south extremity is extremely rare, and of a delicate bluish hue. This is a beautiful object." Dunlop sketched the galaxy and observed it on four occasions.

JH first observed this galaxy from the Cape on 3 May 1834: "bright; very large; very much elongated in a long irregular train, the preceding end being much the brightest. Whole length = 1.5 diam. of field, or 22' The nucleus is either a double star or a much more sharply terminated nebulous mass, elongated in a different position (146.5 ) from that of the nebula (109.8 )." He observed it again on 23 October 1835, recording it as "very bright; very large; very much elongated; at least 25' long and 3' broad. The following part is faint, the preceding and shorter trinuclear the 2d, nucleus taken. A strange object." His final observation on 4 October 1836 reads: "very bright, very large; a very long irregular crooked ray with 3 nuclei, the second of which appears to consist of stars." His sketch of the galaxy (fig. 8, plate IV) clearly shows its convoluted form and three brighter sections. In his discussion, he grouped it together with the galaxy NGC 300 and the star cluster NGC 1950 as "nebulae of irregular forms having a tendency to several centres of condensation; in the case of [NGC 1950] but little conspicuous - in that of [NGC 55] (otherwise remarkable for its extravagant length and crooked shape) much more so, while in [NGC 300], the formation of separate nuclei is decided, the intermediate faint nebula barely sufficing to mark them as forming a connected system."

Corwin notes that Sw XI-2 = IC 1537, found by Swift on 23 Sep 1897 and described as "eeeF; vL; eE; close f NGC 55; f of 2." is actually the ESE arm of NGC 55, which was first seen and sketched by Dunlop. Joseph Turner sketched NGC 55 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope at http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_1_2.php

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NGC 56

00 15 24 +12 26

=no neb, Carlson and Corwin.

JH found NGC 56 = h12 on 13 Oct 1825 and logged "about this place a considerable space seems affected by nebulosity." Neither Guillaume Bigourdan nor Édouard Stephan found anything near Herschel's position. Also nothing was found on Mount Wilson or Lick photographs. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, states "vF, pL, pmE, ph, =neb Wolf XIII No. 112; neb Wolf XIII No. 111 np 9'." Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections, notes that Wolf XIII No. 112 is 1m.6 f and 5' S of Dreyer positions of NGC 56 and is pL (1.7' in dia) instead as "eL" as Herschel described it. See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 57 = UGC 145 = MCG +03-01-031 = CGCG 456-046 = PGC 1037

00 15 30.9 +17 19 43

V = 11.6; Size 2.2'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 40d

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 57 = H II-241 = H II-243 = h13 on 8 Oct 1784 (sweep 286) and recorded (for II-241) "pS, cometic, but hazy weather." A couple of nights later he logged this galaxy again as II-243, "faint, small, irregularly round." In the GC, JH notes that Auwers misidentified H II-243, which is identical to H II-241 (the confusion was caused by an omitted offset star). This galaxy was observed 7 times at Birr Castle and the 26 Oct 1854 observation reads "vF, I think it is resolvable [mottled]."

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NGC 58 = NGC 47 = MCG -01-01-055 = PGC 967

00 14 30.7 -07 10 04

See observing notes for NGC 47.

Lewis Swift found NGC 58 = Sw V-3 on 21 Oct 1886, in a trio with NGC 50 and NGC 54, with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. There is nothing at Swift's position but his description reads "vF, pS, R, wide D * near sp"; 3rd of 3. Herbert Howe, using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory, was unable to find NGC 58 on two nights and suggested that NGC 58 is a duplicate of NGC 47, discovered earlier by Wilhelm Tempel in 1886. This requires that Swift's RA for NGC 58 was 1.1 minutes too large. Despite Swift's comment "3rd of 3", his description of a "wide D[ouble] star nr sp" applies to NGC 47, making this equivalence very likely. Dreyer repeats Howe's efforts in the IC II Notes and adds "probably = [NGC] 47". See Corwin's notes for the full story.

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NGC 59 = ESO 539-004 = MCG -04-01-026 = PGC 1034

00 15 25.3 -21 26 42

V = 12.4; Size 2.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 127d

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, large bright core. There are four mag 13-14 stars to the west.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 59 = LM I-1 on 10 Nov 1885 and recorded "pS, iR, lE 120°". His very rough RA (to nearest tmin) is coincidentally just 0.2 tmin E of ESO 539-004 = PGC 1034 and the position angle matches. In the paper "Southern Nebulae" from Leander McCormick Observatory, the position was micrometrically measured and pinpoints ESO 539-004.

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NGC 60 = UGC 150 = MCG +00-01-048 = CGCG 382-037 = PGC 1058

00 15 58.4 -00 18 13

V = 14.1; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 155d

17.5" (8/20/88): extremely faint, small, round. A mag 15 star is off the west edge. Located 17' due east of mag 8 SAO 128658.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 60 = St XII-4 on 2 Nov 1882 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "eeF; vS; R; lbM." His position matches UGC 150 = PGC 1058.

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NGC 61 = (R)NGC 61A = MCG -01-01-062 = PGC 1083

00 16 24.5 -06 19 21

V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (8/20/88): this is a double system with the brighter component (NGC 61A = MCG -01-01-062) at the SSE end appearing faint, very small, contains a small bright core. In a common halo with NGC 61B = MCG -01-01-063 at the NNW edge. The fainter component appeared very faint, extremely small, round. Located near the Cetus border. MCG -01-01-065 lies 10' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 61 = H III-428 = h14 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) and logged "vF; vS; irr figure." On 5 Oct 1785, he noted "vF, S, vlbM." The declination in RNGC (copied from MCG) is 5' too large. The correct dec is given in RC3. This galaxy is identified as NGC 61A in RC3 and MCG.

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NGC 62 = MCG -02-01-043 = Holm 5a = PGC 1125

00 17 05.5 -13 29 13

V = 11.5; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 11.6; PA = 130d

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, small, oval WSW-ENE, weak concentration. Located between mag 7.2 SAO 147195 9' WNW and mag 6.5 SAO 147208 13' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 62 = St XIII-2 on 8 Oct 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and logged as "F, vS, R, glbM." His position matches MCG -02-01-043 = PGC 1125. This is the southernmost galaxy discovered by Stephan. Francis Leavenworth independently found this nebula in 1886 and included it in list I-2. His rough position was 1.5 tmin too far W (typical error).

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NGC 63 = UGC 167 = MCG +02-01-030 = CGCG 433-042 = PGC 1160

00 17 45.4 +11 27 01

V = 11.6; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 108d

17.5" (12/19/87): fairly bright, fairly small, very elongated ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 63 = Sf 96 on 27 Aug 1865 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen and recorded (combining two observations) "class II, round, 35", mag 16 nucleus; lying between two mag 12 and 13 stars, the first precedes the nebula by 9.7 sec." His position and description matches UGC 167.

Truman Safford made an independent discovery on 30 Sep 1867 with the 18.5" refractor at the Dearborn Observatory as well as Hermann Vogel on 16 Aug 1868 (he credited d'Arrest). Dreyer observed NGC 63 with the 72" on 30 Oct 1877 and logged, "pB, pS, oval p f, smbM. Inside a triangle of 3 st 12, one of them in PA 268.9 (W), Dist 143.7", the 2 others about the same distance np and f."

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NGC 64 = MCG -01-01-068 = PGC 1149

00 17 30.3 -06 49 30

V = 13.2; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 30d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, weak concentration. An anonymous galaxy (2MASXi J0018358-070255) lies 21' SE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 64 = Sw V-4 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 17 sec of RA east and 1.6' south of MCG -01-01-068 = PGC 1149. 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 65 = ESO 473-010A = MCG -04-02-001 = PGC 1229

00 18 58.7 -22 52 50

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 178d

17.5" (8/20/88): faint, small, round. Located 2.6' WNW of mag 8.8 SAO 166184. Forms a pair with NGC 66 3.6' SSE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 65 = LM II-278 (along with NGC 66 = LM II-279) in 1886. His position is 1.0 minute of RA west of ESO 473-010A = PGC 1229. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). The MCG entry for this galaxy (-04-02-001) gives the NGC designation as "uncertain".

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NGC 66 = ESO 473-010 = MCG -04-02-002 = PGC 1236

00 19 05 -22 56 18

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 32d

17.5" (8/20/88): faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, even surface brightness. Located 1.4' S of mag 8.8 SAO 166184. Forms a pair with NGC 65 3' NNW.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 66 = LM II-279 (along with NGC 65 = LM II-278) in 1886. His position is 1 min of RA west and 1' south of ESO 473-010 = PGC 1236. His description of a mag 9 star 1.2' NNE 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). The MCG entry for this galaxy (-04-02-002) gives the NGC designation was "uncertain".

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NGC 67 = Arp 113 = VV 166g = Holm 6e = PGC 138159

00 18 12.2 +30 03 19

V = 15.6; Size 0.45'x0.3'; PA = 112d

24" (9/15/12): very faint, very small, round, 12"-15" diameter, just visible continuously. This galaxy is at the west end of the NGC 68 group and on a line extending northeast with PGC 1185, NGC 68 and NGC 70 with each galaxy separated from the next by less than 1'. PGC 1185, misidentified in most catalogues as NGC 67 and the faintest galaxy in the central region, is situated just 44" NE. PGC 1185 appeared extremely faint and small, 8" diameter.

18" (11/14/09): this galaxy and PGC 1185 were the faintest members viewed in the NGC 68 group. NGC 67 appeared as a mag 16 threshold glow 1.7' SW of NGC 68. It required averted to occasionally glimpse, though a few times I could tell it was elongated. In a 22" scope, I was able to hold this galaxy continuously at over 400x.

PGC 1185 was occasionally glimpsed as a threshold "star" sandwiched between this galaxy and NGC 68 (0.8' from both galaxies). Most sources identify PGC 1185 as NGC 67 and this galaxy as NGC 67A or anonymous although it was clearly shown on Rosse's sketch of the field. The identification is corrected on the NGC/IC Project site.

17.5" (8/27/87): extremely faint and small. First in the NGC 68 group of 9 with NGC 68 0.9' NE, NGC 69 1.8' SE and NGC 71 1.9' E. This observation may apply to NGC 67 or PGC 1185 very close NE.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 67 using LdR's 72" on 7 Oct 1855, while observing and sketching the NGC 68 group (plate XXV, fig 1 in the 1861 publication). PGC 1185 (close northeast) is misidentified as NGC 67 in various sources including Megastar. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 68 = Arp 113 = VV 166b = Holm 6a = UGC 170 = MCG +05-01-065 = CGCG 499-106 = WBL 007-008 = PGC 1187

00 18 18.5 +30 04 18

V = 12.9; Size 1.2'x1.1'

24" (9/15/12): at 322x appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, high surface brightness though contains a brighter nucleus. One of the brighter members in a dense group of galaxies and forms a tight trio with NGC 70 1.0' NE and NGC 71 1.3' SE. In addition, CGCG 499-104 is just 57" SW. In total, 10 galaxies were logged in a 5' circle!

18" (11/14/09): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter. Appears as a compact knot (like a core) of moderate surface brightness with no outer halo. Forms the southwest vertex of a tight trio with NGC 70 and NGC 71 in a dense group.

17.5" (8/27/87): faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration. This galaxy is the brightest in a compact group and first in an interconnected trio with NGC 70 1.0' NE and NGC 71 1.2' SE. An extremely difficult galaxy, NGC 67, is just 0.9' SW.

WH discovered NGC 68 = H V-16 = h15 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) and recorded "eF, 5 or 6' dia, 3 or 4 stars in it; but they seem to have connection with it." This is the only galaxy Herschel discovered in the group, but he listed it in his fifth class of "large" nebulae, and Corwin comments it's likely he saw the merged light of NGC's 68, 70, and 71 (3 brightest in a small triangle in the core). R.J. Mitchell, using LdR's 72" on 7 Oct 1885, made a sketch of NGC 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74, and it was included in the 1861 Rosse publication. The NGC position matches UGC 170 = PGC 1187.

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NGC 69 = Arp 113 = VV 166e = Holm 6f = MCG +05-01-066 = CGCG 499-105 = WBL 007-007 = PGC 1191

00 18 20.5 +30 02 24

V = 14.8; Size 0.5'x0.3'

24" (9/15/12): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, bright quasi-stellar nucleus. Member of the compact NGC 68 group and first in a string with NGC 72 1.8' E and NGC 72A 3.0' E.

18" (11/14/09): very faint, extremely small, round, 15" diameter. Located 1.6' SSE of NGC 71 and a similar separation due west of NGC 72.

17.5" (8/27/87): extremely faint and small, faint stellar nucleus. In the core of the NGC 68 group with NGC 67 1.8' NW, NGC 71 1.6' NNE, NGC 72 1.8' E.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 69 on 7 Oct 1855 using LdR's 72", while observing the NGC 68 group. It's clearly shown on the sketch on plate XXV in the 1861 publication. The NGC position matches CGCG 499-105 = PGC 1191.

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NGC 70 = Arp 113 = VV 166a = Holm 6c = UGC 174 = MCG +05-01-067 = CGCG 499-108 = WBL 007-010 = IC 1539 = PGC 1194

00 18 22.6 +30 04 47

V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 0d

24" (9/15/12): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S. Extends between two mag 14 stars separated by 42". Sharply concentrated with a small, high surface brightness core and a much fainter halo.

18" (11/14/09): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, sandwiched between two mag 13.5-14 stars at the NNE and SW ends [42" separation]. Sharply concentrated with a very small bright core and a diffuse, low surface brightness halo that might extend to 0.8'x0.6', though the stars confuse the extent of the halo. Forms the northern member of a very tight trio with NGC 71 1' SSE and NGC 68 1' SW. A total of 9 members were viewed within a 7' circle!

17.5" (8/27/87): very faint, very small, round, small bright core. Located in the core of NGC 68 group and nearly between two mag 13.5 stars 25" NE and 20" SSW. In an interconnected trio with NGC 68 1.0' SW and NGC 71 1.0' SSE.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 70 on 7 Oct 1855 while observing the NGC 68 group. It was accurately placed on the sketch (plate XXV, fig 1) in the 1861 publication. The NGC position matches UGC 174 = PGC 1194. Bigourdan found the galaxy again on 19 Dec 1897, while misidentifying a star as NGC 70, and it was catalogued as IC 1539. So, NGC 70 = IC 1539. See Corwin's notes

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NGC 71 = Arp 113 = VV 166c = Holm 6b = UGC 173 = MCG +05-01-068 = CGCG 499-107 = WBL 007-009 = PGC 1197

00 18 23.5 +30 03 48

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4

24" (9/15/12): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, sharply concentrated with a high surface brightness 0.4' core and a much fainter halo to 40" diameter. In a tight group of 10 galaxies including NGC 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 74, along with numerous stars mixed in! A mag 14 star is 40" ENE.

18" (11/14/09): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter. Compact appearance with a fairly high uniform surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is close following [38" ENE]. Forms the SE vertex of a tight equilateral triangle of galaxies with NGC 68 and NGC 70.

17.5" (8/27/87): very faint, small, oval ~E-W, weak concentration. Member of the NGC 68 group and third in a close trio with NGC 68 1.2' NW and NGC 70 1.0' NNW.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 71 on 7 Oct 1855 while observing the NGC 68 group. It was accurately placed on the sketch (plate XXV, fig 1) in the 1861 publication. Heinrich d'Arrest independently found the galaxy on 23 Sep 1865.

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NGC 72 = Arp 113 = VV 166d = Holm 6d = UGC 176 = MCG +05-01-069 = CGCG 499-109 = WBL 007-011 = PGC 1204

00 18 28.3 +30 02 26

V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 15d

24" (9/15/12): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 30"x24", very small brighter nucleus. Member of the compact NGC 68 group and in a string with NGC 60 1.7' W and NGC 72A 1.3' ESE.

18" (11/14/09): faint, small, slightly elongated, 35"x30" diameter, low even surface brightness. Located 2-3' SE of a tight trio (NGC 68/70/71). NGC 72A, an extremely compact galaxy, lies 1.3' E.

17.5" (8/27/87): very faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, weak concentration. Located in the core of the NGC 68 group with NGC 72A 1.3' ESE, NGC 69 1.8' W, NGC 71 1.7' NW.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 72 on 7 Oct 1855 while observing the NGC 68 group. It was accurately placed on the sketch (plate XXV, fig 1) in the 1861 publication. The NGC position matches UGC 176 = PGC 1204.

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NGC 73 = MCG -03-01-026 = PGC 1211

00 18 39.0 -15 19 20

V = 12.7; Size 1.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 145d

17.5" (8/20/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core. A mag 14/15 double star is close following (separation of 24" oriented SW-NE).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 73 = Sw V-5 on 21 Oct 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and logged "vF; S; R; vF D* close following." His position is 30" N of MCG -03-01-026 = PGC 1211 and his comment about the "vF D * close f" applies.

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NGC 74 = MCG +05-01-071 = PGC 1219

00 18 49.3 +30 03 42

V = 14.5; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 130d

24" (9/15/12): faint or fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.25', broad weak concentration. On the east side of the NGC 67-72 group, 5.6' due east of NGC 71.

18" (11/14/09): extremely faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.2'. Appears as a phantom streak with averted vision. Located ~6' E of the NGC 68/70/71 triple and furthest east member of the group.

17.5" (8/27/87): very faint, small, elongated NW-SE, diffuse, even surface brightness. Located 6' E of NGC 71 at the east edge of the NGC 68/NGC 70 group.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 74 on 7 Oct 1855 while observing the NGC 68 group. It was accurately placed on the sketch (plate XXV, fig 1) in the 1861 publication. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 29 Sep 1886, matching PGC 1219.

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NGC 75 = UGC 182 = MCG +01-01-051 = CGCG 408-048 = PGC 1255

00 19 26.4 +06 26 57

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (8/20/88): faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 5' SE of an isosceles triangle of mag 11/12 stars with sides 1.3', 1.6' and 1.7'. Mag 7.2 SAO 109145 lies 13' SE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 75 = Sw V-6 on 22 Oct 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 6 sec of RA west and 48" north of UGC 182 = PGC 1255.

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NGC 76 = UGC 185 = MCG +05-01-072 = CGCG 499-111 = Holm 8a = WBL 007-013 = PGC 1267

00 19 37.8 +29 56 01

V = 13.0; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 80d

17.5" (8/27/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~E-W, small bright core.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 76 = Big. 1 on 22 Sep 1884 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory. This was Bigourdan's first discovery of a nebula.

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NGC 77 = ESO 473-015 = PGC 1290

00 20 01.6 -22 31 56

V = 14.6; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (12/20/95): extremely faint spot on the threshold of visibility with averted vision. Only glimpsed for moments several times although sighting certain. Located 3.1' ESE of a mag 11.5 star. Next closest is a 14th mag star 4.0' WSW. Incorrectly identified in the RNGC as MCG -04-02-003.

17.5" (10/21/95): not seen, though viewed through thin clouds.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 77 = LM II-280 in 1886 using the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick observatory in Charlottesville, Virginia. Although the discovery positions at the observatory were generally very imprecise due to poorly calibrated circles (in this case off by 30 tsec in RA), Howe measured an accurate position (given in the IC 2 Notes section), which matches ESO 473-015 = PGC 1290. Furthermore, Muller stated a mag 9 star lies 2.8' W (in PA 280°) and a mag 11 star is 3.1' WNW in PA 282°. ESO and SGC correctly identify this galaxy as NGC 77, but the RNGC misidentifies MCG -04-02-003 as NGC 77. 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 78 = (R)NGC 78A = UGC 193 = MCG +00-02-004 = CGCG 383-001 = Mrk 547 = PGC 1306

00 20 25.8 +00 49 35

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 80d

17.5" (8/20/88): this is a double system with the southwestern member appearing faint, very small, round, bright core. The companion is attached at the northeast end and appears very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness. The two components are separated by just 30" and are within a common halo.

Frederick Pechüle discovered NGC 78 around 1876 using the 11-inch Merz refractor at the Copenhagen Observatory. The discovery must have been communicated directly to Dreyer as it was included in the GC Supplement (5094), but there was no published announcement. The NGC position is 1.5' north of UGC 193 = PGC 1306. This is a double galaxy and identified as NGC 78A in MCG and RC3 . The RNGC designations are reversed in RA.

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NGC 79 = MCG +04-02-003 = CGCG 479-003 = PGC 1340

00 21 02.9 +22 34 00

V = 14.0; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0

18" (11/22/08): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, broad weak concentration. This member of the NGC 80 cluster situated between NGC 86 located 6' E and IC 1542 located 5.2' WNW.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, fairly small, almost round, broad concentration. Located at the NW end of the NGC 80 group 9.1' NW of NGC 83. NGC 80 lies 13' SSE.

13" (9/29/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 79 = Big. 2, along with NGC 86 and 94, on 14 Nov 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory at the NW end of the NGC 80 group. His position matches CGCG 479-003 = PGC 1340. 10 days later he also picked up NGC 96.

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NGC 80 = UGC 203 = MCG +04-02-004 = CGCG 479-006 = PGC 1351

00 21 10.9 +22 21 26

V = 12.1; Size 1.6'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.0

18" (11/22/08): this giant lenticular galaxy is the brightest in a rich group of 20 galaxies viewed in a 25' circle. At 283x it appeared fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a very bright 30" core that increases to the center and a much fainter outer halo. The closest cluster members are NGC 81 1.6' NNE, 2MASX J00205474+2222017 3.7' WNW and NGC 83 5.3' NNE.

17.5" (9/19/87): moderately bright, fairly small, sharp concentration, very bright core, stellar nucleus. Brightest in a group with NGC 81, 83, 85, 86, 91, 93, 94, 96, IC 1546 and MCG +04-02-010. Forms a close pair with extremely faint NGC 81 1.6' NNE and NGC 83 is 5.3' NNE.

13" (9/29/84): moderately bright, fairly small, almost round, small bright core.

JH discovered NGC 80 = h16 on 17 Aug 1828. The NGC 80 group was observed 5 times with Lord Rosse's 72" and R.J. Mitchell's observation on 19 Sep 1857 reads "S; R; or nearly so; and lbM." The NGC position matches UGC 203 = PGC 1351.

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NGC 81 = PGC 1352

00 21 13.2 +22 22 59

V = 15.7; Size 0.3'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 84d

18" (11/22/08): this companion to NGC 80 appeared extremely faint and small, round, just 6"-10" diameter. A mag 15 star lies 0.7' NNW. Located 1.7' NNE of NGC 80.

17.5" (9/19/87): extremely faint and small, slightly elongated. Two mag 15 stars are close NW, the nearer star is 40" NW. Located just 1.6' NNE of NGC 80 in a group.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 81 on 15 Nov 1873 during one of the observations with Lord Rosse's 72" of the GC 38 = NGC 80 group. Copeland described a "F neb, fairly certain. Pos 212.3°, dist 219.5" from [NGC 83]". His micrometric offset matches PGC 1352. Corwin notes that Bigourdan mistook a star NW of the galaxy (mentioned in my visual observation of the galaxy) as NGC 81.

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NGC 82

00 21 17.4 +22 27 42

=*, Corwin and Carlson.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 82 = Big. 3 on 23 Oct 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory. According to Corwin, Bigourdan's offset matches a star at 00 21 17.4 +22 27 42 (2000). NGC 82 is incorrectly equated with NGC 83 in the MCG.

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NGC 83 = UGC 206 = MCG +04-02-005 = CGCG 479-008 = PGC 1371

00 21 22.5 +22 26 01

V = 12.5; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.4

18" (11/22/08): fairly faint, small, round, 20"-24" diameter, weak concentration. Cradled by three brighter mag 10-10.5 stars off the following side with the closest 0.9' SSE. This galaxy is probably the second brightest in the NGC 80 cluster.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, slightly elongated NW-SE, broad concentration. This is the second brightest member of the NGC 80 group with NGC 80 5.3' SSW and the NGC 91/93 pair 7.0' ESE. Three mag 10-10.5 stars lie 0.9' SSE, 1.4' ESE and 1.6' E.

13" (9/29/84): fairly faint, very small, round. Three mag 10 stars follow. Located 5' NE of NGC 80 is a group.

JH discovered NGC 83 = h17 on 17 Aug 1828 and recorded "E; perhaps bicentral; makes trapezium with three B stars.". His position is ~1' N of UGC 206 = PGC 1371 and the description of the nearby stars matches. Engelhardt measured an accurate micrometric position. R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 26 Oct 1854, noted "round and brighter in the middle."

This galaxy is identified as NGC 82/83 in MCG although NGC 82 refers to a star only.

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NGC 84

00 21 21.3 +22 37 03

=*, Thomson and Corwin. Incorrectly identified in the RNGC as MCG +04-02-010.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 84 = Big. 4 on 14 Nov 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory. At his position is a single star. The RNGC misidentifies MCG +04-02-010 as NGC 84. The identification was discussed in the Webb Society Quarterly Journal for July, 1991.

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NGC 85 = NGC 85A = MCG +04-02-007 = CGCG 479-009 = PGC 1375

00 21 25.5 +22 30 43

V = 14.8; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.5

18" (11/22/08): faint, very small, slightly elongated, ~18"x15". Forms a very close pair with IC 1546 = NGC 85B just 0.9' SE within the NGC 80 cluster. Situated between NGC 83 4.7' S and NGC 86 2.8' N.

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated. Forms a close pair with IC 1546 = NGC 85B 53" ESE and NGC 83 lies 5' S.

13" (9/29/84): extremely faint, very diffuse, small, almost round. Located 5' N of NGC 83.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 85 on 15 Nov 1873 using Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded "eeF, cL, R neb, was certainly and repeatedly seen. Pos 7.4°, dist 289.2" or 2.7s f, 4'46" N of [N83]. His micrometric offset points directly at CGCG 479-009 = PGC 1375. MCG identifies this galaxy as NGC 85A and assigns NGC 85B to IC 1546.

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NGC 86 = MCG +04-02-009 = CGCG 479-011 = PGC 1383

00 21 28.6 +22 33 24

V = 14.8; Size 0.8'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 9d

18" (11/22/08): this member of the NGC 80 group appeared faint, very small, elongated 3:2 N-S, ~20"x14". Elongated in the direction of a mag 12.5 star located just 0.7' S of center. NGC 85 lies 2.8' S.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, very small, elongated ~N-S. A mag 12.5 star is 35" S. MCG +04-02-010 (incorrectly identified in RNGC as NGC 84) lies 2.2' NNE. Located 4' N of NGC 85 in the NGC 80 group.

13" (9/29/84): extremely faint, very small, round. A mag 13 star is close S.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 86 = Big. 5 on 14 Nov 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory, along with NGCs 79 and 94.

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NGC 87 = ESO 194-008 = Robert's Quartet = Phoenix Group = Rose 34 = AM 0018-485 = PGC 1357

00 21 14.2 -48 37 42

V = 14.3; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.6

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.7' diameter, low even surface brightness. Westernmost and second faintest in the compact Phoenix Quartet (Rose 34) with NGC 88 1.5' SE, NGC 89 2.8' SE and NGC 92 2.9' E. The arrangement is distinctive with the three brighter galaxies (NGC 87/89/92) arranged in an equilateral triangle with NGC 88 in the center, forming a "Y" or propeller shape. ESO 194-13 lies 12' ENE of the quartet.

JH discovered NGC 87 = h2316 (along with NGC 88, 89, 92) on 30 Sep 1834 and recorded "eF, vS, R, gbM, first of four." The next sweep two nights later he logged "eF; S; R. The first of a group of four nebulae."

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NGC 88 = ESO 194-010 = Robert's Quartet = Phoenix Group = Rose 34 = AM 0018-485 = PGC 1370

00 21 22.0 -48 38 24

V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 145d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, very small bright core. An extremely faint star is attached at the SW end. This galaxy is the faintest in the Phoenix Quartet (Rose 34) and centered in an equilateral triangle of galaxies with NGC 87 1.5' NW, NGC 92 1.9' NE and NGC 89 1.5' S.

JH discovered NGC 88 = h2317 (along with NGC 87, 89 and 92) on 30 Sep 1834 and recorded "eF, vS, R, 2nd of 4, in centre of gravity of the others.".

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NGC 89 = ESO 194-011 = Robert's Quartet = Phoenix Group = Rose 34 = AM 0018-485 = SCG 0018-4854 = PGC 1374

00 21 24.4 -48 39 55

V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 148d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.5', very small slightly brighter core, faint stellar nucleus. Has a slightly higher surface brightness than NGC 92. Furthest southern member of the compact Phoenix Quartet (Rose 34) with NGC 87, 88, and 92. NGC 88 lies 1.5' N and a faint star is 43" N (at the midpoint to NGC 88).

JH discovered NGC 89 = h2318 (along with NGC 87, 88 and 92) on 30 Sep 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; gbM. The 3rd of four."

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NGC 90 = Arp 65 = UGC 208 = MCG +04-02-011 = CGCG 479-013 = PGC 1405

00 21 51.4 +22 24 00

V = 13.7; Size 1.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 113d

18" (11/22/08): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 0.5'x0.35'; contains a small, round, brighter core. NGC 93 lies 2.8' ENE and a mag 12 star is 1.4' SW.

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, small (only the central portion of the galaxy observed), slightly elongated, weak concentration. A mag 12 star is 1.3' SW. Forms a pair with NGC 93 2.8' E. Located on the east side of the NGC 80 group 7.0' ESE of NGC 83.

13" (9/29/84): very faint, elongated NW-SE. A mag 13 star is 1' SW.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 90 using Lord Rosse's 72" on 26 Oct 1854. The description mentioned "Several S; F neb visible at once in finder" so JH assumed at least 3 objects were discovered, which he catalogued as GC 40, 41, 42. But a sketch of the NGC 90 field shows only two nebulae labeled as Alpha (now NGC 90) and Beta (now NGC 93). Herman Schultz observed the field on 17 Oct 1866 with the 9.6" refractor at Uppsala and measured an object he thought was GC 40, but was actually Mitchell's Alpha. His micrometric position matches UGC 208 = PGC 1405. Because of an uncertainty in the position and identification, Dreyer catalogued this object as GCS 5096 with the comment "Query = GC 40, 41, 42?". Dreyer equated GC 40 = 5096 in the NGC. Modern catalogues misidentify UGC 208 as NGC 91 but Schultz's position for NGC 91 falls precisely on a very faint star 1.9' S. See Corwin's notes for further discussion.

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NGC 91

00 21 51.7 +22 22 06

=*, Corwin

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 91 on 17 Oct 1866 with the 9.6" refractor at Uppsala Observatory. Schultz's micrometric position of 00 21 52.1 +22 22 06 (2000) pinpoints NGC 91 as a mag 15.1 star at 00 21 51.7 +22 22 06. Lord Rosse and Heinrich d'Arrest are credited with this number in the NGC, but Corwin notes this star was not mentioned in the Birr Castle observations of the field nor by d'Arrest. All modern catalogues misidentify NGC 90 = UGC 208 = PGC 1405 as NGC 91.

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NGC 92 = ESO 194-012 = Robert's Quartet = Phoenix Group = Rose 34 = AM 0018-485 = PGC 1388

00 21 31.6 -48 37 30

V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 144d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): this galaxy is the brightest member and furthest east in the compact Phoenix Quartet (Rose 34). It appeared moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.6', broad concentration to a bright core. A faint tidal tail to the SE was not seen. The nearby members of the quartet are NGC 87 2.9' W, NGC 88 1.9' SW and NGC 89 2.6' SSW.

ESO 194-013, a fifth member of the group, lies 11' ENE. At 429x, it appeared moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.7', broad concentration with a slightly brighter core but no distinct zones. A distinctive string of three mag 13 stars [length 1.4'] is centered 2' E.

JH discovered NGC 92 = h2319 (along with NGC 87, 88 and 89) on 30 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, R, gbM; 20" across. The last of four"."

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NGC 93 = Arp 65 = UGC 209 = MCG +04-02-012 = CGCG 479-015 = PGC 1412

00 22 03.3 +22 24 29

V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 48d

18" (11/22/08): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, 0.5'x0.2', contains a very small brighter core. A triangle of mag 13.5-14 stars follows by 1'-2'. NGC 90 lies 2.8' W.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, very small, oval SW-NE, faint stellar nucleus, bright core. This is a double system with an anonymous companion 35" S. Three mag 13.5-14 stars follow at 1.2' E, 1.9' E and 1.9' ESE forming a small right triangle. Forms a pair with NGC 90 2.8' W at the east side of the NGC 80 group.

13" (9/29/84): fairly faint, very elongated. There is a trio of very faint stars to the east.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 93 on 26 Oct 1854 using Lord Rosse's 72" and labeled it as "Beta" on his sketch. The description mentions "Several S; F neb visible at once in finder" so JH assumed at least 3 objects were discovered, which he catalogued as GC 40, 41, 42, but only two are labeled on the sketch. NGC 93 was independently found by Heinrich d'Arrest on 5 Oct 1864 and catalogued by Dreyer as GC(S) 5098, as he was unsure of the positions and identifications. d'Arrest's position matches UGC 209 = PGC 1412. GC 42 and 5098 entries were combined under NGC 93.

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NGC 94 = CGCG 479-017 = PGC 1423

00 22 13.6 +22 28 59

V = 14.6; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 25d

18" (11/22/08): faint, very small, elongated 4:3, ~20"x15". This member of the NGC 80 group forms a nearly contact pair with PGC 1670567 just 35" S of center. The companion appeared extremely faint and small, round. Located 5' NE of NGC 93. NGC 96 lies 4' NNE.

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, round, small bright core. Forms a close pair with an anonymous galaxy (2MASX J00221387+2228242) 35" SSE. Located on the east edge of the NGC 80 group.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 94 = Big. 6 on 14 Nov 1884 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory, along with NGCs 79, 86 and 96. His position is a reasonable match with CGCG 479-017 = PGC 1423.

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NGC 95 = UGC 214 = MCG +02-02-003 = CGCG 434-003 = PGC 1426

00 22 13.6 +10 29 31

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 75d

17.5" (12/19/87): moderately bright, moderately large, round, bright core, very faint stellar nucleus, diffuse halo. A mag 12 star is 2.0' NE of center.

13" (12/19/87): faint, small, round, weak concentration.

WH discovered NGC 95 = H II-257 = h19 on 18 Oct 1784 (sweep 298) and logged "F, S, R, lbM." He found it again on 23 Nov 1785 (sweep 477) and noted "F, pL, mbM, iR." JH made a single observation and noted "vF; pL; R; gbM."

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NGC 96 = MCG +04-02-014 = PGC 1429

00 22 17.8 +22 32 47

V = 14.6; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6

18" (11/22/08): very faint, small, round, 24" diameter, irregular surface brightness. Occasionally a faint star at the edge or possibly a stellar nucleus sparkles. Last of 20 galaxies viewed in the NGC 80 group. The SDSS reveals a faint star is superimposed.

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, slightly larger but more diffuse than NGC 94. Located at the NE edge of the NGC 80 group.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 96 = Big. 7 on 24 Oct 1884 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory. 10 days earlier he discovered NGCs 79, 86 and 94 in the NGC 80 group.

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NGC 97 = UGC 216 = MCG +05-02-007 = CGCG 500-009 = PGC 1442

00 22 30.0 +29 44 43

V = 12.3; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is 30" WSW and a mag 14 star 1.3' WNW.

JH discovered NGC 97 = h18 on 16 Sep 1828 and recorded "F; R; g; bM; 15"." His position matches UGC 216 = PGC 1442.

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NGC 98 = ESO 242-005 = PGC 1463

00 22 49.5 -45 16 09

V = 12.7; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 0d

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter, sharply concentrated with a bright core and very small bright nucleus.

JH discovered NGC 98 = h2320 on 6 Sep 1834 and recorded as "very faint; round; brighter in the middle; resolvable." His position (single observation) matches ESO 242-005 = PGC 1463.

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NGC 99 = UGC 230 = MCG +02-02-006 = CGCG 434-006 = PGC 1523

00 23 59.4 +15 46 12

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.2

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration. A mag 14 star is 1.4' WNW. NGC 100 lies 42' N.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 99 = St XIII-3 on 8 Oct 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and logged as "vF, R, 1' dia, gbM." His position matches UGC 230 = PGC 1523.

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NGC 100 = UGC 231 = MCG +03-02-009 = CGCG 457-012 = FGC 42 = Holm 9a = PGC 1525

00 24 02.6 +16 29 10

V = 13.3; Size 5.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 56d

48" (11/8/15): bright, extremely large and thin edge-on 10:1 WSW-ENE, extends at least 4.0'x0.4'. A brighter central region extends ~2' in length and the outer extensions fade significantly and taper towards the tips as they dim out. A mag 15.3 star is just beyond the east end of the galaxy. Four mag 15.2-16.2 stars (in an E-W string) lie within 2.5' south of the galaxy.

PGC 1509358 is just south of the southwestern tip of the galaxy. At 488x it appeared very faint (V = 17.2), very small, slightly elongated, ~10"x7". With careful averted vision, I could just hold the galaxy continuously. A fairly difficult mag 17+ star is 30" SW. The redshift based light-travel time (based on z = .10) is 1.2 billion years.

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, thin edge-on 7:1 WSW-ENE, moderately large, 2.0'x0.3', weak concentration. NGC 99 lies 42' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 100 = Sw III-1 on 10 Nov 1885 with a 16" refractor at his Warner Observatory. His description reads "vF; pS; vE" and the position matches UGC 231 = PGC 1525, the flattest galaxy in the NGC. Guillaume Bigourdan observed the galaxy on 7 Sep 1891 and mentioned its "form and extension are incredible."

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NGC 101 = ESO 350-014 = MCG -05-02-003 = PGC 1518

00 23 54.5 -32 32 12

V = 12.8; Size 2.2'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 84d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, fairly small, oval ~E-W, low surface brightness.

JH discovered NGC 101 = h2321 on 25 Sep 1834 and logged as "pretty bright; pretty large; a little elongated; 45"; precedes a star of 14th magnitude." On a later sweep he noted "very faint; round or very little elongated; gradually brighter in the middle; 15 ".", so the two observation differ significantly in brightness. His position matches ESO 350-014 = PGC 1518.

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NGC 102 = MCG -02-02-011 = PGC 1542

00 24 36.5 -13 57 22

V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 140d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, round, bright core.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 102 = LM I-3 in 1886 with the 26-inch refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and described as "0.2'. Round." His rough position is just 1' S of MCG -02-02-011 = PGC 1542.

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NGC 103 = Cr 1 = OCL-291 = Lund 13

00 25 17 +61 19 18

V = 9.8; Size 5'

24" (1/4/14): at 125x and 260x, ~40 stars were resolved mag 12-15, mostly within or near a distinctive 3.3' string oriented SSW-NNE. Two brighter mag 11.8/12.3 stars lie at the N end of the string, just detached from the richest clump of stars near the center of the cluster. Another sparser string of stars is parallel and just 1' W of the main string. A string of stars oriented N-S is detached to the SE of the main string. Observed with a 4 day moon up.

13.1" (10/20/84): 20 faint stars over unresolved haze, very elongated SSW-NNE. Two mag 11 stars are at the north end.

JH discovered NGC 103 = h20 on 5 Oct 1829 and described as a "pS, p compressed cl; 3' diam; st 11...18m in 2 or 3 principal branches. If this be VI 35 [NGC 136], there must be a mistake in my father's obs or mine of 6m in RA." Herschel's conjecture was wrong - NGC 136 is a much smaller cluster, 6 tmin E.

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NGC 104 = 47 Tucanae = ESO 050-SC9

00 24 05.2 -72 04 50

V = 3.8; Size 30.9'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 303x; the core was distinctly orange-yellow. In addition, I immediately noted a couple of obvious orange supergiants at the south edge of the core and in the outer halo on the east side.

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 163x and 264x): absolutely stunning view in the 30" at 163x and 264x.  Even in the 37' field of the 21mm Ethos, the stars appeared to fill the entire field, only thinning out near the edge.  The pinpoint stars were amazingly packed, but increased in intensity to a relatively small, blazing core, which was plastered with resolved stars.  The very center of the nucleus contained a small, intense knot overlaid with packed stars giving a strong impression of layers.  I immediately noticed the core had a pale yellowish tint.  

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at low power (76x using a 27mm Panoptic) the blazing core had an unusual, pale yellow hue.

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this was the best view I had of 47 Tucanae during the week. At 212x, the entire 23' field was packed edge-to-edge with pinpoint stars and the blazing, intense core, which had a yellowish tint, was resolved into a mesmerizing dense mat of stars.  The halo extended to at least 30'.  

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x, this breathtaking globular was viewed at over 50° elevation and was stunningly resolved into several thousand stars out to a diameter of over 25'.  The star density steadily increases towards the center.  The relatively small 4' core was blazing and highly resolved right to the edge of a very small compressed nucleus.  A 3-dimensional affect was very strong with layers of stars forming a dense mat over the core.  Many of the stars in the halo are connected in chains and lanes.  The 9 mm Nagler did a better job of busting apart the stars in the core, although the cluster overfilled the field at this power. Although the total visual magnitude is just slightly fainter than Omega Centauri and the size slightly smaller, 47 Tucanae is certainly equal if not surpassing Omega Centauri in visual impact due to its dazzling central blaze.

12" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): While at Bargo, I observed 47 Tucanae for the first time.  Though still very low in the sky the view was thrilling.  At 186x, the globular filled the 26' field with an uncountable number of stars.  Strongly concentrated to an intense, blazing core which was only partially resolved at a low elevation. The highly resolved outer halo extended ~25' in an irregular outline while the central halo was very symmetric.  This is the most prominent naked-eye GC as so much of its light is concentrated into the central core and it lies in a sparse field with no other rivals other than the SMC.

Naked-eye: easy 4th magnitude naked-eye blur just west of the SMC, seen many times from the southern hemisphere.  Visible in a dark sky while very low in the sky and from suburban locations when higher in the sky.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered the nebulous appearance of NGC 104 = Lac I-1 = D 18 = 47 Tucanae = h2322 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. It appeared "like the nucleus of a fairly bright comet." He placed it in group I, consisting of nebulae without stars. The cluster was noted, though, as a "star" in Bayer's Uranometria, which was first published in 1603. The designation "47 Tuc" comes from Bode's extension of Flamsteed numbers to the southern constellations (these are not used today except for 47 Tuc and 30 Dor). With his 9-inch speculum reflector, Dunlop logged "(47 Toucan, Bode) this is a beautiful large round nebula, about 8' diameter, very gradually condensed to the centre. This beautiful globe of light is easily resolved into stars of a dusky colour.  The compression to the centre is very great, and the stars are considerably scattered south preceding and north following."  His sketch in figure 1 of his catalogue shows a beautifully resolved, elongated cluster.

John Herschel observed it for the first time on 11 Apr 1834 and logged "the great cluster preceding the Nubecula Minor. Estimated dia of the denser portion 5'; of the whole (not, however, including loose stragglers) 8'. Stars 14..16 mag. and one of 12th mag N.p. the centre. Excessively compressed. (N.B. In a sweep below the pole, when of course owing to the low altitude much of the light was lost.)"  His observation of 12 Aug 1834 reads: "A most glorious cluster. The stars are equal, 14th mag., immensely numerous and compressed. Its last outliers extend to a distance of 2 min, 16 sec in RA from the centre. It is compressed to a blaze of light at the centre, the diameter of the more compressed part being 30 arcsec in RA. It is at first very gradual, then pretty suddenly very much brighter in the middle. It is completely insulated. After it has passed, the ground of the sky is perfectly black throughout the whole breadth of the sweep. There is a double star 11th mag. preceding the centre (Pos. 226.5 - 6.5 arcsec in RA from centre of neb.)" On 21 Sep 1835 he wrote: "Fills the field with its stragglers, condensation in three distinct stages, first very gradually, next pretty suddenly, and finally very suddenly very much brighter in the middle up to a central blaze whose diameter in RA is 13.5 sec and whose colour is ruddy or orange-yellow, which contrasts evidently with the white light of the rest. The stars are all nearly equal (12..14 mag). A stupendous object."  His final record of the object was on 5 Nov 1836: "A most magnificent globular cluster. It fills the field with its outskirts, but within its more compressed part, I can insulate a tolerably defined circular space of 90" dia wherein the compression is much more decided and the stars seem to run together; and this part I think has a pale pinkish or rose-colour."

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NGC 105 = UGC 241 = MCG +02-02-008 = CGCG 434-009 = PGC 1583

00 25 16.8 +12 53 02

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 167d

17.5" (12/19/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, weak concentration. Two mag 13.5 star lie 0.7' W and 1.4' ESE. Situated in a group of six mag 13/14 stars.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 105 = St XIII-4 on 15 Oct 1884 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and described as "eF, S, R, vlbM". His position matches UGC 241 = PGC 1583. Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy again on 31 Oct 1886 and reported it in list V-7. His position is just 5 tsec too far W and his comment "inside of and near [the] preceding corner of equilateral triangle" applies.

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NGC 106 = PGC 1551

00 24 43.8 -05 08 55

V = 14.3; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 80d

17.5" (9/17/88): faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 106 = LM I-4 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position in list I is 1.0 tmin E of PGC 1551. N.M. Parrish corrected the RA with a micrometric offset in "Southern Nebulae" and Dreyer repeated this correction in the IC 1 notes.

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NGC 107 = MCG -02-02-014 = PGC 1606

00 25 42.1 -08 16 59

V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 140d

17.5" (9/17/88): very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness. Located 4.9' NW of mag 7.8 SAO 128758.

Otto Struve discovered NGC 107 on 14 Jan 1866 with the 15-inch refractor at the Pulkovo Observatory in St Petersburg while unsuccessfully searching for comet Biela. MCG (-02-02-014) doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 107, although the identity is certain.

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NGC 108 = UGC 246 = MCG +05-02-012 = CGCG 500-020 = PGC 1619

00 25 59.8 +29 12 43

V = 12.1; Size 2.0'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (10/17/87): moderately bright, fairly small, small very bright core, faint extensions SSW-NNE.

WH discovered NGC 108 = H III-148 = h21 on 11 Sep 1874 (sweep 266) and noted "vF, pL, lbM." JH made two observations, logging "pB; R; psbM; 20"." on sweep 178.

R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 3 Nov 1855, recorded "E sp nf, the arms being vF, and p one rather the brighter, they are perhaps cut off from central Nucl. by dark spaces, but all this is very uncertain. Night not good."

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NGC 109 = UGC 251 = MCG +04-02-020 = CGCG 479-031 = PGC 1633

00 26 14.6 +21 48 27

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 77d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, oval ~E-W. Located about 75' SE of the NGC 80 group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 109 = Au 3 on 8 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen (early discovery) and described it (combining two observations) as "vF, vS, R. Forms a quadrilateral with 3 stars." Auwers included it as #3 in his 1862 list of new nebulae.

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NGC 110 = OCL-300 = Lund 14

00 27 25.4 +71 23 27

17.5" (9/2/89): this is a loose group of mag 11-14 stars surrounding a mag 10 star. Near the bright star are several faint stars in a string. The status as a cluster is doubtful and this is very possibly a random grouping.

JH discovered NGC 110 = h22 on 29 Oct 1831 and recorded "a very loose; p rich cl; *s 9...12m; *9m in middle taken."

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NGC 111 = NGC 113?

00 26 42 -02 38

=Not found but ≠ NGC 113, Corwin.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 111 = LM II-281 in 1886 and recorded "vF, vS, R, lbM, *8.5, preceding 36s and 2' N, RA doubtful". There is nothing at his position and the RNGC misidentifies MCG -01-02-016 = NGC 113 as NGC 111. NGC 113 (discovered by Wilhelm Tempel in 1876) is 7.5' N of Leavenworth's position (not an unusual error), but there is no bright nearby star matching Leavenworth's description. Bigourdan was unable to recover NGC 111. See Corwin's NGC ID notes.

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NGC 112 = UGC 255 = MCG +05-02-013 = CGCG 500-021 = PGC 1654

00 26 48.8 +31 42 11

V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 108d

17.5" (11/25/87): faint, small, oval WNW-ESE, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is 1.8' WSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 112 = Sw II-9 on 17 Sep 1885 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His RA is just 4 sec east of UGC 255 = PGC 1654.

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NGC 113 = MCG -01-02-016 = PGC 1656

00 26 54.6 -02 30 03

V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 45d

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Located 43' S of the NGC 114/118 pair.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 113 = T I-1 on 27 Aug 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. He described it as a "class III nebula, small, mag 14-15 nucleus." His RA was very round (nearest minute) but he measured an accurate position in his List IV-1.

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NGC 114 = UGC 259 = MCG +00-02-027 = CGCG 383-014 = PGC 1660

00 26 58.2 -01 47 11

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 165d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, round, very small bright core. Forms a twin of NGC 118 4' E. NGC 124 lies 14' ESE.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 114 = Sf 114, along with NGC 118, on 23 Sep 1867 with the 18.5" refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. The discovery list was not published until 1887 so Safford is not credited in the NGC. Wilhelm Tempel independently found the galaxy on 27 Sep 1880 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and published the discovery in list IV-2. Tempel's micrometric position matches UGC 259 = PGC 1660 and he is credited with the discovery in the main NGC table.

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NGC 115 = ESO 350-017 = MCG -06-02-006 = PGC 1651

00 26 46.1 -33 40 36

V = 12.9; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 127d

17.5" (12/3/88): extremely faint, fairly small, very elongated WNW-ESE. An unequal double star is 1' NW.

JH discovered NGC 115 = h2323 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "faint; large; very little elongated; 60" across; has a double stars 2.5' distant N.p.". His position and description matches ESO 350-017 = PGC 1651.

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NGC 116 = MCG -01-02-017 = PGC 1671

00 27 05.2 -07 40 07

V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 99d

17.5" (9/17/88): faint, fairly small, oval ~E-W, bright core. A mag 11 star is 2.5' SSW. The NGC identification of this galaxy is uncertain.

Gaspare Ferrari discovered NGC 116 = Nova #14 on 14 Jan 1866 while searching for Biela's Comet. He was using the 9.5-inch Merz equatorial at the College Romain as an assistant to Father Angelo Secchi (see AN 1571). The galaxy (MCG -01-02-017) identified here as NGC 116 is 15' north of Ferrari's position although it matches in RA. The RNGC and Harold Corwin both equate NGC 116 with MCG -01-02-017. MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 116. PGC 1677 is closer to Ferrari's position but is probably be too faint. Wolfgang Steinicke classifies this number as lost.

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NGC 117 = MCG +00-02-029 = CGCG 383-015 = PGC 1674

00 27 11.0 +01 20 01

V = 14.3; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 100d

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W. A mag 15 star is involved at the west edge 24" from center.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 117 = m 8 on 13 Sep 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and described as "F, vS." His position matches MCG +00-02-029 = PGC 1674.

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NGC 118 = UGC 264 = MCG +00-02-032 = CGCG 383-016 = PGC 1678

00 27 16.2 -01 46 49

V = 14.0; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 40d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, round, small bright core. Forms a twin of NGC 114 4' W. NGC 124 lies 10' ESE.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 118 = Sf 91, along with NGC 114 = Sf 90, on 23 Sep 1867 with the 18" refractor at Dearborn Observatory. The discovery was not published until 1887 and Dreyer included it in an appendix to the NGC. Wilhelm Tempel (IV-3) independently found the galaxy on 27 Sep 1880 (along with NGC 114 and NGC 124) with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and he is credited with the discovery in the NGC. Tempel's micrometric position matches UGC 264 = PGC 1678.

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NGC 119 = ESO 150-008 = PGC 1659

00 26 57.6 -56 58 41

V = 13.1; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 303x; moderately bright and large, irregularly round, ~0.9'x0.8', smooth halo, sharply concentrated with a small, very bright nucleus. Sparsely populated star field.

JH discovered NGC 119 = h2324 on 28 Oct 1834 and recorded "pB; R; psbM; 25 arcsec." His position is accurate.

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NGC 120 = UGC 267 = MCG +00-02-033 = CGCG 383-017 = PGC 1693

00 27 30.0 -01 30 48

V = 13.4; Size 1.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 73d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, oval WSW-ENE, small bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 16' NNE of the NGC 114/NGC 118 pair.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 120 = T IV-4 on 27 Sep 1880. In his description of NGC 124 (4th entry in his 4th discovery list), he mentions he found another nebula 10' north of a mag 9.5 star (about 8' north of NGC 124). The NGC position is 5' too far north. Bigourdan measured an accurate mircrometric position on 16 Nov 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 121 = ESO 050-SC012 = Lindsay 10

00 26 47 -71 32 12

V = 11.2; Size 1.5'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x appeared fairly bright, round, 1.3' diameter with a brighter core but this globular showed no resolution. A mag 12 star lies just 1' W of center, a bit beyond the halo. In the same low power field with 47 Tucanae and 35' SW of mag 6.1 Theta Tuc. This object is the oldest and most luminous SMC globular, though still 2-3 Gyr younger than the oldest galactic globulars.

12" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): this is one known classical globular in the SMC. At 186x is appeared fairly faint, small, 1.5'x1' diameter, contains a small brighter core. There was no hint of resolution. Located 35' NNE of 47 Tucana.

JH discovered NGC 121 = h2325 on 20 Sep 1835 and logged as "pretty bright; a little extended; very gradually brighter in the middle; 40" dia." His position is accurate.

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NGC 122

00 27 38.3 -01 38 26

=*15?, Gottlieb and Corwin. =NF, RNGC

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 122 = T IV-4 on 27 Sep 1880 (along with NGC 124) with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. Tempel noted two nebulae 3'-4' north of a mag 9.5 star. These numbers may refer to a pair of mag 15.5 stars about 5' NW of the star. If this is the case, then NGC 122 is at 00 27 38.3 -01 38 26 (2000) and NGC 123 at 00 27 40.0 -01 37 39. See Corwin's NGC ID notes.

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NGC 123

00 27 40.0 -01 37 39

=*15?, Gottlieb and Corwin. =NF, RNGC

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 123 = T IV-4 on 27 Sep 1880 (along with NGC 120, 122 and 124) with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory . In the observation, Tempel noted two nebulae 3'-4' north of a mag 9.5 star. These numbers may refer to a pair of mag 15.5 stars about 5' NW of the star. Assuming this identification is correct, then NGC 123 is at 00 27 40.0 -01 37 39 (2000). See Corwin's NGC ID notes.

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NGC 124 = UGC 271 = MCG +00-02-038 = CGCG 383-018 = PGC 1715

00 27 52.3 -01 48 38

V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 168d

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, moderately large, oval NNW-SSE, weak concentration. A pair of mag 14 stars are 1.8' W of center. Located in a group with NGC 114 and NGC 118 12' WNW.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 124 = Sf 92, along with NGC 114 and 118, on 23 Sep 1867 with the 18.5-inch refractor at the Dearborn Observatory, but Safford's discovery list was not published until 1887 so his is not credited with the discovery in the NGC. Wilhelm Tempel independently found the galaxy on 27 Sep 1880 (along with NGC 114 and 118) with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory, published it in list IV-4, and Tempel is credited in the NGC. His micrometric position is just 30" south of UGC 271 = PGC 1715.

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NGC 125 = UGC 286 = MCG +00-02-048 = CGCG 383-027 = PGC 1772

00 28 50.3 +02 50 19

V = 12.1; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 85d

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a very small bright core ~15" diameter surrounded by a faint halo. A 20" pair of mag 12 stars is less than 1' S of center.

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, small, round, very bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 12/13 double star at 20" separation oriented NNW-SSE lies 1' SW. Located 6' WSW of NGC 128 in a compact group.

13" (11/5/83): faint, small, round, small bright core. Two stars close SW are oriented N-S. Second brightest of three in the NGC 128 group.

WH discovered NGC 125 = H III-869 = h23, along with NGC 128, on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and recorded "vF, vS, bM, N.f. 2 small stars. 300 shewed it very plainly in the field with the following [NGC 128]. The NGC position matches UGC 286 = PGC 1772. The CGCG (383-027) doesn't label this entry as NGC 125.

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NGC 126 = MCG +00-02-049 = CGCG 383-028 = LGG 006-009 = PGC 1784

00 29 08.1 +02 48 40

V = 14.2; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 110d

18" (12/3/05): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.3'x0.2', weak concentration, low surface brightness but easy with averted vision and slightly brighter than the close companions to NGC 128. Located 3.6' SW of NGC 128 in a group of five. A mag 12 star lies.1.6' NW.

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, oval ~E-W?. Located 3.6' SSW of NGC 128 in a group.

13" (11/5/83): extremely faint, very small. Member of the NGC 128 group.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 126 using Lord Rosse's 72" on 12 Dec 1874, and recorded "Suspected a nebulous knot between [NGC 125] and [NGC 128], a little south." Heinrich d'Arrest's position is close to CGCG 383-028 = PGC 1784.

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NGC 127 = MCG +00-02-050 = CGCG 383-029 = LGG 006-010 = PGC 1787

00 29 12.4 +02 52 21

V = 14.8; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 70d

18" (12/3/05): this very close companion to NGC 128 is quite dim, appearing as an extremely faint knot just 12" diameter with no details. It is fainter and closer than NGC 130 and situated just west of the northern extension, 0.8' from center. Not noticed initially, but once seen was not difficult with averted vision at 225x.

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, round. Located just 0.8' NW of NGC 128. Faintest of five in the NGC 128 group.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 127 using Lord Rosse's 72" on 4 Nov 1850 and described "2 S objects [NGC 127/130] about equally distant from [NGC 128]. Both Lord Rosse and I thought they were small nebulae, they lie a little below the minor axis of [NGC 128]."

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NGC 128 = UGC 292 = MCG +00-02-051 = CGCG 383-029 = LGG 006-002 = PGC 1791

00 29 15.1 +02 51 51

V = 11.8; Size 2.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 1d

18" (12/3/05): moderately bright and large, very elongated 7:2 N-S, 1.4'x0.4', sharply concentrated with a very bright core that gradually increases to a stellar nucleus. The N-S extensions fade out and taper towards the tips. Flanked on either side of the northern extension by two close companions, NGC 127 and NGC 130, less than 1' NW and 1' NE.

17.5" (10/8/88): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, bright core, stellar nucleus. Brightest in a group of five with two extremely close companions: NGC 127 0.8' NW and NGC 130 1.0' ENE. NGC 125 lies 6' WSW.

13" (11/5/83): fairly bright, fairly small, spindle N-S.

8" (8/16/82): faint, small, elongated N-S.

WH discovered NGC 128 = H II-854 = h25, along with NGC 125, on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and logged "pB, vS, R, vgmbM, pretty well defined on the margin". Dreyer, using LdR's 72" on 12 Dec 1874, recorded "cE in PA 2.4°, mbM, probably sharp on f side, and a little curved, convex side f; two stars (or eS nebulous knots perhaps?) follow very near."

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NGC 129 = Cr 2 = OCL-294 = Lund 15

00 29 58.5 +60 12 43

V = 6.5; Size 21'

24" (1/4/14): at 125x and 260x, ~100 stars resolved in a 10'x5' region elongated N-S. The cluster is more compressed on the south side, where three mag 9 stars (HD 236429, HD 236433 and HD 236436), form a near equilateral triangle with sides of 3'-4'. Fainter stars nearly complete an oval ring with these stars, though several stars are also inside of the ring. Starting with the mag 9 star at the south end of the triangle, a number of the brighter stars form two strings extending NNW and NNE, so the overall appearance is an elongated wedge. Two mag 9.5/10 stars are at the N tips of these strings and the eastern string is richer and better defined. Scattered mag 12-15 stars fill the interior of the wedge, with a couple of brighter stars on the south end, which is more eye-catching .

17.5" (8/29/92): 60 stars mag 10-15 in the 8'x6' central region of the cluster formed by an isosceles triangle with vertex at the south end. Each side of this triangle includes a mag 10 star and most cluster members are contained within triangle. No real boundaries and many mag 15 stars are at the edges of this triangle. Mag 6.0 SAO 21457 lies 10' S. Berkeley 2 lies 35' NW.

8": ring-shaped open cluster with stars mag 9-13. There is a line of stars to the north on the east edge.

WH discovered NGC 129 = H VIII-79 = h24 on 16 Dec 1788 (sweep 892) and logged "a coarsely scattered cluster of large stars, mixed with smaller ones, not very rich."

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NGC 130 = MCG +00-02-052 = CGCG 383-029 = LGG 00-011 = PGC 1794

00 29 18.5 +02 52 13

V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 44d

18" (12/3/05): very faint, very small, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~0.3'x0.2', weak concentration, easy with averted vision. Slightly brighter of two companions to NGC 128 and situated just off the NE flank, 1.0' from center.

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, oval ~SW-NE, small bright core. Located 1.0' ENE of NGC 128. Second faintest of five in the NGC 128 group.

Bindon Stoney and William Parsons (Lord Rosse) discovered NGC 130, along with NGC 126 and 127, on 4 Nov 1850, while observing NGC 128. Described as "2 small objects about equally distant from [NGC 128]. Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (3 different nights) with the 11-inch at Copenhagen.

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NGC 131 = ESO 350-021 = MCG -06-02-010 = PGC 1813

00 29 38.3 -33 15 36

V = 13.2; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 63d

17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, very small, oval WSW-ENE, weak concentration. A mag 14.5 star is off the ENE edge. Located 9' WSW of much brighter NGC 134.

JH discovered NGC 131 = h2326 on 25 Sep 1834 and logged "pretty bright; pretty large; pretty much elongated; very gradually brighter in the middle." On a later sweep he noted "very faint; the preceding of two. The other [NGC 134] very large and bright."

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NGC 132 = UGC 301 = MCG +00-02-063 = CGCG 383-032 = PGC 1844

00 30 10.6 +02 05 34

V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 40d

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, moderately large, oval SSW-NNE, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is 1' ENE.

WH discovered NGC 132 = H II-855 = h26 on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and recorded (summary from 2 observations) "pB, cL, iR, resolvable, vgbM, about 1 1/2' sp a vS star." Bindon Stoney, LdR's assistant on 6 Dec 1850, recorded "R, F nucleus, 40" broad."

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NGC 133 = Cr 3 = OCL-296 = Lund 17

00 31 17 +63 21 12

Size 7'

17.5" (10/13/90): about 15 stars including 5 brighter stars forming a "Y" asterism and 10 faint stars. One of the brightest stars is a very close double star (9.7/11.3 at 6") and a curving lane of very faint stars passes through this double star, not rich. This is the poorest of three clusters just north of Kappa Cassiopeia.

8" (8/16/82): group of 8 stars in "Y" asterism, in field with open cluster NGC 146 and King 14.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 133 on 4 Feb 1865 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen and recorded (single observation) a "double star in a group of scattered stars, mag 10 and fainter. Found while observing h28 [NGC 146]. The double star is mag 10 and 11 at a separation of 6"." His position and description matches this weak cluster.

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NGC 134 = ESO 350-023 = MCG -06-02-012 = PGC 1851

00 30 21.5 -33 14 50

V = 10.4; Size 8.5'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 50d

17.5" (12/3/88): bright, fairly large, very elongated SW-NE, sharp concentration with a bright core and long faint arms.  Two mag 13.5 stars are nearby; one at the preceding edge 40" NW of center and one on the opposite side of the core, 1.5' SE of center.  NGC 131 is in the field 9' WSW.

13" (9/22/84): fairly bright, very elongated SW-NE, small bright core, sharp edge along the west side.  A star is off the preceding side.

8" (11/8/80): fairly faint, elongated, low surface brightness.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 134 = D 599 = D 590 with his 9" reflector on 7 Jul 1826.  His description for D 599 reads "very faint nebula, about 25" diameter, rather elliptical.  North of Eta Caelae Sculptoris.  There are four small stars south of the nebula in the form of a lozenge."  His position is 22' NNW of the galaxy but the description of the four nearby stars to the south clinches the identification.  For D 590 he simply logged "a faint round nebula, about 2' diameter."

John Herschel's position is accurate and he noted that his h2327 could be identical D 590.  He recorded it on 25 Sep 1834 as "vB; vL; vmE; pslbM; 8' long; 1' broad; pos = 47.9°; dies away gradually at both extremities; has a star 10th mag., distance 45", pos = 327.9.  On a second sweep on 19 Oct 1835 he logged "bright; large; vmE; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 4' long; 1' broad; position = 227°; the following of 2."  He also sketched the galaxy (Plate VI, figure 19), clearly showing its spindle-shape with tapering edges.

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 134 with the 48" Melbourne Telescope (http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_1_1.php) with the notes "The present appearance of nebula is exactly as represented in Herschel's sketch; the centre is sharp and stellar-like with power of 255; but with 420 it is more diffused, and somewhat sparkling. A careful examination leaves the impression that it is practically unchanged since Herschel's time, the only difference between his sketch and present aspect being the position of the North star, which in Herschel's sketch is shown in a straight line with the centre of nebula and s.f. star, whilst at present it is somewhat to the n.f. of that point; this may however be the fault of the engraver."

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NGC 135 = IC 26 = PGC 2010 = PGC 138192

00 31 45.9 -13 20 16

V = 15.2; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (10/21/95): faint, very small, round, weak concentration with a slightly brighter core. Forms a quadrilateral with three mag 14 stars, all within 2'. Located 3.5' SW of a mag 9.5 SAO 147324.

IC 27, misidentified as NGC 135 in the RNGC and PGC, lies 20' ESE. It appeared very faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, very low surface brightness. Located 7.9' SSE of mag 8.9 SAO 147331 and 8.6' NW of mag 8.6 SAO 147330. MCG -02-02-051 lies 13' N.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 135 = LM I-5 on 2 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is 2 min of RA west (typical error) of PGC 2010. Javelle rediscovered the galaxy on 4 Nov 1891 assuming it was new, and Dreyer catalogued J. 1-19 as IC 26. Herbert Howe searched for NGC 135 around 1899 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory and measured an accurate position, though Dreyer failed to equate NGC 135 and IC 26 in the IC 2 Notes. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 136 = Cr 4 = OCL-295 = Lund 18

00 31 31 +61 30 36

V = 11.6; Size 1'

24" (1/4/14): ~10 faint stars are resolved in a small, circular patch ~1' diameter, over unresolved haze. A small detached group to the southeast increases the total to 15 stars and the size to 2'. Most of the resolved stars are mag 14-15. Located ~6' NE of mag 8.5 SAO 11238. Observed with a 4 day moon up, so not dark.

17.5" (8/16/93): 7-8 faint stars mag 14 resolved in very tight, compact group of 1.5' diameter, over background haze. A few additional stars trail to the SE so there are about 10 stars in the group. Located 6' NE of mag 8.3 SAO 11238.

13" (10/20/84): 5 or 6 very faint stars 13/14 over haze. Appears similar to a small, faint gc with no strong concentration.

WH discovered NGC 136 = H VI-35 on 26 Nov 1788 (sweep 887) and described a "a small cluster of vF, exceedingly compressed stars about 1' diam. The next step to an easily resolvable nebula." He considered this cluster a miniature globular.

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NGC 137 = UGC 309 = MCG +02-02-017 = CGCG 434-019 = PGC 1888

00 30 58.1 +10 12 30

V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (12/19/87): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is 1' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 137 = H II-471 on 23 Nov 1785 (sweep 477) and logged "F, irr figure, lbM." His position is very accurate. Heinrich d'Arrest also measured an accurate position.

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NGC 138 = UGC 308 = MCG +01-02-016 = CGCG 409-023 = PGC 1889

00 30 59.2 +05 09 35

V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 175d

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, small, oval N-S, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 1' N. Brightest in a trio with NGC 141 5' ENE and NGC 139 5' SSE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 138 = m 9 (along with NGC 139 and NGC 141) on 29 Aug 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "F, eS, sbM." Marth's position is accurate.

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NGC 139 = CGCG 409-022 = PGC 1900

00 31 06.4 +05 04 43

V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, small, almost round. Located in a group with NGC 138 5' NNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 139 = m 10 (along with NGC 138 and NGC 141) on 29 Aug 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, S." Marth's position is 2' N of CGCG 409-022 = PGC 1900.

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NGC 140 = UGC 311 = MCG +05-02-021 = CGCG 500-038 = PGC 1916

00 31 20.5 +30 47 32

V = 13.2; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 45d

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, round, diffuse, broad concentration. Two faint stars following including a mag 15 star 44" SSE.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 140 = Sf 60 = St XII-5 on 8 Oct 1866 with the 18" refractor at Dearborn Observatory and described it as "probably a small cluster". His discovery list was not published until 1887, too late to be credited in the NGC. Édouard Stephan independently found the galaxy on 5 Nov 1882 and is credited with the discovery in the NGC.

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NGC 141 = CGCG 409-027 = PGC 1918

00 31 17.5 +05 10 47

V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 0d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, round, weak concentration. Located 5' ENE of NGC 138 in a compact trio.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 141 = m 11 (along with NGC 139 and NGC 138) on 29 Aug 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged as "vF, vS, iR." His position is 0.1 minute east of CGCG 409-027 = PGC 1918.

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NGC 142 = ESO 473-021 = MCG -04-02-014 = PGC 1901

00 31 07.9 -22 37 07

V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 101d

17.5" (10/8/88): first of three with NGC 143 and NGC 144. Faint, small, round, very weak concentration. A mag 14/14.5 double star at 20" separation is off the NNW edge. NGC 143 lies 3' NNE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 142 = LM II-282 (along with NGCs 143 and 144) in 1886 using the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is OK and his note of a double star 0.5' N pins down the identification. 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 143 = ESO 473-022 = MCG -04-02-015 = PGC 1911

00 31 15.6 -22 33 36

V = 14.4; Size 1.0'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 20d

17.5" (10/8/88): second of three with NGC 142 and NGC 144. Extremely faint, small, oval SSW-NNE. Located 3' NNE of NGC 142.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 143 = LM II-283 (along with NGCs 142 and 144) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is a reasonable match with ESO 473-022 = PGC 1911. 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 144 = ESO 473-023 = MCG -04-02-016 = PGC 1917

00 31 20.6 -22 38 45

V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (10/8/88): third of three with NGC 142 and NGC 143. Faint, small, round, very weak concentration. Located 3' SE of identical NGC 142.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 144 = LM II-284 (along with NGC 142 and 143) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is a reasonable match with ESO 473-023 = PGC 1917. 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 145 = Arp 19 = MCG -01-02-027 = PGC 1941

00 31 45.7 -05 09 09

V = 12.7; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 135d

48" (11/8/15): at 375x and 488x; fascinating irregular spiral galaxy. A bright bar extends 30" N-S. A spiral arm is attached at the north end of the bar and is easily visible extending to the west, and curling clockwise. The arm has a fairly high contrast and definition. A small HII knot (~8" diameter) is nearly attached to the north end of the bar where the spiral arm begins. A fainter, low contrast arm is attached at the south end of bar and extends 30" due east.

Two companions were picked up. PGC 1048844 is 3.1' NE. At 488x it appeared fairly faint (V = 16.0), small, roundish, 15" diameter. PGC 1048201 (not catalogued in Megastar) appeared faint (V = 17.1), very small, round, 12" diameter.

17.5" (9/17/88): fairly faint, moderately large, oval ~E-W, small bright core. Located 6' WNW of mag 8.7 SAO 128813. This star is situated within a string oriented SW-NE with a mag 10 star 7' SSE of NGC 145 forming the southwest end of this string. The northeast end of the string intersects a shorter line of four mag 11-12 stars.

JH discovered NGC 145 = h27 = h2328 on 9 Oct 1828 and recorded "vF; vlE; glbM, 60" long." His position is accurate.

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NGC 146 = Cr 5 = OCL-299 = Lund 21

00 33 01 +63 18 42

V = 9.1; Size 7'

24" (1/4/14): at 125x and 260x, ~60 stars are resolved in a 7' region that stands out reasonably well at low power. Near the southeast end of the group is the pair h 1033 = 10/10 at 7". The cluster is generally elongated NW-SE and includes a dozen or so brighter stars. A rectangular "void" lacking stars is on the NW side.

17.5" (10/20/90): about 30 stars in a fairly large group about 10' diameter. Includes a close mag 10 pair at 7" separation, 10 stars mag 12-13 and 20 stars mag 14-15. Third of three open clusters in low power field with King 14 10' SW and NGC 133 10' WNW.

8" (11/28/81): includes a few mag 10 stars, many mag 12 stars and fainter stars over haze. Located 22' N of a mag 4 star. NGC 133 is in the field to the WNW and King 14 is close SW.

JH discovered NGC 146 = h28 on 27 Oct 1829 and recorded a "loose cl; *s 11 and 12m; 10' diam; place that of a double +* (h 1033) whose RA is erroneously stated in my 4th catalogue."

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NGC 147 = UGC 326 = MCG +08-02-005 = CGCG 550-006 = PGC 2004

00 33 11.7 +48 30 27

V = 9.5; Size 13.2'x7.8'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 25d

17.5" (10/13/90): fairly faint, very large, elongated almost 2:1 SSW-NNE, 5'x3', very low almost even surface brightness. A mag 13.8 star is superimposed just north of center. The halo gradually fades into background.

17.5" (8/29/92): appears larger (8'x4') using 20mm Nagler in the White Mountains (elevation 12,500 ft).

8" (8/28/81): very faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, diffuse.

24" (1/1/16): Hodge III is the brightest globular cluster in NGC 147 at V ≈ 16.5. At 450x and 500x it only occasionally popped but was verified at the same position using a detailed finder chart.

I first identified two mag 13 stars at 1' separation oriented N-S, which are situated 5' SSE of the center of NGC 147. These stars are just outside the halo of the galaxy. A mag 14.7 star is 1' further NW, forming an obtuse isosceles triangle with the two mag 13 stars. Hodge 3 is 41" N of the mag 14.7 star and nearly forms the 4th vertex of a parallelogram with these three stars.

JH discovered NGC 147 = h29 on 8 Sep 1829 and recorded "vF; vL; irr R; 4..5' diam; loses itself insensibly; has a *11m in the centre." Bindon Stoney, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 25 Oct 1851, logged "L, vF neby, round a * 12m. I suspect it is a spiral of the faintest class, perhaps h 29." NGC 147 is a member of the satellite system of M31 at a distance of 2.3 million light years.

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NGC 148 = ESO 410-020 = MCG -05-02-017 = PGC 2053

00 34 15.5 -31 47 10

V = 12.2; Size 2.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 90d

17.5" (8/2/86): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated E-W, small bright core.

13" (9/22/84): fairly bright, small, elongated E-W, very small bright core.

JH discovered NGC 148 = h239 on 27 Sep 1834 and recorded "vB; S; lE in parallel; smbM to a * 11m." His RA is 1.0 min west of ESO 410-020 = PGC 2053, although he notes that his two positions differed by a minute (incorrect position used in NGC). MCG (-05-02-017) gives the NGC equivalence as uncertain.

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NGC 149 = UGC 332 = MCG +05-02-024 = CGCG 500-044 = PGC 2028

00 33 50.3 +30 43 24

V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 155d

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, round. Contains a faint stellar nucleus or a mag 15 star is involved. A mag 13 star is close SW just 0.6' from the center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 149 = St XIII-5 on 4 Oct 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "vF, vS, R, gbM, mag 14 stellar nucl, *12 close sp". His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 150 = ESO 410-019 = MCG -05-02-018 = UGCA 7 = PGC 2052

00 34 16.0 -27 48 16

V = 11.4; Size 3.9'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 118d

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, weak concentration, irregular surface brightness, slightly mottled.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 150 = Sw VI-3 on 20 Nov 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is about 30 sec of RA west of ESO 410-019 = PGC 2052. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). The error was also noted in the Harvard College Observatory NGC correction list.

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NGC 151 = NGC 153 = MCG -02-02-054 = PGC 2035

00 34 02.5 -09 42 20

V = 11.6; Size 3.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 75d

17.5" (9/17/88): moderately bright, moderately large, oval 5:3 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x1.5', bright nucleus. A mag 13 star is at the ENE edge, 1.7' from the center.

13" (8/24/84): fairly bright, bright core, very bright nucleus, very faint halo elongated ~E-W. A faint star is at the ENE edge.

WH discovered NGC 151 = H II-478 = h30 = h2330 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and logged "pB, L, lE, lbM." JH observed this nebula at Slough and at the Cape, where he recorded "pF; R; gbM; 60"." JH's two entries were combined in GC 74 and his position matches MCG -02-02-054 = PGC 2035. Lewis Swift (IV-1) independently found the galaxy again on 9 Aug 1886, but his position was 17 sec of RA too far east and it was catalogued again as NGC 153. So NGC 151 = NGC 153 with NGC 151 the primary designation.

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NGC 152 = ESO 028-SC024 = Lindsay 15

00 32 55.5 -73 06 59

V = 12.9; Size 3'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this SMC cluster appeared as a fairly faint, fairly large, round glow, ~2' diameter. At 228x, the cluster has a fairly smooth, fairly low surface brightness with no core and no signs of resolution. NGC 176 lies 13' ESE. Located 1.2° SSE of 47 Tucanae.

JH discovered NGC 152 = h2331 in the SMC on 20 Sep 1835 and logged "vF; L; R; vglbM; 2'." His position was 2 min of RA too far west, but the position was corrected in the GC and NGC.

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NGC 153 = NGC 151 = MCG -02-02-054 = PGC 2035

00 34 02.5 -09 42 20

See observing notes for NGC 151.

Lewis Swift found NGC 153 = Sw IV-1 on 9 Aug 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and logged "pF; pS; R; * near north-following". There is nothing at his position but 17 sec of RA west is NGC 151 = PGC 2035, a similar offset as other objects observed that night, and his description matches this galaxy. The equivalence NGC 153 = NGC 151 was discussed by Spitaler in AN 3100 and Dreyer mentioned it in the IC 1 Notes.

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NGC 154 = MCG -02-02-053 = PGC 2058

00 34 19.4 -12 39 24

V = 13.1; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Forms a triangle with two mag 13.5 stars.

WH discovered NGC 154 = H III-467 = h31 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and recorded "eF, vS, 240 power left some doubt." His position matches MCG -02-02-053 = PGC 2058 but the RNGC position is 15 tsec of RA too far west. JH made the single observation "eF; S; R; 15 or 16"."

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NGC 155 = MCG -02-02-055 = PGC 2076

00 34 40.1 -10 45 59

V = 12.7; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 175d

17.5" (9/17/88): fairly faint, very small, oval 4:3 N-S, bright core.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 155 = Sw IV-2 = LM I-6 on 1 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 10 sec of RA west of MCG -02-02-055 = PGC 2076. Frank Muller independently found the galaxy again in 1886 with the 26" Leander McCormick refractor and reported "mag 13.0, S, R, bsp, *12 in PA 90° at 3.2' separation." Bigourdan measured an accurate micrometric position on 21 Oct 1890 as well as Howe at Denver near the end of the century.

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NGC 156

00 34 35.8 -08 20 24

=**, Carlson and Corwin.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 156 (in list V) in 1882 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory, while observing NGC 157 = H II-3. There is a mag 15.7 star at his position although Corwin and Carlson identify it as a double star (the second star is much fainter).

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NGC 157 = MCG -02-02-056 = PGC 2081

00 34 46.6 -08 23 48

V = 10.4; Size 4.2'x2.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 40d

17.5" (9/17/88): bright, large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, broad concentration, small bright core, mottled appearance, sharp edge along the east side. Two mag 13.5 and 15 stars are near the NE edge. Located between mag 9.5 SAO 128835 5.5' S and mag 8.6 SAO 12833 6' NNW.

8": fairly faint, fairly large, diffuse. Located between two mag 8.5/9.5 stars to the north and south.

WH discovered NGC 157 = H II-3 on 13 Dec 1783 (sweep 44) and recorded "F, L, mE, between two considerably bright stars." His position was not accurately determined but his description is a perfect match with MCG -02-02-056 = PGC 2081. Eduard Schönfeld, Heinrich d'Arrest and Father Secchi provided accurate positions, so the NGC position is correct. Édouard Stephan (IX-1) independently found the galaxy with the 31" reflector at Marseille on 28 Oct 1878.

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NGC 158

00 35 05.3 -08 20 40

=*?, Corwin. =NF, Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 158 in 1882 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory, and recorded in list V while observing the field of NGC 157 = H II-3. Corwin identifies his object as a single star at 00 35 05.3 -08 20 40.

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NGC 159 = ESO 150-011 = PGC 2073

00 34 35.7 -55 47 24

V = 13.8; Size 1.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 95d

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated nearly 3:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.3', contains a small bright, round core and a stellar nucleus. Located 29' SSE of mag 7.3 HD 3075 = HJ 3376 (7.5/10 pair at 7").

JH discovered NGC 159 = h2332 on 28 Oct 1834 and logged "vF, S, R, 15", precedes 3 stars." On a second sweep he noted "vF, R, glbM, 20 arcseconds". His position is accurate.

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NGC 160 = UGC 356 = MCG +04-02-033 = CGCG 479-043 = PGC 2154

00 36 04.1 +23 57 29

V = 12.6; Size 3.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 45d

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately bright, almost round. Located 4.2' SSW of mag 7.5 SAO 74134. Forms a wide pair with NGC 169 11' ENE.

WH discovered NGC 160 = H III-476 = h32 on 5 Dec 1785 (sweep 484) and logged "vF, vS, stellar, a few minutes south preceding a pretty bright star. 240 showed the same." Lord Rosse's assistants made 7 observations of the field with the 72-inch.

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NGC 161 = MCG -01-02-036 = PGC 2131

00 35 33.8 -02 50 55

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 150d

24" (11/24/14): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, fairly high surface brightness. Contains a small bright nucleus that increases to a stellar point. A mag 12 star is 1.2' N and a mag 12.5 star is 2' SSW. Forms a close pair with IC 1557 1.7' S. Located 6' SE of mag 8.8 HD 3205.

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, round, small bright core. Bracketed by two mag 12 stars 1.2' N and 1.5' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 161 = Sw VI-4 on 21 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eF; eS; R; nearly between 2 equal mag stars." His position is 18 sec of RA east and 1' north of MCG -01-02-036 = PGC 2131 but his description matches. Bigourdan measured an accurate micrometric position on 9 Oct 1890 as well as Howe near the turn of the century at Denver.

The MCG, PGC, RNGC and Roger Sinnott's NGC 2000.0 incorrectly equate NGC 161 with IC 1557. IC 1557 is a separate galaxy discovered by Howe, just 1.7' south.

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NGC 162

00 36 09.2 +23 57 45

=* 75" NE of NGC 160, Thomson and Corwin.

Lawrence Parsons discovered NGC 162 on 16 Oct 1866 using Lord Rosse's 72" and by Herman Schultz on 5 Sep 1867 with the 9.6" refractor at Uppsala Observatory. Both observers recorded a single star 75" NE of NGC 160. This star was possibly noted even earlier by Heinrich d'Arrest on 22 Aug 1862. Schultz assumed this object was GC 82, discovered by R.J. Mitchell at Birr Castle on 18 Sep 1857. But Mitchell's object is a close companion of NGC 169 (now known as IC 1559), not NGC 162 as JH assumed. Dreyer also observed this star on 6 Nov 1874 and noted "An eS, F neb point, or probably a F* nf h79 in PA 78"."

In the GC Supplement, Dreyer incorrectly decided "Rosse nova does not exist [so GC 82 = IC 1559 did not receive an NGC number]. 82 was undoubtedly observed instead of 79, which latter nebula is not double. The description in PT 1861, agrees perfectly with the appearance of 82" He added that "Schultz's GC 80 has not been seen in Birr before 1874: I have therefore entered it in the catalogue as a nova." So, Dreyer assigned Schultz's GC 80 to the single star (the one first seen by Lawrence Parsons in 1866) following NGC 160 and renumbered it as GC 5107. RNGC misidentifies NGC 162 with an anonymous galaxy close SE of NGC 160 and Dorothy Carlson incorrectly equates NGC 160 = NGC 162 in her NGC errata list. Wolfgang Steinicke thoroughly covered the identifications of GC 80 and 82 in his book on the history of the NGC.

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NGC 163 = MCG -02-02-066 = PGC 2149

00 35 59.8 -10 07 18

V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 85d

17.5" (9/17/88): fairly faint, small, round, brighter core, stellar nucleus, diffuse halo. Forms a pair with NGC 165 6' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 163 on 20 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His mean position (also measured on the next night) matches MCG -02-02-066 = PGC 2149. WH's observation of III-953 is equated with NGC 163, but his discovery more likely applies to NGC 165 (see that number). d'Arrest noted the 32 sec discrepancy between his position of NGC 163 and that of III-953, but surprisingly he didn't record NGC 165, so didn't make the connection between III-953 and NGC 165.

Lewis Swift independently found NGC 163 on 9 Aug 1886 and recorded it in list IV-3. Swift's position was 14 sec of RA east of MCG -02-02-066 = PGC 2149 and falls between NGC 163 and 165. Harold Corwin notes that Swift's positions for three other galaxies he observed on this night (NGC 153, 217 and 7774) are all 10 - 15 seconds of time too large.

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NGC 164 = MCG +00-02-089 = PGC 2181

00 36 32.9 +02 44 59

V = 15.6; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (11/6/88): extremely faint, very small, round. Located about 30' W of the NGC 182 group. Sighting not 100% certain but sketch matches POSS.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 164 = m 12 on 3 Aug 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged as "eF". MCG +00-02-089 is a good match with Marth's position. Bigourdan searched for this object unsuccessfully (too faint for his 11"). Engelhardt's position corresponds with a single star at 00 36 39.0 +02 43 46.

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NGC 165 = MCG -02-02-069 = PGC 2182

00 36 28.8 -10 06 23

V = 13.1; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 50d

17.5" (9/17/88): faint, fairly small, almost round, very weak concentration, low surface brightness. Slightly larger but fainter than NGC 163 6' W. A mag 14 star lies 1.5' NE.

WH discovered NGC 165 = H III-954 on 10 Dec 1798 (sweep 1086) and recorded "eF, S." His position is just 1.6' north-northwest of NGC 165 = PGC 2182, and much further from NGC 163 = MCG -02-02-066 = PGC 2149, the galaxy associated with III-954 in the NGC. In the 1912 "Scientific Papers of WH", Dreyer noted the RA of III-954 was 28 sec too large (for NGC 163). Wolfgang Steinicke and Harold Corwin agree with the conclusion that III-954 more likely applies to NGC 165.

Wilhelm Tempel independently found NGC 165 in 1882 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and reported it in his fifth discovery paper. In his note on NGC 163, he mentions he found another fainter nebula 30 sec following. Tempel's second nebula was assumed to be new, so he was credited with the discovery of NGC 165 in the NGC. Spitaler measured an accurate position in 1891.

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NGC 166 = MCG -02-02-063 = PGC 2143

00 35 48.8 -13 36 38

V = 14.6; Size 0.8'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, very small, oval NW-SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 166 = LM I-285 in 1886 with the 26" refractor of the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is just under 1 min of RA preceding MCG -02-02-063. A mag 12 star is 5' NW, matching Leavenworth's description. 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 167 = ESO 473-029 = MCG -04-02-022 = PGC 2122

00 35 22.9 -23 22 29

V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 171d

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, small, oval 3:2 ~N-S, very weak concentration.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 167 = LM II-286 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "0.8', iR, gbM." His position is 1 min of RA east of ESO 473-029 = PGC 2122. Frank Muller is incorrectly attributed with the discovery in the NGC. 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 168 = ESO 474-004 = MCG -04-02-026 = KTS 4A = PGC 2192

00 36 38.7 -22 35 37

V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 26d

24" (10/3/13): first of three edge-ons with NGC 172 8.1' E and NGC 177 13' ENE. At 375x appeared fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE, 40"x8", broad weak concentration. A mag 10.4 star is 5.5' N.

17.5" (12/3/88): first of three in a group with NGC 172 and NGC 177. Very faint, very small, slightly elongated. An extremely faint star is possibly involved. NGC 172 lies 7' E and NGC 177 13' ENE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 168 = LM II-287 (along with NGC 172 = LM II-288 and NGC 177 = LM II-289) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position and description matches ESO 474-004. 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 169 = Arp 282 NED1 = UGC 365 = MCG +04-02-035 = CGCG 479-044 = PGC 2202

00 36 51.7 +23 59 27

V = 12.4; Size 3.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 88d

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately bright, slightly elongated ~E-W. Located 3.8' WSW of mag 6.4 SAO 74148! Forms a contact pair with IC 1559 = NGC 169A just 21" S of center (Arp 282). Similar appearance to NGC 160, which lies 11' WSW.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 169 on 18 Sep 1857 with Lord Rosse's 72" and noted "a vS, double nebula, the n one is E sp nf, bM. A month later he logged "D nebula, alpha [on a diagram] is mE p f, bM. Beta [IC 1559] is lE nearly n s, bM." Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this nebula on 22 Aug 1862. JH credited d'Arrest with the discovery in the GC, but both are listed in the NGC.

The brighter northern galaxy is labeled NGC 169B in the MCG (+04-02-035) with IC 1559 = MCG +04-02-034 called NGC 169A.

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NGC 170 = MCG +00-02-091 = CGCG 383-042 = PGC 2195

00 36 45.8 +01 53 11

V = 14.4; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 85d

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, round. Located 2.0' NW of mag 9.0 SAO 109310 and 7.5' SW of NGC 173.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 170 = m 13 on 3 Nov 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "F, S, R." Marth's position is 1' N of CGCG 383-042 = PGC 2195.

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NGC 171 = NGC 175 = ESO 540-006 = MCG -03-02-024 = PGC 2232

00 37 21.6 -19 56 04

See observing notes for NGC 175.

WH discovered NGC 171 = H III-223 on 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 303) and recorded "vF; lE or rather oval; roughly 1' dia; np 2 pB stars". There is nothing at the NGC position, but Dreyer states in the 1912 revision of WH's catalogues that Carolyn Herschel made a one degree error in copying the declination for III-223. Once corrected, NGC 171 is identical to NGC 175, found by JH on 11 Nov 1834. This galaxy is generally identified as NGC 175, due to the error in declination for NGC 171. See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 172 = ESO 474-005 = MCG -04-02-027 = KTS 4B = PGC 2228

00 37 13.6 -22 35 13

V = 13.4; Size 2.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 12d

24" (10/3/13): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.2', irregular surface brightness. Second of three edge-ons in the KTS 4 triplet with NGC 168 8' W and NGC 177 5.3' NE.

17.5" (12/3/88): second of three with NGC 168 and NGC 177. Faint, edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE, low even surface brightness. NGC 168 lies 7' W and NGC 177 5' ENE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 172 = LM II-288 (along with NGC 168 = LM II-287 and NGC 177 = LM II-289) in 1886 with the 26" Clark refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is a good match with ESO 474-005 = PGC 2228. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and commented there is mag 13 star close southwest.

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NGC 173 = UGC 369 = MCG +00-02-092 = CGCG 383-043 = PGC 2223

00 37 12.4 +01 56 32

V = 13.0; Size 3.2'x2.6'; Surf Br = 15.2; PA = 90d

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, fairly large, round, broad concentration. Located midway between a mag 12 star 1.5' SW and a mag 13 star 1.6' NE. Forms a pair with NGC 170 7.5' SW.

WH discovered NGC 173 = H III-871 = h33 on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 988) and logged "vF, S, R, vgbM." CH's reduced position is 4' north of UGC 369. The On sweep 113, JH recorded "vF; R; bM; 20". A star 11m pos 225° +/-, dist = 80"." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 174 = ESO 411-001 = MCG -05-02-028 = PGC 2206

00 36 58.9 -29 28 40

V = 12.8; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 152d

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, small, oval NW-SE, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is just off the SE edge. Situated among a group of mag 10-11 stars including mag 9.5 SAO 166412 3' SW.

JH discovered NGC 174 = h2333 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "F, S, lE, among several bright stars." The next sweep he noted "vF, S, R.". Finally on a third sweep he recorded "vF, R, 25", near one or two stars." His mean position matches ESO 411-001 = PGC 2206.

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NGC 175 = NGC 171 = ESO 540-006 = VV 791a = MCG -03-02-024 = PGC 2232

00 37 21.6 -19 56 04

V = 12.2; Size 2.1'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 109d

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, oval small bright core, diffuse halo. Forms a right angle with two mag 11 stars 4' SSE and 5' ENE.

8" (10/13/81): faint, small, diffuse, even surface brightness.

JH discovered NGC 175 = h2334 on 11 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, pL, E, gbM, r, 80" long, 60" broad. If this nebula be really III.223 [NGC 171], the P.D. [polar distance] assigned to that nebula by my Father's observations must be 1 degree in error. The error cannot lie in this observation, the 109th degree of Polar distance being beyond the possible reach of the instrument in [this] sweep." His position and description matches ESO 540-006 = PGC 2232.

By historical precedence, the principal designation should be NGC 171, but the galaxy is usually identified as NGC 175 due to the unambiguous position.

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NGC 176 = ESO 029-SC002 = Lindsay16

00 35 54 -73 10 00

V = 13.0; Size 1.2'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this SMC cluster is fairly faint, fairly small, round, ~40" diameter, low surface brightness with a brighter core. No resolution except for a mag 13 star at the north edge and a mag 14 star at the south edge. NGC 152 lies 13' WNW. Located 3.5' NNE of mag 8 HD 3395.

JH discovered NGC 176 = h2335 in the SMC on 12 Aug 1834 and recorded "eF; R; near a *8m (At the beginning of the Nubecula Minor." On a second sweep he logged "eF; S; lE, resolvable." His position is accurate.

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NGC 177 = ESO 474-006 = MCG -04-02-028 = KTS 4C = PGC 2241

00 37 34.3 -22 32 57

V = 13.2; Size 2.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 9d

24" (10/3/13): this galaxy is the most prominent of a trio of edge-ons (KTS 4) with NGC 172 5' SW and NGC 168 13' WSW. Moderately bright, fairly large, edge-on 5:1 nearly N-S, 1.5'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a small, bright elongated core increasing to a stellar nucleus.

17.5" (12/3/88): third and brightest of three with NGC 168 and NGC 172. Faint, edge-on 4:1 N-S, bright core, stellar nucleus. NGC 172 lies 5' WSW.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 177 = LM II-289 (along with NGC 168 = LM II-287 and NGC 172 = LM II-288) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Muller's position is 2' S of ESO 474-006 = PGC 2241, although he was uncertain if this object was a star. His comment "E 175°" is fairly accurate (actual PA = 9°). The IC 2 notes remark "Delete the (original) query; it seems to be a nebula (Howe)"

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NGC 178 = IC 39 = VIII Zw 34 = MCG -02-02-078 = PGC 2349

00 39 08.4 -14 10 26

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 175d

17.5" (11/6/93): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 N-S, 1.8'x0.8', broad low concentration but no nucleus. NGC 207 is in the field 9' ESE and NGC 210 lies 27' NE.

13" (8/24/84): fairly faint, fairly small, weak concentration, elongated 2:1 N-S, lies 27' SW of NGC 210.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 178 = LM I-7 on 3 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "F, S, mE 0°, bM, faint wing south-preceding." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.5 min of RA west of MCG -02-02-078 = PGC 2349, and his description and sketch (examined by Harold Corwin) matches this galaxy. Stephane Javelle independently discovered the galaxy on 26 Aug 1892, assumed it was new and recorded J. 1-28 (later IC 39). Herbert Howe later searched for NGC 178 and measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver. So, NGC 178 = IC 39. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 179 = ESO 540-007 = MCG -03-02-026 = PGC 2253

00 37 46.1 -17 50 57

V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 113d

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, round. Forms a double with a mag 14.5 star just 25" NNW of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 179 = LM II-290 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position matches ESO 540-007. 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 180 = UGC 380 = MCG +01-02-039 = CGCG 409-050 = PGC 2268

00 37 57.7 +08 38 06

V = 12.9; Size 2.4'x1.9'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 160d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, bright core. A mag 11 star is at the NW edge 39" from the center.

13" (12/7/85): faint, small, elongated NW-SE. A mag 10.5 star at the NW edge detracts from viewing.

WH discovered NGC 180 = H III-876 on 29 Dec 1790 (sweep 991) and logged "vF, pL, iR, just S.f. a small star which is partly involved in the nebulosity." Auwers' reduction is 1° off in NPD. The NGC position is just 2' north of UGC 380 = PGC 2268.

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NGC 181 = MCG +05-02-032 = CGCG 500-055 = PGC 2287

00 38 23.2 +29 28 21

V = 14.7; Size 0.6'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 151d

24" (9/15/12): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.15'. Located 2.7' SSW of NGC 183. Second brightest in a trio of NGCs with NGC 184 3.1' SW. A mag 12.4 is near the midpoint of NGC 181 and 184. This trio is apparently in the foreground of Abell Galaxy Cluster 71.

18" (10/21/06): faint, small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 0.5'x0.2'. In a trio with NGC 184 4' ESE and NGC 183 2.7' NE. A mag 12 star lies 1.5' SE

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, small, round, diffuse. First of three with NGC 183 2.7' NE. Located 10' N of 30 Andromedae (V = 4.4). Member of AGC 71.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 181 = St XIII-6 on 6 Oct 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory, along with NGC 183 (originally discovered by Truman Safford) and 184. His position matches CGCG 500-055 = PGC 2287.

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NGC 182 = UGC 382 = MCG +00-02-095 = CGCG 383-045 = PGC 2279

00 38 12.4 +02 43 43

V = 12.4; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 75d

17.5" (10/8/88): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Located 4' SE of mag 7.6 SAO 128868. Brightest in the large NGC 182 group including NGC 186, NGC 193, NGC 194, NGC 198, NGC 199, NGC 200, NGC 202, NGC 203, NGC 204, NGC 208.

WH discovered NGC 182 = H III-870 on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and logged "vF, S, iR, vgbM." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 183 = UGC 387a/b = MCG +05-02-035 = CGCG 500-057 = PGC 2298

00 38 29.3 +29 30 40

V = 12.7; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 130d

24" (9/15/12): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 50" diameter, well concentrated with a bright core increasing to a very small bright nucleus. Brightest and largest in a group including NGC 181 2.7' SSW, NGC 184 4.1' SSE and PGC 1871091 (very low surface brightness edge-on) 5.2' NNE. A mag 12.4 star lies 3.2' S. It was easy to locate this group as it is situated just 12' N of mag 4.4 Epsilon And.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, fairly small, round, very small bright nucleus, 40" diameter. Based on the listed dimensions, I missed a very low surface brightness halo and viewed the high surface brightness core. Forms the NW vertex of a triangle with a mag 12 star 3' S and a mag 13 star 3' E. Brightest in a trio with NGC 181 and NGC 184 close south. MCG +5-2-31 lies 6' N.

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. Located 12' N of 30 Andromedae (V = 4.4). Brightest of three in AGC 71 with NGC 181 2.7' SW and NGC 184 4.1' SSE.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 183 = Sf 65 on 5 Nov 1866 with the 26" refractor at Dearborn Observatory and simply called a "neb. * 13m." Édouard Stephan independently found the galaxy on 6 Oct 1883, recorded it in his list XIII-7 and was credited with the discovery in the NGC as Safford's discovery list was not published until 1887.

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NGC 184 = CGCG 500-059 = PGC 2309

00 38 35.8 +29 26 51

V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 5d

24" (9/15/12): faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 24"x12", slightly brighter core. Faintest in a trio with NGC 181 3.1' NW and NGC 183 4.1' NNW. Bracketed by a mag 12.4 star 1.6' WNW and a mag 13.5 star 50" E.

18" (10/21/06): very faint, very small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 24"x16". Situated between a mag 13 star 0.9' E and a mag 12 star 1.6' WNW. In a trio with NGC 181 3' NW and NGC 183 4' NNW. Located 8' N of mag 4.4 Epsilon (30) Andromedae.

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, round. A mag 13.5 star is 1' E. Third of three in AGC 71 cluster with NGC 183 4.1' NNW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 184 = St XIII-8 on 6 Oct 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "eF, eS". His position matches CGCG 500-059 = PGC 2309. Stephan also independently found NGC 183 (discovered earlier by Truman Safford) on the same night and NGC 181.

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NGC 185 = UGC 396 = MCG +08-02-010 = CGCG 550-009 = PGC 2329

00 38 57.2 +48 20 15

V = 9.2; Size 11.7'x10.0'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 35d

24" (9/14/12): Hodge V is the brightest globular cluster in NGC 185, first identified by Hodge in his 1974 paper "Photometry of the Globular Clusters of NGC 185" (PASP, 86, 289). At 325x and 450x it appeared as an extremely faint star (V = 16.7), forming the southern vertex of a small equilateral triangle with a mag 14.5 star 20" N and a mag 15 star 20" NW. This extragalactic globular was repeatedly glimpsed for brief moments and a couple of times it could be held for a few seconds. Situated 3.8' NE of the center of NGC 185 and outside the visible halo of the galaxy.

17.5" (10/13/90): bright, very large, slightly elongated ~E-W, broad concentration but no nucleus. Three mag 14 stars are at the W, NW and SW ends. Higher surface brightness than NGC 147. The brightest globular is located 8' N of center and is a marginal object at high power (see description). This is a satellite system of M31 and a Local Group member at a distance of 2.15 million light years.

8" (10/4/80): fairly faint, fairly large, diffuse, NGC 147 58' WNW.

WH discovered NGC 185 = H II-707 = h35 on 30 Nov 1787 (sweep 786) and recorded "pB, vL, irr R, vgmbM, resolvable, 5 or 6' diameter." The first observation with LdR's 72" on 28 Mar 1848 reads "Resolved by a power of 800, although the night was rather hazy." This is a good example of how preconceptions that nearly all nebulae were resolvable affected the observation. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 186 = UGC 390 = MCG +00-02-098 = CGCG 383-047 = PGC 2291

00 38 25.3 +03 09 59

V = 13.4; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 23d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, elongated NW-SE, stellar nucleus. Located between mag 6.4 SAO 109315 15' W and mag 7.4 SAO 109348 11' E. Member of the large NGC 182 group.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 186 on 6 Dec 1850 using Lord Rosse's 72" and he recorded "beta is much smaller than alpha (NGC 194), and is sbM and I think a nova." Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this nebula on 23 Sep 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. d'Arrest's position is accurate.

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NGC 187 = MCG -03-02-034 = PGC 2380

00 39 30.3 -14 39 23

V = 12.5; Size 1.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.6; PA = 148d

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 5:2 NW-SE, even surface brightness. Located 30' SSE of NGC 178.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 187 = LM I-8 on 3 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and he logged "F, S, mE 150°, bM." His rough position is 1 min west of MCG -03-02-034 = PGC 2380 and the description matches. 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 188 = Cr 6 = Mel 2 = OCL-309

00 47 30 +85 14 30

V = 8.1; Size 14'

17.5" (12/26/00): At 100x, ~75 stars within 10'-12', roundish group. The cluster is fairly rich but unconcentrated with a noticeable void of stars near in the center and a somewhat ill-defined boundary. The stars appear to be layered with at least a dozen mag 12-13 stars superimposed on a much richer carpet of mag 14-15 stars over unresolved haze. At 220x, some additional very faint stars are visible bringing the total up to ~85. Two mag 9.5-10 field stars are just off the west edge and two mag 8.5-9 stars are beyond the eastern border. This is one of the older known open clusters with an age of ~6.3 billion years.

13" (8/24/84): about 50 stars at 62x with several mag 7-9 stars in field, appears fully resolved.

8": large cluster, many faint stars, not rich, blank areas near center.

JH discovered NGC 188 = h34 on 3 Nov 1831 and recorded a "Cl, vL, p Rich, 150-200 stars mag 10-18; more than fills the field. The Sky Catalogue 2000.0 gives a poor position of 00 44.0 +85 20.

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NGC 189 = Cr 462 = OCL-301 = Lund 23

00 39 36 +61 05 42

V = 8.8; Size 4'

24" (1/4/14): well detached, roundish group of stars at 125x. Using 260x, ~40 stars are resolved in a 5'-6' group. There are several pairs and tight groupings. Many of the stars are in a richer 3' inner group, generally arranged in a ring and including h 1043 = 11.6/12.7 pair at 12" (oriented N-S). A few of the brighter stars, though, form the 6' outline. A distinctive quadrilateral of stars is ~6' NW.

17.5" (11/27/92): 30 stars mag 10-14 in 6' diameter, weakly compressed, no dense areas but appears to have some unresolved background haze. Elongated E-W due to a couple of strings extending to the west. A 6'x5' parallelogram of four mag 9 stars in the field to the south. Not an impressive cluster.

8" (11/13/82): about two dozen stars, moderately large, irregular shape, scattered, haze.

Caroline Herschel probably discovered NGC 189 = h36 on 27 Sep 1783 although William attributed here with the discovery of NGC 381. This is unlikely as the object she found preceded Gamma Cas, while NGC 381 follows. WH made no observations and JH independently rediscovered the cluster on 27 Oct 1829 and described a "Cl, L; p rich; irreg R; 8' diam; straggling; *s 11...15m."

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NGC 190 = UGC 397 = MCG +01-02-041/042 = (CGCG 409-051) = (III Zw 10) = HCG 5A/5B = PGC 2324

00 38 54.7 +07 03 46

V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6

48" (10/25/11): HCG 5A is the brighter northern component of a double system forming NGC 190. It appeared bright, moderately large, slightly elongated E-W, 50"x40", bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a very close double with smaller and fainter HCG 5B just 21" between centers. The halos of the two galaxies are in contact. HCG 5C is 0.8' NNE and HCG 5D is 0.9' S. The entire length of the N-S chain of four galaxies is 1.6'.

18" (8/26/06): this double system was just resolved into two very close, small knots, roughly 20" each in diameter with their halos in contact. Both components have faint stellar nuclei. The northern component (HCG 5A) was slightly brighter and larger. HCG 5C is a difficult object 1' NW. The entire quartet is arranged in a N-S chain with a total length of only 1.6'.

18" (11/23/05): NGC 190 is a double system which often appears as an elongated glow, 40"x20", oriented N-S. With careful viewing, the system just resolves into two very small round knots, just 20" between centers. The northern component is ~20" diameter and the southern member ~15". The two knots both have faint stellar nuclei and appear virtually tangent. A third member, HCG 5C, is occasionally visible as an extremely faint knot off the NW side.

17.5" (12/11/99): Initially seen as a single faint, elongated glow at 220x. At 280x in moments of good seeing this object cleanly resolved into two very close, very small knots with the brighter component on the north side. HCG 5C was only intermittently visible with averted vision as a 15" threshold knot.

17.5" (9/5/99): NGC 190 is a challenging double system best viewed at high power. Using 280x, at first appeared as an elongated irregular glow but with extended viewing, two "knots" oriented N-S were resolved within a common halo. The brighter and larger component (HCG 5A) is at the north end and appears very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. The southern component (HCG 5B) is extremely faint and small, perhaps 15" diameter. HCG 5C is a threshold knot 1' NW. The HCG is a subgroup of AGC 76 whose core is ~20' SSE and includes IC 1565, 1566 and 1568.

17.5" (10/8/88): very close double system, faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE, irregular. HCG 5B is a very small companion attached at the south edge just 22" between centers. In a compact group of four (HCG 5).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 190 = Sw V-8 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is just 6 sec of RA east of UGC 397. His description mentions "3 or 4 stars near sp". There are two mag 13 and 14.7 stars about 2' SW, but perhaps he also noticed the companion at the south edge (HCG 5B) and took it to be stellar. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor in Denver, noted a mag 12.5 star lies about 30" due south of the nebula. But this probably refers to HCG 5B. MCG identifies M+01-02-042 as NGC 190 instead of both -041 and -042.

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NGC 191 = Arp 127 NED1 = Holm 13a = MCG -02-02-077 = PGC 2331

00 38 59.3 -09 00 09

V = 13.3; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 125d

17.5" (9/17/88): close double system with IC 1563 0.6' SE. Fairly faint, very small, round. A mag 14 star is 30" SE of center. A very faint halo surrounding the core extends to IC 1563 and the mag 14 star. IC 1563 appeared faint, very small, round.

WH discovered NGC 191 = H II-479 = h38 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and logged "pB, mE nearly in the meridian, near 2' long". Sir Robert Ball, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 12 Dec 1866, recorded "One neb, with either 2 stars or B, S, neb knots very closely foll - cB, pL, R, bM, two pB st preceding." One of these "knots" is IC 1563, although discovery credit is given to Bigourdan in the IC. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 192 = UGC 401 = MCG +00-02-104 = CGCG 383-051 = HCG 7a = LGG 010-002 = PGC 2352

00 39 13.5 +00 51 49

V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 167d

18" (11/23/05): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.3' or 1.0'x0.3'. Well concentrated with a small very bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus. Brightest in the HCG 7 quartet with NGC 196, NGC 197 and NGC 201.

17.5" (10/8/88): brightest of four in the HCG 7 group. Moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated NNW-SSE, bright core. NGC 197 lies 2.1' NNE, NGC 196 3' N and NGC 201 5' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 192 = H III-872 = h39, along with NGC 196 and NGC 201, on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 988) and logged "vF, vS, bM." JH made 5 observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 193 = UGC 408 = MCG +00-02-103 = CGCG 385-055 = PGC 2359

00 39 18.5 +03 19 52

V = 12.2; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 55d

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, very small, round, sharp concentration. Located 2.6' WNW of a mag 10 star (9.9/10.6 at 2"). A mag 13 star is off the west edge. Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 204 7' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 193 = H III-595 = h37 on 21 Dec 1786 (sweep 657) and logged "vF; S; 3 or 4 stars in it, but I have not been out long enough, however I have no doubt." Herschel's RA was off and JH thought his observation was a new discovery. WH also recorded nearby NGC 204 and noted "vF, vS, but I have not been out long enough, any may be a deception." His offset from NGC 193 clearly matches NGC 204, but he didn't assign it an H-designation.

R.J. Mitchell observed the galaxy with LdR's 72-inch on 24 Nov 1854 and noted "Not L; R; bM; a bright star close sp; resolvable?". The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 194 = UGC 407 = MCG +00-02-105 = CGCG 383-054 = PGC 2362

00 39 18.4 +03 02 14

V = 12.2; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 30d

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 5' S of mag 7.3 SAO 109348! Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 199 6' NE and NGC 200 10' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 194 = H II-856 = h40 on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and recorded "F, S, vgbM." The NGC position matches UGC 407 = PGC 2362.

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NGC 195 = MCG -02-02-079 = PGC 2391

00 39 35.8 -09 11 41

V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 45d

17.5" (9/17/88): faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, weak concentration.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 195 = T I-2 in 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His position was 0.4 min of RA west and 5' north of MCG -02-02-079 = PGC 2391. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 16 Dec 1897 (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 196 = UGC 405 = MCG +00-02-110 = CGCG 383-053 = HCG 7b = LGG 010-003 = PGC 2357

00 39 17.8 +00 54 46

V = 12.9; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 3d

18" (11/23/05): moderately bright, small, fairly high surface brightness. Sharply concentrated with a bright, very small core surrounded by a much fainter oval halo 3:2 N-S, ~0.6'x0.4'. Second brightest in the HCG 7 quartet with NGC 192 3' SSW and much fainter NGC 197 1' SSE.

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core. Forms a very close pair with NGC 197 1' SSE in the HCG 7 group. NGC 192 lies 3' SSW and NGC 201 5' SE.

WH discovered NGC 196 = H II-860 = h41, along with NGC 192 and NGC 201, on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 988) and logged "pF, pS, vgbM." JH made 4 observations. MCG misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 197.

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NGC 197 = UGC 406 = MCG +00-02-107 = CGCG 383-053 = HCG 7d = LGG 010-006 = PGC 2365

00 39 18.8 +00 53 31

V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3

18" (11/23/05): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. This galaxy is the smallest and faintest in the HCG 7 quartet and was missed by William and John Herschel (discovered by Albert Marth).

17.5" (10/8/88): extremely faint, very small, almost round. Member of the HCG 7 group and located 2.1' NNE of NGC 192. Forms a close pair with NGC 196 1' NNW and NGC 201 lies 4' SE. Appears fainter than 14.2z.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 197 = m 14 on 16 Oct 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "eF, s of 196." His position matches UGC 406 = PGC 2365. This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 196 in the MCG (+00-02-107).

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NGC 198 = UGC 414 = MCG +00-02-109 = CGCG 383-057 = PGC 2371

00 39 22.9 +02 47 52

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80d

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration. Located within the NGC 182 group with NGC 200 6' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 198 = H II-857 on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and recorded "F, S, vgbM". At the same time he found H II-858 = NGC 200 to the northeast. Herman Schultz, Heinrich d'Arrest and Basilius von Engelhardt measured accurate micrometric positions.

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NGC 199 = UGC 415 = MCG +00-02-111 = CGCG 383-058 = PGC 2382

00 39 33.1 +03 08 19

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 160d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, elongated NNW-SSE, small bright core. Located 5' E of mag 7.3 SAO 109348 within the NGC 182 group. NGC 194 lies 6' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 199 on 24 Sep 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen and described (from 3 observations) "faint and small. A mag 8 star precedes 27 sec and somewhat south." His position and description matches UGC 415 = PGC 2382. Ralph Copeland independently found this galaxy on 11 Dec 1873 at Birr Castle and logged "cF, L neb."

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NGC 200 = UGC 420 = MCG +00-02-112 = CGCG 383-060 = PGC 2387

00 39 34.8 +02 53 15

V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 161d

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, weak concentration. Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 198 6' SSW.

WH discovered NGC 200 = H II-858, along with NGC 198, on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 985) and recorded "pB, S, vgbM." Ralph Copeland, LdR's assistant on 17 Sep 1873, logged "cB, L, cE north-south, gbM". There was a confusion, though, in the orientation with respect to NGC 198. The NGC position (from Herman Schultz?) is accurate.

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NGC 201 = UGC 419 = MCG +00-02-115 = CGCG 383-059 = HCG 7c = LGG 010-004 = PGC 2388

00 39 34.9 +00 51 35

V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 155d

18" (11/23/05): NGC 201 is the largest member of the HCG 7 quartet. At 225x appears faint, fairly large, round, ~1.6' diameter, low nearly even surface brightness with only a very weak concentration. Located 5' E of NGC 192.

17.5" (10/8/88): largest in the NGC 192 group = HCG 7. Faint, moderately large, diffuse, even surface brightness, slightly elongated NW-SE. Last of four including NGC 192, NGC 196 and 197.

WH discovered NGC 201 = H III-873 = h43, along with NGC 192 and NGC 196, on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 988) and recorded "eF, cL. I should not have seen it but for the other two [III-872 = NGC 192 and II-860 = NGC 196]." On sweep 113, JH recorded "vF; L; E; 60". The last of 3 on the parallel of the first."

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NGC 202 = UGC 421 = MCG +00-02-113 = CGCG 383-062 = PGC 2394

00 39 39.8 +03 32 11

V = 14.3; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 153d

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, elongated NNW-SSE, low even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is at the east edge 0.7' from center. Located 7' S of mag 7.8 SAO 147387. Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 203 5' S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 202 = St VIIIa-1 on 17 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 203 = NGC 211 = MCG +00-02-114 = CGCG 383-061 = PGC 2393

00 39 39.5 +03 26 34

V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 85d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, oval E-W, weak concentration. Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 202 5' N.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 203 on 19 Dec 1873, while observing the field of NGC 193 and 204. His micrometric position matches CGCG 383-061 = PGC 2393. This galaxy was independently found by Édouard Stephan (List VIII-2) on 18 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory and catalogued as NGC 211, but Stephan misidentified his offset star so his position was in error. Applying the correction reveals NGC 211 = NGC 203, with discovery priority going to Copeland.

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NGC 204 = UGC 423 = MCG +00-02-116 = CGCG 383-063 = PGC 2397

00 39 44.2 +03 17 58

V = 12.9; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 30d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Located 4' ESE of a mag 9.5 star. Member of the NGC 182 group with NGC 193 7' WNW.

WH discovered NGC 204 = h42 on 21 Dec 1786 (sweep 657) and noted "vF, vS, but I have not been out long enough, any may be a deception." His offset from NGC 193 clearly matches NGC 204, but he didn't assign it an H-designation and is uncredited in the GC and NGC.

JH independently discovered NGC 204 on 16 Oct 1827 and logged "pB; R; the following of 2." He gives an uncertain position, which is between NGC 193 and 204. In the Slough Catalogue, JH mistakenly equated h42 with H III-595 (which applies to NGC 193).

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NGC 205 = M110 = UGC 426 = MCG +07-02-014 = CGCG 535-014 = Holm 17c = PGC 2429

00 40 22.0 +41 41 07

V = 8.1; Size 21.9'x11.0'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 170d

13.1": bright, very large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 10'x4', quite prominent but only a gentle broad concentration. G73, the brightest globular cluster in M110 (or associated with M31), lies 6' E of center and appears as a 15th magnitude "star".

8" (10/4/80): fairly bright, large, elongated ~N-S, companion to M31.

Charles Messier probably was the first to discover NGC 205 = M110 = H V-18 = h44 on 10 Aug 1773, though no observation was published, nor does it appear in his notes.  A sketch he made, though, was published in 1807 and showed both companions to M31.  Kenneth Glynn Jones suggested adding NGC 205 as M110 in a 1967 Sky & Telescope article.  Caroline Herschel independently rediscovered M110 on 27 Sep 1783.  On 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 613), WH recorded "vB, mE, above 20' long nearly in the meridian; a few degrees from np to sf, the branches lose themselves."  On 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 621), he also logged "eB, mE.  I suppose not less than 1/2° long and 10 or 12' broad.  vgmbM; so as to come to a luminous nucleus.  The time very inaccurate, the telescope being off the roller, and only guided by hand."

M110 was observed with Lord Rosse's 72" on 2 Nov 1850 and "spirality" was suspected (falsely).  A later observation on 16 Oct 1855 recorded "vL; mE np by sf; sharp nucleus, for some distance round which, the neb. is bright and then suddenly decreases; there is a bright star np the nucleus; and another involved in sf end; another in preceding border.”

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NGC 206 = M31-A78 = OB 78

00 40 31.3 +40 44 22

Size 4.2'x1.5'; PA = 0d

48" (11/1/13): We examined the large association NGC 206 carefully for resolved stars using the finder chart in Stephen Odewahn's 1987 study "A photometric survey of the rich OB association NGC 206 in M31". I carefully identified the 6 or 7 brightest members down to V = 17.6 with the brightest star #12 (V = 16.1) at the north edge relatively prominent. Then just scanning over the cloud with averted vision, roughly 20 additional extremely faint stars popped in and out of view, mimicking the appearance of a dense open cluster or partially resolved globular cluster! Based on photometry in the paper, the magnitudes extended down to approximately V = 18.3-18.4. The cloud, itself, was quite irregular and split up into several slightly brighter patches.

17.5" (8/18/93): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 5:2 N-S, 4.0'x1.6', low and uneven surface brightness. A few very faint stars are just visible over surface including a brighter star at the south tip. Located 40' SW of the core of M31. This is the huge star cloud at the SW end of M31.

8" (12/6/80): very faint, moderately large, elongated N-S, low surface brightness patch near the SW end of M31.

WH discovered NGC 206 = H V-36 = h45 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 613) and recorded "vF, vL, mE, about 20' long nearly in the meridian, or a little from np to sf." JH simply called it "a very large space filled with neb." E.E. Barnard independently found this M31 star cloud in 1883 and assumed it was new. In September 1885 he wrote "about two years ago, I found with my 5-inch refractor, a moderate size nebula involved with the extreme preceding end of the Great Nebula in Andromeda. I have now confirmed the observation with the 6-inch Cooke Equatorial and as I can find no record of such nebula I suppose it is new." Barnard caught his mistake and credited Herschel in 1886. But apparently Barnard did discovered the M31 association A54.

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NGC 207 = MCG -03-02-035 = PGC 2395

00 39 40.6 -14 14 13

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 85d

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 25"x15". A mag 14.3 star is just 40" SW of center. Located 4.4' NW of mag 9.2 SAO 147389. Forms a pair with NGC 178 9' WNW. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC. Member of the NGC 210 group.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 207 using Lord Rosse's 72" on 7 Dec 1857. It was found near NGC 210 and described in two observations (second one by Dreyer himself on 29 Oct 1877). With respect to NGC 210, Dreyer roughly placed this object 25'± south and about 35 sec of RA west. His description reads "vF, S, lE pf, mbMN, stellar 5' nnf a coarse double star 10-11 and 12m. A very insignificant object."

Mitchell's offset from NGC 210 places NGC 207 at approximately 00 37.5 -14 34 (1950). MCG -03-02-035 is located at 00 37 09.8 -14 30 44 (1950), which is a reasonable match. Furthermore, this galaxy is elongated E-W and is located 5' NNW (incorrectly stated as NNE) of a wide double star at 40" separation. So, the identification NGC 207 = MCG -03-02-035 is virtually certain. Ormond Stone independently discovered this galaxy at Leader-McCormick Observatory on 3 Nov 1885 and reported it as new in list LM I-9.

IC 41 (discovered by Javelle) lies 3.7' north, although MCG and PGC incorrectly equate IC 41 with NGC 207 (error also in Megastar). RNGC misclassified NGC 207 as nonexistent. See RNGC Corrections #5.

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NGC 208 = MCG +00-02-118 = CGCG 383-064 = PGC 2420

00 40 17.6 +02 45 22

V = 14.3; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, very small, round. Located west of four mag 11-13 stars that form a rhombus. The closest is a mag 11 star 3' ENE. Member of the NGC 182 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 208 = m 15 on 5 Oct 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply logged "pF". His position is very close SE of CGCG 383-064 = PGC 2420.

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NGC 209 = ESO 540-008 = MCG -03-02-031 = PGC 2338

00 39 03.6 -18 36 30

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 10d

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, round, small bright core. Located 70' SW of Beta Ceti.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 209 = LM 1-10 on 9 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory . His position is ~1.4 min of RA east of ESO 540-008 = PGC 2338. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and called it "almost a nebulous star." MCG does not identify -03-02-031 as NGC 209.

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NGC 210 = MCG -02-02-081 = PGC 2437

00 40 34.8 -13 52 28

V = 10.9; Size 5.0'x3.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 160d

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~NNW-SSE, small very bright core. A mag 11.5 star is close WSW 1.3' from the center. Located 7' E of mag 8.3 SAO 147392. Forms a pair with MCG -02-02-082 7.7' NE (not seen).

8" (10/13/81): faint, small, round. A mag 9 star is 7' W.

WH discovered NGC 210 = H II-452 = h46 on 3 Oct 1785 (sweep 451) and recorded "pB, pS, mbM, resolvable, star 1.5' distant". His position is 30 tsec too far west.

R.J. Mitchell, observing on 7 Dec 1857 with LdR's 72", logged "bright centre; much elongated north and south, arms vF." Francis Leavenworth independently found the galaxy on 2 Oct 1886 at the Leander-McCormick Observatory and reported it as new in list I-11.

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NGC 211 = NGC 203 = MCG +00-02-114 = CGCG 383-061 = PGC 2393

00 39 39.5 +03 26 34

See observing notes for NGC 203.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 211 = St VIIIa-2 on 18 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. Corwin notes that Stephan misidentified his offset star (GSC 0014-1250 at 00 40 43.5 +03 28 05) and when his offsets are reapplied they point directly to NGC 203, which was found three years earlier by Ralph Copeland using Lord Rosse's 72" on 19 Dec 1873. So, NGC 211 = NGC 203, with the original discovery going to Ralph Copeland. Emmanuel Esmiol did not catch Stephan's error when his rereduced Stephan's positions at the Observatoire de Marseille, so the position is incorrect in his 1916 paper.

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NGC 212 = ESO 150-018 = PGC 2417

00 40 13.3 -56 09 11

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 131d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): This galaxy, along with NGC 215, are the two brightest members in the core of AGC 2806. Appeared moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, ~55"x45", broad concentration. A dozen members were easily picked up in the 23' field, though I didn't spend time looking for the faintest members. The nearest is 2MASX J00400662-5609299 just 1' WSW, while NGC 215 lies 6' SE. Located 25' NW of mag 5.7 Xi Phoenicis and just 2.4' N of mag 9.6 SAO 232142. 2MASX J00400423-5610499 is situated just 1' NW of the mag 9.6 star.

JH discovered NGC 212 = h2336 on Oct 28 1834 and recorded "vF, S, R, 15", the preceding of two [with h2337 = NGC 215]".

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NGC 213 = UGC 436 = MCG +03-02-023 = CGCG 457-026 = PGC 2469

00 41 10.0 +16 28 09

V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, round, small bright core. A mag 13.5-14.0 star is off the SE edge 26" from center.

WH discovered NGC 213 = H III-200 on 14 Oct 1784 (sweep 289) and logged "2 small stars with nebulosity between, verified with 240 power." His position is accurate. On 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 590) he noted "2 small stars with faint nebulosity, most of the chevulure is about the preceding star; the stars are within 1/2' of each other."

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NGC 214 = UGC 438 = MCG +04-02-044 = CGCG 479-059 = PGC 2479

00 41 28.0 +25 29 58

V = 12.3; Size 2.2'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 35d

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately bright, slightly elongated SW-NE, brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 214 = H II-209 = h47 on 10 Sep 1784 (sweep 264) and recorded "vF, pL, iR, equally bright, r." R.J. Mitchell observed the field with LdR's 72-inch on 3 Nov 1855 and noted "I find 3 neb, perhaps 4, as in annexed sketch. A is oval, and I think resolvable; and has a star at np edge." Mitchell goes on to describe 1 or 2 additional nebulae in the field, but these are either stars or close doubles.

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NGC 215 = ESO 150-019 = PGC 2451

00 40 48.9 -56 12 51

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 120d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): this is the brightest member of AGC 2806. Appeared moderately bright or fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, well concentrated with a bright core that increases to the center. NGC 212 (just barely inferior) lies 6' NW. Located 4' NE of mag 10 SAO 232144. The nearest two members are PGC 101135 3.4' WSW and PGC 128457 2.9' NW.

JH discovered NGC 215 = h2336 (along with NGC 212 = h2336) on Oct 28 1834 and recorded "pF, S, R, 20", the following of two [with NGC 212]." On a later sweep he logged "F, R, vgbM; among stars." His position is accurate.

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NGC 216 = ESO 540-015 = MCG -04-02-035 = PGC 2478

00 41 27.1 -21 02 44

V = 13.2; Size 1.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 27d

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, fades at tips.

WH discovered NGC 216 = H III-244 = h49 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 330) and noted "eF, vS, E." JH logged "eF; lE; nf to sp." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 217 = MCG -02-02-085 = PGC 2482

00 41 33.8 -10 01 20

V = 12.7; Size 2.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 110d

17.5" (12/3/88): moderately bright, fairly small. This is a pretty edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE with a small bright core and stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 217 = H II-480 = h48 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and recorded "F, pL, lE, lbM." JH observed this galaxy on a single sweep and noted "not vF; S; gbM; 10-15"." Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy again on 9 Aug 1886 and reported it in list IV-4. His position was 15 sec of RA east of MCG -02-02-085 = PGC 2482, a similar offset as other objects he observed that night.

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NGC 218 = "The Pattern" = VV 527 = UGC 480 = MCG +06-02-016 = CGCG 519-021 = PGC 2720

00 46 31.9 +36 19 32

V = 12.5; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 177d

24" (12/22/14): moderately bright and large, irregularly round, ~0.8' diameter though the halo increases in size and shape with averted vision. A brighter nucleus is offset to the east side of the galaxy, so could be mistaken for a knot in the halo. Forms an interacting pair with CGCG 519-022 1.4' ENE.

CGCG 519-022 is fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.2', very weak concentration. The SDSS reveals numerous thin, blue arm segments of NGC 218 that are apparently tidally stretched towards CGCG 519-022.

17.5" (9/1/02): fairly faint, fairly small, irregular shape and surface brightness, 1.0' diameter, broadly concentrated. Forms the right angle of a small isosceles triangle with two mag 13.5-14 stars 1.4' N and 1.3' W. Forms an interacting pair with MCG +06-02-017 1.4' E. The companion is very faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.5'x0.25'. Member of the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 218 = St VIIIa-3 on 17 Oct 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His published position implies an offset of just 40" S of mag 8.9 SAO 54096 (given as the offset star) but there is nothing at this position and his description makes no mention of a nearby bright star. The only nearby candidate is UGC 440, which is located 45 tsec W and almost 2' N of Stephan's offsets, and this galaxy is taken as NGC 218 in all modern catalogues.

I checked Emmanuel Esmiol's 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions at Marseilles Observatory and found that NGC 218 was left off of the main tables, but replaced with an "Anonymous" galaxy using a different delta RA but the same offset star (SAO 54096) and the same delta Dec. Esmiol's new position corresponds exactly with UGC 480, although apparently this correction to the position of NGC 218 has gone unnoticed until now. At the bottom of the page is the note "wrongly identified as NGC 218". So, NGC 218 = UGC 480. Harold Corwin and Wolfgang Steinicke agree with this analysis. Wolfgang notes in his book on the history of the NGC, that Esmiol's catalogue gives 4 discoveries of Stephan that did not receive NGC designations, but he missed this connection with NGC 218. This identification has now been incorporated into NED, although it is still incorrect in HyperLeda (as of 2013) as well as the NGC/IC Project, which has not been updated in a long time.

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NGC 219 = MCG +00-02-128 = CGCG 383-073 = PGC 2522

00 42 11.3 +00 54 16

V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 60d

17.5" (10/8/88): very faint, extremely small, slightly elongated. A mag 12 star is 1.1' SSW of center. Located 3.7' NNW of NGC 223.

George Bond discovered NGC 219 = HN 1 on 16 Sep 1863 at Harvard College observatory with the 15-inch Merz & Mahler refractor. His position and description matches MCG +00-02-128. This is one of the few galaxies "discovered" by Bond that are not single or multiple stars.

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NGC 220 = ESO 029-SC003 = Lindsay 22

00 40 30.6 -73 24 11

V = 12.4; Size 0.8'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, ~50" diameter, brighter nucleus. No resolution except for a single faint star near the center. A mag 11 star lies 1' NE and just south of NGC 222. This is the first of three in a chain with NGC 222 1.5' NE and NGC 231 4.0' NE with NGC 176 24' NW. Located at the west edge of a large SMC star cloud (Hodge Association 3).

JH discovered NGC 220 = h2338 (along with NGC 231 = h2340) on 12 Aug 1834 in the SMC and recorded "F, vgbM, irregular figure." On a second sweep he wrote "The first of an irregular string of nebulae and stars which descends at an angle of about 45 degrees from the centre to the edge of the field (i.e. in a north-following direction)." Finally, on a third sweep he recorded "F, R; the field is full of the nebulous light of the Nubecula Minor." Harold Corwin notes that NGC 222 = h2339 may be a 4th observations of this cluster (see notes).

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 220 = D 2 on 1 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector and described a "faint nebula, about 1 1/2' long, irregular figure, rather branched. This is involved in the margin of the Nebula minor." His position is 3.6' NW of NGC 220 though given his general poor positions this identification is not certain. Herschel assigned D 2 to NGC 231 = h2340 instead.

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NGC 221 = M32 = Arp 168 = UGC 452 = MCG +07-02-015 = CGCG 535-016 = Holm 17b = PGC 2555

00 42 41.9 +40 51 53

V = 8.1; Size 8.7'x6.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 170d

24" (11/24/14): extremely high surface brightness, large, elongated at least 4:3 NNW-SSE, ~5'x3.5'. The large halo is highly concentrated to a small very bright core. The core itself is sharply concentrated to a very small, very bright nucleus punctuated by an intense stellar nucleus.

13.1" (8/24/84): very bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, about 4'x3', increases to small very bright core which is almost stellar. Located 24' S of the center of M31.

8": very bright, moderately large, round, 24' S of M31.

15x50mm (7/26/06): an intense "star-like" core is surrounded by a small halo in my IS binoculars.

Guillaume Le Gentil discovered M32 = NGC 221 = h51 on 29 Oct 1749. In the Appendix to the 1912 'Scientific Papers of Sir William Herschel' this description is given of M32: "1813, December 26, 20 feet telescope, a vB R nebula, vgbM, up to a nucleus."

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NGC 222 = ESO 029-SC004 = Lindsay 24

00 40 44.5 -73 23 03

V = 12.2; Size 0.6'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): second and the smallest of three SMC clusters in a string with NGC 220 1.5' SW and NGC 231 2.5' NE. At 228x, appears as a fairly faint, small, round glow of ~30" diameter. A mag 11.5 star lies 30" south.

JH discovered NGC 222 = h2339 on 11 Apr 1834 and simply recorded "vF, R, outlying." His position, though, is unusually poor - landing 3.7' S of NGC 220. Since h2339 was only recorded on the single sweep 441, Harold Corwin suggests this number may be another observation of NGC 220, which was recorded on 3 later sweeps, but not the one on 11 Apr 1834! As NGC 220 is much more prominent than the smaller cluster taken as NGC 222, it seems unreasonable that JH would have missed NGC 220. On sweep 625, JH recorded NGC 220 as "The first of an irregular string of nebulae and stars which descends at an angle of about 45 degrees from the centre to the edge of the field (i.e. in a north-following direction)". It's very possible that the cluster taken as NGC 222 was one of these "string of nebulae and stars" as it is just 1.5' NE of NGC 220, so perhaps he did see the cluster on this date. See Corwin's notes for more on this identification.

James Dunlop's D 2, discovered on 1 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector, may refer to this chain. He described a "faint nebula, about 1 1/2' long, irregular figure, rather branched. This is involved in the margin of the Nebula minor." His position is ~3.5' WNW of NGC 220/222 but given his general poor positions, this identification is not certain, and more likely would apply to NGC 220 (brightest cluster). Herschel assigned D 2 to NGC 231 = h2340.

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NGC 223 = IC 44 = UGC 450 = MCG +00-02-129 = PGC 2527

00 42 15.8 +00 50 44

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 62d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, elongated SW-NE, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 219 3.7' NNW. Located close to the midpoint of a mag 11 star 2.8' SE and a mag 12 star 3.0' NW that is just south of NGC 219.

George Bond discovered NGC 223 = HN 7 = Au 4 = Sw VI-5 on 5 Jan 1853 with the 15-inch Merz refractor during the Harvard Zone observations of stars near the celestial equator. He noted a round nebula, between stars #131 and 132 and measured the dec, but not the RA. The discovery was listed as #4 in Auwers 1862 list of new nebulae, though the RA is only given to the nearest minute of time. Heinrich d'Arrest found this galaxy again on 1 Jan 1862 (he noted Bond's earlier discovery), as well as by Lewis Swift on 21 Nov 1886. Finally Swift "discovered" it again on 12 Nov 1890, and described Sw X-1 (later IC 44) as "eF; S; R; bet 2 st." His position is ~2' too far north and Dreyer either assumed it was new or just missed the equivalence. In any case, NGC 223 = IC 44.

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NGC 224 = M31 = Andromeda Galaxy = UGC 454 = MCG +07-02-016 = CGCG 535-017 = And A = Holm 17a = PGC 2557

00 42 44.1 +41 16 08

V = 3.4; Size 191'x62'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 35d

17.5" (7/5/86): the remarkable "Andromeda galaxy" is very bright, extremely large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, about 2.5° length. Very large bright core containing a stellar nucleus using direct vision. There are two black parallel dust lanes along the NW side of the core. The galaxy extends beyond the star cloud NGC 206 located about 40' SW of the core.

18": a total of 38 globular clusters have been tracked down in M31 as well as 9 star clusters.

Persian astronomer Al-Sûfi first mentioned M31 = NGC 224 = h51 in his "Book of Fixed Stars" (~905 AD) as the "Little Cloud" lying before the mouth of a Big Fish (an Arabic constellation). German astronomer Simon Marius made the first telescopic observation of M31 (actually of any nebula) on 15 Dec 1612 and remarked, "resembling the light of a burning candle, shining through translucent horn." William Herschel made an early observation on 2 Aug 1783 with his 6-inch reflector and noted "227x, a strong suspicion of stars. This speculum has not light enough. I doubt not but 20 feet will confirm it. 460x, suspicion still stronger." He was obviously mistaken on the resolvability. WH also noted the nebula "begins to shew a faint red colour." Perhaps he detected a slight hue to the nuclear region (red giants), though this seems unlikely.

According to Joseph Ashbrook, the quasi-stellar nucleus was observed by Johann Lamont on 13 Oct 1836 with a 10.5-inch refractor at Munich Observatory and measured as 6.9". George Bond discovered and sketched the two dark lanes or "canals" in 1847 with the 15-inch Harvard refractor. He also traced the major axis to a length of 4°. Leopold Trouvelot produced a beautiful sketch of the dust lanes in 1874 at the Harvard College Observatory. The spiral nature, though, was first revealed in photographs by Isaac Roberts in 1887 with a 20-inch reflector and E.E. Barnard in 1890 with a 6-inch f/5 refractor, though neither used in the word "spiral" in their papers.

Ernst Hartwig discovered a supernova on 20 Aug 1885 near the center of M31. Steinicke notes that there is a report by Isaac Ward about sighting it one day earlier than Hartwig (Sidereal Messenger 4, p281).

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NGC 225 = Cr 7 = OCL-305 = Lund 25

00 43 35 +61 46

V = 7.0; Size 12'

24" (1/4/14): bright, large, scattered group of ~50 stars in 10' group. Includes 15-18 brighter stars that stand out (mag 9.5-11). A ragged N-S string of stars defines the eastern border of the cluster. There are no rich subgroups and a lack of faint stars.

A detached group of stars is off the north side, but these stars do not appear to be part of the cluster. vdB 4, a very faint reflection nebula, is involved with these stars though it was not noticed.

17.5" (11/2/91): about two dozen stars at 100x in a 12' diameter. Bright but scattered. Outline forms an isosceles triangle with the vertex at west edge and the long base on the east side. Most stars are mag 10-11 and evenly spaced. The cluster appears completely resolved. Only one fairly close double star in group. Just ENE of the main group is a line of five mag 9 stars oriented N-S.

8": two dozen stars in a cluster, fairly bright but scattered, no dense spots.

Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 225 = H VIII-78 = h52 on 27 Sep 1783 (and found again on 23 Feb 1784) with her 4.2" comet seeker. On 26 Nov 1788 (sweep 887), WH recorded "a good many coarsely scattered L stars of an equal size, they take up a space of 15 or 20'."

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NGC 226 = UGC 459 = CGCG 500-076 = LGG 014-003 = PGC 2572

00 42 54.0 +32 34 52

V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (9/1/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.6'x0.45', very weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is just off the south side, 30" from the center. Located 11' ESE of mag 8.5 HD 3925, which is just outside the 220x field.

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, bright core, irregular surface brightness. A mag 14 star is 30" S. Located 7' NE of mag 9.4 SAO 54094 and 10.5' ESE of mag 8.5 SAO 54088.

JH discovered NGC 226 = h53 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged "eF; S; R; has a 13m to south, dist 20"." His position and description matches UGC 459 = PGC 2572. Recorded with the 72" on 19 Sep 1857 as "vF, S, R, bM, just on of a vF *."

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NGC 227 = UGC 456 = MCG +00-02-135 = CGCG 383-076 = PGC 2547

00 42 36.8 -01 31 43

V = 12.1; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 155d

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately bright, very small bright core or stellar nucleus?

13.1" (9/29/84): compact galaxy elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, small prominent nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 227 = H II-444 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and logged "F, pL, lbM". The micrometric position from Engelhardt in the NGC is accurate.

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NGC 228 = UGC 458 = MCG +04-02-048 = CGCG 479-062 = PGC 2563

00 42 54.5 +23 30 12

V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, small, almost round, weak concentration. In a tight quadruple group with NGC 229 2.5' E, CGCG 479-061 1.5' SW ("extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 E-W, very low even surface brightness") and CGCG 479-065 11' ESE ("very faint, very small, round, bright core").

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 228 = St X-1 on 10 Oct 1879 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory, along with St X-2 = NGC 229. His position is accurate.

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NGC 229 = MCG +04-02-049 = CGCG 479-064 = PGC 2577

00 43 04.6 +23 30 33

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, stellar nucleus. In a quadruple group with NGC 228 2.5' W and CGCG 479-065 9' ESE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 229 = St X-2 on 10 Oct 1879 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory, along with NGC 228 = St X-1. His position is accurate.

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NGC 230 = ESO 474-014 = MCG -04-02-037 = PGC 2539

00 42 27.1 -23 37 44

V = 14.7; Size 1.1'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 44d

24" (12/22/14): extremely faint to very faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~20"x10", low surface brightness. Requires averted and concentration, but clearly visible ~25% of time.

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely tough, very small object only suspected on a couple of occasions. My field sketch shows it situated just south of the midpoint of two stars oriented NW-SE [separation 1.5'] and it seemed extended SW-NE (perpendicular to the line connecting the stars). This matches the DSS image, so I probably finally detected this galaxy. Located 6' SW of NGC 232 and 8' SW of the double system NGC 235.

17.5": Negative sightings on 12/3/88 (Fiddletown), 10/21/95 in thin clouds (Fiddletown) and 12/20/95 at Digger Pines.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 230 = LM II-291 (along with NGC 232 and NGC 235) in 1886 with the 26" refractor the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is just 0.2 min of RA east of ESO 474-014. As Leavenworth gave a size of just 0.1' and mag 16.0, it must have appeared nearly stellar.

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NGC 231 = ESO 029-SC005 = Lindsay 25

00 41 06.4 -73 21 08

V = 12.7; Size 0.8'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appears as a moderately large, low surface brightness hazy region with an irregular outline, ~2' diameter. A few mag 14 stars are resolved. Last of three open clusters with compact NGC 222 2.5' SW and NGC 220 4.0' SW.

JH discovered NGC 231 = h2340 on 12 Aug 1834 and recorded "an irregular train of stars and nebulosity in the Nubecula Minor. (Evidently that referred to in Sweep 625 [NGC 220])." His position falls very close to the cluster taken as NGC 231 (ESO 029-005 = Lindsay 25), but based on the description Corwin suggests that NGC 231 really refers to the entire string of 3 clusters - NGC 220, 222 and 231. Corwin lists a separate entry for the traditional NGC 231 as the core of this string of clusters.

JH noted that h2340 might be equivalent to D 2, but Dunlop more likely found brighter NGC 220, which he described as "a faint nebula, about 1.5' long, irregular figure, rather branched. This is involved in the margin of the Nebula minor."

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NGC 232 = ESO 474-015 = MCG -04-02-040 = VV 830 = PGC 2559

00 42 45.7 -23 33 41

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 171d

24" (12/22/14): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 24" diameter, weak concentration. NGC 235/235B lies 2.0' NE and NGC 230 is 6' SW.

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Forms a trio with NGC 235A/NGC 235B 2.5' NE. Extremely difficult NGC 230 lies 6' SW (see notes of 10/4/97).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 232 = LM II-292 (along with NGC 230 and 235) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position essentially matches ESO 474-015 = PGC 2559, but Herbert Howe measured a precise position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 233 = UGC 464 = MCG +05-02-041 = CGCG 500-078 = PGC 2604

00 43 36.6 +30 35 13

V = 12.4; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus, diffuse outer halo, no distinct edges.

WH discovered NGC 233 = H III-149 = h54 on 14 Oct 178 (sweep 266) and logged "eF, vS, R." R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 22 Nov 1854, recorded "pB, vS, R, a F* v close preceding??". There is a very faint star close west of the core. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 234 = UGC 463 = MCG +02-02-028 = CGCG 434-032 = PGC 2600

00 43 32.4 +14 20 33

V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (10/8/88): moderately bright, moderately large, irregularly round, broad concentration, faint nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 234 = H II-245 on 14 Oct 1784 (sweep 289) and logged "F, pS, irregular oval." On 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 295), he noted "F, pS, R, lbM." and again on 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 590), "pB, cL, gmbM." Dreyer made a detailed observation at Birr Castle on 8 Nov 1876: "pB, pL, iR, seems with higher power to have two points of condensation, p and f, the f. one the brighter. I think the p one is a S * involved. Lord Rosse thought it resolved." A mag 16.3 star is at the west edge and the following "point of condensation" probably refers to the nucleus. The NGC position is 2.5' too far south.

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NGC 235 = (R)NGC 235A = ESO 474-016 = MCG -04-02-041 = PGC 2569

00 42 52.8 -23 32 29

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 117d

24" (12/22/14): at 260x; NGC 235A, the brighter northwest component of this interacting double system, appeared fairly bright, fairly small, round, 24" diameter high surface brightness, bright core increases to a very bright stellar nucleus. NGC 235B is attached on the southeast side and appeared fairly faint, small, 12" diameter, round, very small brighter nucleus. The pair of galaxies are separated by just 20" between centers!

17.5" (12/3/88): the western member of this double system appeared faint, very small, round, small bright core. The eastern component, attached at the following end, appeared extremely faint and small, round. Forms a double with NGC 232 2.5' SW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 235 = LM II-293 (along with NGC 230 and NGC 232) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.3 min of RA east of ESO 474-016 = PGC 2569. This is a double system with the brighter component on the NW side, although it was not resolved by Leavenworth. Often NGC 235 is taken as the northwest component with the southeast component (ESO 474-017) a separate galaxy, though Leavenworth likely observed the merged image of both objects. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes), but also makes no reference to it appearing double.

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NGC 236 = UGC 462 = MCG +00-03-001 = CGCG 383-080 = PGC 2596

00 43 27.5 +02 57 30

V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 160d

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 SW-NE, fairly low even surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is off the NE edge 1.4' from center. Located roughly 1 degree east of the large NGC 182 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 236 = m 16 on 3 Aug 1864 using Lassell's 48" reflector on Malta and recorded "vF, pL". His position is 1.5' N of UGC 462 = PGC 2596.

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NGC 237 = UGC 461 = MCG +00-02-136 = CGCG 383-079 = PGC 2597

00 43 27.9 -00 07 30

V = 13.0; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 175d

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE, brighter core.

13" (12/7/85): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, weak concentration.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 237 = Sf 94 on 27 Sep 1867 with the 18.5" refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. His discovery list was not published until 1887, so Dreyer was unable to credit him in the NGC. The galaxy was independently found by Lewis Swift on 21 Nov 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and catalogued in list VI-6, though his position is 16 seconds off in RA. Swift is credited with the discovery in the NGC. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.

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NGC 238 = ESO 194-031 = AM 0041-502 = PGC 2595

00 43 25.5 -50 10 57

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 93d

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly bright, moderately large, roundish, ~1.5' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus. A weak central bar extends NW-SE from the nucleus.

Subtle structure is evident in the halo with slightly enhanced regions. A slightly brighter patch is on the northwest and west side (images show this part of an inner ring) and an extremely faint "star" is superimposed [25" NW of center]. The DSS2 image reveals this is either a bright knot or possibly an interacting companion. In 1981ApJS...46...75A ("Spectroscopic Measures of Galaxies, Their Companions, and Peculiar Galaxies in the Southern Hemisphere"), Arp identifies this object as a companion galaxy.

JH discovered NGC 238 = h2341 on 2 Oct 1834 and recorded "eF, pL, R, gvlbM, 50"." His position matches ESO 194-031 = PGC 2595.

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NGC 239 = MCG -01-03-007 = PGC 2642

00 44 37.4 -03 45 34

V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 28d

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, broad concentration. A mag 12 star is 2.6' E of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 239 = LM I-12 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is just 1' S of MCG -01-03-007 = PGC 2642. Ormond Stone's "corrected" position, given in the IC 1 notes, is 1.1 tmin too far E. In the IC 2 notes section, Max Wolf states the original NGC position was correct!

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NGC 240 = UGC 473 = MCG +01-03-001 = CGCG 410-003 = PGC 2653

00 45 01.9 +06 06 47

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, small, oval 4:3 ~E-W, small bright core. A mag 14 star is 1.2' SSE of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 240 = Sw V-9 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "vF; S; R; * nr south". His position is 9 sec of RA east of UGC 473 and his "* nr south" is probably the mag 13.6 star 1.2' SE.

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NGC 241 = NGC 242 = ESO 029-SC006

00 43 34 -73 26 36

V = 12.0; Size 0.9'

See observing notes for NGC 242.

JH discovered NGC 241 = h2342 on 12 Aug 1834 and described "a very F, R nebula or group (We are now fairly in the Nubecula Minor, and field begins to be full of faint perfectly irresolvable nebulous light." There is nothing at his published CGH position but 10' N is h2343 (first observed on 11 Apr 1834). Herschel caught this error and corrected the NPD in an errata list at the end of the CGH catalogue. So, NGC 241 = NGC 242 = ESO 29-SC6. ESO, Eric Lindsay and Harold Corwin also equate NGC 241= NGC 242. Since NGC 242 is the earliest observation, this should be the primary designation. See Harold Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 242 = NGC 241 = ESO 029-SC006 = Lindsay 29

00 43 34 -73 26 36

V = 12.0; Size 0.9'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 282x, this SMC cluster appeared fairly bright, slightly elongated E-W, 0.8'x0.6'. A faint star is at the west end and another faint star or clump of stars is at the SE end. A pair of mag 12.5/13 stars lie 2.5' SW. NGC 248 lies 9' NE and NGC 256 can be found 11' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 242 = h2343 on 11 Apr 1834 and recorded "pL; vF; R; vgbM; (in a sweep below the pole and ill seen) the RA is probably also in error. On a second sweep he recorded "a binuclear nebula, or two, vS, R, running together." Finally on a third sweep he noted "a small irresolvable knot in the bright part of the Nubecula Minor." NGC 241 = h2343, recorded in Aug 1834, is a duplicate observation (see notes).

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NGC 243 = MCG +05-02-043 = CGCG 500-082 = PGC 2687

00 46 00.9 +29 57 34

V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 145d

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 1.4' E of a mag 10.5 star.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 243 = St XII-6 on 18 Oct 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and logged "F, vS, R, gbM,* 10 precedes by 6 sec". His position and description matches CGCG 500-082 = PGC 2687.

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NGC 244 = MCG -03-03-003 = UGCA 10 = VV 728 = PGC 2675

00 45 46.7 -15 35 50

V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 50d

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, very small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, small bright core. Located 3.5' NNW of a mag 10.5 star. A tight trio of mag 14.5 stars is 8' W.

WH discovered NGC 244 = H III-485 = h55 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and logged "vF, S, iF, resolvable." The NGC position is just 1' too far N.

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NGC 245 = UGC 476 = MCG +00-03-005 = Mrk 555 = PGC 2691

00 46 05.5 -01 43 22

V = 12.2; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 145d

17.5" (10/8/88): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated ~E-W, stellar nucleus. A pair of stars mag 13.5 and 14.5 with a separation of 35" lie 1.5' S.

13" (9/29/84): moderately bright, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, star superimposed or faint stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 245 = H II-445 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and recorded "F, iR, easily resolvable, 1' broad." The NGC RA is just 0.1 tmin too large.

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NGC 246 = PK 118-74.1 = PN G118.8-74.7 = Skull Nebula

00 47 03.3 -11 52 19

V = 10.4; Size 240"x210"

48" (10/23/14): At 488x with an NPB filter the view of the Skull Nebula was breathtaking and all the structure in a detailed photograph was visible. The thin brighter rim varied in brightness, thickness and scalloped structure along its entire length.

The rim is brightest along a 60° arc on the western side, bulging inward just north of center, creating a small darker indentation in the rim due west of the prominent central star. Moving counterclockwise around the rim, a small brighter, elongated patch is at the northwest edge, close to a mag 11.5 star just outside the planetary. The rim is relatively weak along the north side, but two brighter (detached) patches are along the northeast side. An irregular, elongated luminous patch spreads inward here. This glow is fairly prominent just northwest of center, on line with the central star and the second interior mag 12 star, and a second patch is midway from the central star to the north rim. The rim is weakest overall along a 90° arc on the eastern side, near a mag 13.5 star, which is embedded just within the planetary. At the south rim, two more luminous patches are visible with the westernmost glow both larger and brighter.

The interior is relatively dark, though glows weakly with subtle variations, creating pockets of darkness - one is northeast of the central star. A very faint interior glow is just south of the mag 12 star on the southwest side. More extensive faint nebulosity extends inward from the southern rim, though the brightest interior glow is the split nebulosity mentioned earlier on the northwest side.

33" (9/16/07): gorgeous annular planetary viewed at 200x. The thin brighter rim was striking and varied in brightness and thickness around the periphery. The rim is brightest along the western or WNW edge and weakest on the east side. The interior was darker but irregular in surface brightness.

18" (10/13/07): 175x gave an excellent view using the NPB filter and the thin, bright irregular rim (only dimming on the east side) and darker center was quite striking.

18" (8/23/03): I took a quick look at 160x from Chew's Ridge with a thin waning crescent low in the ENE. Without a filter I don't remember the brighter rim being so crisply defined and the annularity so clear. The superimposed stars gave the planetary a transparent, 3-dimensional feel as if I was seeing inside the object.

17.5" (1/8/00): at 100x, appears as a moderately bright, 3.5' irregular glow with a darker center and encompassing four stars including the 12th magnitude central star. Excellent contrast gain using an OIII filter, which sharpens up the edge of the roundish annulus and enhances the irregular surface brightness. The halo is brightest along a 270° arc running from SW to NE and is clearly weakest at the east edge of the halo. A mag 11.5 star is embedded at the NW edge of the halo 2.0' from center. The irregular central hole is much darker but faintly luminous. Also superimposed is a mag 12 star SW of the central star and a 4th star is just inside the eastern boundary. The central star forms a thin right triangle with the other two brighter stars. At 220x, the western 90° outer arc is brightest and there appears to be a knot embedded at the NE edge of the halo.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly bright, large, 4' diameter, annular. Four stars are involved including the central star. This planetary has an irregular surface brightness with subtle structure.

13" (11/05/83): fairly bright with filter, clearly annular, sharper edges. NGC 255 lies 15' SSE.

8": fairly faint, large, four stars involved. No annularity noted.

16x80 (8/24/84): faintly visible in finder.

80mm finder (10/13/07): visible unfiltered at 25x. Nice contrast gain using the NPB filter and the planetary also appears to increase in size.

WH discovered NGC 246 = H V-25 = h56 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and recorded "four or five pL stars forming a trapezium of 4 or 5' diameter. The enclosed space is filled up with milky nebulosity faintly terminated. The stars seem to have no connection with the nebulosity." The sign of the declination is reversed (+) in the RNGC.

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NGC 247 = ESO 540-022 = MCG -04-03-005 = UGCA 11 = PGC 2758

00 47 08.2 -20 45 37

V = 9.1; Size 21.4'x6.9'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 174d

48" (10/31/13): at 287x, NGC 247 spanned at least 18'x5' NNW-SSE, stretching from an HII region at the NNW tip to beyond a mag 9.5 star near the SSE end. An interesting feature is a very large, elongated darker (dusty) region dubbed the "Needle's Eye" on the NNW side, extending at least 3.5'x1.0'. A relatively bright HII knot (identified in NED as MRSS 540-038059 from the "Muenster Red Sky Survey") is beyond this feature, 9.5' NNW of center. It appeared fairly faint, relatively large for an HII region, elongated ~N-S, 20"x12". A second well-defined HII knot is MRSS 540-038506, found 5' NNW of center. This easy patch appeared fairly faint, elongated, 15"x10". At least two small knots (including MRSS 540-038001) are on the SW side of the halo ~2.4' from center and ~1.5' E of a mag 12-12.5 star just off the west edge of the disc. Finally, I picked up a faint, very small knot, ~6" diameter, situated 3.5' SSE of center and 1.1' N of a mag 13.5 star. This HII region (not in the MRSS) forms a "double" with a mag 15 star 15" N.

17.5" (11/1/86): bright, very large, bright core, elongated 7:2 N-S, 14'x4'. The southern extension is brighter and mag 9 SAO 166572 is superimposed at the southern end about 6' from the core. Burbidge's Chain (VV 518) lies 18' NNE.

13" (8/5/83): fairly bright, diffuse, very large, bright core.

8" (10/4/80): very large, elongated ~N-S, bright core. A mag 10 star is at the south tip. The southern extension appears brighter.

WH discovered NGC 247 = H V-20 = h57 on 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 303) and logged "a Streak of light about 27' long, and in the brightest part, which was pB is 3' or 4' broad. The extension nearly in the meridian (I believe a little from from S.p. to N.f.) ... The situation is so low, that it would probably appear of much greater extent in a higher altitude." JH observed NGC 247 at Slough on 16 Sep 1830 and noted "eF; vL; vmE; vglbM; 10' long; pos 172.0 deg. Has no bright star in it, but a star 8.9 mag at some distance n.p." Surprisingly, he made no (published) observations at the Cape of Good Hope.

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NGC 248 = ESO 029-EN008 = LMC-N13A/B

00 45 24.0 -73 22 47

Size 0.8'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x this fairly faint SMC nebulous cluster appeared as an irregular glow, 0.8'x0.6', elongated NW-SE. Good response to the UHC filter at 76x. One or two stars or knots are involved including a small nebulous knot at the southeast end. NGC 256 lies 8' SSE and NGC 242 is 9' SW.

JH discovered NGC 248 = h2344 on 11 Apr 1834 and logged "very faint. Below the pole, and the sweep otherwise irregular." On a later sweep he recorded "faint, elongated or binuclear, small, very gradually a little brighter in the middle." His position matches the knot at the southeast end.

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NGC 249 = ESO 029-EN009 = SMC-N12B

00 45 33 -73 04 48

Size 1.5'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x this SMC cluster with nebulosity appeared fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, 1.3'x0.9', weakly concentrated. Two or three faint stars are involved including a mag 13 star just north of the center. The UHC filter produces a good contrast boost and increases the size to at least 2'. Forms a pair with NGC 261 4.5' ESE with NGC 242 18' S.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 249 = D 19? = h2346 on 5 Sep 1826 with his homemade 9" speculum reflector and recorded "a small faint elliptical nebula - this is the preceding in a line of small faint nebulae." His position is just 3.7' N of this SMC nebula, although his positions can be all over the map, so assigning a specific object is difficult as NGC 261 is close following.

JH recorded this nebula on 3 sweeps, first logging "faint, large, round; very gradually brighter in the middle; 2' across. Here begins a starry region of the Nubecula Minor." The second observation reads: "pretty bright, pretty large, oval, resolvable, 2' diameter." The last notes are "faint, round, 30 arcseconds." Herschel notes that this entry could refer to either Dunlop 19 or 21.

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NGC 250 = UGC 487 = MCG +01-03-002 = CGCG 410-005 = PGC 2765

00 47 16.0 +07 54 36

V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 153d

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, almost round, faint stellar nucleus. Located in the center of a small right triangle consisting of two mag 13.5 stars 2.1' NE and 2.8' NE and a mag 12.5 star 2.7' S. Located 29' NW of mag 4.4 63 Psc.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 250 = Sw III-2 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 17 sec of RA east of UGC 487 = PGC 2765. His description "in center of 3 stars in form of a right angle triangle" applies to UGC 487, so this identification is secure.

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NGC 251 = UGC 490 = MCG +03-03-003 = CGCG 458-005 = PGC 2806

00 47 54.0 +19 35 48

V = 13.2; Size 2.4'x1.9'; Surf Br = 14.7; PA = 105d

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 E-W, weak concentration. Enclosed by a small group of four mag 12-14.5 stars including a mag 12.5 star (close double) just 0.7' E. Located 9.5' E of 59 Piscium (V = 6.1).

WH discovered NGC 251 = H III-204 = h58 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 291) and reported "vF, S, s.p. 2 vS stars, a third star in it but not in the center, and I suppose is not connected with it. 240 verified it." On 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 635) he logged "vF, S, lbM, just preceding two stars are in the same meridian." JH recorded "vF; R; follows a *6.7 40s and is 1.5' north of it. It is near 2 v s st. If this be III 204, my father polar distance is 5' wrong." JH's position and description is accurate.

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NGC 252 = UGC 491 = MCG +04-03-004 = CGCG 480-007 = Holm 23b = PGC 2819

00 48 01.5 +27 37 26

V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 80d

17.5" (10/17/87): moderately bright, moderately large, large slightly elongated halo, bright core, stellar nucleus. Brightest and first of three with NGC 258 3.2' NE and NGC 260 8.4' NE. An uneven double star is 4' WNW (9.5/12 at 30").

WH discovered NGC 252 = H II-609 = h59 = h60 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and logged "pB, S, iR, gbM." JH made 4 observations under h59 and a 5th under h60. Both Herschels missed NGC 258 and NGC 260, which were found by George Stoney on 22 Dec 1848 ("3 neb in a line") with LdR's 72".

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NGC 253 = ESO 474-G29 = MCG -04-03-009 = UGCA 13 = Sculptor Galaxy = Silver Coin Galaxy = PGC 2789

00 47 33.1 -25 17 17

V = 7.2; Size 27.5'x6.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 52d

48" (10/23/14): although I've viewed NGC 253 several previous times with Lowrey's 48", I'm always amazed by the spectacular view as the mottled galaxy explodes into numerous bright knots, dusty patches, dark lanes and luminous star associations. Using a 21mm Ethos (232x), NGC 253 completely filled the 26' field. The central region of this starburst galaxy contains a blazing, nonstellar nucleus surrounding by an intense, elongated core with several bright patches around the periphery of the core (segments of the inner spiral arms). Just northwest and southeast of the nucleus are extremely bright sections of the core. Since the galaxy is only 12° from edge-on, many visible features extend parallel to the SW-NE major axis (PA = 52°).

A dark lane running SW-NE parallels the core just off its northern side. Close northwest and parallel to this dust lane is a very bright, fairly narrow arm, extending ~3' in length. Another thin arm (also running SW-NE) is to the southeast of the core with a prominent, very thin section ~3.5' SW of center, just southwest of a superimposed mag 12.5-13 star. Three smaller bright patches surround a superimposed star ~2.5' NE of the nucleus. The brightest and largest of these patches is close southeast of the star. Further northeast the surface brightness lowers in the outer portion of the galaxy, but it still appears curdled and blotchy. Several bright stars are near the periphery including a mag 9.3 star 6.2' SW of center and a mag 11.6 star 3.8' W of center. A brighter patch is ~3.5' WSW of center is near the latter star. Additional luminous patches are further out on the southwest end.

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): superb view at 152x and 303x with NGC 253 within 10° of the zenith. Much of the detail seen in Lowrey's 48" was visible, although the bright patches were not quite as contrasty. The nucleus is a very small region embedded in a very bright, elongated central region that is enhanced immediately south of the nucleus. A thin, luminous "arm" extends in the direction of the major axis near the north side. A long spiral "arm" is along the northeast flank of the galaxy, extending 5 or 6' in length. Three slightly brighter patches were noted to the northeast of the core close to a superimposed star (also marked in the 48" observation). A bright, elongated strip was along the southwest side, about 2.8' NNW of a mag 9.3 star near the southwest edge (6.2' from center).

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): stunning view in the 13mm Ethos at 264x although the galaxy overfilled the 23' field. The dust structure and knots were mesmerizing but I didn't take detailed notes.

17.5" (8/29/92): at 100x; very bright, very large, edge-on 6:1 SW-NE, 30'x5', at 100x. The galaxy exhibits only a weak central concentration to a small elongated core that is slightly larger than the visible knots. Remarkable dust structure and mottling visible particularly on the southwest extension and a dark lane runs along the north side. Three faint HII knots are visible near a superimposed star on the southwest side and a slightly brighter knot lies northeast of a star near the core.

13" (9/11/82): very bright, elongated 4:1 SW-NE, very mottled, dust lanes, dark patches, 30' diameter.

8": very bright, very elongated, mottled, 25'-30' diameter.

10x30mm IS binoculars: easily visible as an elongated glow.

Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 253 = H V-1 = h61 = h2345 on 23 Sep 1783 (before WH started his sweeps) with a "small Newtonian Sweeper of 27 inches focal length, and a power of 30." WH independently found it just a month later on 30 Oct 1783 (sweep 8 on his second night sweeping and internal discovery #3), though he realized it was found by his sister. On 27 Oct 1785 (sweep 467) he recorded "about 45' long and 7 or 8' br; cB, mBM. The place taken is that of the brightest part of it, where there is a small star visible, which however I suppose has no connection with the nebula. It makes an angle of 25 or 40° with the meridian, from sp to nf. The faint ends of it require much attention to be seen, and I believe extend much farther than I could trace them."

From the Cape of Good Hope, JH recorded "vvB; vvL; vmE; 30' long, 3' or 4' broad; has several stars in it; gmbM to a centre elongated like the nebula itself. The nebula is somewhat streaky and knotty in its constitution and may perhaps be resolvable." A second observation in 1836 was logged as "vvB; vvvL; a superb object; 24' in length, breadth about 3'; pos = 143.8 very exact. Its light is somewhat streaky, but I see no stars in it but 4 large and one very small one, and these seem not to belong to it, there being many near." In the GC, he noted the position angle should read 54.5°.

The origin of the "Silver Coin" nickname goes back to at least 1964 (Time-Life International edition of "The Universe"), with the description "Silvery Coin of the flat Sc spiral NGC 253", though the 1962 edition published in the U.S. reads "Silvery Dollar ..."

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NGC 254 = ESO 411-015 = MCG -05-03-005 = PGC 2778

00 47 27.6 -31 25 20

V = 11.7; Size 2.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 137d

17.5" (12/3/88): moderately bright, fairly small, very bright core, stellar nucleus, elongated 2:1 NW-SE. Located 5' SW of mag 7.1 SAO 192746.

13" (9/22/84): fairly bright, small, elongated ~E-W, small bright nucleus. Located 5' SW of a mag 8 star.

JH discovered NGC 254 = h2347 on 28 Sep 1834 and logged "vB, R, gmbM, 40", has a star 8th mag 5' distant." His position is accurate.

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NGC 255 = MCG -02-03-017 = PGC 2802

00 47 47.1 -11 28 07

V = 11.9; Size 3.0'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 15d

17.5" (8/16/93): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x1.6', broad mild concentration. A mag 14 star lies 2.5' ESE. Forms a pair with MCG -02-03-13 11' NNW. Planetary nebulae NGC 246 is located 25' SSW.

13" (8/24/84): similar to previous observation but exhibits a weak concentration.

13" (11/5/83): moderately bright, fairly small, round, no noticeable concentration.

8" (8/28/81): faint, small, round. Located 25' NNE of NGC 246.

WH discovered NGC 255 = H II-472 = h62 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and simply recorded "F, pS." His position is accurate. JH made the single observation "vF; L; R; gbM; 30"."

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NGC 256 = ESO 029-SC11 = Lindsay 30

00 45 54 -73 30 24

V = 12.5; Size 0.9'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared moderately bright, fairly small, triangular or wedge-shaped, 30" diameter. Weakly concentrated with a slightly brighter core but no resolution. Located 1.9' SSW of mag 9.7 HD 4558, which detracts somewhat from viewing. NGC 248 lies 8' NNW and several clusters are within 15' including NGC 265 6' ENE.

JH discovered NGC 256 = h2348 in the SMC on 11 Apr 1834 and described "not vF, S, R, has a star 9th mag Nf." On a second sweep he logged "F, S, R, gbM, 40" south of a star 8th mag. (In Nubecula Minor)." His third observation reads "F, lE, 30", precedes a star 9th mag" and a fourth record states "F, S, R, 18"; a star 9th mag Nf."

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NGC 257 = UGC 493 = MCG +01-03-003 = CGCG 410-006 = PGC 2818

00 48 01.6 +08 17 48

V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 105d

17.5" (10/8/88): fairly faint, moderately large, oval 3:2 ~E-W, weakly concentrated but no core.

WH discovered NGC 257 = H II-863 on 29 Dec 1790 (sweep 991) and logged "pL, lE, gbM, resolvable." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 258 = MCG +04-03-005 = Holm 23d = PGC 2829

00 48 12.8 +27 39 26

V = 14.6; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (10/17/87): extremely faint and small, round. A mag 11 star is close WSW 40" from center. Second of three with NGC 252 3.2' SW and NGC 260 5.3' NE.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 258 using Lord Rosse's 72" on 22 Dec 1848. The field was observed no less than 7 times at Birr Castle, although the descriptions are sometimes contradictory and made under poor conditions. It's possible that Stoney also discovered NGC 260 to the northeast, and it was also seen in 1854, though d'Arrest is credited with the discovery in the NGC.

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NGC 259 = MCG -01-03-015 = Holm 22a = PGC 2820

00 48 03.2 -02 46 31

V = 12.5; Size 2.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 140d

17.5" (11/28/97): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 2.0'x0.7', broad concentration. Forms the vertex of a right isosceles triangle with a mag 11 star 3' SSE and a mag 11.5 star 3.4' WSW. MCG -01-03-012 lies 14' WNW (see notes for NGC 331).

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, bright core, stellar nucleus, pretty system. Forms a right angle with a mag 10.5 star 3' SSW and a mag 11.5 star 3.5' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 259 = H II-621 = h63 = h64 on 13 Dec 1786 (sweep 646) and recorded "F, E from np to sf, 1 1/2' long, lbM." He found it again the following year on 11 Sept 1787, relisting the nebula as II-703. The second observation had an error in the offset position, so WH thought it was a new discovery. Strangely, JH also recorded the galaxy twice, as h 63 (called a "Nova") and h 64 = H II-621. Heinrich d'Arrest noted the equivalence of both entries. See JH's note in the GC and NGC.

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NGC 260 = UGC 497 = MCG +04-03-006 = CGCG 480-009 = Holm 23c = PGC 2844

00 48 34.6 +27 41 33

V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated. A faint mag 14.5-15.0 star is close NE. This galaxy is the third of three with NGC 252 8.4' SW and NGC 258.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 260 on 22 Dec 1848 with LdR's 72" and recorded "3 neb in a line nff, p one = h59 [NGC 252], other two vF [NGC 258 and NGC 260], middle one [NGC 258] eF, vS, distance of extremes about 12'." Although NGC 260 = UGC 497 is 9' ESE of NGC 252, it is collinear with the other two, and most likely the 3rd nebula seen by Stoney. Another observation in 1854 also mentions "3 neb".

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered NGC 260 on 27 Aug 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position matches UGC 497. He noted "one of Rosse's" although d'Arrest, instead of LdR, was credited with the discovery by Dreyer.

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NGC 261 = ESO 029-EN012 = SMC-N12A

00 46 29 -73 06 06

Size 1.5'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x this SMC HII region appeared fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter with a single mag 13 star at the center (emission-line star Lin 78). A UHC filter produced a good contrast gain and increased the size to over 2'. A group of four stars follows including supergiant SK 13 (three brighter in a string and one faint star) and a number of faint stars are scattered nearby. Forms a similar pair with NGC 249 4.5' WNW. NGC 267 lies 12' SE.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 261= D 4 = D 21? = h2349 with his 9" reflector on 5 Sep 1826. D 4 was described as a "faint round nebula, about 30" diameter" while D 21 was described as a small round faint nebula." His position for D 21 is just 3' N of ESO 29-12.

JH made 3 observations, first logging "very faint, round, gradually brighter in the middle, 2' across, resolvable." He next described it as "pretty bright, round, 60". Has a star 13th mag in centre. Occurs in a field illuminated by the Nubecular Minor and many stars." His final observation was "pretty faint, round, 90"." Herschel noted this could be either Dunlop 3, 4 or 21.

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NGC 262 = UGC 499 = MCG +05-03-008 = Mrk 348 = PGC 2855

00 48 47.1 +31 57 25

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1

24" (11/24/14): moderately bright, small, round, dominated by a high surface brightness core that increases to the center, very low surface brightness halo, ~25" diameter. Forms a pair with 2MASX J00485285+3157309 = PGC 212600 just 1.2' E. The companion appeared very faint, round, just 10" diameter. It was too faint (V = 15.4) for any details.

17.5" (11/25/87): faint, small, round, bright core. Contains a faint stellar nucleus about 15th magnitude.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 262 = Sw II-10 on 17 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 15 sec of RA east of UGC 499. Bigourdan's measured an accurate RA on 13 Oct 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 263 = MCG -02-03-021 = PGC 2856

00 48 48.4 -13 06 27

V = 13.7; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (10/13/90): faint, small, round, weak concentration. A mag 14 star is 30" W.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 263 = LM I-13 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is close to MCG -02-03-021 = PGC 2856.

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NGC 264 = ESO 295-006 = MCG -07-02-016 = PGC 2831

00 48 21.0 -38 14 04

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 113d

18" (11/22/08): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 0.4'x0.3'. Contains a very small brighter core with direct vision. A group of 4 stars including mag 9 HD 4735 and nearly forming a trapezoid follows by ~6'.

JH discovered NGC 264 = h2350 on 30 Aug 1834 and noted "F, S, R, vsvmbM to a star 13th mag. A trapezium of large stars follows." His position and description matches ESO 295-006 = PGC 2831.

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NGC 265 = ESO 029-SC014 = Lindsay 34

00 47 10 -73 28 36

V = 12.1; Size 1.0'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared moderately bright and large, 1' diameter, round, fairly symmetrical appearance with no concentration. NGC 256 lies 5.7' WSW with NGC 269 6' SE.

JH discovered NGC 265 = h2351 in the SMC on 11 Apr 1834 and remarked "vF; situated on the edge of the Nubecula Minor." On a later sweep he recorded as "vF, R, 30 arcseconds."

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NGC 266 = UGC 508 = MCG +05-03-009 = CGCG 501-022 = PGC 2901

00 49 47.8 +32 16 40

V = 11.6; Size 3.0'x2.9'; Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located on the Andromeda border 4' N of mag 8.2 SAO 54174.

WH discovered NGC 266 = H III-153 = h65 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and noted "vF, pL, lE, r, very little brighter towards the following side." JH observed this 4 times and at Birr Castle 5 times with the 72-inch. On 18 Sep 1857 it was described as "S, pB disc, in vF haze of mottled nebulosity, which seems brightest in a line p and f." E.E. Barnard found it in Feb 1889 while sweeping with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory and noted it as "R, 1' +/- or less, bM to faint nucleus of 13m."

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NGC 267 = ESO 029-SC015 = SMC-N22

00 48 02.9 -73 16 27

Size 2.5'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x this SMC cluster with nebulosity appears as a fairly faint, fairly large irregular glow ~2'x1.4'. The surface was grainy with a half-dozen mag 14 stars resolved (Hodge Association 15). Good response using a UHC filter, which increased the size of the visible nebulosity. Collinear with two mag 10.5 stars ~6' SE. A string of brighter stars to the north heads east for 17' towards NGC 290. LHa 115-N25, a very small detached piece ~2' N, appears as a 15" glow and increases the total size to nearly 5'.

JH discovered NGC 267 = h2352 in the SMC on 4 Oct 1836 and recorded "a faint, pretty large, cluster of very small stars. It is the preceding knot (or centre of condensation) of the resolvable portion of the Nubecula Minor which fills the subsequent field and consists of irregularly scattered clustered stars 12...20th mag." His position is on the southwest side of the cluster/nebula.

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NGC 268 = MCG -01-03-017 = PGC 2927

00 50 09.4 -05 11 38

V = 13.1; Size 1.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 95d

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly faint, fairly small, diffuse, slightly elongated 4:3 ~E-W, weak concentration but no nucleus. Lies west of a group of four bright stars including mag 8.5 SAO 128977 5' NE, mag 7.8 SAO 128978 9' SSE, mag 8.5 SAO 128987 15' E and mag 6.8 SAO 128986 18' NE.

WH discovered NGC 268 = H III-463 = h66 on 22 Nov 1785 (sweep 474) and logged "vF, pL, irr R, resolvable." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 269 = ESO 029-SC016 = Lindsay 37

00 48 21 -73 31 54

V = 12.6; Size 0.6'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, weak concentration but no core or resolution. A 2.5' string of three stars follows by 2'-3' and a mag 11 star lies 3' SE. Situated in a rich SMC star field 6' SE of NGC 265.

JH discovered NGC 269 = h2353 on 5 Nov 1836 in the SMC and described as "vF; S; R; 30"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 270 = MCG -02-03-027 = PGC 2938

00 50 32.4 -08 39 07

V = 12.1; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 25d

17.5" (10/13/90): fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, bright core, almost stellar nucleus. NGC 277 is 12' NE.

WH discovered NGC 270 = H III-955 on 10 Dec 1798 (sweep 1086) and logged "cF, vS, iR." His position matches MCG -02-03-027 = PGC 2938. Nearby NGC 277 was missed by WH.

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NGC 271 = UGC 519 = MCG +00-03-012 = CGCG 384-013 = PGC 2949

00 50 41.9 -01 54 37

V = 12.0; Size 2.1'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 130d

17.5" (10/8/88): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, small bright core. Mag 8.4 SAO 128981 is off the SE edge 1.5' from the center.

WH discovered NGC 271 = H II-446 = h67 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and noted "F, S, E, milky; about 1 1/2' preceding a pB star." On 13 Dec 1786 (sweep 646) he noted "pB, R, mbM, about 1' sp a bright star." JH logged "Not vF; R; pslbM; 30"; a star 8-9m follows."

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NGC 272 = OCL-312

00 51 25 +35 49 18

V = 8.5; Size 5'

17.5" (9/26/92): 9 stars in a 5' diameter forming a "hook" asterism. Includes a mag 9 star and a close double star. Appears to be fully resolved and only an unimpressive, scattered asterism.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 272 on 2 Aug 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His single position points directly to this group of stars. It is listed in the 4th edition of the Gosta Lynga catalogue but was removed from the 5th edition. Visually it appears to be a scattered asterism.

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NGC 273 = MCG -01-03-019 = PGC 2959

00 50 48.4 -06 53 08

V = 12.9; Size 2.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 105d

24" (10/5/13): moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, ~48"x16". Contains a very small brighter core. A mag 14 star is off the NW edge by ~20". NGC 272/274 = Arp 140 lies 11' SSE.

17.5" (10/13/90): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W. A mag 14 star is off the NW edge, 42" from center. NGC 272/274, a contact pair of galaxies, lies 11' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 273 = H III-430 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) and noted "vF, vS. This precedes the former [NGC 274]". The NGC position from Wilhelm Tempel is accurate.

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NGC 274 = Arp 140 NED1 = VV 81a = Holm 26b = MCG -01-03-021 = PGC 2980

00 51 01.9 -07 03 28

V = 11.8; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 155d

24" (10/5/13): bright, round, fairly small, 0.6' diameter, sharply concentrated with a small intensely bright core that gradually increases to the center, but no nucleus. This is the brighter but smaller component of a striking double system (Arp 140 = VV 81) with NGC 275, which is attached on the SE side. NGC 273 lies 11' NNW.

13.1" (9/29/84): moderately bright, small, compact, very small bright core. Forms a close pair with NGC 275 1' SE.

WH discovered NGC 274 = H III-429 = h69 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435), although he only noted a single object as "vF, pS, E."

The pair was observed 8 times with Lord Rosse's 72-inch.  On 3 Oct 1856, observer R.J. Mitchell's wrote, "69 [NGC 274] is S, B, R, with bright nucleus; 70 [NGC 275] is F, E and patchy.  Suspect formed of two knots involved in faint nebulosity; there appears to be a nebulous connexion between them all."  On 15 Nov 1857, Lord Rosse experimented with a silvered secondary (the speculum secondary was covered with a thin silver layer) and noted "silvered mirror shows the object brighter than before, but no new details.”

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NGC 275 = Arp 140 NED2 = VV 81b = Holm 26a = MCG -01-03-022 = PGC 2984

00 51 04.5 -07 03 56

V = 12.5; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 90d

24" (10/5/13): at 375x appeared moderately to fairly bright, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, ~45"x27". Very unusual patchy, irregular appearance! A brighter elongated N-S patch (or arm) is on the east end. Also the southwest border is slightly brighter with a sharp, curving edge. This edge is more prominent at the NW end of the galaxy, where it merges with NGC 274 just northwest.

13.1" (9/29/84): moderately bright, fairly small, diffuse, even surface brightness. Forms a close pair with NGC 274 1' NW.

JH discovered NGC 275 = h70 on 9 Oct 1828 and logged "A fine double neb; the preceding only seen by my father. pB; S; smbM. The f is vF; S; R; pos = 60°; dist of centres 40". The neb join at borders." Also see the observations using Lord Rosse's 72" under NGC 274.

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NGC 276 = ESO 474-034 = MCG -04-03-021 = IC 1591 = PGC 3054

00 52 06.5 -22 40 49

V = 14.9; Size 1.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 90d

17.5" (10/21/95): extremely faint, very small, 20" diameter. This is a threshold object and can just glimpse at moments. No details visible including shape but detection repeated several times. View hampered by mag 7.6 SAO 166640 4.0' NNE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 276 = LM II-294 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and he noted a "*11, position 0° [N] Delta 3.2'." His position is 1.2 min of RA west of ESO 474-034 = PGC 3054. This galaxy was independently found by DeLisle Stewart on a Harvard plate, correctly placed, and catalogued as IC 1591. But Muller's note about the star (much brighter, though, than 11th magnitude!) clearly establishes that NGC 276 = IC 1591, with the discovery priority going to Muller. 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 277 = MCG -02-03-028 = PGC 2995

00 51 17.2 -08 35 49

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 50d

17.5" (10/13/90): faint, very small, round. A mag 11 star is just off the NW edge 50" from core.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 277 on 8 Oct 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position and description of the nearby mag 11 star (52" distant) is a perfect match with PGC 2995.

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NGC 278 = UGC 528 = MCG +08-02-016 = CGCG 550-016 = PGC 3051

00 52 04.3 +47 33 02

V = 10.8; Size 2.1'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (10/13/90): bright, moderately large, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 3' S of mag 8.8 SAO 36725.

WH discovered NGC 278 = H I-159 = h71 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 644) and logged "vB, R, vgmbM, about 1.5' dia., about 1' south of a pretty considerable star." On 30 Nov 1787 (sweep 786) he noted "cB, R, vgbM, about 1 1/2' dia." R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 16 Oct 1855, recorded "pB, R, N, light certainly patchy, but I can distinguish no stars in it. It is right handed spiral?? I suspect a F* cl following the nebula."

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NGC 279 = UGC 532 = MCG +00-03-19A = Mrk 558 = PGC 3055

00 52 08.9 -02 13 07

V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 5d

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, small bright core, stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 279 = H III-439 = h73 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and logged "vF, S, irr figure." JH recorded it twice at Slough and the NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 280 = UGC 534 = MCG +04-03-013 = CGCG 480-017 = PGC 3076

00 52 29.9 +24 21 01

V = 13.2; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 95d

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 E-W, weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is just off the SE edge 1.0' from center.

WH discovered NGC 280 = H III-477 = h72 on 5 Dec 1785 (sweep 484) and logged "vF, S, R, just preceding a vF star." This galaxy was observed with on 3 nights at Birr Castle and R.J. Mitchell recorded on 26 Oct 1854, "F object with two nuclei, possibly a spiral." There is no double nuclei, but the spiral suggestion is correct.

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NGC 281 = IC 11 = IC 1590 = Cr 8 = LBN 616 = Sh 2-184 = Ced 3 = "Pac-Man" Nebula

00 52 48 +56 37 42

Size 35'x30'

18" (2/16/07): remarkable view of this detailed emission nebula/cluster at 115x and 220x. Without a filter at 220x about three dozen stars are visible in the region of the nebula, including a number of faint stars. At the center of the cluster (IC 1590) and nebula (NGC 281) is the multiple star Burnham 1, a striking triple with a difficult 4th component at 1.1". A 13" pair of mag 11.5 stars lie 0.9' SW of Burnham 1.

The nebulosity responds dramatically to a UHC or OIII filter. The two brightest regions have a butterfly appearance with the two lobes or wings partially divided by a curving dust lane oriented roughly N-S. A fainter detached portion is on the southeast side. The overall dimensions extend to 15'-18'. The two lobes are fairly similar in size and surface brightness, though the following section is larger including the southern piece. The western section has the brightest and most sharply defined edge running along its southern side and oriented E-W. A long straight dust lane extends along the southern boundary of both lobes and defines the sharp edge on the western lobe. The curving central dust lane intrudes into the nebula on the south side and nearly divides the two sections, though weaker nebulosity connects the two wings.

17.5" (9/28/02): the bright central quadruple (ADS 719 = Burnham 1) contains a bright mag 8.6/9.1/9.8 trio at 4" and 9". At 140x, a fainter companion (mag 10) at 1.54" separation is just visible close following the brightest member and is cleanly resolved at 324x.

17.5" (10/17/98): spectacular view of this detailed HII region at 100x using an OIII filter. This 15' nebulous complex has a mushroom appearance and is separated into three main lobes apparently by dust. The brightest and largest lobe is following a bright triple star embedded near the center (8.6/9.2/9.8 at 4" and 9"). There appears to be a much fainter detached piece off the south end of this lobe. Preceding the triple star is a section that is noticeably elongated and irregular in surface brightness fading to the NW. The section to the north is faintest and separated from the eastern lobe by a curving dark lane. A dark intrusion, apparently due to obscuring dust, is visible south of the triple star.

13" (8/24/84): very large, fascinating nebulosity, very irregular, dark gaps between sections, five brighter stars mag 8.6-12.5 involved. The brightest star is a very close double.

80mm (2/16/07): at 13x and a UHC filter, the PacMan nebula is easily visible surrounding the central star.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 281 visually on 26 Nov 1881 (Sidereal Messenger, Vol 2, p226 and AN 369, 108, 1884) with his 5-inch refractor at Nashville and recorded a "large, faint nebula, very diffuse, not less than 10' diameter." IC 11, found around 1892 by Barnard using the 6-inch Cooke refractor at Vanderbilt Observatory in Nashville (probably relayed directly to Dreyer) was placed 30 min of RA west, but Corwin notes that the description "vF, L, triple * on np corner" points to NGC 281 and there may have been a transcription error. IC 1590, discovered by Bigourdan on 31 Oct 1899 is a large, scattered cluster on the west side. NGC 281 is misclassified as an open cluster in the RNGC, as Barnard made no reference to a cluster.

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NGC 282 = MCG +05-03-015 = CGCG 501-030 = PGC 3090

00 52 42.2 +30 38 21

V = 13.7; Size 0.4'x0.3'

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Located 2' N of mag 8.4 SAO 54223.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 282 = St X-3 on 13 Oct 1879 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "F, S, R, lbM". His position matches CGCG 501-030 = PGC 3090.

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NGC 283 = MCG -02-03-031 = PGC 3124

00 53 13.2 -13 09 50

V = 14.1; Size 1.6'x1.0'; PA = 160d

24" (10/5/13): first and largest of five galaxies including four similar NGCs and much fainter MCG -02-03-03. At 375x appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.6' NE. NGC 284 and 285 follow directly east by 2.7' and 4.1' with NGC 286 5.2' NE and much fainter PGC 173072 is 1.9' NNE. The entire quintet fits in a 5' circle.

17.5" (10/28/89): very faint, very small, round, bright core. A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' NE. First of four similar galaxies with NGC 284 3' E and NGC 285 5' E almost on a line.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 283 = LM I-14 (along with NGCs 284, 285 and 286) on 2 Oct 1886. He gave the same positions for NGC 283, 284 and 285 in his discovery list, although the (rough) position is good. NGC 286 was placed 2' further N. Since the positions were only given to the nearest minute of RA, this is reasonable and his rough position is a reasonable match with MCG -02-03-031 = PGC 3124. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 of NGC 282, 284, 285 and 286 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 284 = MCG -02-03-032 = PGC 3131

00 53 24.2 -13 09 33

V = 14.4; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2

24" (10/5/13): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 20"x15". Collinear with NGC 285 1.4' E and NGC 283 2.7' W, all three similar in brightness. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.6' NW with MCG -02-03-032 2.4' NW.

17.5" (10/28/89): extremely faint, very small, round. A mag 13.5 star is 1.6' NW. Second of four similar galaxies with NGC 283 3' E, NGC 285 1.5' E and NGC 286 3' SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 284 = LM I-15 (along with NGCs 283, 285, and 286) on 2 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His (rough) position is a good match with MCG -02-03-032 = PGC 3131. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 285 = MCG -02-03-033 = PGC 3141

00 53 29.8 -13 09 39

V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.4

24" (10/5/13): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 18"x15", very small brighter nucleus. Third in a string with similar NGC 284 1.4' W and NGC 283 4.1' W. NGC 286 is ~3' due N.

17.5" (10/28/89): very faint, very small, round. Third of four in a group and third of three almost on a line with NGC 283 and NGC 286 3.5' S. Appears similar to NGC 284 2' W.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 285 = LM I-16 (along with NGCs 283, 284 and 286) on 2 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His (rough) position is a good match with MCG -02-03-033 = PGC 3141. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 286 = MCG -02-03-034 = PGC 3142

00 53 30.3 -13 06 46

V = 14.1; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 175d

24" (10/5/13): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 N-S, 40"x30", weak concentration, small brighter nucleus. By a slight margin, the brightest in a compact quartet of similar NGC galaxies with NGC 283/284/285 in an east-west string just 3' S. Also PGC 173072, a much fainter galaxy, lies 3.7' SW.

17.5" (10/28/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S. Fourth of four with NGC 285 3.5' S and NGC 284 4' SSW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 286 = LM I-17 (along with NGCs 283, 284 and 285) on 2 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His (rough) position is a good match with MCG -02-03-034 = PGC 3142. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 287 = CGCG 501-033 = PGC 3145

00 53 28.3 +32 28 56

V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.4'; PA = 15d

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.

JH discovered NGC 287 = h75 on 22 Nov 1827 and recorded "eF; S; R. The faintest object imaginable; (night wonderfully clear)." His position matches CGCG 501-033 = PGC 3145. This galaxy is not catalogued in the RC 3, MCG or UGC.

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NGC 288 = ESO 474-SC37

00 52 47.4 -26 35 24

V = 8.1; Size 13.8'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): this very loose globular appears fully resolved at 303x. There were too many stars to possibly count, but certainly several hundred were resolved including a number of relatively bright stars (brightest members mag 12.6). The core is loosely overlaid with a dozen or so brighter stars. A number of stars in the halo appear to be arranged in strings and arcs including one string extending towards the west.

18" (1/1/08): at 220x-280x, ~60 stars were resolved in an 8' diameter. This globular has a very loose, irregular appearance with a very small brighter core containing a clump of resolved stars. A string of stars running SSW-NNE runs through the west side of the halo with a brighter star (double) at the NNE end of this string. A roughly parallel string also passes through the east side of the halo. Located 1.8° SE of NGC 253 and form a nice pair in the 80mm finder at 13x.

18" (8/25/06): this bright globular is quite loose (concentration class 10) and well-resolved at 220x over the entire face and halo. The outer halo is very irregular with a scraggly appearance and extends to 8'-10' in diameter. Roughly 100 stars were resolved in total.

18" (8/23/03): bright but loose globular, well-resolved at 323x into 75-100 stars (difficult to count). A number of the stars are clearly aligned in long chains.

17.5" (8/29/92): very bright, very large, round, ~8' diameter. Well-resolved over entire disc into 75-100 stars mag 13-15 at White Mountains over background glow although not densely packed. 60 stars resolved previously at Fiddletown, only weakly concentrated in core.

13.1" (11/5/83): 30-40 stars resolved over haze.

8" (10/13/81): faint stars resolved across entire disc at 200x with averted, many near visual limit

8" (10/4/80): very large, grainy, few stars resolved at the NW and south edges, other clumps on the verge of resolution.

15x50 (8/25/06): easily visible in IS binoculars as a fairly large, diffuse glow.

WH discovered NGC 288 = H VI-20 = h74 = h2354 on 27 Oct 1785 (sweep 467) and recorded "pB, L, oval round, bM, 7 or 8' long, 4 or 5' br." His summary description (including a 2nd observation) reads "cB, iR, 8 or 9' diameter, a great many of the stars visible, so that there can remain no doubt but that it is a cluster of vS stars." Caroline Herschel missed this cluster two years earlier when she discovered NGC 253. JH observed this globular both at Slough and at the Cape, where he recorded "globular cluster; bright; large; round; gradually brighter in the middle; all resolved into stars 12..16 mag; 5' diameter."

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NGC 289 = ESO 411-025 = VV 484 = AM 0050-312 = MCG -05-03-010 = PGC 3089

00 52 41.6 -31 12 28

V = 11.0; Size 5.1'x3.6'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 130d

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly bright, fairly large, oval NW-SE, broad concentration. A mag 13.5 star is off the NW edge 3.2' from the center.

13" (9/22/84): fairly bright, oval ~E-W. A mag 13 star is off the west edge.

JH discovered NGC 289 = h2355 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "vB; L; pmE; oval; has a star 11th mag north preceding.". His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 290 = ESO 029-SC019 = Lindsay 42

00 51 15 -73 09 42

V = 12.0; Size 0.8'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, very small, granular, 20" diameter, brighter core. A faint star or knot is at the north edge (may be a compact HII region). A pair of mag 10/11 stars 8' NE are collinear with the cluster. LHA 115-N45 (cluster with nebulosity) lies 4.5' SE. This SMC HII region and cluster appeared as a faint, elongated patch with a few faint stars resolved around the edges.

JH discovered NGC 290 = h2357 in the SMC on 11 Apr 1834 and simply logged "eF". His position (single sweep) is about 35" N of the cluster.

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NGC 291 = MCG -02-03-035 = PGC 3140

00 53 29.8 -08 46 04

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 45d

17.5" (10/5/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, very thin extensions. Located 12' W of 21 Ceti (V = 6.2) at the edge of 220x field.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 291 = m 17 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "vF, vS, lE, alm stellar." His position is accurate.

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NGC 292 = ESO 029-021 = Small Magellanic Cloud = PGC 3085

00 52 38 -72 48 00

V = 2.3; Size 316.2'x186.2'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 45d

18": This number actually refers to the entire Small Magellanic Cloud, a prominent naked-eye "cloud" with 47 Tuc off to one side. Over a couple of nights, I went through the most prominent clusters and nebulae with the 18" at Magellan, although it was first viewed at Bargo.

Amerigo Vespucci was the first northern hemisphere explorer to see the SMC in 1501, 20 years earlier than Magellan according to a 1990 article by Dekker.

John Herschel (h2356) has two entries: "I should consider this to be about the main body of the Nubecula Minor, which is here fairly resolved into excessively minute stars, which are however certainly seen with the left eye." On a later sweep he noted: "Hereabouts seems to be placed the main body of the Nubecula Minor which is a Faint, Rich, Large Cluster of very small stars (12..18) filling many fields, and broken up into many knots, groups, and straggling branches. But the whole is clearly resolved into stars."

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NGC 293 = MCG -01-03-030 = PGC 3195

00 54 16.0 -07 14 08

V = 13.9; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 10d

17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint, very small, round, very low surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is off the SE end 1.1' from center. Forms a pair with NGC 298 11' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 293 = m 18 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "vF, S." His position is accurate.

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NGC 294 = ESO 029-SC022 = Lindsay 47

00 53 05 -73 22 48

V = 12.7; Size 0.8'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, fairly small, round, 45"-50" diameter, contains a bright core. The halo has a smooth moderately high surface brightness but there were no resolved stars. Four mag 12-13 stars forming a parallelogram are centered 4.5' NW, but there are no bright stars in the immediately field. Bruck 67, a slightly smaller irregular glow with a low surface brightness, lies 2.2' SW. NGC 267 lies 23' WNW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 294 = D 5 in 1826 with his 9" reflector and reported "a small faint nebula, about 10 or 12 arcseconds diameter." His position is 5' due north ESO 029-022. JH first observed this nebula (NGC 294 =h2358) on 11 Apr 1834, noting "eF. In a sweep below the Pole." He added a note later that "This obs give 47 -- instead of 46 -- for the min of RA. The earlier minute preferred." On a later sweep, he recorded the RA minute as 46, which was used in the GC and NGC but this is 1.0 min too far west. JH referenced D 5 as the discovery, though D 6 described as "a faint nebula, about 20" diameter" was placed only 5' SE, and may be a duplicate observation (D 5 = D 6). The Hodge-Wright Atlas labels this object as Lindsay 47, though Table 6 lists NGC 294 = L47?

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NGC 295 = CGCG 501-056 = PGC 3555

00 59 32.3 +31 47 53

Size 0.55'x0.5'

New identification - needs an observation.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 295 on 26 Oct 1872 while observing the field he assumed was H II 214 (NGC 296). He found two nebulae and wrote, "(GC) 167 [NGC 296] F, R, *10m (yellow) Pos 29.6 deg, Dist 123.1". Nova [NGC 295], S, R, and with a * or another neb 10" n. Pos from [296] 242.0 deg, Dist 314.6" or 21.6 seconds p, 147.6" s." Dreyer used WH's (inaccurate) position for NGC 296 to compute a position for the "nova" GC 5123 (future NGC 296) in the GC Supplement and NGC.

There is nothing at Copeland's offset from NGC 296. A 10th magnitude star is near NGC 296 but it's not at the reported position angle and separation, so it's clear Copeland misidentified the field and Corwin considered NGC 295 as lost. Confusing the situation further, the computed position for NGC 295 lands on NGC 296! As a result, all modern catalogues label NGC 296 as NGC 295 and UGC 562 is misidentified as NGC 296.

Recently (2016) Yann Pothier was able to identify the correct field about 1° ENE, surrounding mag 7.8 HD 5801 = SAO 54330. This star is 115" distant in PA 32° from CGCG 501-058, so Copeland took this galaxy as NGC 296. The second object is CGCG 501-056, located 288" in PA 248° (southwest) from CGCG 501-058. Although Copeland discovered both galaxies, NGC 295 applies to CGCG 501-056 and CGCG 501-058 is left without an NGC number.

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NGC 296 = (R)NGC 295 = UGC 562 = MCG +05-03-024 = CGCG 501-042 = PGC 3260

00 55 07.6 +31 32 32

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 164d

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated NNW-SSE, bright core. Located just 30" W of a mag 10 star. Brightest in a group of four with UGC 565 = (R)NGC 296 9' NNE and UGC 567 13' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 296 = H II-214 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged "F, E, preceding a bright star. Appears almost like a brush issuing from the star, but does not join it by a good deal." Although his RA was 20 seconds too large and Dec 1' too far north, it is clear from the description that NGC 296 = UGC 562.

Dreyer used WH's (poor) position to compute the position of NGC 295, found by Ralph Copeland. See NGC 295 for the story on this number. Coincidentally, the computed position for NGC 295 lands on NGC 296! As a result UGC, CGCG, PGC and RNGC misidentify NGC 296 as NGC 295. In addition, RNGC misidentifies UGC 565 as NGC 296.

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NGC 297 = 2MASX J00545892-0720591 = PGC 3243

00 54 58.9 -07 20 59

Size 0.3'x0.3'

18" (11/22/03): this extremely faint and tiny galaxy was a marginal object at 257x, barely glimpsed several times as a fleeting quasi-stellar spot just 1.3' SW of NGC 298. If this observation is valid, this is one of the faintest NGC galaxies I've recorded.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 297 = m 19 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "eF". His position is 2 sec of RA west and 1' S of much brighter m 20 = NGC 298, discovered at the same time. It's possible that Marth confused a close, faint double situated 2' S of NGC 298 as a nebula. But 1.3' SW of NGC 298 at 00 54 58.9 -07 20 59 (2000) is a nearly stellar galaxy, described here, which is a more likely candidate. In any case, NGC 297 is not identical to NGC 298 as stated in the RNGC. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 298 = MCG -01-03-033 = PGC 3250

00 55 02.2 -07 20 00

V = 12.7; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 87d

18" (11/22/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.5', weak concentration. Located 11' W of a mag 6 star that I kept outside the field. NGC 297 is an extremely difficult companion just 1.3' SW.

17.5" (10/13/90): very faint, very small, elongated 3:2 E-W. Forms a pair with NGC 293 11' NW. Located 11' W of mag 5.9 SAO 129032 in field!

Albert Marth discovered NGC 298 = m 20 (along with NGC 297) on 27 Sep 1864 using Lassell's 48" reflector on Malta. His position is accurate.

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NGC 299 = ESO 051-SC005 = Kron 32 = Lindsay 49

00 53 24.8 -72 11 47

V = 11.7; Size 0.9'

18" (7/11/05) - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x appeared fairly bright, fairly small, round, 50" diameter with a broad weak concentration. Forms a pair with NGC 306 5' SE.

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, this SMC cluster appeared as a small, round, bright knot, ~45" diameter. Forms the SE vertex of an obtuse triangle with two mag 11 stars ~3.5' NNE and 4' W. Forms a trio with NGC 306 4.7' SE and Kron 30 3.8' W. Kron 30 appeared as just a hazy patch, ~1.5' diameter with a few mag 13/14 stars superimposed or resolved.

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first of two small knots of stars (the other being NGC 306) located 26' W of NGC 346. At 171x, it appeared as a small glowing spot, ~40" in diameter, though standing out fairly well in the field. Embedded within a scattered group of brighter stars in the field. Forms a pair with NGC 306 4.7' SE. The second edition Uranometria 2000.0 and DSFG incorrectly list both objects twice - as open clusters and bright nebulae.

JH discovered NGC 299 = h2360 on 12 Aug 1834 and recorded this SMC cluster as "F; vS; R; glbM; r; 15"." His fourth and final record reads "pB, vS, R, 12", resolvable. Situated at the upper limit of the nubecula which here is starry. At the other it is nebulous."

This cluster is listed as a Bright Nebula in the RNGC, and this classification was copied into the NGC 2000.0 and first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0.

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NGC 300 = ESO 295-020 = MCG -06-03-005 = PGC 3238

00 54 53.4 -37 41 00

V = 8.1; Size 21.9'x15.5'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 111d

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, very diffuse, bright stellar nucleus.  There is a hint of structure though the galaxy has a low surface brightness and at my observing location of +38.5° latitude was viewed at a low elevation (13° at best).  This nearby galaxy is located at a distance of 6 million light years in the Sculptor group, and may be physically paired with NGC 55.

15x50 IS binoculars: (11/18/06): visible in binoculars as a relatively large, very low surface brightness hazy region, roughly 15' in size.  A star is superimposed on the SW side.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 300 = D 530 = h2359 on 5 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector and described "a pretty large faint nebula, irregular round figure, 6' or 7' diameter, easily resolvable into exceedingly minute stars, with four or five stars of more considerable magnitude; slight compression of stars to the centre." There are several superimposed Milky Way stars, although the resolution towards the center was spurious, of course.  His position is 8' E of center and JH (h2359) gave an uncertain identification as D 530 in his Cape catalogue but removed it in the GC and it is missing in the NGC.

JH observed the galaxy on 3 occasions. On the first sweep (1 Sep 1834) he described it as "B; vL; vgpmbM; vmE; irregular figure; 8' to 10' long, 3' or 4' broad; has subordinate nuclei."  His sketch (plate V, figure 10) includes the nucleus and two or three additional regions of nebulosity. Three nights later, he noted it as "faint, very large, very gradually brighter towards the middle; 4' long; 2' broad; has another nebula attached." He noted 10.4' to the west a "very faint nebula attached to the large one, or a subordinate nucleus." On 30 Nov 1837 he wrote: "A large oval nebula, containing three stars." He had tentatively identified it with Dunlop 530, but noted: "Mr. Dunlop's neb 530 is described by him as easily resolvable into very minute stars. Its identity with [NGC 300] is therefore very doubtful."

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 300 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope in December 1875 (http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_1_3.php) and appears to show a bright HII complex on the east side.  He commented "The present aspect of nebula and position of stars agrees very fairly with Herschel's sketch. There is a slight haze to-night, the day having been very hot. To see this object properly would require a perfectly clear sky; still, I feel convinced that my sketch represents very accurately its present aspect. There is not the least appearance or even suspicion of sparkling in the denser portions; it seems to be purely nebulous matter throughout. It is so faint that the eye has to be carefully protected from all extraneous light for some time before it can be distinctly seen."

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NGC 301 = PGC 3345

00 56 18.3 -10 40 25

V = 14.6; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 70d

17.5" (10/28/89): very faint, very small, round. Situated between two mag 9/9.5 stars with a separation of 15'.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 301 = LM I-18 in 1886 with the 26-inch refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is fortunately just 0.2 tmin W of PGC 3345 and his note that a *8 precedes by 30" applies (though the star is NW) . But the RNGC still managed to identify a plate defect as NGC 301! He also placed NGC 302 (List I-19) just 1' ENE, but there is only a star there.

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NGC 302

00 56 19.1 -10 40 42

=* 1.8' ENE NGC 301, Corwin.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 302 = LM I-19 in 1886 and placed 1.0' ENE (PA 75°) of NGC 301. The only object close to this position is a faint star. RNGC misidentifies NGC 302 with PGC 3311, an edge-on galaxy 6' WNW of NGC 301. This error was followed by PGC and others sources (such as Megastar) based on the PGC. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 303 = PGC 3240

00 54 54.7 -16 39 18

V = 15.3; Size 0.7'x0.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 158d

17.5" (10/21/95): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness with just a weak concentration. Can almost hold steadily with averted vision once identified on my finder chart.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 303 = LM I-20 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 1' N of PGC 03240. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and he noted the PA was 160°.

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NGC 304 = UGC 573 = MCG +04-03-018 = CGCG 480-023 = PGC 3326

00 56 06.0 +24 07 37

V = 13.0; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 175d

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, very small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, small very bright core. Forms pair with CGCG 480-021 4' WNW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 304 = St IX-2 on 23 Oct 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory . His position is accurate.

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NGC 305

00 56 20.9 +12 03 54

17.5" (9/26/92): small group of 7 stars in 3' diameter. Includes a mag 9.5 star. A small equilateral triangle of three mag 11-12 stars is just south. Unimpressive but fairly distinctive in a very sparse field. RNGC, PGC and RC 3 incorrectly equate NGC 305 with the galaxy UGC 571.

JH discovered NGC 305 = h76 on 17 Oct 1825 as "a small cluster of p closely scattered stars". At Herschel's position is a small unimpressive asterism (not a cluster). MCG, RNGC and RC3 misidentify the galaxy UGC 571 as NGC 305. HyperLeda now shows NGC 305 as stellar (or stars) and NED correctly identifies the number as "six galactic stars". Discussed in Malcolm Thomson's "Catalogue Corrections" and Corwin's notes.

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NGC 306 = ESO 029-SC023 = Kron 33 = Lindsay 50

00 54 14.7 -72 14 30

Size 1.1'

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): slightly fainter of a pair with NGC 299 5' NW. Appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, smooth surface brightness, no resolution. Two mag 12 stars lie 2' E and SE.

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 306 is a slightly smaller and fainter companion of NGC 299, situated 4.7' NW. At 128x it appeared small, round, fairly faint, ~35" diameter with no sign of resolution. Forms the west vertex of a small triangle with two mag 12 stars ~2' SE and a 2' E.

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a fainter of a pair of small SMC clusters with NGC 299 and located 4.7' SE of NGC 299. At 171x it was just a small, hazy compact knot, ~30" in diameter, with no resolution and fairly even surface brightness to the edge. A mag 12 star is ~2' SE. In the same low power field with the impressive NGC 346 located 22' ENE.

JH discovered NGC 306 = h2361 in the SMC on 4 Oct 1836 and recorded "an extremely small *faint* knot of the Nubec. Min. 15" diameter." His position is accurate.

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NGC 307 = UGC 584 = MCG +00-03-035 = CGCG 384-039 = LGG 013-005 = PGC 3367

00 56 32.5 -01 46 19

V = 12.8; Size 1.6'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 85d

18" (10/16/09): at 285x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, 0.8'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core. This galaxy is in the foreground of Abell Galaxy Cluster 119, which lies 1/2 degree to the north.

17.5" (10/8/88): faint, very small, oval 3:2 E-W, small bright core. A mag 15.5 star (NGC 308) is 1' SSE. The center of AGC 119 lies 30' N.

JH discovered NGC 307 = h77 on 6 Sep 1831 and logged "pF; S; E; 15"." His position matches UGC 584 = PGC 3367. This galaxy is located just south of the central region of AGC 119 but the redshift is only z = .013, which is 3 times less than the other cluster members so it is very unlikely to be a member.

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NGC 308

00 56 34.3 -01 47 03

=*, Corwin.

Sir Robert Ball discovered NGC 308 on 31 Dec 1866 while observing the field of NGC 307. He recorded a faint "Nova" in PA 147° (SE) at a separation of 60" (measured at 52" on 23 Oct 1876). In this position (51" separation) is a 15th magnitude star that Ball apparently mistook for a very small nebulous object. The RNGC misidentifies PGC 3354, an extremely faint galaxy 3' SSW of NGC 307, as NGC 308. I listed this RNGC error in my RNGC Corrections #3. See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 309 = MCG -02-03-050 = Holm 27a = PGC 3377

00 56 42.8 -09 54 50

V = 11.9; Size 3.0'x2.5'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 175d

17.5" (10/28/89): fairly faint, fairly large, slightly elongated ~E-W, weak concentration. A mag 12.5 star is off the NNE edge 2.1' from center. A mag 15 star is off the west edge.

8" (10/13/81): very faint, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.

At a redshift distance of ~260 million light years, NGC 309 is one of the largest and most luminous spiral galaxies known.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 309 = T I-4 in 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His position is 10 sec of RA west and 2' S of MCG -02-03-050 = PGC 3377. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 26 Oct 1897 as well as Howe in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 310

00 56 48.1 -01 45 58

=*, Corwin and Gottlieb.

Sir Robert Ball discovered NGC 310 on 31 Dec 1866 while observing the field of NGC 307. His placed this object, with respect to NGC 307, at 225" separation in PA 81°. The offset was measured again on 23 Oct 1876 as 239" in PA 84.8°. At this position (233" in PA 85°) is a single mag 15.3 star that Harold Corwin identifies as NGC 310.

The RNGC and PGC misidentify LEDA 3325895 = PGC 3396 as NGC 310. This extremely faint galaxy is situated 303" in PA 91° of NGC 307. As the single star was measured twice and is a much closer fit, this identification is very unlikely. See Corwin's identification notes under NGC 308.

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NGC 311 = UGC 592 = MCG +05-03-028 = CGCG 501-049 = PGC 3434

00 57 32.7 +30 16 51

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 120d

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus. First of three on line and equally spaced with NGC 315 6' NE and NGC 316 12' NE.

JH discovered NGC 311 = h78 on 15 Sep 1828 while observing H II-210 = NGC 313, and recorded "F, vS; R; bM; 6". The next sweep he logged "pB; R; gbM; 10"."

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NGC 312 = ESO 151-006 = PGC 3343

00 56 15.6 -52 46 58

V = 12.4; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 62d

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, fairly small, high surface brightness, 40"x30", sharply concentration with an intense core. The halo is extended 4:3 or 5:4 WSW-ESE. A mag 11.3 star lies 2.4' W. NGC 312 is the furthest north in a group of 8 galaxies in a 25' string to the south. The galaxies share a common redshift of z = .026, implying a distance of ~350 million l.y. The closest companion is ESO 161-005 3' SSW, which appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated at least 2:1 N-S, sharply concentrated with a small bright core and faint extensions ~40"x20". NGC 328 lies 10.6' SE and NGC 323 is 12' SSW.

JH discovered NGC 312 = h2363 on 5 Sep 1836 and noted "vF, S, R". On a later sweep he logged "F, S, R, 15", follows a star 12th mag on same parallel". The mag 12 star mentioned in the description is 2.5' W. His mean position from 2 observations is accurate.

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NGC 313 = Holm 28c

00 57 45.7 +30 21 56

=** 1' NW of core of NGC 314, Carlson and de Vaucouleurs. =***, Corwin

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 313, along with NGC 316, on 29 Nov 1850 using Lord Rosse's 72". Stoney's offset of 1' NW of NGC 315 points directly to a double star (clearly resolved on the DSS) at 00 57 45.7 +30 21 56 (2000) - position on the southern star. The sketch in the 1861 publication shows two stars encased in a small nebula (labeled as Gamma), but in the 1880 publication there are only two stars.

Dorothy Carlson (in her 1940 NGC Correction paper) and Harold Corwin identify this double star (the northern component itself is a very close double, so technically a triple) as NGC 313.

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NGC 314 = ESO 411-032 = MCG -05-03-015 = PGC 3395

00 56 52.3 -31 57 48

V = 13.2; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 168d

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, round, weak concentration. A mag 12 star is 2.1' ESE of center.

JH discovered NGC 314 = h2362 on 27 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, eS, R, sbM to a stellar nucleus." On a later sweep he logged "eeF, vS; almost doubtful whether really the object looked for. Has a pB star following 2' distant. (N.B. The coincidence of the places destroys this doubt)." His mean position is accurate.

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NGC 315 = UGC 597 = MCG +05-03-031 = CGCG 501-052 = Holm 28a = PGC 3455

00 57 48.8 +30 21 09

V = 11.2; Size 3.2'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 40d

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 ~SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 3.5' NW of mag 8.5 SAO 54298. Brightest of three and at midpoint connecting NGC 311 6' SW and NGC 318 6' NE. A close faint double star is 1' NW of center = NGC 313.

WH discovered NGC 315 = H II-210 = h79 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) and noted "F, pL, unequally bright, resolvable, near a pB star." JH observed this nebula on 3 sweeps and NGC 311 was also found. When the field was observed using Lord Rosse's 72", NGC 318 was also discovered, though a nearby single star (NGC 316) and a double star (NGC 313) were mistaken as nebulous.

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NGC 316 = Holm 28b

00 57 52.4 +30 21 16

=* 47" following NGC 315, Gottlieb. =**, de Vaucouleurs.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 316, along with GC 5059 = NGC 313, on 29 Nov 1850 at Birr Castle. He "suspected .. a faint nebula (labeled Delta) 44" ENE of the center of NGC 315, but at this offset is a single star (noted as such in the 1855 observation published in 1861). JH repeated it was a star in the GC notes but Dreyer still added it to the GC Supplement.

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NGC 317 = UGC 594 = MCG +07-03-010 = CGCG 536-013 = V Zw 42 = KTG 2B = PGC 3442

00 57 40.4 +43 47 32

V = 13.9; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 105d

24" (10/5/13): this is the larger component of a close double system with NGC 317A = UGC 593 just 35" NNW (between centers). At 375x appeared fairly faint, very elongated WNW-ESE, ~45"x15", weak concentration, slightly brighter core. Two mag 11.5/13.8 stars lie 1' W. NGC 317A appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, small, fairly high surface brightness (core region) ~15". With averted vision, the core is surrounded by a thin, very low surface brightness halo increasing the diameter to 25". CGCG 536-014 lies 5.5' S, forming the isolated triplet KTG 2.

17.5" (8/29/92): the SSE component of this double galaxy appeared very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness. A mag 11 star is 1' W and a faint mag 14 star is 1' SW, forming a wide 30" double. The NNW component is the slightly brighter of the pair and appears faint, very small, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. On the POSS the SSE galaxy is the brighter component. MCG +07-03-011 lies 6' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 317 = Sw II-11 on 1 Oct 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 28 sec of RA east and 1' N of PGC 3442. He mentions a "Double star close following", but he confused the directions as the pair of stars is close preceding. This galaxy is identified as NGC 317A in the MCG as the close pair are given separate designations.

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NGC 318 = CGCG 501-054 = PGC 3465

00 58 05.2 +30 25 32

V = 14.2; Size 0.5'x0.3'; PA = 15d

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. A mag 13.5 is off the NW edge 0.9' from the center. Located 5.6' NE of NGC 315 and the third of three in a group.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 318 = St XII-7 using Lord Rosse's 72" on the 3 Nov 1855 observation (only) of NGC 315 and noted as "F, S, R." It is placed accurately on the sketch in line with NGC 311 and 315. Édouard Stephan independently found this galaxy on 6 Nov 1882 and listed it as new in his 12th discovery list, missing the earlier GC entry. Stephan's position is accurate.

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NGC 319 = ESO 243-013 = MCG -07-03-001 = PGC 3398

00 56 57.5 -43 50 20

V = 13.3; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 35d

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.5', contains a very small brighter nucleus. A mag 15.4 star is 33" SW of center and a mag 13 star is 2.3' SSE. Forms a pair NGC 322 7.1' NNE.

24" (10/5/13): at 225x appeared faint to fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 20"x15". NGC 322 lies 7' NNE. Despite an elevation of only 10°, both galaxies were easily seen.

JH discovered NGC 319 = h4007, along with NGC 322, on 5 Sep 1834 and remarked "eF; vS; R; lbM." His CGH position has a typo of 23h instead of 00h in RA, but he corrected this mistake in his errata list at the end.

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NGC 320 = ESO 541-003 = MCG -04-03-037 = PGC 3510

00 58 46.5 -20 50 24

V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 159d

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, very small, round, very small bright core, very faint stellar nucleus, diffuse slightly elongated halo. A mag 12 star is 1.5' NNW. Located 15' SE of mag 7.8 SAO 166710.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 320 = LM II-295 in 1886 with a 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position but 1.4 tmin of RA east is ESO 541-003 and his published position angle (160°) 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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NGC 321 = MCG -01-03-043 = PGC 3443

00 57 39.1 -05 05 11

V = 14.8; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8

24" (12/1/13): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Easily visible 1.5' SE of a mag 12.5 star and 5.7' WSW of NGC 329 in a group.

17.5" (12/11/99): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. The faintest of 5 galaxies in the field (NGC 325 = MCG -01-03-045 not seen in very soft seeing) including NGC 327 4.8' SE, MCG -01-03-041 5.1' NNW and NGC 329 5.7' WNW. Located 1.4' SE of a mag 12 star.

13.1" (7/12/86): very faint, small, round.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 321 = m 21 (along with NGCs 325, 327 and 329) on 27 Sep 1864 using Lassell's 48" on Malta. His description simply reads "eF, vS", but his position matches MCG -01-03-043. Nevertheless, the RNGC, MCG, RC3 and others misidentify MCG -01-03-041 (located 5' further N) as NGC 321. Furthermore, MCG -01-03-043 is misidentified as NGC 325 in RNGC, MCG, PGC and other sources. MCG -01-03-041 was visible in my 13" so it is odd that Marth did not notice this galaxy.

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NGC 322 = ESO 243-015 = AM 0054-435 = MCG -07-03-003 = PGC 3412

00 57 10.0 -43 43 39

V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 153d

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright and large, very elongated 7:2 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.25', contains a very small bright nucleus. PGC 95427, an extremely faint companion at the west edge [13" from center], was barely distinguishable from a very dim star. NGC 319 lies 7.1' SSW.

24" (10/5/13): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 5:3 NNW-SSE, 25"x15". A mag 13 star lies 1.4' SW. Brighter of a pair with NGC 319 7' SSW.

JH discovered NGC 322 = h4007, along with NGC 319, on 5 Sep 1834, and recorded "vF; vS; R; lbM; follows 3 stars 12, 13 and 14m." His position is 6 sec of RA east and 1' south of ESO 243-015 = PGC 3412 (after corrected for a 1 hour typo in the Cape catalogue).

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NGC 323 = ESO 151-009 = PGC 3374

00 56 41.6 -52 58 34

V = 12.6; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 178d

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright, fairly small, round, high surface brightness, 40" diameter, very small bright core. In a group of galaxies (8 recorded in a 25' string N-S) with NGC 328 4' NE and ESO 151-010 4.7' N. Forms a very close pair with PGC 95384 1.0' S. The close companion (not catalogued in Megastar) is faint, very small, slightly elongated, 15"x10", low surface brightness.

ESO 151-012, situated 7.3' SSE, appeared fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, ~50"x25", sharply concentrated with a bright core and stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is 1.5' SE and a mag 15.5 star is 1' N. ESO 151-012 is located 10' NE of mag 6.6 HD 5474 and I'm surprised that John Herschel missed it. Just 2' E of the bright star is ESO 151-004. This galaxy appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, very elongated 7:2 NNW-SSE, contains a slightly brighter elongated core. A mag 14.5-15 star is at the south tip, 45" from center. The nearby mag 6.6 star detracts from the view.

JH discovered NGC 323 = h2365 on 3 Oct 1834 and recorded "vF, S, R. The RA may err several seconds. The PD also is not very good." On a much later sweep he recorded "Viewed; found exactly in the place of No 29, Sweep 498 [previous description] pB, S, R, bM, 15 arcseconds, there is also another [NGC 328], pos = 36.8 degrees [NE], delta in PD = 4'." JH's RA is 0.1 tmin too large.

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NGC 324 = ESO 295-025 = MCG -07-03-002 = PGC 3416

00 57 14.7 -40 57 34

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 95d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 324 = h2364 on 23 Oct 1835 and recorded "F, S, Stellar, the bad definition of a south-easter prevents certainty, but I think it is not a star." There is nothing at his position, but exactly 30' S is ESO 295-G25 = PGC 3416, a galaxy that fits Herschel's description. ESO, MCG and RC3 identify this galaxy as NGC 324. RNGC misidentifies IC 1609 as NGC 324, and as a further complication gives incorrect coordinates for IC 1609. Nothing exists at the RNGC position on the POSS, but the photographic description clearly applies to IC 1609. Listed in RNGC Corrections #6.

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NGC 325 = MCG -01-03-045 = FGC 111 = PGC 3454

00 57 47.8 -05 06 45

V = 14.6; Size 1.5'x0.2'; PA = 90d

24" (12/22/14): at 260x; very faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, ~20"x10". Occasionally a mag 16.5 star appeared to be involved [DSS shows a very faint star just north of the core]. Situated 2.1' NW of NGC 327.

17.5" (11/6/93): only highly suspected several times as an extremely faint and small glow situated 2.1' NW of NGC 327. This galaxy is a very low surface brightness edge-on in a group with NGC 329 4' NE and NGC 321 2.7' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 325 = m 22 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, vS." His position matches MCG -01-03-045 = PGC 3454, an extremely faint edge-on in a quartet.

RNGC and MCG misidentify NGC 321 = MCG -01-03-043 as NGC 325. RC3 doesn't label MCG -01-03-045 as NGC 325. The "Deep Sky Field Guide" (version 1) mentions a "faint, anonymous galaxy 2' NW" of NGC 327 and this is probably NGC 321. I find it odd that Marth described NGC 325 as "vF", while NGC 321, which is noticeably brighter, is described as "eF".

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NGC 326 = UGC 601 = MCG +04-03-025 = CGCG 480-026 = IV Zw 35 = PGC 3482

00 58 22.7 +26 51 56

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, small, round, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is 1.2' W. Situated at the center of an isosceles triangle consisting mag 7.2 SAO 74405 5' SSE, mag 8.5 SAO 74400 5' NW (nice close double star) and mag 9 74409 3.6' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 326 on 24 Aug 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 2 nights) matches UGC 601 = PGC 3482 and he accurately measured the mag 9-10 star that follows by 15.5 seconds of time and 26" south. MCG misidentifies +04-03-024 (a much fainter galaxy to the NW) as NGC 326, instead of +04-03-025. NGC 326 has a double nucleus and appears to be a close pair of merged compacts in a common halo.

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NGC 327 = MCG -01-03-047 = Holm 30a = PGC 3462

00 57 55.2 -05 07 50

V = 13.3; Size 1.6'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 175d

24" (12/1/13): at 375x appeared moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 N-S, ~48"x15", fairly high even surface brightness with only a weak concentration. Brightest in a small group with NGC 329 3.9' NNE and NGC 321 4.8' NW.

13.1" (7/12/86): faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Second of three with similar NGC 329 3.8' NNE and MCG -01-03-041 9' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 327 = m 23 (along with NGC 321, NGC 325 and NGC 329) on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "F, E." His position and description is appropriate.

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NGC 328 = ESO 151-013 = PGC 3399

00 56 57.4 -52 55 26

V = 13.3; Size 2.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 100d

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE, 1.4'x0.35', contains a slightly bulging core that is only weakly concentrated. In a group of 8 galaxies in a 24' string N-S including NGC 323 4' SW and ESO 151-010 2.6' NW. The ESO galaxy (B = 15.7) appeared fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 15"x10".

JH discovered NGC 328 = h2366 on 5 Sep 1836 and logged "vF, lE, vgbM.". His position is 0.1 min of RA east and 1' north of ESO 151-013 = PGC 3399. Both NGC 323 and 328 were observed on the same sweep (730), although NGC 323 was first picked up on an earlier sweep.

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NGC 329 = MCG -01-03-048 = Holm 30b = PGC 3467

00 58 01.4 -05 04 17

V = 13.4; Size 1.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 20d

24" (12/1/13): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 45"x15". NGC 327, the brightest member in the group, lies 3.9' SSW.

13.1" (7/12/86): faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Third of three with NGC 327 3.8' SSW and MCG -01-03-041 8' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 329 = m 24 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, E." This galaxy is the last in a quartet along with NGC 321, NGC 325 and NGC 327. His description and position applies to MCG -01-03-048 = PGC 3467.

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NGC 330 = ESO 029-SC024 = Lindsay 54

00 56 19 -72 27 48

V = 9.6; Size 1.9'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is one of the brightest SMC clusters and a fascinating object at 228x. It appears as a bright, extremely rich knot of stars, just 1'- 1.5' diameter, which was only partially resolved. Streaming out from the dense core are numerous mag 12 and fainter stars, some arranged in a curving chain off the following side of the core. The bright outliers seem scattered about to at least 5' (Hodge Association 40). NGC 330 is situated 20' SW of the remarkable HII region NGC 346 within a rich star field!

10x30 IS binoculars (11/4/12 - Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand): visible as a very small, but non-stellar knot.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 330 = D 23 = h2367 on 1 Aug 1826 with a 7" reflector and recorded "A small, but very bright nebula, exceedingly condensed. This is the brightest nebula in the small cloud. I think I perceive two bright nuclei in this body." Dunlop observed the cluster 8 times during his survey and his position was just 2' N of the cluster.

JH observed the cluster on 5 separate sweeps, first recording on 11 Apr 1834, "pretty bright, small, oval, resolved, 60"." His second sweep reads "globular cluster, S, B, little elliptic, gbM; 2' across. Fairly resolved into rather large and not very crowded stars." His third observation reads "globular cluster, vB, S, lE, resolvable or resolved; 90" long, 60" broad; a close compressed knot of stars with outliers."

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NGC 331 = MCG -01-03-012 = PGC 2759

00 47 06.9 -02 43 51

V = 14.7; Size 0.8'x0.5'; PA = 127d

17.5" (11/28/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Requires averted to glimpse and can only view for moments knowing exact location. A nice mag 13/14 double lies 6' N [at 20" separation]. Located 14' W of NGC 259. The identification NGC 331 = MCG -01-03-012 is very tentative.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 331 = LM II-296 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position, though he mentions the RA (which is often bad) is doubtful. Harold Corwin suggests the possible identification NGC 331 = MCG -01-03-012 = PGC 2759 (listed here), though that assumes Leavenworth made a 10 min error in RA. Leavenworth's description mention a *12 located 3' NE and there is a faint star (closer to mag 15) in this relative position. RNGC and PGC misidentify MCG -01-03-039 as NGC 331. This galaxy is closer to Leavenworth's position but has a mag 7 star 5' NW, so does not fit his description. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 332 = UGC 609 = CGCG 410-021 = PGC 3511

00 58 49.1 +07 06 41

V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (10/5/91): faint, small, bright core, slightly elongated NW-SE. A line of three mag 12-13 stars is close SW. Located 18' NNE of a mag 6.9 star SAO 109563.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 332 = Sw V-10 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position and description ("5 or 6 stars near south in a curve") matches UGC 609 = PGC 3511.

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NGC 333 = MCG -03-03-013 = PGC 3519

00 58 51.3 -16 28 09

V = 13.7; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 119d

17.5" (11/6/93): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, very slight central brightening. Almost on a line with two mag 13 stars 3' SE and 5' SE. This is a double system (not resolved).

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 333 = T I-5 in 1877 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. Tempel's position is 10 sec of RA west and 4' south of PGC 3519. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). This is a double galaxy (often listed as NGC 333A and 333B) with a very small companion just southwest of the nucleus. Based on RA order, the main galaxy is identified as NGC 333B in NED, RNGC and MCG, and the companion (PGC 3073571) as NGC 333A.

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NGC 334 = ESO 351-026 = MCG -06-03-012 = PGC 3514

00 58 49.8 -35 06 58

V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 169d

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, no concentration. Best viewed at 280x. Forms the north vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 11-12 stars 2.5' SW and 2.5' SE.

JH discovered NGC 334 = h2368 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, glbM; makes a triangle with two stars south of nebulosity." On later sweep he logged "eF, S, R, at the northern angle of an equilateral triangle formed with two stars 11th mag." His position and description (of the nearby mag 11 stars) clearly establishes NGC 334 = ESO 351-026.

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NGC 335 = ESO 541-006 = MCG -03-03-015 = PGC 3544

00 59 19.5 -18 14 01

V = 14.3; Size 1.1'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 137d

17.5" (10/21/95): extremely faint, small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.3', low even surface brightness. NGC 336 lies 20' SW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 335 = LM I-21 on 9 Oct 1885 with the 26" Clark refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His very rough position is just 0.1 tmin of RA east and 2' S of ESO 541-006. He gave the same RA as NGC 336 although both are shown on his discovery sketch (examined by Corwin). Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 336 = ESO 541-002 = PGC 3470

00 58 02.8 -18 23 05

V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.3'; PA = 42d

17.5" (10/21/95): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness. A mag 13 star is 2.2' NW of center. NGC 335 lies 20' NE. Incorrect identification in RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 336 = LM I-22 on 31 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Corwin examined the discovery sketch and verified NGC 336 = ESO 541-002 = PGC 3470. The RNGC, PGC and ESO misidentify ESO 541-004 = PGC 3526 (located 30' SSW of NGC 335) as NGC 336. See Corwin's notes and my RNGC Corrections #5.

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NGC 337 = MCG -01-03-053 = IV Zw 35 = PGC 3572

00 59 50.3 -07 34 43

V = 11.6; Size 2.9'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 130d

48" (11/1/13): at 488x appeared bright, fairly large, very irregular with a number of obvious clumps. Although the galaxy is generally elongated 3:2 or 5:3 NW-SE it contains a bright, elongated N-S central region that seems to be a bar. On the south end of the "bar" is a brighter elongated patch extending towards the WSW. Another brighter knot is at the north end of the bar, extending to the east. On the southeast flank of the galaxy is an elongated, fainter patch. The northwest side of the halo extends further out, giving an asymmetric outline, and one or two small knots are involved. A mag 11 star lies 5' E.

17.5" (12/26/00): fairly bright and large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~1.8'x1.2', broad concentration. The appearance is asymmetric -- with a noticeably mottled or irregular surface brightness. Brighter knots within the halo are also clearly visible at moments. The visual impression matches well with the DSS image, which shows a chaotic structure with a number of large HII knots. NGC 337A, a large faint dwarf spiral, lies 27' E.

13" (9/29/84): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated NW-SE, fairly even surface brightness, diffuse outer halo. A mag 11.5 star is 5.4' E of center.

WH discovered NGC 337 = H II-433 = h80 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) and noted "pB, pL, bM, irregular parallelogram in the direction of the meridian." His position is pretty accurate.

R.J. Mitchell observed this irregular galaxy using LdR's 72" on 3 Oct 1856 and recorded "pL, not vF. Its brightest part is a line running diagonally, and there is a knot at either end. Perhaps it shaped like an "S". The galaxy has a distorted appearance on CCD photo.

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NGC 338 = UGC 624 = MCG +05-03-034 = CGCG 501-061 = LGG 014-015 = PGC 3611

01 00 36.4 +30 40 09

V = 12.8; Size 1.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 109d

17.5" (10/5/02): nice, fairly small edge-on oriented WNW-ESE, 0.8'x0.25', very small bright core. A pair of evenly matched mag 14 stars are close off the south side.

17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, very elongated WNW-ESE, moderately large, bright core. An easy mag 14 double star at 22" separation is off the SSE edge just 0.8' from center.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 338 = T I-6 in 1877 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and recorded "small but class III; has 2 stars mag 14-15 near the south end." His position is 11 tsec W and 1' S of UGC 624 and the description of the nearby stars fits. Édouard Stephan (XII-8) independently found the galaxy on 6 Nov 1882 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory and the position was accurately measured.

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NGC 339 = ESO 029-SC025 = Lindsay 59

00 57 42 -74 28 24

V = 12.8; Size 2.2'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, fairly large, roundish, 3' diameter, weak concentration to a small brighter core. The outer halo appears ragged and mottled but the only definite resolution is a star on the east side of the halo. Located 15' SE of mag 6.7 HD 5499. There are no brighter stars within 5'. NGC 339 is a massive intermediate age cluster (6.5 billion years old). Kron 37 lies 8.6' N.

JH discovered NGC 339 = h2369 on 18 Sep 1835 in the SMC and recorded "vF, L, R, vgbM, 3' or 3.5' diameter". His position is 1.3' NNW of center.

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NGC 340 = MCG -01-03-055 = PGC 3610

01 00 34.9 -06 52 00

V = 14.4; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 65d

17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, bright core. First of six in the NGC 349 group with NGC 342 7' NE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 340 = m 25 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, S, E". This is the first in a group of 6 galaxies he discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350). His position is accurate.

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NGC 341 = Arp 59 = VV 361 = MCG -02-03-063 = PGC 3620

01 00 45.8 -09 11 09

V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x1.0'; PA = 55d

17.5" (10/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, weak concentration. Located along the west side of a triangle formed by a mag 11.5 star 2.5' N, a mag 12.5 star 3' ESE and a mag 13.5 star 3' SSE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 341 = St XII-9 on 21 Oct 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is an exact match with MCG -02-03-063 = PGC 3620, though the RC3 does not label this galaxy as NGC 341. Forms a double system (Arp 59) w/NGC 341B = PGC 3627 on the east edge. In the Arp category of spiral galaxies with small, high surface-brightness companions on arms.

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NGC 342 = MCG -01-03-058 = PGC 3631

01 00 49.8 -06 46 22

V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 105d

17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Forms a pair with NGC 340 7' SW and second of six in the NGC 349 group. Located 11' WNW of mag 7.2 SAO 129088.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 342 = m 26 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS". Second in a group of 6 galaxies he discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350).

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NGC 343 = AM 0055-232 = PGC 133741

00 58 24.1 -23 13 30

Size 0.7'x0.3'; PA = 9d

18" (12/3/05): extremely faint, very small, ~12" diameter. Appears as a very low surface brightness spot with averted vision located 2' W of a 1.2' pair of mag 14 stars. Forms a very close pair with NGC 344. Uncertain historical identification due to a poor position at Leander McCormick observatory.

18" (11/6/04): extremely faint, small, round, very low surface brightness. Situated 2' W of a N-S pair of mag 14 stars. A mag 15 star is 1' N. NGC 344 close SE was not seen. The identification of this pair is uncertain.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 343 = LM II-297 (along with NGC 344 = LM II-298) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. This nebula was placed 1' N of NGC 344 but there is nothing at Muller's position. Corwin suggests NGC 343/NGC 344 are the faint pair of galaxies AM 0055-232 = PGC 133741/PGC 198261, located 2.5 min of RA following Muller's position, but matching in declination. As the Leander McCormick positions are often well off in RA (but generally good in dec), this candidate is reasonable, though uncertain. ESO and RNGC apply NGC 343 to a single star 1' N of ESO 475-006 and ESO 475-006 is misidentified as NGC 344 in ESO and RNGC.

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NGC 344 = 2MASXJ00582543-2313456 = PGC 198261

00 58 25.4 -23 13 46

Size 0.3'x0.2'

18" (12/3/05): extremely faint and small, 5" diameter. Forms a very close pair with NGC 343 close preceding, just 24" between centers. At times this object appeared stellar and easier to view than NGC 343, though there doesn't appear to be a faint star close by that I might have confused it with.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 344 = LM II-298 (along with NGC 343 = II-297) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory.. Muller described both objects as possible stars and his position is 0.3 min of RA east and 1.5' north of ESO 475-006. Corwin suggests that NGC 343 and NGC 344 may instead refer to a faint pair of galaxies (Arp-Madore 0055-232 = PGC 13374/198261) about 2.5 min of RA due east of Muller's position. If Muller observed this pair, then NGC 344 (fainter SE component) at B = 17.2 is the faintest discovery at Leander McCormick Observatory with the Clark refractor.

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NGC 345 = MCG -01-03-064 = PGC 3665

01 01 22.0 -06 53 04

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 140d

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness. Located 6' SSW of mag 7.2 SAO 129088. Third of six in the NGC 349 group with NGC 347 5' N.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 345 = m 27 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS, gbM". Third in a group of 6 galaxies he discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350) and placed accurately.

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NGC 346 = ESO 051-SC010 = SMC-N66 = Lindsay 60 = SMC Ass 45

00 59 05 -72 10 36

V = 10.3; Size 14'x11'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the largest HII region in the SMC and an amazing sight at 171x and UHC filter. The brightest section is a "bar" extending NW-SE with a distinct edge on the following side. Extending from the central region, are two sweeping "arms" or extensions, creating an exaggerated "S" appearance similar to a barred spiral galaxy! A longer but lower surface brightness arm is attached at the SE end of the central region and broadly sweeps towards the west, below the bar. A shorter, but high surface brightness arm is attached at the NW end and hooks towards the east. The extensions increase the diameter to 8'-10' in total size! Without the filter, the nebula is set in a rich star field (Hodge Association 45) and a number of stars are superimposed or involved with the nebula, some in the center. NGC 371 is in same low power field 22' NE and NGC 330 lies 21' SW. The small clusters NGC 306 and 299 lies 22' WSW and 26' W, respectively. Easily visible in 10x30 and 15x50 IS binoculars.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 346 = D 25 on 1 Aug 1826 with his 9" speculum reflector and recorded a "pretty large, pretty bright nebula, about 2.25' diameter, irregular round figure, resolvable, very slight condensation, not well defined at the edges. He observed it on 7 occasions and his position is unusually accurate.

John Herschel gives 5 descriptions in his Cape observations: He first observed it on 11 Apr 1834 as "B, L, pmE, pgmbM, 5', resolvable (ill seen, below the pole)." On a second sweep he called it "Cluster, imperfectly resolved; rather irregular figure; 5' diameter. Not equally condensed about centre; fades imperceptibly; has a double star (12th mag) in centre." His third observation was recorded as "B, L, irregularly round, gmbM, 3' or 4' in extent, fades away insensibly." His next sweep was recorded as "B, L, neb with resolvable centre; irregularly extended into a kind of broad train as in figure, gently graduating away to the borders. 6' diameter." His final observation was logged as "B, L, irregular figure, with a star 13th mag in most compressed part." His published sketch is in the CGH catalogue, plate IV, figure 6.

Joseph Turner sketched NGC 346 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope in 1875, which shows the "arm" attached on the NW end of bar, hooking to the east (see http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_1_4.php) and the comments "It is very unlike H.'s drawing and description; indeed I cannot trace any resemblance between that and its present appearance; and were it not for its position, and the fact that L.S. observed and sketched it on 5th February 1870, I should be in great doubt as to its being the proper object. The position, however, accords with that given by H., and L.S.'s sketch is, in its general features, very like mine, so that there is no room for doubting its identity. The central portion is by far the brightest, being a cluster of stars so very distinct that they could almost be counted; and the nebula here also appears the most dense. From this point it proceeds s.f. for almost 1' 30", terminating in a few very faint stars. Towards the n.p. direction it forms a complete bend or hook, and is here very faint. A little n.f. the main or central portion is a very small and faint round patch, which at times looks like a cluster of very faint stars, but I cannot with certainty determine whether or not it be stars or only nebula, although the night is an exquisite one, being clear and steady."

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NGC 347 = PGC 3673

01 01 35.2 -06 44 02

V = 14.8; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very weak concentration. Located 4' N of mag 7.5 SAO 129988. A mag 13.5 star is 2.1' NE. Member of the NGC 349 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 347 = m 28 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS". This is the 4th in a group of 6 galaxies discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350). At Marth's position is PGC 3673, situated 4' N of mag 7.2 HD 6031 and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey of Herschel's catalogues based on Heidelberg plates, identifies this galaxy as NGC 347.

But RNGC misidentifies PGC 1028378 as NGC 347 and it is misplotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000 Atlas.. PGC 1028378 is located at 01 01 29.1 -06 48 41 (J2000), just 1.5' SW of the mag 7.2 star, and is a more difficult object visually (see notes). PGC correctly identifies NGC 347 but also claims it is equal to IC 71. See Corwin's notes and my RNGC Corrections #7.

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NGC 348 = ESO 151-017 = PGC 3632

01 00 52.0 -53 14 41

V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 91d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 348 = h2371 on 3 Oct 1834 and recorded "eF, S, R." On a later sweep he noted "eeeF, seems to have a vF star involved." His position and description matches ESO 151-017 = PGC 3632, with a very faint star at the north edge.

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NGC 349 = MCG -01-03-068 = PGC 3687

01 01 50.7 -06 47 59

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 140d

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, broad concentration. Located 4' E of mag 7.2 SAO 129088! Forms a close pair with NGC 350 1.5' E. Brightest in a group of six galaxies.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 349 = m 29 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS". This is the fifth in a group of 6 galaxies discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350). His position is just 1' too far south (same offset as NGC 350).

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NGC 350 = MCG -01-03-069 = PGC 3690

01 01 56.6 -06 47 45

V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (10/20/90): very faint, very small, round, bright core. A mag 11 star is 1.2' E. Last of six in the NGC 349 group and forms a close pair with NGC 349 1.5' W. Located 6' W of a mag 7.2 SAO 129088.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 350 = m 30 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF." This galaxy is the last in a group of 6 he discovered that night (NGC 340, 342, 345, 347, 349, 350). His position is 1' S of MCG -01-03-069 = PGC 3690.

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NGC 351 = UGC 639 = MCG +00-03-057 = CGCG 384-057 = PGC 3693

01 01 57.8 -01 56 12

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 142d

17.5" (10/5/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, broad concentration. Forms a pair with NGC 353 at 7' ESE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 351 = Sw III-3 (along with NGC 353 = Sw III-4) on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 12 sec of RA following UGC 639. Bigourdan measured an accurate micrometric position on 25 Oct 1897 as well as Howe in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 352 = MCG -01-03-071 = PGC 3701

01 02 09.2 -04 14 45

V = 12.6; Size 2.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 165d

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.5', broadly concentrated with fainter extensions.

WH discovered NGC 352 = H III-191 = h81 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and logged "vF, mE." His position was poor but JH measured a fairly accurate (mean) position.

Harold Corwin's ESGC and the Deep Sky Field Guide (first edition) give an incorrect PA = 10°. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey of Herschel's objects based on Heidelberg plates, correctly gives the PA = 165°.

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NGC 353 = UGC 641 = MCG +00-03-058 = CGCG 384-058 = PGC 3714

01 02 24.6 -01 57 28

V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 26d

17.5" (10/5/91): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 351 7' WNW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 353 = Sw III-4 (along with NGC 351 = Sw III-3) on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 9 sec of RA following UGC 641 (similar offset as NGC 351).

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NGC 354 = UGC 645 = MCG +04-03-037 = Mrk 353 = PGC 3763

01 03 16.3 +22 20 33

V = 13.4; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 29d

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, fairly high surface brightness. A mag 13 star is at the WNW end and a mag 11 star is 1' E. Located 3.3' NNW of mag 9.1 SAO 74452.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 354 = St XII-10 on 24 Oct 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "eF and S; R; a mag 14 star precedes by 1 sec". His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 355 = MCG -01-03-077 = PGC 3753

01 03 06.9 -06 19 26

V = 14.3; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 125d

17.5" (9/26/92): extremely faint, very small, round. Near my visual threshold and only glimpsed with averted vision for moments. Located just 4' WNW of NGC 357. Appears extremely faint on the POSS (16 pg) with a nearly stellar core and very small low surface brightness arms that were not visible. Previously missed using my 13.1".

Albert Marth discovered NGC 355 = m 31 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, vS." His position matches MCG -01-03-077 = PGC 3753, although it is surprisingly faint and was barely visible in my 17.5" (missed with my 13").

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NGC 356 = MCG -01-03-078 = VV 486 = PGC 3754

01 03 07.0 -06 59 17

V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 70d

17.5" (10/20/90): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 3:2 SW-NE, very weak concentration. Located about 30' SE of the NGC 349 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 356 = m 32 on 27 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, S, iR." His position is accurate.

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NGC 357 = MCG -01-03-081 = PGC 3768

01 03 21.9 -06 20 22

V = 12.0; Size 2.4'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 20d

13.1" (9/3/86): moderately bright, small, compact, very bright core. A faint mag 14 star is at the ENE edge. NGC 355 4' WNW not seen in 13.1" but glimpsed in 17.5".

WH discovered NGC 357 = H II-434 = h82 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) and recorded "F, S, irr figure, bM, resolvable." His position is accurate. JH observed this galaxy on 3 sweeps, logging on 10 Oct 1828: "F; R; sbM; to a *13m; 20" a *14 10 sec nf." His position and description is a perfect match with MCG -01-03-081 = PGC 3768.

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NGC 358

01 05 10.9 +62 01 14

17.5" (11/6/93): consists of just four mag 11-12 stars in a 2'x1' trapezoid at the NGC position. This appears to be just a small asterism. 10' SE is also a scattered group in two detached sections elongated E-W with about a dozen mag 12-13.5 stars in each group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 358 on 4 Feb 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen while observing h 83 = NGC 366. Harold Corwin suggests his description (translated roughly from Latin) is "A cluster of several stars -- not many members. Found when inspecting the cluster h 83 [NGC 366], which is nearly of the same nature." His position matches the group of 4 stars in my visual observation although the NGC description ("Cl, vl Ri") is inaccurate.

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NGC 359 = UGC 662 = MCG +00-03-066 = CGCG 384-066 = PGC 3817

01 04 16.9 -00 45 53

V = 13.3; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 135d

17.5" (10/5/91): faint, small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, bright core. A mag 14.5 star is 1.2' SSE. Forms a pair with NGC 364 7' ESE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 359 = m 33 (along with NGC 364) on 2 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and called "eF, vS".

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NGC 360 = ESO 079-014 = FGC 119E = PGC 3743

01 02 51 -65 36 36

V = 12.6; Size 3.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 144d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 360 = h2372 on 2 Nov 1834 and remarked "eF, vmE, vlbM; a Ray nebula, pos = 145.4°". His position and descriptions matches ESO 079-014 = PGC 3743.

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NGC 361 = ESO 051-SC012 = Lindsay 67 = Kron 46

01 02 11 -71 36 24

V = 11.8; Size 1.6'

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared moderately bright and large, round, 1' diameter, weak concentration to center, grainy. A single star or clump is resolved. Located 4.5' SE of mag 7.8 HD 6222 (2' pair with a mag 9.8 companion). Observation made through thin clouds.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 361 = D 54 = h2374 on 6 Sep 1826 with a 9" speculum reflector and recorded "a small round pretty well-defined nebula, 15" or 20" diameter." His position is 7' SE of this SMC cluster. There are other Dunlop entries near this cluster that may also refer to it, though this description seems to fits best. JH swept it on 11 Apr 1834 and noted "vF, L, oval, vgvmbM." Herschel noted the possible equivalence with D 55, whose position is off by 10' east.

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NGC 362 = ESO 051-SC013 = 75 Tuc

01 03 14 -70 50 54

V = 6.6; Size 12.9'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): At 228x, NGC 362 appeared very bright and well-resolved into a couple of hundred stars!  The rich halo is plastered with stars and extends to nearly 8’ diameter.  The 2' compressed core is well-concentrated to a blazing center (concentration class III).  Stars appear to stream out of the core in curving spiral lanes.  This globular has a classic symmetric appearance with a prominent, round core and halo.  NGC 362 is situated just north of the SMC, though lies overshadows NGC 362.

Naked-eye (11/4/12 - Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand): this 6.6-magnitude globular was just visible naked-eye to the north of the SMC.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 362 = D 62 on 1 Aug 1826 with a 9" speculum reflector and described "a beautiful bright round nebula, about 4' diameter, exceedingly condensed. This is a good representation of the 2nd of the Connaissance des Temps [M2] in figure, colour, and distance; it is but a very little easier resolved, rather a brighter white, and perhaps more compact and globular. This is a beautiful globe of white light; resolvable; the stars are very little scattered."  He observed the globular 11 times and his published position is just 2' NE of center.

John Herschel (h2375) reported it with his 18" reflector from the Cape of Good Hope on 12 Aug 1834 as a "Fine, highly condensed globular cluster; psbM; diameter 4'." On 3 Nov 1834 he called it "vB; vL; psvmbM; round; 5' or 6' diameter; all resolved." Observing the next night, he recorded it as "a globular cluster; vB; vlE; gvmbM. Diameter of more condensed part approx. 60 sec in RA; but there are loose stars to a considerably greater distance, stars 13 or 14 mag all nearly equal and distinct, but run into a blaze in centre." His final observation reads: "globular cluster, vB, very compact; psvmb; 4' across; all resolved into stars 13..15 magnitude."

There was a 1.0 tmin error in reduction in the NGC position too far west (Dreyer, IC 2 notes).  This error was noted in Harvard College Observatory NGC corrections.

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NGC 363 = MCG -03-03-023 = PGC 3911

01 06 15.8 -16 32 34

V = 14.2; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 49d

17.5" (11/6/93): very faint, very small, round, 0.5' diameter, very small brighter core. A mag 12 star is 3' NNE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 363 = LM I-23 on 28 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is 1.5 min of RA west of MCG -03-03-023 = PGC 3911. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). The MCG does not identify their entry as NGC 363.

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NGC 364 = UGC 666 = MCG +00-03-069 = CGCG 384-067 = PGC 3833

01 04 40.8 -00 48 10

V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 30d

17.5" (10/5/91): faint, small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 359 7' WNW. Plotted too far south on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 364 = m 34 (along with NGC 359) on 2 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS". His position matches UGC 666 = PGC 3833. The RNGC position is 3' too far S, CGCG does not identify their entry as NGC 364 and the UGC position is 26' too far S!

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NGC 365 = ESO 352-001 = MCG -06-03-017 = PGC 3822

01 04 18.7 -35 07 17

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 5d

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter. A pair of mag 11/13 stars [45" separation] lie ~5' SE. Requires averted vision to comfortably view the galaxy.

JH discovered NGC 365 = h2373 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, gbM, 20"." His mean declination from two observations is ~1.3' S of ESO 352-001.

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NGC 366 = Cr 9 = OCL-286 = Lund 37

01 06 26 +62 13 42

Size 3'

24" (1/4/14): small, rich group with 30 stars resolved in a 3' region at 260x, with several small knots of stars. On the south side is the multiple star STI 177 A/B/C = 12/12.9/13 at 3.8" and 10". Just 48" NE, is the 12" mag 12/13 D and E components with a fainter component at 7" and another close pair or triple is ~30" E. On the N end of the group is DAM 304 = 12/14 pair at 9". A string of mag 14-15 stars oriented SW-NE is on the west side of the main grouping.

17.5" (11/6/93): 10 stars mag 12-14 in a small 3' group. Consists of two mag 12-13 stars both of which form very close doubles and a tight trio of mag 13-14 stars on the east side. The rest are faint stars and the cluster is set over unresolved haze. Not impressive but stands out clearly in field.

JH discovered NGC 366 = h83 on 27 Oct 1829 and reported a "small cl 2' in diam. Place that of the double star h 1070." His position, though, is 2' S of the double star.

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NGC 367 = PGC 3894

01 05 48.9 -12 07 42

V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 15d

17.5" (12/26/00): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low even surface brightness. Requires averted vision but visible ~80% of the time with concentration at 280x once identified in the eyepiece field. Elongation not noted so I probably only picked up the brighter central region.

17.5" (10/4/97): uncertain sighting. Possibly barely glimpsed on a couple of occasions using a GSC finder chart to pinpoint location and averted vision at 280x. No elongation noticed.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 367 = LM II-299 in 1866 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 16.0, 1.0'x0.2', E 175°, bn, 3 st 12, np 30°. There is nothing at his position but 1 min of RA east is PGC 3894. This galaxy is elongated SSW-NNE (Muller's PA is nearly N-S) and his description of three nearby stars matches this galaxy. RNGC misidentifies FGC 120 = PGC 90518, an extremely thin edge-on, as NGC 367. PGC 90518 is 13' S of Muller's position and does not match his description.

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NGC 368 = ESO 243-023 = PGC 3826

01 04 21.9 -43 16 36

V = 13.6; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7

24" (10/5/13): at 225x; very faint, very small, round, 18" diameter. Situated 3.1' NE of mag 8.8 HD 6368. Viewed at ~10° elevation from Lake San Antonio.

JH discovered NGC 368 = h4012 on 5 Sep 1834 and logged "eeF; vS; N.f. a star 7-8 mag distant 3'." His position and description is accurate (after correcting for a 1 hr typo in RA).

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NGC 369 = ESO 541-017 = MCG -03-03-022 = PGC 3856

01 05 08.9 -17 45 32

V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 52d

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, small, round, 0.8' diameter, gradually weak concentration. A similar pair of mag 10.7 and 11.1 stars oriented NW-SE lie 5' SW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 369 = LM I-24 on 9 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is 3' S of ESO 541-017 = PGC 3856. 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 370 = NGC 372

01 06 44.6 +32 25 43

See observing notes for NGC 372. Identification uncertain.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 370 = Au 5 on 7 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at the Copenhagen Observatory. There is nothing at his single position, though he mentions a mag 13 star is 15" to the south.

Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 370 is possibly equal to NGC 372, a triple star found by Dreyer at Birr Castle on 12 Dec 1876, at a mean position of 01 06 44.6 +32 25 43 (2000). This triplet is about 10 seconds of time greater and 1' further north than d'Arrest's position. The separation for the north-south pair is close to d'Arrest's estimate. This identification is uncertain, but there is nothing else in the vicinity that matches.

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NGC 371 = ESO 051-SC014 = Lindsay 71 = Kron 48 = SMC-N76 = SMC Ass 53

01 03 30 -72 03 24

Size 8'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x and UHC filter, this is a fairly bright, prominent, round SMC nebulous cluster, up to 6' in diameter with a fairly well-defined edge. The haze has a fairly consistent high surface brightness and seems suspended in a large, scattered cluster or star cloud (Hodge Association 53). A 5' string of four mag 10-11 stars oriented NW-SE is superimposed on the glow as well as a number of fainter stars. This is an excellent low power field with the striking HII region NGC 346 22' WSW and NGC 395/IC 1624 8'-10' NE.

10x30 and 15x50 IS binoculars: easily visible along with NGC 346.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 371 = D 31 = h2376 on 1 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta and recorded "a pretty large unequally bright nebula, about 5' diameter, round figure, resolvable into stars of mixt magnitudes." He made 5 observations and his published position is 8' too far south.

JH made 5 observations beginning on his sweep of 11 Apr 1834, recording "cluster, 6th class; faint, round, 10' diameter, stars 15..18th mag." The next observation was logged as "vF, L, p rich cluster, 6th class. Stars 14..15th mag." On a third sweep he noted it as "a F, L, p compressed cl of 6th class. 10' diameter. gbM; stars 12..16th mag - in some parts almost nebulous." The fourth observation was recorded as a "cluster 6th class; stars 12..15th mag, a few = 10th mag and one of 9th mag; much compressed in the middle; fills field and has loose straggling lines and crooks branching off." The final sweep was recorded as "F, L, cl; little compressed; gbM; 7' diam; resolved into stars 14..16th mag." Herschel noted that this may be Dunlop 31.

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NGC 372 = NGC 370

01 06 44.6 +32 25 43

18" (11/18/06): faint triple star resolved at 280x. The components form a very small equilateral triangle 1' N of a mag 12 star with the components ~10" apart. The brightest component of the triple is at the north vertex and the other two are mag 15-15.5. NGC 370 may also refer to this multiple star.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 372 on 12 Dec 1876 with the 72" at Birr Castle and stated "the last nova [GC 5146 = NGC 372] looks at first sight like a hazy *, the higher power seems to resolve it, at all events sev luminous points were seen. Has a *12 in pos 166.5d, dist, 74"." This pins down the equivalence with a triple star with a mean position of 01 06 44.6 +32 25 43 (2000). Heinrich d'Arrest *possibly* also observed this triple star (or one or more of its components) on 7 Oct 1861 and it was catalogued as GC 197 = NGC 370.

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NGC 373 = PGC 3946

01 06 58.2 +32 18 31

V = 14.9; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0

18" (11/18/06): extremely faint, very small, round, 15"-20" diameter. There appears to be a 15-16th magnitude star superimposed as a stellar point was sometimes visible offset from the center. Located on the SW side of the "Pisces Group", 9' SW of NGC 383.

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated ~E-W. Located 8.3' SW of NGC 383 in the core of the cluster. Forms a pair with NGC 375 2.8' NNE.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 373 on 12 Dec 1876 using the 72" at Birr Castle in the NGC 383 group. His description is simply "vF, vS" but he accurately placed it 428" in PA 225.8° with respect to a mag 12.2 star situated SSW of NGC 382/383. This offset matches PGC 3946. This is one of 8 galaxies in the Pisces Group discovered at Birr Castle. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, described this object as a double nebulous star (there appears to be a very faint star at the NW edge) and Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 NGC Corrections list, states "nebula + star".

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NGC 374 = UGC 680 = MCG +05-03-048 = CGCG 501-080 = PGC 3952

01 07 05.8 +32 47 42

V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 175d

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus or mag 15 star is superimposed. Located almost midway between two mag 14 stars 0.7' NE and 0.9' SW. Located about 25' N of the core of the NGC 383 group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 374 = Au 6 on 7 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor at the observatory in Copenhagen. His single position is accurate and he noted the nebula was "between 2 stars mag 15." The discovery was early enough to be included in Auwers 1862 list of new nebulae.

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NGC 375 = PGC 3953

01 07 05.9 +32 20 53

V = 14.5; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0

18" (11/18/06): very faint, extremely small, round, 15" diameter, weak concentration. Situated ~2' W of a triangle of mag 12/13/14 stars (on the opposite side from NGC 384/385) and 5.6' SW of NGC 383 in the "Pisces Group". The closest cluster member is NGC 373 situated 3' SSW.

17.5" (9/19/87): extremely faint and small, round. Three mag 12-13.5 stars forming an isosceles triangle with the long base oriented N-S are about 2' SE. Located 5.6' SW of NGC 383 in the core of the cluster. Forms a pair with NGC 373 2.8' SSW.

Lawrence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 375 on 1 Dec 1874 with his father's 72" and shown on the constructed sketch of the entire Pisces Group in the 1880 publication. The GC and NGC position matches PGC 3953, an extremely compact elliptical. MCG misidentifies UGC 679 = MCG +05-03-049 (an extremely low surf brightness edge-on ~2.5' north) as NGC 375.

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NGC 376 = ESO 029-SC29 = Lindsay 72

01 03 54 -72 49 30

V = 10.9; Size 1.0'

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, small, round, 30" diameter, a few individual stars or clumps are resolved. A 10' string of stars (Hodge Association 56) passing ~4' N and angles towards the NE. NGC 419 follows by 20'. Observation made through thin clouds.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 376 = D 36 = h2378 with his 9" reflector on 2 Sep 1826 and recorded "a faint ill-defined nebula, about 1 1/2' diameter." He made a single observation and his published position is 9.5' ESE. JH recorded this cluster on two sweeps: on 12 Aug 1834 he logged "pretty faint, small, round, resolvable, pretty compact." On a later sweep he recorded it as a "globular cluster, a vS, vB knot of visible stars 15 or 20" diameter almost like a solid mass." His position and description on both sweeps is accurate, although Dreyer quotes DeLisle Stewart in the IC 2 notes, "only a D*, pos 270d, Dist 10" (from Harvard College Observatory NGC corrections). JH credited Dunlop as the possible discoverer (D 36) in the GC but not the Cape observations.

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NGC 377 = ESO 541-019 = MCG -04-03-053 = PGC 3931

01 06 34.8 -20 19 57

V = 15.1; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 30d

24" (12/1/13): at 325x appeared extremely faint, small, round, 18" diameter. Visible perhaps 25% of the time as an extremely faint patch and too fleeting to detect an elongated shape. Forms the northern vertex of a triangle with a mag 14.5 star 6' SW and a mag 13.5 star 4.7' SE. A large scattered group of stars including several mag 10-11 lies ~10' E.

18" (12/3/05): not seen at 225x.

18" (11/6/04): extremely faint, small, round, 20" diameter (core only viewed?). Only visible intermittently with averted and concentration (in fairly poor seeing) but sighting definite.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 377 = LM I-25 on 15 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. Based on the discovery sketch, Corwin determined NGC 377 = ESO 541-019 = PGC 3931. This would place NGC 377 17' S of Leavenworth's rough position, an unusual error in declination. ESO misidentifies 541-019 as possibly NGC 412 (also from Leavenworth).

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NGC 378 = ESO 412-005 = AM 0103-302 = MCG -05-03-024 = PGC 3907

01 06 12.1 -30 10 41

V = 13.1; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 90d

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8'. A mag 11.5 star is 3' NNE. Located 8' WSW of mag 10.7 SAO 192929.

JH discovered NGC 378 = h2377 on 28 Sep 1834 and noted "vF, S, R, glbM, 15 arcseconds." His position matches ESO 412-005 = PGC 3907. Listed in category 8 (Galaxies with apparent companions) in the Arp-Madore catalogue and an image is on page 8.2.

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NGC 379 = Arp 331 NED1 = UGC 683 = MCG +05-03-050 = CGCG 501-082 = VV 193 = IV Zw 38 NED1 = PGC 3966

01 07 15.7 +32 31 13

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 0d

18" (11/18/06): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 0.8'x0.5', broad concentration with a slightly brighter core. Forms a similar pair with NGC 380 2.3' S. This galaxy is at the north end of the Pisces Group centered on NGC 383 and is one of 11 NGC galaxies viewed in the field at 280x!

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~N-S, even surface brightness. Forms a pair with similar NGC 380 2' S in the NGC 383 group.

13" (9/29/84): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, bright core.

WH discovered NGC 379 = H II-215 = h84, along with NGC 380 = II-216 and NGC 383 = II-217, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and recorded "Three, F, vS, R, all in a row in the meridian, nearly of equal size, the distance between the two most south [NGC 383 and 383] is about double that of the other."

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NGC 380 = Arp 331 NED2 = UGC 682 = MCG +05-03-051 = CGCG 501-081 = LGG 017-001 = PGC 3969

01 07 17.6 +32 28 59

V = 12.5; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2

18" (11/18/06): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core. Forms a 2.2' pair with NGC 379 and 4.5' NNW of NGC 383 at the north end of the "Pisces Group".

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 379 2' S in the NGC 383 group.

13" (9/29/84): fairly faint, small, round, bright core.

WH discovered NGC 380 = H II-216 = h85, along with NGC 379 = II-215 and NGC 383 = II-217 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268). See description under NGC 379.

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NGC 381 = Cr 10 = OCL-317 = Lund 38

01 08 18 +61 35

Size 6'

24" (1/4/14): nice group of ~75 stars, fairly uniformly distributed in a 6' group. A triple star (STI 185 = 10.8/12.5 at 9" and third closer companion) is just north of center. The cluster is roughly circular with no denser patches, but it does include a number of faint stars so the appearance is fairly rich. Pretty well detached in the 50' field at 125x (less so on the north side).

17.5" (8/16/93): 40 stars mag 11-15 in loose 6' diameter, stands out best at 100x. The brightest mag 10.8 star is part of a triple along the north side. Fairly uniform in mag 12/13 stars with a scattering of faint stars, fairly even distribution with no rich regions. Not recognizable as a cluster at 220x.

17.5" (11/2/91): about three dozen stars in 6' diameter, fairly faint, roughly a circular group. Consists mostly of mag 12/13 stars. Includes a triple star (10.8/12.5/13 at 8"/~3") and two mag 11 stars on the west side. Several stars are arranged in strings. Relatively few stars in center. A line of mag 10 stars trail off to the north edge of field and the mag 10 star at the end of the string 11' N is a close double star.

8": ~30 stars in a circular group, bright curving string to the north. A mag 8 star is 10' E.

Caroline Herschel is generally attributed with the discovery of NGC 381 = H VIII-64 on 27 Sep 1783, though according to an article in Aug 2007 S&T, Caroline's discovery preceded Gamma Cass instead of following and likely refers to NGC 189 instead. WH observed the cluster on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and noted "a forming cluster of pretty compressed stars." In his second published catalogued he added "C.H. disc. 1783."

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NGC 382 = Arp 331 NED5 =VV 193b = UGC 688 = MCG +05-03-052 = CGCG 501-086 = LGG 018-002 = PGC 3981

01 07 23.9 +32 24 15

V = 13.2; Size 0.5'x0.5'

18" (11/18/06): fairly faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, slightly brighter corer, faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. Situated at the south edge of the halo of NGC 383 (the brighter member of the "Pisces Group"), just 30" from the center.

17.5" (9/23/00): very faint, extremely small, round, 20" diameter, very faint quasi-stellar nucleus at moments. Viewed SN 2000dk, just 5 days after discovery on 9/18/00, as a mag 15.5 "star" at the NW edge of the halo. At the first glance using 280x, the galaxy appeared elongated in the direction of the SN, but in moments of better seeing, the SN was clearly resolved and similar in brightness to the nucleus of NGC 382. This galaxy is the fainter of a close pair with NGC 383 in the Pisces group.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, very small, round. Forms a double system with much brighter NGC 383 30" NNE in a group.

13" (9/29/84): very faint, extremely small, round. Nearly attached to NGC 383.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 382 on 4 Nov 1850 using Lord Rosse's 72" and labeled as "Gamma prime" in his sketch of the Pisces Group. Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this nebula on 26 Aug 1865 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen. This is one of 5 galaxies discovered by Stoney on that night including NGCs 384, 385, 386 and 388.

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NGC 383 = Arp 331 NED6 = VV 193a = UGC 689 = MCG +05-03-053 = CGCG 501-087 = LGG 018-003 = PGC 3982

01 07 24.9 +32 24 45

V = 12.4; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 30d

18" (11/18/06): fairly bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.3' diameter, broadly concentrated to a bright core that increases to a 6" nucleus. Forms an interacting pair with NGC 382 30" S of center. This galaxy is the brightest and largest member of the "Pisces Group" (at the southwest end of the Pisces-Perseus Supercluster) and is surrounded by 10 galaxies within 8'!

17.5" (9/19/87): brightest in the NGC 383 cluster. Fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, broadly concentrated halo. Forms a double system with NGC 382 30" SW. NGC 380 is 4.5' NNW, NGC 379 6.8' NNW, NGC 386 3.3' SSE, NGC 385 5.5' SSE.

13" (9/29/84): fairly bright, almost round, bright core. Forms a double with NGC 382.

WH discovered NGC 383 = H II-217 = h86, along with NGC 379 = II-215 and NGC 380 = II-216, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268). See description under NGC 379.

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NGC 384 = Arp 331 NED3 = UGC 686 = MCG +05-03-055 = CGCG 501-084 = LGG 017-002 = PGC 3983

01 07 25.0 +32 17 34

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 135d

18" (11/18/06): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.6'x0.5', fairly well concentrated with a small bright core. At the south end of the "Pisces Group" with NGC 385 1.7' N.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, slightly elongated, bright core. NGC 385 2' N and NGC 386 is 4.3' NNE in the NGC 383 group.

13" (9/29/84): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 385.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 384 = Au 7 on 4 Nov 1850 with LdR's 72" and labeled it "Zeta" on his sketch of the Pisces Group. Heinrich d'Arrest rediscovered this galaxy (along with NGC 385) and measured an accurate position on 12 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen. Auwers published d'Arrest's observation in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae and JH credited d'Arrest with the discovery in the GC. Dreyer included LdR, as well as d'Arrest, in the NGC.

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NGC 385 = Arp 331 NED4 = UGC 687 = MCG +05-03-056 = CGCG 501-085 = LGG 018-004 = PGC 3984

01 07 27.2 +32 19 12

V = 13.0; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9

18" (11/18/06): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, strong concentration with a bright 20" core. Located near the south end of the "Pisces Group" and appears slightly larger and brighter than nearby NGC 384 1.7' SSW. A trio of mag 12-13 stars lies 2'-3' WNW and the two northern stars are collinear with the galaxy.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core. Forms a trio with NGC 386 2.6' N and NGC 384 1.8' S in the NGC 383 group.

13" (9/29/84): fairly faint, small, small bright core, similar to NGC 384.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 385 = Au 8 on 4 Nov 1850 with Lord Rosse's 72" and labeled "Epsilon" in his sketch of the NGC 383 (Pisces) Group. Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this galaxy on 7 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen and measured an accurate position (4 measurements). d'Arrest's observation was included in Auwers 1862 catalogue of new nebulae and JH credited d'Arrest with the discovery in the GC. Dreyer credited both LdR and d'Arrest when compiling the NGC.

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NGC 386 = Arp 331 NED7 = MCG +05-03-057 = CGCG 501-088 = PGC 3989

01 07 31.3 +32 21 43

V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6

18" (11/18/06): faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, gradually increases to a very small brighter core. Located 3.3' SSE of NGC 383 and on a line to the north of the NGC 384/385 pair in the core of the "Pisces Group".

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, round, bright core. Located 3.3' SSE of NGC 383 in a group. NGC 385 lies 2.6' S.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 386 on 4 Nov 1850 with Lord Rosse's 72" and he labeled this nebula as "Delta" in his sketch of the NGC 383 (Pisces) Group.

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NGC 387 = PGC 3987

01 07 33.0 +32 23 28

V = 15.5; Size 0.3'x0.3'

18" (11/18/06): at 280x appeared very faint, very small, round, 8" diameter. This is perhaps the smallest and faintest NGC galaxy in the "Pisces Chain". Located 2' SE of NGC 383 and 2.5' N of NGC 386 in the heart of the "Pisces Group".

17.5" (9/19/87): extremely faint, round, almost stellar. Located 1.8' NNE of NGC 386 and 2.1' SE of NGC 383 in the NGC 383 group. Not 100% certain of its non-stellar appearance.

Lawrence Parsons discovered NGC 387 on 10 Dec 1873 with Lord Rosse's 72" and included it on the sketch that was made of the cluster (later labeled as GC 5149), along with offsets from NGC 383. The GC (5149) and NGC position matches PGC 3987.

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NGC 388 = Arp 331 NED8 = MCG +05-03-059 = CGCG 501-090 = LGG 018-018 = PGC 4005

01 07 47.1 +32 18 36

V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 168d

18" (11/18/06): at 280x appeared faint, small, round, 20" diameter. Located 4.5' E of the NGC 384/385 pair at the south end of the "Pisces Group".

17.5" (9/19/87):extremely faint and small, round, size 10"-15". Located 5'-6' E of NGC 385 in the NGC 383 group.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 388 on 4 Nov 1850 with Lord Rosse's 72" and labeled it as "Theta" in the sketch made of the NGC 383 (Pisces) Group.

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NGC 389 = UGC 703 = MCG +06-03-014 = CGCG 520-017 = PGC 4054

01 08 30.0 +39 41 44

V = 13.8; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 54d

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, even surface brightness. A mag 11 star is just off the NE edge 0.7' from center which detracts from viewing. Forms a pair with NGC 393 3.3' SSE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 389 = Sw II-12 on 6 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 30 sec of RA west and 1.5' north of UGC 703 = PGC 4054. His description "* near" applies to the star just off the NE end of this galaxy.

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NGC 390

01 07 54.4 +32 25 59

=*, Corwin.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 390 = Big. 9 on 19 Nov 1884 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory and recorded "mag 13.4-13.5; stellar aspect". According to Harold Corwin (private correspondence), Bigourdan's offsets match a star at 01 07 54 +32 25 59 (2000).

RNGC misidentifies PGC 4021 as NGC 390. PGC 4021 is 4' ENE of Bigourdan's place.

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NGC 391 = UGC 693 = MCG +00-03-075 = CGCG 384-077 = PGC 3976

01 07 22.6 +00 55 33

V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 45d

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, very small, round, compact, well-defined edge, small bright core. Located 1.7' SSE of a mag 9.5 star and 4.4' NNE of mag 9.5 SAO 109686.

George Bond, director of Harvard College Observatory, discovered NGC 391 = HN 3 = Au 9 on 8 Jan 1853 with the 15-inch Merz & Mahler refractor while taking micrometric positions of stars for the Harvard Zone Catalogue.  He noted a "faint nebula, 1' 30" south following star number 32 [11th magnitude]."  At this exact position is UGC 693 = PGC 3976.  Auwers included Bond's discovery in his 1862 Catalogue of new nebulae, before the GC was published.

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NGC 392 = UGC 700 = MCG +05-03-062 = CGCG 501-094 = Holm 36a = KTG 3A = PGC 4042

01 08 23.5 +33 08 00

V = 12.8; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 50d

24" (10/5/13): brightest member of the KTG 3 triplet with NGC 394 1.0' NNE and NGC 397 2.2' SE. At 375x appeared fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 30"x25", increases to a bright stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star lies 1.2' SW. Also recorded IC 1619 13' WSW and UGC 692 15' SW.

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, round, bright core, sharp stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1' SW. Brightest of three (KTG 3) with NGC 394 1' NE and NGC 397 2' SE.

WH discovered NGC 392 = H II-218 = h87 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and simply noted "F, resembling the foregoing [NGC 379, 380, 383]." JH remarked "pF; bM nearly to a *; between 2 stars" and measured an accurate position. Both Herschels missed the nearby galaxies NGC 394 and 397.

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NGC 393 = UGC 707 = MCG +06-03-015 = CGCG 520-018 = V Zw 52 = PGC 4061

01 08 37.0 +39 38 39

V = 12.5; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 20d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, sharp concentration, faint halo, two mag 13/13.5 star are 1.2' WNW and 1.6' NW with a separation of 36". Forms a pair with NGC 389 3.3' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 393 = H I-54 = h88 on 5 Oct 1784 during sweeps 281-285, which were made in the east (not in CH's fair copy of the sweeps). On 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) he recorded "pB, S, R, vgbM." When JH took a look on 1 Oct 1828, he logged "vF; vS; lE; gbM; 10". Allowing the moon & c. this cannot be a 1st class neb [as his father placed it]; no other neb near it." In the GC notes, JH mentions "This (h88) is not the I. 54 of the P.T, which proved to be one of Messier's nebulae, but another subsequently inserted by WH, so as not to break the order of the numbers..." Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 389 (discovered by Lewis Swift).

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NGC 394 = MCG +05-03-063 = CGCG 501-095 = Holm 36b = KTG 3B = PGC 4049

01 08 26.0 +33 08 52

V = 13.8; Size 0.5'x0.2'; Surf Br = 11.3; PA = 135d

24" (10/5/13): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.4'x0.2', small brighter core. Second brightest in a small triplet (KTG 3) with brighter NGC 392 1.0' SW and NGC 397 2.6' SSE.

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, oval NW-SE, small brighter core. In a group with NGC 392 1' SW and NGC 397 3' SSE.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 394 using Lord Rosse's 72" on 26 Oct 1854. His description for NGC 392 (GC 212) reads "B, S, R, bM. [John Herschel] described it as between 2 stars. I think the northernmost one is a nebula [NGC 394] of same character but smaller." There are two entries for this galaxy in the GC, the second (GC 215) from Heinrich d'Arrest's independent discovery on 22 Aug 1862. Both GC entries were combined in the NGC.

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NGC 395 = ESO 051-SC016 = Kron 51 = Lindsay 75 = SMC-N78A/B

01 05 07.9 -71 59 37

Size 2'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): easily picked up in the same field as brighter NGC 371. At 171x, this is a moderately bright 4' round knot of mag 14 or fainter stars with a good response to the UHC filter (emission component = LMC-N78). The surface brightness is fairly high with the filter although it is just described as a "star group" in Hartung. Forms a pair with IC 1624 3.2' SSE. Located 8' NE of NGC 371.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 395 = D 35 = D 34? = h2379 on 1 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector and recorded (for D 35) "a very small faint nebula, with a small star in the south margin." He made two observations of D 35 and one observation of D 34 and his published position for D 35 is 7' too far south. JH made a single observation on 5 Nov 1836 and recorded "very faint, pretty large, round, gradually a little brighter in the middle; 2' across." His position and description is accurate and no mention is made of Dunlop's possible discovery. See NGC Corrections list from Harvard College Observatory and the IC 2 notes/corrections, DeLisle Stewart.

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NGC 396 = 2MASXJ01080838+0431509 = PGC 99944

01 08 08.4 +04 31 51

V = 14.2; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 140d

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, very small, slightly elongated. Required averted vision to identify with GSC finder chart but with concentration can just hold steadily. Located 2.1' NNW of a mag 13 star. By a remarkable coincidence, Saturn was in the same low power field just 15' due S! Best view of NGC 396 at 280x with Saturn sufficiently out of field to avoid any glare. Misidentified in RNGC (MCG +00-04-020).

Albert Marth discovered NGC 396 = m 35 on 27 Oct 1864 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "eF, S, lE." Harold Corwin notes that a faint galaxy (PGC 99944) is very close to Marth's position (just 5 sec of RA west) with a star superimposed on the north side. RNGC misidentifies UGC 729 as NGC 396. UGC 729 is located 1° S and 2.2 min of RA east of Marth's position!

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NGC 397 = MCG +05-03-064 = CGCG 501-096 = KTG 3C = PGC 4051

01 08 31.0 +33 06 33

V = 14.6; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3

24" (10/5/13): faintest in the KTG 3 triplet with brighter NGC 392 2.2' NW and NGC 394 2.5' NNW. At 375x appeared fairly faint, small, 15"x12", slightly elongated SW-NE, very weak concentration.

17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint and small, slightly elongated, very low even surface brightness. Faintest of three with NGC 392 2' NW.

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 397 on 6 Dec 1866. While observing GC 212 = NGC 392 he noted a "suspected neb preceded by a vF*". The closest match is MCG +05-03-064 and MCG gives the tentative identification "NGC 397?". There is no "very faint star" preceding this compact galaxy but there is one close following.

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NGC 398 = MCG +05-03-065 = CGCG 501-100 = PGC 4090

01 08 53.6 +32 30 52

V = 14.5; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 135d

18" (11/18/06): very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter. Member of the "Pisces Group" (z = 0.016), though located 20' NE of NGC 383.

17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint and small, round, low surface brightness. Requires averted to see well. NGC 399 lies 7' NNE.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 398 = Big. 10 on 28 Oct 1886 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 399 = UGC 712 = MCG +05-03-067 = CGCG 501-101 = LGG 018-005 = PGC 4096

01 08 59.2 +32 38 03

V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 40d

18" (11/18/06): this member of the NGC 383 group ("Pisces Group") appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.45', weak even concentration.

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, even concentration to bright core, substellar nucleus. NGC 403 is 7.5' NE and NGC 398 7' SSW.

Lawrence Parsons discovered NGC 399 on 7 Oct 1874 with the 72" at Birr Castle and noted a "small nebula" 464.3" (7.7') in PA 205.4° (SSW) from GC 217 = NGC 403. This offset matches UGC 712 = PGC 4096. The actual separation is 465" and the PA 204°. Bigourdan measured an accurate position.

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NGC 400

01 09 02.5 +32 43 57

=*, HC. =Not found, JS.

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 400 on 30 Dec 1866. He placed his object, with respect to GC 217 = NGC 403, at a separation of 151" (2.5') in PA 242° (WSW). At this offset is a very faint star at 01 09 02.5 +32 43 57. NGC 401, described in the same observation, also refers to a faint star!

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NGC 401

01 09 07.7 +32 45 35

=*, HC. =Not found, JS.

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 400 on 30 Dec 1866. He placed his object, with respect to GC 217 = NGC 403, at a separation of roughly 110" in PA 291.3°. At this offset is a very faint star at 01 09 07.7 +32 45 35. GC 5153 = NGC 400, described in the same observation by Ball, is also a faint star!

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NGC 402

01 09 13.3 +32 48 23

=*, HC. =Not found, JS.

Lawrence Parsons discovered NGC 402 on 7 Oct 1874 with his father's 72" and recorded a "faint nebulous knot" and placed 281.7" in PA 353° from star 1 in the sketch. This star is 87.3" in PA 177° from NGC 403 and has a position of 01 09 15.7 +32 43 42 (2000). This offset points to a very faint star at 01 09 13.3 +32 48 23 (2000).

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NGC 403 = UGC 715 = MCG +05-03-068 = CGCG 501-104 = LGG 018-006 = PGC 4111

01 09 14.1 +32 45 07

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 86d

18" (11/18/06): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, ~1.3'x0.4', sharp concentration with a small, very bright core. The extensions are fairly low surface brightness but appear a bit asymmetric; possibly misaligned at slightly different angles or slightly different widths. A group of four stars nearly forming a trapezoid is close south. Located ~30' NE of the core of the NGC 383 group ("Pisces Group") and one of the brightest members of the cluster. MCG +05-03-071 lies 2' SE.

17.5" (12/23/89): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, bright core, small bright nucleus. Four mag 10-13 stars are close south. Brightest of a trio with MCG +05-03-071 = CGCG 501-105 2' SE and NGC 399 8' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 403 on 29 Aug 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 2 nights) matches UGC 715 = PGC 4111 and he also noted the four stars to the south, measuring the one nearly due south.

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NGC 404 = Mirach's Ghost = UGC 718 = MCG +06-03-018 = CGCG 520-020 = LGG 011-009 = PGC 4126

01 09 26.9 +35 43 05

V = 10.3; Size 3.5'x3.5'; Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (10/13/01): bright, fairly large, round, at least 2' diameter. Contains a bright 30" core that increases steadily to a bright stellar nucleus. Located 7' NW of mag 2.1 Beta Andromedae (Mirach), which detracts somewhat from viewing.

13" (12/22/84): bright, round, bright stellar nucleus. Located 7' NW of Beta Andromedae (V = 2.1)!

WH discovered NGC 404 = H II-224 = h89 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and recorded "pretty bright (not withstanding the light of Beta Andromeda, which is in the field with it), cL, R, bM." The observers on LdR's 72" tried to resolve this nebula. R.J. Mitchell reported on 16 Oct 1855, "pL, B. I have no doubt it is a cluster. The F borders of the nebula extend a long way out, involving several stars."

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NGC 405 = ESO 243-*039

01 08 33.9 -46 40 05

= Double star 7.3/8.3 at 1.2", Corwin and ESO.

JH discovered NGC 405 = h2380 on 6 Sep 1834 and recorded "After a long and obstinate examination with all powers and apertures, I cannot bring it to a sharp disc and leave it, in doubt whether it be a star or not. The star [Beta Phe] immediately preceding offered no such difficulty, giving a good disc with 320." This is clearly a double star on the Southern Sky Survey (SAO 215379) and is identified in the Sky Catalogue 2000 as SLR (Sellors) 2 = 7.3/8.3 at 1.2".

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NGC 406 = ESO 051-018 = PGC 3980

01 07 24.4 -69 52 33

V = 12.5; Size 3.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 160d

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this interesting edge-on is fairly bright, large, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, ~2.5'x0.8'. Contains a large, elongated core. Emerging from the east edge of the north end is an extremely thin extension or arm that stretches north-northwest. A fainter, less obvious arm is attached at the west edge of the south end. In addition there appears to be a faint star or knot involved [images reveal a star superimposed south of the core but also a double HII knot further south near the edge]. This galaxy is located 1° NNE of the bright globular cluster NGC 362 and 3° NNE of the center of the SMC!

JH discovered NGC 406 = h2381 on 6 Sep 1834 and logged "F, R, vL, vglbM, 3' dia.". His position matches ESO 051-018 = PGC 3980. In Harvard College Observatory NGC corrections, DeLisle Stewart notes that "eE wisps (arms) at 165d" (repeated in IC 2 notes).

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NGC 407 = UGC 730 = MCG +05-03-077 = CGCG 501-115 = PGC 4190

01 10 36.5 +33 07 35

V = 13.4; Size 1.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 0d

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, bright core. Faintest of three with NGC 410 5' ENE and NGC 414 8.4' E.

13" (8/23/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, NGC 410 5' ENE.

WH discovered NGC 407 = H II-219, along with NGC 410 = II-220, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and described both as "Two, eF and vS. The following [NGC 410] the largest." He gave a single position, roughly between the two galaxies. Édouard Stephan (XIII-9) independently found the galaxy on 2 Oct 1883 at the Marseille Observatory and published an accurate position. Herman Schultz also measured a precise micrometric position and recorded a nearby star as a "nova" (NGC 408).

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NGC 408

01 10 51.1 +33 09 05

=* 1.6' W of NGC 410, Gottlieb and Carlson. Incorrect identification in the RNGC. 17.5" (12/23/89): (R)NGC 408 not found.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 408 = Nova III on 22 Oct 1867 with the 9.6-inch refractor at the Uppsala Observatory. Schultz placed this object just 8 tsec of RA preceding NGC 410. At this offset is a mag 14.5 star at 01 10 51.1 +33 09 05 (2000), which almost certainly is his object. RNGC misidentified PGC 4221 as NGC 408. This galaxy is 3' SW of NGC 410. Since Schultz micrometric measurement placed his “nova” due west of NGC 410, the RNGC identification is incorrect. Dorothy Carlson, in her 1939 paper on NGC errata, also came to this conclusion based on Mount Wilson photographs. Finally, the RNGC has misinterpreted the NGC description to read "406 F 8S" instead of "410 F 8S". Bigourdan probably observed PGC 4221 (described as almost stellar) although I missed it with my 17.5". See Malcolm Thompson's "Catalogue Corrections" and my RNGC Corrections #5.

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NGC 409 = ESO 352-012 = MCG -06-03-023 = PGC 4132

01 09 33.2 -35 48 21

V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter. Located just 45" SE of a mag 13 star. Identified at 280x after missing at 220x. Brighter than NGC 415 20' NNE.

JH discovered NGC 409 = h2382 on 29 Nov 1837 and reported "eF, R, S, near a vS star." His position is 8 sec of RA east and 2' north of ESO 352-012 and the description of the nearby star (to the NW) clinches the identification.

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NGC 410 = UGC 735 = MCG +05-03-080 = CGCG 501-118 = Mrk 562 = PGC 4224

01 10 58.9 +33 09 07

V = 11.5; Size 2.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 30d

17.5" (12/23/89): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, broadly concentrated halo, stellar nucleus. In a trio with NGC 407 5' WSW and NGC 414 5' SE.

13" (9/29/84): brightest of 3, fairly bright, bright core, slightly elongated SW-NE, NGC 414 4.5' SE.

WH discovered NGC 410 = H II-220, along with NGC 407 = II-219, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and recorded "Two. The preceding faint, very small. The following pretty large". Herman Schultz measured an accurate position at Uppsala.

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NGC 411 = NGC 422 = ESO 051-SC019 = Kron 60 = Lindsay 82

01 07 55.9 -71 46 00

V = 12.2; Size 1.9'

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter. At 228x, appears as a low surface brightness glow with a very weak concentration and no sign of resolution. Located 5' NW of mag 8.6 HD 7031 and 19' NE of NGC 395. Viewed through thin haze.

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this fairly faint SMC cluster was immediately noticed in the same lower power field while viewing NGC 395/IC 1624 about 20' SW. At 128x it appeared fairly small, round, ~1.5' diameter, mottled but with no resolution. Located 5.3' NW of mag 8.6 HD 7031 and 13' ESE of mag 7.4 HD 6623.

JH discovered NGC 411 = h2384 in Sep 1835 and recorded "vF, pL, R, vlbM; 2'." His position is accurate. On a second sweep he gave a similar description and position, but Harold Corwin found he miscopied the RA minute (1 tmin too large) into his table of "Stars, Nebulae, and Clusters in the Nubecula Minor" and it later received the designations GC 231 and NGC 422. So, NGC 411 = NGC 422, with NGC 411 the primary designation. See entry for NGC 422.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 411 = D 56 or D 57 in 1826 with his 9" reflector and described "a small faint nebula" and "a small faint nebula, about 15" diameter." With the first entry, the position is 16.6' SSE of this cluster and the second entry is 19' SE, both far enough off and a vague enough description that neither is very secure.

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NGC 412

01 10 18 -20 01

=Not found, RNGC and Corwin.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 412 = LM I-26 on 15 Oct 1885 with the 26" Clark refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and simply noted "Neb?" There is nothing near Leavenworth's position. Corwin examined the discovery sketch, but it wasn't of much help and he was unable to recover this object (or even identify it with a star). ESO lists ESO 541-019 = PGC 3931 as a possible candidate, although this galaxy is 3.8 min of RA west and 19' S of Leavenworth's place. So, at this time NGC 412 is lost.

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NGC 413 = MCG -01-04-013 = PGC 4347

01 12 31.5 -02 47 37

V = 14.1; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 151d

17.5" (8/4/97): very faint, diffuse glow located 1.3' SSE of a mag 13.5-14 star. The galaxy is roundish and ~1' in diameter with little or no concentration. The star to the north is preceded by a mag 14-14.5 star 1.4' W. The RNGC identification at 01 12 31.5 -02 47 38 is probably incorrect and this number was deleted from DSFG.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 413 = LM II-301 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His very rough position (to nearest minute of RA and given as doubtful) is 2 tmin west of MCG -01-04-013 = PGC 4347. This galaxy is not identified as NGC 413 in the MCG. RNGC misidentifies MCG -01-04-004, an edge-on galaxy, as NGC 413.

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NGC 414 = UGC 744 = CGCG 501-123 = IV Zw 39 = PGC 4254

01 11 17.6 +33 06 48

V = 13.5; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 35d

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, small, elongated NW-SE. Third of three with NGC 410 5' NW and NGC 407 8.4' W. Consists of a pair of compacts.

13" (9/29/84): faint, thin streak NW-SE, weak concentration.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 414 = Nova IV on 15 Oct 1866 with the 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala Observatory. His micrometric position matches UGC 744 = PGC 4254. This appears to be the only galaxy in the NGC that Schultz discovered first. His NGC 20 was discovered earlier by R.J. Mitchell using Lord Rosse's 72", his GC 5096 = NGC 90 was also found earlier by Mitchell (GC 40), GC 6153 = NGC 7553 was discovered earlier by George Stoney (GC 4913) and finally NGC 7571 is probably a duplicate of NGC 7597, discovered earlier by Albert Marth. All his other NGC objects are single or double stars.

This is a double or merged system with two nuclei. The companion on the southeast side is catalogued separately as PGC 93079 and was not resolved in my observation.

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NGC 415 = ESO 352-014 = MCG -06-03-024 = PGC 4161

01 10 05.7 -35 29 27

V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 55d

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint, small, slightly elongated, 30" diameter (probably only viewed core). Required averted vision at 280x and could not hold steadily. NGC 409 is located 20' SSW.

JH discovered NGC 415 = h2383 on 1 Sep 1834 and noted "vF, R, gbM, 20"." On a later he called it "vF, S, R, glbM, 15"." Herschel's mean position matches ESO 352-014.

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NGC 416 = ESO 029-SC32 = Lindsay 83 = Kron 59

01 07 59.0 -72 21 19

V = 11.4; Size 1.1'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter. A mag 13 star lies 1' N. Located in a rich faint star field. Located 31' N of NGC 419 and 27' SE of the large, nebulous cluster NGC 371.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 416 = D 42 = D 43? = h2386 in Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector and described a "round well-defined nebula, about 30" diameter." His position is 13.5' SE of the cluster and with a number of other nearby entries that are either spurious or with poor positions, this identification is uncertain. JH made 4 observations at the Cape with the earliest on 11 Apr 1834 recording "F; S; R; 30". His other sweeps gave sizes up to 60" and his positions are accurate. Herschel made no reference to the earlier Dunlop observations.

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NGC 417 = ESO 541-024 = MCG -03-04-019 = PGC 4237

01 11 05.5 -18 08 54

V = 14.1; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 55d

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Can almost hold continuously with averted vision after identified at 280x. Very weak if any concentration. No brighter stars in field.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 417 = LM II-300 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His RA is 0.4 min west of ESO 541-024, a close enough match. This is a double system, though Leavenworth missed the fainter northern component. 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 418 = ESO 412-009 = MCG -05-04-002 = PGC 4189

01 10 35.5 -30 13 17

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 19d

17.5" (11/6/93): very faint, slightly elongated, fairly small, 1.2' diameter, low surface brightness though slight broad concentration, gradually fades into the background. A mag 14 star is 2' S. Located 7' S of a mag 10 star.

JH discovered NGC 418 = h2385 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "not vF, pL, R, gbM, 60"." On a later sweep he noted "F, R, vglbM, 40", the preceding of two [with NGC 423]." His mean position is accurate.

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NGC 419 = ESO 029-SC33 = Lindsay 85

01 08 17 -72 53 00

V = 10.6; Size 2.6'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, large, impressive, large bright core, fainter halo, 2' diameter. Mottled and lively but not resolved. A mag 9 star lies 8' S and a mag 7 star lies 9' SE.

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): quite bright, fairly large, round, 1.8' diameter, moderately concentrated, granular but no resolution. Appears like an unresolved globular cluster with a very symmetrical appearance although classified as a rich open cluster. Located 9' NW of mag 7 HD 7187 and 7.5' N of mag 9 HD 6997.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 419 = D 38 (and possibly D 39 and D44) = h2387 on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta, and recorded (for D 38) a "very small oval nebula, a little brighter in the centre; a star of the 8th magnitude south." Dunlop claimed two observations of D38, two of D39 and one of D44. His position for D38 is 7.8' SSE and for D44 16' NE (Glen Cozens found a typo in the RA) of this SMC cluster. JH gives 4 observations in the Cape catalogue, first recording the cluster on 11 Apr 1834 as "pB; pL; R; 2'. Has two stars near". His position and description is very accurate. Herschel gave a possible equivalence with D 36, though that entry more likely applies to NGC 376.

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NGC 420 = UGC 752 = MCG +05-03-083 = CGCG 501-127 = PGC 4320

01 12 09.6 +32 07 24

V = 12.1; Size 2.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, moderately large, round, bright core, large fainter halo. Located 10' W of ∑98 = 7.0/8.0 at 20".

WH discovered NGC 420 = H III-154 = h90, along with NGC 421 = III-155, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged both as "Two. Both eF, vS. The following [NGC 421] is the largest." Dreyer commented in the notes section: "Nothing said in the sweep about their distance apart. John Herschel, d'Arrest (only once, in moonlight), an observer at Birr Castle and Bigourdan have seen only one neb, no doubt the following one." Corwin notes that despite Herschel's comment that the following [NGC 421] is the largest, "all the observers have assigned the preceding number (H III-154 = NGC 420) to the object" here.

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NGC 421

01 12 12 +32 07

=Not found, Carlson.

WH discovered NGC 421 = H III-155, along with NGC 420 = III-154 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged both as "Two. Both eF, vS. The following [NGC 421] is the largest." Dreyer notes there was no mention in the sweep of the separation between the objects and that only a single galaxy was observed by JH, Bigourdan, and at Birr Castle. Perhaps William Herschel thought that NGC 420 was double? In any case, although the original description seems to imply that NGC 421 should be the number of the single galaxy here, everyone has assigned NGC 420 to the galaxy. See Corwin's notes for further discussion.

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NGC 422 = NGC 411 = ESO 051-SC019 = Kron 60 = Lindsay 82

01 07 55.9 -71 46 00

V = 12.2; Size 1.9'

See observing notes for NGC 411. The cluster previously assumed to be NGC 422 is IC 1641 and my notes for this cluster are copied below --

18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very faint, small, 30" diameter, low surface brightness and no hint of resolution. Follows NGC 411 by 7' and forms the eastern vertex of an equilateral triangle with NGC 411 and a mag 8 star 6' SW. Observation made through thin haze.

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this faint SMC cluster is located 7' following NGC 411. At 228x it appeared as just a very faint knot, less than 1' diameter with a low surface brightness and no resolution. Located 5.5' NE of mag 8.6 HD 7031.

JH discovered NGC 422 in 1836 with his 20-foot (18") reflector and it was included as #162 in his catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae, and Clusters in the Nubecula Minor". His position is 30 sec of RA west (very small offset at this declination) of ESO 051-SC022 = Kron 65 = Lindsay 87, the faint cluster taken as NGC 422 by all modern sources (ESO, NED, SIMBAD, etc).

But Harold Corwin found that the entry #162 in "Stars, Nebulae, and Clusters in the Nubecula Minor" actually derives from Herschel's second observation of NGC 411 = h2384 ("eF; pL; R; glbM 2'.") on sweep 745 (5 Nov 1836) but he accidentally increased the RA by 1.0 tmin. So, NGC 411 has two entries in this table (both indicated as deriving from a sweep with his 18") -- #162, which is 1.0 tmin too large, and #157, which was copied correctly. Entry #162 later acquired the numbers GC 231 and NGC 422. So, NGC 422 = NGC 411 with NGC 411 the primary designation.

The cluster previously assumed to be NGC 422 was later discovered by DeLisle Stewart on plates taken in 1900 at Harvard's station in Arequipa, Peru and received the designation IC 1641. Instead, IC 1641 has been misidentified as a very faint cluster (Hodge-Wright 62) just following the real IC 1641. See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 423 = ESO 412-011 = MCG -05-04-004 = PGC 4266

01 11 22.2 -29 14 04

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 114d

17.5" (11/6/93): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, even surface brightness. Located 7' S of mag 9.3 SAO 166858.

JH discovered NGC 423 = h2388 on 14 Nov 1835 and recorded "vF, S, E, glbM." Two sweeps later he logged it as "eF, S, lE, 20", following of two [with NGC 418]." His position is accurate.

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NGC 424 = ESO 296-004 = MCG -06-03-026 = PGC 4274

01 11 27.6 -38 05 01

V = 12.8; Size 1.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 60d

17.5" (10/4/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.6', brighter core. NGC 438 lies 27' NE.

JH discovered NGC 424 = h2389 on 30 Nov 1837 and logged "vF, S, R, glbM, 18 arcsec." His position matches ESO 296-004 = PGC 4274.

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NGC 425 = UGC 758 = MCG +06-03-023 = CGCG 520-026 = PGC 4379

01 13 02.6 +38 46 06

V = 12.6; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (8/16/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6', fairly even high surface brightness. A mag 11 star is just off NW edge [29" from center].

Truman Safford discovered NGC 425 = Sf 62 on 29 Oct 1866 with the 18.5" refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and recorded "pS, pB, gar bM." Édouard Stephan (X-4) independently found the galaxy on 11 Oct 1879 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and was credited with the discovery in the NGC, as Safford's discovery list was published in 1887, too late to have been seen by Dreyer.

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NGC 426 = UGC 760 = MCG +00-04-035 = CGCG 385-026 = PGC 4363

01 12 48.6 -00 17 25

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 140d

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, prominent bright core. First of trio with NGC 429 4' SE and NGC 430 3.5' NE. Slightly fainter than NGC 430 but comparable in brightness.

WH discovered NGC 426 = H III-592 = h91, along with NGC 429, on 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) and logged "Three, the place is that of the last [NGC 430], which is the largest and most north, F, S. The next in size is about 2 or 3' sp [NGC 426], vF, vS. The last [NGC 429] is about 5' south of the 1st; eF, eS, not verified."

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NGC 427 = ESO 412-014 = MCG -05-04-007 = PGC 4333

01 12 19.2 -32 03 41

V = 14.1; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 0d

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (only core viewed?). Required averted vision and GSC finder chart to identify at 280x. Located in a sparse field. A couple of very faint nearby stars were not recorded.

JH discovered NGC 427 = h2390 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "Rather doubtful, but I strongly incline to the suspicion of its being a vF neb with 2 vS stars near it". On a second sweep (#635) he noted "I believe it only 3 vF st, but yet there remains a suspicion of nebulosity." His position is just 1.3' S of ESO 412-014, despite the uncertain observations.

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NGC 428 = UGC 763 = MCG +00-04-036 = CGCG 385-028 = PGC 4367

01 12 55.6 +00 58 54

V = 11.5; Size 4.1'x3.1'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 120d

24" (12/22/14): bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 ~NW-SE, mottled irregular appearance, broad weak concentration. With averted vision the halo increases in size to ~2.5'x2.0'. A quasi-stellar HII region, catalogued in NED as UM 309 NED1 and NGC 428: [HK83] 44-46, occasionally pops as a very small detached knot, ~6" diameter. This is the brightest in a series of blue HII knots on the northwest side of the outer core [45" WNW of center]. Forms the SE vertex of an isosceles triangle with mag 8.7 HD 7208 6' W and mag 8.6 HD 7276 8' NNE. Mag 12.5 stars are 2' NW and 2' SSW [6" pair].

13.1" (9/3/86): fairly bright, moderately large, oval ~N-S, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is at the NW edge 1.8' from center. Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 8.5 stars SAO 109728 and SAO 109733 6.0' W and 6.0' NNE, respectively.

WH discovered NGC 428 = H II-622 on 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) and noted "F, R, bM, easily resolvable." Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate micrometric position on 30 and 31 Oct 1864.

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NGC 429 = UGC 762 = MCG +00-04-037 = CGCG 385-027 = PGC 4368

01 12 57.4 -00 20 43

V = 13.4; Size 1.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 19d

17.5" (11/30/91): faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright core. A mag 14 star is 1' N. Faintest of three with NGC 430 6' N and NGC 426 4' NW.

WH discovered NGC 429 = H III-593 = h92, along with NGC 426, on 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) and recorded "The last [NGC 429] is about 5' south of the 1st [NGC 430]; eF, eS, not verified."

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NGC 430 = UGC 765 = MCG +00-04-039 = CGCG 385-029 = PGC 4376

01 13 00.0 -00 15 09

V = 12.5; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 155d

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, small, round, prominent small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is 1' SSW. Brightest in a group with NGC 429 6' S and NGC 426 3.5' SW.

WH discovered NGC 430 = H II-447 = h93 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and noted "eF, vS, 240 confirmed it with difficulty but left no doubt." His position is accurate. The following year he found NGC 426 and 429, so his summary description reads "F, S. Two more near it. See III.592.593 [NGC 426 and 429]."

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NGC 431 = UGC 776 = MCG +05-04-002 = CGCG 501-132 = PGC 4437

01 14 04.5 +33 42 15

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 20d

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 2.5' SW of a mag 10.5 star.

JH discovered NGC 431 = h95 on 22 Nov 1827 and recorded "F; S; vsbM". His position is accurate.

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NGC 432 = ESO 113-022 = PGC 4290

01 11 46.4 -61 31 40

V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 432 = h2391 on 6 Oct 1834 and logged "F, S, R." No position was determined on that sweep. On a later sweep he noted "pF, S, R, gbM, 15 arcseconds, has a star 12th mag following" and commented the "place is liable to some error".

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NGC 433 = Stock 22 = OCL-319 = Lund 41

01 15 09 +60 07 36

Size 3'

24" (1/4/14): the most distinctive part of this cluster is a mag 9.3 star surrounded by a 2' cloud (mostly south) of ~15 mag 13-14 stars. A mag 11 star is at the NW corner, a 50" pair of mag 11 stars is at the SE end and a mag 11.5 star is at the SW corner. A small string of stars extends from the mag 9.3 star to the southwest.

17.5" (8/16/93): 30 stars mag 10-14 in a 6' triangular outline although very few stars are inside the triangle. The mag 10 star at the north vertex is surrounded (mostly on the south side) by a rich subgroup of faint stars, including at least three close multiple systems. Mag 8.7 SAO 22122 is just south of the triangle and 8' SSW of the mag 10 star in the cluster.

JH discovered NGC 433 = h94 on 29 Sep 1829 and described a "star 8m the chief of a small loose cluster." The mag 9.3 star is on the north side of the cluster. Robert Ball observed the cluster using the 72" at Birr Castle and logged "Loose CL. consisting of 50 or 60 stars of various sizes from about 8 mag down."

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NGC 434 = ESO 113-023 = KTS 8A = PGC 4325

01 12 14.2 -58 14 51

V = 12.0; Size 2.1'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 6d

Southern object (not observed). Trio with NGC 440 (5' SE) and NGC 434A (3.2' NE).

JH discovered NGC 434 = h2392 on 28 Oct 1834 and logged "B, R, psbM, 40" dia." His position is accurate (2 sweeps).

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NGC 435 = UGC 779 = MCG +00-04-046 = CGCG 385-035 = PGC 4434

01 13 59.9 +02 04 18

V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 20d

17.5" (12/23/92): very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is just off the WSW edge 20" from the center. Located midway between mag 8.5 SAO 109745 2.5' SSW and mag 10.5 2.5' N. NGC 445 lies 15' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 435 = m 36 on 23 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, S, E". His position is 2' N of UGC 779 = PGC 4434.

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NGC 436 = Cr 11 = Mel 6 = OCL-320

01 15 58 +58 49 00

V = 8.8; Size 6'

24" (1/4/14): at 200x, ~50 stars are resolved in a rich, 4' group that is well-detached and distinctive. The main group is confined within a triangular outline with a mag 10.9 star at the S end, a mag 12 star at the W end and a mag 11.5 star at the N end. Contains a very rich central region ~1.5' diameter and includes STI 1550, a close triple with components 11.2/11.3/11.8 at 9" and 12". Another uncatalogued pair is just 0.6' S of STI 1550. Two mag 9.5/10 stars are collinear to the east of the mag 10.9 star at the south end.

17.5" (8/16/93): 40 stars mag 10-15 in 4' diameter. Includes a rich 1.5' region with 15 stars with a nice triple star in a tight equilateral triangle. Other brighter stars in this grouping form a pentagon outline. Three equally spaced mag 9-10 stars oriented E-W begin just off the south side. Several sprays of stars emanate out in various directions from the central region.

17.5" (11/2/91): fairly bright and compact, ~30 stars mag 9-14 at 220x in a 4' diameter, distinctive group. Just north of center is a tight triple star with 4th star to E, also second trio of stars is close south. A mag 9 star near the south edge is collinear with two mag 9 stars 2' SE and 4' SE all equally spaced.

WH discovered NGC 436 = H VII-45 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774). His summary description is "a small pretty compressed cluster of stars, not rich, iF, like a forming one." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 437 = UGC 788 = MCG +01-04-005 = CGCG 411-009 = PGC 4464

01 14 22.3 +05 55 37

V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 130d

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' NW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 437 = Sw V-11 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 8 tsec west of UGC 788 = PGC 4464 and his description "F * nr np" applies to this galaxy. Kolbold later measured an accurate position at the Strasbourg Observatory.

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NGC 438 = ESO 296-007 = MCG -06-03-029 = PGC 4406

01 13 34.2 -37 54 06

V = 12.8; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 126d

17.5" (10/4/97): faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, weak even concentration. Situated just following the midpoint of two mag 13 stars 3.1' SSE and 2.8' NNE. NGC 424 lies 27' SW.

JH discovered NGC 438 = h2393 on 1 Sep 1834. On one sweep he called this nebula "vF" and another time "pB". His mean position matches ESO 296-007 = PGC 4406.

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NGC 439 = ESO 412-018 = MCG -05-04-015 = PGC 4423

01 13 47.2 -31 44 51

V = 11.5; Size 2.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 156d

24" (9/15/12): at 175x appeared fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x1.2', increases to a bright core.

Brightest in cluster ACO S141 = Klemola 1 with NGC 441 2.6' SSE, MCG -05-04-018 7' SE and a trio of MCGs (-011/-012/-013) 5' SW. MCG -05-04-018 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 E-W, 24"x16" and the small trio of MCGs were all extremely to very faint, round, 12" to 18" diameter.

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x1.2', broad concentration. A mag 13.5 star is 2.3' SW and a mag 14 star is 2.2' SE of center. Brighter of a pair with NGC 441 2.5' SSE. Located 11' NE of mag 8.2 SAO 192988. This is the brightest member of ACO S141.

8" (1/1/84): very faint, small, round. Can just hold steadily with averted vision. A mag 8 star is 10' SW.

JH discovered NGC 439 = h2394 (along with NGC 441 = h2395) on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "pB, R, bM, 20 arcseconds." His mean position from 2 sweeps is accurate.

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NGC 440 = ESO 113-025 = PGC 4361

01 12 48.5 -58 16 57

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 45d

Southern object (not observed). Trio with NGC 434 and NGC 434A. Located 5' SE of NGC 434.

JH discovered NGC 440 = h2396 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "F, S, R, 15" dia." His position (typo corrected at the end of the CGH) matches ESO 113-25 = PGC 4361.

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NGC 441 = ESO 412-019 = MCG -05-04-016 = PGC 4429

01 13 51.1 -31 47 19

V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 135d

24" (9/15/12): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 4:2 WSW-ENE, bright core, increases to the center. A mag 14 star lies 1.2' NE. Second brightest member of ACO S141 with NGC 439 2,6' NNW.

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, weak concentration. A mag 14 star is 1.3' NE. Forms a close pair with NGC 439 2.5' NNW.

JH discovered NGC 441 = h2395 (along with NGC 439 = h2394) on 27 Sep 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; gbM." His position is accurate.

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NGC 442 = UGC 789 = MCG +00-04-054 = CGCG 385-041 = PGC 4484

01 14 38.7 -01 01 14

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 157d

13.1" (9/3/86): Located 3.9' SW of 38 Ceti (V = 5.7). Fairly faint, small, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 450.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 442 = Sw V-12 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 11 seconds of RA west and 15" south of UGC 789 = PGC 4484. His description mentions "B * sf", but the mag 5.7 star is actually northeast.

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NGC 443 = UGC 796 = MCG +05-04-005 = CGCG 502-010 = IC 1653 = PGC 4512

01 15 07.5 +33 22 38

V = 13.0; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.3

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 20' NNW of NGC 447. Identified as IC 1653 in the UGC and CGCG.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 443 = Au 10 = Big. 114 on 8 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen. There is nothing at his single position, but he measured a mag 15 star that he placed 8.3 seconds of time directly west. UGC 796 is 9' due north of his position and 8 seconds west of this galaxy is a very faint star, matching d'Arrest's description. So, this identification is certain. Bigourdan measured an accurate position and noted d'Arrest's error in the remarks section of his second Comptes Rendus list (1887).

Stephane Javelle independently discovered the galaxy on 17 Oct 1903 with the 30-inch refractor at the Nice Observatory, placed it accurately, and Dreyer recatalogued J. 3-849 as IC 1653. UGC, MCG (+05-04-005) and CGCG (502-010) label this galaxy IC 1653, although the primary designation should be NGC 443. Malcolm Thomson noted this error in his unpublished "CGCG Corrections".

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NGC 444 = UGC 810 = MCG +05-04-007 = CGCG 502-015 = IC 1658 = PGC 4561

01 15 49.6 +31 04 50

V = 14.3; Size 1.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 157d

17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 NNW-SSE. A mag 11 star is 3' ESE. Forms a pair with NGC 452 6' SE. Appears fainter than the CGCG magnitude.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 444 on 26 Oct 1854 with Lord Rosse's 72" at Birr Castle while observing NGC 452. The first description reads "vvF ray, elongated NW-SE, without nucleus." The NGC RA is 28 sec too small but Mitchell's description and sketch clearly identifies NGC 444 = UGC 810 = 4561. Javelle later independently discovered the galaxy on 17 Oct 1903 with the 30" refractor at Nice, placed it correctly, and Dreyer recatalogued it as IC 1658. So, NGC 444 = IC 1658 with discovery priority to Mitchell.

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NGC 445 = CGCG 385-047 = PGC 4493

01 14 52.6 +01 55 03

V = 14.1; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 135d

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, very small, round, broad concentration. On a line between a mag 12 star 0.9' WNW and a mag 11 star 1.9' ESE. NGC 435 lies 15' NW. UGC 791 6.3' SW not seen.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 445 = m 37 on 23 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "vF, vS". His position matches CGCG 385-047 = PGC 4493. This galaxy is not included in the MCG, although MCG +00-04-052, located 6.3' SW, is listed as possibly NGC 445.

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NGC 446 = UGC 818 = MCG +01-04-012 = CGCG 411-016 = IC 89 = PGC 4578

01 16 03.6 +04 17 38

V = 12.4; Size 2.0'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, prominent sharp bright core with a nearly stellar nucleus. This galaxy is identified as IC 89 in UGC, CGCG and RC3. NGC 446 lies 19' WSW and NGC 462 is 30' ESE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 446 = m 38 on 23 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48-inch on Malta and recorded "F, vS, stellar". There is nothing at Marth's position but Corwin suggests NGC 446 = UGC 818 = PGC 4578, located exactly 1.0 min of RA east of Marth's position. Javelle independently discovered this galaxy on 20 Aug 1892 with the 30-inch refractor at Nice, placed it correctly, and it was catalogued again as IC 89. UGC, CGCG, MCG and RC3 use IC 89 as the primary designation for this galaxy. Karl Reinmuth also makes the equivalence NGC 446 = IC 89 and gives the IC position. UGC, CGCG (411-010) and RNGC identify UGC 794 = PGC 4494 as NGC 446. This galaxy is located 13 sec of RA east and 7' north of UGC 794, which would require random errors in both directions by Marth instead of a single digit error.

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NGC 447 = UGC 804 = MCG +05-04-006 = CGCG 502-013 = IC 1656 = PGC 4550

01 15 37.6 +33 04 04

V = 14.0; Size 2.2'x2.2'; Surf Br = 15.5

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, round. A mag 15 star is involved at the southeast end. In a group with NGC 449 and NGC 451. Incorrectly identified as NGC 449 in the RNGC, CGCG, UGC.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 447 = Au 11 on 8 Oct 1861with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen. His position (measured on 4 nights) is accurate and he noted the mag 11 star that follows by 9.2 seconds of RA and 110" north as well as an involved star about 18-19th magnitude (the star is closer to mag 15). Auwers included this discovery in his 1862 list of 50 new nebulae.

Barnard independently found this galaxy visually, along with NGC 451, on 25 Oct 1888 using the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory. He noted the "nebula is s.p. comparison star [mag 6 HD 7578] and close n.p. a small star. A 9 1/2m star is s.f. 3'+/- [should read n.f.], a 12m star is s.f. 1/4'." His offset in RA from the bright star (~40 seconds of time) matches NGC 447, though his declination is 1.4' too far north (similar offset as IC 1661 = NGC 451). He reported the discovery directly to Dreyer who recatalogued it as IC 1656. So, NGC 447 = IC 1656. In Barnard's notebook, he later added the comment "This is NGC 447. The star is wrongly located in NGC." See NGC 443 = IC 1653 and NGC 451 = IC 1661 for more duplicate IC entries.

Based on the NGC positions, the RNGC has reversed the identifications of NGC 447 and NGC 449 whose correct orientations should be SW-NE. UGC and CGCG misidentify NGC 447 = PGC 4550 as NGC 449 = IC 1656 and NGC 449 is misidentified as IC 1661 in CGCG. MCG identifies these galaxies correctly. These errors were noted in my RNGC Corrections #3 and Corwin's notes.

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NGC 448 = UGC 801 = MCG +00-04-060 = CGCG 385-051 = PGC 4524

01 15 16.5 -01 37 35

V = 12.1; Size 1.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 116d

17.5" (10/5/91): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, brighter along major axis, bright core, high surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 448 = Sw IV-5 on 2 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is just 5 tsec of RA east and 33" S of UGC 801 = PGC 4524.

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NGC 449 = MCG +05-04-009 = CGCG 502-018 = Mrk 1 = PGC 4587

01 16 07.2 +33 05 22

V = 14.2; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, round, bright core. Forms a close pair with NGC 451 1.9' SE. Located 2.9' SW of mag 6.0 SAO 54567. Incorrectly listed as NGC 447 in RNGC and IC 1661 in CGCG.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 449 = St XII-11 on 11 Nov 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. Stephan's original published position matches CGCG 502-018 = PGC 4587, although the RA is slightly off in the NGC. The RNGC misidentifies NGC 447 as NGC 449 (reversing the identifications of NGC 447 and NGC 449. CGCG labels NGC 449 as IC 1661. Although it is possible that IC 1661 (discovered by Barnard) is a duplicate observation of NGC 449, Corwin feels it is more likely that IC 1661 is a duplicate of NGC 451. See RNGC Corrections #3 and Thomson's "CGCG Corrections".

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NGC 450 = UGC 806 = MCG +00-04-062 = CGCG 385-052 = PGC 4540

01 15 30.4 -00 51 40

V = 11.5; Size 3.1'x2.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 72d

48" (10/22/11): at 610x this double system is dominated by NGC 450, which appeared bright, large, 2.3' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a relatively large 30" bright core, surrounded by a very large, low surface brightness halo. The halo is slightly asymmetric and more extensive on the west side.

Three faint "stars" are superimposed on the east side of the galaxy; two appeared stellar, but the faintest and most westerly object was clearly "soft" at 610x. These are apparently HII knots in the galaxy and the southeast object is listed in NED as UM 311 from the University of Michigan Emission Line Survey.

NGC 450 has a very close companion, UGC 807, which is attached at the northeast side of the halo, 1.4' between centers. UGC 807 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.3', even surface brightness except for a very small brighter nucleus. Despite the fact that UGC 807 appears to form a double system, the companion has a redshift that is over 6x greater than NGC 450, so they are a line-of-sight pair.

13.1" (9/3/86): very large, diffuse, broad concentration, slightly elongated. Located 12.5' NE of 38 Ceti.

WH discovered NGC 450 = H III-440 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and logged as "vF, vL, requires great attention." His RA was 25 tsec too large, but Heinrich d'Arrest provided an accurate position used in the NGC. This system is a noninteracting spiral pair with the companion (UGC 807) over 6 times as distant.

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NGC 451 = IC 1661 = MCG +05-04-011 = CGCG 502-019 = Mrk 976 = PGC 4594

01 16 12.4 +33 03 51

V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, oval. Located 3.3' SSW of mag 6.0 SAO 54567! Forms a close pair with NGC 449 1.9' NW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 451 = St XII-12 on 10 Nov 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches CGCG 502-019 = PGC 4594. Barnard independently found this galaxy visually (along with NGC 447) on 25 Oct 1888 using the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory. He noted it was 6 seconds of time preceding his comparison star (mag 6 HD 7578) and called it "vvF, S, R." The rediscovery was sent directly to Dreyer who recatalogued it as IC 1661, though his declination is 1.2' too far north (similar error with IC 1656 = NGC 447). Barnard later wrote in pen in his notebook that "This is NGC 451". CGCG labels this galaxy IC 1661, though NGC 451 should be the primary designation.

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NGC 452 = VV 430 = UGC 820 = MCG +05-04-010 = CGCG 502-020 =PGC 4596

01 16 14.8 +31 02 02

V = 12.6; Size 2.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 43d

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated SW-NE, bright core. Located 3.2' SE of a mag 10.5 star. Forms a pair with NGC 444 6' NW.

JH discovered NGC 452 = h96 on 22 Nov 1827 and reported "vF; E; a ....and a S * nf at the extremity of the nebula." Part of the description is not readable on my photocopy of Herschel's catalogue but his position is accurate and a star is superimposed at the NE end. The field was observed 7 times using Lord Rosse's 72". R.J. Mitchell's observation on 3 Nov 1855 reads "mE, pB nucleus and a star in north end; np. this neb. is a star of the 9th mag, and about the same distance preceding this star is another neb., vF, mE [NGC 444].

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NGC 453

01 16 17.4 +33 00 51

=***, Corwin.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 453 = St XII-13 on 10 Nov 1881 (same night he discovered NGC 451) with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position corresponds with a collinear triple star 2.2' SSE of NGC 451. The triple is cleanly resolved on the DSS. It is very possible the two brighter (northern) stars were unresolved (nebulous) to Stephan.

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NGC 454 = ESO 151-036 = PGC 4468

01 14 23.0 -55 23 54

V = 12.3; Size 1.8'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.5

Southern object (not observed). ESO 151-36A = PGC 4461 is attached on SW side!

JH discovered NGC 454 = h2397 on 5 Oct 1834 and logged "vF, S, R, bM, 15 arcsec." His position is accurate.

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NGC 455 = Arp 164 = UGC 815 = MCG +01-04-011 = CGCG 411-015 = PGC 4572

01 15 57.6 +05 10 43

V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 165d

17.5" (10/5/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, bright core. Located 2.5' NW of a mag 10.5 star.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 455 = m 39 on 27 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "F, vS, alm stell". His position is 1' N of UGC 815 = PGC 4572

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NGC 456 = ESO 029-SC038 = Kron 65 = Lindsay 94 = SMC-N83A

01 13 44.4 -73 17 26

Size 5'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first of an unusual chain of three nebulous clusters with NGC 460 and NGC 465 within 10'. The best view of the entire group was at 171x using an UHC filter. At 220x the largest in the trio is NGC 456, appearing as a roundish 3' glow with a very small knot embedded in the SE end. A few stars are superimposed (Hodge Association 61) on the glow. NGC 460 lies 4' ESE. Visible in 10x30 IS binoculars.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 456 = D 7 = h2399 on 1 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector and described "a faint round nebula, 35" diameter, with a small star near the south margin, but not involved." D10 is possibly a duplicate observation - the description is similar "an elliptical nebula, about 1' long and 40" broad, with three minute stars in it." and the position is 20' ENE of NGC 456. JH observed this object on at least 3 sweeps from the Cape as the first of 3 nebulous clusters with NGC 460 (observed 4 times) and NGC 465 (recorded once). In addition it appears that h2398, which did not enter the GC or NGC is a 4th observation of h2399 = NGC 456 but with a poor RA. Herschel equated D 7 with h2399.

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NGC 457 = Cr 12 = Mel 7 = OCL-321

01 19 33 +58 17 30

V = 6.4; Size 13'

17.5" (9/19/87): ~150 stars in a beautiful cluster including mag 5 Phi 1 and mag 7 Phi 2 Cassiopeiae. Includes many mag 14-15 stars.

8" (1/1/84): ~75 stars in cluster at 100x.

6: striking bird-shape with two prominent "arms". One of my favorite objects in this scope at 36x.

15x50mm (7/26/06): the cluster was slightly resolved in IS binoculars.

WH discovered NGC 457 = H VII-42 = h97 on 18 Oct 1787 (sweep 769) and described "A star [Phi Cass]. About 50 seconds preceding is a cluster of small scattered stars, not very rich." JH recorded "a double star 10m, pos 324.5°, dist 12", in the midst of a p rich L cl which fills the field. The stars are 10m; one of 7 and 1 of 8m in the sf part."

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NGC 458 = ESO 051-SC026 = Lindsay 96

01 14 54 -71 32 54

V = 11.7

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this cluster is an outlying member of the SMC to the NE of the main body and 70' SE of NGC 362. At 228x, it appears fairly bright, small, 1.5'-2' diameter, brighter core, slightly elongated. The surface brightness is irregular with some mottling but there was no apparent resolution. Three mag 10 stars are on the SW edge of the field, 10' from the cluster.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 458 = D 60 = h2401 on 6 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta and described "a round well-defined nebula, gradually brighter to the centre, about 25" diameter." He made a single observation (no others nearby) and his position is 12' too far east. JH made 2 observations, recording on 12 Aug 1834 "F, L, R, vgbM, 4' dia." Herschel noted the equivalence with D 60.

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NGC 459 = UGC 832 = MCG +03-04-017 = CGCG 459-024 = PGC 4665

01 18 08.1 +17 33 44

V = 14.4; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (8/16/93): extremely faint, very small, round, very low even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is 1' SE. Located 5' WSW of two mag 10/11.5 stars.

WH discovered NGC 459 = H III-205 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 291) and described as "eF, 240 left a doubt, though it rather confirmed it. I perceived it in counting a field, otherwise I should never have suspected it." WH's position for III-205 is 01 18.2 +17 39 which is 7' north of UGC 832 = PGC 4665, and this is the only nearby candidate.

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NGC 460 = ESO 029-S0C39 = Kron 66 = Lindsay 97 = SMC-N84A

01 14 41 -73 17 50

V = 12.5; Size 1.8'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the second of three SMC clusters with NGC 456 and NGC 465 in a chain. At 128x and UHC filter, two close nebulous patches oriented NW-SE were visible, apparently separated by a dark lane. The total diameter is ~2.5'. The northwest component, which corresponds with John Herschel's position, has a very small knot or star in the south end. The fainter southeast section (SMC-N84B/D) has some stars involved (Lindsay 97), including mag 12.5 SK 155, a massive O9-type. Located 4' ESE of NGC 456 with NGC 465 a similar distance southeast. A mag 10 star is close north.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 460 = D 8? = h2402 in 1826 with his 9" reflector and described a "a small oval nebula, about 10" diameter" and his position is just 2' NE of this nebulous cluster. The close match in position might be a pure coincidence given Dunlop's poor positions.

In any case, this SMC cluster/nebula was discovered by JH on 11 Apr 1834 and observed on 4 sweeps. Described as the second of three nebulous clusters with NGC 456 (observed 3 times) and NGC 465 (observed once). JH placed h2402 at a mean position of 01 14 40 -73 18.2 (2000) and this position was used in the GC and NGC. Nevertheless, the declination given in RNGC, Deep Sky Field Guide (first edition only), NGC 2000.0 and Uranometria 2000 Atlas (first edition only) is one degree too far north. The declination given in ESO is correct.

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NGC 461 = ESO 352-033 = PGC 4636

01 17 20.4 -33 50 28

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 23d

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low surface brightness, no concentration. Lies in a barren field with a mag 13 star 3.3' SW. Incorrect position in RNGC and on U2000 atlas.

JH discovered NGC 461 = h2400 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB, R, glbM, 20 arcseconds". There is nothing at his position but 30' S is ESO 352-033 = PGC 4636. He noted in his observation that because he was not able to relocate this galaxy he probably made an error in the declination. So, h2400 = ESO 352-033 = PGC 4636. The RNGC position is 1.1 tmin too far W and 7' S (17' SW) of this galaxy and it is plotted incorrectly on the first edition of Uranometria 2000. MCG (-06-04-002) missed assigning the NGC number.

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NGC 462 = PGC 4667

01 18 10.9 +04 13 34

Size 0.4'x0.4'

17.5" (12/23/92): extremely faint and small, round, visible continuously with averted vision. A mag 13.5 star is 2.5' S. The galaxy is almost collinear with mag 9.2 SAO 109796 5' SE and mag 9.1 SAO 109798 10.5' SE. IC 89 lies 30' WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 462 = m 40 on 23 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, vS, stellar". His position is accurate. This galaxy is not included in the CGCG, MCG, RC3 and UGC.

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NGC 463 = UGC 840 = MCG +03-04-019 = CGCG 459-025 = PGC 4719

01 18 58.2 +16 19 33

V = 14.3; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 4d

17.5" (12/23/92): very faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, very small brighter core, extremely faint extensions. NGC 473 lies 20' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 463 = St III-1 on 16 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 464

01 19 26.7 +34 57 20

=** or asterism of 4*, Gottlieb. Unlikely identification in the RNGC.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 464 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory, Italy, and recorded it in list V at 01 19 33 +34 57.7 (2000). According to Bigourdan who searched for NGC 464, Tempel's entry may refer to a small asterism of four stars close northeast. But just 1' W of his position is a 9" pair of mag 14 stars with a mean position of 01 19 26.7 +34 57 20 (2000). Interestingly, my observing notes with the 17.5" indicate that I thought the close faint double could possibly be a non-stellar object!

RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 4721 as NGC 464. This extremely faint galaxy is located just 6' W of the NGC position and is missing in the CGCG, MCG and UGC. But Corwin mentions that although Tempel included this object in his 5th list, the original observation was made by the BD observers with a 78mm refractor and hence the faint RNGC candidate is not plausible. Listed in my RNGC Corrections #5.

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NGC 465 = ESO 029-SC040 = Kron 67 = Lindsay 99

01 15 42.7 -73 19 27

V = 11.5; Size 4'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the last in a chain of interesting knots and clusters including NGC 456, NGC 460nw and 460se. At 171x it appears as a 4' curving chain of stars (Hodge Association 63) with no central concentration situated 4' following NGC 460. There is possibly some faint haze involved or this is just dim stars (no significant nebulosity shows on the Red DSS 2 image). The entire complex of stars and nebulosity is ~10' in length and fascinating in a 171x field (29').

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 465 = D 9 = h2404 on 1 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector and described "a faint nebula, about 1 1/2' diameter, of an irregular round figure. His position is 6' E of this SMC cluster. JH observed the cluster on 4 Oct 1836 and described it as the third of three "in an irregular line of loose stars and nebula." This object was only recorded on one sweep, though while NGC 456 and 460 were recorded 3 or 4 times.

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NGC 466 = ESO 113-034 = PGC 4632

01 17 13.4 -58 54 36

V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 103d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 466 = h2403 on 3 Oct 1836 and logged "vF, R, gbM, 30" dia." His position matches ESO 113-034 = PGC 4632 although listed as an unverified southern object in the RNGC.

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NGC 467 = UGC 848 = MCG +00-04-079 = CGCG 385-065 = KTG 5A = PGC 4736

01 19 10.1 +03 18 02

V = 11.9; Size 1.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.9

24" (1/12/13): bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, sharply concentrated with a relatively large high surface brightness core that increases to a very small, very bright nucleus. Located 3.5' WNW of mag 7.5 HD 7991. First in a trio with NGC 470 and 474 to the northeast. CGCG 385-068 (which has a similar redshift) lies 6.8' SE.

13.1" (8/24/84): moderately bright, slightly brighter core.

13.1" (11/13/82): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration. Collinear with mag 8.1 SAO 109805 3.6' ESE at midpoint and mag 10 SAO 109809 6.9' ESE. NGC 470 is 11' NE and NGC 474 15' NE.

WH discovered NGC 467 = H I-108 = h99 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and logged "cB, vL, iR, preceding a very bright star." Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate micrometric position.

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NGC 468 = NGC 472 = UGC 870 = MCG +05-04-022 = CGCG 502-034 = PGC 4833

01 20 28.7 +32 42 32

V = 13.0; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0

See observing notes for NGC 472.

JH discovered NGC 468 = h98 on 22 Nov 1827 and recorded "vF; eS; stellar." His position is 3.6' south of IC 92 = CGCG 502-029 = PGC 4780, and this galaxy has been assumed to be NGC 468 until recently.

In March 2015, Harold Corwin checked JH's observing logs (in response to an inquiry from Courtney Seligman about the identity), and found he made an error in reducing the position of NGC 468 by 37 seconds in RA (recording the wrong wire). Once corrected for an additional 37 seconds, the position of h98 = NGC 468 is a close match with UGC 870 -- a significantly brighter galaxy than IC 92. Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 29 Aug 1862, measured an accurate position, and it was catalogued as NGC 472. So, NGC 468 = NGC 472. By historical discovery, the primary designation should be NGC 468, but this galaxy has been known only as NGC 472 up to this time. See Corwin's notes for the full story.

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NGC 469 = MCG +02-04-023 = CGCG 436-024 = Holm 39a = PGC 4753

01 19 32.9 +14 52 19

V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.5'

17.5" (11/30/91): faint, small, round, weak concentration. Located 5.1' NNE of mag 8.6 SAO 92336. Situated just north of a string of three mag 11-13 stars oriented NNW-SSE with a length of 3.3'. Pair with NGC 471 10' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 469 = m 41 (along with NGC 471 and NGC 475) on 3 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted as "eF, S, R". His position is accurate.

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NGC 470 = Arp 227 NED1 = UGC 858 = MCG +00-04-084 = CGCG 385-070 = KTG 5B = PGC 4777

01 19 44.8 +03 24 36

V = 11.8; Size 2.8'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 155d

48" (10/25/14): very bright, large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, ~1.8'x1.2'. The bright core contains an intense circular nucleus. Two spiral arms are visible with the brighter and better defined arm on the southwest side of the core. It extends ~40" SW-NE and is fairly narrow and straight. A second matching arm to the northeast of the core also stretches SW-NE, but has a lower contrast. Neither arm clearly connects to the nucleus, so they appear more as bright arcs.

24" (1/12/13): very bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.8'x0.9', high surface brightness. The halo gradually and weakly increases towards the center and then a sharp increase to a bright, quasi-stellar nucleus. Forms a 5.5' pair with NGC 474 to the east. NGC 467 lies 11' SW.

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly faint, moderately large, diffuse, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, weak concentration at center. Largest of three with NGC 467 11' SW and NGC 474 6' E.

8" (10/13/81): faint, small, round.

WH discovered NGC 470 = H III-250, along with NGC 474, on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and logged both as "Two. vF, vS, R, almost stellar 4' or 5' from each other, nearly in a parallel." On 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) he noted "pB, L, R, mbM." and on 3 Dec 1787 (sweep 788) he noted "pB, cL, R, gbM, the preceding of two."

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NGC 471 = UGC 861 = MCG +02-04-024 = CGCG 436-029 = PGC 4793

01 19 59.6 +14 47 10

V = 13.3; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 85d

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, very small, round, very small very bright core, sharp stellar nucleus. NGC 469 is 10' NW. Superimposed on the distant cluster AGC 175.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 471 = m 42 (along with NGC 469 and NGC 475) on 3 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted as "neb *12m". His dec is 1' N of UGC 861. Engelhardt provided a micrometric position.

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NGC 472 = NGC 468 = UGC 870 = MCG +05-04-022 = CGCG 502-034 = PGC 4833

01 20 28.7 +32 42 32

V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, round, small bright core. Located 3.5' SE of a mag 10 star. IC 92 (generally misidentified as NGC 468) lies 10' WNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 472 on 29 Aug 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 3 nights) and description (he measured the nearby mag 9.7 star as preceding by 14 seconds) corresponds with UGC 870 = PGC 4833. d'Arrest is credited with the discovery in the GC and NGC, but in Mar 2015 Harold Corwin found that JH's h98 = NGC 468, which had previously been equated with IC 92, actually refers to this galaxy. So, NGC 472 = NGC 468, with discovery priority to JH. See NGC 468.

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NGC 473 = UGC 859 = MCG +03-04-022 = CGCG 459-030 = PGC 4785

01 19 55.1 +16 32 41

V = 12.5; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 153d

17.5" (12/23/92): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.4'x0.7', broad concentration, bright core, stellar nucleus. Several bright stars are in the field including three mag 9 stars 5' SE, 10' SSW and 11' NW. NGC 463 lies 20' SW.

13" (10/20/84): moderately large, very diffuse, slightly elongated. Two very faint stars are off the east edge and a mag 9 star follows.

WH discovered NGC 473 = H III-206 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 291) and noted "eF, S." His position is 5' southeast of UGC 859 = PGC 4785, but this is the only nearby galaxy.

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NGC 474 = Arp 227 NED2 = UGC 864 = MCG +00-04-085 = CGCG 385-071 = KTG 5C = PGC 4801

01 20 06.7 +03 24 56

V = 11.5; Size 7.1'x6.3'; Surf Br = 15.5; PA = 75d

48" (10/25/14): the outer halo of NGC 474 was examined closely at 375x for evidence of the outer, concentric shells and circular streams that are visible on deep images. Immediately there was a strong sense of arcs from two more different shells. The easiest arc to confirm was the outermost on the eastern side, which curves south from a mag 13.3 star situated 3.3' NE of center. The arc passes through a mag 16.3 star and extends 30°-40°. A second outer arc on the northeast side is half the distance (~1.6') to the center. This arc has a stronger curvature and measures roughly 60°. Only a single outer arc (slightly more difficult to confirm) was noted on the southwest side, 2'-2.5' from center. My rough sketch shows it also curving ~60°. Additional inner arcs or ripples were strongly sensed in the main halo of the galaxy, but too subtle and fleeting to pinpoint locations. The center is sharply concentrated with a very prominent 1' core. The core itself is sharply concentrated to a small, blazing nucleus.

24" (1/12/13): bright, very large with a huge very low surface brightness halo, extending roughly 4'x3.5' NW-SE. Very sharply concentrated with a very bright, slightly oval core, ~1.0'x0.8', which increases to a small intense nucleus. Largest in a trio with NGC 470 5.5' W and NGC 467 16' SW.

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly bright, small, round, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 470 6' W. NGC 467 lies 15' SW and NGC 479 is 30' NE.

8" (10/13/81): faint, very small, round, bright core. Located 30' ESE of mag 5.2 89 Piscium.

WH discovered NGC 474 = H III-251, along with NGC 470, on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and logged both as "Two. vF, vS, R, almost stellar 4' or 5' from each other, nearly in a parallel." On 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) he noted "pB, pL, mbM." Again on 3 Dec 1787 (sweep 788), he reported "pB, S, R, smbM, the following of 2."

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NGC 475 = IC 97 = PGC 4796

01 20 02.0 +14 51 40

V = 15.0; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (10/4/97): threshold object that was barely glimpsed on a couple of occasions at 280x with averted vision using a GSC finder chart to pinpoint the location. Visible less than 10% of time and would not have detected at all without first knowing precise position. Appeared ~10" diameter but much too faint for any details. Located 4.5' N of NGC 471 and 7' E of NGC 469.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 475 = m 43 on 3 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, S". His original position matches PGC 4796 and Dreyer used Marth's position in the GC Supplement (GCS 5666). But Dreyer's NGC position (supposedly an improved micrometric position from C.H.F. Peters) is 0.3 minutes of RA too far east. Bigourdan independently found this galaxy with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory, listed it as a nova (misidentifying NGC 475 with a star). Dreyer mistakenly assumed this was a new object and catalogued it again as IC 97. So, NGC 475 = IC 97, with NGC 475 the primary designation.

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NGC 476 = MCG +03-04-023 = CGCG 459-033 = Holm 40a = PGC 4814

01 20 19.9 +16 01 13

V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (12/4/93): very faint, very small, 20" diameter, weakly concentrated core. Located just east of distinctive 13' string of six mag 12-13 stars oriented NW-SE including a mag 13 star 3' NW and a mag 11.5 star 3.5' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 476 = m 44 on 3 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, vS, stellar". His position is a close match with PGC 4814.

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NGC 477 = UGC 886 = MCG +07-03-032 = CGCG 536-032 = PGC 4915

01 21 20.3 +40 29 17

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 135d

18" (7/11/10): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration with just a slightly brighter center but no core or zones. A mag 13.5 star lies 0.8' SE. Brightest of three with MCG +07-03-031 2.3' SW ("very faint, small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", low even surface brightness") and MCG +07-03-029 4.4' SW ("barely visible as an extremely faint, elongated glow, roughly 0.4'x0.15'.")

17.5" (8/16/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.5', weakly concentrated but no core, larger halo with averted. A mag 13.5 star is at the SE edge. Forms a very close pair with MCG +07-03-031 2.3' SW.

WH discovered NGC 477 = H III-577 = h100 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) and noted "vF, pL, lE, lbM." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 478 = ESO 476-IG 003 = VV 398 = MCG -04-04-005 = PGC 4803

01 20 08.9 -22 22 40

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 128d

17.5" (12/20/95): very faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, low even surface brightness. Situated between two mag 13.5-14 stars ~1.5' S and a similar star 1.2' NNW. ESO 476-G5 lies 30' SE (picked up first sweeping in the region).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 478 = LM II-302 in 1886 with the 26" refractor of the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is just 14 sec of RA east of ESO 476-003 = PGC 4803.

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NGC 479 = UGC 893 = MCG +01-04-031 = CGCG 411-031 = PGC 4905

01 21 15.7 +03 51 44

V = 13.9; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (12/23/89): very faint, small, round, broad mild concentration. Forms the east vertex of a near equilateral triangle with a mag 11 star 6.6' WSW and a mag 12 star 7' NW. NGC 474 lies 30' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 479 = m 45 on 27 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, S, R". His position is accurate.

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NGC 480 = PGC 4845

01 20 34.3 -09 52 50

V = 15.2; Size 0.5'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 65d

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint and small, round, ~10" diameter. This marginal object required averted vision and the GSC finder chart to glimpse at 280x. Located 8' E of mag 7 SAO 147742 and nearly at the midpoint of two mag 12 stars 3.7' SW and 3.3' NE. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC and this identification of a Leavenworth discovery is uncertain (see notes).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 480 = LM II-304 in 1886 with the 26" Clark refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 25 sec of RA following PGC 4845 (described here). This galaxy satisfies the condition of being 40' S of NGC 481 which is the difference in dec given by Leavenworth and Corwin identifies PGC 4845 = NGC 480. Bigourdan failed to find NGC 480 at Leavenworth's position and the number is listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

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NGC 481 = MCG -02-04-030 = PGC 4899

01 21 12.4 -09 12 40

V = 13.7; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 85d

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, small bright core, fairly bright stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1' NW.

Lewis Swift independently discovered NGC 481 = Sw VI-7 on 20 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory along with Francis Leavenworth (II-303) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick. The discovery priority is unknown. Swift's comment "F * nr np" applies to PGC 4899. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 482 = ESO 296-013 = MCG -07-03-017 = PGC 4823

01 20 20.5 -40 57 59

V = 13.7; Size 2.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 84d

Southern object (not observed). Interacting pair VV 578 = ESO 296-11 17' SSW.

JH discovered NGC 482 = h2405 on 23 Oct 1835 and logged "eF, lE, 20". A difficult object but certain after long attention with the left eye." His position is 1' S of ESO 296-013 = PGC 4823.

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NGC 483 = UGC 906 = MCG +05-04-029 = CGCG 502-050 = PGC 4961

01 21 56.3 +33 31 17

V = 13.2; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.4

24" (10/4/13): fairly bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, high surface brightness, increases gradually to a small bright nucleus. The halo is slightly elongated with averted vision. Two mag 10.2/11 stars lie ~3' E. IC 1679 lies 3' SW (very faint, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 20"x14") and PGC 169764 ("extremely faint and small, round, 8" diameter") is just 1.2' SE. Member of the NGC 507 Group.

13.1" (8/8/86): faint, small, round, weak concentration. There is a string of three stars oriented SSW-NNE following including two mag 10 stars 2.6' ESE and 3' ENE and a mag 13 star 3.8' NE. Member of the NGC 499/507 group.

JH discovered NGC 483 = h102 on 11 Nov 1827 and reported "vF, so that had difficulty in finding it again when it had quitted the field". His declination is 5' S of UGC 906, but it was marked as uncertain in the observation and he assumed it was a reobservation of his father's H III-156 = NGC 495. The NGC position is correct (Heinrich d'Arrest and Herman Schultz provided accurate positions). See Corwin's notes for NGC 499.

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NGC 484 = ESO 113-036 = PGC 4764

01 19 34.9 -58 31 28

V = 12.1; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 94d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 484 = h2406 on 28 Oct 1834 and logged "vB, S, lE, psmbM." His mean position (2 observations) is accurate.

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NGC 485 = UGC 895 = MCG +01-04-032 = CGCG 411-032 = PGC 4921

01 21 27.6 +07 01 07

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 3d

17.5" (11/30/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, weak concentration. Located 3.7' NE of mag 8.6 SAO 109824.

JH discovered NGC 485 = h101 on 8 Jan 1828 and recorded "eF; pL; R; has a red * 7.8m 45 degrees south preceding." Herschel's description and the NGC position (from Heinrich d'Arrest and Herman Schultz) matches UGC 895.

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NGC 486 = PGC 1281966

01 21 43.1 +05 20 47

V = 16.5; Size 0.3'x0.25'

17.5" (10/4/97): A stellar object was glimpsed a few times at my plotted position 5.5' N of NGC 488. On the DSS the nearly stellar galaxy forms a close pair with a very faint star off the NE side. It is possible that I glimpsed this star, which may be brighter than the galaxy.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 486, along with NGC 490, 492 and 500, on 6 Dec 1850 with the 72" at Birr Castle. The field was observed on four nights, although this object was mentioned twice as only "suspected" (labeled Delta on the sketch in the 1880 publication). The micrometric position from the 22 Oct 1876 observation is 339" N (PA 353°) of NGC 488. This corresponds with an extremely faint galaxy along with a faint star. This galaxy is too faint to be included in CGCG, MCG, RC3, PGC but is now listed in HyperLeda as PGC 1281966. RNGC, PGC and DSFG misidentify MCG +01-04-037 = PGC 4975 (situated close southwest of NGC 492) as NGC 486. Discussed in Malcolm Thomson's unpublished Catalogue Corrections.

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NGC 487 = MCG -03-04-056 = PGC 4958

01 21 55.1 -16 22 14

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 112d

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, small, slightly elongated, 30" diameter, weak concentration.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 487 = LM I-27 on 28 Nov 1885. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 0.6 tmin west of PGC 4958. 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 488 = UGC 907 = MCG +01-04-033 = CGCG 411-033 = PGC 4946

01 21 46.8 +05 15 25

V = 10.3; Size 5.2'x3.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 15d

17.5" (11/1/86): bright, large, very bright core, oval 4:3 ~N-S. A mag 11 star is at the south edge just 1.6' SSE of center and a mag 10 star lies 3' SW. Located 9' W of mag 8.3 SAO 109832. In a group with NGC 490 8' NE, NGC 488 5.5' N and NGC 500 18' NE.

WH discovered NGC 488 = H III-252 = h103 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and recorded "vF, pL, iR, lbM." JH gave a more detailed description: "B; L; svmbM, and losing itself imperceptibly; resolvable in centre with 320x; *7m in parallel 1 min following." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 489 = UGC 908 = MCG +01-04-034 = CGCG 11-034 = LGG 023-001 = PGC 4957

01 21 53.9 +09 12 24

V = 12.6; Size 1.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 120d

18" (12/3/05): moderately bright, fairly small, edge-on streak NW-SE, 0.9'x0.2', well concentrated with a very small bright core. Contains a faint quasi-stellar nucleus with direct vision. Furthest west of a large group of galaxies in the NGC 524 group.

17.5" (10/17/87): moderately bright, fairly small, edge-on WNW-ESE, bright core. Member of the NGC 524 group with NGC 502 18' SE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 489 on 22 Dec 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 3 nights) and description (he also noted the double star that precedes by 22 seconds) matches PGC 4957.

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NGC 490 = MCG +01-04-035 = CGCG 411-035 = PGC 4973

01 22 02.9 +05 22 02

V = 14.3; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (11/1/86): very faint, small, round, bright core. Located 8' NE of NGC 488. Forms the northern vertex of an equilateral triangle with NGC 488 and mag 8.3 SAO 109832 8' SE. Seeing conditions very poor.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 490 (along with NGC 486, 492 and 500) on 6 Dec 1850 with Lord Rosse's 72", during his observation of NGG 488. Shown as Beta in the sketch and described as "vvF". The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 491 = ESO 352-053 = MCG -06-04-011 = PGC 4914

01 21 20.2 -34 03 49

V = 12.5; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 93d

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, slightly brighter along major axis. A mag 13.5 star is off the west edge 50" WSW of core. ESO 352-041 lies 27' W.

8" (1/1/84): extremely faint, round, very small, threshold object. A mag 13.5 star is off the west edge.

JH discovered NGC 491 = h2407 on 25 Sep 1834 and reported "B, vlE, pgmbM, near a vS star." His mean position (2 observations) and description matches ESO 352-053 = PGC 4914.

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NGC 492 = MCG +01-04-038 = CGCG 411-036 = PGC 4976

01 22 13.6 +05 25 01

V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low surface brightness, no concentration. On line with a mag 12 star 3.7' NW and a faint pair of mag 14-14.5 stars [at 22" separation] 2' NW. Forms a close pair with MCG +01-04-037 1' SW (not seen). NGC 492 is located 12' NE of NGC 488 member with several other faint galaxies (NGC 486 8.5' SW, NGC 490 4' SW, NGC 500 7' ESE) in the field.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 492 on 6 Dec 1850 with Lord Rosse's 72", during his observation of the NGC 488 field. Shown as Delta in the sketch and described as "vvF". The sketch and position clearly identifies NGC 492 = PGC 4976 and the sketch appears to show a faint double star mentioned in my notes close NW.

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NGC 493 = UGC 914 = MCG +00-04-099 = CGCG 385-084 = PGC 4979

01 22 09.1 +00 56 47

V = 12.5; Size 3.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 58d

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 3.5'x1.0', weakly concentrated.

WH discovered NGC 493 = H III-594 = h105 on 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) and logged "vF, mE, bM, 3.5' long, 1.5' broad."

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NGC 494 = UGC 919 = MCG +05-04-034 = CGCG 502-057 = PGC 5035

01 22 55.4 +33 10 26

V = 12.9; Size 2.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 100d

24" (10/4/13): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 50"x20", large bright elongated core. A mag 15.5 star is at the south edge [16" from center]. A wide pair of mag 13.5 stars lie 1.4' SW and a similar star is 1.4' SE. Located near the center of the NGC 507 Group with IC 1685 2.6' NE, NGC 504 7' ENE, NGC 507 11' NE and IC 1682 10' NW. IC 1685 appeared very faint, extremely small, round, 10" diameter.

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, bright core. A wide mag 13 double star at 30" separation is just 1' SW. Forms the vertex of a right triangle with mag 7.8 SAO 54647 8' NNE and mag 8.7 SAO 54632 11' WNW. First in a group with NGC 504 7' ENE, NGC 507 11' NE, NGC 508 12' NE and IC 1685 2.5' NE (seen in 17.5" only).

JH discovered NGC 494 = h104 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged "vF; E; has a D* to s". His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 495 = UGC 920 = MCG +05-04-035 = CGCG 502-058 = WBL 038-008 = PGC 5037

01 22 55.9 +33 28 18

V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 170d

24" (10/4/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 30"x20", contains a small bright core. Bracketed by two 14th magnitude stars 1' SSW and 1' NNE. Located in the core of the NGC 507 group (actually the NGC 499 subgroup), with NGC 499 3.3' ESE, NGC 498 3.4' ENE, IC 1684 3.5' S, NGC 496 4.8' NE and NGC 501 6' SE.

13.1" (8/8/86): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core. Located midway two mag 14 stars 1.1' SSW and 1.1' NNE. First of three with NGC 496 4.8' NE and NGC 499 3.3' ESE. Located in a rich galaxy group.

WH discovered NGC 495 = H III-156, along with NGC 496 and NGC 499, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged "Three [along with NGC 496 and 499], eS and F, forming a triangle." He observed this trio again the next night (sweep 271) in more detail: "Three, forming a [right triangle]; the [right angle] to the south [NGC 499], the short leg preceding [NGC 495], the long towards the north [NGC 496]. Those in the legs [NGC 495 and 496] the faintest imaginable; that at the rectangle [NGC 499] a deal larger and brighter, but still vF." The NGC position (from Heinrich d'Arrest and Herman Schultz) is accurate.

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NGC 496 = UGC 927 = MCG +05-04-036 = CGCG 502-060 = WBL 038-010 = PGC 5061

01 23 11.6 +33 31 48

V = 13.3; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 28d

24" (10/4/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.45', low fairly even surface brightness with a weak concentration. but no distinct core. Located in the NGC 499 subgroup of the NGC 507 Group with NGC 498 2.4' S, NGC 499 4.2' S, NGC 495 4.8' SW and NGC 501 6.3' SSE.

13.1" (8/8/86): faint, low even surface brightness. Second and largest of three with NGC 495 4.8' SW and NGC 499 4.2' S.

WH discovered NGC 496 = H III-157, along with NGC 495 and NGC 499, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and observed again the next night (sweep 271). See description under NGC 495. The NGC position is 0.1 tmin west and 1' south of UGC 927 = PGC 5061.

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NGC 497 = Arp 8 = UGC 915 = MCG +00-04-100 = CGCG 385-085 = PGC 4992

01 22 23.8 -00 52 30

V = 13.0; Size 2.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 132d

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is 2.2' SE of center. Located northwest of the core of AGC 194.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 497 = St XII-14 on 6 Nov 1882 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate. Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy again on 31 Oct 1886 with his 16" Clark refractor and recorded it in list V-13.

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NGC 498 = MCG +05-04-037 = PGC 5059

01 23 11.3 +33 29 22

V = 15.0; Size 0.5'x0.5'

24" (10/4/13): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 15"x12", low surface brightness. Located 1.8' N of NGC 499 and 2.4' S of NGC 496, on a line between the two brighter galaxies. This is perhaps the faintest NGC galaxy in the NGC 507 Group.

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint and small, no details visible. This very difficult object was only detected after extended viewing at 220x, 280x and 420x. Finally started to glimpse a virtually stellar spot for moments at 280x using a detailed finder chart to pinpoint the location. Located 1.7' N of NGC 499 and 2.4' S of NGC 496 within the cluster.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 498 on 23 Oct 1856 with Lord Rosse's 72" and placed on two sketches (object D in the original sketch) in the field of NGC 499. His description says "only suspected", but the object is placed correctly on the sketch between NGC 496 and 499.

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NGC 499 = UGC 926 = MCG +05-04-038 = CGCG 502-059 = LGG 024-002 = IC 1686 = PGC 5060

01 23 11.5 +33 27 37

V = 12.2; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 82d

24" (10/4/13): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 60"x45", well concentrated with a very bright core. Brightest member of a subgroup of the NGC 507 Group with NGC 498 1.8' N, NGC 501 2.8' SE, NGC 498 3.4' WNW, NGC 496 4.2' N.

13.1" (8/8/86): moderately bright, moderately large, very bright core with a much fainter halo! Third of three with NGC 495 3.3' WNW and NGC 496 4.2' N.

WH discovered NGC 499 = H III-158 = h106, along with NGC 495 and 496, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and the trio was observed again the next night (sweep 271). See NGC 495 for his description. JH made two observations and recorded (sweep 100) "pB; R; bM. Nebulae numerous hereabouts."

Stephane Javelle independently found this nebula on 1 Dec 1899 with the Nice Observatory 30" refractor and it was also catalogued as IC 1686. His position is 1.7' S of NGC 499 (matches in RA) but this is a similar offset that he gave for IC 1684 and IC 1692. This makes the equivalence NGC 499 = IC 1686 pretty certain, although Javelle claims he also measured NGC 499 so there is still some doubt on the equivalence.

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NGC 500 = MCG +01-04-040 = CGCG 411-039 = PGC 5013

01 22 39.4 +05 23 14

V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (12/23/92): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration, stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 1' NE. Located 10' NE of a mag 8 star. NGC 490 is 9' WSW and NGC 488 18' SW.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 500, along with NGC 486, 490 and 492, on 6 Dec 1850 with Lord Rosse's 72" while examining the NGC 488 field. NGC 500 is labeled Epsilon on the sketch in the 1861 and 1880 publications and simply described as "vF."

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NGC 501 = CGCG 502-062 = PGC 5082

01 23 22.4 +33 25 59

V = 14.5; Size 0.4'x0.4'

24" (10/4/13): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20"x15", very small brighter nucleus. Located 2.8' SE of NGC 499 and 1.8' SW of a mag 11.3 star in the NGC 507 Group.

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Can just hold continually with averted vision once identified. Located 2.8' SE of NGC 499 in a cluster. A mag 10.5 star lies 1.8' NE.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 501 on 28 Oct 1856 using Lord Rosse's 72". It was sketched as object "E" and described as "vF, S."

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NGC 502 = UGC 922 = MCG +01-04-043 = CGCG 411-040 = LGG 023-002 = PGC 5034

01 22 55.6 +09 02 57

V = 12.8; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core ~10" diameter.

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, small, small bright core, possible faint stellar nucleus. Member of the NGC 524 group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 502 on 25 Sep 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 4 nights) matches UGC 922 = PGC 5034. The identifications of NGC 502 and NGC 505 are reversed in the MCG and should read NGC 502 = MCG +01-04-041 and NGC 505 = MCG +01-04-043.

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NGC 503 = MCG +05-04-040 = CGCG 502-065 = WBL 038-014 = PGC 5086

01 23 28.4 +33 19 55

V = 14.3; Size 0.4'x0.3'

24" (10/4/13): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20"x15". Two mag 13.4/13.8 stars 0.6' SE and 1.1' SE are collinear with the galaxy. Located 4' NE of mag 7.6 HD 8347 and 5' NNW of NGC 507, in the central hub of the cluster.

17.5" (10/4/97): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Collinear with two mag 13.5 stars 0.6' SE and 1.0' SE. Located 4' NE of mag 7.5 SAO 54647 within the NGC 507 Group (NGC 507/508 in the field).

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 503 on 13 Aug 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His single micrometric position is an exact match with CGCG 502-065 = PGC 5086. He was uncertain if it might be one of WH's III 156-158 [NGC 495, 496, 499].

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NGC 504 = NGC 506: = UGC 935 = MCG +05-04-041 = CGCG 502-064 = PGC 5084

01 23 27.9 +33 12 16

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 47d

24" (10/4/13): fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, ~40"x16", well-concentrated with a very bright elongated nucleus and faint extensions. Located 4' SW of NGC 507 in the core of the NGC 507 Group. IC 1687 is 4.7' NNW, NGC 508 5.2' NE, NGC 494 7' WSW.

13.1" (8/8/86): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, small bright core. First of three with NGC 507 4' NNE and NGC 508 5.3' NNE. Also NGC 494 lies 7.2' WSW.

JH discovered NGC 504 = h107 = Au 12 on 22 Nov 1827. No visual description was recorded but he noted this nebula "precedes III.159 [NGC 507] by about 10 sec, and is half a field to the south of it." Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this object on 8 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen and assumed it was new. His observation was included in Auwers 1862 catalogue of new nebulae. JH catalogued the two observations separately as GC 291 and 292, but Dreyer combined these in the NGC.

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NGC 505 = UGC 924 = MCG +01-04-041 = PGC 5036

01 22 57.1 +09 28 08

V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1

18" (12/3/05): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Contains a faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. Located 7' WNW of NGC 509 in the NGC 524 group.

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, extremely small, round. NGC 509 lies 7' ESE.

13" (8/24/84): extremely faint, slightly elongated ~E-W? Located 7' WNW of NGC 509 in the NGC 524 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 505 = m 46 on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS, stellar". His position is accurate.

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NGC 506

01 23 35.3 +33 14 41

V = 15.3

24" (10/4/13): this number probably applies to a mag 15.3 star 1.3' SW of the center of NGC 507, beyond the halo.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 506 on 7 Nov 1874 during the 8th and last observation of the NGC 499/507 Group. There is no description but a micrometric measure is given 223.1" in PA 153.7° from mag 7.6 HD 8347 at 01 23 12.1 +33 17 24 (J2000). There is no object at this offset but the NGC position is further southeast (perhaps Dreyer had additional information) and the NGC description adds "sp 507". Near this position is a single star given here that Corwin identifies as NGC 506. RNGC mistakenly equates NGC 506 with NGC 504.

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NGC 507 = Arp 229 NED1 = VV 207a = UGC 938 = MCG +05-04-044 = CGCG 502-067 = PGC 5098

01 23 40.0 +33 15 22

V = 11.2; Size 3.1'x3.1'; Surf Br = 13.5

24" (10/4/13): bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, sharply concentrated with a blazing core that increases to the center. The outer halo gradually fades out, so there is no distinct edge, but just beyond the halo on the north side is NGC 508 (1.5' between centers). A number of galaxies are nearby including NGC 504 4' SW, IC 1687 4.6' WNW, PGC 5100 3.0' S, CGCG 502-072 5.1' NE ("fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter") and NGC 503 5.2' NNW. A mag 14.3 star is just off the NW side, 1.3' from center and a mag 15.3 star (= NGC 506) is off the southwest side, 1.3' from center. Mag 7.6 HD 8347 lies 6.2' WNW.

13.1" (8/8/86): moderately bright, moderately large, round, very bright core. Second of three with NGC 508 1.5' N and NGC 504 4' SSW in a large group. Located 6' ESE of mag 7.8 SAO 54647.

WH discovered NGC 507 = H III-159 = h108, along with NGC 508 = III-160, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and recorded both as "Two. Both eF, S, but unequal." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 508 = Arp 229 NED2 = VV 207b = UGC 939 = MCG +05-04-045 = CGCG 502-068 = PGC 5099

01 23 40.6 +33 16 51

V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.6

24" (10/4/13): moderately bright to fairly bright, moderately large, round, broad concentration with a brighter nucleus. Forms a close pair with NGC 507 1.5' S in the central region of the NGC 507 Group. Also nearby is NGC 503 3.9' NW, CGCG 502-72 4.2' NE, IC 1687 4.6' W and NGC 504 5.3' SW. Mag 7.6 HD 8347 lies 6' W.

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, round. Forms a close pair with NGC 507 1.5' S. Third of three with NGC 504 5.3' SSW. Located 6' E of mag 7.8 SAO 54647.

WH discovered NGC 508 = H III-160 = h109, along with NGC 507, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and recorded both as "Two. Both eF, S, but unequal." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 509 = UGC 932 = MCG +01-04-045 = CGCG 411-043 = LGG 023-011 = PGC 5080

01 23 24.1 +09 26 01

V = 13.4; Size 1.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 82d

18" (12/3/05): faint, fairly small, elongated nearly 2:1 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.5', broad weak concentration. Situated between two mag 13.8/14.3 stars less than 2' SW and NNE. NGC 505 lies 7' WNW. Member of the NGC 524 group.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, small, elongated ~E-W. Located between a mag 14 star 1.9' SW and a mag 13.5 star 1.4' N. Forms a pair with NGC 505 7' WNW in the NGC 524 group.

13" (8/24/84): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W. Two faint stars are north and south.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 509 = m 47 on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, S, E." His position is accurate.

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NGC 510

01 23 55.6 +33 29 49

17.5" (10/4/97): this is a faint and difficult double star that was just resolved at 280x. The fainter eastern component is difficult to cleanly resolve [separation 8"] and it is easy to imagine that Schultz would mistake this oibject as nonstellar. Located 7' ESE of NGC 499 and 9' WNW of NGC 515 in the field of the NGC 507 Group. The RNGC mislabels PGC 5102 as NGC 510.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 510 = Nova V on 11 Nov 1866 with the 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala Observatory. At Schultz's micrometric position (44 seconds following NGC 499) is a close, faint double star (also observed by Bigourdan) with a separation of 8" and mean position of 01 23 55.6 +33 29 49. The RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 5102 as NGC 510. PGC 5102 is 32 sec east in RA and 3' S of NGC 499. Discussed in Malcolm Thomson's "Catalogue Corrections".

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NGC 511 = UGC 936 = MCG +02-04-033 = CGCG 436-037 = PGC 5103

01 23 30.7 +11 17 27

V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (10/17/87): very faint, very small, round. A mag 14 star is attached at the south edge 17" from center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 511 = St VIII-4 on 26 Oct 1876 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His description reads "eF, diffuse, vS, S* inv, S* attached". His description and position matches UGC 936 = PGC 5103, with the two faint stars on the west side.

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NGC 512 = UGC 944 = MCG +06-04-013 = CGCG 521-018 = PGC 5132

01 23 59.8 +33 54 30

V = 13.2; Size 1.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 116d

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated WNW-ESE. A mag 14 star is just off the SE edge 0.6' from center and a mag 12 star is 1.6' SSW. Located 6.5' NE of a mag 11 star. NGC 513 lies 9' SE. The RNGC misidentifies NGC 512 with a faint companion 2.5' S.

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, small, edge-on streak NW-SE, requires averted.

JH discovered NGC 512 = h110 on 17 Nov 1827 and recorded "vF; vS." His position (from a single observation) is just 23" S of UGC 944. The new description in the RNGC refers to CGCG 521-017, located 2.5' S of NGC 512. The bright, elongated companion mentioned as 2' N of NGC 512, actually refers to NGC 512! This misidentification was mentioned in my RNGC Corrections #1 and the Webb Society Quarterly Journal in April 1980.

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NGC 513 = UGC 953 = MCG +06-04-016 = CGCG 521-020 = PGC 5174

01 24 26.8 +33 47 59

V = 12.9; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.1; PA = 75d

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration. Located at the NE end of a line of four mag 12-13 stars which extend to SW; the closest mag 13.5 star is 0.9' SW and is followed by a second parallel line of stars. NGC 512 lies 9' NW. Incorrect RA by 0.6 minutes west in the RNGC and plotted incorrectly on the U2000.

WH discovered NGC 513 = H III-169 = h111 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and simply noted "stellar." This object is in a large group of galaxies found on this sweep using Beta Andromedae as a reference star. Seven of these objects have varying errors in RA except for NGC 404. In this case, Herschel's RA is off by ~30 seconds from UGC 953. JH made the single observation "F; S" and measured a good position.

The RA in the RNGC is also 0.6 min too far west and the galaxy is misplotted on the first version of Uranometria 2000. The position is given correctly in UGC and RC3. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 514 = UGC 947 = MCG +02-04-035 = CGCG 436-038 = PGC 5139

01 24 03.9 +12 55 03

V = 11.6; Size 3.5'x2.8'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 110d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly large, 2.5'x2.0', elongated ~E-W, broad weak concentration, edges fade into background, low surface brightness but granular or mottled texture. Located 3.1' WNW of a mag 9.5 star. A mag 13.5 star is 3.4' SW. Several faint stars are very close including a mag 14 star at the NE edge and a mag 15 star at the south edge 1.5' from center.

8" (1/1/84): faint, moderately large, very diffuse, even surface brightness. A mag 9 star off the east edge interferes with viewing.

WH discovered NGC 514 = H II-252 = h112 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 295) and logged "F, pL, oval, lbM, preceding a pretty bright star." This galaxy was observed 6 times using Lord Rosse's 72". The earliest observation on 13 Dec 1848 noted "h's D* [referring to John Herschel's h 13] is triple and perhaps quadruple. 2 nuclei or nucleus and star in nebula." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 515 = UGC 956 = MCG +05-04-052 = CGCG 502-077 = PGC 5201

01 24 38.6 +33 28 22

V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x1.1'

24" (10/4/13): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 ~NW-SE, ~36"x24", fairly well concentrated with a bright core. A mag 15.7 star is superimposed on the NW side. Forms a pair with NGC 517 2.9' SE. Located on the east side of the NGC 507 Group.

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, faint stellar nucleus. An extremely faint mag 16 star is suspected at the NW end (confirmed on the POSS). Forms a pair with NGC 517 3' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 515 = H III-167 = h113, along with NGC 517, on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271 using Beta Andromedae as the reference star). WH simply noted "Two, both stellar" and his single position (marked uncertain) is about 35 sec of RA east of UGC 956. JH made the single observation "Precedes [NGC 517] and is 2' north." Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (4 nights) and noted the error in WH's position.

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NGC 516 = UGC 946 = MCG +01-04-048 = CGCG 411-046 = LGG 023-004 = PGC 5148

01 24 08.1 +09 33 06

V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 44d

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, moderately large, appears as a thin streak, ~1.0'x0.25' oriented SW-NE, weak concentration, bulging core and tapering extensions. Member of the NGC 524 group.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, very elongated SW-NE, weak concentration. Located 10' W of NGC 524.

13" (8/24/84): faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, even surface brightness. Located about 10' W of NGC 524.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 516 on 25 Sep 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His mean position and offset from NGC 524 (41 seconds preceding) is an exact match with UGC 946 = PGC 5148.

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NGC 517 = VV 36a = UGC 960 = MCG +05-04-054 = CGCG 502-079 = PGC 5214

01 24 43.8 +33 25 47

V = 12.4; Size 2.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 20d

24" (10/4/13): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, ~45"x22", well concentrated with a bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 515 2.9' NNW. Member of the NGC 507 Group.

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE. Appears slightly brighter than NGC 515 3' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 517 = H III-168 = h114, along with NGC 515, on on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271 using Beta Andromedae as the reference star). WH simply noted "Two, both stellar" and his single position (marked uncertain) is about 35 sec of RA east of NGC 515 = UGC 956. JH made the single observation "pB; R". Heinrich d'Arrest measured a pretty accurate position (3 nights). See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 518 = UGC 952 = MCG +01-04-049 = CGCG 411-047 = LGG 023-009 = PGC 5161

01 24 17.7 +09 19 52

V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 98d

18" (12/3/05): faint or fairly faint, very elongated E-W, 1.0'x0.3', weak concentration with a slightly brighter core, irregular surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star lies 1' SW. Located 2.5' SW of a mag 10.5 star.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, fairly small, very elongated ~E-W, weak concentration. A mag 14 star is off the SSW side 0.9' from center. Located 2.5' SW of a mag 10 star and 15' SSW of NGC 524 in a group.

13" (8/24/84): very faint, small, elongated ~E-W. A mag 10 star is NE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 518 = m 48 on 17 Dec 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "F, vS, R." His position is 1' S of UGC 952 = PGC 5161.

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NGC 519 = CGCG 385-103 = PGC 5182

01 24 28.6 -01 38 29

V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 140d

17.5" (9/19/87): extremely faint and small, round. A mag 14 star is 45" S. Member of the AGC 194 cluster.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 519 = Sw VI-8 (along with NGC 530, 538, 557) on 20 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 7 sec of RA west and 1.3' south of CGCG 385-103 = PGC 5182.

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NGC 520 = Arp 157 = VV 231 = UGC 966 = MCG +01-04-052 = CGCG 411-050 = PGC 5193

01 24 34.4 +03 47 42

V = 11.4; Size 4.5'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 130d

48" (10/22/11): the view of this very bright, highly irregular, disrupted galaxy was fascinating at 488x. The most prominent feature is a very high surface brightness curving "bar" oriented NW-SE (VV 231a), bending out in the middle towards the southwest, and fading out on the southeast end with a faint extension. The total length of the banana-shaped bar is close to 2.5'. The brightest part is at the northwest end, where there is a large, bright knot, 24" diameter that increases to the center. In AJ, 134, 212 (2007), Rossa et all refer to this knot as the northern nucleus. The edge of the bar is very well defined along the north side. At the southeast end of the main bar, the brightness dims sharply but a much fainter hazy glow continues further southeast (VV 231c) and spreads out.

On the south side is a fairly bright, elongated section oriented WNW-ESE (VV 231b), that is separated from the northern "bar" by a prominent, irregular dark lane running NW to SE, paralleling the bar in the central region. A slightly brighter "knot" is located is the middle of the southern section. According to the Rossa paper, the dust lane just north of this knot optically obscures the southern nucleus. At the southeast end, the glow dims rapidly and fans out further southeast.

18" (10/19/06): bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 2'x0.6'. This disturbed galaxy has a very unusual appearance with a bright knot at the NNW end. The SSE end is wider and fainter and appears to feather out with a fainter, more delicate section that branches from the main body (VV 231b). The periphery at the SSE end is difficult to trace due to this chaotic structure.

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 3.0'x1.2'. Very unusual appearance; the NW portion is noticeably brighter with a bright knot at the NW tip and a mottled texture. Fades towards the SE where it merges into a fainter section which is tilted ~E-W with an irregular surface brightness and ill-defined edges.

8" (11/28/81): faint, diffuse, elongated N-S.

WH discovered NGC 520 = H III-253 = h116 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and remarked "eF, cL, E." On 3 Dec 1787 (sweep 788), he reported "cL, E from sp to nf." Using LdR's 72", Bindon Stoney wrote on 18 Dec 1851, "South end is like a brush or broom with a split in it." His sketch was included in the 1861 publication (as well as 1880). A second observation on 9 Nov 1876 reads "Lord Rosse thought it had two points of condensation 3/4' apart. I (Dreyer) thought it spread out in the following end like a fan. Not well seen."

In Arp's category of disturbed galaxies with interior absorption.

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NGC 521 = UGC 962 = MCG +00-04-118 = CGCG 385-106 = PGC 5190

01 24 33.8 +01 43 53

V = 11.7; Size 3.2'x2.9'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 20d

13.1" (1/1/84): sharply concentrated with a very small bright core surrounded by a fairly large but very diffuse round envelope. Located 14' W of NGC 533.

WH discovered NGC 521 = H II-461 = h115 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and recorded "F, pL, irr R, bM." On 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) he noted "vF, R, vgbM, 1 1/2' diam." JH made two observations, calling it "B" and "vF" on the two sweeps. R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 3 Oct 1856, logged "pB, S, disc enveloped in F outlying neby and looks like an unresolved cluster." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 522 = UGC 970 = MCG +02-04-038 = CGCG 436-043 = FGC 163 = LGG 023-009 = PGC 5218

01 24 45.9 +09 59 40

V = 12.9; Size 2.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 33d

18" (12/3/05): faint to fairly faint edge-on streak SW-NE, 1.2'x0.2'. This is a pretty slash with a slightly brighter core. Fades at the tips but uniformly narrow in width (does not bulge in the center). NGC 525 lies 17' S within the NGC 524 group. A couple of faint members, IC 101 and IC 102, lie 10' SW and 8' SW.

IC 101 is a faint hazy spot, irregularly round, ~20"-25" diameter. A mag 14.5 star lies 1' S. IC 102 is extremely faint, very small, 15" diameter, no details. This marginal object was just glimpsed as drifted through the field.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, pretty edge-on steak SSW-NNE, weak concentration. Located 27' N of NGC 524 in a group.

13" (8/24/84): very faint, edge-on streak SSW-NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 522 on 25 Sep 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His mean position (2 observations) matches UGC 962 = PGC 5190.

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NGC 523 = Arp 158 = NGC 537 = UGC 979 = MCG +06-04-018 = CGCG 521-022 = IV Zw 45 = VV 783 = PGC 5268

01 25 20.8 +34 01 30

V = 12.7; Size 2.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 108d

24" (11/24/14): fairly bright, moderately bright, very elongated 7:2 ~E-W, ~1.1'x0.3'. This disrupted galaxy (or merger) appeared very asymmetric, widening a bit at the east end and tapering slightly to the west. A small, relatively bright knot (HII complex or core of companion?), ~10" diameter, is at the east end. An easily visible mag 14-14.5 star is embedded at the west end. The main body, which extends ~40" from the knot to the star, is fairly thin and only very weakly brighter in the center. With careful viewing, a very faint narrow plume extends west of the main glow.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, thin edge-on 4:1 ~E-W. Located north of the NGC 483-517 cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 523 on 23 Aug 1862 and described this galaxy as a "Double Nebula, F, S, both very near. A *11 precedes by 11.65 seconds." As he noted this object as a "Nebula duplex", he apparently saw the knot at the east end (identified in NED as NGC 523 NED02). WH probably discovered this galaxy earlier on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271) and simply noted H III-170 = NGC 537 as "stellar". His RA readings for objects in this sweep are poor (given to the nearest minute) and assuming H III-170 has an error of about 55 sec in RA, then NGC 523 = NGC 537. The eastern knot was the site of SN 2001EN.

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NGC 524 = UGC 968 = MCG +01-04-053 = CGCG 411-051 = LGG 023-005 = PGC 5222

01 24 47.8 +09 32 19

V = 10.3; Size 2.8'x2.8'; Surf Br = 12.3

18" (12/3/05): very bright, large, round, well concentrated with a bright core increasing to a very bright small nucleus. The halo extends to 2.0' or 2.5'. A mag 11 star lies 2.3' S of center. Brightest in a large group of 8 NGC galaxies and a few IC galaxies.

17.5" (10/17/87): very bright, fairly large, very bright core, large faint halo, bright stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 2.5' S. Brightest in the NGC 524 group including NGC 505, NGC 509, NGC 516, NGC 518, NGC 522, NGC 525, NGC 532.

13" (8/24/84): bright, small very bright core surrounded by fainter round halo.

8" (11/8/80): fairly faint, round, bright core. Located just north of a mag 10 star.

WH discovered NGC 524 = H I-151 = h117 on 4 Sep 1786 (sweep 581) and logged "cB, cL, R, cometic, vgmbM to a nucleus, several small stars near." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 525 = UGC 972 = MCG +01-04-054 = CGCG 411-053 = PGC 5232

01 24 52.9 +09 42 12

V = 13.2; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 5d

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~50"x40", symmetrical appearance and increases steadily to a brighter core and faint stellar nucleus. Member of the NGC 524 group. A mag 11 star lies 2' NW.

17.5" (10/17/87): faint, very small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Located 2' SE of a mag 10.5 star in the NGC 524 group.

13" (8/24/84): faint, small, almost round.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 525 on 25 Sep 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His mean position (2 observations) is fairly accurate and also noted the nearby mag 11-12 star (2' northwest) as 5 seconds preceding and 1.5' north.

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NGC 526 = ESO 352-IG 066nw = MCG -06-04-019 = PGC 5120

01 23 54.2 -35 03 56

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 112d

17.5" (11/1/97): at first impression appeared as a very faint, small glow, slightly elongated WNW-ESE. After extended viewing, it resolved at times into a close double system with NGC 526B = MCG -06-04-020 = PGC 5135, [35" between centers] and oriented WNW-ESE. Both galaxies had very small brighter cores at moments. Forms a trio with NGC 527 3.1' S.

JH discovered NGC 526 = h2408 (along with NGC 527 = h2409) on 1 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB, S, rather a doubtful object. The preceding of two [with NGC 527]". On a later sweep he noted "vF;; S; lE; this is the "doubtful" neb of a former sweep." This double system consists of NGC 526A = PGC 5120 and NGC 526B = PGC 5135.

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NGC 527 = ESO 352-068 = MCG -06-04-021 = PGC 5128

01 23 58.1 -35 06 54

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 14d

17.5" (11/1/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.4', weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. A mag 13 star lies 1' NE. The double system NGC 526 is 3.1' N. NGC 527, itself, is a double system with MCG -06-04-022 = PGC 5142 (not seen), a faint edge-on system, close following the south end and just 46" between centers.

JH discovered NGC 527 = h2409 (along with NGC 526 = h2408) on 1 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB, S, E, bM, 20". The following of 2 [with NGC 526]".

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NGC 528 = UGC 988 = MCG +05-04-057 = CGCG 502-083 = PGC 5290

01 25 33.6 +33 40 18

V = 12.5; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 55d

13.1" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, bright core. There is a string of mag 10 stars to the north including two mag 10.5 stars 3.6' NNW and 7.6' NE and a mag 9.5 star 5.6' NNE. Two bright stars lie SE including a mag 10 star 6' SSE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 528, which was missed by both Herschels, on 22 Aug 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His single position is quite accurate.

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NGC 529 = UGC 995 = MCG +06-04-019 = CGCG 521-023 = HCG 10b = PGC 5299

01 25 40.3 +34 42 47

V = 12.1; Size 2.4'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 160d

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, fairly small, bright core. Located 10' NW of mag 6.3 SAO 54695. Brightest along with NGC 536 8.5' E in the HCG 10 group.

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, diffuse. Located among group of 4-5 mag 10-11 stars with a mag 6 star 10' ESE. Brightest in a group.

JH discovered NGC 529 = h118 on 17 Nov 1827 and recorded "pB; vS; sbM. The preceding of two [with H III-171 = NGC 536]. Corwin suggests that NGC 529 = UGC 995 was probably discovered earlier by William Herschel and catalogued as H III-171, but with an error in RA of over 1 min. But Wolfgang Steinicke argues that III-171 = NGC 536, based on analyzing the sweep order. R.J. Mitchell, LdR's assistant, discovered the other two members of HCG 10 in 1855.

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NGC 530 = UGC 965 = MCG +00-04-119 = IC 106 = PGC 5210

01 24 41.7 -01 35 14

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 134d

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is at the SE end 0.9' from center. Forms a pair with IC 1696 3' SE within AGC 194.

13" (9/22/84): moderately bright, edge-on NW-SE, bright core. A mag 12 star is off the SE end.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 530 = Sw VI-9 on 20 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 15 sec of RA east of UGC 965 = PGC 5210. This galaxy was found again by Guillaume Bigourdan on 16 Nov 1887, assumed to be new, and was catalogued again as IC 106. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory. The equivalence of NGC 530 and IC 106 was mentioned in the IC 2 Notes. MCG identifies this galaxy as IC 106 only (NGC 530 is misidentified as MCG +00-04-122) but UGC states NGC 530 = IC 106. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 531 = UGC 1012 = MCG +06-04-020 = CGCG 521-024 = HCG 10c = PGC 5340

01 26 18.8 +34 45 15

V = 13.8; Size 1.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 34d

17.5" (8/31/86): faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, fairly small. A mag 12 star is just off the NE end 1.0' from center. Member of the NGC 529-536 group = HCG 10 with NGC 536 3.1' SSE.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 531 (along with NGC 542) with Lord Rosse's 72" on 16 Oct 1855 while observing NGC 529 and 536 (found earlier by the Herschels). His position is 28 sec of RA west of UGC 1012 = PGC 5340, but the sketch confirms the identity. The error in the position was caused by a confusion in the reference object. PGC 5340 is not identified as NGC 531 in UGC (1012), CGCG (521-024) or MCG (+06-04-020). Carlson advocated removal of NGC 531 from the NGC. See Thomson's Catalogue Corrections and WSQJ April 1986.

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NGC 532 = UGC 982 = MCG +01-04-056 = CGCG 411-055 = LGG 023-006 = PGC 5264

01 25 17.3 +09 15 51

V = 12.9; Size 2.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 28d

18" (12/3/05): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 7:2 SW-NE, ~2.0'x0.4', broad concentration, patchy appearance with an irregular surface brightness. Member of the NGC 524 group.

17.5" (10/17/87): fairly faint, fairly large, edge-on 3:1 or 4:1 SSW-NNE, broad concentration. Member of the NGC 524 group with NGC 518 15' W and NGC 524 18' NW.

13" (8/24/84): fairly faint, thin streak elongated SSW-NNE, slightly brighter core.

WH discovered NGC 532 = H III-556 = h119 on 4 Sep 1786 (sweep 581) and noted "vF, mE, about 1 1/2' long; the extent about 15' from the meridian from sp to nf." JH recorded "not vF, L, R, bM, 40" dia." When JH compiled the GC, he included both his fathers and his own observations as separate entries as "the description differ so materially, especially in the particular of extension." Nevertheless, GC 313 = GC 314. Dreyer combined both entries into NGC 532. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 533 = UGC 992 = MCG +00-04-131 = CGCG 385-121 = PGC 5283

01 25 31.4 +01 45 33

V = 11.4; Size 3.8'x2.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 50d

13.1" (1/1/84): moderately bright, bright core, faint stellar nucleus suspected, elongated halo WSW-ENE. A mag 13.5 star is 3.4' WNW.

8" (1/1/84): very faint, very small, weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is 3.5' WNW.

WH discovered NGC 533 = H II-462 = h121 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and logged "pB, R, pL, mbM." On 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) he noted "pB, R, vgbM, about 1.5' dia." and on 3 Dec 1787 (sweep 788), "F, S, R, gbM." JH recorded on 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 110), "B; pL; R; bM."

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NGC 534 = ESO 296-021 = MCG -06-04-026 = PGC 5215

01 24 44.6 -38 07 45

V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 142d

17.5" (11/1/97): very faint, very small, round, ~25" diameter, weak concentration. Slightly fainter than NGC 544 5.8' ENE. First in a group with NGC 544, NGC 546 and NGC 549 (latter not seen). Located 4' NNW of a mag 11 star.

JH discovered NGC 534 = h2410 (along with nearby NGC 544 and 546) on 23 Oct 1835 and logged "eeF, S, bM." His mean position from two sweeps matches ESO 296-021 = PGC 5215.

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NGC 535 = UGC 997 = MCG +00-04-133 = CGCG 385-124 = PGC 5282

01 25 31.1 -01 24 30

V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 58d

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, small, oval SW-NE, weak concentration. In the central core of the AGC 194 cluster on line with NGC 541 3.8' NE and NGC 545/NGC 547 8' NE.

13" (9/22/84): extremely faint, elongated SW-NE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 535 on 31 Oct 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and recorded "eF, vS, 1st of 3 in a line [with NGC 541 and 545 (double)]".

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NGC 536 = UGC 1013 = MCG +06-04-021 = CGCG 521-025 = HCG 10a = PGC 5344

01 26 21.7 +34 42 12

V = 12.4; Size 3.0'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 62d

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, slightly elongated WSW-ENE. A mag 14 star is involved at the north edge. Located 8' NNE of mag 6.3 SAO 54695. Brightest along with NGC 529 in HCG 10 with NGC 529 8.5' W, NGC 542 2.6' SE and NGC 531 3.1' NNW.

13" (12/22/84): fairly faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, very small faint core.

WH discovered NGC 536 = H III-171 = h120 on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271) and noted "stellar". Objects discovered on this sweep (NGC 513, 515, 517, 523, 536, 552, 553, 614) have various offset errors in RA. His position for III-171 is 1.0 min of RA east of UGC 1013. JH made the single observation "pB; pL; gbM; the following of two." and measured an accurate position. Heinrich d'Arrest made 3 observations and mentioned the star involved on the north side.

Analyzing the sweep data, Harold Corwin suggests H III-171 applies to NGC 529, which is 1 min 40 sec west of WH's place, but Wolfgang Steinicke argues that III-171 must apply to NGC 536 (coming from the previous object NGC 537 in the sweep).

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NGC 537 = NGC 523 = UGC 979 = MCG +06-04-018 = CGCG 521-022 = Arp 158 = IV Zw 45 = PGC 5268

01 25 20.8 +34 01 30

See observing notes for NGC 523.

WH discovered NGC 537 = H III-170 on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271) and simply noted "stellar". All the RA positions are off by varying amounts in this sweep, computed with respect to Beta Andromedae (except for NGC 404) in varying amounts. Dreyer questioned if this object was identical to Heinrich d'Arrest's NGC 523 and these numbers are equated in the RNGC. If Dreyer's suggestion is correct, WH's RA 1.0 tmin too large and Corwin came to the same conclusion. See his notes for more on the story.

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NGC 538 = UGC 991 = MCG +00-04-130 = CGCG 385-120 = PGC 5275

01 25 26.1 -01 33 02

V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 40d

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, very small, elongated SSW-NNE, weak concentration. A mag 12 star is at the north edge 34" from center. UGC 995 lies 3' NNW within AGC 194.

13" (9/22/84): fairly faint, elongated SW-NE, star on NE tip.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 538 = Sw VI-10 on 20 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "eF; S; vE; pF * close N; Not 5180 [NGC 558]". Swift's position is 10 sec of RA east of UGC 991 = PGC 5275 and his comment "pF * close N" applies, though the star is not faint.

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NGC 539 = NGC 563 = ESO 542-010 = MCG -03-04-063 = PGC 5269

01 25 21.7 -18 09 51

V = 13.5; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 145d

17.5" (12/23/92): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, low even surface brightness. Followed by a line of three mag 13-14 stars oriented SSW-NNE located 3.2' SSE, 2.6' SE and 2.7' NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 539 = LM I-28 on 31 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is just 1' to 2' S of ESO 542-010 = PGC 5269. NGC 563 (found again by Leavenworth the next year) is a duplicate observation with a 2 tmin error in RA. So, NGC 539 = NGC 563.

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NGC 540 = ESO 542-012 = PGC 5410

01 27 08.9 -20 02 12

V = 14.6; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 179d

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint and small, round. Only glimpsed at moments at 280x using GSC finder chart but several times appeared virtually stellar. On two occasions a 20" halo was visible (too faint to determine elongation but extended 2:1 N-S on DSS). A mag 14 star lies 1.3' due north.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 540 = LM I-29 on 15 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position by ~2 min of RA east and 5' south is ESO 542-012 = PGC 5410. Corwin examined the sketch, but there is only one star shown, so the field cannot be confirmed and identification is uncertain.

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NGC 541 = Arp 133 = UGC 1004 = MCG +00-04-137 = CGCG 385-128 = PGC 5305

01 25 44.3 -01 22 46

V = 12.1; Size 1.8'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.2

48" (10/22/11): very bright, fairly large, round, sharply concentrated with an intense core 30" core surrounded by a much fainter halo, nearly 1.5' diameter. Just off the east side of the halo are two faint galaxies: PGC 86298 1' E and Minkowski's Object 0.8' NE. PGC 86298 was faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, visible continuously. Minkowski's Object was very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, low even surface brightness. A mag 17 star 40" NE forms an equilateral triangle with the pair of galaxies. A 17th magnitude star is 1.4' NE of center and forms an equilateral triangle with the pair of faint galaxies.

Minkowski's object, experiencing a burst of star formation, was actually triggered by the jet from the nucleus of NGC 541 because the body of the jet can be traced all the way to the region where the new stars are forming.

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core, oval SSW-NNE. Slightly fainter than NGC 545/NGC 547 4.4' NE in the core of AGC 194. Also at midpoint with NGC 545/547 and NGC 535 3.7' SW. A bridge of stars and gas connects NGC 541 and the interacting pair NGC 545/547. Embedded in the bridge just NE of NGC 541 is "Minkowski's Object" (not seen) which has a very unusual optical spectrum.

13" (9/22/84): moderately bright, round.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 541 on 30 Oct 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and measured on 3 nights. I'm surprised that WH missed this galaxy in his discovery observation of NGC 545/547.

A bridge of stars and gas connects NGC 541 and the interacting pair NGC 545/547. Embedded in the bridge just northeast of NGC 541 is "Minkowski's Object" which has a very unusual optical spectrum. See "Minkowski's object - A starburst triggered by a radio jet" at http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/bib_query?1985ApJ...293...83V. A brief summary and excellent image is at http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/M/Minkowskis_Object.html.

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NGC 542 = MCG +06-04-022 = CGCG 521-026 = HCG 10d = PGC 5360

01 26 30.8 +34 40 32

V = 14.7; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (8/31/86): faint, diffuse, slightly elongated. Located 2.6' SE of NGC 536 in the HCG 10 = NGC 529-536 group.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 542 on 16 Oct 1855 with Lord Rosse's 72" while observing NGC 529 and 536 (discovered earlier by the Herschels). This nebula was shown on the sketch as Delta and Dreyer measured a micrometric position.

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NGC 543 = MCG +00-04-138 = CGCG 385-130 = PGC 5311

01 25 50.0 -01 17 34

V = 13.1; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 10.9; PA = 90d

48" (10/22/11): fairly bright/bright, fairly small, elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.6'x0.2', contains a small bright core. MCG +00-04-140 lies 1.5' SSE. In a string of galaxies oriented SSW-NNE in AGC 194 with NGC 545/547 4' SE.

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, small, very elongated ~E-W. Located 4.5' NW of NGC 545/NGC 547 duo in the core of AGC 194.

13" (9/22/84): very faint, very small.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 543 on 31 Oct 1864, while measuring positions for other members of AGC 194 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His single micrometric position is just off the south edge of CGCG 385-130 = PGC 5311.

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NGC 544 = ESO 296-024 = MCG -06-04-028 = PGC 5253

01 25 12.0 -38 05 41

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 2d

17.5" (11/1/97): very faint, very small, round, 25" round, weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. Precedes a mag 14 star by 1.5' and forms a close pair with NGC 546 1.5' N; the two galaxies and the star form a nearly perfect equilateral triangle. Located ~15' SW of the core of the distant AGC 2911.

JH discovered NGC 544 = h2411 (along with nearby NGC 534 = h2410 and NGC 546 = h2412) on 23 Oct 1835. His description reads "eeF; the Sp of two [with NGC 546] which form an equilateral triangle with a star 13th mag" and matches ESO 296-024 = PGC 5253.

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NGC 545 = Arp 308 NED1 = UGC 1007 = MCG +00-04-142 = CGCG 385-132 = Holm 42a = 3C 40 = PGC 5323

01 25 59.1 -01 20 25

V = 12.2; Size 2.4'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 55d

48" (10/22/11): very bright, large, oval 2:1 SW-NE, 1.4'x0.7', well concentrated with a large bright core and fainter halo that merges with NGC 547 on the southeast side.

CGCG 385-129, situated 2.5' NW of NGC 545, is moderately bright, small, elongated 3:2 , 0.4'x0.3' WNW-ESE, small bright core. CGCG 385-127, located 3' due west of NGC 545, appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.3', contains a small bright core.

17.5" (9/19/87): NGC 545 is the brightest member of AGC 194. It appeared moderately bright, small, round, small bright core. Forms a double system with NGC 547 in a common envelope.

CGCG 385-129, located 2.5' NW of NGC 545, is extremely faint and small, round. It forms the eastern vertex of an equilateral triangle with a pair of mag 13 stars 45" SW and NW. RNGC and MCG misidentify CGCG 385-129 as NGC 545. CGCG 385-127, located 3' W of NGC 545 is extremely faint and small, almost round.

13" (9/22/84): moderately bright, round, bright core. Preceding of a double system with NGC 547 0.5' SE.

WH discovered NGC 545 = H II-448, along with NGC 547, on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and recorded both as "Two, stellar of equal size and within 1' of each other. Their nebulosities run together and at first sight seem to form only one extended nebula." These galaxies form a double system and are the brightest members of AGC 194.

RNGC misidentifies the double system NGC 545/547 as NGC 547/547A. MCG calls the double galaxy NGC 547a/NGC 547b. RNGC and MCG both misidentify MCG +00-04-140 as NGC 545. See RNGC Corrections #1 and the Webb Society Observer's Handbook, Volume 5.

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NGC 546 = ESO 296-025 = MCG -06-04-029 = PGC 5255

01 25 12.7 -38 04 09

V = 13.6; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 35d

17.5" (11/1/97): extremely faint, very small, round, requires averted to view. Located 1.5' N of brighter NGC 544. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.5' SE.

JH discovered NGC 546 = h2412 (along with nearby NGC 534 = h2410 and NGC 544 = h2411) on 23 Oct 1835 and recorded "eeF. The on f of two." On a later sweep he logged "eeF; S; R; vgbM." His mean position is accurate.

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NGC 547 = Arp 308 NED2 = UGC 1009 = MCG +00-04-143 = CGCG 385-133 = Holm 42b = 3C 40 = PGC 5324

01 26 00.7 -01 20 43

V = 12.2; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 85d

48" (10/22/11): very bright, round, moderately large, 1' diameter, very bright core. The halo merges with NGC 545, which is in contact on the NW side.

17.5" (9/19/87): moderately bright, small, round, small bright core. Forms a contact pair with NGC 545 0.5' NW and the brightest (pair) in AGC 194. NGC 541 is 4.6' SW and NGC 543 lies 4.1' NW.

13" (9/22/84): moderately bright, round, bright core, in contact with NGC 545 very close NW.

WH discovered NGC 547 = H II-449, along with NGC 545, on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and reported both as "Two, stellar of equal size and within 1' of each other. Their nebulosities run together and at first sight seem to form only one extended nebula." These galaxies form a double system and are the brightest members of AGC 194. MCG identifies this galaxy as NGC 547b.

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NGC 548 = UGC 1010 = MCG +00-04-141 = CGCG 385-134 = PGC 5326

01 26 02.5 -01 13 32

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 135d

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, small, slightly elongated, broad concentration. Member of AGC 194.

George Searle discovered NGC 548 = HN 33 on 2 Nov 1867 using the 15-inch Merz Refractor (Annal of Harvard Obs, Vol 13, #25) at Harvard Observatory. His micrometric position matches UGC 1010 = PGC 5326.

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NGC 549 = ESO 296-022 = PGC 5243

01 25 07.1 -38 00 29

V = 14.5; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 100d

18" (12/17/11): extremely faint, fairly small, round, no structure, required averted vision. Located ~5' NNW of NGC 544/546 pair. Viewed at 11° elevation.

17.5" (11/1/97): not visible

JH discovered NGC 549 = h2413 on 29 Nov 1837 and recorded "eeeF, S, R, vgbM. The 4th of a group of four [with NGC 534, 544 and 546]." There is nothing at this position, but 15' N is ESO 296-026 = PGC 5278, and ESO, SGC and RC3 identify ESO 296-026 = NGC 549. These galaxies were observed on two sweeps and given very accurate positions.

Instead, I suggested that NGC 549 = ESO 296-022 = PGC 5243. This galaxy matches JH's position in declination but his RA would be off by 18 tsec. Although ESO 296-022 is much smaller and fainter than ESO 296-026, it is closer in position (off only in RA) and a much better match with JH's description "The 4th of a group of 4" [with NGC 534, 544 and 546]. So, although the identification of NGC 549 is not definite, NGC 549 = PGC 5243 appears to be a much better choice. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 550 = UGC 1021 = MCG +00-04-146 = CGCG 385-139 = PGC 5374

01 26 42.5 +02 01 20

V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 120d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.5', bright core has a fairly high surface brightness, faint stellar nucleus, faint halo. Located 9' SW of a mag 9.5 star.

WH discovered NGC 550 = H II-463 = h122 on 8 Oct 1785 (sweep 462) and noted "F, S, lE." On 20 Dec 1786 (sweep 655) he logged "F, S, mbM, irr lE nearly in the parallel" and on 3 Dec 1787 (sweep 788), "F, vS, irr R, lbM." JH reported on 16 Dec 1827 (sweep 110) "pB; S; E from p to f; BM; has a granulated (i.e. a resolvable) appearance." Dreyer observed the galaxy on 23 Oct 1876 with the 72" at Birr Castle and recorded "F, pL, E npsf, 2 st 13-14m p & np 2.5'. Orange-red *9-10 (with a F companion 3/4' preceding) is 9.2' NE." The mag 9.0 star is K2-type HD 8827.

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NGC 551 = UGC 1034 = MCG +06-04-027 = CGCG 521-030 = PGC 5450

01 27 40.6 +37 10 59

V = 12.7; Size 1.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 140d

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is at the NW end 1.1' from center. A close mag 14.5 double is just following the SE end.

WH discovered NGC 551 = H III-560 = h123 on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599) and noted "vF, S, E, among some stars." R.J. Mitchell observed this galaxy (UGC 1034 = PGC 5450) on 18 Sep 1857 with Lord Rosse's 72"and recorded "much elongated np-sf. Faint triple star following; at Alpha a vF * or neb. patch." Although the orientation of the sketch is not shown, at the position of Alpha there is just a very faint star. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 552

01 26 10.1 +33 24 22

17.5" (12/9/01): this number possibly applies to the mag 15 star just 30" preceding CGCG 502-084, assuming NGC 553 applies to CGCG 502-084. The star was actually slightly easier to view than the galaxy.

WH discovered NGC 552 = H III-172, along with NGC 553, on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271) and noted "Two [with NGC 552 = III-172]. Both vS. stellar, but a little doubtful." There is nothing near his position and Harold Corwin suggests NGC 552 may apply to a star at 01 26 10.1 +33 24 21, which is just preceding CGCG 502-084 = NGC 553? Wolfgang Steinicke also identifies it as a star, but at 01 26 57.0 +33 33 29. See NGC 553.

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NGC 553 = CGCG 502-084 = Mrk 1155 = LGG 026-033 = PGC 5333

01 26 12.6 +33 24 19

V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 15d

17.5" (12/9/01): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter (viewed core only of this faint edge-on), requires averted. A slightly brighter mag 15 star (possibly NGC 552) is 30" preceding. Located 18' ESE of NGC 517, just following the NGC 507 Group.

This identification is very uncertain due to a poor position by William Herschel.

WH discovered NGC 553 = H III-173, along with NGC 552, on 13 Sep 1784 (problematic sweep 271). He simply recorded "Two [with NGC 552 = III-172]. Both vS. stellar, but a little doubtful." There is nothing near his position and RNGC classifies NGC 553 as nonexistent. Dreyer notes the observation by Sir Robert Ball at Birr Castle on 4 Jan 1867 ("Two, perhaps 3 neb, but I had not time to examine the field closely. Alpha is F, vS; Beta extremely faint; Gamma is doubtful") may refer to other objects.

Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 553 is possibly CGCG 502-084 = PGC 5333. NGC 552 could apply to the faint star close preceding. This assumes Herschel's RA is 1.6 min too large, and his dec 3' too far north (his errors in RA were greater as the sweep progressed). But Wolfgang Steinicke disagrees. He argues that WH's sweep path from III-171 = NGC 536, the previous object in the sweep, is not consistent with CGCG 502-084, which is too far west and south to be seen. So, perhaps it is best to simply classify NGC 553 and 552 lost.

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NGC 554 = ESO 476-IG011 = MCG -04-04-013 = PGC 5412

01 27 09.6 -22 43 30

V = 13.7; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 177d

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, fairly small, irregular round, 40" diameter, weak concentration. Two mag 12 stars follow 1.8' E and 2.5' SE. Close pair with NGC 552 2.3' S.

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, small, round. Forms the SW vertex of an equilateral triangle with a mag 13.2 star 1.8' NE and a mag 12.8 star 1.8' E. Forms a close pair with NGC 555 2' S.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 554 = LM II-305 (along with NGC 555 = LM II-306 and NGC 556 = LM II-307) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.4 min of RA too far west. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). This is an extremely close double system (PGC 5412 and 5413), with the two components identified as NGC 554A and 554B in NED and NGC 554 and 554A in PGC.

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NGC 555 = ESO 476-012 = MCG -04-04-014 = PGC 5419

01 27 11.8 -22 45 44

V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 13d

18" (12/3/05): extremely faint, very small, round. Appears as a very low surface brightness hazy spot with averted vision. ~15" diameter. Visible at best 1/3 of the time with averted vision. Located 2.3' S of NGC 554.

17.5" (12/9/01): extremely faint, very small, round. In a small group with NGC 554 2' N and NGC 556 (not seen).

17.5" (11/6/93): extremely faint, very small, just glimpsed at moments though definitely visible. A mag 13 star is 1.5' ENE. Forms a close pair with NGC 554 2' N.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 555 = LM II-306 (along with NGC 554 = LM II-305 and NGC 556 = LM II-307) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.4 tmin west of ESO 476-012 = PGC 5419. 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 556 = ESO 476-013 = PGC 5420

01 27 12.6 -22 41 52

V = 14.5; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 136d

18" (12/3/05): marginal object, glimpsed a few times but confirmed off the NNE side of NGC 554 and faintest in a close trio with NGC 554 and NGC 555. Appeared quasi-stellar, ~6" in diameter. Situated just 1.8' NNE of NGC 554.

17.5" (11/6/93): not seen.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 556 = LM II-307 (along with NGC 554 = LM II-305 and NGC 555 = LM II-306) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.5 min of RA east of ESO 476-013 = PGC 5420. 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 557 = UGC 1016 = MCG +00-04-144 = IC 1703 = PGC 5351

01 26 25.1 -01 38 20

V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 45d

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, round, broad concentration, halo gradually fades into background. Located 4.5' WNW of mag 8.7 SAO 129302 and 20' SE of the core of AGC 194.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 557 = Sw VI-11 on 20 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "eF; S; B * f 15 seconds and is on of it." His position is poor; 46 sec of RA east of UGC 1016 = PGC 5351 and the bright star is southeast of the galaxy, but the identification NGC 557 = UGC 1016 is secure. Bigourdan could not find the galaxy, though, at Swift's position but he "rediscovered" it on 27 Oct 1897 assuming it was a new object (IC 1703) and measured an accurate position. So, NGC 557 = IC 170, with NGC 557 the primary designation. UGC and CGCG assign IC 1703 to this galaxy but the RC3 identifies it as NGC 557.

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NGC 558 = CGCG 385-143 = PGC 5425

01 27 16.1 -01 58 16

V = 14.3; Size 0.4'x0.2'; Surf Br = 11.1; PA = 110d

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, very small bright core, faint stellar nucleus, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE in direction of a mag 12.5 star 1.3' WNW of core. Member of AGC 194 with NGC 560 4' NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 558 on 1 Feb 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen, while measuring nearby H III-441 = NGC 560 and H III-442 = NGC 564. He also accurately placed the nearby mag 12 star (called mag 10) as 5 seconds preceding.

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NGC 559 = Cr 13 = OCL-322 = Lund 45

01 29 34 +63 18 12

V = 9.5; Size 4'

17.5" (11/2/91): about 50 stars mag 10-15 at 220x in a 6'x4' region. Fairly compact and rich with an irregular outline. Includes a thin isosceles triangle of three mag 10 stars with the base to the south. The southeast star in this base is a close unequal double. A number of the stars are arranged in strings including four mag 13-14 stars over haze trail from base to the north. Also four mag 8/9 stars precede the cluster to the northwest in a 10' string.

WH discovered NGC 559 = H VII-48 = h124 on 9 Nov 1787 (sweep 777) and noted "a compressed cluster of some pL and many vS stars, iR, 6' or 7' diameter." JH independently found this cluster on 5 Oct 1829 and described "A fine rich cluster 5' diameter, irregular." He made a clerical error in reducing the PD, which is 1° too far south (error caught by Auwers), so he thought it was a new discovery when compiling the Slough Catalogue, but corrected this error and equated h124 = H VII-48 in the GC.

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NGC 560 = IC 117 = UGC 1036 = MCG +00-04-151 = CGCG 385-145 = PGC 5430

01 27 25.4 -01 54 47

V = 13.0; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 178d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, well-defined very small bright core, faint narrow extensions. In a trio with NGC 558 4' SSW and NGC 564 6' ENE within in AGC 194.

13" (9/22/84): fairly faint, small, elongated ~N-S, bright core. Located 5' WSW of NGC 564.

WH discovered NGC 560 = H III-441 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and logged "vF, vS, iE." Édouard Stephan independently found the galaxy (VIII-1, second list) on 21 Nov 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. He noted his object was probably the same as H. III-411 and St VIII-2, second list, was the probably the same as H. III-442 (later NGC 564). Stephane Javelle's IC 117 was found by Corwin to also be a duplicate observation , due to an error in identifying the offset star. So, NGC 558 = IC 117. See Corwin's write-up on this error.

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NGC 561 = UGC 1048 = MCG +06-04-029 = CGCG 521-032 = PGC 5489

01 28 18.8 +34 18 30

V = 12.9; Size 1.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, weak concentration. Located 15' ESE of mag 6.3 SAO 54705.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 561 on 23 Aug 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and logged "eF, 30" dia, R". His single position matches UGC 1048 = PGC 5489. WH and JH missed this galaxy although they both swept up many galaxies in the region.

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NGC 562 = UGC 1049 = MCG +08-03-025 = CGCG 551-020 = PGC 5502

01 28 29.3 +48 23 15

V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 20d

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, fairly small, round, even surface brightness. A bright wide double star is located 4' S with components 8/10 at 21".

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 562 = Sw III-5 on 30 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and noted "eF; pS; R; D * near south". His position is 17 tsec following UGC 1049 and his comment "D * near south" applies to a wide pair 4' S of this galaxy.

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NGC 563 = NGC 539 = ESO 542-010 = MCG -03-04-063 = PGC 5269

01 25 21.7 -18 09 51

See observing notes for NGC 539.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 563 = LM I-30 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. The description mentions "sev faint stars follow in a line n and s". Corwin identifies NGC 563 as a duplicate observation of NGC 539 = ESO 542-010 = PGC 5269 (discovered earlier by Leavenworth) with a 2 tmin error in RA as the description of the line of faint stars matches NGC 539. ESO 542-013 is misidentified as NGC 563 in RNGC, SGC and RC3 as well as in Megastar.

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NGC 564 = UGC 1044 = MCG +00-04-154 = CGCG 385-148 = Holm 44a = PGC 5455

01 27 48.2 -01 52 46

V = 12.5; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 145d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, very small bright core. A mag 15 star is just off the west edge. Third of three and similar to NGC 560 6' WSW although different position angles. Located 7' NNW of mag 8.6 SAO 129314 and 10' NNW of mag 6.9 SAO 129315. Member of the AGC 194 cluster.

13" (9/22/84): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, bright core. Two bright stars are in the field to SE.

WH discovered NGC 564 = H III-442 on 1 Oct 1785 (sweep 448) and logged "vF, vS, iE." Édouard Stephan (VIII-2, second list) independently found the galaxy on 21 Nov 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory, although Stephan noted the probable equivalence with H III-441.

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NGC 565 = UGC 1052 = MCG +00-04-158 = CGCG 385-153 = PGC 5481

01 28 10.1 -01 18 22

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 36d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, bright core. Located just west of the midpoint of two mag 10 stars 3.9' NE and 4.7' S in the rich cluster AGC 194.

George Searle discovered NGC 565 = HN 34 on 2 Nov 1867 using the 15-inch Merz Refractor (Annal of Harvard Obs, Vol 13, #26) at the Harvard Observatory. His micrometric position is accurate.

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NGC 566 = UGC 1058 = MCG +05-04-062 = CGCG 502-092 = PGC 5545

01 29 03.0 +32 19 56

V = 13.5; Size 1.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 178d

17.5" (12/23/89): very faint, fairly small, elongated N-S, even surface brightness. NGC 571 lies 15' NE.

JH discovered NGC 566 = h125 on 22 Nov 1827 and noted "vF; S; R". His position matches UGC 1058 = PGC 5545.

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NGC 567 = MCG -02-04-053 = PGC 5402

01 27 02.3 -10 15 55

V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 125d

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, very small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 11.5 star is 4.5' S.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 567 = LM I-31 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15, vS, R". His rough position (RA given as uncertain) is 1.0 tmin east of MCG -02-04-053 = PGC 5402.

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NGC 568 = ESO 353-003 = MCG -06-04-037 = IC 1709 = PGC 5468

01 27 57.0 -35 43 04

V = 12.6; Size 2.2'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 137d

17.5" (11/1/97): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration to a small brighter core. Larger of pair with NGC 574 15' NE.

JH discovered NGC 568 = h2414 on 29 Nov 1837 and recorded "very faint, small, round." His position matches ESO 353-003 = PGC 5468, although he was uncertain of the declination. Lewis Swift found the galaxy on 4 Sep 1897 and assumed it was a new discovery, recording it in his list XI-21. His position is 10 tsec east and 2.8' south of PGC 5468. The ESO, PGC and Deep Sky Field Guide (first edition) misidentify ESO 353-004, a much fainter galaxy 4.3' NE, as IC 1709. As Swift makes no mention of NGC 568 in his description, it is much more likely he picked up the brighter galaxy and missed the earlier discovery by Herschel. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 569 = UGC 1063 = MCG +02-04-053 = PGC 5548

01 29 07.2 +11 07 54

V = 14.3; Size 1.1'x0.5'; PA = 163d

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5', low surface brightness with weak concentration. Forms a 1.1' pair with UGC 1065 1.1' NE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 569 = m 49 on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, vS, R". His position is accurate.

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NGC 570 = UGC 1061 = MCG +00-04-162 = CGCG 385-159 = PGC 5539

01 28 58.6 -00 56 57

V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 175d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, small bright core. Contains a faint stellar nucleus offset towards the west end or a very faint star is superimposed. A mag 13 star is 1.8' SSW. Member of AGC 194.

George Searle discovered NGC 570 = HN 32 on 31 Oct 1867 using the 15-inch Merz Refractor (Annal of Harvard Obs, Vol 13, #27) at Harvard Observatory. His micrometric position is accurate.

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NGC 571 = UGC 1069 = MCG +05-04-063 = CGCG 502-098 = PGC 5587

01 29 56.1 +32 30 04

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (12/23/89): extremely faint, small, round, very diffuse. A close mag 14/15 double star is close west. Located 5.6' SSW of mag 9.0 SAO 54740. NGC 566 lies 15' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 571 on 1 Oct 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. As well as providing an accurate position he measured the mag 14 star that precedes by 6 seconds of RA (or 74" separation), though did not note it was double.

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NGC 572 = ESO 296-031 = MCG -07-04-009 = PGC 5508

01 28 36.4 -39 18 26

V = 14.1; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5

24" (10/3/13): although quite low from central California, viewed at 280x and 375x and appeared faint, very small, round, 18" diameter (core only). A mag 14.6 star is at the NW edge. A mag 10.3 star lies 6.2' SW.

JH discovered NGC 572 = h2415 on 4 Sep 1834 and reported "eF, S; attached to a minute star, and very near a bright one.". His position and description apply to ESO 296-031 = PGC 5508.

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NGC 573 = UGC 1078 = CGCG 537-010 = PGC 5638

01 30 49.3 +41 15 26

V = 13.1; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 10.9

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, small, fairly strong smooth surface brightness, only a gradual concentration but no core or nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is 30" SW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 573 = St XII-15 on 21 Oct 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "vF, vS, R, gradually brighter to the center". His position is accurate.

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NGC 574 = ESO 353-006 = MCG -06-04-039 = PGC 5544

01 29 03.0 -35 35 57

V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 2d

17.5" (11/1/97): faint, small, slightly elongated, weak even concentration to a brighter core. Follows an asterism of four mag 13 stars, the closest being 2.4' W. In same field with NGC 568 15' SW.

JH discovered NGC 574 = h2416 on 1 Sep 1834 and described "A Double Star. The left eye leaves no doubt of its being involved in a vF neb. diffused over 15". An extremely delicate and difficult object. Pos. of the double star 225 degrees; dist. 4", 15 and 16 mag." On a later sweep he noted "vF, S, R." and the next sweep he recorded it again: "There is a nebula but I perceive no double star in it." This galaxy is a barred spiral, and possibly he detected a brightening in the bar at one end.

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NGC 575 = IC 1710 = UGC 1081 = MCG +03-04-051 = CGCG 459-072 = PGC 5634

01 30 46.7 +21 26 25

V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (11/30/91): faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, low almost even surface brightness, broad mild concentration, edges fade into background.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 575 = St VIIIa-5 on 17 Oct 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and described "eF, almost unobservable, irr R, dia 3/4 to 1'." His published position matches UGC 1081, although the GC Supplement and NGC position is two degrees too far north (transcription error by Dreyer). Independently found by Stephane Javelle on 18 Jan 1896, placed correctly, and catalogued again by Dreyer as IC 1710. So, NGC 575 = St IC 1710. CGCG, UGC and MCG use the IC designation as it matches this galaxy, although NGC 575 should apply based on historical discovery. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, noted the equivalence of NGC 575 with IC 1710. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 576 = ESO 196-007 = PGC 5535

01 28 57.5 -51 35 55

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 18d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 576 = h2417 on 3 Oct 1834 and logged "F; S; R; bM; among 5 or 6 stars 11m." His position and description matches ESO 196-007 = PGC 5535.

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NGC 577 = NGC 580 = UGC 1080 = MCG +00-04-165 = CGCG 385-165 = PGC 5628

01 30 40.7 -01 59 40

V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 140d

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, weak concentration, occasionally a very faint stellar nucleus is visible. Located near the east edge of AGC 194 and 5' WSW of a mag 10 star.

Aron Skinner discovered NGC 577 = Sf 100 = T I-7 on 23 Oct 1867 with the 18.5" Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory.  Truman Safford published the discovery list 20 years later (1887), so Dreyer didn't notice it in time for Skinner to be credited in the NGC.  Wilhelm Tempel independently found the galaxy on 14 Aug 1877 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and recorded it in his list I-7 and IV-5.  Tempel claimed he found two nebulae 2m 50s following NGC 560 and 564 (there is only a single galaxy at this position), which Dreyer assigned to NGC 577 and NGC 580.  Tempel is credited with the discovery of NGC 577 in the NGC. So, NGC 577 = NGC 580.

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NGC 578 = ESO 476-015 = MCG -04-04-020 = UGCA 18 = PGC 5619

01 30 28.9 -22 40 00

V = 10.9; Size 4.9'x3.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 110d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, ~4'x3', slightly brighter middle is mottled, no distinct core. A mag 14 star or knot is at the east end 1.3' from the center. The SDSS image reveals this is a galaxy, catalogued as PGC 133775. Located 11' SE of mag 7.8 SAO 81972.

8" (9/25/81): faint, fairly large, elongated. Lies SE of a mag 8 star.

JH discovered NGC 578 = h2418 on 11 Nov 1835 and logged "B; L; pmE; gpmbM; 3' long, 2' broad." His position is accurate.

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NGC 579 = UGC 1089 = MCG +05-04-064 = CGCG 502-103 = PGC 5691

01 31 46.6 +33 36 55

V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, moderately large, almost round, weakly concentrated but no core. Pair with NGC 582 8' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 579 = h127 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged "vF; pL; gbM". His position matches UGC 1089 = PGC 5691. Herschel missed NGC 582 (discovered later by Heinrich d'Arrest), located 8.7' SSE.

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NGC 580 = NGC 577 = UGC 1080 = MCG +00-04-165 = CGCG 385-165 = PGC 5628

01 30 40.7 -01 59 40

See observing notes for NGC 577.

Wilhelm Tempel found NGC 580 = T I-8 on 14 Aug 1877 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory, claiming to see two nebulae 2m 50s following NGC 560 and 564.  The second object was assigned NGC 577. But there is only the single galaxy UGC 1080 = PGC 5628 at this position, so possibly one of his objects was a faint star. NGC 580 is generally equated with NGC 577. Aron Skinner discovered this galaxy 10 years earlier on 23 Oct 1867 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at Dearborn.  As the discovery wasn't published until 1887, Skinner wasn't credited in the NGC.

Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 20 Nov 1886 and reported it as new in list VI-12.  Dreyer assigned Swift's position to NGC 580 with Swift and Tempel credited in the NGC.  Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 581 = M103 = Cr 14

01 33 22 +60 39 30

V = 7.4; Size 6'

13.1" (10/20/84): 50-60 stars in cluster, fairly rich. Includes several bright stars in a distinctive triangular wedge shape (mag 7.3 SAO 11822, mag 8.9 SAO 11824, mag 8.3 SAO 11826 and mag 8.3 SAO 11829) with a bright orange star east of center adding color contrast.

Pierre Méchain discovered M103 = NGC 581 = h126 in April 1781 and was added by Messier into his 1781 catalogue (without confirmation). John Herschel included M103 in his Slough Catalogue (h126) but only referenced ∑131, Struve's entry (1825) from his catalogue of double stars, so he was apparently unaware of the equivalence with M103.

On 8 Aug 1783 WH described M103 as "14 or 16 pretty large stars with a great many eS ones. Two of the large ones are double, one of the 1st the other of the 2nd class. The compound eye glass shews a few more that may be taken into the cluster so as to make about 20. I exclude a good many straggling ones, otherwise there would be no knowing where to stop."

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NGC 582 = UGC 1094 = MCG +05-04-065 = CGCG 502-105 = PGC 5702

01 31 58.1 +33 28 35

V = 13.2; Size 2.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 58d

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, weak concentration. Pair with NGC 579 8' NNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 582 on 9 Aug 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He mentioned the mag 12-13 star that precedes by 4.5 seconds of time and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 583 = ESO 542-G20 = MCG -03-04-077 = PGC 5576

01 29 44.1 -18 20 22

V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 40d

17.5" (10/21/95): very faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, very weak concentration with no distinct core. A mag 12 star is 1.5' NW of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 583 = LM II-308 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His typical poor position is 1 min of RA east of ESO 542-020 = PGC 5576. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). MCG (-03-04-077) does not equate their entry with NGC 583.

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NGC 584 = IC 1712 = MCG -01-04-060 = Holm 45b = PGC 5663

01 31 20.7 -06 52 06

V = 10.5; Size 4.2'x2.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 55d

17.5" (8/2/86): very bright, moderately large, oval WSW-ENE, very bright large core. Forms a pair with NGC 586 4.5' SE.

8" (9/25/81): bright, round, bright core.

WH discovered NGC 584 = H I-100 = h128 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435), along with NGC 586, and recorded both as "two, the first [NGC 584] cB, pS, R, mbM. The second [NGC 586] eF, S, about 5 or 6' following the former, requires great attention to be seen. His position is fairly accurate.

E.E. Barnard found this galaxy while observing his comet discovery C/1888 RI!) The comet nearly occulted the galaxy! He commented "The comet's nucleus passed some 30" N of the nucleus of the nebula. The comet is probably 5 times as bright as the nebula and is a great many times larger." The discovery was reported directly to Dreyer, who catalogued it again as IC 1712. As Barnard's position is nearly identical to NGC 584, it's strange Dreyer didn't noticed the equivalence, though Barnard later added in his notebook "NGC 584".

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NGC 585 = UGC 1092 = MCG +00-05-001 = CGCG 386-001 = PGC 5688

01 31 42.4 -00 55 55

V = 13.1; Size 2.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 86d

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.4', small bright core, faint thin extensions. This is an outlying member of AGC 194 cluster.

JH discovered NGC 585 = h129 on 20 Dec 1827 and reported "vF; R; bM; 25"." His position is 7 sec of RA west and 1' south of UGC 1092 = PGC 5688.

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NGC 586 = Holm 45a = MCG -01-05-001 = LGG 027-002 = PGC 5679

01 31 37.0 -06 53 38

V = 13.2; Size 1.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 10d

17.5" (8/2/86): fairly faint, fairly small, diffuse, very weak concentration. Located 4.5' SE of NGC 584.

WH discovered NGC 586 = H III-431 = h130 = Sw III-6 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) along with NGC 584. See description under NGC 584. JH made the single observation "vF; R; 15 arcsec". R.J. Mitchell observed NGC 586 with LdR's 72" on 28 and 29 Nov 1856. JH entered the Birr Castle observations as GC 343 = R. nova. In compiling the 1880 Rosse Catalogue, though, Dreyer noted the equivalence with h130 = III 431. Lewis Swift apparently also thought he discovered this object on 30 Nov 1885 as it is listed as Sw III-6, though his position is 19 tsec too far east. His description mentions "south-following GC 363 [NGC 615], but this must be a typo.

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NGC 587 = UGC 1100 = MCG +06-04-037 = CGCG 521-045 = PGC 5746

01 32 33.4 +35 21 30

V = 12.8; Size 2.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 67d

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WSW-ENE, even surface brightness.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 587 on 27 Aug 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His single position is 4.5' south of UGC 1100 = PGC 5746, an unusually large error, though there are no other candidates nearby.

The CGCG, UGC and PGC label this galaxy IC 1713, although according to Malcolm Thomson, Bigourdan's micrometric position for Big. 247 = IC 1713 on 28 Nov 1891 clearly refers to a faint star near NGC 587. Bigourdan also determined the position of NGC 587 so NGC 587 cannot be equal to IC 1713. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 588 = M33-A27 = BCLMP 280

01 32 45.9 +30 38 51

Size 0.5'

18" (12/8/07): moderately bright M33 HII region, ~40"x30", well-defined outline. Situated at the western edge of M33 along the outer spiral arm that winds counterclockwise from the south to the west.

17.5" (7/5/86): extremely faint nebulosity in M33, requires averted vision to view. Located 14' W of the center of M33 and forms the western vertex of a very obtuse isosceles triangle with NGC 592 6' E and NGC 595. Nearly collinear with NGC 592 and the core of M33. This is a HII region and star cluster.

13.1": barely visible with averted. Almost collinear with NGC 592 and NGC 595.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 588 = Au 13 in M33, along with NGC 592, on 2 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen. His micrometric position (measured on several nights) is accurate. Auwers included this HII region in his 1862 catalogue of 50 new nebulae.

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NGC 589 = MCG -02-05-004 = Mrk 999 = PGC 5758

01 32 39.9 -12 02 34

V = 14.0; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.4

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, very small, round, small brighter core, very faint stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star is 2.3' SW. In a trio with NGC 599 10' SSE and NGC 593.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 589 = LM II-309 in 1886 with the 26" Clark refractor of the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 50 sec of RA west of MCG -02-05-004 = PGC 5758. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 590 = UGC 1109 = MCG +07-04-003 = CGCG 537-013 = PGC 5808

01 33 40.9 +44 55 44

V = 12.9; Size 2.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 150d

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, broad concentration, faint almost stellar nucleus, rich star field. There is a group of mag 10 stars in the field to the north including mag 10 stars 2.1' ENE, 3.2' N and 4.5' NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 590 on 22 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His single position is accurate.

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NGC 591 = UGC 1111 = MCG +06-04-038 = CGCG 521-046 = Mrk 1157 = PGC 5800

01 33 31.2 +35 40 06

V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 5d

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, oval NW-SE, even surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is 0.8' N and a faint mag 15.5 star 1.5' WNW. Located 6.6' NW of 7.3 SAO 54785.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 591 = Sf 61 on 10 Oct 1866 with the 18.5" refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and described as "pF, S, R, bM." Safford was not credited in the NGC as Dreyer missed his discovery list published in 1887, just prior to the NGC. Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy again on 30 Nov 1885, recorded it in list III-7, and Dreyer credited Swift with the discovery in the NGC. Swift's position is 13 sec off in RA from UGC 1111 = PGC 5800.

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NGC 592 = M33-A59 = BCLMP 277

01 33 12.5 +30 38 50

Size 0.8'x0.7'

18" (12/8/07): moderately bright HII complex, ~40"x30". There appears to be faint star or stellar knot superimposed. Located 8' due west of the core with NGC 588 an additional 6' further west on the same line.

17.5" (7/5/86): faint nebulosity in M33 9' WSW of the core. Forms the vertex of an obtuse isosceles triangle with NGC 588 6' W and NGC 595 6' NE.

13.1" (8/15/82): fairly easy HII region with averted vision.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 592 = Au 14 in M33, along with NGC 588, on 2 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Copenhagen. His micrometric position (measured on 3 nights) is fairly accurate. Auwers included the discovery in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae.

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NGC 593 = MCG -02-05-003 = PGC 5733

01 32 20.7 -12 21 16

V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 12d

17.5" (9/26/92): extremely faint, small, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, low surface brightness. In a small group with NGC 589 12' NE and NGC 601 3.3' ESE (see observation of 10/4/97). Incorrectly described as a nebulous cluster by Stephan.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 593 = St XII-17 on 2 Nov 1882 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and described a "vS group of stars, little elongated SSW-NNE, contains very slight nebulosity". His position is accurate though Stephan description of a cluster is of course incorrect.

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NGC 594 = MCG -03-05-005 = PGC 5769

01 32 57.0 -16 32 08

V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 32d

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, bright core. Located in a barren field 9' SSE of mag 8.8 SAO 147877.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 594 = LM I-32 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 12.5, pS, E 225°." His rough position essentially matches MCG -03-05-005 = PGC 5769 and the position angle is close (SW-NE). Harold Corwin suggests Lewis Swift may have rediscovered this galaxy on 29 Sep 1897 and recorded it in list XII-7 (later IC 1714). Swift's position is 3 degrees north of NGC 594.

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NGC 595 = M33-A62 = BCLMP 49

01 33 33.5 +30 41 31

18" (12/8/07): fairly bright knot near the core of M33, just 4' NW of center and close west of the spiral arm that winds north from the core on the west side. Appears elongated SSW-NNE, ~40"x30", with a fairly well-defined outer edge. This is the second most luminous HII region in M33 after NGC 604.

17.5" (7/5/86): very faint nebulosity in M33, located 4' NW of the center. Situated just off the west edge of the beginning of the spiral arm that extends north and then northeast from the core on the west side. This is a combination star cluster and HII region.

13.1" (8/15/82): visible faintly with averted. Situated at the edge of a spiral arm.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 595 = Sf 63 on 1 Oct 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and measured a fairly accurate position (4 seconds of RA too large). Truman Safford rediscovered it on 1 Nov 1866 with the 18.5" refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and recorded "pF, vS, probably a well-known outlier of M33".

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NGC 596 = MCG -01-05-005 = PGC 5766

01 32 51.9 -07 01 54

V = 10.9; Size 3.2'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 40d

17.5" (8/2/86): fairly bright, fairly small, very bright core, surrounded by a small faint halo. Located 12' W of mag 5.8 SAO 129371.

8" (9/25/81): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. Located 12' W of a mag 6 star.

WH discovered NGC 596 = H II-4 = h132 on 13 Dec 1783 (early sweep 44). On 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) he logged "pB. Much like the brightest of the two preceding [NGC 584]; but rather smaller." His summary description from 6 observations reads "pB, pS, R, mbM, resembling a telescopic comet." On 31 Oct 1877, R.J. Mitchell observing with Lord Rosse's 72-inch, noted "B, S, R, Nucl, a vF * preceding and another north." The stars mentioned are ~mag 16-16.5. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 597 = ESO 353-011 = MCG -06-04-044 = PGC 5721

01 32 14.7 -33 29 44

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (12/26/00): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter. Located just 1.9' NNW of a mag 12.5 star.

JH discovered NGC 597 = h2419 on 25 Sep 1834 and recorded "vF, R, 25"." On a later sweep he logged "F, S, R, bM, 15"." His mean position matches ESO 353-011 = PGC 5721.

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NGC 598 = M33 = UGC 1117 = MCG +05-04-069 = CGCG 502-110 = Triangulum galaxy = PGC 5818

01 33 50.9 +30 39 37

V = 5.7; Size 70.8'x41.7'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 23d

17.5" (11/1/86): bright, very large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, weakly concentrated irregular halo, rises suddenly to a small bright core. Two prominent spiral arms form an "S-pattern" with an irregular surface brightness. At least a dozen HII regions or clusters are resolved (see the numerous IC listings). Overall, the entire galaxy is very mottled and the outer extent is difficult to define.

13.1" (8/23/84): two prominent spiral arms distinctly visible.

8" (10/4/80): the bright central region is slightly grain with the halo showing some indication of spiral arms. The edge of the arms were glimpsed with averted vision.

Naked-eye (several times): just glimpsed in very dark skies, perhaps visible 25% of the time in best conditions.

Charles Messier discovered M33 = NGC 598 = H V-17 = h131 on 25 Aug 1764 or possibly earlier by Hodierna.  WH assumed it was new (not at Messier's position) and catalogued it as V-17 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266).  On 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 680) he noted "The large nebula.  The middle of it easily resolvable and some of the stars visible; it is impossible to say how far it may extend; the nebulosity losing itself so gradually, but goes undoubtedly a great way in every direction, but chiefly from sp to nf."

Lord Rosse recognized M33 as a spiral on 16 Sep 1849 and his drawing with four or more spiral arms was included in the 1850 PT paper, plate XXXVI, figure 5.  The description reads, "New spiral, s(outh) branch the brightest, none F, nf one short but pB, p(receding) on pretty distinct, sf one but suspected; the whole involved in F neby which probably extends past several knots which lie about it in different directions.  Faint nebulosity seems to extend very far following."  R.J. Mitchell produced a more detailed drawing on 18 Dec 1857 (included in the 1861 publication).

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NGC 599 = MCG -02-05-005 = PGC 5778

01 32 53.7 -12 11 28

V = 13.7; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 135d

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration, in a poor star field. NGC 589 lies 10' NNW and NGC 593 12' SW. Forms a close pair with NGC 601 3.3' ESE (not seen but appears stellar on the POSS).

WH discovered NGC 599 = H II-473 = LM II-310 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and logged "F, S, iF, easily resolvable, some of the stars visible.". His position is fairly accurate. This is an S0 galaxy, so I wouldn't expect that Herschel would find it mottled or resolvable. Frank Muller independently found it again in 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and it was recorded in list II-310 as mag 13.0, 0.8' dia, gbM.

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NGC 600 = MCG -01-05-007 = PGC 5777

01 33 05.3 -07 18 43

V = 12.4; Size 3.3'x2.8'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 85d

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, fairly large, round, 2.5' diameter. Appears as a low surface brightness glow without core or structure.

WH discovered NGC 600 = H III-432 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) and simply noted "eF". JH made no observations of this low surface brightness galaxy and it was probably missed at Birr Castle. The single observation on 29 Nov 1850 with Lord Rosse's 72" commented "searched for 20' sf [NGC 596], doubtful whether found, perhaps it was a vF stellar object 2.5' S of a *13m and about 6' S of a *10m." This appears to refer to a 15th mag star and not the galaxy.

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NGC 601 = Mrk 1000 = PGC 73980

01 33 06.5 -12 12 32

Size 0.3'x0.3'

17.5" (10/4/97): extremely faint and small, round. Initially appeared as a mag 15.5 "star" but a very small 10" halo was visible after extended viewing. Located 3.3' ESE of NGC 599. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC. Appears stellar on the POSS.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 601 = LM II-311 (close southeast of II-310 = NGC 599) in 1886 using the 16" Clark refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is just 5 sec of RA west of PGC 73980 and his PA of 115° with respect to NGC 599 is within 5° of the correct value. Bigourdan missed this object and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. PGC 73980 is not catalogued in the MCG or RC3, but is included in Harold Corwin's Southern Equatorial Galaxy Catalogue (ESGC). It appears virtually stellar on the POSS with a slightly "soft" appearance. PGC equates NGC 599 = NGC 601.

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NGC 602 = ESO 029-SC043 = Lindsay 105 = SMC-N90 = SMC Ass 68

01 29 26 -73 33 36

Size 3'

18" (7/6/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, a knot of stars is embedded in a 3' fairly bright oval nebula (Henize N90). On closer inspection the knot of stars is offset to the SE side of the nebula. At 171x and UHC filter, the nebulosity is fairly bright and clearly locally brighter on the SE end around the knot with a weak dark rift running SW-NE separating the fainter portion of nebulosity to the NW. This nebulous cluster is an outlying member of the SMC.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 602 = D 17 = h2421 on 1 Aug 1826 with his 9-inch f/12 speculum reflector and described "a faint round nebula, about 2' diameter, a very little brighter in the middle, with some minute stars in it." Dunlop's position is just 3' E of this SMC cluster. On his first sweep on 11 Apr 1834, JH logged "pB, S, irregularly round, psb but not to the middle, but rather to a point near the southern edge. Is decidedly resolved, and has scattered stars. (This is an outlier of the Nubecula Minor)". On a second sweep he called it "B, R or lE, psbM to a star; has also a star involved which looks like a second nucleus and several small stars about it." JH credited Dunlop with the discovery.

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NGC 603

01 34 44.0 +30 13 58

17.5" (9/28/02): identified at 162x as a slightly fuzzy glow and cleanly resolved into a faint triple star at 325x (7.5mm Tak and Paracorr). Situated ~30' SE of the core of M33.

17.5" (8/11/96): this is a faint, close triple star within M33 described as a "A south neb. or Cl. with 3 st in it" by Lord Rosse. It appeared as a faint nebulous spot at low power and was barely resolved at 220x. The trio of mag 14/15 stars was cleanly resolved at 410x. The maximum separation is 15", the close pair at 9" separation and the other side 12" with the trio forming a 3-4-5 right triangle! Located 28' SE of the center of M33.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 603 on 29 Nov 1850 with Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded "A S neb. or Cl. with 3 st in it. It is about 8' ssp a [double star] whose components are of the 11 m. RA 1h 26m +/- NPD 60d 35' +/-. (I obs)." This description pins down the identification as a triple star whose components have a maximum separation of 15". This identification was noted by Mayall and Aller (1942) in the article "The Rotation of the Spiral Nebula Messier 33," ApJ, 95, pp. 5-23. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, states "Cl of 3 st 14". In the IC 2 notes, Dreyer mentioned he only saw an extremely faint star on plates of M33. See Corwin's Notes.

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NGC 604 = M33-A84 = BCLMP 680

01 34 31.9 +30 47 13

18" (12/10/07): bright, large HII knot in M33 at the end of the spiral arm that trails to the east on the north side of the core. A mag 10.5-11 star is located 1.5' SE and NGC 604 is elongated 3:2 in the direction of this star. The outline is oval, though a bit irregular, particularly on the east side. It appears brighter and mottled on the NW side and with direct vision a slightly brighter stellaring is embedded near the NW end.

13.1" (7/5/86): bright HII region located 12' NE of the core of M33. Situated at the end of the large spiral arm of M33 that extends north and then east of the core. Bright, fairly small, ~30" diameter, round.

8": fairly bright, round, knot in M33.

WH discovered NGC 604 = H III-150 = h133 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) and noted "vF, S, R nebula, brightest in the middle." The 13 Sep 1850 observation with Lord Rosse's 72" describes a "L spiral full of knots, nf is a B, S neb [NGC 604], which on a very good night might appear attached to the spiral, than which it is brighter."

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NGC 605 = UGC 1128 = MCG +07-04-004 = CGCG 537-014 = PGC 5891

01 35 02.4 +41 14 53

V = 12.9; Size 2.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 145d

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, small bright core, stellar nucleus, very small halo surrounds core.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 605 = St XII-18 on 21 Oct 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "vF; eS; R; bN". His position is accurate.

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NGC 606 = UGC 1126 = MCG +03-05-010 = CGCG 460-011 = PGC 5874

01 34 50.2 +21 25 05

V = 13.4; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (11/30/91): faint, small, round, weak concentration. Located 2.5' S of mag 8.8 SAO 74804. A 30" pair of mag 12 stars is 3' W.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 606 = St XII-16 on 18 Oct 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and logged "eF; R, diam = 45", very little central concentration, seems resolvable". His position is accurate.

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NGC 607

01 34 16.3 -07 24 46

V = 11.7/13.9; Size 14"

=**, Spitaler. =***, Carlson.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 607 = Au 15 on 23 Aug 1855 with a 4.6-inch Fraunhofer refractor at Leibniz. At his micrometric position (measured on two nights) is a pair of mag 12/14 stars at 14" separation. He also measured a mag 9.2 star (called mag 11) that follows by 29.7 seconds and 2' north), so this identification is certain. Auwers included this object in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae. In the NGC notes, Dreyer mentioned "no nebulosity seen by Schönfeld, but Auwers saw it [with the Konigsberg heliometer and reported the observation in the notes section of the catalogue]." Spitaler found a double star (mag 11 with a 14th magnitude companion), which was mentioned in the IC 1 Notes section.

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NGC 608 = UGC 1135 = MCG +05-04-073 = CGCG 502-117 = PGC 5913

01 35 28.2 +33 39 24

V = 13.2; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 32d

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, small, oval SSW-NNE, gradually increases to small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 614 5' ENE.

JH discovered NGC 608 = h134 on 22 Nov 1827 and recorded "vF; psbM. Stellar". His position in the Slough and General Catalogue is 7 sec of RA west of UGC 1135 = PGC 5913. The NGC gives an accurate position.

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NGC 609 = Cr 16 = King 3 = OCL-325

01 36 27 +64 32 12

V = 11.0; Size 3'

24" (1/4/14): at 200x, ~15 faint to very faint stars sparkle over an unresolved background glow ~2.5' diameter. Two brighter mag 12/13 stars are detached, just off the southwest end. The cluster is 2.5' NW of MLB 187, a 5" pair of mag 9/9.5 stars.

13.1" (12/7/85): faint, fairly small, diffuse, about six very faint stars over unresolved haze. Located 10' SSW of mag 6.6 SAO 11875.

8" (1/1/84): not found.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 609 on 9 Aug 1863 (one of two open clusters he found, along with NGC 133) with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted it as "subtle and elegant group of stars mag 14-15; 4' dia; nearly round." His single RA measure is ~50 seconds too large and this error was carried over into the NGC, RNGC and Sky Catalogue 2000.

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NGC 610 = ESO 542-?029

01 34 18 -20 09

=Not found, RNGC and Corwin.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 610 = LM II-312 (along with NGC 611 = LM II-313) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position and Corwin was unable to recover this object after an extensive search for a candidate. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

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NGC 611 = ESO 542-?029

01 34 18 -20 08

=Not found, RNGC and Corwin.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 611 = LM II-313 (along with NGC 610 = LM II-31) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position and Corwin was unable to recover this object after an extensive search for a candidate. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

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NGC 612 = ESO 353-015 = MCG -06-04-046 = PGC 5827

01 33 57.7 -36 29 36

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 172d

17.5" (11/10/96): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, ~1.2'x0.8', weak concentration. Located 1.0' following a mag 11 star. First of three with NGC 619 11' E and NGC 623 14' E.

JH discovered NGC 612 = h2423 on 29 Nov 1837 and recorded "F, R, 12", follows a star 12th mag. This is possibly identical with the next [h2424 = NGC 619] but one with a mistaken minute." His position is 1' S of ESO 353-015 = PGC 5827 and the description applies.

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NGC 613 = ESO 413-011 = MCG -05-04-044 = VV 824 = AM 0132-294 = PGC 5849

01 34 18.2 -29 25 06

V = 10.1; Size 5.5'x4.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 120d

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): this very large barred spiral was a stunning showpiece at 303x! The bright central bar region is oriented NW-SE and extends ~2.5'x1' with the halo and arms stretching ~5'x3.6'. The central region is sharply concentrated with a very intense core that increases to a bright stellar nucleus. A prominent spiral arm is easily visible on the southeast end. It has a well defined edge and high contrast as it emerges from the central region and unfurls east and north. The arm then dims but can be followed as it bends backwards on the east side towards the northwest! The arm dims out before reaching a mag 9.6 star 2.2' NE of center. A second bright, well-defined arm is attached on the northwest end and curls south on the west end of the halo.

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly bright, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 4.0'x1.3', prominent elongated core, almost stellar nucleus with direct vision.  The halo is broader with averted vision.  Southeast of the core there appears to be a very faint extension or large knot. The DSS reveals this feature to be the bright spiral arm extending southeast from the central bar.  Located 2.4' SW of mag 9 SAO 167149.

8" (11/28/81): faint, moderately large, diffuse, small bright core.  A mag 9 star lies 2.5' NE.

WH discovered NGC 613 = H I-281 = h139 = h2422 on 9 Dec 1798 (sweep 1084) and recorded "cB, E np-sf, 5 or 6' long, 1 1/2' broad, a nucleus in the middle, A pretty considerable star is about 3' north of it, and a little following." James Dunlop independently found the galaxy on 5 Aug 1826 with his 9-inch f/12 speculum reflector and recorded "a very small round nebula, about 15" diameter, pretty well defined, bright at the center."  Stephen O'Meara notes it is curious that Dunlop failed to note any elongation and didn't mention its proximity to the 10th magnitude star just off its NE flank.

JH observed the galaxy both at Slough and at the Cape of Good Hope.  On 27 Sep 1834, his Cape observation reads "vB; vL; vmE; pos 118.3 ; 1st gradually then suddenly much brighter to the middle to a nucleus 4' long 1.5' broad, has a star 9th mag N.f."  He also noted that the position assigned in his Slough Catalogue is incorrect.  On a second sweep, he logged "pB; vmE; pslbM, 2 1/2' length.  No other near it within 3 fields in RA and 1 field's breadth in declination."  Finally on a third sweep he logged "vB; L; vmE; pspmbM; has a *10; N.F."

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NGC 614 = NGC 627 = UGC 1140 = MCG +05-04-075 = CGCG 502-118 = PGC 5933

01 35 52.3 +33 40 55

V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broadly concentrated, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 608 5' WSW. Located 9' S of mag 7 SAO 54817.

WH discovered NGC 614 = H III-174 = h135 on 13 Sep 1784 (last object using Beta And as the reference star in sweep 271) and noted "Stellar, verified with 240 power." There is nothing at his position, but 78 sec of RA preceding his position is UGC 1140 = PGC 5933. JH measured an accurate position and also discovered NGC 608 to the southwest. NGC 627 and NGC 618 may be duplicate observations - see comments on these numbers.

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NGC 615 = MCG -01-05-008 = PGC 5897

01 35 05.6 -07 20 27

V = 11.6; Size 3.6'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 155d

17.5" (1/1/92): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 2'x1', evenly concentrated halo, very small bright core, bright stellar nucleus. Located 5.4' ENE of mag 8.5 SAO 129385 but otherwise the immediate field is almost devoid of stars.

8" (11/28/81): faint, small. Located 5' E of an 8th magnitude star.

WH discovered NGC 615 = H II-282 = h137 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and recorded "pF, cL, irregular brightest about the middle, r." His summary description (including an observation on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) reads "pB, cL, lE, mbM". JH made the single observation "pB; R; is sf a * 8m distant 10'." The galaxy is only 5' north-following the star. Rudolph Spitaler measured an accurate position with the 27" refractor at Vienna. The RC3 position angle is incorrect (25°).

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NGC 616

01 36 04.3 +33 46 12

=**, Carlson and Corwin.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 616 on 14 Aug 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and noted (single observation) a "double star veiled in faint nebulosity." He measured the offset to nearby mag 6.5 HD 9728 and his position matches a pair of mag 14 stars at 11" separation. Harold Corwin and Dorothy Carlson equate NGC 616 with this double star.

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NGC 617 = MCG -02-05-007 = PGC 5831

01 34 02.5 -09 46 27

V = 14.5; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (11/1/97): at 220x appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness. Requires averted to view and cannot hold steadily. Slightly easier to view at 280x. Located 30' NW of NGC 624.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 617 = LM II-314 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 1.2 tmin east of MCG -02-05-007 = PGC 5831, a common error with the observations there. MCG (-02-05-007) does not label this galaxy as NGC 617.

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NGC 618

01 36 18 +33 24

= NGC 614??, Corwin. = Not found, Dreyer and DC. =*?, IC 1 notes. = NGC 608?, Burnham.

JH discovered NGC 618 = h136 on 16 Nov 1827 and reported "pB; pL; bM; precedes a * 2m 51.0s". There is nothing at Herschel's position and no fairly bright star at the required separation east of his position. In the NGC Notes section, Dreyer commented "never found at Birr [in 4 attempts], nor by d'Arrest. Schönfeld (II) has two observations, vF, eS = *13, place agreeing with [John Herschel]. Query: only a faint star..." In the IC 1 Notes and Corrections entry for NGC 618 and 627, Dreyer adds "Not observed by John Herschel in the same sweep as [NGC 608 and 614]. Neither of them seen by Burnham."

Wolfgang Steinicke suggests NGC 618 may be a mag 10 star at 01 41 36.6 +33 17 40 (J2000) with a mag 12.7 star 30" southwest and a mag 15.7 star 30" south. Harold Corwin is skeptical this combo would mimic a pB nebula and suggests that NGC 618 is possibly a duplicate observation of NGC 614, although the brighter star following is not at the required separation, unless Herschel meant 51 seconds, instead of 2m 51s. Wolfgang Steinicke analyzed the sweep data and arrived at a different position, close to 01 42 +33° 23' (J2000), assuming the bright star precedes the object, but this "corrected" position has no "pB" objects nearby.

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NGC 619 = ESO 353-021 = MCG -06-04-051 = PGC 5878

01 34 51.7 -36 29 22

V = 13.5; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 130d

17.5" (11/10/96): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 1.0'x0.8'. Difficult to determine orientation as requires averted to glimpse (probably affected by fairly low elevation). Preceding of pair with brighter NGC 623 2.9' E. In a group with NGC 612 11' W.

JH discovered NGC 619 = h2424 on 30 Nov 1837 and noted "eeF, vS, R; the preceding of two [with NGC 623] in the field together." His position is accurate.

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NGC 620 = UGC 1150 = MCG +07-04-006 = CGCG 537-016 = PGC 5990

01 36 59.8 +42 19 23

V = 13.1; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, small, round, broad concentration, fairly high surface brightness. A mag 12 star is 45" WSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 620 = St III-2 on 14 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and reported "eF, vS, R, bM but no nucleus." His position is accurate.

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NGC 621 = UGC 1147 = MCG +06-04-045 = CGCG 521-055 = IV Zw 54 = PGC 5984

01 36 49.0 +35 30 43

V = 12.7; Size 1.9'x1.8'; Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, almost round, broad concentration. Located 2' SW of a mag 10.5 star and 7' S of mag 8.4 SAO 54831.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 621 = St XIII-10 on 24 Nov 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and noted "vF, eS, R, bM and nucleus". His position is accurate.

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NGC 622 = UGC 1143 = MCG +00-05-014 = CGCG 386-016 = Mrk 571 = PGC 5939

01 36 00.1 +00 39 49

V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 45d

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W. Even surface brightness except for a well-defined very small bright core and faint stellar nucleus or faint star superimposed.

WH discovered NGC 622 = H III-454 = h138 on 9 Oct 1785 (sweep 463) and logged "Suspected, eF, pL, 240 power left it doubtful." The NGC position matches UGC 1143 = PGC 5939.

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NGC 623 = ESO 353-023 = MCG -06-04-052 = PGC 5898

01 35 06.4 -36 29 25

V = 12.5; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 94d

17.5" (11/10/96): brighter of pair with NGC 619 2.9' preceding. Fairly faint, fairly small, 1.0' diameter, round. Collinear with NGC 619 and NGC 612 14' W.

JH discovered NGC 623 = h2425 on 30 Nov 1837 and recorded "F, S, R; the following of two [with h2424 = NGC 619]." His position is accurate.

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NGC 624 = MCG -02-05-010 = PGC 5932

01 35 51.0 -10 00 10

V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 100d

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.5'. A mag 13 star is at the south edge 30" from center.

WH discovered NGC 624 = H III-471 = h140 on 30 Nov 1837 (sweep 479) and described "a few small stars mixed with seeming nebulosity. 240 showed the same." There is a star at the south edge and another 1.4' N. JH also noted "eF; S; among 2 or 3 vF st, very difficult". The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 625 = ESO 297-005 = MCG -07-04-017 = PGC 5896

01 35 05 -41 26 12

V = 11.1; Size 5.8'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 92d

17.5" (11/1/86): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 E-W, brighter core.  Viewed at a very low elevation (less than 10°).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 625 = D 479 = h2426 on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector and described "a very faint nebula, of a round figure, with two or three minute stars in it near the meridian". His position is ~8' east of ESO 297-005 = PGC 5896. JH logged on 5 Sep 1834, "B, pL, mE, nearly in the parallel; pmbM." On a second sweep on 4 Dec 1836 he called it "B, mE, gbM, 80"." The next night he logged the galaxy again as "B, L, mE, gbM, 1.25' long."

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NGC 626 = ESO 297-006 = MCG -07-04-018 = AM 0133-392 = PGC 5901

01 35 12.0 -39 08 48

V = 12.7; Size 1.9'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 43d

18" (10/25/08): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, small bright core, very faint halo. NGC 630/ESO 297-008 lies 13.5' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 626 = h2427 on 4 Sep 1834 and recorded "pF, S, R, bM, 15"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 627 = NGC 614? = UGC 1140 = MCG +05-04-075 = CGCG 502-118 = PGC 5933

01 35 52.3 +33 40 55

= NGC 614?, Corwin. =**, Steinicke.

JH discovered NGC 627 = h141 on 11 Nov 1827 and recorded "vF; R; another precedes; which must be III.174 [NGC 614]. The RA conjectural and PD liable to some error." Heinrich d'Arrest was unsuccessful in locating an object at Herschel's position and he commented "is not in the heavens. Anyway, the place assigned [by Herschel] as doubtful, is errant."

Sherburne Burnham (Publ of the Lick Observatory, Vol II) was also unable to find the object and Dreyer concludes "should be struck out" in the IC 1 notes section. Burnham suggested this might be a duplicate observation of NGC 614 in which case the object that precedes would be NGC 608 (misidentified as III 174). See Corwin's identification notes. But Wolfgang Steinicke argues that NGC 614 is located 2.4° due north of ∑137, the previous object in the sweep, so he could not have arrived at the field of NGC 614 as the next object.

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NGC 628 = M74 = UGC 1149 = MCG +03-05-011 = PGC 5974

01 36 41.6 +15 47 03

V = 9.4; Size 10.5'x9.5'; Surf Br = 14.2

48" (10/22/11): beautiful face-on spiral with long, graceful arms wrapping around an intense 1' core that increases towards the center, but there is no sharp nucleus. At first glance at 375x there appeared to be four arms, but with a more careful look there are two main arms that each wrap more than 360° around the core as well as a couple of side branches. Each arm is studded with a number of non-stellar HII regions that highlight the arms. In addition, a number of stars are superimposed, both in the inner region (two faint stars are within 25" of the center) and around the edge of the halo, which extends to 7'-8' diameter.

The more prominent arm "southern" arm is very regular - emerging from the core on the south side and wrapping counterclockwise around the core to the north, unwinding gradually as it curves to the east and then pulls away from the central region more suddenly on the south side. This arm is very patchy and delineated by a large number of HII knots with the two most prominent ones near the outer southern end. The "northern" arm begins to emerge from north of the core, tightly wraps counterclockwise around the core, passing near or through a few superimposed stars on the south side of the core, unwinding more as it stretches again to the north. The arm structure is a bit more complex on the north side due to side branches and the embedded HII knots are more scattered.

The HII regions were viewed more carefully at 610x. The following identifications are from Paul Hodge's 1976 "HII regions in NGC 628" (ApJ, 205, 728), which lists over 700 HII knots. The brightest is #627, near the end of the outer southern arm 2.7' SSW of center. It appeared fairly bright, fairly small, round, ~20" diameter. Moving clockwise along this arm towards the core, the next prominent knot is #598 situated 2.2' SSE of center. It was slightly fainter than #627, round, 15" diameter. Next in line is #552, a faint round knot of 10" situated 1.8' SE of center. East of the core by 1.5' is #406, a very faint, round 10" knot situated 36" S of a superimposed mag 14.5 star. Just 30" W of this star and 1.2' NE of center is #292, a fairly faint, very small knot, ~8" diameter. Continuing inward along this arm, the next knot is #196, a very faint hazy spot 1.3' N of center. Finally, less than 1' NW of center is another very faint patch with multiple Hodge numbers #260-268.

There were no notable knots on the inner southern portion of the northern arm, but a noticeable clump of knots is on the NW portion of this arm. First was #167/168, a faint 10" knot 1.6' NW of center. Continuing outward 2.0' NNW of center is a faint, elongated patch, ~25" diameter, consisting of #91-95 and #49 at the north end of the glow. I didn't search the outer region of the halo for additional HII knots, except noted #330, a 10" knot situated between two mag 12-13 stars at the eastern edge of halo, 3.9' from center.

17.5" (8/31/86): bright, large, round, very bright core. A spiral arm is attached at the east side of core winding towards the west along the south side. A dark gap is visible between the arm and the main central portion. Several stars are superimposed in the halo.

13.1" (8/24/84): very prominent, fairly small bright core surrounded by a very large, diffuse glow. Visible in 16x80 finder.

8": very small bright core surrounded by a large faint halo.

Pierre Méchain discovered M74 = NGC 628 = h142 in September 1780. William Herschel made several observations of M74 in which he claimed to partially resolve M74 into a number of extremely faint stars. On 14 Oct 1784 (sweep 289) he noted "easily resolvable; some stars visible in it, the coma eF at the edges and not resolvable."

On 13 Dec 1848, William Parsons (3rd Earl of Rosse) detected spiral structure with his 72" and noted "Rough sketch made. Spiral?" The next night he "confirmed last night's observations; feel confident it is a spiral." Listed as "Spiral or curvilinear" in Parsons' 1850 paper.

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NGC 629

01 38 58.5 +72 52 01

17.5" (10/13/01): near Struve's position is a striking 1' chain of 5 stars mag 12.5-13.5 extended WSW-ENE. Two of the stars at the following end of the chain form a very close pair. There is also a wider trio of stars which follows by 6', but this is a courser, less interesting group in the field and less likely to fit Struve's description "3*+ neb".

Wilhelm Struve discovered NGC 629 = ∑ 2 = Au 16 in 1825 with the 9.6" Fraunhofer refractor at Dorpat. Auwers included this object in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae with the description "irregular nebula with 3 *.", though he couldn't find it in the Königsberg Heliometer in Feb 1861. About 6' west of Struve's position is a tight string of 5 stars within 1' and Harold Corwin identifies this asterism as NGC 629. The brightest mag 12.2 star has companions at 11" and 13".

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NGC 630 = ESO 297-009 = MCG -07-04-020 = PGC 5924

01 35 36.5 -39 21 29

V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 60d

18" (10/25/08): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.6'x0.45, small bright core increases to the center, fairly high surface brightness. Forms a close pair with slightly fainter ESO 297-008 1.8' SW, which was surprisingly missed by John Herschel. NGC 626 lies 13.5' NNW. The companion is just over the constellation border into Phoenix and appeared faint or fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6', low even surface brightness.

JH discovered NGC 630 = h2428 on 23 Oct 1835 and recorded "pF, S, R, bM, 15", precedes two stars 11th mag. The two stars are there and Herschel's position is accurate.

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NGC 631 = UGC 1153 = MCG +01-05-007 = CGCG 412-006 = PGC 5983

01 36 47.0 +05 50 07

V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 14.3

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, small, round, smoothly increases to small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 632 8' ENE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 631 = m 50 on 27 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, S, gbM." His position matches UGC 1153 = PGC 5983.

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NGC 632 = UGC 1157 = MCG +01-05-010 = CGCG 412-008 = Mrk 1002 = PGC 6007

01 37 17.5 +05 52 39

V = 12.3; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 170d

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, small, very small very bright core dominates, slightly elongated much fainter halo. A mag 14.5 star is embedded in the north side. Forms a pair with NGC 631 8' WSW.

JH discovered NGC 632 = h143 on 24 Sep 1830 and logged "pB; S; R; psbM; 15"." His position matches UGC 1157 = PGC 6007.

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NGC 633 = ESO 297-011 = MCG -06-04-056 = PGC 5960

01 36 23.4 -37 19 18

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 177d

17.5" (11/10/96): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration (hampered by low elevation). Located 3' SE a mag 9/10 double star at 15" separation. Forms a pair with ESO 297-G12 1.1' S (not seen).

JH discovered NGC 633 = h2429 on 1 Sep 1834 and logged "pB, S, R, gbM, 15"; follows a pretty bright double star." On a later sweep he logged "Not vF, R, 30", has a double star N.p." His mean position and description matches ESO 297-11 = PGC 5960. He missed a fainter companion (ESO 297-12 = PGC 5959) 1.1' S.

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NGC 634 = UGC 1164 = MCG +06-04-048 = CGCG 521-060 = PGC 6059

01 38 18.5 +35 21 54

V = 13.0; Size 2.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 167d

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, small, very elongated ~N-S. A mag 15 star is at the west edge. Located 2' ENE of mag 7.7 SAO 54855.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 634 = St VIIIa-6 on 26 Oct 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and logged "eF, eS, sev F* inv". His position matches UGC 1164 = PGC 6059.

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NGC 635 = MCG -04-05-002 = PGC 6062

01 38 17.8 -22 55 44

V = 14.6; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (12/9/01): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration. Forms the SW vertex of a triangle with a mag 10 star (SAO 167193) 2.9' ENE and a mag 12.5 star 1.6' NNE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 635 = LM I-33 on 15 Oct 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his rough position but based on the discovery sketch (which shows two or three stars to the NE and another to the SSE), Harold Corwin has identified NGC 635 = PGC 6062. In this case, Leavenworth's dec was 3° too far north. RNGC lists the number as nonexistent (not found). See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 636 = MCG -01-05-013 = PGC 6110

01 39 06.5 -07 30 46

V = 11.5; Size 2.8'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 140d

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly bright, fairly small, round, bright well-defined circular core, very small nucleus. The faint halo increases diameter to almost 2'. A mag 12 star is 3' ENE.

8" (11/28/81): faint, small, round, small bright core.

WH discovered NGC 636 = H II-283 = h144 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and recorded "pB, S, of equal light, r, a star or two visible in it." On a second observation on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 435) he noted "pB, S, mbM." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 637 = Cr 17 = OCL-329 = Lund 51

01 43 03 +64 02 12

V = 8.2; Size 4'

18" (10/25/08): very pretty cluster at 283x. The central 2.5' region is rich and contains roughly 3 dozen stars including a mag 10.5/11.5 double (STI 264 = ADS 1342) at 9.5" separation. A third mag 11 star forms a wide trio 46" to the south. An arc or "C" shaped curve of stars passes through the central double and opens to the north. A chain of brighter stars begins at the center of the open end of the arc (on north side) and zigzags to the north and NE. A wide bright double (23" separation) sits at the east end of the central region. Finally another fainter linear chain of stars heads to the west of the central region. Within a 5' region, 50-60 stars are resolved.

13.1" (12/7/85): rich cluster of two dozen stars arranged in an arc. There are five bright stars including a mag 10/11.2 double star at 9" separation.

8" (1/1/84): 10 stars in cluster includes four mag 10 stars and fainter, mottled, over haze.

WH discovered NGC 637 = H VII-49 on 9 Nov 1787 (sweep 777) and noted "a cluster of some cL stars and many eS, so as hardly to be visible. The large ones arranged in circular order 3' or 4' diameter."

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NGC 638 = UGC 1170 = MCG +01-05-014 = CGCG 412-011 = Mrk 1003 = PGC 6145

01 39 37.8 +07 14 15

V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 20d

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, almost even surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 638 = Sw V-14 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 639 = ESO 413-013 = MCG -05-05-002 = VV 419 = AM 0136-301 = PGC 6105

01 38 59.1 -29 55 31

V = 14.1; Size 1.0'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 31d

17.5" (12/20/95): extremely faint, very small. Fainter of a close pair with NGC 642 1.7' NE. At first only a 10" round core seen, but with extended viewing can just detect faint extensions which increase dimensions to 0.9'x0.2' SW-NE.

JH discovered NGC 639 = h2430 (along with NGC 642 = h2431) on 27 Sep 1834 and noted "vF, vS; the preceding of two [with NGC 642].". His mean position from 3 observations matches ESO 413-013 = PGC 6105.

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NGC 640 = MCG -02-05-031 = PGC 6130

01 39 24.8 -09 24 03

V = 15.1; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (10/29/94): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter, no concentration. Collinear with a mag 11-12 double star (30" separation) located 6' NNE. A mag 11.5 star lies 4.0' SSW of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 640 = LM II-315 in 1886 and reported "mag 15.8; 0.6'; lE 170°; lbMN; *10 s 4'.". His position is only 9 sec of RA east of MCG -02-05-031 = PGC 6130 and the star 4' S is just where he placed it.

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NGC 641 = ESO 244-042 = AM 0136-424 = MCG -07-04-026 = PGC 6081

01 38 39.1 -42 31 40

V = 12.1; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7

24" (10/3/13): at 375x appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 36", well-defined E-type appearance, gradually increases to the center. A mag 10 star lies 4.2' SW and a mag 13 star is 1.9' NE, but the field is quite barren of stars. Forms a pair with NGC 644 4.3' SE. Located 24' N of mag 6.7 HD 10167. Surprisingly bright for a galaxy at only 10° elevation.

JH discovered NGC 641 = h2432 (along with NGC 644 = h2433) on 5 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB, S, R, gpmbM; the preceding of two [with NGC 644]." His mean position from 3 sweeps matches ESO 244-042 = PGC 6081.

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NGC 642 = ESO 413-014 = MCG -05-05-003 = VV 419 = PGC 6112

01 39 06.3 -29 54 56

V = 12.9; Size 2.0'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 31d

17.5" (12/20/95): brighter of a pair with NGC 639 1.7' SW. Faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, ~1.2'x0.8' (fades into background so difficult to estimate PA and size), broad weak concentration. A mag 13 star is just off the SE end 50" from center.

JH discovered NGC 642 = h2431 (along with NGC 639 = h2430) on 27 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, gbM, 15", has a star near it, following.". His mean from 3 observations matches ESO 413-014 = PGC 6112.

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NGC 643 = ESO 029-SC050 = Lindsay 111

01 35 02 -75 33 24

V = 13.5

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, broad weak concentration without a distinct core, some mottling but no resolution. Located 8.5' NNE of mag 8 HD 10041. This object is an outlying cluster of the SMC on the southeast side.

JH discovered NGC 643 = h2435 on 18 Sep 1835 and logged "eF, R, vglbM, 40"."

In 1957, Gerard de Vaucouleurs concluded (based on Mt Stromlo plates) that NGC 643 was an outlying cluster of the Small Magellanic Cloud and not a galaxy as listed in the Shapley-Ames Catalogue. RNGC gives the type as 28 (cluster in the LMC) instead of 29 (cluster in the SMC). NGC 2000.0 classifies it as a globular cluster. NGC 643B = ESO 029-053 = PGC 6117 is misidentified as NGC 643 in the RC3 (letter designation from the RC1).

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NGC 644 = ESO 244-043 = AM 0136-425 = MCG -07-04-027 = PGC 6097

01 38 53.1 -42 35 06

V = 14.0; Size 1.3'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 155d

24" (10/3/13): difficult due to low elevation (10°) and fairly poor seeing this far south. At 200x appeared very faint, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, ~24"x18", required averted. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 641 4.3' NW. A mag 10 star lies 6.8' NW.

JH discovered NGC 644 = h2433 (along with brighter NGC 641 = h2432) on 5 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, S, lE, glbM. The following of two [with NGC 641].". His position and description matches ESO 244-043 = PGC 6097.

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NGC 645 = UGC 1177 = MCG +01-05-016 = CGCG 412-013 = PGC 6172

01 40 08.7 +05 43 35

V = 12.6; Size 2.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 125d

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, slight broad concentration. A line of three mag 9.5-10.5 stars aligned E-W are located just north including a mag 9.5 star 3' NW, a mag 10.5 star 2.2' N and a mag 10 star 4.7' ENE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 645 = m 51 on 27 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, pL, mE." His position and description applies to UGC 1177.

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NGC 646 = ESO 080-002 = VV 443 = AM 0135-650 = PGC 6010

01 37 21.2 -64 53 42

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 107d

Southern object (not observed). Companion (PGC 6014) at the end of the eastern arm.

JH discovered NGC 646 = h2434 on 2 Nov 1834 and logged "vF, irregularly round, vglbM." His position is accurate.

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NGC 647 = MCG -02-05-033 = PGC 6155

01 39 56.1 -09 14 33

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 45d

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, small, elongated 4:3, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 649 3.3' SE. Located 5' W of mag 8.8 SAO 129437.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 647 = LM II-316 (along with NGC 649 = LM II-317) in 1886) with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.4 tmin east of MCG -02-05-033 = PGC 6155. The galaxy identified as NGC 647 in the MCG is actually NGC 649.

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NGC 648 = ESO 543-006 = MCG -03-05-011 = IC 146 = PGC 6083

01 38 39.8 -17 49 53

V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 114d

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration. A bright uneven double star h2067 = 7.6/11.6 at 34" lies 10' ENE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 648 = LM I-34 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.6 min of RA east of ESO 543-006 = PGC 6083. Because of the poor position, Bigourdan was unable to recover the galaxy. Stephane Javelle independently discovered the galaxy on 30 Sep 1892 with the 30" refractor at the Nice Observatory, assumed it was new, and Dreyer catalogued J. 1-70 as IC 146. Herbert Howe reobserved and measured an accurate position for NGC 648 around 1900 (repeated in the IC 2 notes), though neither Howe nor Dreyer noticed the equivalence NGC 648 = IC 146. ESO states the equivalence NGC 648 = IC 146. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 649 = MCG -02-05-034 = PGC 6169

01 40 07.4 -09 16 18

V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 20d

17.5" (9/26/92): extremely faint, very small, round. Located 3' SW of mag 8.8 SAO 129437, which hampers the observation. Forms a pair with NGC 647 3.3' NW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 649 = LM II-317 (along with NGC 647 = II-316) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position angle (N-S) is off by 20° but it is clear that NGC 649 = MCG -02-05-034 = PGC 6169. MCG misidentifies NGC 649 as NGC 647.

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NGC 650 = M76 = Little Dumbbell Nebula = PK 130-10.1 = PN G130.9-10.5

01 42 18.1 +51 34 16

V = 10.1; Size 163"x107"

18" (10/19/06): superb view at 225x using a UHC filter. The main bi-polar body was very bright, elongated ~SW-NE and dominated by two large, irregular knots at either end. The SW knot is brighter and the brightest portion is more elongated in the direction of the minor axis. Both knots are somewhat irregular in shape and brightness. A faint star is just off the SW end. The two bright knots are attached with a fainter bridge of nebulosity. Extending off the north end is a large "arm" that sweeps around towards the west and a slightly less obvious counterpart is attached at the south end and sweeps towards the east. The overall effect mimics a photograph of a barred spiral galaxy or perhaps a rotating sprinkler head with jets of water curving away.

17.5" (8/2/86): bright, fairly large, consists of two prominent irregular lobes with a darker center; the SW lobe is brighter with straight edges while the NE lobe has a slightly curved edge. A mag 13.5 star is attached at the southern edge of the SW lobe. Extending from the main body of this striking bipolar planetary is a large halo that contains two large outer arms or wings similar to a spiral galaxy! The outer "arm" attached at the NE end is brighter and longer and curves to the west. The southern extension is short, fainter and less defined. The general features described above were clearly seen in my 13.1" at 166x using an OIII filter on 10/10/86.

13": SW end is brighter while the NE end is slightly curved. Boxy appearance with a dark center.

80mm (1/20/07): at 12.5x appears as a very faint, very small low surface brightness spot that blinks well using an OIII filter and increases significantly in contrast. At 25x and OIII filter appears as a fairly faint, round knot with a fairly high surface brightness.

Pierre Méchain discovered M76 = NGC 650 = H I-193 on 5 Sept 1780 with a 3" refractor. WH described the planetary on 12 Nov 1787 as "Two close together, their nebulosities run into each other; distance of their centers is 1 1/2 or 2'." The second nebula was catalogued as NGC 651.

Sir Robert Ball described M76 in detail on 5 Nov 1866 using the 72" at Birr Castle: "remarkable object; a new spiral possessing details of interest. Previous observation as to form confirmed with some further particulars well seen in single lens. It consists principally of the two B knots which according to Herschel are the pair of double nebula, and third much fainter knot p the other two. Form compared to a reaping hook. Sketched by Lord Oxmantown. The nebulosity terminates very suddenly on the s edge where there is a star, probably distinct from, through very close to the nebulosity. A branch of nebulosity in the foll direction was suspected by both observes preceding from between the two knots."

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NGC 651 = PK 130-10.1 = M76 = Little Dumbbell Nebula = PN G130.9-10.5

01 42 21.9 +51 34 49

V = 10.1

17.5": part of NGC 650 = M76, see description for NGC 650.

WH discovered NGC 651 = H I-193 on 12 Nov 1787 (sweep 780) and recorded "Two close together; both vB, their nebulosities run into each other. Distance of their centers 1 1/2' or 2' from sp to nf." As one was M76 he assigned one new number. Dreyer assigned NGC 650 to M76 and NGC 651 to H I-193 (following of the double nebula).

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NGC 652 = UGC 1184 = MCG +01-05-017 = CGCG 412-014 = PGC 6208

01 40 43.2 +07 58 58

V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 55d

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, very weak concentration.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 652 = Sw V-15 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 14 tsec east of UGC 1184 = PGC 6208. See Corwin's notes for more info on Swift's discoveries that night.

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NGC 653 = UGC 1193 = MCG +06-04-058 = CGCG 521-070 = PGC 6290

01 42 25.7 +35 38 18

V = 13.4; Size 1.5'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 39d

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on SSW-NNE, small bright core. A mag 12.5 star is 1.3' ESE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 653 = St XIII-11 on 29 Nov 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "vF, pL, mE, 1' major axis, lbM, sev * inv". His position is accurate.

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NGC 654 = Cr 18 = Mel 9 = OCL-330

01 43 59 +61 53 00

V = 6.5; Size 5'

13.1" (10/20/84): 35 stars, rich, includes several doubles. Located just northwest of mag 7.3 SAO 11950.

8": rich in faint stars including doubles. A mag 7 star is at the southeast edge.

WH discovered NGC 654 = H VII-46 = h145 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and noted "a small cluster of pretty large stars, pretty rich." JH described "a fine rich cluster; stars 11...14m; 3' dia; irreg fig; place that of the most compressed part; one star 6.7 mag, south-following the center, is ruddy."

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NGC 655 = MCG -02-05-037 = PGC 6262

01 41 55.1 -13 04 56

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 45d

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, round, weakly concentrated halo, rises quickly to small bright core. A mag 12/14 double star at 20" separation is 2' S. Located 10' NNW of a mag 9.5 star.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 655 = LM I-35 on 12 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 2' S of MCG -02-05-037037 = PGC 6262. Bigourdan was unable to find 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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NGC 656 = UGC 1194 = MCG +04-05-002 = CGCG 482-004 = PGC 6293

01 42 27.3 +26 08 35

V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 35d

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, small, round, 1.0' diameter, bright core. A mag 11 star is 1.5' NW. Located 8' ESE of mag 9 SAO 74879.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 656 on 20 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He measured a very accurate position on 2 nights as well as the nearby mag 10 star (5 seconds preceding and 1 1/4' north).

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NGC 657 = OCL-337 = Lund 52

01 43 47 +55 52 42

17.5" (10/25/97): very unimpressive asterism near at the double star O∑ 35 = 7.2/10.4 at 13". Possibly John Herschel was attracted to a group of ~10 stars 4'-5' SW of the bright double. There are a few additional stars following this group which lead back to the double. This grouping includes a couple of close, faint doubles but appears to be a weak asterism at all powers as there is no evident clustering.

JH discovered NGC 657 = h146 on 28 Nov 1831 and noted "A double star (h2070), the chief of a p rich loose cl; st 12m."

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NGC 658 = UGC 1192 = MCG +02-05-009 = CGCG 437-009 = PGC 6275

01 42 09.7 +12 36 06

V = 12.5; Size 3.0'x1.6'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 20d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, broad concentration, fairly faint small core. Located 4' SSW of mag 8.8 SAO 92587.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 658 = St IX-1 on 27 Nov 1880 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "very faint, very small, irregular, brighter in the middle." His position matches UGC 1192 = PGC 6275. This galaxy was independently found by Lewis Swift on 17 Sep 1885 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and reported it in list II-13. His position and description is good, though he criticized Stephan's description by writing "pB; pL; vE; nearly bet 2 pB st. If this is Stephan's No 1 of his catalogue of 60 nebulae, A.N. 2390, then his description is wrong in every particular."

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NGC 659 = Cr 19 = Mel 10 = OCL-332

01 44 23 +60 40 12

V = 7.9; Size 5'

13.1" (10/20/84): ~20 stars in cluster, not impressive. Located 80' E of M103.

13.1" (11/5/83): 18 stars at 166x over haze. In field to NW of NGC 663.

Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 659 = VIII-65 on 27 Sep 1783 with her 4.2" comet-seeker reflector. WH independently discovered the cluster on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and logged "a small cluster of small stars, not very rich." In his PT catalogue, he noted "Caroline Herschel [discovered it in ] 1783."

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NGC 660 = UGC 1201 = MCG +02-05-013 = CGCG 437-012 = PGC 6318

01 43 01.7 +13 38 35

V = 11.2; Size 8.3'x3.2'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 170d

48" (10/23/11): this large, striking galaxy contains a very bright, elongated bar oriented SW-NE, ~2'x1'. The northeastern half of the bar is noticeably brighter with a very high surface brightness. The galaxy is fainter and wider on the southwest portion of the bar. The central region in mottled and dusty, but I didn't notice the X-shaped dust lanes visible on photos. At the southwest end, a broad low surface brightness spiral arm emerges and sweeps south, curving slightly east for a length of 2'. A second faint arm begins at the northeast end of the bar and extends north a similar distance, bending gradually to the west. The arms give the galaxy a stretched "S" appearance and significantly increase the overall size to ~6.5'x2.5', roughly N-S.

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly bright, large, oval SW-NE, broadly concentrated halo, mottled. A mag 14 double star is 1.8' ESE of center. Located 10' SE of mag 8.1 SAO 92589. UGC 1195 lies 22' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 660 = H II-253 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 295) and noted "pB, pl, E, bM, r". Sir Robert Ball, an assistant with the 72" at Birr Castle, described "a fine neb of the character of the neb in Andromeda. cB, vL, E 37.1°, possibly curved and with details. E Nucl which was suspected to be in two parts or have some peculiarity." A later observation by Dreyer reads "pB, pL mE 41°. Looks like a brush, fades away gradually south-following, more sharply defined north-preceding. Condensation in nf end."

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NGC 661 = UGC 1215 = MCG +05-05-005 = CGCG 503-014 = PGC 6376

01 44 14.6 +28 42 22

V = 12.2; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 60d

17.5" (9/26/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, prominent core, bright stellar nucleus. Bracketed by two mag 14 stars 75" SW and 75" NE.

WH discovered NGC 661 = H II-610 = h147 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and noted "F, S, bM, resolvable". JH described this nebula as "pF; S; R; psbM". His position matches UGC 1215 = PGC 6376. E.E. Barnard independently found it on 11 Oct 1882 with his 5-inch refractor and described a "minute speck of a nebula...which I assume to be new."

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NGC 662 = UGC 1220 = MCG +06-04-060 = CGCG 521-073 = V Zw 98 = PGC 6393

01 44 35.5 +37 41 46

V = 12.9; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 11.8; PA = 20d

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, very small, fairly high even surface brightness, elongated 3:2 ~N-S. Located 3' ENE of mag 6.9 SAO 10617, which hampers viewing.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 662 = St XIII-12 on 22 Nov 1884 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and noted "F, S, R, rather marked central condensation". His position is accurate.

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NGC 663 = Cr 20 = Mel 11 = OCL-333

01 46 16 +61 13 06

V = 7.1; Size 16'

13.1" (10/20/84): ~75 stars, fairly large, rich, many doubles including ∑153 = 9.7/10.9 at 8" and ∑152 = 9.4/10.9 at 9" and ∑151 = 10.7/11.2 at 7".

WH discovered NGC 663 = H VI-31 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and recorded "a beautiful cluster of pretty large stars near 15' diameter, considerably rich." Neither JH nor LdR's assistants observed the cluster.

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NGC 664 = UGC 1210 = MCG +01-05-029 = CGCG 412-023 = PGC 6359

01 43 45.8 +04 13 23

V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 65d

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, weak concentration. Nearby are a mag 15 star 50" NW and two mag 14 stars 1.8' WSW and 2' SSW.

JH discovered NGC 664 = h148 on 24 Sep 1830 and noted "vF; R; 20"." R.J. Mitchell, observing with Lord Rosse's 72" on 11 Dec 1854, recorded "S, R, bmN. Forms a trapezium [eastern vertex] with 3 stars."

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NGC 665 = UGC 1223 = MCG +02-05-019 = CGCG 437-019 = PGC 6415

01 44 56.1 +10 25 22

V = 12.1; Size 2.4'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 125d

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, prominent core, bright nucleus. Brightest in a group of four with IC 154 14' NNE, IC 156 11NE and CGCG 437-020 6' SE.

WH discovered NGC 665 = H II-588 on 4 Sep 1786 (sweep 582) and logged "F, irr R, r." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 666 = UGC 1236 = MCG +06-05-002 = CGCG 521-079 = PGC 6483

01 46 06.3 +34 22 28

V = 13.4; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, very small, round, stellar nucleus. Almost collinear with a mag 12.5 star 2' NNE and a mag 13 star 3' NNE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 666 = St XIII-13 on 22 Nov 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate and his description "very small star in an extremely small and faint nebula" applies to the stellar nucleus and small halo.

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NGC 667 = ESO 477-002 = PGC 6418

01 44 56.7 -22 55 09

V = 14.2; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 82d

17.5" (10/25/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness. Not seen with certainty at 220x and verified at 280x. Located 1.4' SE of a mag 12 star.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 667 = LM II-318 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.3' west and 2' south of ESO 477-002 = PGC 6418. A mag 10 star mentioned in his notes as 1.6' in PA 320° (NW) clinches the identification. 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 668 = UGC 1238 = MCG +06-05-003 = CGCG 521-080 = PGC 6502

01 46 22.6 +36 27 37

V = 13.1; Size 1.8'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 30d

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, slightly elongated SW-NE, broadly concentrated halo, small bright core. Located 2.5' W of a mag 10.5 star at the NW edge of AGC 262 galaxy cluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 668 = St XI-2 on 4 Dec 1880 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "pF; pS; R; gbM". His position is accurate.

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NGC 669 = UGC 1248 = MCG +06-05-004 = CGCG 522-004 = PGC 6560

01 47 16.2 +35 33 46

V = 12.3; Size 3.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 36d

17.5" (11/27/92): moderately bright, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, bright bulging core, thin tapering extensions, fairly striking appearance. A mag 13 star is just south of the SW tip 1.5' from the center. Three mag 12 stars form a shallow obtuse triangle close north with the nearest star 1.8' NW. Located at the SW edge of AGC 262 galaxy cluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 669 = St XIII-14 on 28 Nov 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and logged "pF; mE NE to SW; 1.5' length; gbM; mottled center or several small stars involved." His position and description matches UGC 1248 = PGC 6560.

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NGC 670 = UGC 1250 = MCG +05-05-012 = CGCG 503-024 = PGC 6570

01 47 24.9 +27 53 09

V = 12.7; Size 2.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 172d

13.1" (11/5/83): fairly faint, small, compact, elongated 2:1 N-S, bright core. Located 28' NNW of NGC 672.

WH discovered NGC 670 = H II-611 = h149 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and noted "F, S, lE". R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 18 Sep 1857, recorded "S, pretty much E np sf, bM, is about 2' preceding a double star." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 671 = UGC 1247 = MCG +02-05-029 = CGCG 437-027 = PGC 6546

01 46 59.1 +13 07 31

V = 13.2; Size 1.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 55d

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, seems brighter at both ends. A double star with components mag 12.5/13.5 (oriented NW-SE with separation 20") lies 3' S. Located very close to the Pisces border.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 671 = Sw II-14 on 17 Sep 1885 with the 16" Clark refractor at Warner Observatory and logged "eF; pS; R; "between a double star and a star with a distant companion." Swift's position is 18 sec of RA east of UGC 1247 = PGC 6546 and his description of the nearby stars to the north and south pins down the identification. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 672 = VV 338b = UGC 1256 = MCG +04-05-011= CGCG 482-016 = Holm 46a = KTG 8B = PGC 6595

01 47 53.9 +27 25 56

V = 10.9; Size 7.2'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 65d

24" (12/28/13): at 225x appeared very bright, very large, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, mottled appearance. Contains a brighter, elongated "bar" that is slightly angled (roughly 7:2 E-W) to the major axis of the halo. Slightly brighter "patches" were visible just beyond the bar (on both the east and west side), probably where spiral arms attach to the bar. IC 1727 lies 8' SW.

13.1" (11/5/83): fairly bright, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, even surface brightness. Bracketed by a mag 13.5 star 2.2' WNW and a mag 13 star 3.2' E. Brightest in a group with IC 1727 8' SW.

8" (11/13/82): fairly faint, low even surface brightness, fairly large, diffuse. Two mag 13.5 stars lie NW and at the east edge.

8" (11/28/81): faint, fairly large, very diffuse, elongated ~E-W.

WH discovered NGC 672 = H I-157 = h150 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and logged "cB, cL, extended in the parallel, mbM, about 6 or 7' long, 3' broad." This galaxy was observed 7 times with the 72" at Birr Castle. On 26 Oct 1854, R.J. Mitchell recorded "A tolerably B ray, bM. The B portion is narrow, but I think F neby extends laterally; * south of centre and another fainter one sp center? [this may refer to an HII region]." I'm surprised, though, that IC 1727 was missed during these observations. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 673 = UGC 1259 = MCG +02-05-033 = CGCG 437-030 = PGC 6624

01 48 22.5 +11 31 18

V = 12.6; Size 2.1'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 0d

17.5" (12/18/89): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, weak concentration. Located 3.1' WSW of a mag 10 star.

WH discovered NGC 673 = H II-589 on 4 Sep 1786 (sweep 582) and logged "F, pL, E, brightest following the middle, 2' south-preceding a considerably bright star [10th mag]." Using the 72" at Birr Castle in 1875, J.L.E. Dreyer accurately described the galaxy as "pB, pL, irr R, vlbM, *10-11m Pos. 65.8°, Dist 195.6".

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NGC 674 = NGC 697 = UGC 1317 = MCG +04-05-022 = CGCG 482-027 = PGC 6848

01 51 17.4 +22 21 28

See observing notes for NGC 697.

Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 674 on 2 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and noted "pretty bright, elongated, *14 follows by 8 seconds." There is nothing at his position, but 2.0 min of RA east is NGC 697 and the description fits! JH and Dreyer assumed this was a new discovery and catalogued d'Arrest's object as GC 398 = NGC 674. Curiously, he claims the object was found the same night (4th of 411) that he also observed NGC 697. Father Hagen and Bigourdan searched fruitlessly for NGC 674 and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, says "not found, = NGC 697?" That conclusion is warranted. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 675 = UGC 1273 = MCG +02-05-041 = CGCG 437-037 = PGC 6665

01 49 08.6 +13 03 35

V = 14.5; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 99d

17.5" (12/18/89): extremely faint, small, elongated E-W. Forms a pair with NGC 677 1.4' ENE. Located just SW of a mag 14 star, which is 1' W of NGC 677.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 675 = Sw V-16 (along with NGC 677 = Sw V-17) on 25 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 5 tsec west and 17" south of UGC 1273 = PGC 6665.

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NGC 676 = UGC 1270 = MCG +01-05-034 = CGCG 412-028 = PGC 6656

01 48 57.3 +05 54 24

V = 11.9; Size 4.0'x1.2'; PA = 172d

17.5" (12/18/89): very unusual appearance as a mag 10 star (BD +5 244) is superimposed on the core! Fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, almost even surface brightness except for the bright star. NGC 693 lies 26' NE.

WH discovered NGC 676 = H IV-42 = h151 on 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 607) and recorded "a star with vF branches in the direction of the meridian, each branch about 1' in length; the star about 8 or 9 m; other stars of the same size are free from these branches". Interestingly, he used this example in his 1814 PT paper to argue, not only of the association of the star [very near the center] and the nebula, but that the nebula was brighter near the star because nebulous matter was being drawn by gravity to the star. JH observed the galaxy on two sweeps and described it as "a *9m with a vF narrow ray of nebulosity; a most curious object." The galaxy was observed 4 times at Birr Castle. On 8 Nov 1876, J.L.E. Dreyer recorded "*9m with pF neb elongated 168.4°, longer on the side of *, concave preceding, convex following."

The 9.5-mag star superimposed at the center is included in the CGCG magnitude (10.5z). Steinicke notes that the separation from centre is only 9", the smallest value of all cases of bright superimposed stars in the NGC!

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NGC 677 = UGC 1275 = MCG +02-05-042 = CGCG 437-039 = PGC 6673

01 49 14.0 +13 03 19

V = 12.2; Size 2.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core increases to a very small brighter nucleus. A mag 14 star lies 1' W and a mag 15 star is 1' S. Forms a close pair with NGC 675 1.4' WSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 677 = Sw V-17 (along with NGC 675 = Sw V-16) on 25 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 10 tsec west and 14" north of UGC 1275. He described NGC 675 as "vF" and 677 as "eeF", although NGC 677 is the brighter galaxy at the eyepiece. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory, but identifies the object as NGC 675.

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NGC 678 = UGC 1280 = MCG +04-05-014 = CGCG 482-018 = LGG 034-002 = PGC 6690

01 49 24.8 +21 59 51

V = 12.2; Size 4.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 78d

18" (11/22/03): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 WSW-ENE, 3.0'x0.8'. Sharply concentrated with a small bright core that increases to the center. The extensions are much fainter. Forms a pair with NGC 680 5' ESE in the NGC 691 group.

13" (9/29/84): moderately bright, moderately large, bright core, elongated 3:1 ~E-W. Forms a pair with NGC 680 5' ESE in the NGC 697 group.

WH discovered NGC 678 = H II-228, along with NGC 680, on 15 Sep 1784 (sweep 274) and described them together as "Two. Both F, pS, irregularly R." The NGC position is accurate. On 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 636) he logged "pB, S, mbM."

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NGC 679 = UGC 1283 = MCG +06-05-012 = CGCG 522-015 = V Zw 114 = PGC 6711

01 49 43.7 +35 47 08

V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (9/19/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round, broad concentration, in AGC 262.

13" (9/22/84): moderately bright, round, small bright core.

WH discovered NGC 679 = H III-175 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and simply noted "stellar." His position is 17 tsec east and 1' south of UGC 1283 = PGC 6711.

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NGC 680 = UGC 1286 = MCG +04-05-015 = CGCG 482-019 = PGC 6719

01 49 47.3 +21 58 16

V = 11.9; Size 1.9'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 156d

18" (11/22/03): fairly bright, high surface brightness elliptical or lenticular, slightly elongated, 1.7'x1.5'. Contains a well-condensed 30" bright core surrounded by a fainter halo that fades gradually. Surrounded by three mag 10-11 stars 3'-4' S, east and NE. In a trio with NGC 678 5' WNW and IC 1730 3.5' NE.

13" (9/29/84): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 678 5' WNW in the NGC 691 group.

WH discovered NGC 680 = H II-229, along with NGC 678, on 15 Sep 1784 (sweep 274). On 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 636) he noted "pB, S, mbM." See NGC 678.

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NGC 681 = MCG -02-05-052 = PGC 6671

01 49 10.7 -10 25 35

V = 12.0; Size 2.6'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 68d

17.5" (9/26/92): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is at the NW edge of the halo. Just SW is a perfect rhombus asterism consisting of four mag 13 stars with sides 1.5' with an additional mag 14 star just east of the rhombus. MCG -02-05-053 lies 22' N. On images, this galaxy has a striking resemblance to the Sombrero Galaxy, although the dust lane was not noticed.

13" (12/22/84): moderately bright, elongated ~E-W, diffuse edges, weak concentration, small bright nucleus. A mag 12.5 star is at the west edge.

WH discovered NGC 681 = H II-481 = h2436 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and noted "pB, cL, R, about 1.5' following a small star [mag 13]." His position is 7' N of MCG -02-05-052 = PGC 6671. JH, observing from the Cape of Good Hope, measured an accurate position and noted "F; R; glbM; 35."

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NGC 682 = MCG -03-05-022 = PGC 6663

01 49 04.5 -14 58 29

V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 95d

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, moderately large, very small bright core, stellar nucleus, slightly elongated fainter outer halo. Located 15' SE of mag 7.5 SAO 148020.

WH discovered NGC 682 = H II-501 = h154 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and noted "F, S, R, very small pretty bright nucleus." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 683 = UGC 1288 = MCG +02-05-047 = CGCG 437-043 = PGC 6718

01 49 46.7 +11 42 05

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, small, round. A pair of mag 14 stars are 2' W.

JH discovered NGC 683 = h153 on 17 Oct 1825 and noted "eF; AR may be a whole minute wrong." Despite his uncertainly, Herschel's position matches UGC 1288 = PGC 6718.

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NGC 684 = UGC 1292 = MCG +04-05-017 = CGCG 482-022 = IC 165 = KTG 8C = PGC 6759

01 50 14.0 +27 38 48

V = 12.4; Size 3.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 90d

24" (12/28/13): fairly bright, beautiful edge-on 7:1 E-W, 1.8'x0.25', sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core and a faint stellar nucleus.

17.5" (12/8/90): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 E-W, even concentration, small bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 32' NE of NGC 672 in a group.

WH discovered NGC 684 = H II-612 = h152 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and logged "pB, pL, lE nearly in the parallel, mbM."

Edward Swift, Lewis' son, independently discovered this galaxy on 18 Jan 1890 while "searching for Swift's Comet." In Astronomische Nachrichten #3429, Isaac Roberts noted the equivalence with IC 165 and NGC 684. Dreyer repeated this identity in the IC 2 notes.

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NGC 685 = ESO 152-024 = PGC 6581

01 47 42.5 -52 45 47

V = 11.0; Size 3.7'x3.3'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 75d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, large, slightly elongated ~WNW-ESE, broad concentration with a large brighter core, 3' diameter. Just outside the core, the surface brightness is irregular or mottled and a couple of extremely faint quasi-stellar knots (HII regions) are just visible in the outer halo. There is an impression of spiral structure in the halo, but I couldn't trace the arms.

JH discovered NGC 685 = h2438 on 3 Oct 1834 and logged "F, vL, R, vgvlbM, 3'.". His position is 1.5' S of ESO 152-024 = PGC 6581.

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NGC 686 = ESO 477-006 = MCG -04-05-008 = PGC 6655

01 48 56.1 -23 47 54

V = 12.4; Size 1.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 0d

17.5" (11/6/93): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, fairly bright stellar nucleus. Forms the vertex of a right angle with mag 9.2 SAO 167314 4' WNW and mag 8.1 SAO 167315 5' SW. Located at the NW edge of Fornax on the Cetus border.

WH discovered NGC 686 = H III-459 = h155 = h2437 on 26 Oct 1785 (sweep 465) and noted "vF, vS, easily resolvable." JH observed this galaxy both at Slough, England and at the CGH. He logged it on sweep 306 from Slough as "vF; R; gbM; 15"; a *8 m sp."

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NGC 687 = UGC 1298 = MCG +06-05-014 = CGCG 522-017 = PGC 6782

01 50 33.2 +36 22 15

V = 12.3; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (9/19/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Member of AGC 262.

13.1" (9/22/84): moderately bright, small, round, bright core.

13.1" (12/11/82): fairly bright, small, round, bright core, ~1' diameter.

WH discovered NGC 687 = H III-561 on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599) and noted "vF, stellar." The NGC position is 4 sec of RA east and 2.3' S of UGC 1298 = PGC 6782.

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NGC 688 = UGC 1302 = MCG +06-05-015 = CGCG 522-020 = Mrk 1009 = PGC 6799

01 50 44.2 +35 17 04

V = 12.7; Size 2.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 145d

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NNW-SSE, weak concentration. Forms a pair with UGC 1299 within in AGC 262.

13" (10/20/84): fairly faint, moderately large, diffuse, weak concentration.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 688 on 16 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position matches the starburst (nucleus) galaxy UGC 1302 = Mrk 1009 = PGC 6799.

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NGC 689 = ESO 414-005 = MCG -05-05-019 = PGC 6724

01 49 51.7 -27 27 59

V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 68d

17.5" (11/6/93): very faint, small, round, broad concentration. A mag 14.5 star lies 1.5' SW.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 689 = LM I-89 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is 0.8 tmin west and 3' north of ESO 414-005 = PGC 6724.

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NGC 690 = MCG -03-05-021 = A0145-16 (RC2) = PGC 6587

01 47 48.1 -16 43 17

V = 14.2; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 145d

17.5" (10/25/97): marginal object that required a GSC finder chart and averted vision just to glimpse. As the observation was extremely difficult, no details were visible, although it seemed round, perhaps 20" diameter. Position confirmed with respect to a couple of collinear mag 12 stars 5' SE and 10' SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 690 = LM I-37 on 9 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is 1.5 tmin east of MCG -03-05-021 = PGC 6587.

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NGC 691 = UGC 1305 = MCG +04-05-019 = CGCG 460-031 = CGCG 482-023 = LGG 034-004 = PGC 6793

01 50 41.7 +21 45 35

V = 11.4; Size 3.5'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 95d

18" (11/22/03): bright, large, slightly elongated E-W, ~2.0'x1.5'. Fairly sharp concentration with a well-defined 45" core surrounded by an unconcentrated halo. A close pair of mag 9-10 stars (uncatalogued) is just off the northeast edge! NGC 691 is the brightest in the NGC 691 group that includes NGC 678, NGC 680, NGC 691, NGC 694, NGC 695, NGC 697, IC 167, IC 1730 and others.

13" (9/29/84): fairly faint, fairly large, almost round, very diffuse, weak concentration. A close double star is off the NE edge. Located 15' SSE of NGC 680 in the NGC 697 group.

WH discovered NGC 691 = H II-617 on 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 636) and noted "F, cL, vglbM". The NGC position matches UGC 1305 = PGC 6793.

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NGC 692 = ESO 197-003 = PGC 6642

01 48 42.0 -48 38 55

V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.6

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 692 = h2439 on 2 Oct 1834 and noted "B, R, gbM, 30"." On a later sweep (744) he described it as "vF, R, gbM, 20"." JH's position (h2439) is accurate, although there was a 10 tsec error in RA on sweep 744.

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NGC 693 = UGC 1304 = MCG +01-05-035 = CGCG 412-033 = PGC 6778

01 50 30.9 +06 08 42

V = 12.4; Size 2.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 106d

17.5" (12/18/89): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, broad concentration. A mag 10.5 star is 1.4' E of center. NGC 706 is 22' NE and NGC 676 26' SW.

WH discovered NGC 693 = H II-859 = h156 on 25 Dec 1790 (sweep 986) and noted "pB, S, E nearly in parallel, south preceding a small star." The galaxy was observed 5 times at Birr Castle. On 7 Oct 1850, Bindon Stoney recorded "Light rather equable, a minute star in the p part, resolvable?". A sketch was made on 8 Nov 1876 and included in LdR's 1861 publication (Plate XXV, fig 2).

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NGC 694 = UGC 1310 = MCG +04-05-020 = CGCG 482-024 = Mrk 363 = V Zw 122 = LGG 034-007 = PGC 6816

01 50 58.4 +21 59 50

V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.5'; PA = 160d

18" (11/22/03): moderately bright, fairly small, 0.7'x0.5'. Fairly high surface brightness, which increases to an occasional faint stellar nucleus. A mag 10.5 star is 2.3' SE. IC 167, which lies 5.5' SSE, is very faint, elongated 4:3, 0.8'x0.6', low surface brightness..

13" (9/29/84): faint, small, round, diffuse, even surface brightness. Member of the NGC 697 group with IC 167 5.5' SSE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 694 on 2 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted the nebula was collinear with two mag 15 stars [probably to the NW and SE].

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NGC 695 = UGC 1315 = CGCG 482-026 = V Zw 123 = PGC 6844

01 51 14.2 +22 34 57

V = 12.8; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 40d

13.1" (9/29/84): faint, very small, round. A mag 13 star is at the west end, 0.5' from center. Located 14' N of NGC 697 in a group.

WH discovered NGC 695 = H II-618 on 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 636) and noted "vS, stellar." The NGC position is 1' S of UGC 1315 = PGC 6844.

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NGC 696 = ESO 353-050 = MCG -06-05-004 = SCG 9 = PGC 6695

01 49 31.2 -34 54 19

V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 25d

17.5" (11/1/97): faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 40"x30", weak concentration. A mag 12 star follows by 3.3'. Forms a pair with fainter NGC 698 5.1' NE.

JH discovered NGC 696 = h2440 (along with NGC 698 = h2441) on 29 Nov 1837 and noted "F, S, R, 15"." His position is 0.2 tmin east and 2.5' south of ESO 353-050 = PGC 6695 (same offset as NGC 698).

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NGC 697 = NGC 674 = UGC 1317 = MCG +04-05-022 = CGCG 482-027 = LGG 034-006 = PGC 6848

01 51 17.4 +22 21 28

V = 12.0; Size 4.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 105d

18" (11/22/03): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, ~3.0'x1.3'. Contains a fairly well-defined bright elongated core and a fairly smooth halo. Forms the western vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 11.5 stars ~5.5' NE and WSW. Located 16' ENE of the bright double star 1 Arietis. NGC 695 is located 13' N.

13" (9/29/84): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, only a weak broad concentration. The striking double star 1 Arietis (6.2/7.4 at 3") lies 16' WSW. Brightest in the NGC 697 group with a number of members about 30' S.

8" (11/28/81): fairly faint, elongated. Located ~15' E of a close mag 6/7 double (1 Arietis).

WH discovered NGC 697 = H III-179 on 15 Sep 1784 (sweep 274) and recorded "vF, pL, lE." On 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 636) he noted "pB, cL, E, mbM." Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this galaxy was on 2 Dec 1861 but his RA was 2 min too small. Dreyer assumed d'Arrest's object was new, and recatalogued it as NGC 674. So, NGC 697 = NGC 674, with NGC 697 the primary designation.

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NGC 698 = ESO 353-051 = MCG -06-05-005 = SCG 9 = PGC 6710

01 49 43.7 -34 49 52

V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 171d

17.5" (11/1/97): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (probably viewed core only), low surface brightness, no concentration. Requires averted vision and cannot hold steadily. Forms the northern vertex of a right triangle with a mag 12 star 4.7' S and brighter NGC 696 5.1' SW.

JH discovered NGC 698 = h2441 on 29 Nov 1837 and noted "vvF; S." His single position is 10 tsec of RA east and 2.5' south of ESO 353-051 = PGC 6710 (same amount of offset as NGC 696).

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NGC 699 = MCG -02-05-059 = PGC 6798

01 50 43.7 -12 02 09

V = 13.9; Size 1.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 130d

17.5" (12/23/92): extremely faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, very low surface brightness, brighter core. Located 7' NNE of mag 8.5 SAO 148050.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 699 = LM II-319 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 16.0, 1.0'x0.4', E 105°, bnp, curved; *9.5 p 22 sec". His position matches MCG -02-05-059 = PGC 6798 and the mag 9 star he described to the west is accurate.

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NGC 700 = CGCG 522-030 = Holm 49e = WBL 054-006 = PGC 6928

01 52 16.9 +36 02 12

V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (12/19/87): very faint, small, round. Two mag 14 stars are collinear 1.5' WSW and 2.7' WSW. Located about 8' SW of the central core of AGC 262 in a group of four galaxies with UGC 1336 3.7' NW. This galaxy (CGCG 522-030) is not identified as NGC 700 in any of the major catalogues.

17.5" (9/19/87): extremely faint, small, round. A mag 14 star lies 1' W.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 700 with the 72" at Birr Castle on 12 Oct 1855 and recorded "about 8' sp same group [NGC 703, 704, 705, 708] is another neb., F, S, R" This rough position is a reasonable match with CGCG 522-030 = PGC 6928. Bindon Stoney possibly observed the galaxy earlier on 28 Oct 1850, though he just mentions a nebula was found preceding the group.

The RNGC, UGC and CGCG misidentify UGC 1336 as NGC 700. This latter galaxy is 6.5' WSW the center of the group, but is not as obvious at the eyepiece. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 701 = MCG -02-05-060 = Holm 47a = PGC 6826

01 51 03.7 -09 42 10

V = 12.2; Size 2.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 40d

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, broadly concentrated halo, faint stellar nucleus suspected. Forms a pair with IC 1738 5.4' S. The smaller companion appeared faint, small, round.

WH discovered NGC 701 = H I-62 = h160 = h2442 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and noted "F, pS, irr R." On 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) he called this object "cB; pL; E; bM." It was placed in class I (Bright Nebulae). JH observed the galaxy at both Slough and at the Cape, commenting on sweep 650 from the Cape, "eF, pL; certainly not entitled to a place in the 1st class." In the GC notes, he added d'Arrest missed it with a 4.5-inch refractor at Leibzig.

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NGC 702 = Arp 75 = MCG -01-05-043 = PGC 6852

01 51 19.2 -04 03 21

V = 13.1; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 155d

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, small bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 10' NNW of mag 7.3 SAO 129535.

Arp classified NGC 702 (Arp 75) as a spiral with "small high surface-brightness companion on arms", though this appears to be a bright emission region. The core of this galaxy, though, may contain two close nuclei so NGC 702 might be a post-collisional system.

WH discovered NGC 702 = H III-192 = h158 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and noted "eF, S, 240 verified it with difficulty." JH observed the galaxy on 3 occasions at Slough and his mean position is accurate. On sweep 97 he logged "eF; lE in meridian; has a * 14m 90" south."

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NGC 703 = UGC 1346 = MCG +06-05-029 = CGCG 522-037 = Holm 49c = PGC 6957

01 52 39.6 +36 10 17

V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 50d

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, small, oval, weak concentration. A mag 15 star is at the SW end. Located in the central core of AGC 262 with NGC 708 1.8' SE, NGC 705 1.7' SSE and NGC 704 2.7' S.

13.1" (10/22/84): faint, very small, third brightest of four in the core of AGC 262.

13.1" (12/11/82): very faint, round, difficult.

WH discovered NGC 703 = H III-562 = h157, along with NGC 704, 705 and 708, on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599) and recorded "Four, unequal, 3 in a row [NGC 704, 705, 708], the 4th [NGC 703] making a rectangle with them. All in the space of 2 or 3'; the one at the angular part [NGC 708] is much larger than the others." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 704 = UGC 1343 = MCG +06-05-028 = CGCG 522-034 = V Zw 134 = Holm 49b = PGC 6953

01 52 37.7 +36 07 37

V = 13.1; Size 0.6'x0.5'

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, small, oval ~N-S, weak concentration. Located in the dense core of AGC 262 with NGC 705 1.3' NE, NGC 703 2.7'N and NGC 708 2.7' NE. This double galaxy (companion NGC 704A = PGC 3626786 at the south edge) was unresolved, but probably was merged in the N-S direction.

13" (9/22/84): fairly faint, very small. Second brightest of four in the core of AGC 262.

13.1" (12/11/82): very faint. On a line with NGC 705 and NGC 708.

WH discovered NGC 704 = H III-563, along with NGC 703, 705 and 708, on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599). He described the group as "Four, unequal, 3 in a row [NGC 704, 705, 708], the 4th [NGC 703] making a rectangle with them. All in the space of 2 or 3'; the one at the angular part [NGC 708] is much larger than the others."

R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 7 Oct 1855, noted "[NGC 704] is seen with higher power (single lens) to be double." So, he resolved this double system. I suggested to Harold Corwin (in Mar 2014) that the two components could justifiably be labeled NGC 704A and NGC 704B.

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NGC 705 = UGC 1345 = MCG +06-05-030 = CGCG 522-036 = Holm 49d = VI Zw 90 = PGC 6958

01 52 41.5 +36 08 39

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 117d

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Located in the core of AGC 262 with NGC 703 1.7' N, NGC 704 1.3' SW and NGC 708 1.1' NE. A mag 14 star is 40" south, midway to NGC 704.

13" (10/20/84): very faint, very small, star less than 1' SW between NGC 703 and NGC 704.

13.1" (12/11/82): extremely faint, very small.

WH discovered NGC 705 = H III-562, along with NGC 703, 704 and NGC 708, on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599). He described the group as "Four, unequal, 3 in a row [NGC 704, 705, 708], the 4th [NGC 703] making a rectangle with them. All in the space of 2 or 3'; the one at the angular part [NGC 708] is much larger than the others." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 706 = UGC 1334 = MCG +01-05-040 = CGCG 412-037 = PGC 6897

01 51 50.5 +06 17 48

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, almost even surface brightness but faint stellar nucleus seen at moments. A mag 13 star is 1.0' N of center. NGC 693 lies 22' SW.

WH discovered NGC 706 = H II-596 = h161 on 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 607) and noted "F, S, irr F, about 1' south of a very small star." The star is exactly 1' north and the NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 707 = MCG -02-05-063 = PGC 6861

01 51 27.1 -08 30 20

V = 13.7; Size 1.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 85d

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, very small, round, very small bright core. A faint star is superimposed which gives the appearance of a double nucleus.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 707 = T IV-6 on 13 Nov 1879 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and reported "III class, with star in the middle." His micrometric position matches MCG -02-05-063 = PGC 6861 (verified by Sherburne Burnham in the Publications of Lick Observatory, Volume II. Burnham also discovered IC 168 1.0 tmin preceding.

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NGC 708 = UGC 1348 = MCG +06-05-031 = CGCG 522-039 = Holm 49a =PGC 6962

01 52 46.4 +36 09 08

V = 12.7; Size 3.0'x2.5'; Surf Br = 14.9; PA = 35d

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. A mag 15 star is at the north end just 0.2' from center. Located in the central core of AGC 262 with NGC 703 1.8' NW, NGC 705 1.1' SW and NGC 704 2.7' SW.

13" (9/22/84): very faint, small, round, largest in a group of four. A mag 15 star is off the north edge.

13.1" (12/11/82): brightest in the central group, small, round.

WH discovered NGC 708 = H III-565 = h159, along with NGC 703, 704 and 705, on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599). He described the group as "Four, unequal, 3 in a row [NGC 704, 705, 708], the 4th [NGC 703] making a rectangle with them. All in the space of 2 or 3'; the one at the angular part [NGC 708] is much larger than the others." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 709 = CGCG 522-040 = PGC 6969

01 52 50.6 +36 13 25

V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.2'; PA = 130d

17.5" (9/19/87): very faint, very small, elongated NW-SE. Located almost at midpoint of a mag 12 star 1.9' SE and a mag 10 star 2.0' NW. Located just north of the central core of AGC 262 with NGC 708 4.3' SSW and NGC 703 3.8' SW.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 709 on 28 Oct 1850 using Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded "4' or 5' nnf of group [NGC 703/704/705/708] is another nebula, perhaps two." Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, independently found it again on 18 Nov 1876 and recorded "Nova [=5195] nf h 157 [NGC 703]., Pos 35.1, Dist. 210.5", vF, pS, it has a *11 m in Pos 297, Dist 110.3", *12-13m about same distance sf, the 2 st and neb being almost in a line." The offset and description of nearby stars matches CGCG 522-040 = PGC 6969.

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NGC 710 = UGC 1349 = MCG +06-05-033 = CGCG 522-041 = PGC 6972

01 52 53.9 +36 03 12

V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, oval slightly elongated ~E-W. A mag 15 star is 40" SSW of center. Located about 6' SSE of the central four galaxies (NGC 703, NGC 704, NGC 705, NGC 708) in the core of AGC 262.

13.1" (9/22/84): fairly faint, slightly elongated, fairly small, largest in field.

13.1" (12/11/82): faint, round, visible with direct vision, second brightest in the central core.

Bindon Stoney probably discovered NGC 710 on 28 Oct 1850 using Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded "ssf [a group of 5 or more nebula] about 12' is a F, pL nebula with stars in it." It was picked up again by R.J. Mitchell on 12 Oct 1855 and noted as "6' or 7' sf this group is a pB, R, neb, bM." It was next found by Heinrich d'Arrest on 12 Aug 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and his position matches UGC 1349 = PGC 6972. Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, recorded the nebula on 18 Nov 1876 as "Sf the centre of the group of 4 neb is an eF, pL neb [Nova d'A = 5196], Pos 166°, Dist 390", it has 2 stars 12-13 mag south."

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NGC 711 = UGC 1342 = MCG +03-05-024 = CGCG 460-038 = PGC 6940

01 52 27.7 +17 30 46

V = 13.1; Size 1.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 15d

17.5" (12/8/90): very faint, very small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE. A mag 14 star is 20" E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 711 = St XII-19 on 4 Nov 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and reported a "vF*in vF, vS neby". His position matches UGC 1342 = PGC 6940.

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NGC 712 = UGC 1352 = MCG +06-05-035 = CGCG 522-043 = PGC 6988

01 53 08.5 +36 49 12

V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 85d

17.5" (10/24/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, even concentration, small bright core. A mag 14 star is close SW 0.6' from center and a mag 12 star is 1' N. UGC 1353 lies 9' NNE. Member of AGC 262.

JH discovered NGC 712 = h163 in October 1828 (sweep 188 between 11 and 27 Oct) and logged "vF; R; among several pB stars." His position and description matches UGC 1352 = PGC 6988

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NGC 713 = MCG -02-05-075 = PGC 7161

01 55 21.5 -09 05 01

V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 95d

17.5" (10/25/97): at 280x, appeared very faint, small, elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.7'x0.2', low even surface brightness. Located 7.7' SE of brighter NGC 731.

17.5" (11/6/93): not found.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 713 = LM II-320 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 3 min of RA west of MCG -02-05-075 although his PA of 90° matches this galaxy. There is also a mag 15 star 2.2' NNW in agreement with Leavenworth's note of "*14, np 2'." MCG does not label -02-05-075 as NGC 713. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, mentions a galaxy 8' SE of NGC 731 is much elongated in PA 90°, which fits Leavenworth's description for NGC 713.

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NGC 714 = UGC 1358 = MCG +06-05-037 = CGCG 522-047 = PGC 7009

01 53 29.6 +36 13 17

V = 13.1; Size 1.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 112d

17.5" (9/19/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated WNW-ESE, bright core. Two mag 13.5 stars are 1.0' W and 1.4' NW of center. Member of AGC 262.

13" (9/22/84): fairly faint, bright core, edge-on WNW-ESE, two faint stars are close west.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 714 on 28 Oct 1850 using Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded "following this last [NGC 709] is one about 11'." R.J. Mitchell independently found NGC 714 on 12 Oct 1855 and noted "about 10' nf the group is a pB, 1L neb, with B Nucl, susp resolvable." Heinrich d'Arrest next found the nebula on 2 Dec 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and measured an accurate position matching UGC 1358 = PGC 7009. Finally, Lawrence Parsons observed it again on 18 Nov 1876, noting "forming a triangle with 2 stars 13m preceding and north-preceding (perhaps a 3rd star).". In the 1880 publication Dreyer indicated the observation was a duplicate of GC 5197 (d'Arrest). d'Arrest and LdR are attributed with the discovery in the NGC.

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NGC 715 = MCG -02-05-069 = PGC 6991

01 53 12.5 -12 52 23

V = 15.0; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 175d

17.5" (10/25/97): extremely faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.8'x0.4'. Located 3.5' N of a mag 11 star. A mag 8 star is 11' NW edge at the edge of the 220x field. Best viewed at 280x.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 715 = O St I-38 on 12 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position but 1.5 min of RA east and 3' S is MCG -02-05-069 = PGC 6991. Due to the poor position, Guillaume Bigourdan could not recover the galaxy. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 716 = UGC 1351 = MCG +02-05-054 = CGCG 437-049 = IC 1743 = PGC 6982

01 52 59.7 +12 42 30

V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 57d

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.7', broad weak concentration but no nucleus. Located 8' WNW of mag 7.5 SAO 92682. Identified as IC 1743 in UGC, MCG and CGCG.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 716 = Sw IV-6 on 1 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. There is nothing at his position but Corwin identifies NGC 716 = UGC 1351. This implies Swift made a 40' error (copying?) in declination, though his description matches this galaxy, including the "bright * near foll". Bigourdan independently found this galaxy on 1 Jan 1892, placed it correctly as a nova, and Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 1743. The description for IC 1743 mentions "=NGC 716?" and in the IC 2 notes Dreyer comments that Bigourdan couldn't find NGC 716 but B.250 = IC 1743 may equal NGC 716. This galaxy is identified as IC 1743 in UGC, MCG and CGCG, although the earlier discovery by Swift implies that NGC 716 should be the primary designation.

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NGC 717 = UGC 1363 = MCG +06-05-041 = CGCG 522-052 = PGC 7033

01 53 55.1 +36 13 46

V = 13.9; Size 1.3'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 117d

17.5" (9/19/87): faint, small, edge-on WNW-ESE, small bright core. Located 5.1' E of NGC 715 in the core of AGC 262.

13" (9/22/84): very faint, slightly elongated ~E-W, 6' E of NGC 714.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 717 on 12 Oct 1855 with Lord Rosse's 72" and noted "5' nf this nebula [NGC 714] is another fainter ray." Heinrich d'Arrest independently found the nebula on 16 Sep 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. Lawrence Parsons made another observation on 18 Nov 1876, recording "Foll last neb [NGC 714] is an eF, pL neb with a star 15m ~1' sf." In the 1880 publication Dreyer indicated that the Birr Castle observation was a duplicate of d'Arrest's GC 5198. LdR and d'A are mentioned as the discoverers in the NGC.

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NGC 718 = UGC 1356 = MCG +01-05-041 = CGCG 412-039 = PGC 6993

01 53 13.2 +04 11 45

V = 11.7; Size 2.3'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 45d

17.5" (11/6/93): moderately bright, fairly small, round, increases to very small prominent core, stellar nucleus, very faint larger halo 1.5' diameter.

8" (10/13/81): faint, very small, round, bright core.

WH discovered NGC 718 = H II-270 = h164 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and logged "pB, S, iR, mbM". The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 719 = UGC 1360 = MCG +03-05-026 = IC 1744 = PGC 7019

01 53 38.8 +19 50 26

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 150d

17.5" (12/8/90): very faint, very small, round, broad concentration. Two mag 14 and 15 star are close east. The bright double star Gamma Arietis (components 4.4/4.7) lies 30' S.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 719 on 24 Nov 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His single position is 13 sec of RA following UGC 1360 = PGC 7019. Stephane Javelle independently found the galaxy on 18 Jan 1896 with the 30" refractor at the Nice Observatory and measured an accurate position. Dreyer assumed J. III-896 was new and it was catalogued again as IC 1744. So, NGC 719 = IC 1744. MCG labels this galaxy IC 1744 and UGC equates NGC 719 = IC 1744.

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NGC 720 = MCG -02-05-068 = PGC 6983

01 53 00.4 -13 44 20

V = 10.2; Size 4.7'x2.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 135d

17.5" (9/26/92): bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 2.0'x1.0', well-defined very bright core with dimensions 40"x20". A very faint halo extends the major axis to almost 2' length.

WH discovered NGC 720 = H I-105 = h165 = h2443 on 3 Oct 1785 (sweep 451) and noted "cB, pL, iR, mbM.". This galaxy was observed by JH at Slough and the Cape, where he logged "pB, lE, psmbM, 40"."

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NGC 721 = UGC 1376 = MCG +06-05-043 = CGCG 522-056 = PGC 7097

01 54 45.5 +39 23 00

V = 13.5; Size 1.7'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 135d

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, fairly small, 1' diameter, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, very diffuse, low surface brightness, no central concentration. Located in fairly rich star field.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 721 on 27 Aug 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and recorded "eF, pL, no ncl". His RA is 8 seconds too large (single measure). MCG doesn't label their entry as NGC 721.

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NGC 722 = UGC 1379 = MCG +03-05-032 = CGCG 460-046 = PGC 7098

01 54 47.1 +20 41 54

V = 13.4; Size 1.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 138d

17.5" (12/8/90): very faint, very small, oval 3:2 NW-SE. Remarkable location as situated 7' SSE of Beta Arietis (V = 2.6) in the same 220x field (similar situation as NGC 404 near Mirach, but this galaxy is much fainter).

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 722 on 2 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and recorded "vF, vS, R, Beta Arietis 7' north." His position (measured on 3 nights) matches UGC 1379 = PGC 7098, just 6.9' SSE of Beta Ari.

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NGC 723 = NGC 724 = ESO 477-013 = MCG -04-05-016 = PGC 7024

01 53 45.6 -23 45 28

V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, 1.0' diameter, just a slight central brightening. A mag 12.8 star is 2.5' S. Located very close to Cetus-Fornax border.

WH discovered NGC 723 = H III-460 = h166 = h167 = h2444 on 26 Oct 1785 (sweep 465) and noted "vF, vS". The galaxy was observed by JH at both Slough (two entries) and at the Cape, where he logged "pF, R, gbM, 25". No other neb within 15' all round." His second entry from Slough (h167 = NGC 724) is a duplicate observation differing in NPD and he thought it was likely a different object. The Cape observation made it clear there was only a single object, so NGC 723 = NGC 724.

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NGC 724 = NGC 723 = ESO 477-013 = MCG -04-05-016 = PGC 7024

01 53 45.8 -23 45 28

See observing notes for NGC 723.

JH found NGC 724 = h167 on 14 Sep 1830 and noted "vF; pL; R; gbM; has a small * 75° sp. It is barely possible that this may be H III 460 [NGC 723] with a mistake in reading the polar distance." Herschel's suspicion was correct as he later reobserved the galaxy from the Cape (h2444) and noted there was only one nebula in the vicinity. Nevertheless, h167 became GC 436 and then NGC 724. So, NGC 723 = NGC 724 and the two entries are equated by ESO and RNGC. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 725 = MCG -03-05-025 = PGC 6950

01 52 35.5 -16 31 04

V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3

17.5" (10/29/94): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 30"x20", low surface brightness, weak concentration. Located 6.4' WSW of mag 7.8 SAO 148081.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 725 = LM I-39 on 9 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position but 1.6 min of RA west is MCG -03-05-025 = PGC 6950. Bigourdan was not able to recover the object at Leavenworth's position. 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 726 = MCG -02-06-003 = PGC 7182

01 55 31.8 -10 47 58

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 100d

17.5" (12/4/93): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, low smooth surface brightness. A mag 12 star is 2.8' E of center. Located 6.5' SE of mag 8.9 SAO 148102.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 726 = LM I-40 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (given to the nearest minute of RA) is 1.0 tmin west of MCG -02-06-003 = PGC 7182. He noted a mag 9 star at 3.6' E, though the separation is 2.8' and the star is closer to mag 12. Bigourdan was unable to recover the galaxy at Muller's position.

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NGC 727 = NGC 729 = ESO 354-010 = MCG -06-05-012 = PGC 7027

01 53 49.4 -35 51 23

V = 13.9; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 76d

18" (12/3/05): extremely faint, very small, round, appears as a low surface brightness hazy spot with averted, no details.

18" (11/6/04): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low surface brightness. Collinear with two mag 11 and 12 stars 5' NE and 10' NE.

JH discovered NGC 727 = h2445 on 1 Sep 1834 and logged "F, S, R, bM, 15 arcsec." His position is just 1.5' S of ESO 354-010 = PGC 7027 and there are no other galaxies near, so this identification is secure. He added the note in italics that "It is barely possible that this and the next nebula [h2446 = NGC 729] may be identical with Nos. 2440 [NGC 696] and 2441 [NGC 698] by a mistaken degree in PD." Corwin disagrees, though, and concludes it is more likely that NGC 729 is a duplicate observation of NGC 727.

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NGC 728

01 55 01.4 +04 13 21

=***, Carlson.

JH discovered NGC 728 = h168 on 16 Oct 1827 and simply recorded a "suspected nebula". There are three cleanly resolved stars on the DSS at Herschel's position. Heinrich d'Arrest and Guillaume Bigourdan were unable to find Herschel's object. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 729 = NGC 727? = ESO 354-010 = MCG -06-05-012 = PGC 7027

01 53 49.4 -35 51 23

V = 13.9; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 76d

See observing notes for NGC 727.

JH discovered NGC 729 = h2446 on 30 Nov 1837 and logged "eeeF, S, R. RA only rudely taken by a star, being out of the field." Harold Corwin feels this entry is most likely a duplicate observation of h2445 = NGC 727, found earlier on 1 Sep 1834. His position happens to be 12 tsec west of a double star located 5.4' NE of NGC 727 at 01 54 11.3 -35 48 17 and ESO equates NGC 729 with this close double. The RNGC classification is a galaxy, although the position and description "USB, CLOSE DB*?" applies to this double star!

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NGC 730

01 55 18.0 +05 38 11

=*, Carlson.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 730 = Big. 11 on 7 Nov 1885 with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory. At his position is just a 15th mag star, though he may have logged a different star on a separate observation. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 731 = NGC 757 = MCG -02-05-073 = PGC 7118

01 54 56.1 -09 00 38

V = 12.1; Size 1.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (11/6/93): fairly faint, small, round, broad concentration. A mag 13 star is 2.5' SW.

WH discovered NGC 731 = H III-266 = h2447, along with NGC 755, on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and reported "eF, stellar, 240 verified it." JH probably observed the galaxy from the Cape and simply described "eeF; 40 arcsec". Neither of the Herschel's positions are very accurate. C.H.F. Peters' provided a more accurate position matching MCG -02-05-073 = PGC 7118. Ormond Stone (I-43) probably independently discovered the galaxy in 1886, though his rough position is 1.5 tmin east and 5' north of PGC 7118. Dreyer assumed this was a different object (there is nothing at Stone's position) and the galaxy was catalogued as NGC 757. So NGC 731 = NGC 757, with NGC 731 the primary designation.

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NGC 732 = UGC 1406 = MCG +06-05-057 = CGCG 522-076 = Mrk 1011 = PGC 7270

01 56 27.7 +36 48 08

V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 10d

17.5" (11/14/87): very faint, very small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE. A mag 13 star is 45" NW of center. Member of AGC 262.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 732 = St XIII-15 on 5 Dec 1883 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "vF* involved with a vF, vS, round neby". His position corresponds with UGC 1406 = PGC 7270

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NGC 733

01 56 33.9 +33 03 19

=*, Corwin. Listed as a faint galaxy 3.6' NW of NGC 736 in RNGC.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 733 on 11 Oct 1850 and labeled as Epsilon in the field sketch. No description was given but the measured position is 115" in PA 293.3 deg (NW) from Alpha [NGC 736]. There is nothing at his exact offset though a mag 15 star is 97" from NGC 736 in PA 296 deg. Corwin identifies NGC 733 with this star.

RNGC and PGC probably misidentify PGC 7255 as NGC 733. This small elongated galaxy is located 3.6' NW from NGC 736. The separation appears to be too large to be a match though the PA = 291d is coincidentally close and the galaxy was (barely) visible in my 17.5".

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NGC 734 = 2MASX J01532872-1659442 = PGC 170023

01 53 28.7 -16 59 44

Size 0.6'x0.4'; PA = 28d

24" (10/3/13): faint to fairly faint, small, round, 18" diameter, low even surface brightness. Can hold continuously at 375x. Located 10' SE of mag 5.8 HD 11522. PGC 7121, identified as NGC 734 in the RNGC and PGC, is located 22' ESE. PGC 7121 appeared extremely faint, small, slightly elongated, 15"x12", required averted vision.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 734 = LM I-41 on 9 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 14.0, vS, R, bMN, *11 p[recedes] 11 sec." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) happens to be just 3' N of PGC 7121, and this galaxy is identified as NGC 734 in the RNGC and PGC. The 11th mag star in the description (also shown on his discovery sketch) might refer to a star situated 4.3' WNW (the difference in RA is 17 sec), though a brighter star even closer (3.2' SSE) is not shown on the sketch. I proposed to Corwin and Wolfgang Steinicke that a better candidate for NGC 734 is 2MASX J01532872-1659442 = PGC 170023. This galaxy is brighter than PGC 7121 and has a star 13 tsec due west. PGC 170023 is further off in RA from Leavenworth's position than PGC 7121 but is a better match in declination, typical of the Leander McCormick positions. Corwin agrees with my identification and is now incorporated in NED, but not HyperLeda.

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NGC 735 = UGC 1411 = MCG +06-05-058 = CGCG 522-078 = V Zw 146 Notes2 = PGC 7275 = PGC 7282

01 56 38.0 +34 10 37

V = 13.3; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 138d

24" (11/24/14): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 36"x15", contains a very small brighter core. A mag 14 star is superimposed on the NW tip. A mag 10.2 star is 1.5' SW and a mag 12 star is 1.4' NW.

Two faint companions are nearby, the trio forming V Zw 146. 2MASX J01563383+3411435 = PGC 2045360 is 1.4' NW of center. It appeared faint, round, 10" dia. Easily visible due to a reasonably high surface brightness. It is situated just 35" NNW of the mag 12 star to the NW of NGC 735. PGC 7293 is 1.4' NE of NGC 735 and appeared extremely faint, round, 8" diameter. Only visible occasionally with averted.

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE. The apparent elongation may be exaggerated due to a mag 14 star located at the NW edge 20" from center. Several stars are nearby including a mag 10 star 1.5' SW and a mag 11.5 star 1.3' NW. Located about 1° north of the NGC 750/751 group.

WH discovered NGC 735 = H III-176 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and logged "Stellar, the faintest imaginable, even 240 left some little doubt." His position is 7' north of UGC 1411 = PGC 7282. Perhaps due to his error in polar distance, Bigourdan was unable to recover the galaxy. MCG (+06-05-058) doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 735.

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NGC 736 = UGC 1414 = MCG +05-05-028 = CGCG 503-055 = VI Zw 111 = PGC 7289

01 56 40.9 +33 02 37

V = 12.1; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (11/1/86): moderately bright, fairly small, round, small bright core, small halo. A mag 15 star is 30" N (this is NGC 737). In a close quadruple group with NGC 738 1.3' NE, NGC 740 3' SE and (R)NGC 733 3.6' WNW.

13.1" (10/20/84): moderately bright, small, a faint star is at the north edge. A nearly stellar galaxy (NGC 738:) is close NE.

WH discovered NGC 736 = H II-221 = h169 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged "F, pL, mE, r, 1 1/2' long." JH observed this galaxy on 3 sweeps by and described it on 11 Nov 1827 as "pB; R; bM; has a *13m np". Both Herschel's positions match UGC 1414 = PGC 7289. JH thought his Father's description was irreconcileable ("mE" vs "R"), so they probably referred to different objects and he assigned separate GC designations. Bindon Stoney sketched the group on 11 Oct 1850 at Birr Castle and NGC 736 is labeled Alpha.

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NGC 737

01 56 40.8 +33 03 00

17.5" (11/1/86): mag 15 star only located 30" N of NGC 736.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 737 on the 11 Oct 1850 observation of the NGC 736 field and labeled it "Beta" in the sketch. He measured a distance of 30" in PA 12° from NGC 736. At this offset is a mag 15 star. The 9 Jan 1874 observation notes "[h169 = NGC 736] has a 12m star 11.9°, 35.1" distant, this must be beta of Oct 11 1850, when it was recorded as a nebula. [Sir J Herschel records 3 observations of this companion object, all taken in Nov 1827. Nov 11 has *13 np, Nov 16 has a "* near it" and lastly, Nov 22 "has a S* or stellar neb to the n." In the "Publications of Lick Observatory (Vol II), Sherburne Burnham identified NGC 737 as a mag 15.5 star about 30" N of NGC 736. He accurately measured the offset from NGC 736 as PA = 10°, distance 32". Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, also writes "*14.7 0.7' N of N736, no neb..." and Corwin concurs.

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NGC 738 = CGCG 503-057 = VI Zw 113 = PGC 7303

01 56 45.7 +33 03 30

V = 14.9; Size 0.3'x0.2'

17.5" (11/1/86): very faint, extremely small, just non-stellar. Forms a pair with NGC 736 1.4' SW.

13.1" (10/20/84): possible observation as a very faint quasi-stellar object just 1.4' NE of bright NGC 736.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 738 on 11 Oct 1850 with LdR's 72" and labeled it "Gamma" in the sketch. He measured an offset of 79" in PA 46° from NGC 736, which matches CGCG 503-057 = PGC 7303. CGCG 503-057 is mentioned in UGC notes to NGC 736 but is not identified as NGC 738.

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NGC 739 = MCG +05-05-030 = CGCG 503-059 = PGC 7312

01 56 54.7 +33 16 00

V = 13.9; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3

17.5" (11/27/92): very faint, very small, round. Forms the south vertex of a triangle with a mag 13.5 star 1.1' NW and a mag 14 star 40" NE. The galaxy pair NGC 750/NGC 751is in the field 9' SE. Incorrect declination in the NGC (SW of NGC 750 instead of NW) and not identified as NGC 739 in the CGCG.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 739 on 9 Jan 1874 with the 72" at Birr Castle in an observation of NGC 750/751 group. Described as "A cF, vS, R neb, bM (inside a triangle of st) is sp the n component". The direction should have read north-preceding the north component but Copeland gave the correct orientation as PA 292° (WNW) and separation 524" (8.7'). Because of his error the derived position was in error and this was copied into the NGC. MCG (+05-05-030) gives the NGC designation as uncertain and CGCG (503-059) misses the NGC equivalence. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 740 = UGC 1421 = MCG +05-05-031 = CGCG 503-058 = PGC 7316

01 56 54.9 +33 00 55

V = 14.0; Size 1.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 137d

17.5" (11/1/86): very faint, thin edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE. Located midway between a mag 10 star 1.3' ESE and a mag 14 star 1.2' WNW. Last in a group with NGC 736 3' NW.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 740 on 11 Oct 1850 using LdR's 72" and labeled it "Delta" on the sketch with an offset of 197" in PA 115° from NGC 736. Close to this offset is UGC 1421 = PGC 7316. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 741 = VV 175a = UGC 1413 = MCG +01-06-003 = CGCG 413-008 = III Zw 38a = IC 1751 = PGC 7252

01 56 21.0 +05 37 44

V = 11.1; Size 3.0'x2.9'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (11/6/93): moderately bright, round, prominent core, faint stellar nucleus at moments, larger halo with averted. A mag 11 star is 2.4' NW. In a common halo with NGC 742 attached at the east end at 0.8' separation in pa 100°. Brightest in a group and forms a close triple with MCG +01-06-006 1.5' NNW. MCG +01-06-006 (generally identified as IC 1751) appeared very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S. A mag 10.5 star lies 1.3' WNW.

8" (1/1/84): faint, round, diffuse edges, small faint core. A mag 12 star is close NW.

WH discovered NGC 741 = H II-271 = h172, along with NGC 742, on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338). His description from 25 Oct 1785 (sweep 464) reads "F. I take it to be two very near each other. 240 stregthens the suspicision; not far from from the parallel [E-W]. The following [NGC 742] is the smallest, and most north, it is also the faintest." R.J. Mitchell , observing on 24 Nov 1854 at Birr Castle, described a "D neb, the p one is pB, R, bM, the f one is smaller and fainter and lbM."

Lewis Swift found the galaxy on 26 Nov 1897 and reported in list XI-28, "pS; pS; R; 9m * near np." His position is 6' too far northwest and Dreyer, assuming it was new, catalogued it again as IC 1751. Herbert Howe, also assumed it was new, and corrected Swift's position to match NGC 741. The CGCG (413-006) uses IC 1751 as the primary designation for the galaxy, instead of NGC 741. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 742 = VV 175b = MCG +01-06-004 = CGCG 413-009 = III Zw 38a = PGC 7264

01 56 24.1 +05 37 35

V = 14.3; Size 0.2'x0.2'; Surf Br = 10.8

17.5" (11/6/93): faint, extremely small, round. Located just off the east edge of NGC 741 in a common halo. Clearly visible, though just 10"-15" diameter.

WH discovered NGC 742 = H II-272 = h173, along with NGC 741, on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338). See description under NGC 741.

R.J. Mitchell , using Lord Rosse's 72" on 24 Nov 1854, recorded a "D neb, the p one is pB, R, bM, the f one is smaller and fainter and lbM." CGCG 413-009 is not labeled as NGC 742.

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NGC 743 = OCL-343 = Lund 66

01 58 31 +60 10 00

Size 5'

17.5" (11/26/94): bright, distinctive but scattered group in a triangular outline. Consists of two dozen stars in a 6' diameter including 10 brighter mag 9-11.5 stars. The brightest star is mag 9.1 SAO 22794 is at the NW end and a distinctive line with three mag 10 stars heads SE and includes a fairly wide uneven double star (John Herschel's h1098 = 10/12.5 at 12"). Two mag 8 stars to the NW (mag 7.9 SAO 22785) and SW (mag 8.3 SAO 22796) are collinear with the sides and form a 10' triangle with the eastern vertex of the cluster. The classification of this group as a true cluster is uncertain.

JH discovered NGC 743 = h170 on 29 Sep 1829 and recorded a "double star in the following part of a L, poor, triangular cluster of 15 or 20 stars 10...13m.". It isn't certain if this group is a physical open cluster.

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NGC 744 = Cr 22 = OCL-345 = Lund 65

01 58 30 +55 28 30

V = 7.9; Size 11'

13.1" (11/5/83): about two dozen stars in a 7' diameter including several fairly bright stars. The brightest is mag 7.8 SAO 22809 at the NNE edge. Pretty scattered appearance.

JH discovered NGC 744 = h171 on 28 Nov 1831 and logged "p rich, irr fig cluster of *s 11...13m, 8' dia." Sir Robert Ball, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 29 Oct 1866, recorded "about 100 stars, more or less, of various sizes, scattered about, two of the 7th and the rest from the 8th mag down".

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NGC 745 = ESO 152-032 = AM 0152-565 = PGC 7054

01 54 07.8 -56 41 37

V = 12.6; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 30d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.6', broad concentration to a brighter core. A mag 15.5 star is just off the east side, 27" from center. Forms a close pair with PGC 95386 just 42" NE of center. The companion appeared faint, very small, elongated at least 2:1 E-W, 18"x8". NGC 754 is in the field 4.5' SSE. A group of 4 stars zigzag to the east including a mag 10 star 4.8' ENE. Located 2.3° NE of Achenar.

JH discovered NGC 745 = h2449 on 27 Oct 183 and recorded "pB, R, gbM, 30"." His position matches ESO 152-032 = PGC 7054.

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NGC 746 = UGC 1438 = MCG +07-05-003 = CGCG 538-004 = PGC 7399

01 57 51.0 +44 55 05

V = 13.0; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 90d

17.5" (9/26/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, even surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is at the west tip. Several other faint stars are near and some nice star chains (both faint and fairly bright) lead off from the west side.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 746 = Sw II-15 on 12 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is just 5 tsec west of UGC 1438 = PGC 7399.

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NGC 747 = MCG -02-06-007 = PGC 7366

01 57 30.4 -09 27 45

V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 175d

17.5" (10/25/97): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, no concentration. Located 7' SW of a mag 10.5-11 star. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 747 = LM II-321 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded a slightly elongated nebula in PA 180°. His position is 1.2 min of RA west of MCG -02-06-007 = PGC 7366 but the position angle matches (N-S) matches this galaxy, so this identification is very reasonable given the often poor RA. MCG does not apply the NGC number and RNGC classifies NGC 747 as nonexistent.

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NGC 748 = MCG -01-06-004 = PGC 7259

01 56 21.7 -04 28 03

V = 12.6; Size 2.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 138d

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.6', small bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 1.9' SE of a mag 10.5 star and the galaxy is elongated in the direction of the star.

WH discovered NGC 748 = H III-193 = h176 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and reported "eF, verified with 240 power with difficulty, near a small star". His position was well off in RA, but JH measured an accurate position (2 sweeps).

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NGC 749 = ESO 414-011 = MCG -05-05-023 = PGC 7191

01 55 41.1 -29 55 21

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 111d

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x0.8'. Fairly sharp concentration with a prominent core and faint extensions. The core brightens to a very small but non-stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star lies 3.9' W of center.

JH discovered NGC 749 = h2448 on 27 Sep 1834 and logged "B, S, E, psbM." His mean position from 3 sweeps matches ESO 414-011 = PGC 7191. See Corwin's comments for IC 1740.

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NGC 750 = Arp 166 NED1 = VV 189a = UGC 1430 = MCG +05-05-034 = CGCG 503-062 = VI Zw 123 = PGC 7369

01 57 32.4 +33 12 37

V = 11.9; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (11/1/86): moderately bright, small, round. Forms a contact double system with NGC 751 virtually attached at the south end. Resolved into two distinct galaxies at 220x.

13" (10/20/84): double galaxy with NGC 751 N-S, two distinct nuclei in a common halo.

8" (11/28/81): both components merge into a single object.

WH discovered NGC 750 = H II-222 = h175 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged "just like the former." This refers to NGC 736, which was described as "F, pL, mE, r, 1.5' long." This close pair was not resolved by either Herschel but first seen at double by Bindon Stoney using Lord Rosse's 72" on 11 Oct 1850. NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 751 = Arp 166 NED2 = VV 189b = UGC 1431 = MCG +05-05-035 = CGCG 503-062 = VI Zw 123 = PGC 7370

01 57 32.9 +33 12 13

V = 12.5; Size 1.4'x1.4'

17.5" (11/1/86): this is the southern member of double system with NGC 750. Fairly faint, very small, round. Appears smaller and fainter than NGC 750 just off the north edge.

13" (10/20/84): double nebula with NGC 750 with two distinct nuclei and probably a common halo, oriented N-S.

8" (11/28/81): both components of NGC 750/751 merge into a single object.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 751 on 11 Oct 1850 with Lord Rosse's 72" and wrote "D neb [with NGC 750], Pos 171°, Dist 25", nf is a third nebula [NGC 761]." On 10 Dec 1873, Ralph Copeland gave a more detailed description: "D neb, cB, pL, R, sbM and pF, S, R, sbM." John Herschel's entry for GC 456 is confused; his description "nf h175 [NGC 750]" refers to NGC 761, but he used the same position as NGC 750 ("D neb"), so his comment could be interpreted as referring to NGC 751. Perhaps to avoid confusion, Dreyer added the entry GC 5200 in the GC Supplement (with reference to the 1861 publication) for NGC 751 and used GC 456 for NGC 761 in the NGC.

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NGC 752 = Cr 23 = Mel 12 = OCL-363

01 57 48 +37 51 00

V = 5.7; Size 50'

17.5" (11/1/97): easy naked-eye cluster, overfills the 100x field (20mm Nagler). The brightest star is a yellowish mag 7 star just south of center. Two equal mag companions to the south form an isosceles triangle. There are no dense regions and the many brighter mag 9-10.5 stars are pretty evenly distributed throughout the field. Many of the stars appear to be arrange in long strings and arcs, though. There are perhaps 150 stars in the field (difficult to count) with a few nice pair and trios. Off the SW side just out of the field is a wide bright pair of mag 5.7/5.9 stars at 3.6' (naked-eye). The western of these two stars (56 Andromedae) has a striking orange-red hue and a faint companion.

8": very large, bright, many doubles, overfills low power field. Easy naked-eye open cluster in dark sky.

Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 752 = H VII-32 = h174 on 29 Sep 1783, though this cluster is a naked-eye object. WH described it on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599) as "a vL coarse scattered cluster of vL stars, irregularly round, very rich. I suppose it takes up half a degree." Later he noted "like a nebulous star to the naked eye." Italian astronomer Giovanni Batista Hodierna may have found the cluster earlier around 1654.

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NGC 753 = UGC 1437 = MCG +06-05-066 = CGCG 522-086 = PGC 7387

01 57 42.2 +35 54 58

V = 12.3; Size 2.5'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 125d

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly bright, moderately large, oval NW-SE, broad concentration. Bright member of AGC 262.

13" (8/8/86): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core.

8" (9/25/81): faint, small, round.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 753 on 16 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted a mag 13-4 star follows by 17 seconds and measured an accurate position (2 nights).

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NGC 754 = ESO 152-033 = PGC 7068

01 54 20.9 -56 45 40

V = 14.2; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 40"x35", weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. Located 4.5' SSE of brighter NGC 745. Two mag 10 stars lie 5' E and NE and a third mag 11.3 star is 4' NNE.

JH discovered NGC 754 = h2450 (along with NGC 745 = h2249) on 27 Oct 1834 and recorded "vF, S, R, bM.". His position matches ESO 152-033 = PGC 7068.

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NGC 755 = NGC 763 = MCG -02-06-005 = PGC 7262

01 56 22.5 -09 03 42

V = 12.6; Size 3.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 50d

17.5" (12/23/92): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 2.5'x0.8', brighter along major axis, brighter core but no well-defined nucleus, appears mottled.

WH discovered NGC 755 = H III-265 = h177 = h2447 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and logged "vF, lE, verified with 240 power." JH's observations of h177 and h2447, which he assumed referred to H III-265, may instead apply to NGC 731. The NGC position from C.H.F. Peters matches MCG -02-06-005 = PGC 7262.

Ormond Stone independently found this galaxy in 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at Stone's position but 1 min of RA west and 5' south is NGC 755 and his size estimate (1.6'x0.4') and PA (65°) applies. So, NGC 755 = NGC 763 with NGC 755 the primary designation.

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NGC 756 = MCG -03-05-029 = PGC 7078

01 54 29.2 -16 42 27

V = 14.0; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 50d

17.5" (10/25/97): very faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration. Situated ~2' S of a small obtuse triangle of mag 13-14 stars.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 756 = LM I-42 on 9 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick. His rough position is 1.7 min of RA east of MCG -03-05-029 = PGC 7078. Bigourdan was unable to recover the galaxy at Leavenworth's place. 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 757 = NGC 731 = MCG -02-05-073 = PGC 7118

01 54 56.1 -09 00 38

See observing notes for NGC 731.

Ormond Stone found NGC 757 = O St I-43 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick. There is nothing at his position, but 10' S is NGC 755. Harold Corwin originally equated NGC 757 with NGC 755 but now feels NGC 757 is a duplicate of NGC 731. Although there is no discovery sketch for NGC 757, the sketch for NGC 763 (list I-44) shows that NGC 763 = NGC 755. Applying the same relative offsets suggests NGC 757 = NGC 731 assuming both galaxies were observed at Leander McCormick on the same night.

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NGC 758 = PGC 7198

01 55 42.1 -03 04 00

V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (10/29/94): very faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, weak even concentration to a very small core. The RNGC position is 4.5' too far ESE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 758 = LM II-322 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick. His position is about 0.6 tmin east of PGC 7198 at 01 55 42.1 -03 04 0. The RNGC position is 0.3 tmin east and 2' south (4.5' ESE) of PGC 7198. This error is listed in my RNGC Corrections #7.

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NGC 759 = UGC 1440 = MCG +06-05-067 = CGCG 522-087 = PGC 7397

01 57 50.3 +36 20 35

V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, small, round, bright core. Member of AGC 262 with UGC 1434 6' SW.

13" (8/8/86): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, faint elongated halo.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 759 on 17 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His single position matches UGC 1440 = PGC 7397.

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NGC 760

01 57 47.4 +33 21 20

=**, Carlson.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 760 on 19 Dec 1873, observing with the 72" at Birr Castle. With respected to GC 456 = NGC 761, he placed this nebula 80" distant in PA 202.5° (close southwest) and described it as a "cF, R neb". At this exact offset is a close double star just resolved on the DSS. Corwin and Carlson also identify this double star as NGC 760. The MCG misidentifies MCG +05-05-036 as NGC 760.

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NGC 761 = UGC 1439 = MCG +05-05-036 = CGCG 503-064 = VV 425 = LGG 042-003 = PGC 7395

01 57 49.6 +33 22 37

V = 13.5; Size 1.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 143d

17.5" (11/1/86): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE. A faint triangle of stars is off the north edge. Follows a mag 8.5 star.

13.1" (10/20/84): extremely faint, small, elongated NW-SE. Located close SW of three mag 13-13.5 stars 1.5' NE, 2.1' NE and 1.0' ENE. Also 5' SE of mag 8.5 SAO 55129. The NGC 750/NGC 751 pair lies 11' S.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 761 on 11 Oct 1850 and simply noted "nf [NGC 750/751] is a third neb." On 10 Dec 1873, Ralph Copeland described it as "pB, cL, 4 S near; it has a *11m in Pos 309°, Dist 314.1"." At this precise offset is UGC 1439 = PGC 7395.

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NGC 762 = MCG -01-06-006 = Mrk 1012 = PGC 7322

01 56 57.7 -05 24 11

V = 13.5; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 25d

17.5" (12/8/90): faint, very small, round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 762 = H III-464 = h178 = h2451 on 22 Nov 1785 (sweep 474) and logged "eF, S, I found it in gauging [counting stars in a given region], otherwise it might have been overlooked." JH observed this galaxy from both Slough and at the Cape, where he described it as "vF, E, vlbM, 30 arcseconds". The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 763 = NGC 755 = MCG -02-06-005 = PGC 7262

01 56 22.5 -09 03 42

See observing notes for NGC 755.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 763 = O St I-44 in 1886 with the 26" Clark refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded 1.6'x0.4' in PA = 65°. There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 tmin of RA west and 5' S is NGC 755, which matches his description. Corwin checked the discovery sketch and confirms NGC 763 is a duplicate of NGC 755 (discovered earlier by WH). Corwin also notes that if NGC 757 was discovered by Stone on the same night, then the same offset leads to NGC 757 = NGC 731 (also discovered earlier by WH).

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NGC 764

01 57 03.5 -16 03 51

=**, Carlson and Corwin. =NF, RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 764 = O St I-45 on 6 Jan 1886 with the 26" at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing near his position and Dorothy Carlson and Harold Corwin identify this number with a double star. See Corwin's notes for further comments.

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NGC 765 = UGC 1455 = MCG +04-05-025 = CGCG 482-033 = PGC 7475

01 58 48.0 +24 53 33

V = 12.8; Size 2.8'x2.8'; Surf Br = 14.9

17.5" (12/8/90): faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration, very faint stellar nucleus. Located 8' WNW of mag 7.8 SAO 75071 = ∑194 = 8.4/8.7 at 1.2".

Albert Marth discovered NGC 765 = m 52 on 8 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, vS". His position matches UGC 1455 = PGC 7475.

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NGC 766 = UGC 1458 = MCG +01-06-019 = CGCG 413-019 = PGC 7468

01 58 42.0 +08 20 48

V = 12.7; Size 2.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.2

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1' diameter, low even concentration, very small brighter core. Forms the west vertex of isosceles triangle with a mag 11.5 star 2.4' NE and a mag 12 star 3.0' SE.

JH discovered NGC 766 = h180 on 8 Jan 1828 and recorded "vF; S; R; 15...20"; a *10m 15° np; 2' dist." His position matches UGC 1458 = PGC 7468 with the star 2.4' ENE.

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NGC 767 = MCG -02-06-010 = PGC 7483

01 58 50.7 -09 35 12

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 165d

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, very low surface brightness with no concentration. A mag 14 star is 2.0' N. Located 7' W of mag 8.4 SAO 129606.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 767 = LM II-323 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.6 tmin west of MCG -02-06-010 = PGC 7483 and his description 1.3'x0.3' in PA 160° matches this galaxy.

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NGC 768 = UGC 1457 = MCG +00-06-016 = CGCG 387-018 = PGC 7465

01 58 40.8 +00 31 46

V = 13.2; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 30d

24" (12/22/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated at least 2:1 SSW-NNE, 40"x18", brighter along a the major axis (elongated core or bar?). A mag 15.7 star is 50" E of center and a mag 14.5 star is 2' NE. IC 1761 lies 3.7' NE, with the mag 14.5 star nearly at the midpoint. IC 1761 appeared faint to fairly faint, small, round 12" diameter (only the core seen with certainty).

17.5" (12/8/90): extremely faint, very small, round. Located 8' W of mag 8.2 SAO 110258.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 768 = Sw III-8 on 2 Dec 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 18 seconds east and 1' S of UGC 1457 = PGC 7465, but his comment "B * 32 seconds following" applies to this galaxy. Swift independently found the galaxy again on 2 Oct 1886 and reported it in list V-18 as "eF; pS; R; B * 30s f and 1' s." His second position is just 40" northwest of center.

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NGC 769 = UGC 1467 = MCG +05-05-037 = CGCG 503-066 = PGC 7537

01 59 35.9 +30 54 35

V = 12.8; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 11.6; PA = 73d

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, elongated WSW-ENE, fairly even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is on the east edge 30" from the center. Located about 30' SSW of NGC 772.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 769 = Sf 68 on 9 Nov 1866 with the 18.5" refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and recorded "S, pF, irr figure, gbM." Édouard Stephan (XII-20) independently found the galaxy on 5 Nov 1882 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and Dreyer credits Stephan with the discovery in the NGC as Safford's list was not published until 1887, too late for Dreyer to see while compiling the NGC.

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NGC 770 = UGC 1463 = MCG +03-06-010 = CGCG 461-016 = LGG 040-001 = PGC 7517

01 59 13.6 +18 57 17

V = 12.9; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 15d

48" (11/1/13): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, ~40"x32", very high surface brightness. Forms a double system 3.5' SSW of NGC 772, a showpiece spiral.

18" (12/3/05): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, increases to a small bright core. This is a companion to NGC 772 and may be the cause of its bright, disturbed spiral arm.

13.1": faint, very small, round, small bright core. Located 3.5' SSW of NGC 772.

R.J. Mitchell (GC 464) discovered NGC 770 on 3 Nov 1855 while observing NGC 772. He noted, "has companion neb. 5' or 6' south." Dreyer later measured an accurate offset. Heinrich d'Arrest (GC 461) independently found NGC 770 in 1861 and it was listed twice in the GC. Both entries were combined in the NGC with an accurate position.

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NGC 771 = 50 Cas

02 03 26.6 +72 25 16

V = 4.0

=*4.0 = 50 Cas

JH discovered NGC 771 = h179 on 29 Oct 1831 and noted "I suspect this star to be nebulous". This entry refers to 50 Cas (V = 4.0), which is the brightest single star in the NGC. There are several other instances where Herschel thought a bright star had a nebulous halo (e.g. NGC 4530). Dorothy Carlson may have first noted there is no nebulosity here.

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NGC 772 = Arp 78 = UGC 1466 = MCG +03-06-011 = CGCG 461-018 = LGG 040-002 = PGC 7525

01 59 19.8 +19 00 30

V = 10.3; Size 7.2'x4.3'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 130d

48" (11/1/13): very bright, very large, elongated at least 5:3 WNW-ESE, ~5.4'x3', sharply concentrated with a blazing core that increases to the center. Contains two spiral arms, though dominated by a bright, long arm that attaches to the core on the east side, wraps counterclockwise to the north of the core and then extends in a fairly thin arch to the west. The arm extends over 3' in length and ends at the northwest tip of the galaxy, ~2.5' from the center. It contains 1 or 2 very faint HII knots. A second low contrast arm begins at the south end of the core and spirals out clockwise to the east. This arm is broader and does not have a sharply defined edge but was fairly easily visible. The outer halo to the southeast of this arm has a very low surface brightness. Forms an interacting pair with NGC 770 3.5' SSW. PGC 212884 (8x the redshift) was easily picked up 5.8' SW.

24" (9/7/13): bright, very large, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, 4'x2.5'. Strongly concentrated with a very bright oval core. The halo is clearly asymmetric and more extensive on the NW side. With careful viewing a long arm is visible at 200x extending from the central region towards the NW. The arm is better separated from the main body at 450x and ends near NGC 772:[HK83] 57, a slightly brighter HII knot that appears as an extremely faint, "soft" star.

18" (12/3/05): bright, very large, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, roughly 4'x3'. The halo is asymmetric and more extensive on the NW side with a very strong impression of a spiral arm attached on the north side and sweeping to the west (confirmed on image). Forms a pair with much fainter NGC 770 3.5' SSW.

13.1" (11/5/83): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, sharp concentration. Forms a close pair with NGC 770 3.5' SSW.

8" (10/4/80): fairly faint, fairly large, oval, bright core, two mag 11 stars to SE.

WH discovered NGC 772 = H I-112 = h181 on 29 Nov 1785 (sweep 481) and logged "cB or vB, L, R, mbM, 3 or 4' dia, difficulty resolving. In the most resolvable part a faint red colour perceivable." On 3 Nov 1855, R.J. Mitchell wrote "...One branch in particular strongly suspected as at A [in diagram] curved towards the * preceding." This description refers to the northern spiral arm and star preceding (indicated on the diagram) is the HII region NGC 772:[HK83] 57, from Hodge & Kennicutt's "An Atlas of H II regions in 125 galaxies". It was also noted by Dreyer on 9 Jan 1875: "An eeF neb point was by glimpses seen by both observers in Pos 315° +/, Dist. 2' +/- from [GC] 463."

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NGC 773 = MCG -02-06-011 = PGC 7486

01 58 52.0 -11 30 53

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 0d

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.5', very weak concentration. Located 11' SE of mag 8.5 SAO 148138 at the edge of the 220x field. Just outside the field 14' NNW is mag 6.6 SAO 148139.

WH discovered NGC 773 = H III-468 = h2452 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and recorded "vF; E; 1.5' long, 1' broad, nearly in the meridian [N-S]; lbM." JH reported from the CGH, "F, R, glbM, 30"." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 774 = UGC 1469 = MCG +02-06-008 = CGCG 438-010 = PGC 7536

01 59 34.7 +14 00 29

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 165d

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, small, almost round, 0.5' diameter, slight even concentration, no distinct core. Forms a triangle with two mag 12 stars 2.3' NNW and 3.5' NE. Located 12' ESE of a mag 9.5 star and 9' ENE of a mag 10 star.

WH discovered NGC 774 = H III-214 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 295) and logged "vF, stellar, verified with 240 power.". J.L.E. Dreyer, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 7 Oct 1874, recorded "F, stellar, not quite R but of somewhat irregular shape, probably vlE north-south or very nearly towards a *11m in Pos 333°, Dist 143.7 arcsec". The NGC dec is 1' S of UGC 1469 = PGC 7536.

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NGC 775 = ESO 477-018 = MCG -05-05-024 = PGC 7451

01 58 32.6 -26 17 36

V = 12.7; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 167d

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated ~N-S, 1.5'x1.2, broad concentration with no distinct core. An elongated group of six mag 13-14 stars (6' length oriented E-W) lies 5' S. Located 13' NW of mag 6.7 SAO 167461.

JH discovered NGC 775 = h2453 on 14 Nov 1835 and noted "pB, S, R, gbM, 18 arcsec" His positions from two sweeps differed by 10 tsec in RA, but clearly identifies ESO 477-018 = PGC 7451.

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NGC 776 = UGC 1471 = MCG +04-05-028 = CGCG 482-037 = PGC 7560

01 59 54.5 +23 38 40

V = 12.4; Size 1.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (12/8/90): fairly faint, small, round, broad concentration, very faint stellar nucleus, halo fades into background. A mag 15 star is 30" N. Brightest of three with IC 180 2.6' SE and IC 181 2.0' NE.

IC 180 appeared very faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE and IC 181 is extremely faint and small, round.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 776 on 2 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and logged "vF, S, R". His single position matches UGC 1471 = PGC 7560.

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NGC 777 = UGC 1476 = MCG +05-05-038 = CGCG 503-067 = PGC 7584

02 00 14.9 +31 25 46

V = 11.5; Size 2.5'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 155d

24" (11/24/14): at 375x; bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, sharply concentrated with a very bright rounder core, ~0.9'x0.7'. Two fairly bright stars are in the field to the south, mag 9.3 SAO 55174 lies 5' SW and mag 8.7 SAO 55185 is 6.4' SE. NGC 778 lies 7' SSE.

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly bright, small, almost round, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 778 7' SSE. NGC 783 is 29' NNE and NGC 769 30' SSW.

WH discovered NGC 777 = H II-223 = h182 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and recorded "pB, pS, R." R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 18 Sep 1857, wrote "S, R, bM, several S st p and np the nucleus." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 778 = UGC 1480 = MCG +05-05-039 = CGCG 503-069 = PGC 7597

02 00 19.4 +31 18 47

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 150d

24" (11/24/14): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, ~30"x20", weak concentration. A mag 8.7 star is 3' NE. Second brightest in a trio with brighter NGC 777 7' N and much fainter KUG 0156+310 = PGC 74060 6' W. The latter was an extremely faint 8" glow just north of a mag 13-13.5 star.

13.1" (8/24/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated. Located within a bright trapezoid formed by two mag 9 stars 7' N and 4.8' NW (SAO 55174), mag 8.5 SAO 55185 3.0' NE and a mag 10.5 star 2.8' WSW. Forms a pair with NGC 777 7' NNW.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 778 = Sf 64 on 5 Nov 1866 with the 18" refractor at Dearborn Observatory. Édouard Stephan (VIII-7, first list) independently found the galaxy on 17 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. As Safford's discovery was not published until the fall of 1887 as the NGC was going to press, Stephan is credited with the discovery in the GC Supplement (5205) and NGC.

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NGC 779 = MCG -01-06-016 = PGC 7544

01 59 42.3 -05 57 51

V = 11.2; Size 4.0'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 160d

48" (10/24/14): extremely bright, very large, nearly edge-on 7:2 NNW-SSE, 3.5'x1.0'. Contains an intensely bright, mottled core and nucleus. The core is within a brighter, elongated "bar". The outer halo appears to extend further to the south with averted vision and bend slightly with respect to the central region. The northern end of the halo has a similar effect as if the galaxy is very slightly warped.

17.5" (11/27/92): bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE in PA 160°, 3.0'x1.0', brighter core, substellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 4.6' SSW of center.

8" (10/13/81): fairly bright, bright core, edge-on N-S.

WH discovered NGC 779 = H I-101 = h183 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and logged "cB, pL, mbM, E a few degrees deviating from the meridian; from np to sf." JH observed the galaxy on 3 sweeps, including 2 Jan 1827: "pB; pL; E; pos about 160° by diag." His position angle and position is accurate.

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NGC 780 = UGC 1488 = MCG +05-05-041 = CGCG 503-072 = V Zw 164 = PGC 7616

02 00 35.2 +28 13 31

V = 13.4; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 170d

17.5" (11/27/92): very faint, very small, round. Two mag 15 stars nearby 0.7' S and 20" E. Lies within a 12' group of stars roughly forming a "Big Dipper" asterism.

WH discovered NGC 780 = H III-583 = h184 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and noted "vF, vS, E. Resembles 3 faint stars in a line, with vF nebulosity between them." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 781 = UGC 1482 = MCG +02-06-010 = CGCG 438-011 = PGC 7577

02 00 09.0 +12 39 22

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 13d

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.3', dominated by a round small bright core, much fainter extensions.

WH discovered NGC 781 = H III-215 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 295) and logged "eF, stellar, found with 240 power." His position is 2' north of UGC 1482 = PGC 7577.

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NGC 782 = ESO 114-015 = PGC 7379

01 57 40.4 -57 47 26

V = 11.9; Size 2.3'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 15d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 782 = h2454 on 27 Oct 1834 and logged "pB, pL, lE, attached to a star 12th mag." His position is accurate.

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NGC 783 = UGC 1497 = MCG +05-05-042 = CGCG 503-073 = Mrk 1171 = IC 1765 = PGC 7657

02 01 06.4 +31 52 57

V = 12.1; Size 1.6'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 35d

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly faint, diffuse, slightly elongated E-W, even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is at the WNW edge of halo and a mag 12.5 star is off the SE edge 1.1' from center. Forms a pair with NGC 785 8' ESE.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 783 = St VIIIa-8 on 22 Sep 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 1497 = PGC 7657. The galaxy was independently found by Barnard, communicated directly to Dreyer, and catalogued again as IC 1765. Barnard's position is about 30 tsec too far W and 2' too far S, so Dreyer must have thought it was a different object, but NGC 783 = St IC 1765, with NGC 783 the primary designation.

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NGC 784 = UGC 1501 = MCG +05-05-045 = CGCG 503-074 = PGC 7671

02 01 17.0 +28 50 15

V = 11.7; Size 6.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 0d

17.5" (11/1/86): fairly bright, very large, very elongated 4:1 N-S, weak concentration.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 784 on 20 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He questioned if it was elongated or double and his single position is accurate.

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NGC 785 = UGC 1509 = MCG +05-05-046 = CGCG 503-076 = IC 1766 = PGC 7694

02 01 40.0 +31 49 35

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 80d

13.1" (8/24/84): faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 783 8' WNW.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 785 = St VIIIa-9 on 25 Oct 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 1509 = PGC 7694. This galaxy was independently found by E.E. Barnard, communicated directly to Dreyer, and catalogued again as IC 1766. Barnard's position is about 30 tsec too far W and 3' too far S (similar offsets as IC 1765 from N783), so Dreyer apparently thought it was a different object. So, NGC 785 = St IC 1766, with NGC 785 the primary designation.

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NGC 786 = UGC 1506 = MCG +02-06-012 = CGCG 438-013 = PGC 7680

02 01 24.6 +15 38 48

V = 13.3; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness. NGC 792 lies 12' ENE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 786 on 20 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 2 nights) is 1' too far south-southwest.

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NGC 787 = MCG -02-06-015 = PGC 7632

02 00 48.5 -09 00 08

V = 12.7; Size 2.1'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 90d

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8', broad concentration, stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 3' W of center. Located 4' NW of a mag 9.5 star.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 787 on 27 Feb 1865 with a 13.5-inch refractor at Hamilton College Observatory in New York. Wilhelm Tempel independently found the galaxy on 9 Nov 1879 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and reported it in list IV-7. Peters' and Tempel's positions match MCG -02-06-015 = PGC 7632. This galaxy was probably "discovered" again Ormond Stone (I-46) at Leander McCormick in 1885 or 1886. His position is 1.4 tmin W and 6' N of PGC 7632.

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NGC 788 = MCG -01-06-025 = PGC 7656

02 01 06.4 -06 48 57

V = 12.1; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 115d

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration, stellar nucleus. (IC 184 lies 19' W and HCG 14 lies 24' SW - see observations).

WH discovered NGC 788 = H II-435 = h185 on 26 Sep 1865 (sweep 436) and noted "F, S, iR, bM". JH observed the galaxy on 30 Dec 1826 and logged "B; pL; R; bM."

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NGC 789 = UGC 1520 = MCG +05-05-047 = CGCG 503-077 = PGC 7760

02 02 26.0 +32 04 20

V = 13.4; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.7; PA = 3d

13.1" (12/22/84): faint, small, round, faint stellar nucleus? Forms a pair with NGC 798 11' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 789 = St III-3 on 24 Aug 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. Édouard Stephan discovered the galaxy again on 10 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and measured a very accurate micrometric position.

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NGC 790 = MCG -01-06-026 = PGC 7677

02 01 21.6 -05 22 15

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (12/8/90): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core, strong stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 790 = H III-433 = h186 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and logged "vF, vS." The NGC position matches MCG -01-06-026 = PGC 7677.

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NGC 791 = UGC 1511 = MCG +01-06-031 = CGCG 413-028 = PGC 7702

02 01 44.3 +08 29 59

V = 13.1; Size 1.6'x1.6'; Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, small, round, even concentration, very small bright core, very symmetrical appearance. Located 3.3' SW of a mag 10 star. A mag 12.5 star is 2.8' E of center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 791 on 3 Dec 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted a mag 13-14 star that follows by 11.5 seconds and measured the position on 3 nights.

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NGC 792 = UGC 1517 = MCG +02-06-015 = CGCG 438-014 = PGC 7744

02 02 15.3 +15 42 44

V = 13.1; Size 1.7'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 130d

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, small bright core. Three mag 11-12 stars in a E-W line of 2' length begins 3' SSW and extends to the west. NGC 786 lies 12' WSW.

JH discovered NGC 792 = h187 on 7 Sep 1828 and logged "eF; S; R; has a *11m 15° nf." His position and description matches UGC 1517 = PGC 7744.

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NGC 793

02 02 54.5 +31 58 51

=**?, Corwin =NF, RNGC.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 793 in 1886 with the 15.5-inch Cooke refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England. It was placed southeast of NGC 789, but there are no galaxies in the vicinity, only several faint stars. Corwin tentatively identifies as a very faint double as NGC 793. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 794 = UGC 1528 = MCG +03-06-024 = CGCG 461-031 = IC 191 = PGC 7763

02 02 29.3 +18 22 23

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 45d

17.5" (12/8/90): fairly faint, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 794 = H III-207 = h188 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 291) and noted "eF, vS, stellar,240 showed it very plainly." JH observed this galaxy on one sweep and his position is 6 seconds of RA east of UGC 1528 = PGC 7763. The galaxy was independently found by Lewis Swift (list IX-9) on 20 Oct 1889 with a 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and catalogued again as IC 191 by Dreyer (probably because of the disparate descriptions). So, NGC 794 = IC 191. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 795 = ESO 153-008 = PGC 7552

01 59 49.4 -55 49 27

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 141d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 795 = h2455 on 27 Oct 1834 and logged "pF, S, R; makes an obtuse angled triangle with 2 stars 11th mag." His position and description of the nearby stars matches ESO 153-008 = PGC 7552.

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NGC 796 = ESO 030-SC006 = Lindsay 115

01 56 45 -74 13 12

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright but fairly small. The main knot is round, ~30" in diameter with a single star that stands out at the SE edge. Barely off the NW edge is a 10" knot that is possibly detached. This knot increases the total size to nearly 45"x30", elongated NW-SE. Located 8.5' SW of mag 8.2 HD 12440. This object is apparently an outlying cluster of the SMC.

JH discovered NGC 796 = h2456 on 18 Sep 1835 and remarked "F, vS, R, has a *12m 25" distance at 45° np." On a second sweep he recorded "somewhat doubtful, but I believe it is a vF neb involving a vF star." His third observation was reported as "eF, S, R, 10" close to a vS star." His position matches this SMC outlying cluster.

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NGC 797 = UGC 1541 = MCG +06-05-078 = CGCG 522-105 = VV 428 = V Zw 170 = PGC 7832

02 03 28.0 +38 07 01

V = 12.6; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 65d

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint halo, stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is just 0.8' WNW of center and a brighter mag 13 star lies 1.7' ENE. Forms a pair with NGC 801 9' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 797 = H III-566 = h189 on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599) and noted "vF, pL, iR." He apparently found it again on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) and logged "pB, cL, lE, mbM.", though his position is much closer to NGC 801. JH recorded "vF; R; sbM; near a *." There are actually a couple of stars very near and his position matches UGC 1541 = PGC 7832.

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NGC 798 = UGC 1539 = MCG +05-05-048 = CGCG 503-078 = PGC 7823

02 03 19.6 +32 04 39

V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 137d

13.1" (12/22/84): very faint, very small, very elongated NW-SE, small bright core. Located 11' E of NGC 789.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 798 = St III-4 on 10 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory, along with III-3 = NGC 789 (discovered earlier by Heinrich d'Arrest). His position matches UGC 1539 = PGC 7823.

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NGC 799 = UGC 1527 = MCG +00-06-023 = CGCG 387-029 = Holm 54a = PGC 7741

02 02 12.3 -00 06 04

V = 13.0; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 100d

17.5" (12/8/90): faint, very small, round, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus at moments. A mag 14 star is just 45" E. Forms a close pair with NGC 800 1.8' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 799 = Sw II-16 (along with NGC 800 = Sw II-17) on 9 Oct 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His RA is 30 tsec too large (same error as NGC 800). 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 800 = UGC 1526 = MCG +00-06-024 = CGCG 387-028 = Holm 54b = PGC 7740

02 02 11.8 -00 07 49

V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 10d

17.5" (12/8/90): extremely faint, very small, round, very low even surface brightness. Forms a close pair with NGC 799 1.8' N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 800 = Sw II-17 (along with NGC 799 = Sw II-16) on 9 Oct 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His RA is 30 seconds east of UGC 1526 = PGC 7740 (same error as NGC 800). 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 801 = UGC 1550 = MCG +06-05-079 = CGCG 522-106 = PGC 7847

02 03 44.9 +38 15 32

V = 13.1; Size 3.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 150d

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, very elongated NNW-SSE, fairly small, weak concentration. Forms a pair with NGC 797 9' SW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 801 = Sw II-18 on 20 Sep 1885 and recorded "eF; pS; iR; D * close f; v difficult." UGC 1550, an edge-on spiral, is 19 seconds of RA west of Swift's position, though there is no obvious double star close following. NGC 801 was discovered on the same evening with NGCs 19, 21, 7831 and 7836. All of these galaxies have offsets of -1.2 min in RA and -8' in declination from their correct positions, but there is nothing at this offset to NGC 801. So, this identification is somewhat uncertain, though there are no other obvious candidates. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 802 = ESO 052-013 = PGC 7505

01 59 06.0 -67 52 13

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 152d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.6', broad concentration. Located 27' SE of mag 4.7 Eta-2 Hyi. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.5' W. Forms a pair with ESO 052-014 5.4' NNE. This galaxy appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.3', brighter along the major axis. Two mag 12.7 and 11.7 stars are located 3' W and 5' W of ESO 52-14. The brighter star forms the western vertex of an equilateral triangle with ESO 52-14 and NGC 802. NGC 813 lies 37' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 802 = h2457 on 15 Oct 1784 and logged "eeF, vS, R; has a star 13th mag preceding, distance 100"." His position and description matches ESO 052-013 = PGC 7505.

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NGC 803 = UGC 1554 = MCG +03-06-028 = CGCG 461-038 = PGC 7849

02 03 44.7 +16 01 52

V = 12.6; Size 3.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 8d

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on N-S. A mag 11 star is 1.0' WSW of center. Located 49' SE of mag 7.6 HD 12315.

WH discovered NGC 803 = H III-208 = h190 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 291) and logged "eF, vS, iR, just following a pB star." On sweep 319, JH noted "vF; not vS; glbM; follows *10m 3.5 sec." His description and position matches UGC 1554 = PGC 7849.

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NGC 804 = UGC 1557 = MCG +05-05-049 = CGCG 504-001 = IC 1773 = PGC 7873

02 04 02.1 +30 49 59

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 7d

17.5" (11/26/94): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, very small brighter core with thin faint extensions. Two mag 11.5 stars are 1.9' WSW and 3.5' SW of center. UGC 1577 lies 27' NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 804 = Sw II-19 on 7 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and logged "eeF; vS; R; lbM; v difficult." His position is 22 tsec east of UGC 1557. Because of his imprecise position, Guillaume Bigourdan, observing with the 12" refractor at the Paris Observatory, mistook a faint star for NGC 804 and listed the galaxy as a new discovery, and Dreyer catalogued the galaxy again as IC 1773. So, NGC 804 = IC 1773. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 805 = UGC 1566 = MCG +05-05-050 = CGCG 504-004 = PGC 7899

02 04 29.5 +28 48 44

V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 115d

17.5" (12/8/90): faint, very small, oval 3:2 ~E-W, even surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is just off the SW edge 30" from center and a mag 14 star is 1' WNW. NGC 807 lies 13' NW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 805 on 26 Sep 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted a mag 13-14 star preceded by 2 seconds and measured a fairly accurate position (2 nights).

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NGC 806 = MCG -02-06-021 = PGC 7835

02 03 31.4 -09 55 56

V = 14.0; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 60d

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, irregular surface brightness, probably brighter on the west end. A mag 11 star is 3.7' NNE of center.

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, even surface brightness, asymmetric appearance with a very faint stellar nucleus offset to the NE end or an extremely faint star may be superimposed near NE tip. A mag 11 star is 3.5' NE.

Distorted, patchy appearance on the SDSS that may be the result of the post-collision merger. HyperLeda catalogues the companion a PGC 3100716 and NED gives the primary designation SHOC 103.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 806 = Sw V-19 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and logged "eeF; S; R; pB * nr; extr difficult". His position is 13 tsec east of MCG -02-06-021 = PGC 7835 and his comment of a "pB * nr" applies to this galaxy.

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NGC 807 = UGC 1571 = MCG +05-06-001 = CGCG 504-006 = PGC 7934

02 04 55.7 +28 59 16

V = 12.5; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 145d

17.5" (12/8/90): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 45" N. Located 2' NE of a mag 10.5 star and 8.5' SW of mag 7.9 SAO 75133. NGC 805 lies 13' SW.

WH discovered NGC 807 = H III-151 = h191 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) and wrote "vF, vS, stellar, between a pretty large and small star, but nearer to the smallest." JH recorded on 15 Sep 1828: "vF; vS; 6"; has a *12m 1' N, and another about 20° sp.". His description and position matches UGC 1571 = PGC 7934.

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NGC 808 = ESO 478-001 = MCG -04-06-003 = PGC 7865

02 03 56.6 -23 18 42

V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 7d

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, very weakly concentrated along the major axis. A string of three mag 14 stars extending NW are collinear with the galaxy and equally spaced at 1.0' separation.

JH discovered NGC 808 = h192 = h2458 on 14 Oct 1830 and logged "vF; R; vgbM; 40"." He observed it again from the Cape of Good Hope and noted as "vF, lE, gbM, 25"." Joseph Turner sketched NGC 808 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (see http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_1_5.php).

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NGC 809 = MCG -02-06-023 = PGC 7889

02 04 18.9 -08 44 07

V = 12.7; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 170d

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, very small, round, very small brighter core, stellar nucleus.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 809 = Sw V-20 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 22 sec of RA east of MCG -02-06-023 = PGC 7889. 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 810 = UGC 1583 = MCG +02-06-026 = CGCG 438-024 = PGC 7965

02 05 28.5 +13 15 05

V = 13.9; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 25d

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, small, round, bright core. Located on a line to the SW of mag 7.8 SAO 92789 7' NE and mag 7.2 SAO 92795 19' NE. Appears brighter than CGCG mag 15.4z.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 810 = St III-5 on 11 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "vF, vS, R, more condensed in the center but no bright nucleus". His position matches UGC 1583. Corwin notes the NGC position is 10 tsec too far west (transcription error). A companion (not seen) is superimposed 0.25' following the nucleus, which itself looks double on the SDSS.

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NGC 811 = PGC 7870

02 04 00 -09 06 21

Size 0.6'x0.5'; PA = 33d

18" (10/25/08): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Once identified this faint galaxy could be held continuously. Located 5.7' ENE of a mag 10.9 star and 22' NNE of mag 7.3 HD 12627.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 811 = LM II-324 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and commented "neb?, *10 1' S." There is nothing at his position but 50 sec of RA west is PGC 7870 and there is a star (closer to mag 14) 40" S, so the identification NGC 811 = PGC 7870 is reasonable. The RNGC, PGC, NED and HyperLeda misidentify MCG -02-06-024 = PGC 7905 as NGC 811. This galaxy is 1° south of Leavenworth's position and it's possible Leavenworth made a transcription error of 1°, but there is no star to the south, so this identification is less likely.

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NGC 812 = UGC 1598 = MCG +07-05-014 = CGCG 538-019 = PGC 8066

02 06 51.2 +44 34 29

V = 11.2; Size 9.3'x2.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 160d

13.1" (8/24/84): faint, very elongated NNW-SSE, diffuse. A mag 11 star is 1.1' SW. Located 17' NE of mag 7.4 SAO 37787.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 812 = St VIIIb-3 on 11 Dec 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and remarked "eF, thin shape, E45, 1.5' length, bM". His position and description matches UGC 1598 = PGC 8066.

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NGC 813 = ESO 052-016 = PGC 7692

02 01 36.0 -68 26 21

V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 99d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, fairly small, oval E-W, 40"x25", sharp concentration with a small bright core. A very faint star is superimposed on the east side of the halo and a second very faint star lies 30" S of center. NGC 802 lies 37' NW.

JH discovered NGC 813 = h2459 on 24 Nov 1834 and noted "pF, R, gbM, 30"." His position matches ESO 052-016 = PGC 7692.

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NGC 814 = MCG -03-06-010 = PGC 8319

02 10 37.6 -15 46 25

V = 13.8; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 4d

17.5" (10/25/97): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.5', broad concentration. Located close NE of a mag 12 star [0.9' from center]. At moments appears to have a faint stellar nucleus. Forms a close pair with extremely difficult NGC 815 2.4' S. Due to a poor position by Stone, these objects are misidentified in RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 814 = LM I-47 (along with NGC 815 = I-48) on 6 Jan 1886. There is nothing near Stone's position but his discovery sketch was examined by Corwin and it establishes NGC 814 = MCG -03-06-010 = PGC 8319 and NGC 815 = PGC 906183. In this case Stone's RA was 4 min of RA too far west. RNGC and PGC misidentify MCG -03-06-005 = PGC 7799 as NGC 814 and MCG -03-06-004 = PGC 7798 as NGC 815. Megastar and other sources based on the PGC may also carry this error.

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NGC 815 = PGC 906183

02 10 39.4 -15 48 47

Size 0.4'x0.3'

17.5" (10/25/97): not seen initially at 220x. After extended viewing, just glimpsed for moments on a few occasions at 2.4' S of NGC 814. Appeared virtually stellar, ~5"-10", no details due to faintness.

See comments for NGC 814. RNGC and PGC (as well as Megastar, etc.) misidentify MCG -03-06-004 = PGC 7798 as NGC 815. N815 appears to be a very close and small double system (virtually stellar).

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NGC 816 = CGCG 504-016 = PGC 8152

02 08 08.8 +29 15 21

V = 14.5; Size 0.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.7

17.5" (12/8/90): very faint, very small, round. A mag 15 star is involved at the south edge just 0.2' from center. Forms a pair with NGC 819 5.7' ESE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 816 = St VI-1 on 15 Sep 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is 1' S of CGCG 504-016 = PGC 8152 (probably an error with the position of his offset star).

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NGC 817 = UGC 1611 = MCG +03-06-033 = CGCG 461-047 = PGC 8109

02 07 33.7 +17 12 09

V = 13.2; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.5; PA = 27d

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, fairly small, elongated SSW-NNE, low almost even surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 817 = Sw IV-7 on 2 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and reported "eF; vS; R; right angled with 2 stars". His position is 24 tsec east of UGC 1611 = PGC 8109 and his comment "right angled with 2 stars" matches this galaxy. Bigourdan reported Swift's position is 26 seconds too large (Remarks section of his 1891 Comptes Rendus list), though Dreyer's "corrected" position in the IC 1 Notes is 0.8 tmin too far east.

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NGC 818 = UGC 1633 = MCG +06-05-086 = CGCG 522-116 = PGC 8185

02 08 44.5 +38 46 38

V = 12.5; Size 3.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 113d

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated WNW-ESE, broad concentration, no core. A mag 15 star is 30" E.

WH discovered NGC 818 = H II-604 = h194 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) and logged "pB, cL, lE, mbM". George Stoney, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 3 Oct 1850, recorded "bM, some stars seen in it; night hazy." The NGC position is 1' south of UGC 1633 = PGC 8185.

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NGC 819 = UGC 1632 = CGCG 504-017 = PGC 8174

02 08 34.4 +29 14 02

V = 13.4; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.7; PA = 10d

17.5" (12/8/90): faint, small, round. A mag 13 star lies 1' N. Forms a pair with NGC 816 5.7' WNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 819 = St VI-2 on 20 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted the mag 13 star 42" north and measured an accurate position. Édouard Stephan independently found the galaxy again on 15 Sep 1871 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory.

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NGC 820 = UGC 1629 = MCG +02-06-036 = CGCG 438-031 = PGC 8165

02 08 25.0 +14 20 58

V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 72d

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, bright core. A mag 15 star is just off the east edge 0.7' from the center. Located almost at the midpoint of two mag 14 stars 1.6' SW and 1.4' NNE.

JH discovered NGC 820 = h195 on 7 Sep 1828 and logged "F; R; bM; 15 arcsec". R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 30 Nov 1856, recorded "oval, major axis sp-nf, a F* follows closely. There is another F* in the on edge." His description is accurate and the star at the north edge is roughly mag 16.5.

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NGC 821 = UGC 1631 = MCG +02-06-034 = CGCG 438-033 = PGC 8160

02 08 21.1 +10 59 41

V = 10.7; Size 2.6'x1.6'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 25d

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, very bright elongated core. Located just 1.1' SE of mag 10 SAO 92805!

8" (11/8/80): fairly faint, small, compact. A mag 10 star is just 1' NW.

WH discovered NGC 821 = H I-152 = h193 on 4 Sep 1786 (sweep 582) and commented "pB, vS, R, bM, 1' sf a considerable star with a small one sf the nebula." Dreyer's 1912 notes to the Second Catalogue mentions "A second obs. (Sweep 591, Sept. 18, 1786) describes it as vB, vS, lE, vBN. But the neb. is in reality only pB, second class." JH also logged it on sweep 121 as "Not vB; R; sbM to nucl; has a *1m sp, dist 55"." R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 18 Dec 1856, recorded a "bMN, E spnf, S * in s end." This star is around mag 15.5 and was not seen in my observation.

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NGC 822 = ESO 298-009 = MCG -07-05-008 = PGC 8055

02 06 39.1 -41 09 26

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 77d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 822 = h2461 on 5 Sep 1834 and recorded "F, R, sbM, resolvable, 15", a difficult object." His mean position from two sweeps matches ESO 298-009 = PGC 8055.

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NGC 823 = IC 1782 = ESO 478-002 = MCG -04-06-005 = PGC 8093

02 07 20.1 -25 26 31

V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 110d

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 0.3'x0.2' although with averted vision the outer halo doubles in diameter. Unusual appearance as a mag 13 star is attached at the east end and the galaxy appears a "fuzzy" component just west of the star. Located 4' N of a mag 10 star.

JH discovered NGC 823 = h196 on 14 Oct 1830 and recorded "A vF double star enclosed in a vF neb." Herschel also observed this nebula at the Cape (h2460) and he gave the same description. Lewis Swift apparently independently found this object on 8 Oct 1896 and recorded it in his list XI-34 as "vF; D* of = mag in nebulosity. Curious object." He also added the note "This appears like a nebulous double star, but I think it is simply a double star in a nebula. There is a vast difference between a nebulous star, and a star in a nebula." Dreyer must have missed that Swift's position is close to Herschel's and their descriptions are virtually identical, adding Swift's entry as IC 1782. So, NGC 823 = IC 1782. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 824 = ESO 354-037 = MCG -06-05-028 = PGC 8068

02 06 53.1 -36 27 13

V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 21d

17.5" (10/25/97): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (probably only viewed the core). Contains a sharp stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star lies 4.7' NW.

JH discovered NGC 824 = h2462 on 29 Nov 1837 and commented "F, R, 40", vsvmbM to a star 12th magnitude." He also observed it on the next sweep and his position (typo in NPD was corrected at the end of the CGH) matches ESO 354-037 = PGC 8068.

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NGC 825 = UGC 1636 = MCG +01-06-045 = CGCG 413-046 = LGG 047-003 = PGC 8173

02 08 32.3 +06 19 26

V = 13.2; Size 2.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 53d

24" (1/25/14): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 5:1 SW-NE, ~0.7'x0.15', brighter elongated core. An extremely faint star (mag 16.3) is just north of center. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.7' NNE.

NGC 825 forms a pair with IC 208 4.5' NNW. The companion (similar redshift) appeared fairly faint, fairly large, round, 1.5' diameter, very low though irregular surface brightness, no core or nucleus. Brightest member of a group that includes IC 1776, UGC 1646 and UGC 1649.

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE. A mag 13.5 star is 1.7' N. Located 5.5' WNW of mag 9.3 SAO 110366.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 825 = m 53 on 18 Nov 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, S, mE.". His position is 1.5' S of UGC 1636 = PGC 8173 and the description "much elongated" applies to this edge-on. Marth missed fainter IC 208, just 5' N.

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NGC 826 = CGCG 504-019 = PGC 8230

02 09 25.1 +30 44 23

V = 14.4; Size 0.5'x0.3'; PA = 20d

17.5" (12/8/90): very faint, very small, round. A mag 14 star is 40" NW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 826 = St VI-3 on 18 Sep 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position corresponds with CGCG 504-019 = PGC 8230. This is a double system (not known if a physical pair) with a very faint companion overlapping on the north side.

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NGC 827 = UGC 1640 = MCG +01-06-046 = CGCG 413-047 = PGC 8196

02 08 56.3 +07 58 17

V = 12.7; Size 2.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 85d

17.5" (12/18/89): faint, fairly small, oval E-W, weak concentration.

WH discovered NGC 827 = H III-227 = h198 = Sw I-2 on 7 Nov 1784 (sweep 308) and reported "suspected 2 or 3 small stars with seeming nebulosity between them, 240 rather confirmed it, but left a doubt."  In Dreyer's 1912 revision of WH's catalogues he commented "Place perfectly correct, no other nebula near, but it is not a nebulous cluster but a neb, vF, S, lbM, difficult". Lewis Swift found the galaxy on 9 Oct 1884 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and reported it as new in his first discovery list.  Although he insisted his observation "cannot be [NGC 827]", his position and description ("vF; pS; eE; spindle") clearly apply to this galaxy.

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NGC 828 = UGC 1655 = MCG +06-05-092 = CGCG 522-125 = VI Zw 177 = PGC 8283

02 10 09.6 +39 11 26

V = 12.3; Size 2.9'x2.2'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 145d

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, bright core. A wide double star with components 10.5/11 (separation 25" in PA 0°) are 3' E. Located 15' NW of the bright double star 59 Andromedae = 6.1/6.8 at 17".

WH discovered NGC 828 = H II-605 = h197 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) and logged "pB, S, iF." JH called it "pB; R; gbM; has a D* 15 sec following." The galaxy was observed 6 times at Birr Castle with the first observation on 4 Nov 1848 (possibly by Lord Rosse) recording "F, scarcely seen in finder, another S neb 60° np 1.5' dist, if it be not a F *." A later observation noted "Either a single R neb with * inv sf center or double." This galaxy is a disrupted spiral with a dust lane on the south side of the core, so some structure was resolved.

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NGC 829 = MCG -01-06-049 = PGC 8182

02 08 42.2 -07 47 26

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 70d

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE. A mag 11 star is 0.9' SE. First of three and similar shape as NGC 830 4.5' ENE but only a weak concentration. NGC 842 lies 16' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 829, along with NGC 830, on 23 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted a mag 11 star was 0.7' distant and his position (measured on two nights) is accurate.

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NGC 830 = MCG -01-06-050 = Mrk 1020 = PGC 8201

02 08 58.7 -07 46 01

V = 14.2; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 110d

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. Second of three and similar dimensions as NGC 829 4.5' WSW. NGC 842 lies 12' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 830, along with NGC 829, on 23 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position and offset from NGC 829 is accurate.

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NGC 831 = CGCG 413-049 = PGC 8241

02 09 34.6 +06 05 47

V = 14.3; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.8

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, very small, round. Located just east of the midpoint of a line connecting mag 7.1 SAO 110371 7' SSW and mag 8.6 SAO 110372 7' N. Forms a pair with NGC 844 10' ESE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 831 = m 54 on 18 Nov 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, pS". His position matches CGCG 413-049 = PGC 8241.

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NGC 832

03 11 05.4 +35 23 12

See description for NGC 1226. Here's the description of the double star suggested by Harold Corwin as a candidate for NGC 832:

17.5" (11/1/97): faint double star mag 14/15 at 7" separation. Difficult to resolve cleanly at 220x in mediocre seeing due to faintness of the north-northeast component. Easier to resolve at 280x. Although the identification as NGC 832 is not certain, this close double star could easily be mistaken as a small nebulous object. Located 4.3' NE of a mag 9.5-10 star. Also 2' SW is a wider, brighter pair of mag 13.5-14 stars at 11" separation, which is much easier to resolve.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 832 on 17 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and noted (single observation) that a mag 9-10 star was 5' southwest. There is nothing at his position and no bright star is 5' southwest. But Corwin suggests this number may apply to a close double star (7" separation) at 02 11 00.8 +35 32 29. This pair is 24 seconds following d'Arrest's position (similar dec) and has a mag 9-10 star 4.3' southwest. RNGC misidentifies PGC 8280 as NGC 832. This extremely faint galaxy is 6.6' west of d'Arrest's position and is certainly too faint to have picked up.

Update: In an email on 26 Jul 2016, Harold Corwin found that if d'Arrest made a 1-hour transcription error in RA his position is a good match (about 1' too far north) with NGC 1226. Furthermore, there is a mag 10.4 star 4.3' SW, matching d'Arrest's description. This identification seems likely as d'Arrest made several similar 1-hour errors in RA: NGC 3167 (= NGC 2789), NGC 3575 (= NGC 3162), and NGC 3760 (= NGC 3301).

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NGC 833 = HCG 16B = Arp 318 NED2 = Arp 318:C1 = MCG -02-06-030 = LGG 049-002 = PGC 8225

02 09 20.8 -10 07 59

V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 85d

18" (11/14/09): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated ~2:1 E-W, 55"x25", contains a small bright core. Forms a close pair with NGC 835 1' E in the striking HCG 16 quartet.

18" (10/21/06): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, 0.8'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core. First of four in HCG 16 and forms a close double with NGC 835 1' E. NGC 838 is nearly on a line with the pair, 4.4' ESE of NGC 833.

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, small, edge-on ~E-W, bright core. Forms a very close pair with NGC 835 1.0' E of center in the HCG 16 with NGC 838 and NGC 839.

WH discovered NGC 833 = H II-482 = h199 = h2463, along with NGC 835, 838 and 839, on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and recorded the quartet as "Two, both faint, both E and S within a minute of each other [NGC 833 & NGC 835], and not far from the parallel. About 4 or 5' south and about 2 seconds following are two more [NGC 838 & NGC 839], a little fainter and smaller; bot also E and resembling each other, and the situation not far from the meridian. 240 verified them all, so as to leave no doubt." Joseph Turner made a nice sketch of the group using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_1_7.php

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NGC 834 = UGC 1672 = MCG +06-05-099 = CGCG 522-128 = PGC 8352

02 11 01.4 +37 40 01

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 20d

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~N-S, weak concentration.

WH discovered NGC 834 = H III-567 on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599) and logged as "vF, S, lE". His position is 1' too far south.

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NGC 835 = HCG 16A = Arp 318 NED1 = MCG -02-06-031 = LGG 049-003 = PGC 8228

02 09 24.6 -10 08 10

V = 12.1; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.3

18" (11/14/09): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 N-S, ~55"x35", sharply concentrated with a small intense core. Brightest in the striking HCG 16 group.

18" (10/21/06): moderately bright, fairly small, round, sharply concentrated with a very bright small core. This galaxy is the brightest member of HCG 16 (one of the best Hickson groups) and the eastern member of a close pair with NGC 833 1' W. A mag 9.7 star lies 2.7' S and NGC 838 lies 3.5' E, roughly on a line with NGC 833.

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, small, round, bright core. Brightest of four in the HCG 16 group and forms a close pair with NGC 833 1.0' W. NGC 838 lies 3.4' E and NGC 839 5.3' SE. A mag 10 star lies 2.7' S.

WH discovered NGC 835 = H II-482 = h200 = h2464, along with NGC 833, 838 and 839, on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479). See description under NGC 833.

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NGC 836 = ESO 544-017 = MCG -04-06-012 = PGC 8304

02 10 24.9 -22 03 18

V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 110d

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is 2.3' ENE. NGC 837 lies 23' S and NGC 849 is 16' SSW.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 836 = LM II-325 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position but 1.3 min of RA east is ESO 544-017 = PGC 8304. 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 837 = ESO 478-010 = MCG -04-06-011 = PGC 8297

02 10 16.3 -22 25 52

V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 12d

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, small, elongated 5:3 N-S, 0.5'x0.3', no concentration. A mag 12 star is 1.1' N. Forms a pair with NGC 849 6.6' NNW. NGC 836 lies 23' N.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 837 = LM II-326 in 1886 and reported "mag 15.5, 0.8' dia, vE 0°, *10 1' N." There is nothing at his position, but 1.1 min of RA east is ESO 478-010 = PGC 8297 and his description is an exact match with 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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NGC 838 = HCG 16C = Arp 318 NED3 = Arp 318:C2 = MCG -02-06-033 = LGG 049-004 = PGC 8250

02 09 38.4 -10 08 47

V = 13.0; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 85d

18" (11/14/09): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 40"x35", well concentrated with small high surface brightness nucleus.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, small bright core, high surface brightness. Located 3.5' ESE of NGC 835 with NGC 838 just 2.5' SE.

17.5" (8/31/86): fairly faint, slightly elongated, very small bright core, possible stellar nucleus. Third of four in HCG 16 and located 3.4' E of NGC 835.

WH discovered NGC 838 = H II-482 = h201 = h2465, along with NGC 833, 835 and 839, on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479). See description under NGC 833.

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NGC 839 = HCG 16D = Arp 318 NED4 = Arp 318:C3 = MCG -02-06-034 = LGG 049-005 = PGC 8254

02 09 42.7 -10 11 01

V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 85d

18" (11/14/09): moderately bright, elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.4', small bright core. A faint star lies 1' NW. Last in the HCG 16 quartet of fairly bright NGC galaxies.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 7:2 E-W, 1.0'x0.3', fairly weak concentration. A mag 14 star lies 1' NW. Located 4' E of a mag 9.7 star and 5' SE of NGC 835 (brightest in HCG 16).

17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, edge-on ~E-W, bright core. Last of four in HCG 16 and has a similar appearance to NGC 833. Located 2.5' SE of NGC 838. A mag 10 star lies 4.2' W.

WH discovered NGC 839 = H II-482 = h202 = h2466, along with NGC 833, 835 and 838, on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479). See description under NGC 833.

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NGC 840 = UGC 1664 = MCG +01-06-049 = CGCG 413-053 = PGC 8293

02 10 16.2 +07 50 43

V = 13.4; Size 1.8'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 73d

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, low almost even surface brightness.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 840 = m 55 on 2 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, vS". His position matches UGC 1664 = PGC 8293.

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NGC 841 = UGC 1676 = MCG +06-05-101 = CGCG 522-131 = V Zw 194 = LGG 051-002 = PGC 8372

02 11 17.4 +37 29 50

V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 135d

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, very bright core, stellar nucleus. NGC 834 lies 11' NNW and UGC 1695 = (R)NGC 845 12' E. This galaxy is identified as NGC 841 in the RNGC, UGC, CGCG, MCG.

WH discovered NGC 841 = H III-604 = St XIII-16 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 692) and commented "vF, stellar, confirmed 240x." His position (reduced by Caroline Herschel and Arthur Auwers) is just 4 seconds of RA west of UGC 1676 = PGC 8372. John Herschel assumed his father's discovery was the same as his h204, and so he equated H III-604 = h204 in the GC (501) and Dreyer equated H III-604 = h204 = GC 501 in the entry for NGC 841.

Édouard Stephan independently discovered NGC 841 on 24 Nov 1883 (he observed all 3 NGC galaxies here) with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and his position matches UGC 1676. Dreyer assumed this was new, so Stephan is credited with the discovery of NGC 841 in the NGC instead of WH. Malcolm Thomson discussed the identifications in Q. Jl R. astr. Soc. (1991), 32, 17-24. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 842 = MCG -01-06-055 = PGC 8258

02 09 50.8 -07 45 45

V = 12.7; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 145d

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE in direction of a mag 13 star 1.5' SE, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. Third of three with NGC 830 12' W and NGC 829 16' W.

JH discovered NGC 842 = h203 on 8 Jan 1831 and noted "vF; R; psbM; 12"." Herschel's position is 2' N of MCG -01-06-055 = PGC 8258. Mrk 1023 is equated with NGC 842 in the PGC but Mrk 1023 is a separate galaxy (PGC 1013430).

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NGC 843

02 11 08.0 +32 05 52

=***, Carlson.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 843 on 16 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. There are three mag 14.6-15.0 stars at his position with separations of 9"/9". In his first observation he states it is possibly a planetary nebula, but on the second he resolved it at 226x. MCG misidentifies +06-05-098 as NGC 843 although this galaxy is over 5 degrees north of d'Arrest's position.

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NGC 844 = CGCG 413-052 = PGC 8291

02 10 14.3 +06 02 59

V = 15.0; Size 0.3'x0.3'

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, extremely small, round. Located 5.3' WSW of mag 7.4 SAO 110383! Forms a pair with NGC 831 10' WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 844 = m 56 on 18 Nov 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, S". Marth's position is a good match with CGCG 413-052 = PGC 8291, although it is strange he didn't mention the bright nearby star.

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NGC 845 = UGC 1695 = MCG +06-05-104 = CGCG 522-135 = PGC 8438

02 12 19.8 +37 28 38

V = 13.5; Size 1.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 149d

17.5" (11/14/87): very faint, small, thin edge-on NW-SE, weak concentration. Located 12' E of NGC 841. This identification of this galaxy with NGC 845 is uncertain.

JH discovered NGC 845 = h204 in Oct 1828 and logged "vF; irregular figure." His position corresponds with UGC 1695 = PGC 8438. JH (and Heinrich d'Arrest) equated his father's H III-604 with h204, but Harold Corwin concludes H III-604 applies to NGC 841 and that William missed NGC 845. On the other hand, Malcolm Thomson arrives at the conclusion NGC 845 = NGC 841 (see Q.J. R. astr. Soc.(1991) 32,17-24).

Édouard Stephan independently found the galaxy with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at Marseille Observatory (added as an "anonymous" nebula in Esmiol's 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions), and was not credited in the GC or NGC. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 846 = NGC 847 = UGC 1688 = MCG +07-05-024 = CGCG 538-032 = PGC 8430

02 12 12.3 +44 34 07

V = 12.1; Size 1.9'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 140d

13.1" (8/24/84): fairly faint, weak concentration, almost round, in rich field. Located 4' NW of mag 9.2 SAO 37855 and 23' NW of 60 Andromedae (V = 4.8).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 846 = St VIIIb-4 on 22 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "eF, eS, R, gbM". His micrometric position matches UGC 1688. This galaxy was independently found by Lewis Swift (list III-9) on 30 Nov 1885 (see notes) with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and catalogued by Dreyer as NGC 847. So, NGC 846 = NGC 847, with discovery priority to NGC 846.

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NGC 847 = NGC 846 = UGC 1688 = MCG +07-05-024 = CGCG 538-032 = PGC 8430

02 12 12.3 +44 34 07

See observing notes for NGC 846.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 847 = Sw III-9 on 30 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position and description "nearly between a pB star and 3 vF equal mag stars" matches UGC 1688. This galaxy was discovered earlier by Édouard Stephan (VIII-4, second list) on 22 Nov 1876 and catalogued by Dreyer as NGC 846. In AN 2992, Spitaler concluded NGC 846 = NGC 847 and this is mentioned in the IC 1 notes. Since Stephan made the original discovery, NGC 846 should be the primary designation. The RNGC misidentifies a very close clump of stars (6' N of N846) as NGC 847. Listed in my RNGC Corrections #2.

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NGC 848 = MCG -02-06-036 = Mrk 1026 = LGG 049-006 = PGC 8299

02 10 17.5 -10 19 16

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 135d

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.4', weak concentration. A mag 11.5 star lies 1.2' NE. Located 17' SE of NGC 835 (HCG 16)

17.5" (8/31/86): fairly faint, elongated NW-SE, bright core. A mag 11 star is just off the north edge 1.2' from center. Member of the Arp 318 group.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 848 = LM I-49 on 11 Dec 1885 and reported "mag 15.5, eS, E 325°, gbM, *10 north 1.0'."  His position is 1 min of RA east of MCG -02-06-036 = PGC 8299, and the description of the nearby bright star applies.  Swift independently found the galaxy again on 1 Nov 1886 and reported it as new in list V-21. Swift's position is 16 tsec too far east and Swift is also credited in the NGC.

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NGC 849 = ESO 478-009 = PGC 8286

02 10 11.2 -22 19 23

V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 117d

17.5" (10/8/94): extremely faint, small, round, 15" diameter, very low even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 837 6.6' SSE. NGC 836 lies 16' NNE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 849 = LM II-327 in 1886 with the 26" Clark refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 14.8, 0.5', R, neb?". His position is 1.5' S of MCG -02-06-036 = PGC 8299. Herbert Howe reported in 1899-00, "The object is as bright as a star of mag 12, and appeared to me a trifle un-starlike. I could see nothing else which appeared nebulous in the neighborhood.

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NGC 850 = UGC 1679 = MCG +00-06-049 = CGCG 387-053 = PGC 8369

02 11 13.6 -01 29 08

V = 12.9; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 85d

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, small round, 0.8' diameter, evenly concentrated, faint stellar nucleus. Collinear with a mag 14 star 1.7' SE and a mag 13 star 3.4' SE.

WH discovered NGC 850 = H III-259 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and logged "eF, eS, irr F." His position is 22 tsec of RA following UGC 1679 = PGC 8369. NGC 863, the next object in the sweep is also 30 tsec too large. Heinrich d'Arrest's position (used in the NGC) is accurate.

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NGC 851 = UGC 1680 = MCG +01-06-054 = CGCG 413-058 = Mrk 588 = PGC 8368

02 11 12.1 +03 46 46

V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 135d

24" (1/25/14): at 375x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 or 2:1 NW-SE, ~30"x15", contains a small brighter core. A mag 14.7 star is at the NE edge [23" from center]. Located 20' E of mag 6.8 HD 13285.

NGC 851 forms a pair with IC 211 4.5' NNW. This companion was faint, moderately large, slightly elongated SW-NE, low surface brightness and difficult to estimate diameter, increases in size with averted but at least 1.0'x0.8', slightly brighter core.

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, very small, round, weak concentration. A mag 14.5 star is at the NE edge just 22" from center. Located 20' E of mag 6.9 SAO 110378 20' W and 21' NNW of mag 6.7 SAO 110395.

Edward Swift, Lewis' 14 year-old son, discovered NGC 851 = Sw III-10 on 30 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. The Swifts' published position is 12 sec of RA following UGC 1680 = PGC 8368.

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NGC 852 = ESO 153-026 = PGC 8195

02 08 55.5 -56 44 13

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 83d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 852 = h2467 on 27 Oct 1834 and reported "pF, R, glbM, 40", resolvable." His position corresponds with ESO 153-026 = PGC 8195.

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NGC 853 = MCG -02-06-038 = PGC 8397

02 11 41.2 -09 18 22

V = 12.7; Size 2.0'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 70d

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x0.8'. Located midway between two mag 12 and 13 stars 1.8' NE and 1.7' SW. Forms the vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 9.5 and 10.5 stars in the field 7' NW and 5' WSW.

WH discovered NGC 853 = H II-486 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and logged "F, S, E". The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 854 = ESO 354-047 = MCG -06-05-038 = PGC 8388

02 11 30.7 -35 50 06

V = 13.1; Size 1.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 0d

17.5" (10/25/97): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated (PA uncertain), 0.8' diameter. A mag 13.5-14 star follows by 2.0'.

JH discovered NGC 854 = h2468 on 1 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB; lE in meridian; 50" l; gbM." On later sweeps it was called "vF".

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NGC 855 = UGC 1718 = MCG +05-06-016 = CGCG 504-035 = PGC 8557

02 14 03.7 +27 52 38

V = 12.6; Size 2.6'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 67d

17.5" (11/27/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, 2.0'x0.8', bright middle, fainter extensions. A mag 14.5 star is just 30" S. Located just north of the Aries border.

WH discovered NGC 855 = H II-613 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and logged "F, S, lE in parallel, bM." His position is 0.2 tmin west of UGC 1718 = PGC 8557.

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NGC 856 = NGC 859 = UGC 1713 = MCG +00-06-054 = CGCG 387-058 = PGC 8526

02 13 38.4 -00 43 02

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 20d

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, round, 0.8' diameter, no concentration except for faint stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is just off the east edge 1.0' from center. NGC 863 lies 14' ESE.

Lewis Swift found NGC 856 = Sw V-22 on 31 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "eF; S; lE; F * close.". His position is just 6 tsec west and 1' north of UGC 1713 = PGC 8526 and the faint star is 1' ENE. He had discovered this nebula 4 weeks earlier (3 Oct), listing it as V-23 and logging "pF; pS; lbM; np of 2 [with NGC 863= NGC 866]. His position was 14 seconds of time east of PGC 8526 but neither Swift nor Dreyer (who later catalogued it as NGC 859) recognized these two entries referred to the same object as the descriptions were pretty different. NGC 859 should take historical precedence as it was discovered first but all modern catalogues label the galaxy NGC 856. Dorothy Carlson and Jack Sulentic (RNGC) both call NGC 859 nonexistent.

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NGC 857 = ESO 415-006 = MCG -05-06-008 = PGC 8455

02 12 37.0 -31 56 42

V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 92d

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter. Sharp concentration with a very small bright core surrounded by a very faint halo. A mag 13.5 star is 2.8' NNW.

JH discovered NGC 857 = h2469 on 18 Nov 1835 and logged "B, S, E, psmbM, 18"." His position (also measured on the next sweep) matches ESO 415-006 = PGC 8455.

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NGC 858 = ESO 478-013 = MCG -04-06-016 = PGC 8451

02 12 30.2 -22 28 17

V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 79d

17.5" (10/29/94): extremely faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, very low surface brightness. Weak concentration at the center. Located 8.5' W of a mag 10 star. A faint companion off the east side was not seen.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 858 = LM II-328 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.7 min of RA east and 1.7' south of ESO 478-013 = PGC 8451. 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 859 = NGC 856 = UGC 1713 = MCG +00-06-054 = CGCG 387-058 = PGC 8526

02 13 38.4 -00 43 02

See observing notes for NGC 856.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 859 = Sw V-23 on 3 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and found again by Swift on 31 Oct 1886 and listed as V-22 = NGC 856. Herbert Howe reported he was unable to find NGC 859 on a night he measured NGC 856. That's not unexpected as there is only a single galaxy here and Swift's comment of "F* close" for NGC 856 applies to UGC 1713 = PGC 8526. The two positions are close enough that it's surprising Swift didn't notice the equivalence, although his descriptions are quite different. Since NGC 859 was discovered first, this designation should take historical precedence, although the galaxy is generally labeled as NGC 856.See Corwin's comments.

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NGC 860 = CGCG 504-037 = V Zw 204 = PGC 8606

02 15 00.2 +30 46 44

V = 14.1; Size 0.5'x0.3'

17.5" (11/26/94): very faint, extremely small, round, 10"-15" diameter. With direct vision the small halo disappears and a tiny core with a stellar nucleus is visible. A mag 15 star lies 1.9' SSE. Located 9' ENE of mag 7.4 SAO 55373.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 860 = St VI-4 on 18 Sep 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and logged "*13 in F neb". His position matches CGCG 504-037 = PGC 8606.

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NGC 861 = UGC 1737 = MCG +06-06-003 = CGCG 523-005 = PGC 8652

02 15 51.2 +35 54 48

V = 13.8; Size 1.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 38d

13.1" (11/14/87): faint, very small, edge-on SW-NE. A mag 13 star is attached at the SW end 0.5' from center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 861 on 18 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted a mag 12 star (double) was joined to the south and his single position is just off the southwest side of UGC 1737 = PGC 8652.

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NGC 862 = ESO 298-020 = MCG -07-05-012 = PGC 8487

02 13 03.0 -42 02 02

V = 12.8; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.4

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 862 = h2470 on 5 Sep 1834 and logged "pF, vS, svmbM, like a blurred star." His mean position from two sweeps matches ESO 298-020 = PGC 8487.

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NGC 863 = NGC 866 = NGC 885 = UGC 1727 = MCG +00-06-056 = Mrk 590 = PGC 8586

02 14 33.6 -00 46 00

V = 13.0; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, very small, round, fairly concentrated, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. NGC 856 is 14' WNW and NGC 868 21' ENE.

WH discovered NGC 863 = H III-260 = h205 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and noted "vF or eF, vS, stellar, not so faint as the last [NGC 850]". There is nothing at his position, but 30 sec of RA west and 3' north is UGC 1727 = PGC 8586. JH measured an accurate position.

On 3 Oct 1856, Lewis Swift recorded 3 galaxies: Sw V-23 = NGC 859, Sw V-24 = NGC 866 and Sw V-25 = NGC 868. The second entry, which reads "pF; pS; R; lbM; sf of 2", also fits UGC 1727, though Swift's RA was 70 tsec too large (his dec is good). Then on 31 Oct 1886, Swift revisited the area and recorded Sw V-27 = NGC 885 as "vF, vS, R, lbM". There is nothing at his position but Corwin suggests he may have made a 5 tmin error in RA in which case this would be another reobservation of NGC 863! If so, then NGC 863 = NGC 866 = NGC 885, with NGC 863 the primary designation.

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NGC 864 = UGC 1736 = MCG +01-06-061 = CGCG 413-066 = PGC 8631

02 15 27.8 +06 00 09

V = 10.9; Size 4.7'x3.5'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 20d

13.1" (9/3/86): fairly faint, oval SSW-NNE, even surface brightness. A fairly bright mag 11 star is at the following edge 43" ESE of the center.

WH discovered NGC 864 = H III-457 = h206 on 25 Oct 1785 (sweep 464) and noted "vF, cL, vlbM, milky, preceding a bright star and the nebulosity joining to it, but probably unconnected." JH provided an accurate position and description.

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NGC 865 = UGC 1747 = MCG +05-06-020 = CGCG 504-042 = PGC 8678

02 16 15.2 +28 35 59

V = 13.1; Size 1.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 158d

17.5" (12/8/90): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on NNW-SSE, bright middle. Located between a mag 11 star of the SSE end and a mag 13.5 star off the north end.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 865 = St V-1 on 9 Sep 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "eF; eS; irregular." His position is accurate.

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NGC 866 = NGC 863 = UGC 1727 = MCG +00-06-056 = Mrk 590 = NGC 885: = PGC 8586

02 14 33.6 -00 46 00

See observing notes for NGC 863.

Lewis Swift found Sw NGC 866 = Sw V-24 on 3 Oct 1886 and again on 31 Oct 1886 (NGC 885 = Sw V-27) with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. There is nothing at his position, and Herbert Howe reported he could not find NGC 866 in 1899-00. Swift's discovery positions for NGC 866 and 885 are similar in declination but differ by 4 minutes in RA.

In the case of NGC 866, Swift's RA was 1 min of RA east of NGC 863 = UGC 1727, and NGC 885 is 5 min of RA east of NGC 863. William Herschel (III-260) discovered this galaxy 100 years earlier and it was catalogued as NGC 863. So, NGC 863 = NGC 866 = NGC 885. There are several cases where Swift recorded two observations of the same galaxy in two different lists, including Sw V-23 = NGC 859 (3 Oct 1886) and Sw V-22 = NGC 856 (31 Oct 1886), which were found on the same two nights!

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NGC 867 = NGC 875: = UGC 1760 = MCG +00-06-060 = CGCG 387-065 = PGC 8718

02 17 04.8 +01 14 39

See observing notes for NGC 875.

WH discovered NGC 867 = H III-2 on 21 Dec 1783 (only nebula in the early sweep 61). His complete description reads "'An almost invisible F neb, it is R and about 8 or 10" diameter, being brighter in the centre than outwards. It can be seen when the glass if perfectly clean and the attention confined to the object.' By two diagrams it is about 1.5° nf a star which was taken to be 69 Ceti, but obs was interrupted by clouds." There is nothing at Herschel's rough position and Bigourdan was unable to find WH's III-2 on two attempts. Heinrich d'Arrest suggested NGC 867 might be a duplicate of NGC 875 and Dreyer noted this in the NGC entry for 875, although Herschel's position is a poor match. Corwin also suggests IC 225 as another possibility. See his identification notes for more.

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NGC 868 = UGC 1748 = CGCG 387-063 = PGC 8659

02 15 58.5 -00 42 49

V = 13.9; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 95d

17.5" (12/4/93): very faint, very small, round, low smooth surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is 1.0' NE and a mag 11.5 star 3' NE. NGC 863 lies 21' WSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 868 = Sw V-25 on 3 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is a good match with UGC 1748 = PGC 8659, although other galaxies found that night in the area have poor positions, which seems like an odd coincidence. See Corwin's notes on NGC 859 and 863.

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NGC 869 = h Per = Cr 24 = Double Cluster

02 19 04 +57 08 06

V = 4.6; Size 30'

17.5" (10/25/97): this is the brighter and richer western member of the famous "double cluster". Includes a mag 6.6 star near the center and a mag 6.7 star 2.5' NNE. Close following the mag 6.6 star is a neat parabolic group of five stars opening towards the star. On the west side of this star is a rich group of ~20 stars mostly arranged in an incomplete ring. A faint curving string of stars from the mag 6.7 star leads to the parabolic quintet. The 20' field at 220x has too many stars to count, but probably has ~200 stars.

8": this is the western component of the "double cluster". Very bright, large, about 30' diameter. Very rich with about 100 stars resolved, includes several bright mag 6.5-7.0 stars in the center. Forms a pair with NGC 884 at edge of 100x field.

Naked-eye (11/13/07): I noticed that the Double Cluster was clearly resolved into two "clumps" naked-eye.

Hipparchus (roughly 130 BC) was the first to catalogue the Double Cluster and Ptolemy copied it into his Almagest "At the tip of the right hand [of Perseus] and nebulous [or misty]." Giovanni Battista Hodierna (1654) resolved the double cluster into stars. WH found NGC 869 = H VI-33 on 1 Nov 1788 (sweep 877) and recorded "A very beautiful brilliant cluster of large stars, very rich. The place taken is the most compressed part of it, which is not in the middle; the middle of it contains a vacancy".

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NGC 870 = MCG +02-06-052 = PGC 8721

02 17 09.2 +14 31 23

V = 15.5; Size 0.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.7

18" (1/15/07): extremely faint and small, round, 12" diameter. Only glimpsed with averted as an extremely faint spot but the detection was repeated several times with concentration and patience. Located 1.5' SSW of NGC 871 and just NE of a mag 13 star off the SW side of NGC 871. At a redshift-based distance of ~755 million light years (z = .057), this is one of the most distant galaxies in the NGC.

18" (11/22/03): not found

17.5" (12/18/89): not found

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 870 (along with NGC 876) on 22 Nov 1854 with Lord Rosse's 72" and commented "I am pretty sure of the existence of an eeF patch of neby south [of NGC 871] and in line with its longer axis, but it needs confirmation". This nebula is shown on the sketch to the south of NGC 871 and marked as Beta.

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NGC 871 = UGC 1759 = MCG +02-06-053 = CGCG 438-046 = PGC 8722

02 17 10.7 +14 32 52

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 4d

18" (11/22/03): at 300x appears fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S. Irregular surface brightness and a slightly asymmetric shape with the impression of a very faint star or knot at the east edge. NGC 870, located just 1.5' S, was not seen (but detected on 1/15/07).

17.5" (12/18/89): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 N-S, weak concentration. A wide pair of mag 13.5 stars at 30" separation lies 2.5' SSW. Located 5' NNW of mag 9 HD 14108. Forms an interesting pair with NGC 877 12' E as both are elongated systems with bright stars situated 5' SSE. The galaxies and the bright stars form a perfect parallelogram with bases oriented exactly E-W.

8" (1/1/84): very faint, small, even surface brightness. A mag 10 star is 4' SE and two mag 13.5 stars lie south. Located 12' W of NGC 877.

WH discovered NGC 871 = H III-201 = h208, along with NGC 877, on 14 Oct 1784 (sweep 289) and noted "vF, vS, E. South [the galaxy is 5' north] of pretty considerable star." George Johnstone Stoney, using LdR's 72" on 22 Nov 1854, recorded "E nearly n-s; a S but conspicuous star closely follow centre, but not involved." This star is probably 16th mag. NGC 870 to the south was missed but confirmed in later observations.

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NGC 872 = ESO 544-032 = MCG -03-06-019 = PGC 8629

02 15 25.2 -17 46 51

V = 13.8; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 174d

17.5" (10/8/94): extremely faint but moderately large and almost requires averted vision, low surface brightness, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8'. A mag 11 star is 3.1' NW of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 872 = LM I-50 on 15 Oct 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest tmin of RA) is 0.8 tmin following ESO 544-032 = PGC 8629 and the description "vE 0° [N-S]" matches. Corwin also examined two sketches made by Leavenworth, all pointing to this galaxy.

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NGC 873 = MCG -02-06-048 = PGC 8692

02 16 32.4 -11 20 56

V = 12.4; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 145d

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.2' diameter, broad concentration with no distinct core. A mag 11 star is 3.6' SW of center.

WH discovered NGC 873 = H II-474 = h209 = h2471 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and logged "pB, pL, lE, brightest in the middle." JH observed this galaxy both at Slough and three times at the Cape.

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NGC 874 = ESO 478-018 = MCG -04-06-019 = PGC 8663

02 16 02.0 -23 18 22

V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 173d

17.5" (10/25/97): threshold object barely glimpsed on a couple of occasions. Could not verify the observation with certainty although the exact spot was examined using a GSC chart. Located 3' SSW of a mag 11 star. This galaxy is incorrectly listed as nonexistent in RNGC and is not plotted on U2000.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 874 = LM II-329 in 1886 with the 26" Leander McCormick refractor and reported "mag 15.5 (nucleus), 0.3'x0.1' in PA 170° and possibly a double star." Additionally, he noted a mag 10 star is 2.8' in PA 320° (NW). His position is 8' N of ESO 478-018 = PGC 8663. This galaxy has a PA of 173°, which is an excellent match though the nearby star is 2.9' NE (not NW). ESO and RC3 correctly identify NGC 874 = ESO 478-018. Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) could not find NGC 874 "in or near this place" and Dreyer repeated this in the IC I notes. This is probably the reason RNGC misclassifies NGC 874 as nonexistent and MCG does not label MCG -04-06-019 as NGC 874.

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NGC 875 = UGC 1760 = MCG +00-06-060 = CGCG 387-065 = NGC 867? = PGC 8718

02 17 04.8 +01 14 39

V = 12.9; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 105d

24" (1/25/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, well concentrated with a small bright core that increases to a nearly stellar nucleus.

NGC 875 forms a pair with IC 218 2.4' NNE. The companion (similar redshift) is very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 25"x8", low even surface brightness. A mag 15 star is close off the ENE edge [35" ENE of center].

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, round, even symmetrical concentration down to small bright core. Forms a pair with IC 218 2.4' NNE, though the companion was not seen with certainty.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 875 = Sw V-26 on 26 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. Lewis Swift independently found it again on 7 Oct 1886 and recorded "eF; vS; R." Both of their positions match UGC 1760 = PGC 8718. WH may have originally discovered this galaxy and catalogued it as H III-2 = NGC 867 (the identity was suggested by d'Arrest), but this identification is uncertain due to a poor position. See NGC 867.

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NGC 876 = UGC 1766 = MCG +02-06-057 = PGC 8770

02 17 53.4 +14 31 16

V = 14.7; Size 2.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 20d

17.5" (12/18/89): extremely faint, visible for moments with averted, very small, almost round. A pair of mag 14.5 stars lie 1.5' S. Located just 2' SW of NGC 877 and 4' NW of mag 8 SAO 92878.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 876 on 22 Nov 1854 with Lord Rosse's 72", during his observation of h210 = NGC 877. He noted this nebula as "sp [h210 = NGC 877] I suspect a vvF patch" and labeled it on the sketch as Delta. Copeland computed a micrometric position on 15 Nov 1873. The field of NGC 870, 871, 876 and 877 was observed at Birr Castle 14 times from 1850 to 1875.

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NGC 877 = UGC 1768 = MCG +02-06-058 = CGCG 438-052 = PGC 8775

02 17 59.4 +14 32 40

V = 11.9; Size 2.4'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 140d

17.5" (12/18/89): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, broadly concentrated halo. A mag 13.5 star is at the SE end 1.1' from center. Located 5' NNW of mag 8.0 HD 14192. Brightest in a group with NGC 876 2' SW and NGC 871 12' W.

8" (1/1/84): faint, fairly small, even surface brightness. An extremely faint star is at the SSE edge. A mag 9 star is 4' SE. NGC 871 lies 12' W.

WH discovered NGC 877 = H II-246 = h210, along with NGC 871, on 14 Oct 1784 (sweep 289) and recorded "F, pL, E, south of a considerable star [the galaxy is 5' north of the star]; the situation of these two is very similar with regard to the star, and rather remarkable; the distance from the star about 4 or 5'." JH made the single observation "pB; R: pgbM; a small * sf; dist 1' and a * 9m 5' dist nearly s[outh], a little foll." R.J. Mitchell, LdR's assistant on 3 Nov 1855, recorded "[NGC 877] has a * or knot in p end, centre suspected resolvable; dark space running along southern side of nucleus?" The "dark space" is a gap between the core and a spiral arm and the "* or knot in p end" appears to be an HII region.

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NGC 878 = ESO 478-022 = MCG -04-06-021 = PGC 8771

02 17 54.3 -23 23 03

V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 112d

17.5" (12/28/94): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low even surface brightness. A mag 12.5 star is 3.0' ENE of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 878 = LM II-330 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 40 sec of RA west of ESO 478-022 = PGC 8771. Sherburne Burnham corrected the RA (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) and Herbert Howe also measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory. MCG does not label MCG -04-06-021 as NGC 878.

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NGC 879 = PGC 8705

02 16 51.2 -08 57 50

V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.6

18" (1/15/07): extremely faint, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter. Very low surface brightness and only glimpsed at 220x. Once identified I could repeatedly detect this dim galaxy with concentrated averted vision but it was a difficult object.

18" (11/6/04): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Required averted and concentration in fairly poor seeing and just barely visible as a very low surface brightness spot.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 879 = LM II-331 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position but 1.0 tmin west is PGC 8705. Bigourdan was unable to find the galaxy.

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NGC 880 = PGC 8805

02 18 27.2 -04 12 20

V = 14.6; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 26d

17.5" (11/17/01): extremely faint, very small, round, 0.2' diameter. Located 7' SSE mag 8.5 SAO 129810 and 8' N mag 8.8 SAO 129813. RNGC misidentifies 2MASX J02180039-0414300 as NGC 94.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 880 = LM II-332 in 1886 and reported "mag 15.8, 0.2' dia, R, sbMN." His position matches PGC 8805. The RNGC position is probably 24 tsec of RA too far west or possibly RNGC misidentifies PGC 1060940 (closer to the RNGC position) as NGC 880.

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NGC 881 = MCG -01-06-089 = PGC 8822

02 18 45.2 -06 38 20

V = 12.4; Size 2.2'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 140d

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.4'x1.0', broadly brighter middle but no distinct core. A mag 12 star is 1.4' NNE. Located 5.3' ESE of mag 8 SAO 129814. NGC 883 lies 11' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 881 = H II-436 = h211, along with NGC 883, on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and reported "F, pS, lE, south of 2 or 3 unequal stars." The RNGC position is 3' too far north.

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NGC 882 = UGC 1789 = MCG +03-06-052 = CGCG 462-001 = PGC 8874

02 19 39.8 +15 48 51

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 82d

17.5" (12/18/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. A mag 14 star is 0.9' SW.

JH discovered NGC 882 = h213 on 11 Jan 1831 and logged "eF; R; gbM; 12"; near a * 16m.". His position is 1' N of MCG -01-06-089 = PGC 8822 and the faint star is to the SW.

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NGC 883 = MCG -01-06-090 = PGC 8841

02 19 05.2 -06 47 29

V = 12.4; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 100d

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, fairly small, round, fairly high surface brightness, increases to small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is 1.3' W and an uneven mag 10/12 double star at 30" separation is located 3' S.

WH discovered NGC 883 = H II-436 = h215, along with NGC 881, on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and logged "F, pS, lE." On one sweep JH called it "pB; R; gbM; 15"; a coarse D* in field." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 884 = Chi Per = Cr 25 = Double cluster

02 22 32 +57 08 36

V = 4.6; Size 30'

18" (8/11/10): NGC 884 includes three rare M-type red supergiants including two mag 8/8.5 colored stars separated by 1.9' on the NE side of the cluster appearing red and warm yellow (V403 and V439). On the east side of the core of the cluster is the orange M-supergiant RS Per.

17.5" (10/25/97): the following group of the remarkable field of the "double cluster" is not as large or bright as NGC 869, but is centered around two wide triple stars. The central 5' has up to 50 stars including a number of faint mag 14-15 stars forming a rich background. Off the west end of the central region is a long string of stars which heads NE for 10' towards 3 brighter stars and then turning south and heading back past mag 8 orange-red RS Persei. The 20' field includes ~200 stars, although the field does include as many bright stars or as compressed as NGC 869.

8": this is the eastern component of the "double cluster". Very bright, large, very rich, ~20' diameter, ~60 stars, includes bright colored stars, many doubles.

Hipparchus (roughly 130 BC) was the first to catalogue the Double Cluster and Ptolemy copied it into his Almagest "At the tip of the right hand [of Perseus] and nebulous [or misty]." Giovanni Battista Hodierna (1654) resolved the double cluster into stars. WH found NGC 884 = H VI-34 on 1 Nov 1788 (sweep 877) and recorded "A very beautiful, brilliant cluster of large stars irregularly round, very rich, near one-half degree in diameter." John Herschel noted (sweep 387) "a fine ruby star in the centre". The cluster was examined at Birr Castle looking for colored stars and five red stars were noted and one with a bluish tinge.

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NGC 885 = NGC 863 = NGC 866 = UGC 1727 = MCG +00-06-056 = Mrk 590 = PGC 8586

02 14 33.6 -00 46 00

See observing notes for NGC 863.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 885 = Sw V-27 on 31 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. There is nothing near his position and Herbert Howe "searched for it on three nights without success [using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory]." Corwin suggests Swift made another observation of NGC 863 -- he also recorded this nebula (discovered 100 years previously by William Herschel ) earlier in the month on 3 Oct 1886 and listed it as Sw V-24 = NGC 866. If NGC 885 = NGC 863, Swift's made a 5 min error (too far east) in RA. So, NGC 885 = NGC 866 = NGC 863, with NGC 863 the primary designation.

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NGC 886 = Stock 6 = OCL 347

02 23 12 +63 46 42

Size 14'

17.5" (8/5/97): the most noticeable grouping in this area is a 6' scattered group which is arranged into a rough pentagon with a broad triangular "roof" forming the west side. Nearly all of the stars here form the border of this figure and it visually appears to be an asterism. The brightest member is mag 8.5 SAO 12256 at the north vertex and a nice collinear triple star (with a close pair at ~10") marks the SW vertex. Only a few mag 13 stars are in the interior of this figure. This object is plotted as Stock 6 on the U2000.

JH discovered NGC 886 = h214 on 30 Oct 1829 and described "a coarse straggling cl; not v rich; 10 or 12' dia. Stars 9...13". The NGC position is only 5' off from the scattered cluster Stock 6. RNGC labels this cluster as "nonexistent" (Type 7).

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NGC 887 = MCG -03-07-001 = PGC 8868

02 19 32.6 -16 04 12

V = 12.0; Size 1.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 5d

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, fairly small, round. Unusual appearance as a mag 14 star is embedded in the NE end. Located between a mag 11 star 3.5' SE and a mag 12 star 3.9' NW.

WH discovered NGC 887 = H III-486 = h216 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and noted "vF, vS, iF, better with 240 power". The NGC position less than 1' N of MCG -03-07-001 = PGC 8868.

George Stoney, using LdR's 72" on 17 Sep 1852, recorded a "* in the edge, perhaps cometary or like a snowdrop."

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NGC 888 = ESO 115-002 = PGC 8743

02 17 27.3 -59 51 40

V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 72d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): moderately bright, small, round, 30" diameter, broad concentration to center but no defined zones. A star is just off the NW edge, 25" from center. One the east side are two very faint stars. The closest is at the edge of the halo, just 16" from center while the second star is 35" NE of center. A wide pair of mag 13 stars is centered 3.5' NNE. PGC 101153 (2MASX J02162596-5956270) was picked up 9' SW.

JH discovered NGC 888 = h2473 on 6 Oct 1834 and logged "eF, S, R, has two small stars very near it.". His position and description matches ESO 115-002 = PGC 8743.

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NGC 889 = ESO 298-027 = MCG -07-05-016 = PGC 8843

02 19 07.0 -41 44 58

V = 13.3; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, gradually increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. Located 7' NW of mag 6.4 HD 14509. NGC 893 lies 23' NNE.

JH discovered NGC 889 = h2472 on 6 Oct 1834 and logged "eF, vS, R, psbM, has a star 7th mag Sf and 6 other small stars intermediate". His position and description matches ESO 298-027 = PGC 8843.

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NGC 890 = UGC 1823 = MCG +05-06-030 = CGCG 504-064 = PGC 8997

02 22 01.0 +33 15 58

V = 11.2; Size 2.5'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 55d

17.5" (10/29/94): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 2.0'x1.0'. Sharply concentrated with a prominent core containing a stellar nucleus. Using averted vision the faint extensions increase to 2' length. A group of stars is off the west side.

8" (11/8/80): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, wide double star mag 12/13 lies 3' W.

WH discovered NGC 890 = H II-225 = h217 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and noted "F, vS, R." JH first logged it as "pB; R; gbM; has 3 or 4 S st p[receding] in a chain". The galaxy was also observed 6 times at Birr Castle. On 12 Oct 1855, R.J. Mitchell remarked "pL, oval major axis spnf, sbM, probably a distant globular cluster." There are a couple of very faint stars around the periphery and this may have given the impression of a distant globular.

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NGC 891 = UGC 1831 = MCG +07-05-046 = CGCG 538-052 = PGC 9031

02 22 33.4 +42 21 03

V = 9.9; Size 13.5'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 22d

48" (10/25/11): at 375x, the stunning edge-on NGC 891 was one of the top highlights of the observing week with the 48". The galaxy nearly filled the 16' field, stretching nearly 12' by 2' SSW-NNE. A 17th magnitude star is superimposed close to the NNE tip and an mag 16.5 star is near the SSW end. The brighter, bulging central region extends 2.5' with a mag 12 star just north of the core on the west side. A similar star is superimposed on the southern extension along with a few fainter stars. A very high contrast dust lane slices through most of the galaxy except at the tips, where the galaxy fades out. I was surprised how broad the dust lane appeared, particularly through the central section. Although the dust lane perfectly bisects the galaxy into two symmetric halves, the edge of the lane was ragged and uneven.

MAC 0222+4222 = ZOAG G140.39-17.38 was visible just off the east edge, 2.3' NNE of center and collinear with two mag 12 and 13.3 stars off the west edge of the galaxy. It appeared as a very faint, elongated glow, ~15"x6". Once identified I could hold this galaxy nearly continuously with averted vision. In addition, an extremely compact anonymous galaxy is just 50" NW the center of NGC 891 and 40" SE of the mag 13.3 star. It was visible continuously at 375x and 488x as a faint glow, roughly 6" diameter. Surprisingly this object is not listed in NED, HyperLeda or SIMBAD, though it is probably not fainter than mag 16.5.

18" (8/26/06): the long, remarkable dust lane that bisects this galaxy was quite contrasty with a scalloped appearance along the edges. Member of the NGC 1023 Group.

17.5" (8/31/86): bright, extremely large, edge-on 5:1 SSW-NNE, 10'x2'. A striking dust lane bisects the galaxy and is most prominent through the bulging central region.

13" (9/11/82): dust lane visible with averted.

8" (11/28/81): fairly bright, large, edge-on, central bulge.

80mm (11/13/07): I was surprised how evident the galaxy appeared at 25x in the 80mm finder.

WH discovered NGC 891 = H V-19 = h218 on 6 Oct 1783 and described "a considerably bright nebula about 15' long and 3' broad; its length is divided in the middle by a black division at least 3' or 4' long." On 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614), he logged "cB, about 15' long and 2 or 3' broad, bM, nearly in the meridian, a little from sp to nf." On 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 621), he swept it again as "cB, gbM, about 15' l and 3' br, a black division in the middle in the direction of the length; at least 3 or 4' long." In the notes section of his first catalogue, WH mentions that his sister Caroline found this object on 27 Aug 1783, but this is a typo and she found NGC 205 = M110 on that date (sketched earlier by Messier). Admiral William Smyth repeated this error in his Cycle of Celestial Objects (1844). WH also found two members of nearby AGC 347 (NGC 898 and 910) on 17 Oct 1786.

JH noted on sweep 182 that it "has a chink or dark division in the middle and two stars." He sketched the galaxy and remarked "An extraordinary object. Perhaps the figure is too nicely symmetrical as it certainly is too sharply defined. It is of the last degree of faintness and may very well be though full in the field of view. There can hardly be a doubt a thin flat ring of enormous dimensions seen very obliquely. The galaxy was also sketched at Birr Castle in 1850-51 and Dreyer noted "I think the split is broader at on end, and that the nebula is a little more sharply defined on the following branch. The central part is longer, but perhaps not so bright as on the preceding branch. A bifurcation suspected at south end by Lord Rosse."

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NGC 892 = ESO 478-026 = PGC 8926

02 20 52.0 -23 06 49

V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 5d

17.5" (12/9/01): extremely faint, fairly small, low surface brightness, slightly elongated, 0.6'x0.4'.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 892 = LM II-333 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.2 tmin west of ESO 478-026 = PGC 8926.

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NGC 893 = ESO 298-029 = MCG -07-05-017 = PGC 8888

02 19 58.5 -41 24 11

V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 115d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.9', broad concentration to a small, brighter core. Located 3.2' WSW of mag 8.6 HD 14575.

JH discovered NGC 893 = h2474 on 23 Oct 1835 and logged "Not vF, R, pgbM, 35", has a star 9th mag following 4' distance." His position (two sweeps) and description matches ESO 298-029 = PGC 8888.

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NGC 894 = NGC 895 = MCG -01-07-002 = PGC 8974

02 21 33.7 -05 30 46

See observing notes for NGC 895. NGC 894 is the NW spiral arm.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 894 on 28 Nov 1856 using Lord Rosse's 72" and described a "D neb, components unite a preceding end. The south one [NGC 895] is L, oval gbM, the n one [NGC 894] is more elongated and fainter, also bM." But the observation by J.L.E. Dreyer on 14 Oct 1876 revealed a single spiral with GC 530 = NGC 894 the brightest portion of a spiral arm: "pF, L, seemed first to have 2 Nuclei preceding-following, the foll one being the brighter, but it was soon seen that the preceding one is no Nucl, but only the brightest part of a curved arm, convex sp, very soft. Sometimes I thought there was also some condensed part f the Nucl; Lord Rosse thought there was some patch or neby s of the nucleus [this probably refers to the southeastern spiral arm]. So, NGC 894 is the brightest part of the northwestern spiral arm of NGC 895.

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NGC 895 = MCG -01-07-002 = PGC 8974

02 21 36.2 -05 31 14

V = 11.7; Size 3.6'x2.6'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 65d

17.5" (8/31/86): fairly bright, large, broadly concentrated halo, diffuse halo. A mag 14 star is off the following edge, 2.0' ENE from the center and a mag 12 star is 4.7' S.

WH discovered NGC 895 = H II-438 = h219 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and commented "pB, pL, irr figure, mbM." On 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 456), he noted "F, vL, irr figure, r, unequally bright." The northwest spiral arm (discovered at Birr Castle) is catalogued separately as NGC 894. See historical notes on NGC 894.

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NGC 896 = LBN 645? = Ced 6

02 25 31 +62 00 54

Size 27'x13'

18" (10/13/07): NGC 896 and IC 1795 form a bright, detailed HII region at the NW corner of the huge IC 1805 HII ring ("Heart Nebula"). This complex is split into three or 4 distinct sections by dust lanes. The largest section is IC 1795, which extends mostly north of a mag 10 star for ~8'. To the west of the mag 10 star is a dust lane oriented NW-SE and beyond this lane to the west is a small, moderately high surface brightness patch (NGC 896) of 2' diameter. To the east of the star is another broad dust lane extending N-S and following this lane is a fainter wash of nebulosity that streams to the north for over 15' in length. It passes through mag 9 SAO 12287 and just north of this star the nebulosity has a small, brighter patch. Initially, I thought the complex ended here on the NE side, but then additional fainter nebulosity was noticed spreading out to the west for several arc minutes increasing the total size to 15'-20' for both N-S and E-W directions.

17.5" (11/27/92): at 100x with OIII filter this is a fairly bright emission nebula, very large, about 20' diameter. Elongated roughly E-W but consists of two distinct sections (NGC 896 and IC 1795) which merge together. The bright western portion = NGC 896 has a high surface brightness, round, ~7' diameter and a star is off the NW edge. A weak dark lane separates NGC 896 from faint IC 1795. The region is weakly nebulous without filter.

WH discovered NGC 896 = H III-695 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) and recorded "eF, pL, iF. Mem. The PD must be reckoned inaccurate, the string having been touched since the last cluster was taken."

NGC 896 is generally taken as the brightest portion of the IC 1795 complex on the southwest end (IC 1795/NGC 895 being the northwest portion of the huge "Heart Nebula"). JH did not make an observation to confirm the position. Corwin suggests that IC 1795 (found by Barnard) is a separate knot in the same HII complex, though Wolfgang Steinicke equates NGC 896 with IC 1795.

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NGC 897 = ESO 355-007 = MCG -06-06-003 = PGC 8944

02 21 06.5 -33 43 15

V = 11.8; Size 2.1'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 17d

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, fairly small, 0.8' diameter, small bright core. A mag 11 star is 44" E of center.

JH discovered NGC 897 = h2475 on 19 Oct 1835 and logged "pB, S, R, psbM. Has a star 10th mag exactly following in the parallel just at the edge or 35" distant from centre." His position and description is a perfect match with ESO 355-007 = PGC 8944.

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NGC 898 = UGC 1842 = MCG +07-06-004 = CGCG 539-004 = PGC 9073

02 23 20.3 +41 57 05

V = 12.9; Size 1.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 170d

13.1" (11/13/82): fairly faint, very elongated ~N-S. Located 10' SSW of mag 6.7 SAO 38002 within AGC 347. NGC 911 lies 19' E. Incorrect identification in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 898 = H III-570 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and logged "eF, vS, lE.". There is nothing at his position but 40 tsec west is UGC 1842 = PGC 9073. The RNGC misidentifies CGCG 538-060 as NGC 898. This is a fainter galaxy 8' ENE of NGC 898. The same sweep WH discovered H III-571 = NGC 910.

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NGC 899 = UGCA 26 = ESO 545-007 = MCG -04-06-030 = KTS 16A = PGC 8990

02 21 53.1 -20 49 24

V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 116d

24" (10/3/13): brightest (or highest surface brightness) in a trio (KTS 16) with IC 223 5' NNE and NGC 907 17' NE. At 375x appeared fairly bright, moderately large, irregular, ~0.9'x0.7'. A very faint extension was repeatedly visible on the southeast end protruding towards the east. This asymmetry is confirmed on the DSS, which reveals a chaotic system with knots. A wide pair of mag 13 stars is less than 2' SW.

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.2'x1.0', only a weak concentration. An easy pair of mag 13 stars at 25" separation oriented WSW-ENE is located 1.5' WSW. Forms a pair with IC 223 5' NNE with NGC 907 17' NE.

JH discovered NGC 899 = h2476 on 13 Nov 1835 and reported "pB, lE, gbM, resolvable, 30", has a coarse double star preceding." His position and description (the coarse double is southwest) matches UGCA 26 = PGC 8990.

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NGC 900 = UGC 1843 = MCG +04-06-020 = CGCG 483-023 = PGC 9079

02 23 32.2 +26 30 41

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 30d

17.5" (10/29/94): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, even concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. Brighter of a close pair with NGC 901 2.8' NNE. Forms the east vertex of a "cross" asterism with three mag 11-13 stars 2.8' NW, 3.1' SW and 4.5' W. Almost collinear with a bright wide pair of mag 9-10 stars at 32" separation located 7' S.

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, round, weak even concentration, small brighter core. A mag 9.5 star is 7.5' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 900 = m 57 (along with NGC 901) on 5 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, vS, stellar". Marth's position matches UGC 1843 = PGC 9079. This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 901 in the MCG (+04-06-020) and the position is 2' too far north.

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NGC 901 = 2MASXJ02233408+2633252 = PGC 212967

02 23 34.1 +26 33 25

V = 14.8; Size 0.4'x0.4'

17.5" (10/29/94): very faint, very small, round, 0.3' diameter, no concentration. Can view with direct view and hold continuously with averted vision. Located 2.8' NNE of NGC 900. Incorrectly listed as identical to NGC 900 in RNGC. Not listed in any of the major catalogues!

Albert Marth discovered NGC 901 = m 58 (along with NGC 900) on 5 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, vS". His position is 3 sec of RA east and 3' N of NGC 900 (which was placed accurately) and at this offset is PGC 212967. This faint galaxy is not listed in any of the major galaxy catalogues based on the POSS. MCG misidentifies NGC 900 as NGC 901. The RNGC claims NGC 901is nonexistent (identical to NGC 900).

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NGC 902 = MCG -03-07-005 = PGC 9021

02 22 21.8 -16 40 45

V = 13.7; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (12/28/94): extremely faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter, low surface brightness, no concentration. A mag 13 star is 3.2' SSE of center. Located 10' S of mag 7.8 SAO 148358. Appears fainter than listed V = 13.7.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 902 = LM II-334 on 28 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is just 1' S of MCG -03-07-005 = PGC 9021.

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NGC 903 = PGC 9097 = PGC 212969

02 24 00.9 +27 21 23

Size 0.7'x0.4'; PA = 175d

17.5" (1/20/90): extremely faint, very small, glimpsed for moments. Located 1.5' NW of NGC 904. First in a group of 6 galaxies. This is probably the faintest galaxy (LEDA gives 16.4B) discovered by Stephan with the 31.5-inch silver-on-glass reflector at Marseille.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 903 = St XIII-17 (along with NGC 904) on 13 Dec 1884 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "eF, eS, R". His position matches PGC 9097, located 1.5' NW of NGC 904. This may be the faintest galaxy discovered by Stephan! NGC 903 is mentioned in the UGC notes as a companion to NGC 904 but it is not identified as NGC 903.

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NGC 904 = UGC 1852 = MCG +04-06-024 = CGCG 483-028 = PGC 9112

02 24 05.6 +27 20 33

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 130d

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, elongated NW-SE, smooth surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 903 1.5' NW. Second of six in a group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 904 = St XIII-18 (along with NGC 903 = St XIII-17) on 13 Dec 1884 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and reported "vF, vS, R, lbM". His position matches UGC 1852 = PGC 9112.

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NGC 905 = PGC 9038

02 22 43.5 -08 43 08

V = 15.7; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (10/13/01): extremely faint, very small, round, 15"-20" diameter. Requires averted and concentration to glimpse (in fairly poor seeing). Located 4.4' S of a mag 10 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 905 = LM II-334 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.7 tmin of RA east of PGC 9038. An 11th magnitude star is 23 tsec west, matching Leavenworth's notes "*9, p[recedes] 20 s[ec]", so the identification is certain. Sherburne Burnham searched for this object with the 36" refractor (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) and found "what seemed to be an exceedingly faint patch of luminous light" although he did not measure a position.

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NGC 906 = UGC 1868 = MCG +07-06-012 = CGCG 539-014 = PGC 9188

02 25 16.2 +42 05 24

V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.9

13.1" (10/20/84): fairly faint, small, round. Located in the core of AGC 347 with NGC 909 3.5' S.

13.1" (11/13/82): faint, furthest north in the string of galaxies.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 906 = St X-5 on 30 Oct 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "eeF, irregular oval; dia = 45 arcsec". His position matches UGC 1868 = PGC 9188. Except for NGC 898 and NGC 923 (discovered by WH), Stephan discovered all the NGC galaxies in the cluster on the same night.

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NGC 907 = UGCA 28 = ESO 545-010 = MCG -04-06-034 = KTS 16C = PGC 9054

02 23 01.9 -20 42 43

V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 81d

24" (10/3/13): moderately to fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.5'. Irregular surface brightness and clearly brighter on the east side. Third in the KTS 16 triplet with IC 223 14' WSW and NGC 899 17' SW.

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.8'x0.6', broad weak concentration. IC 223 lies 14' WSW and NGC 899 16' SW.

WH discovered NGC 907 = H III-224 = h2477 on 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 303) and noted "vF, S, irr R". JH described the galaxy from the Cape as "F, E in parallel; glbM, 20" long."

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NGC 908 = ESO 545-011 = MCG -04-06-035 = UGCA 29 = PGC 9057

02 23 04.8 -21 14 04

V = 10.2; Size 6.0'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 75d

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly bright, large, elongated 4.5'x2.0' WSW-ENE. The brighter middle has an irregular surface brightness and a faint star or knot is just west of the geometric center [this is probably the nucleus]. A mag 14 star is just south of the following end. Four mag 11-12.5 stars lie 3' to 5' N and form a trapezoid with parallel bases oriented E-W.

8": fairly bright, large, elongated E-W.

WH discovered NGC 908 = H I-153 on 20 Sep 1786 (sweep 596) and noted "cB, vL, E from sp to nf, I believe above 15' long; but the ends are very faint." His position (CH's reduction) is accurate. JH made no observations of this galaxy either from Slough or the Cape. The NGC position matches UGCA 29 = PGC 9057.

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NGC 909 = UGC 1872 = MCG +07-06-013 = CGCG 539-016 = PGC 9197

02 25 22.8 +42 02 08

V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0

13.1" (10/20/84): fairly faint, very small, round, compact. Located 4' ENE of a mag 9.5 star. Forms a pair with NGC 906 in the core of AGC 347.

13.1" (11/13/82): faint, just south of NGC 906.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 909 = St X-6 on 30 Oct 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and reported "eF, vS, stellar nucl". His position matches UGC 1872 = PGC 9197.

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NGC 910 = UGC 1875 = MCG +07-06-014 = CGCG 539-017 = PGC 9201

02 25 26.8 +41 49 26

V = 12.2; Size 2.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.7

13.1" (10/20/84): fairly bright, small, round. Located in the core of AGC 347 with NGC 911 8.5' NNE and NGC 913 3.5' ESE.

13.1" (11/13/82): fairly faint, similar brightness to NGC 911 in the core of AGC 347.

WH discovered NGC 910 = H III-571 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and recorded "eF, stellar, not verified." His position (Auwer's reduction) is accurate. The same sweep he discovered NGC 898.

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NGC 911 = UGC 1878 = MCG +07-06-016 = CGCG 539-021 = PGC 9221

02 25 42.3 +41 57 23

V = 12.7; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 115d

13.1" (10/20/84): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated. Located 2.1' S of mag 9.2 SAO 38019. Member of AGC 347 with NGC 910 8.4' SSW.

13.1" (11/13/87): fairly faint, just south of a 9th magnitude star.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 911 = St X-7 on 30 Oct 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "vF, vS, R, gbM". His position matches UGC 1878 = PGC 9221. Except for NGC 898 and 923 (discovered by WH), Stephan discovered all the NGC galaxies in the cluster on this night.

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NGC 912 = MCG +07-06-015 = CGCG 539-020 = PGC 9222

02 25 42.7 +41 46 38

V = 14.1; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3

13.1" (10/20/84): extremely faint and small, round. Forms a close pair with NGC 913 1.3' N. Located 4' ESE of NGC 910 in the core of AGC 347.

13.1" (11/13/82): extremely faint, very small, round.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 912 = St X-8 on 30 Oct 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and noted "F, vS, R, bM". His position matches CGCG 539-020. Except for NGC 898 and NGC 923 (discovered by WH), Stephan discovered all other NGC galaxies in the cluster on the same night.

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NGC 913 = PGC 9230

02 25 44.6 +41 47 57

V = 15.0; Size 0.5'x0.2'; PA = 24d

13.1" (10/20/84): extremely faint and small, round. Located 3.5' ESE of NGC 910 in the core of AGC 347. Forms a close pair with NGC 912 1.3' S.

13.1" (11/13/82): extremely faint and requires averted to glimpse, nonstellar knot.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 913 = St X-9 on 30 Oct 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and noted "eeF, eS, lbM". His position matches PGC 9230 (not in UGC, MCG or CGCG). Except for NGC 898 and NGC 923 (discovered by WH), Stephan discovered all the NGC galaxies in the cluster on the same night.

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NGC 914 = UGC 1887 = MCG +07-06-017 = CGCG 539-023 = PGC 9253

02 26 05.1 +42 08 39

V = 13.0; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 117d

13.1" (11/5/83): very faint, fairly small, diffuse, almost round. Located at the NE corner of the core of AGC 347.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 914 = St X-10 on 30 Oct 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "eF, diffuse, 1' dia". His position matches UGC 1887 = PGC 9253.

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NGC 915 = MCG +04-06-033 = CGCG 483-041 = PGC 9232

02 25 45.6 +27 13 16

V = 13.9; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, round, very small bright core. First of three and forms a close pair with NGC 916 1.4' NNE. Also third of six in a larger group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 915 = m 59 (along with m 60 = NGC 916 and m 61 = NGC 919) on 5 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, vS, stellar". His position is 1' S of CGCG 483-041 = PGC 9232.

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NGC 916 = MCG +04-06-034 = CGCG 483-043 = PGC 9245

02 25 47.6 +27 14 33

V = 14.1; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 5d

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, round, very small bright core. Second of three and appears similar to NGC 915 just 1' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 916 = m 60 (along with NGC 915 and NGC 919) on 5 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF". His position is 1' S of CGCG 483-043 = PGC 9245.

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NGC 917 = UGC 1890 = MCG +05-06-039 = CGCG 504-079 = PGC 9258

02 26 07.7 +31 54 44

V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 55d

24" (2/5/13): at 375x appeared moderately bright, moderately large, oval 5:3 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.6', weak concentration to a bright oval core. Just north of a group of mag 12-13 stars and 2' N of mag 8.2 SAO 55553. UGC 1856 (very faint superthin!) lies 27' SW.

17.5" (10/5/02): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.5', broad concentration to a brighter core. Located 2.0' N of a mag 8 star and 18' NW of mag 5.6 11 Trianguli. Several mag 13/14 stars in a curving chain are just south. This galaxy is identified as UGC 1890 in most sources. See Corwin's comments.

17.5" (8/5/97): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated SW-NE, 1.5'x0.8', broad concentration with large slightly brighter core. Located close north of a semi-circular group of stars and just 2.0' NNW of mag 8.2 SAO 55553. The identification of this galaxy with NGC 917 is uncertain and this number is listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 917 = h220 on 22 Nov 1827 and recorded "vF, S, R, forms a semicircle with 4 st." There is nothing at Herschel's position. Dreyer looked for h220 on 5 Nov 1874 at Birr Castle and noted "no nebulosity seen, only 3 st about 18-20 mag close together nearly in a line pf" (these stars are visible on the DSS). In the NGC notes, Dreyer adds: "h220. No neb, only a vs, Cl with 4 st nr np (2 Birr obs, 1874-76, not found by d'Arrest)." Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

Harold Corwin identifies NGC 917 = UGC 1890. This galaxy is situated exactly 20' S of Herschel's position and there are several stars just south that form a slightly curving arc. Corwin also checked the sweep and found a diagram matching the nearby stars and nebula (UGC 1890) nearly perfectly. So, JH must have made a clerical error in recording or transfering the position or simply misread the NPD on his telescope. Archinal and Hynes (Star Clusters) misidentify an asterism near JH's original position as NGC 917. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 918 = UGC 1888 = MCG +03-07-011 = CGCG 462-011 = PGC 9236

02 25 50.6 +18 29 49

V = 12.2; Size 3.5'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 158d

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, fairly large, almost round, very low surface brightness, weak concentration. A mag 15 star is involved near the northwest edge. Located 3' NNW of a mag 10.5 star.

JH discovered NGC 918 = h221 on 11 Jan 1831 and logged "pF; L; R; 60"; np a *10 m, dist 3'." His position and description matches UGC 1888 = PGC 9236. This galaxy was observed 4 times at Birr Castle. On 30 Nov 1856, R.J. Mitchell recorded "vvF, pL, R. A * easily see in or near the centre, 2 others not so certain involved north of center."

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NGC 919 = UGC 1894 = MCG +04-06-039 = CGCG 483-049 = PGC 9267

02 26 16.7 +27 12 43

V = 14.5; Size 1.2'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 138d

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, small, elongated NNW-SSE. Third of three with the NGC 915/NGC 916 pair 7' W and fifth of six in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 919 = m 61 (along with NGC 915 and NGC 916) on 5 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF". His position matches UGC 1894 = PGC 9267.

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NGC 920 = IC 1799 = UGC 1943 = MCG +08-05-012 = CGCG 553-014 = PGC 9432

02 28 45.9 +45 58 14

V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 34d

17.5" (8/5/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, broad concentration to a brighter core. A mag 14 star is at the west edge . Viewed after glimpsing UGC 1920 (the galaxy taken to be NGC 920), which is 9.5' W.

UGC 1920 (listed as NGC 920 in all modern sources) appeared extremely faint, moderately large, ~1.5' diameter, very low surface brightness, required averted vision to glimpse. This roundish unconcentrated glow is situated within a group of stars including a mag 11 star 1.6' WSW and mag 13 stars 1' NW and 1' SE. I would not have noticed this object without averted vision and knowing the exact location using a printed finder chart. Located 9.5' W of much brighter NGC 920 = IC 1799 and 15' WNW of NGC 933.

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.4', broad concentration to a fairly bright core and occasional stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is very close west and a mag 12 star (unequal double) is 1.4' NNW. Located in a rich star field 11' WSW of a mag 7 SAO 38067. Brighter of a pair with NGC 933 6.6' ESE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 920 = Sw II-20 (along with NGC 933 = Sw II-21) on 11 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His description reads "eF, eS, R; 1 or 2 eF * close; e diff." and his position is 16 tsec west and 1.5' north of UGC 1920 = PGC 9377, the galaxy which has always been taken as NGC 920. I wrote the following note in Jan 2014 to Harold Corwin and Wolfgang Steinicke, though, after I realized that NGC 920 probably refers to IC 1799, a brighter galaxy 10' ENE:

"Swift's position for list II-20 is also 70 tsec due west of IC 1799 = UGC 1943, and an excellent match in declination (given Swift's general accuracy). So, IC 1799 is only off in RA from Swift's position. His description mentions "1 or 2 eF* nr", which could apply to either galaxy, but UGC 1920 also has brighter nearby stars that to me would be mentioned. More importantly, though, IC 1799 is a more prominent galaxy than UGC 1920. In fact I probably would have missed UGC 1920 (the halo is very low surface brightness) in my 18-inch if I wasn't looking in the right place. IC 1799, on the other hand, was immediately noticed in the field, and has a much higher surface brightness. So, I'm suggesting NGC 920 = IC 1799 = UGC 1943."

Wolfgang Steinicke responded that his copy of Swift's paper came from Max Wolf's library in Heidelberg, and has "The '0' (of 20) is struck through and a '1' is noted to the right of the digit." Therefore Wolf also suspected a 1 minute error in Swift's RA. Corwin notes that once 1 tmin of RA is added to Swift's RA, this leaves only a "difference in RA of only -10 seconds in RA and just -7 arcseconds in Dec -- negligible, in the face of Swift's usual errors."

Guillaume Bigourdan independently discovered this galaxy (Big 251) on 28 Jan 1891, measured an accurate position, and it was catalogued as IC 1799. So, NGC 920 = IC 1799. This leaves UGC 1920, the galaxy always assumed to be NGC 920, without a NGC or IC designation.

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NGC 921 = MCG -03-07-015 = PGC 9287

02 26 33.5 -15 50 51

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 81d

17.5" (12/20/95): extremely faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.6'. A mag 13 star is 1.2' SE of center.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 921 = LM I-51 on 6 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position but 1.3 min of RA east is MCG -03-07-015 = PGC 9287, and given the rough positions (nearest minute of RA), this is the likely object. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 922 = ESO 478-028 = MCG -04-06-037 = AM 0222-250 = UGCA 30 = PGC 9172

02 25 04.7 -24 47 17

V = 12.1; Size 1.9'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, slightly elongated N-S, 1.2'x1.0', weak concentration, stellar nucleus with direct vision. A mag 12 star is 2' NNW.

8" (1/1/84): fairly faint, even surface brightness, slightly elongated N-S. A mag 12.5 star is 2' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 922 = H III-239 = h2478 on 17 Nov 1784 (sweep 321) and logged "vF, S, near 1' diameter or more". JH recorded the galaxy from the Cape of Good Hope on 20 Oct 1835 and noted "pB; R; gpmbM; 60 arcsec".

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NGC 923 = UGC 1915 = MCG +07-06-022 = CGCG 539-030 = PGC 9355

02 27 34.6 +41 58 40

V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 95d

18" (11/26/03): faint or fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration. Located 2.4' SSW of a mag 9 star. Second of three on a line with fainter MCG +07-06-023 1.8' NNE and MCG +07-06-21 2.8' SSW in AGC 347.

13" (11/5/83): very faint, very small. Located just 2.4' SSW of mag 9 SAO 38041, which interferes with viewing. Member of AGC 347.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 923 = St X-11 on 30 Oct 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "vF, S, R, weak concentration". His position matches UGC 1915 = PGC 9355.

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NGC 924 = UGC 1912 = MCG +03-07-012 = CGCG 462-012 = PGC 9302

02 26 46.8 +23 09 12

V = 12.7; Size 2.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 53d

24" (1/1/16): at 375x; moderately bright, oval SW-NE, 45"x30", sharply concentrated with a small bright core and quasi-stellar nucleus. The outer halo has a low surface brightness. Forms a close pair with CGCG 462-013 2.1' NE. This physical companion appeared extremely faint, low surface brightness, ~15" diameter.

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, broadly concentrated halo, distinct stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 924 = H III-474 on 29 Nov 1785 (sweep 481) and logged "eF, vS, iR, confirmed at 240 power." His position (Auwer's reduction) is a close match with UGC 1912 = PGC 9302.

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NGC 925 = UGC 1913 = MCG +05-06-045 = CGCG 504-085 = PGC 9332

02 27 17.0 +33 34 43

V = 10.1; Size 10.5'x5.9'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 102d

24" (1/25/14): on this observation I used 375x and focused on the HII regions in the spiral arms of NGC 925. [HK83] 120/121 is an extremely faint, very small HII knot on the west end of NGC 925, 3.2' from center. This HII complex is near the end of the southern spiral arm, though I couldn't trace the arm itself as far this knot and a mag 14 star lies 0.9' SSE. [HK83] 44 is barely detached off the east end of the central bar and appeared as a very faint 6" knot. A second fainter and even smaller knot, [HK83] 46/49, was occasionally seen ~20" WNW, right at the tip of the bar. [HK83] 42 is another faint, 6" knot along the southern arm, 1.5' SE of center. The location was pinpointed just north of the midpoint of two mag 13.5/14.5 stars oriented E-W at 1.6' separation.

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly bright, large, about 5' diameter although the halo is irregular. The core appears as a bright bar running through the center and elongated WNW-ESE with a fainter halo north and south of the bar. The bar is moderately concentrated and has a mottled texture. There is a strong impression of very faint extensions or arms that begin to hook north on the WNW end and south on the ESE ends of the bar. An extremely faint knot is just visible off the west side 3.3' from the center. This knot is an HII complex and association near the edge of a spiral arm and is catalogued as #120 in Hodge-Kennicutt's 1983 "An Atlas of H II regions in 125 galaxies". Several stars are near; a mag 10.5 star lies 3.4' S of center, two mag 12 stars are just north of the core 1.0' and 1.5' from the center and a wide pair of mag 12.5 star are 5' W. Member of the NGC 1023 Group.

8" (11/8/80): faint, fairly large, diffuse, irregular, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, even surface brightness. A mag 10 star is 3.5' S.

WH discovered NGC 925 = H III-177 = h222 on 13 Sep 1784 (sweep 271) and reported "vF, cL, iR, r, 2 or 3' diameter." Bindon Stoney, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 14 Sep 1850, recorded "3' by 50", rather F dash of light; a conspicuous star nf the middle outside edge". The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 926 = UGC 1901 = MCG +00-07-011 = CGCG 388-014 = PGC 9256

02 26 06.6 -00 19 57

V = 13.3; Size 1.8'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 36d

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.6, diffuse unconcentrated glow. A mag 13 star is 2.5' SSW. Located 7' N of a mag 9.5 star. NGC 934 lies 22' ENE. R Ceti (7.2-14) is 7' N.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 926 = T I-9 in 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory.  He noted a 1' diameter.  Tempel's position is 3' S of UGC 1901 = PGC 9256.  This galaxy was independently found by Lewis Swift (V-28) on 3 Oct 1886 with his 16" refractor and reported as new in list V-28.  In the errata to his 6th list, Swift noted Sw V-28 was identical to GC 5236 (NGC 926).

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NGC 927 = UGC 1908 = MCG +02-07-009 = CGCG 439-009 = Mrk 593 = PGC 9292

02 26 37.3 +12 09 19

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, round, pretty smooth low surface brightness. Located 10' NW of mag 9.1 SAO 92955.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 927 = Sw III-11 on 18 Jan 1885 with the 27-inch Grubb refractor at the Vienna University Observatory and reported it in AN 2732. This is the only NGC object to be discovered with this large refractor. Lewis Swift independently discovered the galaxy later that year on 2 Dec 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. Swift's position is just 6 tsec east of UGC 1908 = PGC 9292.

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NGC 928 = MCG +04-06-050 = CGCG 483-060 = PGC 9368

02 27 41.0 +27 13 15

V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 35d

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Sixth in a group including NGC 903, NGC 904, NGC 915, NGC 916, NGC 919.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 928 = m 62 on 5 Sep 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, vS, stellar". His position matches CGCG 483-060 = PGC 9368.

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NGC 929 = MCG -02-07-009 = PGC 9334

02 27 18.3 -12 05 12

V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 170d

17.5" (10/8/94): very faint, fairly small, low surface brightness, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE. Located 3.3' SW of mag 8.5 SAO 148396.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 929 = LM II-335 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 15.3, 0.6'x0.2' in PA 170°, precedes *8.5 3.8' PA 15°." There is nothing at his position but 0.8 min of RA east is MCG -02-07-009 = PGC 9334 and his description is fits. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 930

02 27 54 +20 21

=Not found, Gottlieb and Corwin.

Ralph Copeland, an observing assistant at Birr Castle, discovered NGC 930 on 26 October 1872 with the 72". While observing NGC 932 (GC 543) he noted a second object close nearby, which he described as "F, S, iR, vgbM" and offset from NGC 930 by 60" in PA 314.3 deg (NW) or 3.1" p and 42" N. This nova was not mentioned in the subsequent three observations of NGC 930 in 1872, 1873 and 1876 but Dreyer added it to the GC Supplement (5238), repeating Copeland's description.

I carefully examined the POSS print of the field and the only object near the offset is a mag 12.4 star (GSC 1221-478). There is a small reddish condensation with dimensions about 10" diameter at the northeast edge of the galaxy and Karl Reinmuth took this as NGC 930 ("eF, vS, R, vgvvlbM; 0.6' nf att NGC 932."). But neither the separation nor the direction is a good match. So, NGC 930 is nonexistent.

The RNGC mixes up the identifications and lists the main galaxy as NGC 930 and calls NGC 932 non-existent. Since Herschel was definitely the first to observe this galaxy, H II-489 = GC 543 = NGC 932 should apply and the data listed in the RNGC under NGC 930 should be transferred to NGC 932. UGC and CGCG equate the numbers NGC 930 = NGC 932, but the galaxy should be identified as NGC 932 only, since Copeland was clearly referring to something different. Listed in RNGC Corrections #4.

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NGC 931 = UGC 1935 = MCG +05-06-049 = CGCG 504-089 = Mrk 1040 = PGC 9399

02 28 14.5 +31 18 41

V = 12.8; Size 3.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 73d

24" (11/24/14): at 200x and 375x; moderately bright and large, thin edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x0.3', brighter core, sharp stellar nucleus. LEDA 212995, a very close (physical) companion, is at the north edge just 18" from center. At 375x, it appeared as an extremely faint and small glow, ~6" diameter.

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x0.5', broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus. Several brighter stars are in the field including a pair of mag 10 stars 6' NW and 10' N. NGC 940 lies 25' NE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 931 on 26 Sep 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position (mean of 2 observations) is on the east edge of UGC 1935 = PGC 9399.

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NGC 932 = (R)NGC 930 = UGC 1931 = MCG +03-07-014 = CGCG 462-014 = PGC 9379

02 27 54.7 +20 19 57

V = 12.4; Size 1.9'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.5

24" (1/1/16): fairly faint/moderately bright, round, 40" diameter, small bright core. A mag 14 star is 50" SE and a mag 12.4 star is 1.7' NW.

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. A very faint 15th magnitude "star" (emission knot) is involved at the NE end. A mag 14 star is 1' ESE. NGC 938 lies 10' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 932 = H II-489 on 29 Nov 1785 (sweep 481) and noted "F, S, lE, 3 stars visible in it, but they seem not to belong to it." His position is 2' north of UGC 1931 = PGC 9379. This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 930 in RNGC, MCG and RC3 (as well as secondary sources such as Megastar). UGC and CGCG equate the numbers NGC 930 = NGC 932, but only NGC 932 should apply. See notes for NGC 930.

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NGC 933 = UGC 1956 = MCG +08-05-013 = CGCG 553-016 = PGC 9465

02 29 17.5 +45 54 41

V = 13.8; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 35d

17.5" (11/26/94): faint, small, round, 0.8' diameter, weak concentration but no well-defined core. A mag 15 star is 30" N. Located 8.8' SW of mag 7 SAO 38067. Forms a pair with IC 1799 6.6' NW. This galaxy makes a right angle with IC 1799 to the NW and the bright star NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 933 = Sw II-21 on 11 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory, on the same night he found Sw II-20 = NGC 920. His position is accurate (as opposed to NGC 920) and matches UGC 1956 = PGC 9465.

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NGC 934 = UGC 1926 = MCG +00-07-016 = CGCG 388-017 = PGC 9352

02 27 32.9 -00 14 41

V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 130d

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, very small, round, small concentrated core 15" diameter, stellar nucleus. Located 13' W of mag 8.5 SAO 129923. NGC 926 lies 22' WSW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 934 = T I-10 in 1876 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and described as "very small and faint. 5" dia = tiny planetary nebula". His position matches UGC 1926 = PGC 9352.

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NGC 935 = Arp 276 NED1 = VV 238a = UGC 1937 = MCG +03-07-015 = CGCG 462-016 = PGC 9388

02 28 11.2 +19 35 56

V = 12.9; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 155d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE. A mag 14 star is superimposed. Located 1.2' NE of a mag 10 star. Forms a double system with IC 1801 off the southeast end. IC 1801 appeared very faint, very small, elongated SW-NE, low surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 935 = Sw II-22 on 18 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is just 4 sec of RA east of PGC 9388 (part of Arp 276). He mentions the bright star close west though the description implies the galaxy precedes the star. I'm surprised that Swift missed IC 1801 at the SE end.

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NGC 936 = UGC 1929 = MCG +00-07-017 = CGCG 388-018 = PGC 9359

02 27 37.5 -01 09 19

V = 10.1; Size 4.7'x4.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 135d

17.5" (12/4/93): bright, fairly large, very bright core 30"x20" elongated E-W (bar), core increases to almost stellar nucleus. The much larger fainter halo extends up to 3.0'x1.5'. Three mag 9 stars lie N; mag 8.7 SAO 129912 8' NNW, mag 9 SAO 12911 12' NNW, mag 9.5 12' N. Forms a wide pair with NGC 941 12.5' E.

8" (1/1/84): bright, moderately large, very bright core, oval NW-SE. Forms a pair with NGC 941 12' E.

WH discovered NGC 936 = H IV-23 = h223, along with NGC 941, on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and logged "cB, a very bright nucleus with a chevelure of 3 or 4' diameter." He placed this nebula in the fourth class, which included planetary nebulae as well as stars with burs, with milky chevelure, with short rays, remarkable shapes, etc. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 937 = UGC 1961 = MCG +07-06-024 = CGCG 539-032 = PGC 9480

02 29 28.0 +42 14 57

V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 117d

17.5" (11/26/94): very faint, very small glow either surrounding a bright stellar nucleus or a mag 13 star is superimposed at the center. Located within a group of about a dozen faint stars in a 4' diameter with a single brighter mag 11 star at the SW side 2.3' from NGC 937. Unusual appearance as the galaxy appears set in a very faint cluster. Located on the east side of AGC 347 with NGC 946 15' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 937 = St XIII-19 (along with NGC 946 = St XIII-20) on 12 Dec 1884 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His description reads "vF* with slight neb" and his position matches UGC 1961 = PGC 9480.

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NGC 938 = UGC 1947 = MCG +03-07-017 = CGCG 462-017 = PGC 9423

02 28 33.5 +20 17 01

V = 12.4; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 100d

24" (1/1/16): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 35"x27", small bright core. A mag 15 star is at or just off the southeast edge [35" from center]. NGC 930 is 10' WNW.

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, broad concentration, small faint halo. NGC 932 lies 10' WNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 938 on 30 Dec 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 2 nights) matches UGC 1947 = PGC 9423.

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NGC 939 = ESO 246-011 = MCG -07-06-004 = PGC 9271

02 26 21.3 -44 26 47

V = 13.0; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 110d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 939 = h2479 on 18 Oct 1835 and noted "eF, S, vlbM, 20 arcsec." His position matches ESO 246-011 = PGC 9271.

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NGC 940 = NGC 952 = UGC 1964 = MCG +05-06-050 = CGCG 504-095 = PGC 9478

02 29 27.5 +31 38 27

V = 12.4; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 20d

17.5" (12/23/92): moderately bright, fairly small, round, prominent small bright core, stellar nucleus, high surface brightness. NGC 931 lies 25' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 940 = Sw III-12 on 26 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He called it round, small with a mag 13 stellar nucleus. His position (3 measures) is accurate. Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy on 7 Nov 1885 and recorded "vF; eS; R; BM; 5239 [NGC 931] nr; v diff." NGC 952, found by Stephan in 1871, is a duplicate number.

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NGC 941 = UGC 1954 = MCG +00-07-022 = CGCG 388-023 = PGC 9414

02 28 27.8 -01 09 05

V = 12.4; Size 2.6'x1.9'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 170d

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, elongated 4:3 N-S, 2.0'x1.5'. Appears to have a slightly brighter bar within a diffuse halo. Forms a pair with NGC 936 12.5' W.

8": extremely faint, very small. Located 12' E of NGC 936.

WH discovered NGC 941 = H III-261 = h224, along with NGC 936, on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and logged "vF, cL. It will just go into the field with the last [NGC 936]." Dreyer, using the 72" at Birr Castle on 22 Oct 1876, recorded "vF, vL, iR, or perhaps lE ns? No stars near it".

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NGC 942 = Arp 309 NED2 = VV 217b = MCG -02-07-018 = Holm 59a = PGC 9458

02 29 10.3 -10 50 10

V = 11.4; Size 3.4'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 35d

24" (12/22/14): NGC 942 is the slightly brighter and southern component of a close double system with NGC 943. At 375x it appeared moderately bright, small, slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3'. Well concentrated with a very small, very bright core and stellar nucleus. NGC 943 is just 30" SSE (between centers) and within a common halo.

IC 230 (discovered by S.W. Burnham in 1891) lies 5.5' due west and appeared faint to fairly faint, small, round, 12"-15" diameter. Easily seen despite a mag 15.7B.

17.5" (12/4/93): this is the slightly brighter southern member of a double system with NGC 943. Appears faint, very small, round. Increases to a small brighter core and faint stellar nucleus. NGC 943 is just 30" N and both galaxies appear immersed in a common halo. NGC 950 lies 12' S.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 942 = LM I-53, along with NGC 943, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. He described both as a "nebulous double star?" His rough position is a close match with MCG -02-07-018 = PGC 9458, the southeastern member of the pair. Herbert Howe measured accurate positions for the pair in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory as well as Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II).

Recently Yann Pothier found the original discovery of NGC 942 and 943 was made by LdR assistant Ralph Copeland on 31 Jul 1872. He recorded "Double in position 159.0°, distance of nuclei = 40".4; both are R; psbM but the np is slightly larger than the other. Position of a 12m * from the brighter of the nebulae = 286.4°, distance = 139.3". But Copeland assumed he was observing NGC 945, discovered by William Herschel, and furthermore provided no coordinates or reference for Dreyer to compute a position.

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NGC 943 = Arp 309 NED1 = VV 217a = MCG -02-07-019 = Holm 59b = PGC 9457

02 29 09.6 -10 49 40

V = 11.4; Size 3.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 15d

24" (12/22/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 18"x15", very small brighter nucleus. NGC 943 is the southern component of a 30" double system with NGC 942. The halos of the two galaxies are merged. IC 230 lies 5.5' W.

17.5" (12/4/93): this is the northern member of a contact pair with NGC 942. Faint, very small, weak concentration. The center of NGC 942 is just 30" S within a common halo. NGC 950 lies 12' S.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 943 = LM I-54, along with NGC 942, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and described both as a "nebulous double star?" His rough position is a close match with MCG -02-07-019 = PGC 9457, the northwestern member of the pair. Herbert Howe measured accurate positions for the pair in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory as well as Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II). RC 2 reverses the identifications. Ralph Copeland first discovered this galaxy, along with NGC 942, on 31 Oct 1872, but mistakenly assumed he was observing NGC 945. See NGC 942 for more.

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NGC 944 = MCG -03-07-016 = IC 228 = PGC 9300

02 26 41.6 -14 30 57

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 15d

17.5" (10/8/94): faint small streak, elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.7'x0.2'. A mag 14 star is 2.3' E of center. Two bright stars are following: mag 9 SAO 148394 4.3' ENE and mag 9.3 SAO 148395 7.2' SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 944 = LM I-55 on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.4', vE 0°, sbN like a double star." There is nothing at his position but 1.5 min of RA west is MCG -03-07-016 = PGC 9300 and Corwin verified this identification with Leavenworth's discovery sketch. This galaxy was independently discovered by Stephane Javelle on 7 Dec 1891, placed accurately and later catalogued as IC 228. So, NGC 944 = IC 228, with NGC 944 the primary designation. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 945 = MCG -02-07-013 = Holm 58a = LGG 063-001 = PGC 9426

02 28 37.3 -10 32 21

V = 12.1; Size 2.4'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, weak concentration to a small core. A mag 14 star is off the SE side 1.4' from center. Located 5' N of mag 8.5 SAO 148906. Forms a pair with much fainter NGC 948 2.5' NE. Brightest in a group.

WH discovered NGC 945 = H II-487 = h225 = h2480 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and recorded "F, cL, iF, lbM". Herschel missed the companion NGC 948. JH observed NGC 945 from Slough and at the Cape, though he also missed NGC 948. His Cape observation from 9 Dec 1835 reads "eF, L, R, glbM, 2'." Francis Leavenworth (list I-56) probably independently found the galaxy again in 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory.

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NGC 946 = UGC 1979 = MCG +07-06-026 = CGCG 539-034 = PGC 9556

02 30 38.5 +42 13 57

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 65d

17.5" (11/26/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.6', sharp concentration with a small, round bright core and stellar nucleus. Forms the southern vertex of a quadrilateral with three mag 11 stars between 2.5' and 3' separation NNW, NNE and NE. NGC 937 lies 15' W. Located at the east edge of galaxy cluster AGC 347.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 946 = St XIII-20 (along with NGC 937 = St XIII-19) on 12 Dec 1884 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "F, S, R, glbM". His position matches UGC 1979 = PGC 9556.

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NGC 947 = ESO 545-021 = MCG -03-07-022 = PGC 9420

02 28 33.2 -19 02 32

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 50d

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.6'x0.8', broad weak concentration. A mag 11 star is 3.1' NW of center.

JH discovered NGC 947 = h2481 on 10 Nov 1835 and reported "pB, E, gbM, 50" long, 35" broad." His position is a good match with ESO 545-021 = PGC 9420.

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NGC 948 = MCG -02-07-015 = Holm 58b = LGG 063-002 = PGC 9431

02 28 45.4 -10 30 49

V = 13.4; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 170d

17.5" (12/4/93): very faint, very small, slightly elongated halo has a very low surface brightness. Forms a pair with much brighter and larger NGC 945 2.5' SW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 948 = Sw V-29 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and logged a "D neb with GC 547 [NGC 945]...". Swift's position is about 15 tsec of RA east of MCG -02-07-015. This galaxy was independently found by Ormond Stone (I-56) at Leander McCormick the same year, so it is uncertain who made the original discovery. NGC 945 and 948 were observed and measured by Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) but his RA is too far west. Herbert Howe measured accurate positions for the pair in 1897 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 949 = UGC 1983 = MCG +06-06-048 = CGCG 523-053 = PGC 9566

02 30 48.8 +37 08 12

V = 11.8; Size 2.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 145d

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, fainter outer halo extends dimensions to 2.0'x0.8', broad concentration, no distinct core but brighter along major axis. A mag 14 star is at the SE tip. Located in a fairly rich star field. Member of the NGC 1023 Group.

8" (11/28/81): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, weak concentration. Located 30' E of a mag 7 star.

WH discovered NGC 949 = H I-154 = h226 on 21 Sep 1786 (sweep 599) and logged (summary description) "cB, pL, E np to sf, vgmbM, 3' long, 2' broad." On 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 692) he recorded "cB, vgbM, lE, about 3' long and 3' broad." The galaxy was observed 5 times at Birr Castle. On 16 Oct 1855, R.J. Mitchell recorded "Oval, no Nucl, light pretty equable, major axis np-sf, clearly resolvable. I can at moments see some of its stars. B* at the south edge".

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NGC 950 = MCG -02-07-021 = PGC 9461

02 29 11.7 -11 01 30

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 40d

24" (12/22/14): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter, fairly low even surface brightness. Collinear with two mag 13/14.5 stars to the southwest. Forms a pair with MCG -02-07-020 = PGC 9454 2.1' due west. The companion (B = 15.5) appeared very faint to faint, small, 18"x12", can just hold continuously. An uncatalogued double star at ~6" separation lies 5.7' NW. NGC 942/943, a double system, lies 12' N.

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, small, round, unconcentrated with a low surface brightness. A wide pair of mag 13/14 stars with separation 37" are 2' SW. Located 5.1' NNW of mag 8.3 SAO 148415. The double system NGC 942/NGC 943 lies 12' N.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 950 = LM I-57 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His (rough) position matches MCG -02-07-021 = PGC 9461.

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NGC 951 = ESO 479-008 = MCG -04-07-001 = PGC 9442

02 28 56.9 -22 20 55

V = 14.6; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 48d

17.5" (11/17/01): extremely faint, small, round, 0.4'. The faint glow requires averted and has a low surface brightness with no noticeable core. Situated at midpoint between two mag 11.5 stars 3' NW and 3' SE. Forms a close pair with MCG -04-07-002 2' S (not seen).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 951 = LM II-336 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 16.3, 0.4' dia, E 0° [N-S], double star?"." His position is just 1.5' S of ESO 479-008 = MCG -04-07-001 = PGC 9442 and his PA = 0° matches the central bar.

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NGC 952 = NGC 940 = UGC 1964 = MCG +05-06-050 = CGCG 504-095 = PGC 9478

02 29 27.5 +34 45

V = 12.4; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 20d

See observing notes for NGC 940.

Édouard Stephan found NGC 952 = St III-6 on 14 December 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. There is nothing at Stephan's usually accurate position and Corwin initially concluded that Stephan must have misidentified his offset star (given as 4713 Lalande). Bigourdan was unable to recover the object and Corwin was also unsuccessful in using offsets from different nearby comparison stars.

But Emmanuel Esmiol, an assistant at Marseille Observatory, lists a different offset star (HD 15866) in his 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions. The corrected position matches NGC 940, discovered by d'Arrest in 1865. In fact, Esmiol calls this object NGC 940, instead of NGC 952 in his table. In any case, NGC 952 = NGC 940.

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NGC 953 = UGC 1991 = MCG +05-07-001 = CGCG 505-001 = PGC 9586

02 31 09.8 +29 35 19

V = 13.5; Size 1.5'x1.5'

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, round, gradually increases to small brighter core. A mag 12-13 star is 1.3' W of center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 953 = St III-7 on 26 Sep 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted the star 5.5 seconds preceding (1.3' W) and measured an accurate position (3 measures). Édouard Stephan independently discovered this galaxy on 11 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory.

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NGC 954 = ESO 299-004 = MCG -07-06-006 = PGC 9438

02 28 51.6 -41 24 11

V = 12.8; Size 1.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 19d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 954 = h2482 on 5 Sep 1834 and logged "F, pL, lE, has a star 8th mag 3' distant S.f." His position (measured on 4 sweeps) and description (the star is 3.5' SE) matches ESO 299-004 = PGC 9438.

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NGC 955 = UGC 1986 = MCG +00-07-027A = CGCG 388-029 = PGC 9549

02 30 33.3 -01 06 31

V = 12.0; Size 2.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 19d

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, edge-on 4:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.4', fairly bright elongated core. A mag 12 star is 2.5' SE. Located 25' W of 75 Ceti (V = 5.4).

8" (11/28/81): very faint, small, elongated SW-NE.

WH discovered NGC 955 = H II-278 = h229 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 351) and noted "pB, S, E." JH also observed this galaxy on 2 sweeps. Both Herschels' positions match UGC 1986, so there's no doubt about the identification. Dreyer mentions this object in the NGC Notes section as a possible variable nebula because it was easily seen by Schönfeld in 1863, 1864 and 1868, August Winnecke and Heinrich d'Arrest, but was not found by Vogel in 1865 nor Schönfeld in 1861. Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) observed and measured the object without difficulty. Winnecke wrote a paper in 1878 that claimed NGC 955 showed a "periodic variability". Wolfgang Steinicke discusses this variability in his book on the NGC (p519).

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NGC 956 = Cr 27 = OCL-377 = Lund 80

02 32 31 +44 35 36

V = 8.9; Size 8'

17.5" (11/26/94): 15 stars mag 12-14 and two mag 9 stars in a 5'x2' group, very elongated N-S. The two mag 9 stars bracket the group at the north (mag 8.9 SAO 38098) and south ends. Not rich but stands out reasonably well at low power as the stars form a rough curving "S" asterism. Two additional mag 9/10 stars are 3' and 5' W of SAO 38098 but do not appear part of the cluster. The classification of this group as a true cluster is doubtful.

JH discovered NGC 956 = h228 on 23 Dec 1831 and described a "p rich cl; 2 or 3 B and about 20 st 13...15m; a star 9th mag taken" His position is 1' SW of a mag 9.3 star.

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NGC 957 = Cr 28 = OCL-362 = Lund 84

02 33 19 +57 34 12

V = 7.6; Size 11'

17.5" (10/25/97): moderately rich cluster, ~9'x4' in size and oriented ~E-W. Includes a mag 8 star (HD 15621) on the SW side and a mag 8/10 pair (h2143) on the SE end at 24" separation. About three dozen stars are fairly evenly distributed within this elongated cluster. There are few faint close double stars along the NE side and the bright double has a couple of much fainter companions. A mag 7.5 star is off the west side of the cluster but appears completely detached.

8": 30 stars in cluster, fairly large, moderately rich, elongated ~E-W, unresolved haze. A bright wide double star mag 8/10 at 23" is on the SE edge. Bracketed by fairly bright stars to the east and west. Located 1° NE of the Double Cluster.

JH discovered NGC 957 = h227 on 9 Dec 1831 and noted "a p rich, pL, cl; st 13...15; not compressed at the centre. Figure an irregular parallelogram."

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NGC 958 = MCG -01-07-019 = PGC 9560

02 30 42.7 -02 56 22

V = 12.1; Size 2.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 10d

17.5" (11/17/01): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 ~N-S, 2.5'x1.0'. Contains a brighter, bulging core and appears brighter along a thinner "bar" (the major axis). A similar comment was made in the 12/4/93 observation. MCG -01-07-016 lies 24' SW.

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.6'x0.8'. Appears brighter along the major axis. The brighter core has an occasional sparkle or bright spot. A mag 13.5 star lies 2.0' N of center.

8": faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, slightly brighter along the major axis.

WH discovered NGC 958 = H II-237 = h230 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and recorded "faint, extended about 2' long in the direction of the meridian". Bindon Stoney, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 24 Nov 1851, commented the "brightest part near preceding edge; E nnf-ssp; double star north, to which nebula does not reach."

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NGC 959 = UGC 2002 = MCG +06-06-051 = CGCG 523-055 = PGC 9665

02 32 24.0 +35 29 41

V = 12.4; Size 2.3'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 65d

17.5" (11/1/86): moderately bright, fairly large, weak concentration, slightly elongated WSW-ENE. Located 13' S of mag 7.6 SAO 55638 and 39' S of 14 Trianguli (V = 5.2). Member of the NGC 1023 Group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 959 = St VIIIb-5 on 9 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2002 = PGC 9665.

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NGC 960 = MCG -02-07-028 = PGC 9621

02 31 41.2 -09 18 01

V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 125d

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, very small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, only 25"x10", very small bright core. Located 5.6' ENE of a mag 10.5 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 960 = LM II-337 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15.5, 0.2' dia, R, neb?; *9 south-preceding 30 sec." His position is 30 sec west of MCG -02-07-028 = PGC 9621. I'm surprised he listed this galaxy as round, though a mag 12 star is 5.7' SW (Leavenworth calls it mag 9) or 22 sec preceding in RA.

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NGC 961 = NGC 1051 = MCG -01-07-033 = UGCA 40 = IC 249 = PGC 10172

02 41 02.4 -06 56 09

See observing notes for NGC 1051.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 961 = LM II-338 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "1.5'x1.0', E 230°, *10 at end." There is nothing at Stone's position but Harold Corwin found that if Stone made a 10 min (transcription?) error in RA, then NGC 961 is a duplicate of NGC 1051 = PGC 10172 (discovered by Édouard Stephan) . The declinations are similar and Stone's description applies perfectly to NGC 1051. So NGC 961 = NGC 1051 = IC 249 (another duplicate observation by Javelle), with NGC 1051 the primary designation. NGC 961 is classified as nonexistent in RNGC.

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NGC 962 = UGC 2013 = MCG +05-07-004 = CGCG 505-003 = PGC 9682

02 32 39.9 +28 04 12

V = 12.9; Size 1.7'x1.2'; PA = 170d

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 N-S, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus. Located 6' W of a mag 9 star.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 962 = St III-8 on 13 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "eF, S, grad incr to the center." His position matches UGC 2013 = PGC 9682.

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NGC 963 = MCG -01-07-017 = IC 1808 = PGC 9545

02 30 31.0 -04 12 59

V = 13.4; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, small, round, weak concentration but no distinct core. Located just north of the midpoint of the line connecting two mag 13/14 stars 2' SE and 2' WNW. Incorrect identification in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 963 = LM II-339 in 1886 with the 26-inch refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position but 1.3 min of RA east (a common error) is MCG -01-07-017 = PGC 9545. Stephane Javelle independently discovered this galaxy (list III-929) on 14 Dec 1903, measured an accurate position with the 30-inch refractor at the Nice Observatory, and Dreyer later catalogued it again as IC 1808. So, NGC 963 = IC 1808, with discovery priority to Leavenworth. RNGC appears to misidentify PGC 1066010 as NGC 963, though the position is 9' S of this galaxy.

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NGC 964 = ESO 355-024 = MCG -06-06-010 = IC 1814 = PGC 9582

02 31 05.8 -36 02 06

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 31d

17.5" (10/25/97): fairly faint, moderately large, nearly edge-on 4:1 SSW-NNE, 1.4'x0.4', brighter core.

JH discovered NGC 964 = h2483 on 1 Sep 1834 and recorded "B, pmE, psbM, 30" long; position 215.7 degrees." His position (measured on 4 observations) and description matches ESO 355-024 = PGC 9582. Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 22 Dec 1897 while observing from Echo Mountain in southern California, and recorded Sw XI-40 as "pB; pS; vE." His RA is 40 seconds too small and Swift and Dreyer didn't connect this observation with NGC 964, so it was recatalogued as IC 1814. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 965 = ESO 545-032 = MCG -03-07-031 = PGC 9666

02 32 24.9 -18 38 24

V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 10d

17.5" (12/28/94): extremely faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, no concentration, requires averted vision. A mag 12 star is 3.4' SSE of center. Located 11' SSE of mag 9.5 SAO 148446 at the edge of the 225x field.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 965 = LM I-58 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His (rough) position is a fairly good match with ESO 545-032 = PGC 9666.

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NGC 966 = ESO 545-030 = MCG -03-07-029 = PGC 9626

02 31 46.7 -19 53 05

V = 13.3; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 112d

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, very small, round, 0.7' diameter, weak even concentration. Located 40" NNE of a mag 9.5 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 966 = LM II-340 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.3 tmin east of ESO 545-030 = PGC 9626, a relatively good match. His notes mention a "*9, 2' sp", though the separation is only 40". 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 967 = ESO 545-031 = MCG -03-07-030 = PGC 9654

02 32 12.7 -17 13 01

V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 33d

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.5' diameter, gradually brightens but no distinct core. An occasional stellar nucleus is visible. Located 6.0' E of a mag 10 star.

JH discovered NGC 967 = h2484 on 10 Nov 1835 and noted "pF, S, R, pgmbM, 25"." The following October he called it "eF, irregularly round, lbM." His position matches ESO 545-031 = PGC 9654.

WH made an unpublished observation on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459), recording "a patch apparently nebulous; but may be only a few stars." His re-reduced position is 4.5' due south of this galaxy. He didn't return on a later sweep to verify this observation so it didn't receive an internal number or H-designation.

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NGC 968 = UGC 2040 = MCG +06-06-056 = CGCG 523-061 = PGC 9779

02 34 06.2 +34 28 48

V = 12.2; Size 3.6'x1.9'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 60d

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration, stellar nucleus. Located 10' NE of mag 7.6 SAO 55659 and 15' ESE of mag 5.8 SAO 55650.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 968 = St X-12 on 5 Dec 1879 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and logged "pF, pS, R, incr to a bright core". Stephan's position matches UGC 2040 = PGC 9779.

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NGC 969 = UGC 2039 = MCG +05-07-008 = CGCG 505-010 = PGC 9781

02 34 08.0 +32 56 50

V = 12.3; Size 1.7'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 5d

18" (1/26/11): at 285x appeared moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.5', sharp concentration with a small, very bright core. In a tight trio with NGC 970 2' NNE and NGC 974 3.8' E. Also nearby is CGCG 505-008 7.4' NE and NGC 978 10' SE (a dozen total are within 35'). A mag 14 star is just off the SE side of the halo, 0.9' from the center. Located 3.4' SSW of a mag 10 star.

17.5" (12/4/93): first of five in the NGC 978 group. Fairly faint, small, round, sharp concentration. A mag 14 star is just 0.9' S. Located 3.4' SSW of a mag 9.5 star in a rich star field. NGC 974 lies 3.8' E, NGC 970 2' NNE and NGC 978 10' SE, all in the same field.

13" (12/22/84): fairly faint, small, small bright nucleus, slightly elongated N-S. In a trio with NGC 974 3.9' E and NGC 978 11' SE. NGC 970 2' NE not seen.

JH discovered NGC 969 = h231 (along with NGC 974 = h233 and NGC 978 = h234) on 22 Nov 1827 and reported "S; R; psbM. The first of 3.". His position matches UGC 2039 = PGC 9781.

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NGC 970 = MCG +05-07-009 = PGC 9786

02 34 11.8 +32 58 38

V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 55d

18" (1/26/11): faintest in a trio with NGC 969 2' SSW and NGC 974 3.3' SE. At 285x appeared extremely faint, very small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 15"x10". Located 1.5' S of a mag 10 star. Two mag 14 stars lie 1.3' NW and 1.7' NE. NGC 971 is a 15.5 magnitude star 0.9' E.

17.5" (12/4/93): extremely faint, very small, round. Located near the midpoint and just east of the line connecting a mag 9.5 star 1.5' N and NGC 969 2' SSW. A mag 14.5 star is 1.3' WNW. This is a double system (unresolved). NGC 971 is a single 15th magnitude star 1' E. Member of the NGC 978 group with NGC 974 3.3' ESE and NGC 978 10' SE.

Bindon Stoney, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 970 on 14 Sep 1850 while observing the NGC 978 group. This galaxy is labeled "Gamma" on the sketch of 11 Oct 1850 and the micrometric offset from NGC 969 matches, though it was seen as single. The listed dimensions apply to the double system.

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NGC 971

02 34 16.0 +32 58 47

18" (1/26/11): at 285x an extremely faint mag 15.5 star (mistaken as a nebula at Birr Castle) situated 0.9' due east of NGC 970. It's sandwiched between NGC 970 and a mag 14 star 0.9' NE. Also lies 1.6' SE of a mag 10 star.

Bindon Stoney, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 971, along with NGC 970, on 14 Sep 1850 while observing NGC 969 and 974. The offsets measured on 11 Oct 1850 point precisely to a mag 15-15.5 star situated 56" east of NGC 970. The RNGC misidentifies the northeast component of NGC 970 as NGC 971. This error is included in my RNGC Corrections #7.

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NGC 972 = UGC 2045 = MCG +05-07-010 = CGCG 505-012 = PGC 9788

02 34 13.4 +29 18 43

V = 11.4; Size 3.3'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 152d

17.5" (12/23/92): bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 2.0'x1.0', large bright core dominates, much fainter outer halo, appears brighter on the southeast side. Three stars (including two mag 9 stars at 45" separation) are in a line off the southwest flank and equally spaced.

8" (11/8/80): fairly faint, round, bright core, bright double star to SW.

WH discovered NGC 972 = H II-211 = h232 = St III-9 on 11 Sep 1784 (sweep 266) and logged "F, pL, lE, bM, just north of 2 stars." On 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 680) he recorded "pB, cL, E from sp to nf [should be np to sf] but nearer the meridian, mbM, about 1' north of 3 stars in a row." JH called it "pB, lE, pgmB". Stephan independently found the galaxy again on 11 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and this observation led to an entry in the GC Supplement (GCS 5247). Dreyer combined the two GC entries (560 = 5247) in the NGC. NGC 972 was observed 15 times at Birr Castle. On 7 Oct 1855, R.J. Mitchell recorded "has a knot in p edge [probably an HII region]; neb spreads out and fades away gradually sf."

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NGC 973 = UGC 2048 = MCG +05-07-013 = CGCG 505-014 = FGC 314 = PGC 9795

02 34 20.2 +32 30 19

V = 12.8; Size 3.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 48d

18" (1/26/11): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.25', sharply concentrated with a bright elongated core and very faint thin extensions. A faint star is very close preceding the SW extension. Located 4.5' NE of mag 7.5 HD 15896. The major axis of the galaxy is collinear with this star.

IC 1815 lies 4.5' S and 2MASX J02342777+3233439 lies 3.8' NNE. IC 1815 appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 35" diameter, even moderate concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. The 2MASX galaxy appeared extremely faint, very small, elongated ~3:2 SW-NE, 20"x12".

17.5" (11/30/91): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE. Located 4.5' NE of mag 7.5 SAO 55664. Forms a pair with IC 1815 4.5' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 973 = Sw IV-8 on 30 Oct 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eeF; S; vE; pB * nr sp". His position and description matches UGC 2048 = PGC 9795.

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NGC 974 = UGC 2049 = MCG +05-07-012 = PGC 9802

02 34 25.8 +32 57 16

V = 12.7; Size 2.5'x1.9'; Surf Br = 14.2

18" (1/26/11): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration in the halo, then sharply concentrated with a small bright core. Bracketed by a mag 14 star 0.8' S, and a mag 14.5 star 0.9' N. Forms the eastern vertex of a small triangle with brighter NGC 969 3.8' W and NGC 970 3.3' NW. NGC 978 lies 8' SE. Located 4' SE of a mag 10 star and 11' NW of mag 8.1 HD 16015.

17.5" (12/4/93): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, small brighter core. Situated between two mag 14 stars 56" NNW and 45" SSE. Located in the NGC 978 group with NGC 969 3.8' W, NGC 970 3.3' NW, NGC 978 8' SSE.

13" (12/22/84): fairly faint, slightly elongated, moderately large, broadly concentrated, diffuse halo, two faint stars on opposite ends. Forms a pair with NGC 969 3.9' W. NGC 970 not seen.

JH discovered NGC 974 = h233 (along with NGC 969 = h231 and NGC 978 = h234) on 22 Nov 1827 and logged "vF; R; bM. The second of 3". His position matches UGC 2049 = PGC 9802.

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NGC 975 = UGC 2030 = MCG +01-07-009 = PGC 9735

02 33 22.8 +09 36 06

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 0d

17.5" (10/8/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter. Symmetrical appearance with an even concentration to a small bright core and a stellar nucleus. A mag 10 star is 2.3' NNW of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 975 = Sw I-3 on 9 Nov 1884 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "vF; cE." His position is 8' north of UGC 2030 = PGC 9735, but his description "cE" applies to this galaxy (correction in the notes section of his 3rd list).

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NGC 976 = UGC 2042 = MCG +03-07-027 = CGCG 462-027 = PGC 9776

02 34 00.0 +20 58 36

V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (1/20/90): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, large bright core, very small bright nucleus.

13" (9/3/86): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core. Situated between two faint stars oriented N-S. Located about 30' SE of a mag 7 star.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 976 = T I-11 in 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and recorded "Class III, small and faint; on one side of a trapezoid of 4 stars." His position is 1' S of UGC 2042 = PGC 9776 and the trapezoid of stars is just to the north.

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NGC 977 = MCG -02-07-031 = LGG 063-004 = PGC 9713

02 33 03.4 -10 45 35

V = 12.7; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 65d

48" (10/26/11): at 488x this galaxy is sharply concentrated with a very intense oval core oriented WSW-ENE, ~36"x27", The core increases to a bright quasi-stellar nucleus and sometimes a stellar point. The core is surrounded by a much fainter outer halo, 1.6'x1.3', that is only slightly elongated SSW-NNE. PGC 175239 was picked up 5' NNE.

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, small, round, weak concentration, occasional stellar nucleus. Just NW are three equally spaced stars mag 11 and 12 which form a line NW-SE of length 6'. Located 7.7' SSE of mag 8.9 SAO 148452. NGC 981 lies 13' SSW.

WH discovered NGC 977 = H III-472 = h2485 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and recorded "vF, pL, vlbM, near some scattered stars.". Both William and John Herschel measured accurate positions.

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NGC 978 = UGC 2057 = MCG +05-07-016 = CGCG 505-018 = PGC 9821

02 34 47.0 +32 50 46

V = 12.4; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 80d

18" (1/26/11): at 285x appears moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 40"x32". Sharply concentrated with a high surface brightness core and a thin faint halo. Forms a contact pair with NGC 978B = PGC 9823 at the SE end. The companion appears as an elongated brightening, ~15"x10" N-S, within the SSE portion of the outer halo. Located 6' WSW of mag 8.1 HD 16015. A trio consisting of NGC 969, NGC 970 and NGC 974 lies 10' NW.

17.5" (12/4/93): moderately bright, fairly small, round, prominent core within a small halo. A mag 11.5 star is 2.3' ESE. Located 6' WSW of mag 7.9 SAO 55679. Brightest of four in a group with NGC 969 10' NW, NGC 974 8' NNW and NGC 970. Forms a double system with NGC 978B = MCG +05-07-017 at SE end (not resolved).

13" (12/22/84): moderately bright, small, round, small bright core. Brightest of three with NGC 969 10' NW and NGC 974 8' NNW.

JH discovered NGC 978 = h234, along with NGC 969 and NGC 974, on 22 Nov 1827. His position is a good match with UGC 2057 = PGC 9821, despite being mentioned as roughly placed with respect to NGC 969. The brighter northern component of this double system is identified as NGC 978A in MCG. Forms a contact pair with NGC 978B = MCG +05-07-017 at the southeast end, 0.35' from center.

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NGC 979 = ESO 246-023 = MCG -07-06-014 = KTS 17C = PGC 9614

02 31 38.8 -44 31 28

V = 12.8; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 115d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 979 = h2486 on 22 Nov 1827 and logged "Not vF, S, R; almost stellar; between 2 stars nearly in the parallel." His two observations differ by 7 sec in RA.

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NGC 980 = UGC 2063 = MCG +07-06-038 = CGCG 539-054 = PGC 9831

02 35 18.6 +40 55 35

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 110d

17.5" (11/27/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, small bright core, similar appearance but slightly fainter by 0.5 mag than NGC 982 3.5' S. Identifications of NGC 980/NGC 982 reversed in the RNGC, UGC, CGCG.

See notes for NGC 982.

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NGC 981 = MCG -02-07-030 = PGC 9710

02 32 59.9 -10 58 25

V = 13.9; Size 1.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 5d

17.5" (12/4/93): faint, small, unconcentrated round spot with a low surface brightness. Two mag 13 stars are 2.1' SW and 3.3' SW. NGC 977 lies 13' NNE.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 981 = LM I-59 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.4' dia, gbM". His (rough) position falls close to MCG -02-07-030 = PGC 9710. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 982 = UGC 2066 = MCG +07-06-039 = CGCG 539-056 = PGC 9838

02 35 24.9 +40 52 11

V = 12.5; Size 1.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 132d

17.5" (11/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, small bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 2' NE of a mag 10 star. Brighter of a striking pair with NGC 980 3.5' NNW. Identifications of NGC 980 and NGC 982 are reversed in the RNGC, UGC, CGCG.

WH discovered NGC 982 = H III-573 = h236, along with NGC 980 = III-572, on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) describing them together as "Two. Both vF, vS, er, dist 4', the place between them. As WH did not provide individual positions, Dreyer used John Herschel's positions for h235 and h236. Unfortunately, JH measured the position of h236 accurately, but reversed the sign of the declination offset to h235 = NGC 982, placing it 5.5' too far south. This resulted in h235 = GC 565 being placed southwest of h236 = GC 566. Dreyer copied the GC positions into the NGC, and noted the orientation as SW-NE, instead of NW-SE as they appear on the sky.

Because of this error, RNGC, CGCG, UGC and RC3 reverse the identifications of NGC 980 and 982, which should be NGC 980 = UGC 2063 = PGC 9831 and NGC 982 = UGC 2066 = PGC 9838. MCG has the correct identifications. This summary is based on Malcolm Thomson's Catalogue Corrections and Harold Corwin's NGC notes.

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NGC 983 = NGC 1002 = UGC 2133 = MCG +06-06-070 = CGCG 523-079 = PGC 10034

02 38 55.7 +34 37 21

See observing notes for NGC 1002.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 983 = St III-11 on 13 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His 6th magnitude reference star was misidentified, so the position in list III is incorrect. The error was caught and mentioned in a footnote in MN XXXII, although there was still a typo of 10 tmin in RA in the corrected position. Using Stephan's offsets (3 tmin 8 tsec and 3' 38") from 15 Triangulum, his position corresponds with UGC 2133 = PGC 10034. Stephan found the galaxy again 10 years later on 14 Dec 1881, measured an accurate position in List XII-21, and Dreyer catalogued it as NGC 1002. Karl Reinmuth missed the footnote in MN and in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, couldn't find NGC 983. In any case, NGC 983 = NGC 1002. Although NGC 983 should be the primary designation due to the earlier discovery, the galaxy is usually identified as NGC 1002. RNGC misclassifies NGC 983 as nonexistent. See Corwin's notes

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NGC 984 = UGC 2059 = MCG +04-07-012 = CGCG 484-010 = V Zw 257 = PGC 9819

02 34 43.1 +23 24 47

V = 12.8; Size 3.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.7; PA = 120d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, small very bright core. A mag 12.5 star is 1.2' S. Located 6' SE of mag 8.4 SAO 75448 6' NW. This is a double system (not resolved) with a very small, faint companion at the SE end.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 984 = St III-10 on 13 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "vF, eS, R, bM". His position matches UGC 2059 = PGC 9819.

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NGC 985 = VV 285 = MCG -02-07-035 = Mrk 1048 = PGC 9817

02 34 37.4 -08 47 10

V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0

48" (10/26/11): at 488x and 610x this disrupted galaxy (possible collisional ring) revealed its structure. A very bright, sharp stellar nucleus is offset to the southwest side of the halo. The moderately large halo appears as a 0.9'x0.7' oval or a circle that was squashed along the south and southeast edge, near the nucleus. With averted vision, the brighter rim was noticeable and the galaxy appeared as a ring with a darker center and a "diamond" (the Seyfert nucleus) attached on the southeast side. The ring appeared similar to a faint annular planetary. An extremely faint mag 18 star is at the north edge of the rim.

2MASX J02343785-0853042, an easily visible galaxy, lies 6' S. It appeared faint to fairly faint, slightly elongated NW-SE, 20"x15", broad concentration, brighter core. A mag 12.5 star lies 45" NW.

17.5" (10/29/94): fairly faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, sharp stellar nucleus with a small very faint halo! A triangle of mag 10/11 stars with sides 1.7', 2.5' and 3.0' is about 5' WNW and the galaxy forms the bottom of a "cross" asterism with these stars. This is a Seyfert galaxy, accounting for the dominant nucleus.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 985 = LM II-341 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is only 1' S of VV 285 = PGC 9817.

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NGC 986 = ESO 299-007 = MCG -07-06-015 = PGC 9747

02 33 34.2 -39 02 43

V = 10.9; Size 3.9'x3.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 150d

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran): at 264x, this beautiful, barred S-shaped spiral appeared very bright, large, with a very bright elongated central region that increased to a small, very bright core and bright stellar nucleus.  Within the central region it was brighter along the central axis (bar) oriented SW to NE.  At the SW end of the central bar a relatively thin arm emerges and sweeps ~1.3' SE (clockwise).  At the NE end of the central region, another thin arm shoots north for 1.5' and contains a very small, brighter knot or HII region.

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 2.5'x1.2'.  Dominated by a 20" rounder core.  A nice evenly matched mag 10.5 pair at 12" separation is 9' NNE with another similar star 1' S.  Located 8' due north of mag 9 SAO 193771.

8" (1/1/84): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, bright core, diffuse edges.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 986 = D 519 = h2487 on 5 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta (near Sydney) and described "a faint nebula, of an irregular round figure, about 30" diameter, north of a bright small star." His position is 9' SE of NGC 986 (typical error) and there are no other nearby brighter galaxies that he might have been picked up instead.

JH described the galaxy on 23 Oct 1835 as "pB, L, psbM, 3' long 2' broad, either binuclear or more elongated on the n.f. side than on the opposite."  On a later sweep he logged "B, L, pmE, very suddenly much brighter middle, 100" long 60" broad, unequally bright, and exhibiting an approach to binuclear form."  See Plate VI, figure 14 of the CGH Observations. Herschel tentatively equated his entry with D 519.

Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope in November 1875 as an stretched S-shaped barred spiral. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_1_8.php

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NGC 987 = UGC 2093 = MCG +05-07-021 = CGCG 505-023 = Mrk 1180 = PGC 9911

02 36 49.6 +33 19 38

V = 12.4; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 30d

13.1" (11/29/86): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, small bright core. Located 26' N of mag 6.3 SAO 55711.

WH discovered NGC 987 = H III-161 = h237 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and logged "vF, S, irregularly extended, resolvable". JH observed this galaxy on two sweeps, recording on 11 Nov 1827:"vF; R; S; bM; 2 st 14m np point to it." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 988 = MCG -02-07-037 = UGCA 35 = PGC 9843

02 35 29.7 -09 21 35

V = 11.0; Size 3.6'x1.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 112d

17.5" (11/1/86): faint, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, wider on ESE edge. Unusual appearance as mag 7.2 HD 16152 (79 Cet) is directly superimposed on the WNW side!

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 988 = St X-13 around 1880 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "This is the star 4811 Lalande, surrounded by a faint round nebulosity, a bit extended to the southeast.". Stephan's position is incorrect as the 7th magnitude superimposed star is 79 Ceti. Esmiol doesn't give a corrected position in his re-reduction of Stephan's measurements, but Dreyer corrected the position in the NGC. He comments in the IC 2 notes section: "No nebulosity seen by Burnham [Publ of Lick Observatory, II) and Barnard. Stephan's position is wrong, being taken from Baily's Lalande, where the places of two stars (with an 18 second difference in right ascension) are mixed up. I took the northeastern star, as I was not certain that it was not nebulous, while the southwestern one was certainly free from haze".

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NGC 989 = MCG -03-07-034 = PGC 9762

02 33 46.0 -16 30 41

V = 12.2; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 11.4

17.5" (10/29/94): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter core. Located off the SE end of a string of four mag 12-13 stars oriented NW-SE and 6.0' NNE of mag 9.0 SAO 148466.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 989 = LM I-60 on 9 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His (rough) position is 1.4 tmin east of MCG -03-07-034 = PGC 9762. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 990 = UGC 2089 = MCG +02-07-018 = CGCG 439-019 = PGC 9890

02 36 18.2 +11 38 32

V = 12.5; Size 1.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus, even symmetrical concentration from halo to nucleus. Located 6' W of a mag 9.5 star and 4' N of a mag 10.5 star.

WH discovered NGC 990 = H III-557 = h238 on 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 591) and commented "vF, vS, lE, resolvable, 240 power the same.". Lewis Swift independently found and catalogued the galaxy again (IV-9) on 1 Sep 1886. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 991 = MCG -01-07-023 = PGC 9846

02 35 32.2 -07 09 16

V = 11.7; Size 2.9'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 60d

17.5" (8/31/86): large, diffuse, weak concentration. A mag 12.5 star is 1.5' S of center. Located 40' N of 5.5 80 Ceti (V = 5.5).

WH discovered NGC 991 = H III-434 = h239 on 10 Sep 1785 (sweep 436) and recorded "vF, cL, irr figure, lbM, 4' or 5' long, 2 or 3' broad". His position matches MCG -01-07-023 = PGC 9846. JH's position is 9 tsec of RA too far east.

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NGC 992 = UGC 2103 = MCG +03-07-035 = CGCG 462-035 = PGC 9938

02 37 25.5 +21 06 02

V = 12.6; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 10d

18" (1/26/11): at 285x appeared moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 45"x22", well concentrated to a small bright core increasing to a stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star lies 1.5' SSE. Located 4.3' SW of mag 9 SAO 75477. Forms a pair with CGCG 462-036 2.6' NNE. This latter galaxy is situated just 2' SE of SAO 75477 and appeared very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter.

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, elongated N-S, very faint extensions. Located 4.3' SSW of mag 8.5 SAO 75477. A mag 12.5 star is 1.4' SE of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 992 = Sw IV-10 on 6 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His RA is 8 seconds too small and his description ("cE, * nr S") matches. Bigourdan added the note "it passes 7 seconds before the NGC position" in the correction list in his 1891 Comptes Rendus paper, but that should read "7 seconds after". Kobold also measured an accurate position with the 18" refractor at the Strasboug Observatory.

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NGC 993 = NGC 994 = UGC 2095 = MCG +00-07-052 = CGCG 388-063 = PGC 9910

02 36 46.0 +02 03 01

V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 110d

18" (10/21/06): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, even surface brightness. A mag 14 star lies 30" N. Located between two mag 10 stars 6.7' SW and 4.3' NE at the west edge of the NGC 1016 group.

17.5" (12/28/94): fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, moderate concentration with a very small brighter core. A mag 13.5 star is just 34" NNW of center. Located 4.4' SW of a mag 9.5 star. An unequal double star (mag 12/14 at 19" separation) lies 3' E. Located at the west end of the NGC 1016 cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 993 = m 63 on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "eF, vS". His position matches UGC 2095 = PGC 9910. Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 17 Oct 1885 , despite his claiming it was not NGC 993, and it was catalogued again as Sw III-13 = NGC 994. So, NGC 993 = NGC 994, with discovery priority to Marth (NGC 993).

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NGC 994 = NGC 993 = UGC 2095 = MCG +00-07-052 = CGCG 388-063 = PGC 9910

02 36 46.0 +02 03 01

See observing notes for NGC 993.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 994 = Sw III-13 on 17 Oct 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. He described this nebula as "vF * close; between a pB* and a F D*; np of 2 [with NGC 1004]". Swift mentions is "not [N993], [NGC 1016] nor [NGC 1073]", but his position and description matches NGC 993, which was discovered by Albert Marth (m 65) on 15 Jan 1865. So, NGC 993 = NGC 994, with priority to Marth (NGC 993). RNGC notes the equivalence.

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NGC 995 = UGC 2118 = MCG +07-06-044 = CGCG 539-063 = PGC 10008

02 38 32.0 +41 31 46

V = 13.4; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 35d

18" (12/18/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration with a slightly brighter core except for a stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus with direct vision. A mag 14.5 star is at the east edge. Member of the NGC 995-1005 cluster (~40' N of NGC 1003). Nearby galaxies include NGC 1000 5.3' SE, 2MASX J02382515+4135182 3.8' NNW and NGC 996 7.2' NNE. These galaxies, as well as NGC 999, NGC 1001 and NGC 1005 are arranged in a partial ring of diameter 13'!

17.5" (11/1/86): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, bright core. A mag 15 star is just off the east edge. Located at the west edge of the NGC 995-1005 group with NGC 996 7' NNE and NGC 1000 5' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 995 = St III-12 (along with NGC 999 = St III-14 and NGC 1001 = St III-16) on 8 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2118 = PGC 10008. First in a group of 6 NGC galaxies (NGCs 995, 996, 999, 1000, 1001, 1005) discovered by Stephan over 3 nights.

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NGC 996 = UGC 2123 = MCG +07-06-045 = CGCG 539-064 = PGC 10015

02 38 39.9 +41 38 51

V = 13.0; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.5

18" (12/18/06): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.9', gradually increases to a small, brighter core. This galaxy is the brightest, along with NGC 995 7.2' SSW, of a group of 8 galaxies (6 NGC's) generally arranged in a ring (part of the NGC 1023 group). Forms a close pair with NGC 999 2' NE and also forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 10.5-11 stars 3' NE and 3' NW.

17.5" (11/1/86): faint, small, round, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 999 2' NE in the NGC 995-1005 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 996 = St III-13 (along with NGC 995 = St III-12 and NGC 1001 = St III-16) on 7 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2123 = PGC 10015. Second in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan.

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NGC 997 = UGC 2102 = MCG +01-07-015 = CGCG 414-027 = PGC 9932

02 37 14.5 +07 18 28

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (10/8/94): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, weak concentration, small ill-defined core. Located 1.4' NE of mag 9 SAO 110644! Forms a close pair with NGC 998 1.8' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 997 = m 64 (along with NGC 998) on 10 Nov 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, S". His position matches UGC 2102 = PGC 9932. Brightest in a group of faint galaxies -- one of which (NGC 997 NED01) is in the halo on the north side.

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NGC 998 = MCG +01-07-016 = PGC 9934

02 37 16.5 +07 20 09

V = 14.6; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (10/8/94): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Very low even surface brightness and requires averted vision. Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 997 1.8' SSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 998 = m 65 (along with NGC 997) on 10 Nov 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and simply noted "vF". NGC 998 was placed 2 sec of RA following and 1' N of NGC 997, and at this position is PGC 9934.

CGCG misidentifies NGC 997 with CGCG 414-028 = PGC 2802440, a small, very faint galaxy situated 8.2' NNE of NGC 997. The UGC notes to NGC 997 and the RNGC follow the CGCG error and also misidentify CGCG 414-028 as NGC 998. NGC 998 is mentioned as an anonymous companion to NGC 997 in the UGC notes. PGC has the correct identification, though is incorrect to use CGCG 414-028 as an alias. MCG reverses the identifications as well as the declinations. The identification of NGC 997 is included in my RNGC Corrections #7.

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NGC 999 = UGC 2127 = MCG +07-06-047 = CGCG 539-066 = PGC 10026

02 38 47.4 +41 40 14

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 61d

18" (12/18/06): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration. Sandwiched between a mag 11 star 1' NE and a mag 14 star just off the SW edge [28" from the center]. Located just 2' NE of NGC 996 in the NGC 995-1005 group with NGC 1001 4.5' E.

17.5" (11/1/86): very faint, very small, round. A mag 12 star is 1.0' NE. Member of the NGC 995-1005 group with NGC 1001 4.7' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 999 = St III-14 (along with NGC 995 = St III-12 and NGC 1001 = St III-16) on 8 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2127 = PGC 10026. CGCG, UGC, PGC and HyperLEDA equate NGC 999 = St IC 240, but Bigourdan measured IC 240 with respect to NGC 999 so they cannot be equivalent. Malcolm Thomson noted this error in his survey of IC identifications and Harold Corwin suggests IC 240 is probably a line of 4 faint stars. NGC 999 is the third in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan over 3 nights.

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NGC 1000 = MCG +07-06-048 = CGCG 539-067 = PGC 10028

02 38 49.7 +41 27 35

V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5

18" (12/18/06): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration. Located 5.3' SE of NGC 995 at the south end of the NGC 995-1005 cluster (35' N of NGC 1003). Appears very compact on the DSS.

17.5" (11/1/86): very faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE. Member of the NGC 995-1005 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1000 = St III-15 (along with NGC 1005 = St III-17) on 9 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches CGCG 539-067 = PGC 10028. This is the fourth in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan over 3 nights.

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NGC 1001 = MCG +07-06-050 = CGCG 539-069 = PGC 10050

02 39 12.7 +41 40 18

V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 114d

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 NGC 999.

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 NGC 995-1005 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1001 = St III-16 on 8 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate. Fifth in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan.

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NGC 1002 = UGC 2133 = MCG +06-06-070 = CGCG 523-079 = N983 = PGC 10034

02 38 55.7 +34 37 21

V = 13.1; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 140d

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 XII-21 on 14 Dec 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2133 = PGC 10034, though he discovered (list III-11) this galaxy 10 years earlier on 13 Dec 1871 and Dreyer catalogued it as NGC 983. Stephan misidentified his comparison star, though, so the position for NGC 983 is incorrect. When corrected, NGC 983 = NGC 1002. Because the position for NGC 1002 is unambiguous, catalogues use this identification. See Corwin's notes for NGC 983.

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NGC 1003 = UGC 2137 = MCG +07-06-051 = CGCG 539-070 = LGG 070-005 = PGC 10052

02 39 16.9 +40 52 20

V = 11.5; Size 5.5'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 97d

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 SAO 38196 and two degrees SSW of M34. Member of the NGC 1023 Group.

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" (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.

WH discovered NGC 1003 = H II-238 = H III-198 = h240 on 6 Oct 1784 (sweep 283) and noted "Suspected, but the haziness will not permit to verify it." On 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614), he logged "pB, mE nearly in the parallel, mbM, near 4' long and about 1' br." The next night (sweep 618) he logged "cB, mE, vgmbM, near 4' l." The two H-designations were combined in the GC and NGC (suggested by Marth).

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NGC 1004 = UGC 2112 = MCG +00-07-057 = CGCG 388-068 = PGC 9961

02 37 41.8 +01 58 31

V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 115d

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 NGC 1016 on the west side of the cluster.

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 NGC 1008 7.1' NE at the SW end of the NGC 1016 cluster.

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 XI-3 on 1 Dec 1880 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2112 = PGC 9961. Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy again on 17 Oct 1885 and his position in list III-14 is also accurate. His comment "pF * very close" applies to this galaxy.

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NGC 1005 = MCG +07-06-052 = CGCG 539-071 = PGC 10062

02 39 27.7 +41 29 36

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 III-17 on 9 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches CGCG 539-071 = PGC 10062. Sixth in a group of 6 NGC galaxies discovered by Stephan.

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NGC 1006 = NGC 1010 = MCG -02-07-044 = PGC 9949

02 37 34.9 -11 01 31

Size 0.9'x0.9'

See observing notes for NGC 1010.

Lewis Swift found NGC 1006 = Sw V-30 on 29 Sep 1886 with a 16" refractor. His position is 10 sec of RA west of NGC 1010, discovered 10 years earlier by Édouard Stephan. Swift caught the error in position and corrected it in his notes section of list VI. So, NGC 1010 = NGC 1006. Still, Dreyer included NGC 1006 as a separate entry in the NGC.

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NGC 1007 = CGCG 388-069 = MCG +00-07-059 = PGC 9967

02 37 52.2 +02 09 21

V = 16.0; Size 0.6'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 49d

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 (SAO 110651) lies 2.8' N. Located 4.6' NNW of NGC 1008 within the NGC 1016 cluster.

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.

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NGC 1008 = UGC 2114 = MCG +00-07-060 = CGCG 388-070 = PGC 9970

02 37 55.3 +02 04 47

V = 13.6; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 85d

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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NGC 1009 = UGC 2129 = MCG +00-07-065 = CGCG 388-077 = FGC 325 = PGC 9995

02 38 19.0 +02 18 35

V = 14.4; Size 1.4'x0.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 124d

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. IC 241 lies 6.2' WNW and NGC 1016 11.5' S in a cluster.

Edward Swift, Lewis' 15 year-old son, discovered NGC 1009 = Sw III-15 on 1 Jan 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. The Swifts' published positon is 15 sec of RA west of UGC 2129.

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NGC 1010 = NGC 1006 = MCG -02-07-044 = Holm 62a = PGC 9949

02 37 34.9 -11 01 31

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 NGC 1011 1.5' NE and NGC 1017 3.8' ENE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1010 = St VIIIb-6 (along with NGC 1011) on 21 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches PGC 9949. Swift later independently found the pair on 29 Sep 1886 and his position in list V-30 is just 10 sec of RA too far west. In the errata section of list VI, Swift noted the equivalence with GC 5262 = NGC 1010, but Dreyer included Swift's entry as NGC 1006. So, NGC 1006 = NGC 1010, with discovery priority to Stephan.

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NGC 1011 = MCG -02-07-045 = Holm 62b = PGC 9955

02 37 38.9 -11 00 20

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 VIIIb-7 (along with NGC 1010 = St VIIIb-6) on 21 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate. Lewis Swift later independently found the pair on 29 Sep 1886. His position in list V-31 is just 10 tsec too far west. Swift noted his object was identical to GC 5263 in the errata to list VI. Dreyer combined the two observations into NGC 1011.

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NGC 1012 = UGC 2141 = MCG +05-07-027 = CGCG 505-030 = PGC 10051

02 39 14.9 +30 09 05

V = 12.0; Size 2.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 24d

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.

WH 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." JH recorded "pB; irreg R; bM; 18"; resolvable. RA doubtful". R.J. Mitchell made a sketch with the 72" on 23 Nov 1857 that was included in LdR's 1861 publication (plate XXV, figure 4).

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NGC 1013 = MCG -02-07-046 = PGC 9966

02 37 50.4 -11 30 26

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 V-32 on 29 Sep 1886 with his 16" Clark refractor. His position is 7 tsec west and 26" south of MCG -02-07-046 = PGC 9966 and his comment "between 2 distant D stars" applies to this galaxy.

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NGC 1014

02 38 00.8 -09 34 24

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 NGC 1018.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1014 = LM II-342 in 1886 with the 26" refractor and reported "0.1' dia, iR, 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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NGC 1015 = UGC 2124 = MCG +00-07-066 = CGCG 388-075 = PGC 9988

02 38 11.5 -01 19 08

V = 12.1; Size 2.6'x2.6'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 10d

17.5" (11/14/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint halo. Located 6.4' NW of mag 8.0 SAO 130029.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1015 = T I-13 = T V-1 on 27 Dec 1875 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His micrometric position in list V is a precise match with UGC 2124 = PGC 9988.

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NGC 1016 = UGC 2128 = MCG +00-07-067 = CGCG 388-076 = PGC 9997

02 38 19.5 +02 07 09

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.

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 I-12 on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "F, S, R, psbM." His position matches UGC 2128, the brightest member of the cluster. Truman Safford independently rediscovered the galaxy on 1 Nov 1867 with the 18.5-inch refractor at Dearborn Observatory (Sf 103) and again by Wilhelm Tempel in 1876 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. Dreyer credited Tempel with the discovery in the GC Supplement (5264), but both Marth and Tempel are listed in the NGC. Safford's list was missed by Dreyer until after the NGC was compiled.

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NGC 1017 = MCG -02-07-047 = Holm 62c = PGC 9964

02 37 49.8 -11 00 37

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 V-33 = LM I-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 is 1.4' NNE of MCG -02-07-045 = PGC 9955.  Ormond Stone independently discovered the galaxy the same year at Leander McCormick Observatory, so the discovery priority is unknown.

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NGC 1018 = MCG -02-07-048 = PGC 9986

02 38 10.3 -09 32 38

V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 5d

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 SAO 148523. Appears fainter than listed V = 13.7.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1018 = LM II-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 MCG -02-07-048 = PGC 9986, though NGC 1014 is a faint double star.

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NGC 1019 = UGC 2132 = MCG +00-07-068 = CGCG 388-079 = PGC 10006

02 38 27.5 +01 54 27

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 40d

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.0'x0.8', low surface brightness. Located 13' SSE of NGC 1016. CGCG 388-080 lies 3.7' N.

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 XI-4 on 1 Dec 1880 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and reported "vF; lE; vslbM". His position matches UGC 2132 = PGC 10006.

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NGC 1020 = CGCG 388-081 = PGC 10018

02 38 44.3 +02 13 52

V = 14.1; Size 0.8'x0.2'; PA = 20d

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 NGC 1021 1.2' SE.

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 = m 70) on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, vS". His position is accurate.

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NGC 1021 = CGCG 388-084 = PGC 10027

02 38 48.0 +02 13 02

V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 160d

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 = m 69) on 15 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "eF, S". His position is accurate.

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NGC 1022 = MCG -01-07-025 = PGC 10010

02 38 32.6 -06 40 39

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.

8" (10/13/81): faint, small, diffuse, broad concentration, slightly elongated.

WH 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." R.J. Mitchell, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 28 Nov 1856, reported "pL, mbMN, 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

V = 9.4; Size 8.7'x3.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 87d

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.

NGC 1023A = PGC 10139, a low surface brightness dwarf companion, is superimposed on the east side (2.4' ESE of center). It appeared as a faint, fairly large, low surface brightness patch oriented SSW-NNE, roughly 1.2'x0.8', and it blends into the main galaxy. Although most of the companion is within the halo of NGC 1023, part of it juts out the southeast edge of the galaxy. The halo of NGC 1023 extends beyond (east) of the dwarf.

18" (8/1/05): at 225x, this striking galaxy appeared very bright, large, very elongated 4:1 E-W, ~4.5'x1.0', though can possibly be traced 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" (12/8/90): 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.

13" (12/22/84): very bright, impressive, elongated ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus.

8" (11/8/80): fairly bright, bulging bright core, lens-shaped.

WH discovered NGC 1023 = H I-156 = h242 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) and noted "eB, mE, a very BN, the branches losing themselves in the direction of the parallel nearly." On 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 692), he recorded "vB, gmbM to a very bright nucleus, mE nearly 10' long, from about 12° sp to nf." JH sketched the galaxy and as well as Bindon Stoney at Birr Castle on 27 Dec 1850 (included in plate XXV in LdR's 1861 publication).

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NGC 1024 = Arp 333 = UGC 2142 = MCG +02-07-020 = CGCG 439-022 = KTG 9A = PGC 10048

02 39 11.9 +10 50 49

V = 12.1; Size 3.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 155d

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 triplet (KTG 9) with NGC 1029 7' SE and NGC 1028 6' E.

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 SAO 93034. Forms a pair with NGC 1029 7' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 1024 = H II-592 = h243 on 18 Sep 1786 (sweep 591) and logged "pB, S, E, bM". Both of the Herschels' positions are accurate.

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NGC 1025 = ESO 154-004 = PGC 9891

02 36 20.0 -54 51 49

V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 6d

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 NGC 1031 situated 2.7' E.

JH 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 ESO 154-004 = PGC 9891.

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NGC 1026 = UGC 2145 = MCG +01-07-018 = CGCG 414-033 = PGC 10055

02 39 19.2 +06 32 38

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, psbM". His position is accurate.

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NGC 1027 = IC 1824 = Cr 30 = Mel 16

02 42 35 +61 35 42

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 SAO 12402 and includes about 15 mag 10-11 stars and many mag 13-14 stars. A number of the stars are arranged in spiraling rays emanating from the dominant star. The cluster is composed of a mixture of bright and faint stars.

8": includes a dozen stars mag 8 to 12.5. Fairly small, rich, over unresolved background haze.

WH 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 IC 1824. Barnard's position is at the west edge of the cluster and his description reads "Cl, sts F, perh[aps] F neby p extends to it." So, NGC 1027 = IC 1824.

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NGC 1028 = MCG +02-07-023 = CGCG 439-025 = KTG 9C = PGC 10068

02 39 37.2 +10 50 38

V = 14.3; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0

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.

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 = PGC 10078

02 39 36.5 +10 47 36

V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 70d

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 = m 72) on 1 Oct 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "F, S, mE". His position is accurate.

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NGC 1030 = UGC 2153 = MCG +03-07-039 = CGCG 462-039 = PGC 10088

02 39 50.8 +18 01 28

V = 13.2; Size 1.6'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 8d

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, fairly small, very elongated N-S, low surface brightness, weak concentration and slightly brighter along major axis.

WH discovered NGC 1030 = H III-581 = h245 on 25 Oct 1786 (sweep 623) and reported "vF, E, irr F. The time very inaccurate." As WH noted, his RA was poor, but JH's position matches UGC 2153 = PGC 10088 despite his note "Doubtful obs. Clouded".

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NGC 1031 = ESO 154-005 = PGC 9907

02 36 38.7 -54 51 35

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 23d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1031 = h2490 on 11 Sep 1836 and recorded "F, S, R, gbM, 20"; the following of two [with NGC 1025]". His position is close west of ESO 154-005 = PGC 9907.

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NGC 1032 = UGC 2147 = MCG +00-07-073 = CGCG 388-086 = PGC 10060

02 39 23.6 +01 05 37

V = 11.6; Size 3.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 68d

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": faint, small, very elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration. Four mag 13 stars to north including one 1.8' NE.

WH discovered NGC 1032 = H II-5 = h246 on 18 Dec 1783 (early sweep 47) and noted "vF, S, like a small comet, 3/4° above Delta Ceti." 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." His summary description (from 8 sweeps) reads "pB, S, lE, bM." This was first object WH found with the telescope moving vertically only and using reference stars as they passed through the eyepiece. NGC 1032 was his 10th overall deep sky discovery (using CH's internal numbering). LdR's 1861 publication mentions "Spirality suspected".

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NGC 1033 = MCG -02-07-053 = PGC 10108

02 40 16.1 -08 46 37

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 0d

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 SAO 130043 at the SW end of the NGC 1052 group. Appears fainter than listed magnitude V = 13.2.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1033 = LM II-344 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but 1.2 tmin of RA east is MCG -02-07-053 = PGC 101083, and Leavenworth's position angle of 10° matches this galaxy.

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NGC 1034 = MCG -03-07-043 = PGC 9991

02 38 13.9 -15 48 35

V = 11.5; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 11.2; PA = 135d

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 I-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 MCG -03-07-043 = PGC 9991 and his comment "2 B st, p 20s" 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). He noted the two "B st" are only mag 11 and 12.

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NGC 1035 = MCG -01-07-027 = KTS 18A = PGC 10065

02 39 29.1 -08 07 58

V = 12.2; Size 2.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 150d

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. NGC 1052 lies 25' ESE.

13.1" (9/9/83): fairly faint, very elongated (nearly edge-on) NW-SE.

WH 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." JH observed this galaxy from both Slough and the Cape. His latter description reads "vF, pmE, has a vF star at the S.f. extremity".

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NGC 1036 = UGC 2160 = MCG +03-07-041 = CGCG 462-041 = IC 1828 = Mrk 370 = PGC 10127

02 40 29.1 +19 17 50

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 5d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, large brighter core, very small bright nucleus is possibly stellar.

WH 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 UGC 2160 = PGC 10127. Stephane Javelle independently found this galaxy on 18 Jan 1898 and recorded it in his list 3-939 (and later by Dreyer as IC 1828) despite Herschel's fairly good position. So, NGC 1036 = IC 1828. CGCG and UGC equate NGC 1036 = IC 1828 = IC 1829, but Javelle made an error in reducing IC 1829 and IC 1829 = CGCG 439-026. Discussed by Malcolm Thomson in WSQJ #84, April 1991 and his Catalogue Corrections.

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NGC 1037

02 40 00 -01 44

=Not found, Gottlieb and Corwin. The RNGC identification of UGC 2119 is incorrect (see notes).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1037 = Sw V-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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NGC 1038 = UGC 2158 = MCG +00-07-076 = CGCG 388-090 = PGC 10096

02 40 06.3 +01 30 32

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 61d

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 IC 1827 5.6' NW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1038 = Sw III-16 on 17 Oct 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and "discovered" it again on 2 Oct 1886, recording it in list V-34. Dreyer combined both entries in the NGC. His position is accurate.

WH, though, made the original observation on 1 Jan 1786 in sweep 505. He noted "suspected, may be 2 small close stars in the parallel." Apparently he never confirmed the observation and it was not assigned an H-designation. His position (CH's reduction) is less that 1' northwest of UGC 2158, so he clearly "suspected" NGC 1038.

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NGC 1039 = M34 = Cr 31

02 42 00 +42 47

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 Abell 4 lies 38' ESE of center.

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.

Charles Messier discovered M34 = NGC 1039 = h248 on 25 Aug 1764, though Giovanni Hodierna probably observed it earlier in 1654. William Herschel described M34 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) as "a cl of scattered L stars, considerably rich." JH called it a "fine cluster, about 20 st 9 10...11m and as many less. Fills field, coarsely scattered."

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NGC 1040 = NGC 1053 = UGC 2187 = MCG +07-06-060 = CGCG 539-083

02 43 12.4 +41 30 03

See observing notes for NGC 1053.

Édouard Stephan found NGC 1040 = St III-18 on 9 Dec 1871 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at Marseille Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but precisely 1.0 tmin of RA west is NGC 1053 = UGC 2187, which was found by Swift (V-37) on 21 Oct 1886 and accurately placed. 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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NGC 1041 = MCG -01-07-030 = PGC 10125

02 40 25.2 -05 26 26

V = 12.3; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 15d

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 XII-22 on 17 Nov 1881 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at Marseille Observatory and logged "pF, pS, iR, bM". His position matches MCG -01-07-030 = PGC 10125.

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NGC 1042 = MCG -02-07-054 = KTS 18B = LGG 071-009 = PGC 10122

02 40 23.9 -08 26 01

V = 11.0; Size 4.7'x3.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 15d

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 NGC 1048 (double system) 6' SSE and NGC 1052 lies 14' NE.

13" (9/3/86): very large but diffuse, only a very weak concentration.

13" (9/9/83): large, very diffuse, no central brightening, irregularly round, best at 62x (too large and diffuse for higher power).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1042 = Sw III-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 list V, Swift corrected the description to read "sp of 2" [with NGC 1052].

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NGC 1043 = CGCG 388-094 = PGC 10155

02 40 46.5 +01 20 35

V = 15.0; Size 0.8'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 110d

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 V-36 on 2 Oct 1886 with the 16" Clark refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is just 4 tsec east and 36" south of CGCG 388-094 = PGC 10155.

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NGC 1044 = MCG +01-07-023 = CGCG 414-038 = PGC 10174

02 41 06.1 +08 44 16

V = 13.2; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 11.8

24" (1/31/14): NGC 1044 is a double system with fainter PGC 3080165 barely off the SE side. At 375x it appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 24"x20", gradually increases to a sub-stellar nucleus. PGC 3080165 is attached at the SE side [19" between centers]. The companion was faint, extremely small, round, 8" diameter. This pair is flanked by CGCG 414-36 1.0' NE (noted as "faint, very small, round, 10" diameter") and NGC 1046 2.0' SE, with the collinear quartet spanning 3.0'. The four galaxies have identical redshifts, though there is no sign of interaction on the DSS.

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 MCG +01-07-022 = CGCG 414-036 off the NW edge 57" from the center (logged as "very faint, extremely small, round"). NGC 1044 appears larger than the listed dimensions probably due to the combined glow with an unresolved contact companion (PGC 3080165) at the SE edge. The four galaxies are very nearly on a straight line.

WH 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]." JH measured a fairly accurate position.

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NGC 1045 = MCG -02-07-059 = PGC 10129

02 40 29.1 -11 16 39

V = 12.1; Size 2.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 55d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1045 = H II-488 = h253 = h2491 on 28 Nov 1785 (sweep 479) and recorded "F, S, iF, bM." JH observed this galaxy at both Slough and the Cape, His Cape descriptions 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

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.

WH 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." JH measured a fairly accurate position.

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NGC 1047 = MCG -01-07-032 = PGC 10132

02 40 32.9 -08 08 52

V = 14.3; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 88d

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.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1047 = Sw III-18 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 6 tsec of RA east and 1' S of MCG -01-07-032 = PGC 10132.

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NGC 1048 = MCG -02-07-062 = PGC 10140

02 40 37.9 -08 32 00

V = 14.5; Size 1.0'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 90d

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, resolved into a pair of small, faint galaxies 1.0' between centers oriented NNE-SSW. The northern member (generally identified as NGC 1048) is 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 is a slight brightening to the south but the fainter companion was not clearly resolved in poor seeing.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1048 = Sw III-19 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position matches the contact pair PGC 10137 and 10140, and he probably viewed the combined glow of both. The northern component is brighter and often called NGC 1048, though sometimes the southwestern component is called NGC 1048A and the northeastern NGC 1048B.

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NGC 1049 = Fornax-3 = ESO 356-SC3 = MCG -06-06-017

02 39 49 -34 15 30

V = 12.6; Size 1.3'

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 SAO 193841. Fornax Dwarf galaxy not seen.

JH 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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NGC 1050 = UGC 2178 = MCG +06-06-078 = CGCG 523-092 = PGC 10257

02 42 35.7 +34 45 48

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 110d

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 III-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 independently discovered the galaxy on 9 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. Both are credited in the NGC.

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NGC 1051 = NGC 961? = IC 249? = MCG -01-07-033 = UGCA 40 = PGC 10172

02 41 02.4 -06 56 09

V = 12.6; Size 2.3'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 45d

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 NE 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 XI-5 on 27 Nov 1880 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at Marseilles Observatory and recorded as "eeF; elongated NE-SW, a little diffuse, * att np." His position matches MCG -01-07-033 = PGC 10172, though the star is at the northeast end. Ormond Stone (II-338) independently discovered the nebula in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick but he made a 10 tmin error in RA (error caught by Harold Corwin) and it was catalogued again as NGC 961. Stephane Javelle also possibly found the galaxy in 1892 and it was catalogued as IC 249 = J 1-92, although Javelle claimed it was a different object. See Corwin's notes and Thomson's Catalogue Corrections. So, NGC 1051 = NGC 961 and possibly IC 249, with NGC 1051 the primary designation.

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NGC 1052 = MCG -01-07-034 = KTS 18C = PGC 10175

02 41 04.8 -08 15 21

V = 10.5; Size 3.0'x2.1'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 120d

13.1" (9/9/83): bright, small, round, intense core. Brightest in a large group with three galaxies in 62x field including NGC 1042 14' SW and NGC 1047 10.2' NW.

13.1" (9/3/86): small oval shape, very bright core, stellar nucleus.

8" (11/8/80): faint, bright core.

WH discovered NGC 1052 = H I-63 = h254 = h2493 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and recorded "B, R, mbM, about 1' diameter, vF towards the border." His position is matches PGC 10175. JH observed this galaxy twice at Slough recording on sweep 318, "B; S; R; 20"; gb and psmbM 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

V = 12.9; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 40d

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 SAO 38287. Brightest in a group and forms a pair with UGC 2194 6' SSE.

Lewis Swift found NGC 1053 = Sw V-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 UGC 2187 = PGC 10298. Édouard Stephan (III-18) earlier discovered this nebula on 9 Dec 1871, but made a 1 tmin error in RA in the reading from his offset star and Dreyer catalogued it as NGC 1040. So, NGC 1053 = NGC 1040, with discovery priority going to Stephan.

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NGC 1054 = MCG +03-07-046 = CGCG 462-045 = PGC 10242

02 42 15.8 +18 13 03

V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 20d

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. " His single position and description matches CGCG 462-045 = PGC 10242.

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NGC 1055 = UGC 2173 = MCG +00-07-081 = CGCG 388-095 = PGC 10208

02 41 45.2 +00 26 31

V = 10.6; Size 7.6'x2.7'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 105d

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 to the north of the dust lane was clearly visible, paralleling the central region, ~1.6' in length, and perhaps 30" wide at maximum. This outer section of the central bulge runs into the mag 11.2 star that is 1.2' NNW of center and disappears. M77 lies 30' SSE.

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's 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 SAO 110689 and 7' SW of mag 7.8 SAO 110692. Member of the M77 group.

13" (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.

WH discovered NGC 1055 = H I-1 = H II-6? = h258 on 19 Dec 1783 (early sweep 53?). His summary description (based on 7 observations) reads "cB, cL, iF, bM." He possibly found NGC 1055 the night before, noting H II-6 as "a small nebula. It is like a very small comet, not visible in the finder 1/2°." He noted the position as roughly 1/2° north of Delta Ceti and later commented "This has probably been a telescopic comet, as I have not been able to find it again, notwithstanding the assistance of a drawing which represents the telescopic stars in its neighbourhood." In the 1912 revision of WH's catalogues, Dreyer equated H. II 6 with NGC 1055 with uncertainty and added the note "very rough sketch shows it in line with 2 stars preceding and one following." Steinicke, though, equates H. II 6 with a pair of stars at 02 40 19.5 +00 54 37 (2000), which fits Dreyer's comments.

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NGC 1056 = UGC 2183 = MCG +05-07-032 = Mrk 1183 = PGC 10272

02 42 48.4 +28 34 26

V = 12.4; Size 2.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 160d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1056 = H III-584 = h256 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and recorded "vF, S, bM". JH measured an accurate position.

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NGC 1057 = UGC 2184 = MCG +05-07-033 = CGCG 505-037 = WBL 085-001 = PGC 10287

02 43 02.9 +32 29 28

V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 115d

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 NGC 1061 3.1' SE.

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. NGC 1066 and NGC 1067 lies 10' E.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 1057 with Lord Rosse's 72" sometime in Dec 1849. The sketch and description ("vF double neb") clearly applies to UGC 2184, although the appearance of double is due to a very close, faint double star at the NW edge.

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NGC 1058 = UGC 2193 = MCG +06-07-001 = CGCG 523-096 = PGC 10314

02 43 29.8 +37 20 27

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 ver 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" (12/8/90): 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" (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.

WH discovered NGC 1058 = H II-633 = h255 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 692) and logged "F, cL, R, lbM, 4' diametenoted "pF; L; R; glbM; 50"." JH made the single observation "pF; L; R; glbM; 50"." His RA is 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."

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NGC 1059

02 42 35.6 +17 59 48

=**, Reinmuth and Gottlieb.

JH discovered NGC 1059 = h259 on 25 Jan 1832 and simply noted "eF, hardly sure." There is no non-stellar object at 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 IC 248. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, and Dorothy Carlson in her NGC errata paper identify NGC 1059 with this double star. See Corwin's notes.

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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

V = 11.8; Size 2.3'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 75d

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 PGC 213071 3' SSE ("extremely faint, small, roundish, 12"-15"). On the south side of the cluster is MCG +05-07-034 ("fairly faint, fairly small, round, 20" diameter, fairly low even surface brightness. Two mag 14.8/15.1 stars at 11" separation lie 1.7' SE. Located 9.6' S of NGC 1060). CGCG 505-042 is 4.9' further east-southeast. It was logged as moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 21"x14", fairly high surface brighness. A mag 14.5 star is 1.5' E.

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 HD 16954.

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.

Huey (22" @230 and 383x): Very bright round glow with diffuse edges, 1.3' across. Gradually then suddenly brighter center.

WH discovered NGC 1060 = H III-162 = h257, along with NGC 1066 = III-163, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and described the pair as "Two, both vF, pS, R lbM". WH's position is about 15 tsec of RA east and 3' north of UGC 2191 = PGC 10302. JH measured an accurate position and described a "red *7.8 43.5 tsec preceding", though the star is east-southeast.

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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

V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 25d

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 discovered NGC 1061 in Dec 1849 using Lord Rosse's 72" and logged "pF, S, R". The diagram made in 1850 matches CGCG 505-039 = PGC 10303.

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NGC 1062

02 43 24.0 +32 27 44

=*, Gottlieb and Corwin. The RNGC and RC3 identification of NGC 1062 = UGC 2201 is incorrect, but here are my notes on UGC 2201.

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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NGC 1063 = MCG -01-07-036 = PGC 10232

02 42 10.0 -05 34 07

V = 14.3; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 105d

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 XII-23 on 16 Nov 1881 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1064 = MCG -02-07-071 = PGC 10249

02 42 23.5 -09 21 44

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 30d

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 MCG -2-7-72 6.8' SSE (on the first observation of the field, this galaxy was assumed to be NGC 1064) and it is surprising that Leavenworth did not pick up MCG -2-7-72. 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 II-345 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is just 0.2 tsec west of MCG -02-07-071 = PGC 10249. This galaxy was missed on two attempts from Digger Pines although nearby MCG -02-07-072 was viewed! (finally picked up at Fiddletown).

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NGC 1065 = MCG -03-07-059 = PGC 10228

02 42 06.2 -15 05 30

V = 13.5; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (12/20/95): In a trio with slightly brighter IC 253 2.7' N and extremely faint IC 252 just 1.0' SSW (forms compact galaxy group SCG 19). Appears faint, small, irregularly round, 25" diameter. There is no core but contains a definite faint stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 2.9' SE of center. Located 9' E of mag 7.6 SAO 48549.

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 V-38 on 29 Sep 1886 and reported "eeF, pS, * nr s, B* preceding, e difficult". His position is just 4 tsec west of MCG -03-07-059 and the description matches, so the identification is secure. Still, I'm surprised he missed nearby IC 253 to the north, which Javelle discovered later at the Nice Observatory. RNGC mistakenly equates NGC 1065 and IC 254 (a separate galaxy).

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NGC 1066 = UGC 2203 = MCG +05-07-042 = WBL 085-006 = PGC 10338

02 43 49.9 +32 28 30

V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x1.6'; Surf Br = 14.3

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. UGC 2202, situated 5.1' S, appeared very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness, 18" diameter. A mag 13 star is 0.8' W. This dwarf irregular is located just 2.8' NW of mag 7.4 HD 16954 and it helped to place the star just outside the field. MCG +05-07-046 is 10.6' SE and 5' ESE of the bright star. It appeared very faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 E-W, 25"x14", low surface brightness, no concentration.

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.

WH discovered NGC 1066 = H III-163 = h260, along with NGC 1060, on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and described both as "Two, both vF, pS, R lbM." The cluster 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

V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6

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.

JH 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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NGC 1068 = M77 = Arp 37 = UGC 2188 = MCG +00-07-083 = Cetus A = PGC 10266

02 42 40.3 -00 00 48

V = 8.9; Size 7.1'x6.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 70d

48" (10/26/11): at 375x; this is by far the best view I've had of M77. Spiral arm structure was easily visible with two main outer arms and a bright inner arm. The bright inner arm attaches at the east side of the intense core and wraps tightly clockwise around the north side of the core and heads south on the west side of the core. There are two main arms in the halo forming an elongated "S" pattern. A long spiral arm is attached near the east side of the core and wraps outside the inner arm described above. It continues around to the west side and heads south, ending near a compact HII knot (listed in NED as [H66] 6 from Paul Hodge's 1996 "Atlas and Catalog of HII Regions in 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 and extends to the northern edge of the halo. Besides these main arms, several fainter sections of additional arms are tightly wrapped in the halo. NGC 1055 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 is 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 is also suggested around the edge of the halo with an impression of 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.

8" (11/28/81): bright, intense core, faint halo.

Pierre Méchain discovered M77 = NGC 1068 = h262 on 29 Oct 1780. WH described M77 as "Very bright; an irregular extended nucleus with milky chevelure, 3 or 4' long, near 3' broad."

Lord Rosse (or his assistant) recorded M77 on 22 Dec 1848 as "a blue spiral?" and it was included in the list of "Spiral or curvilinear" object in Rosse's 1850 PT paper. 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).

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NGC 1069 = MCG -01-07-038 = PGC 10285

02 42 59.7 -08 17 22

V = 13.7; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 145d

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 SAO 130077 at the east edge of the NGC 1052 group.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1069 = Sw V-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 MCG -01-07-038 = PGC 10285 and his comment "B * nr foll" applies to this galaxy.

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NGC 1070 = UGC 2200 = MCG +01-07-026 = CGCG 414-045 = PGC 10309

02 43 22.2 +04 58 05

V = 11.9; Size 2.3'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 175d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1070 = H II-273 = h263 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and noted "F, S, iR." His position is 10 tsec in RA west of UGC 2200 = PGC 10309. JH's position is accurate.

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NGC 1071 = MCG -02-07-077 = PGC 10290

02 43 07.8 -08 46 26

V = 14.5; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 160d

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 II-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 MCG -02-07-077 as well as the two mentioned stars, although they are a couple of magnitudes fainter than given.

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NGC 1072 = UGC 2208 = MCG +00-07-088 = CGCG 388-103 = IC 1837? = PGC 10315

02 43 31.3 +00 18 25

V = 13.4; Size 1.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 11d

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" (9/3/83): very faint, thin, very elongated SSW-NNE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1072 = St XII-24 on 20 Dec 1881. His position matches UGC 2208 = PGC 10315. Stephane Javelle (III-945) independently found the galaxy on 24 Jan 1898, but Harold Corwin comments that he reversed the sign of his declination offset from his reference star. Once corrected, IC 1837 = NGC 1072. Although this is a reasonable assumption (it occured in several other cases), it's odd that Javelle described NGC 1072 as round as it appeared noticeably elongated in both of my observations. The RNGC has a typo as the RA is given as 00 01.3 (1975).

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NGC 1073 = UGC 2210 = MCG +00-08-001 = CGCG 389-002 = PGC 10329

02 43 40.3 +01 22 33

V = 11.0; Size 4.9'x4.5'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 15d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1073 = H III-455 on 9 Oct 1785 (sweep 463) and recorded "vF, vL, lbM, 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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NGC 1074 = MCG -03-08-001 = PGC 10324

02 43 36.1 -16 17 50

V = 13.7; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 167d

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 NGC 1075 5.8' N.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1074 = LM I-63 on 28 Nov 1885 with the 26" Leander McCormick refractor. His rough position essentially matches MCG -03-08-001 = PGC 10324. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 1075 = MCG -03-08-002 = PGC 10320

02 43 33.5 -16 12 05

V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 153d

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 I-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 MCG -03-08-002 = PGC 10320. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and "noticed that NGC 1075 "really precedes 1074". I'm surprised that Leavenworth described this galaxy as brighter than NGC 1074 (mag 14.0 vs. mag 15.5).

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NGC 1076 = MCG -03-08-003 = PGC 10313

02 43 29.2 -14 45 16

V = 12.3; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 99d

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 SAO 148572.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1076 = Sw III-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 MCG -03-08-003 = PGC 10313 and the bright star is accurated placed.

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NGC 1077 = UGC 2230 = MCG +07-06-069 = CGCG 539-095 = PGC 10468

02 46 00.7 +40 05 24

V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 165d

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, almost even fairly low surface brightness. Forms a double system with NGC 1077b = MCG +07-06-068 at 0.5' ENE (not seen).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1077 = Sw I-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 NGC 1077B in the MCG. The RNGC magnitude of 16.0 is in error.

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NGC 1078 = MCG -02-08-001 = PGC 10362

02 44 08.0 -09 27 08

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 II-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 MCG -02-08-001 = PGC 10362 and the description applies.

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NGC 1079 = ESO 416-013 = MCG -05-07-017 = PGC 10330

02 43 44.5 -29 00 11

V = 11.5; Size 3.5'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 87d

13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 E-W, bright core, faint stellar nucleus, faint elongated halo.

JH discovered NGC 1079 = h2494 on 14 Nov 1835 and logged "B, pmE, sbM, 90" long, 40" broad". His position is accurate.

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NGC 1080 = MCG -01-08-003 = PGC 10416

02 45 10.0 -04 42 39

V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 160d

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 V-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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NGC 1081 = MCG -03-08-010 = PGC 10411

02 45 05.5 -15 35 17

V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 27d

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. NGC 1105 = IC 1840 lies 20' WSW and NGC 1083 is 16' NE.

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 SAO 148586 at the edge of the 220x field. A wide pair of mag 11/12 stars at 1.1' separation is 5' E and a mag 14.5 star is 2' NE. The mag 8 star to the north is surrounded by a halo of 7 faint mag 14 stars! First of three with NGC 1083 16' NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1081 = Sw V-40 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 5 tsec of RA west of MCG -03-08-010 = PGC 10411 (same offset as NGC 1083).

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NGC 1082 = MCG -01-08-004 = PGC 10447

02 45 41.2 -08 10 50

V = 14.7; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 90d

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 V-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

V = 13.8; Size 1.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 17d

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 NGC 1089 18' NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1083 = Sw V-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 MCG -03-08-015 = PGC 10445 and the comment "surrounded by 5 or 6 stars" applies. His comment "np of 2" should read "sp of 2".

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NGC 1084 = MCG -01-08-007 = PGC 10464

02 45 59.8 -07 34 42

V = 10.7; Size 3.2'x1.8'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 35d

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).

8" (10/13/81): bright, moderately large, elongated. Three mag 9-10 stars lie 13' N, 15' NNE and 16' NNW.

WH 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. On 16 Oct 1855, 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".

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NGC 1085 = UGC 2241 = MCG +00-08-010 = CGCG 389-008 = PGC 10498

02 46 25.3 +03 36 26

V = 12.3; Size 3.0'x2.1'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 15d

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. His position is accurate and he further 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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NGC 1086 = UGC 2258 = MCG +07-06-071 = CGCG 539-101 = PGC 10587

02 47 56.4 +41 14 47

V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 35d

17.5" (10/24/87): 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.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1086 = Sw II-24 on 20 Aug 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "vF; pS; D* near". His position is 13 tsec east of UGC 2258 = PGC 10587, but there are no other nearby candidates and the nearby double star is 4.8' SE.

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NGC 1087 = UGC 2245 = MCG +00-08-009 = CGCG 389-010 = PGC 10496

02 46 25.1 -00 29 55

V = 10.9; Size 3.7'x2.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 5d

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. MCG +00-08-012, located 3.5' NE, was just glimpsed.

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. NGC 1090 lies 15' NNE. Nearby MCG +00-08-012 was not seen.

13" (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.

WH 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." JH measured a more accurate position.

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NGC 1088 = UGC 2253 = MCG +03-08-009 = CGCG 463-011 = PGC 10536

02 47 04.0 +16 12 00

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 105d

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. Perhaps the elongation I noticed was caused by a superimposed companion at the NE end. IC 255 lies 5' N (not seen).

WH discovered NGC 1088 = H III-582 on 25 Oct 1786 (sweep 623) and noted "vF, S, irr F." His position is 2' south of UGC 2253 = PGC 10536.

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NGC 1089 = MCG -03-08-020 = PGC 10481

02 46 10.1 -15 04 23

V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 15d

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 V-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 tsec west of MCG -03-08-020, though his comment "sf of 2" should read "nf of 2". Dreyer noted this correction in a short errata list at the end of the NGC.

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NGC 1090 = UGC 2247 = MCG +00-08-011 = CGCG 389-011 = PGC 10507

02 46 33.9 -00 14 50

V = 11.8; Size 4.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 102d

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 NGC 1094 is 14' ESE.

13" (9/3/83): faint, moderately large, diffuse, slightly elongated ~E-W.

WH discovered NGC 1090 = H II-465 = h266 on 9 Oct 1785 (sweep 463) and recorded "F, pL, R, bM."

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NGC 1091 = ESO 546-016 = MCG -03-08-013 = HCG 21e = PGC 10424

02 45 22.4 -17 32 00

V = 14.1; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 77d

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 NGC 1092 1.8' ESE. Member of HCG 21 with NGC 1098 10' SW, NGC 1100 10' S and NGC 1099 11' S.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1091 = LM I-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 = ESO 546-017 = MCG -03-08-014 = HCG 21d = PGC 10432

02 45 29.5 -17 32 32

V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 170d

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 I-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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NGC 1093 = UGC 2274 = MCG +06-07-011 = CGCG 524-022 = PGC 10606

02 48 16.2 +34 25 12

V = 13.1; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 100d

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 discovered NGC 1093 = St X-14 on 6 Dec 1879 with the 31" reflector at Marseilles Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1094 = UGC 2262 = MCG +00-08-015 = CGCG 389-016 = PGC 10559

02 47 27.8 -00 17 06

V = 12.5; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 85d

18" (1/15/07): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 E-W, ~1'x0.6', broad weak concentration. Forms a close pair with MCG +00-08-014 1' N. It appeared extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 20"x10". Required averted vision to just glimpse and too faint for details but I was confident of the sighting. NGC 1094 is less than 5' S of a mag 9.5 star.

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 SAO 130113. Forms a close pair with MCG +00-08-014 1.1' N (not seen).

13" (9/3/83): very faint, very small, almost round. Located 14' ESE of NGC 1090.

WH discovered NGC 1094 = H III-462 = h267 on 7 Nov 1785 (sweep 470) and noted "vF, S." His position is 1' S of UGC 2262 = PGC 10559. The RA in the UGC is 1 hr too large (typo).

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NGC 1095 = UGC 2264 = MCG +01-08-001 = CGCG 415-008 = PGC 10566

02 47 37.9 +04 38 15

V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 45d

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 VIIIb-8 on 11 Dec 1876 with the 31" silvered-reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1096 = ESO 115-028 = AM 0242-600 = PGC 10336

02 43 49.4 -59 54 47

V = 12.8; Size 1.9'x1.8'; Surf Br = 14.0

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 35"x25", fairly even surface brightness. Mag 9.8 HD 17288 is 9' SSE (along with two nearby mag 12/13 stars). Viewed through thin clouds.

JH discovered NGC 1096 = h2496 on 3 Oct 1836 and logged "F, R, glbM, 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 = PGC 10488

02 46 18.9 -30 16 28

V = 9.5; Size 9.3'x6.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 130d

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" in ApJS, 105, 93. 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. Tip to tip the arms stretch about 6', giving overall dimensions of perhaps 7'x6'.

The satellite galaxy NGC 1097A is superimposed in the halo on the northwest side, 3.3' from center. It appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 40"x20".

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".

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.

8" (10/13/81): bright, elongated NW-SE, bright core.

WH discovered NGC 1097 = H V-48 =h2495 on 9 Oct 1790 (sweep 972) and logged "vB; E 75° np to sf; about 8' long. A very bright nucleus confined to a small part about 1' diameter." JH recorded this barred spiral on 18 Nov 1835 from the Cape as "B, L, vmE, pspmbM, 3' long; pos = 151.1°." The next night he logged "B, L, vmE, psvmbM to a pL, R 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."

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NGC 1098 = ESO 546-014 = MCG -03-08-008 = HCG 21c = PGC 10403

02 44 53.7 -17 39 33

V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 102d

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 SAO 148582! First in HCG 21 with NGC 1099 6.4' SE, NGC 1100 10.1' ESE, NGC 1091 10.2' NE and NGC 1092 11.1' NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1098 = LM I-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 ESO 546-014 = PGC 10403. Leavenworth noted this was the "1st of 3" [with NGC 1099 and 1100] and this secures the identification. Ormond Stone and Herbert Howe later measured accurate positions (Stone's is given in the IC 1 notes).

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NGC 1099 = ESO 546-015 = MCG -03-08-011 = HCG 21a = PGC 10422

02 45 17.6 -17 42 31

V = 13.1; Size 1.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 10d

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 I-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 = ESO 546-018 = MCG -03-08-016 = HCG 21b = PGC 10438

02 45 36.0 -17 41 19

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 58d

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 I-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

V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 100d

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 VIIIb-9 on 22 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory, recording "eF, eeS, R, bM, *13 preceding". His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 1102 = ESO 546-019 = MCG -04-07-040 = PGC 10545

02 47 12.9 -22 12 32

V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 89d

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 SAO 168051.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1102 = LM II-348 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15.7, 0.2', R." His position is 17 tsec east of ESO 546-019. ESO misidentifies ESO 546-020 as NGC 1102. This fainter galaxy is a better match in RA, but further off in declination (a less likely error).

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NGC 1103 = MCG -02-08-005 = PGC 10597

02 48 06.0 -13 57 35

V = 12.9; Size 2.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 40d

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 IC 1853 (noted as "extremely faint, very small") 2.0' SSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1103 = Sw III-21 on 26 Dec 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 8 sec of RA west of MCG -02-08-005 = PGC 10597 and the comment "11 mag * close f" clinches this identification. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, discovered nearby IC 1853 to the south.

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NGC 1104 = UGC 2287 = MCG +00-08-019 = CGCG 389-020 = PGC 10634

02 48 38.7 -00 16 17

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 70d

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" (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 UGC 2287.

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NGC 1105 = IC 1840 = MCG -03-08-004 = PGC 10333

02 43 42.0 -15 42 20

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 I-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 PGC 10333, which is located 4.5 min of RA west of his position. This galaxy was independently discovered by Herbert Howe on 30 Jan 1900 with the 20" refractor at Chamberlain Observatory in Denver and catalogued as IC 1840. So, NGC 1105 = IC 1840. Howe mentions he was unable to recover NGC 1105 at Leavenworth's position, but found another candidate (MCG -03-08-036 = PGC 10867) 4 minutes of RA futher east which he suggested might be NGC 1105. Because of this "correction", PGC 10867 has been taken as NGC 1105 in the RNGC, MCG, PGC, LEDA, etc., although it was not the galaxy found by Leavenworth. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1106 = UGC 2322 = MCG +07-06-076 = CGCG 539-112 = PGC 10792

02 50 40.5 +41 40 18

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 SAO 38389 which interferes with viewing.

JH 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 tmin of RA west is UGC 2322 = PGC 10792. Heinrich d'Arrest corrected the RA and the position is accurate in the NGC.

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NGC 1107 = UGC 2307 = MCG +01-08-006 = CGCG 415-013 = Holm 63a = PGC 10683

02 49 19.6 +08 05 34

V = 12.2; Size 1.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 140d

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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NGC 1108 = PGC 10633

02 48 38.5 -07 57 04

V = 15.1; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 85d

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 V-45 on 31 Oct 1886 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 5 tsec east and 24" north of PGC 10633.

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NGC 1109 = IC 1846 = UGC 2265 = MCG +02-08-006 = CGCG 440-008 = PGC 10573

02 47 43.6 +13 15 20

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 IC 1846.

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 object 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 UGC 2265 = PGC 10573, which is 2 tmin of RA west of Marth's position but matching in declination. Stephane Javelle later discovered this galaxy at the Nice Observatory on 7 Jan 1896, gave an accurate position, and it was catalogued as IC 1846. So, NGC 1109 is possibly IC 1846, though other objects on the same night seem to have different offsets in RA and based on all the problems here this identification is uncertain.

Modern catalogues, including RC3, RNGC, PGC and LEDA identify IC 1852 as NGC 1109. This galaxy is 39 sec of RA west and 2' S of Marth's position. Although closer in RA, IC 1852 is further off in declination (a less likely error) and Corwin assigns NGC 1112 = IC 1852. Courtney Seligman suggests IC 1850 as a better candidate for NGC 1109. This galaxy is 1.0 min of RA west of Marth's position and matches in declination, though Corwin suggests NGC 1111 = IC 1852. See Corwin's notes and Courtney Seligman's entry for NGC 1109.

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NGC 1110 = MCG -01-08-010 = UGCA 43 = FGC 346 = PGC 10673

02 49 09.5 -07 50 14

V = 14.2; Size 2.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 18d

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.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1110 = LM II-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

Size 0.7'x0.3'; PA = 9d

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. Located 5.6' NW of IC 1852. The NGC identification from Marth of this galaxy is very uncertain, although it was correctly placed by Javelle (IC 1850). The galaxy chosen by the RNGC is probably incorrect.

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 LEDA identify NGC 1111 as PGC 10719. This galaxy is only 8 sec of RA east, but 6' S of Marth's position (a less likely error). So, the identification of NGC 1111 is quite uncertain but given as IC 1850 here. See Corwin's discussion of NGC 1109 and Seligman's website.

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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

V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 3d

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 = NGC 1111: lies 5.6' NW and IC 1846 = NGC 1109: is 19' W. The NGC identification is very uncertain due to a poor position from Marth. This galaxy is identified as IC 1852 in CGCG, UGC and MCG and identified as NGC 1109 in RNGC and RC3.

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. Stepane 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 lists NGC 1112 as nonexistent. Finally, LEDA 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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NGC 1113

02 50 05.0 +13 19 39

=*??, Corwin. =NF, 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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NGC 1114 = MCG -03-08-029 = PGC 10669

02 49 07.2 -16 59 39

V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 8d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1114 = H III-449 = h269 = h2497 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and logged "vF, pL, broadly extended, lbM." JH observed this galaxy both at Slough and at the Cape, where he recorded "pB, L, pmE, vglbM, 2' long, 40" broad."

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NGC 1115 = MCG +02-08-016 = CGCG 440-020 = PGC 10774

02 50 25.3 +13 15 58

V = 14.7; Size 0.6'x0.3'; PA = 10d

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 NGC 1116.

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 CGCG 440-021 = PGC 10774.

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NGC 1116 = UGC 2326 = MCG +02-08-017 = CGCG 440-021 = PGC 10781

02 50 35.7 +13 20 06

V = 14.3; Size 1.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 27d

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 UGC 2326 = PGC 10781.

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NGC 1117 = UGC 2337s = MCG +02-08-019/020 = CGCG 440-022s = PGC 10822

02 51 13.0 +13 11 07

V = 13.9; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 11.0; PA = 0d

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 UGC 2337 = PGC 10821/10822 lies 30 sec of RA east and is fairly close in declination. This is a double system and perhaps Marth thought one component was a star. Neither CGCG or MCG label this system as NGC 1117 but RNGC, PGC and LEDA apply this identification. The southern component is sometimes taken as NGC 1117.

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NGC 1118 = MCG -02-08-011 = PGC 10748

02 49 58.7 -12 09 50

V = 12.7; Size 2.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 90d

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 V-46 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position and description "vE" is accurate

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NGC 1119 = ESO 546-024 = PGC 10607

02 48 17.1 -17 59 15

V = 13.8; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 0d

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 I-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 in 1899-00 (repeated in the IC 2 notes) that matches ESO 546-024 = PGC 10607. This galaxy is 1.8 min of RA west and 2' N of Leavenworth's position (not an uncommon error) and this galaxy is generally taken as NGC 1119. RNGC lists the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 1120 = MCG -03-08-028 = IC 261 = PGC 10664

02 49 04.1 -14 28 15

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 40d

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 I-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 MCG -03-08-028 = PGC 10664, and Corwin confirms this galaxy matches Leavenworth's field sketch. This galaxy was later discovered by Stephane Javelle on 7 Dec 1891 and accurately measured. Dreyer assumed this was new object, so catalogued it as IC 261. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position for NGC 1120 in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). Some sources, such as the MCG, label this galaxy IC 261 although NGC 1120 should be the primary designation. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1121 = UGC 2332 = MCG +00-08-030 = CGCG 389-032 = PGC 10789

02 50 39.1 -01 44 03

V = 12.9; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.5; PA = 10d

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 I-4 on 9 Nov 1884 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 0.2 tmin east of ESO 546-024 = PGC 10607. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 1122 = NGC 1123 = UGC 2353 = MCG +07-06-083 = CGCG 539-117 = PGC 10890

02 52 51.1 +42 12 20

V = 12.1; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 40d

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.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1122 = Sw II-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 NGC 1123 = UGC 2353 = PGC 10890, which was discovered by William Herschel (II-601). Since neither of the Herschel's position are poor, it's unusual that Dreyer did not catch the equivalence.

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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

See observing notes for NGC 1122.

WH 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 UGC 2353 = PGC 10890. Lewis Swift independently "discovered" the galaxy on 6 Sep 1885 and it was also catalogued as NGC 1122. As the positions for NGC 1122 and NGC 1123 are so close, it is very surprising Dreyer included both entries in the NGC. All modern catalogues identify this galaxy as NGC 1122 although by historical priority, NGC 1123 should take precedence.

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NGC 1124 = ESO 480-007 = MCG -04-07-047 = PGC 10838

02 51 35.9 -25 42 07

V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 0d

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 I-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 ESO 480-007 = PGC 10838.

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NGC 1125 = MCG -03-08-035 = PGC 10851

02 51 40.4 -16 39 02

V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 53d

17.5" (11/18/95): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.4', small bright core. Forms a double system with MCG -03-08-034 at the SW tip (not seen).

WH discovered NGC 1125 = H III-450 = h272 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and noted "vF, S, E." His position is accurate, though closer to the fainter southwest component of this double system. The northeast component (MCG -03-08-035 = PGC 10851) is generally identified as NGC 1125 with MCG -03-08-034 at the southwest tip.

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NGC 1126 = MCG +00-08-038 = CGCG 389-038 = PGC 10868

02 52 18.6 -01 17 45

V = 14.6; Size 0.7'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 135d

17.5" (11/7/89): extremely faint, small, edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness. Located 8' WSW of NGC 1132.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1126 = Sw V-47 on 31 Oct 1886 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is just 44" north of CGCG 389-038 = PGC 10868 and his comment "p of [N1132]" applies.

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NGC 1127 = UGC 2356 = MCG +02-08-024 = CGCG 440-024 = PGC 10889

02 52 51.8 +13 15 23

V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 39d

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 NGC 1134 in a group.

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 UGC 2356 = PGC 10889.

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NGC 1128 = MCG +01-08-027 = CGCG 415-041 = III Zw 52 = 3C 75 = PGC 11188 = PGC 11189

02 57 41.6 +06 01 28

V = 12.7; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.7

18" (11/22/08): on initial glance the brightest galaxy in AGC 400 appeared faint, small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 25"x18". I soon realized this was an extremely close contact pair oriented N-S with two tangent knots (described in the professional literature as a "dumb-bell system") just 16" between centers in a very small common halo. Each component is no more than 15" in diameter with the southern member brighter.

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 CGCG 415-040 3.5' SW.

The identification of this galaxy with NGC 1128 is very uncertain as Swift's position is 5 tmin preceding.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1128 = Sw V-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 candiates near Swift's position.

Harold Corwin suggests NGC 1128 = CGCG 415-041 = PGC 11189 +11188, the brightest galaxy (double) in Abell Galaxy Cluster 400. It is situated 5 minutes of RA east of Swift's position, though Corwin notes that several other objects found by Swift in October 1886 have similar 5 minute errors (NGC 1128, 1667, 1689). Two mag 12-13 stars just west of this galaxy fit Swift's description.

Interestingly, this double system might have been first seen by WH. On 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 607), he recorded "Some small stars with suspected nebulosity, probably a deception." Although it was never catalogued, his position is just 1' northwest of CGCG 415-041!

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NGC 1129 = VV 85a = UGC 2373 = MCG +07-07-004 = CGCG 540-006 = CGCG 539-124 = AWM 7-1 = PGC 10959

02 54 27.3 +41 34 46

V = 12.5; Size 2.9'x2.1'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 90d

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 NGC 1130 1.7' NNW and NGC 1131 1.8' SE. A very faint companion (MCG +07-07-003) is embedded at the southwest edge of the halo and appears like a short spike jutting out towards the SW.

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. IC 265 5.6' NE not seen.

WH discovered NGC 1129 = H II-602 = h271 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and logged "F, pS, iR, lbM." Both William and John's positions match UGC 2373 = PGC 10959, the brightest member of a cluster, with MCG +07-07-003 superimposed on its southwest side .

Using LdR's 72" in Oct 1854, R.J. Mitchell noted "has either a F* sp or is double". This refers to MCG +07-07-003, which MCG misidentifies 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.

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NGC 1130 = MCG +07-07-002 = CGCG 540-004 = CGCG 539-122 = AWM 7-6 = PGC 10951

02 54 24.4 +41 36 20

V = 14.6; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 35d

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]. CGCG 540-004 = CGCG 539-122 lies 1.7' NNW of NGC 1129, so it's the logical candidate. Corwin suggests PGC 197768, situated 1.9' N of NGC 1130, as another possible candidate, but this galaxy is fainter and was not picked up in my observation. The MCG appears to have a mixup in its identifications.

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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

V = 14.6; 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 MCG +07-07-008 lies 2.7' SE!

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 CGCG 540-008, a brighter galaxy, lies 4.5' SE of NGC 1129, but that would require a very poor estimate of the separation. MCG (+07-07-005) does not label PGC 10964 as NGC 1131. See Corwin's notes for NGC 1130.

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NGC 1132 = UGC 2359 = MCG +00-08-040 = CGCG 389-040 = PGC 10891

02 52 51.8 -01 16 27

V = 12.3; Size 2.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 140d

17.5" (11/7/89): faint, small, round, almost even surface brightness, faint stellar nucleus. Located 4.3' WSW of mag 9.5 SAO 130162. Forms a pair with NGC 1126 8' WSW.

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).

JH discovered NGC 1132 = h273 on 23 Nov 1827 and recorded "eF; pL; gbM; has a *8m following". His position and description matches UGC 2359 = PGC 10891.

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NGC 1133 = MCG -02-08-015 = PGC 10885

02 52 42.1 -08 48 15

V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 175d

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 II-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.

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NGC 1134 = Arp 200 = UGC 2365 = MCG +02-08-027 = CGCG 440-027 = PGC 10928

02 53 41.2 +13 00 53

V = 12.1; Size 2.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 148d

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 SAO 93163. Brightest in a group with IC 267 10.3' SSE and NGC 1127 19' NW. The larger low surface brightness spiral arms extending the diameter to over 2' were not seen.

WH discovered NGC 1134 = H II-254 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 295) and recorded "F, S, iR, r". His position is 2.3' SE of Arp 200 = PGC 10928, and there are no other nearby candidates. Dreyer, using Lord Rosse's 72", recorded "L, irr R, perhaps sharper on nf side". This probably refers to the brighter arm segment on the east side.

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NGC 1135 = NGC 1136 = ESO 154-019 = PGC 10807

02 50 53.7 -54 58 33

V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80d

See observing notes for NGC 1136 with the 30" from Coonabarabran.

JH found NGC 1135 = h2498 on 11 Sep 1836 and recorded "F, R, gbM.  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 ESO 154-018 = PGC 10800.  Since there are two NGC numbers as well as two nearby galaxies, ESO 154-018 is taken as NGC 1135 in PGC, ESO, SGC, NED, SIMBAD and Steinicke's Historic NGC.

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

V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80d

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 HD 18003. ESO 154-018 (misidentified as NGC 1135 in RNGC, ESO and PGC) lies 3' NNW.

JH 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 ESO 154-019 = PGC 10807. This galaxy was probably also later recorded by Herschel as h2498 (closer to ESO 154-019), and it received the designation NGC 1135. He assumed they were different objects, because of the apparent difference in positions. The RNGC uses Herschel's incorrect position. See Corwin's notes for NGC 1135.

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NGC 1137 = UGC 2374 = MCG +00-08-043 = CGCG 389-042 = PGC 10942

02 54 02.7 +02 57 43

V = 12.4; Size 2.1'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 20d

17.5" (1/7/89): faint, very small, almost round, broad concentration, stellar nucleus?

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1137 = Sw III-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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NGC 1138 = UGC 2408 = MCG +07-07-012 = CGCG 540-015 = PGC 11118

02 56 36.5 +43 02 50

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.

WH discovered NGC 1138 = H III-580 = h274 on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 620) and remarked "Suspected. resolvable, 1 or 2 stars visible in it." JH gave a more complete description: "vF; vS; R; gbM; 10"; makes isosc triangle with 2 st 15 mag". His position and description matches UGC 2408 = PGC 11118.

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NGC 1139 = MCG -03-08-038 = PGC 10888

02 52 46.8 -14 31 46

V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 36d

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). MCG -03-38-037 lies 6.1' WSW (not seen).

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1139 = LM I-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 MCG -03-08-038 = PGC 10888.

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NGC 1140 = VV 482 = MCG -02-08-019 = Mrk 1063 = PGC 10966

02 54 33.4 -10 01 42

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 6d

13.1" (12/7/85): fairly bright, very small, round, stellar nucleus.

WH 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." JH observed this galaxy both at Slough and at the Cape.

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NGC 1141 = NGC 1143 = Arp 118 NED1 = VV 331 = UGC 2388 = MCG +00-08-047 = CGCG 389-046

02 55 09.7 -00 10 41

See observing notes for NGC 1143.

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, however 40' S is the double system NGC 1143 and 1144, independently found by Édouard Stephan (VIIIa-10 and VIIIa-11) on 17 Nov 1876 and accurately placed. This pair is generally identified as NGC 1143 and 1144), although Marth's numbers should takes priority. Several other objects discovered that night by Marth have large positional errors.

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NGC 1142 = NGC 1144 = UGC 2389 = MCG +00-08-048 = CGCG 389-046 = VV 331 = Arp 118

02 55 12.0 -00 10 59

See observing notes for NGC 1144.

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 for the pair, however 40' S is the double system NGC 1143 and 1144. This was later independently discovered by Édouard Stephan (VIIIa-10 and 11) on 17 Nov 1876 and accurately placed. This pair is generally identified as NGC 1143 and 1144, although Marth's NGC 1141 and 1142 should take priority. Several other objects discovered that night by Marth have large positional errors.

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NGC 1143 = NGC 1141 = Arp 188 NED1 = Arp 118:C1 = VV 331b = UGC 2388 = MCG +00-08-047 = CGCG 389-046 = PGC 11007

02 55 09.7 -00 10 41

V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.8'; PA = 110d

48" (10/25/11): bright, fairly small to 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 35" 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. 2MASX J02550661-0009448, 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 VIIIa-11 (along with NGC 1144 = St VIIIa-10) on 17 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate. This galaxy was first discovered by Marth on 5 Jan 1864 but his position was 40' too far N (also NGC 1142), so he did not receive credit. But it clear that NGC 1143 = NGC 1141 and NGC 1144 = NGC 1142.

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NGC 1144 = NGC 1142 = Arp 118 NED2 = VV 331a =UGC 2389 = MCG +00-08-048 = CGCG 389-046 = PGC 11012

02 55 12.0 -00 10 59

V = 13.0; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 130d

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 (Arp 118) with NGC 1143, attached on thenorthwest side where the halos merge. This galaxy is highly disrupted with a loop or ring on the NW side. An extended halo was seen on this side, but only a hint of the actual ring was visible.

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 VIIIa-10 (along with NGC 1143 = St VIIIa-11) on 17 Nov 1876 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate. This galaxy was discovered by Albert Marth on 5 Jan 1864 and catalogued as NGC 1142, but his position 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.

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NGC 1145 = ESO 546-029 = MCG -03-08-042 = UGCA 45 = FGC 360 = PGC 10965

02 54 33.2 -18 38 09

V = 12.5; Size 3.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 60d

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.

JH 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 UGC 2384 as NGC 1145.

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NGC 1146

02 57 37.0 +46 26 14

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. CGCG 554-017 lies 6.2' NE. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

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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NGC 1147

02 55 18 -09 07

=Not found, Corwin and RNGC.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1147 = LM II-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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NGC 1148 = MCG -01-08-018 = PGC 11148

02 57 04.4 -07 41 09

V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 80d

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 NGC 1152 8.5' SE. Located 9' ESE of mag 8.7 SAO 130198. Appears fainter than V = 12.7.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1148 = Sw III-23 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 list II-352, though his position was 30 seconds of time too far east.

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NGC 1149 = MCG +00-08-058 = CGCG 389-054 = PGC 11170

02 57 23.8 -00 18 34

V = 14.0; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 130d

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 XI-6 on 2 Dec 1880 with the 31" reflector at Marseille 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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NGC 1150 = MCG -03-08-048 = PGC 11144

02 57 01.3 -15 02 55

V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 65d

17.5" (11/10/96): brighter of pair with NGC 1151 2.3' NNE. Faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE. Broad, weak concentration. Following a group of four stars mag 7.7 SAO 148677 8' WNW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1150 = LM I-76 (along with NGC 1151 = LM I-77) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His (rough) position is close to MCG -03-08-048 = PGC 11144, with NGC 1151 = PGC 11147 at 2' separation. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes), but assumed the pair was NGC 1180 and 1181. 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 1151 = PGC 11147

02 57 04.6 -15 00 47

V = 15.0; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 10d

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 I-77 (along with NGC 1150 = LM I-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

V = 14.5; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 10d

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 III-24 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1153 = UGC 2439 = MCG +00-08-059 = CGCG 389-055 = PGC 11230

02 58 10.2 +03 21 43

V = 12.4; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 45d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1153 = H II-274 = h276 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 338) and logged "F, vS, iE, easily resolvable." His position is 3.5' southeast of UGC 2439 = PGC 11230. JH made a single observation and his position was 1' too far north.

Four observations were made with Lord Rosse's 72". 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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NGC 1154 = MCG -02-08-034 = Holm 64a = PGC 11221

02 58 07.7 -10 21 47

V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 95d

17.5" (10/13/90): faint, small, round, even surface brightness. Forms a close pair with NGC 1155 1.5' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1154 = St VIIIb-11b (along with NGC 1155 = St VIIIb-10) on 15 Dec 1876 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1155 = MCG -02-08-035 = Mrk 1064 = Holm 64b = PGC 11233

02 58 13.0 -10 21 00

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 VIIIb-10 (along with NGC 1154 = St VIIIb-11) on 15 Dec 1876 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1156 = UGC 2455 = MCG +04-08-006 = CGCG 485-006 = VV 531 = PGC 11329

02 59 42.3 +25 14 15

V = 11.7; Size 3.5'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 25d

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 SW 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.

WH discovered NGC 1156 = H II-619 on 13 Nov 1786 (sweep 637) and recorded "pB, cL, pmE in the meridian, resolvable, within a minute of a star." His position was just off the southeast side of this dwarf Irregular. Four observations were made with Lord Rosse's 72".

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NGC 1157 = PGC 11218

02 58 06.6 -15 07 07

V = 16.5; Size 0.5'x0.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 170d

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 I-78 (along with NGC 1158 = LM I-79) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position matches PGC 11218 and his estimated position angle of 0° is fairly close.

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NGC 1158 = MCG -03-08-050 = PGC 11157

02 57 11.4 -14 23 45

V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 147d

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 was clearly brighter.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1158 = LM I-79 (along with NGC 1157 = LM I-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 MCG -03-08-050, which is a typical error. The MCG does not identify MCG -03-08-050 as N1158.

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NGC 1159 = UGC 2467 = CGCG 540-023 = PGC 11383

03 00 46.5 +43 09 46

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 SAO 38497.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1159 = St XIII-21 on 2 Dec 1883 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1160 = UGC 2475 = MCG +07-07-014 = CGCG 540-027 = PGC 11403

03 01 13.2 +44 57 18

V = 12.8; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 50d

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 NGC 1161 3.5' S.

WH discovered NGC 1160 = H III-199 = h277, along with NGC 1160, on 7 Oct 1784 (during sweeps 281-285, carried out in the east) and reported "the first of 2 [with NGC 1161]. vF, iF, pS." On 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645), he logged "pB, iR, mbM, about 1' in diam." and measured separate positions for the two objects.

JH 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

V = 11.0; Size 2.8'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 23d

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 SAO 38510 is 1.2' SW. Also collinear with two mag 11 stars 1.5' E and 3' ENE. Forms a pair with NGC 1160 3.5' N.

WH discovered NGC 1161 = H II-239 = h277, along with NGC 1160, on 7 Oct 1784 (during sweeps 281-285, carried out in the east), and reported "The 2nd of 2; pB; pS; resolvable." On 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645) he noted "F, E, about 1 1/2' long." This pair was observed at Birr Castle on 4 occasions and NGC 1160 ( was originally assumed to be nova.

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NGC 1162 = MCG -02-08-036 = PGC 11274

02 58 55.9 -12 23 55

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.

WH discovered NGC 1162 = H III-469 = h2502 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and recorded "vF, stellar, 240 power left some doubt." His position matches MCG -02-08-036 = PGC 11274. JH observed this galaxy from the Cape, recorded "pF, R, glbM, 25"."

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NGC 1163 = MCG -03-08-056 = FGC 373 = PGC 11359

03 00 22.0 -17 09 10

V = 13.8; Size 2.2'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 135d

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.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1163 = LM I-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 MCG -03-08-056 = PGC 11359, and although this PA = 75d is wrong (should be 135d) he describes this galaxy as "very elongated" and "spindle shaped", so the identification is certain. 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 1164 = UGC 2490 = MCG +07-07-016 = CGCG 540-028 = Mrk 1067 = PGC 11441

03 01 59.8 +42 35 06

V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 145d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1164 = h278 on 18 Sep 1828 and logged "eF; S; 5 arcsec." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1165 = ESO 417-008 = MCG -05-08-009 = PGC 11270

02 58 47.7 -32 05 55

V = 12.7; Size 2.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 115d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1165 = h2503 on 19 Oct 1835 and noted "vF, pmE, vlbM, 60" long, 30" broad." His position and description matches E417-008 = PGC 11270.

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NGC 1166 = UGC 2471 = MCG +02-08-046 = CGCG 440-041 = PGC 11372

03 00 35.0 +11 50 35

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 NGC 1168 5.2' SE.

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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NGC 1167 = UGC 2487 = MCG +06-07-033 = CGCG 524-045 = PGC 11425

03 01 42.4 +35 12 20

V = 12.4; Size 2.8'x2.3'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 70d

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. UGC 2465 lies 13' WSW. Brightest in a group that includes UGC's 2435, 2465, 2466, 2491, 2494 and 2526 in the foreground of AGC 407.

WH 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) is ~11' WNW of UGC 2487 = PGC 11425 and the GC position is 4' too far northwest. The NGC position, though, is 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

V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 18d

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 SAO 93236 to the SE.

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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NGC 1169 = UGC 2503 = MCG +08-06-025 = CGCG 554-020 = PGC 11521

03 03 34.7 +46 23 09

V = 11.3; Size 4.2'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 28d

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!

This galaxy is located just 10.6° from the galactic equator. This 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.

WH discovered NGC 1169 = H II-620 = h279 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645) and logged "F, S, irr R, bM." His position is at the northeast end of the galaxy. R.J. Mitchell, using the Lord Rosse's 72" on 11 Dec 1854, recorded a "B* sp the Nucl and a vF* ? involved np the Nucl. The neby fades away gradually." The RNGC places this galaxy 1.0 min of RA too far east.

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NGC 1170

03 02 24 +27 04

= 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.)" suggests 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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NGC 1171 = UGC 2510 = MCG +07-07-018 = CGCG 540-031 = PGC 11552

03 03 59.0 +43 23 54

V = 12.3; Size 2.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 147d

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, broadly concentrated.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1171 = St X-15 on 4 Dec 1880 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory and recorded "vF, pL, iF". His position matches UGC 2510 = PGC 11552. Lewis Swift independently found this nebula on 12 Sep 1885 and his position in list II-26 is 0.2 tmin too far east.

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NGC 1172 = MCG -03-08-059 = PGC 11420

03 01 36.0 -14 50 12

V = 11.9; Size 2.3'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 25d

13.1" (1/18/85): faint, small, round, broad concentration. Located 2.1' SW of mag 9.6 SAO 148719.

WH 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.

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NGC 1173

03 03 58 +42 23

=Not found, RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1173 = B. 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 NGC 1175, but in the case of NGC 1173 there is nothing at his position. So, NGC 1173 is lost at this time though probably refers to a faint star like the other objects. See Corwin's notes for story.

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NGC 1174 = NGC 1186 = UGC 2521 = MCG +07-07-021 = CGCG 540-034 = PGC 11617

03 05 30.7 +42 50 05

See observing notes for NGC 1186.

Lewis Swift found NGC 1174 = Sw IV-11 on 31 Aug 1883 with the 16-inch refractor at Warner Observatory 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 min of RA east is NGC 1186 = H IV-43 and his detailed description of the star in contact and the nearby double star clinches the equivalence. So, NGC 1174 = NGC 1186, with priority to Herschel. The IC 1 notes mentioned this equivalence "Probably identical with h 281 = Sw IV 43 (Spitaler, AN 3030)".

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NGC 1175 = UGC 2515 = MCG +07-07-019 = CGCG 540-032 = PGC 11578

03 04 32.3 +42 20 22

V = 12.9; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 153d

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 NGC 1177 2' NE. Located 10' SE of mag 7.5 SAO 38540. Located at the western edge of AGC 426.

13" (1/18/85): 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.

WH 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 UGC 2515 = PGC 11578. Nearby NGC 1175 was discovered at Birr Castle.

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NGC 1176

03 04 34.9 +42 23 37

=*, Corwin. =NF, RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1176 = B. 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 NGC 1178 and 1183 also match stars, although NGC 1173 is apparently lost. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1177 = MCG +07-07-020 = CGCG 540-033 = IC 281 = PGC 11581

03 04 37.1 +42 21 46

V = 14.5; 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 CGCG 540-033. Lewis Swift (VIII-11) independently found the galaxy on 1 Nov 1888 with the 16" at the Warner Observatory. His position falls between NGC 1175 and NGC 1177, but the description mentions the star to the north, so IC 281 = NGC 1177. Surprisingly, Dreyer didn't catch the equivalence. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1178

03 04 38.8 +42 18 49

=*, Corwin. =NF, 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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NGC 1179 = ESO 547-001 = MCG -03-08-060 = UGCA 48 = PGC 11480

03 02 38.3 -18 53 51

V = 12.0; Size 4.9'x3.8'; Surf Br = 15.0; PA = 35d

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 I-81 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His (rough) position essentially matches ESO 547-001 and his note "*12 follows 1 arcmin" applies to this galaxy.

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NGC 1180 = PGC 11435

03 01 51.0 -15 01 48

V = 14.9; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 5d

17.5" (1/28/00): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration. Forms a close pair with NGC 1181 2.4' SW. Located 2' WNW of a mag 12 star. This galaxy is identified as NGC 1150 in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1180 = LM I-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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NGC 1181 = PGC 11427

03 01 42.8 -15 03 09

V = 15.4; Size 0.8'x0.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 100d

17.5" (1/28/00): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, 0.4'x0.2', requires averted. Was only able to detect the brighter central region and missed the extensions. Slightly fainter of a close pair with NGC 1181 2.4' NE. Located 2' WNW of a mag 12 star. This galaxy is identified as NGC 1151 in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1181 = LM I-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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NGC 1182 = NGC 1205 = PGC 11511

03 03 28.4 -09 40 13

V = 14.8; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 115d

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 SAO 148721. NGC 1185 lies 33' NNW.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1182 = LM I-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 PGC 11511 and his position angle of 120° as well as the nearby star matches this galaxy. This galaxy was also found again by Stone (I-87) the same year, but this time his position was 2 min of RA too far east! In this case, he listed the identical dimensions and even mentioned the same star preceding but gave an incorrect PA of 25°. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position for NGC 1182 in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and the following year noted the equivalence of these two numbers.

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NGC 1183

03 04 46.1 +42 22 08

=*, Corwin. =NF, RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1183 = B. 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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NGC 1184 = UGC 2583 = MCG +13-03-002 = CGCG 346-002 = PGC 12174

03 16 45.4 +80 47 36

V = 12.4; Size 2.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 168d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1184 = H II-704 on 16 Sep 1787 (sweep 757) and recorded "F, pL, mE from np to sf, lbM." Auwer's reduced position is ~5' north of MCG -02-08-041 = PGC 11488, although the NGC position is accurate. This galaxy is the third closest galaxy to the north celestial pole discovered by WH (after NGC 6251 and 6252).

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NGC 1185 = MCG -02-08-041 = PGC 11488

03 02 59.4 -09 07 55

V = 14.8; Size 1.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 30d

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 II-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 MCG -02-08-041 = PGC 11488 and the description applies.

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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

V = 11.4; Size 3.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 122d

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.

WH 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 swept it again as "a pretty B star with two faint branches." JH also noted "a star 14m with some kind of faint nebulous appendage." The NGC position is accurate although Herschel's class IV refers to objects that appeared to be planetary nebulae.

Lewis Swift independently found this galaxy and superimposed star on 31 Aug 1883 but placed it 1 tmin too far west in his list IV-11. Dreyer assumed it was a different object and it was catalogued as NGC 1174. R.J. Mitchell and Samuel Hunter, observing assistants on the 72", failed to find this galaxy and Dreyer noted d'Arrest searched in vain on several attempts. It seems odd as the galaxy is not difficult. Bigourdan observed it though, and suggested it was a "variable nebula", because of the mixed results. Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) also readily found and measured this galaxy. So, NGC 1186 = NGC 1174 with NGC 1186 the primary designation.

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NGC 1187 = ESO 480-023 = MCG -04-08-016 = UGCA 49 = PGC 11479

03 02 37.4 -22 52 03

V = 10.8; Size 5.5'x4.1'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 130d

17.5" (11/26/94): moderately bright, fairly large, 4'x3' NW-SE. Elongated in the direction of mag 8.8 SAO 168248, which is 4.7' NW of center. Broad concentration to an ill-defined core which contains a faint but distinct stellar nucleus.

8" (10/13/81): faint, fairly large, elongated, diffuse. Located 4.7' SE of a mag 9 star.

WH discovered NGC 1187 = H III-245 = h2504 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and noted "vF, cL, iE, resolvable, unequally bright." JH 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.

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NGC 1188 = MCG -03-08-068 = PGC 11533

03 03 43.4 -15 29 07

V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 170d

17.5" (10/13/90): faint, small, elongated 3:1 N-S. NGC 1199 lies 8' S. This galaxy is the farthest northern galaxy in the NGC 1199 cluster (HCG 22), but is not a HCG 22 member. Incorrectly listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1188 = LM I-89 on 2 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. This is the first in a group of five galaxies (NGC 1189, NGC 1190, NGC 1191 and NGC 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 MCG -03-08-068 = PGC 11533. It is interesting to note that this places NGC 1188 just 8' N of NGC 1199, which is the brightest member of HCG 22. The RNGC incorrectly equates NGC 1188 with NGC 1199 and the MCG does not label MCG -03-08-068 as MCG.

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NGC 1189 = MCG -03-08-061 = HCG 22c = PGC 11503

03 03 24.3 -15 37 23

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 of seven in the NGC 1199 group (HCG 22) with NGC 1199 4' ENE and NGC 1189 2.3' SSE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1189 = LM I-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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NGC 1190 = MCG -03-08-062 = HCG 22b = PGC 11508

03 03 26.2 -15 39 44

V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 95d

17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, very low surface brightness, requires averted vision. Member of HCG 22 with NGC 1199 4' NE, NGC 1191 1.8' SE, NGC 1189 2.3' NNW and NGC 1192 3' ESE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1190 = LM I-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 = MCG -03-08-064 = HCG 22d = PGC 11514

03 03 30.9 -15 41 08

V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 60d

17.5" (10/13/90): extremely faint and small, round. A mag 14 star is 1.5' S. Forms a very close quadruple (HCG 22) with NGC 1192 1.0' ENE, NGC 1190 1.8' NW and NGC 1199 4' NNE. This galaxy and NGC 1192 have 3x higher redshift than the other group members.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1191 = LM I-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 = MCG -03-08-065 = HCG 22e = PGC 11519

03 03 34.6 -15 40 45

V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 102d

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 group members.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1192 = LM I-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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NGC 1193 = Cr 35 = OCL-390 = Lund 99

03 05 56 +44 23 00

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.

WH 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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NGC 1194 = UGC 2514 = MCG +00-08-078 = CGCG 389-068 = PGC 11537

03 03 49.1 -01 06 13

V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 140d

17.5" (1/7/89): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, broad concentration. UGC 2517 is in the field 8' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1194 = St XIII-22 on 23 Nov 1883 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1195 = MCG -02-08-042A = Holm 65b = PGC 11517

03 03 32.8 -12 02 03

V = 14.7; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4

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 NGC 1200 quartet with NGC 1196 3' S and NGC 1200 7' NE.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1195 on 8 Jan 1877 with the 72" at Birr Castle while observing NGC 1196. He logged an "eF, eS nebula (distinctly seen)" in position 305° (NW) of a mag 12 star directly north of NGC 1196. The separation is 45" but the position angle is good and clearly establishes NGC 1195 = PGC 11517.

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NGC 1196 = MCG -02-08-042B = Holm 65a = PGC 11522

03 03 35.2 -12 04 34

V = 12.5; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2

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.

JH discovered NGC 1196 = h2505 on 8 Jan 1877 while observing the field of NGC 1196 and NGC 1200. Logged on two consecutive nights as "vF" and "the S.p. of two [with NGC 1200]". His position is accurate.

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NGC 1197

03 06 12 +44 04

=Not found, Corwin and RNGC.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1197 = Sw II-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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NGC 1198 = UGC 2533 = MCG +07-07-024 = CGCG 540-038 = IC 282 = PGC 11648

03 06 13.3 +41 50 56

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 120d

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, diffuse round halo, stellar nucleus about 14th magnitude. Located 7' N of mag 8.8 SAO 38577.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1198 = St XI-7 on 6 Dec 1880 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2533 = MCG +07-07-024. MCG doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 1198. Lewis Swift independently found this galaxy on 27 Dec 1888 (list VIII-12) and logged "eF, S, R, bet 2 nr stars". His position was 1 min of RA too far west, so Dreyer assumed it was a different object and it was catalogued again as IC 282. But Swift's description applies to NGC 1198. So, NGC 1198 = St IC 282, with priority to Stephan. Harold Corwin and Malcolm Thomson both agree with this equivalence.

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NGC 1199 = MCG -03-08-067 = HCG 22a = PGC 11527

03 03 38.4 -15 36 50

V = 11.4; Size 2.4'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 48d

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. This galaxy is the brightest in a small, rich group (HCG 22) of extremely faint galaxies. Nearby are NGC 1190 4.1' SW, NGC 1191 4.6' SSW, NGC 1189 3.4' W, NGC 1192 4.0' S. An extremely faint mag 15 star or possibly an anonymous galaxy is 2' N.

13" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, round, diffuse halo surrounded by a fairly bright stellar nucleus.

WH 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 dec is about 1' too far north but Engelhardt gave an accurate micrometric position.

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NGC 1200 = MCG -02-08-043 = PGC 11545

03 03 54.6 -11 59 30

V = 12.7; Size 2.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 85d

17.5" (10/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core, halo slightly elongated N-S. There is an extremely faint star at 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 was logged as "very faint, small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, very low even surface brightness."

WH discovered NGC 1200 = H II-475 = h2506 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478) and noted "pF, pL, irr F, bM." JH observed this galaxy from the Cape on 22 Nov 1835 and logged "pB, L, R, 80". The N.f. of two, distance about 7.5'; position 45 degrees." His mean position from 2 measures is accurate.

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NGC 1201 = ESO 480-028 = MCG -04-08-023 = PGC 11559

03 04 08.0 -26 04 12

V = 10.7; Size 3.6'x2.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 7d

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.

8" (10/13/81): fairly bright, small, slightly elongated N-S, small bright core. A mag 11 star is 4' NE.

WH discovered NGC 1201 = H I-109 = h283 on 26 Oct 1785 (sweep 466) and logged "cB; mbM; iR; resolvable." His position is 4' too far north. cB, pS, lE in the direction of the meridian, mbM, resolvable, 1.5' long." In a later sweep (593) he recorded "pB, pS, bM, lE." JH remarked "B; R; psbM; 30"." His position is just off the north end of the galaxy.

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NGC 1202 = PGC 11593

03 05 02.5 -06 29 30

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 II-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 PGC 11593, but his description of the double star is a perfect match. Bigourdan's position for IC 286, which he claimed to have found while searching for this galaxy, is very close to NGC 1202 and Corwin notes that his offset stars don't match the field. So, IC 286 is lost unless his offset stars can be recovered.

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NGC 1203 = (R)NGC 1203A = MCG -03-08-070 = PGC 11599

03 05 14.1 -14 22 53

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 NGC 1203B is attached at the NE end. The fainter companion appeared extremely faint and small, round. Located almost at midpoint of mag 8.2 SAO 148753 2.6' SE and mag 9.5 SAO 148757 3.1' NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1203 = LM I-85 on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position is a good match with MCG -03-08-070/071 = PGC 11603/11599. This is a close double system with the brighter component (identified as NGC 1203A in NED and MCG) on the south side. The magnitudes are reversed (brighter mag associated with the northern component) in several sources. It's likely Leavenworth saw the combined glow of both objects as I could pick out the northern component. Howe called this object "extremely faint and very small", with no indication of a companion.

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NGC 1204 = MCG -02-08-045 = PGC 11583

03 04 40.0 -12 20 29

V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 69d

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 I-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 WH observed NGC 1204 on 27 Nov 1785 (sweep 478), though he only logged "a deception", and didn't assign it an 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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NGC 1205 = NGC 1182 = PGC 11511

03 03 28.4 -09 40 13

See observing notes for NGC 1182.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1205 = LM I-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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NGC 1206 = PGC 11644

03 06 09.7 -08 50 00

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. The edge-on streak identified as NGC 1206 in the RNGC is actually a plate flaw.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1206 = LM II-355 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and logged "mag 15.6, 0.2' dia, vlE 180°." His position matches PGC 11644, though Bigourdan was unable to recover this galaxy. The RNGC misidentifies a plate flaw as NGC 1206!

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NGC 1207 = UGC 2548 = MCG +06-07-043 = CGCG 524-055 = LGG 087-001 = PGC 11737

03 08 15.5 +38 22 56

V = 12.6; Size 2.3'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 123d

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. CGCG 524-054 lies 5.7' W and was noted as fairly faint, small, round, 12"-15" diameter, slightly brighter nucleus. A mag 12 star is 1' NNW. NGC 1207 is situated in a rich star field with mag 8.6 SAO 56192 5.7' ESE.

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. NGC 1213 lies 20' NE.

WH discovered NGC 1207 = H III-578 = h284 on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 618) and noted "vF, vS." JH logged "F; vS; R; psbM; 12" dia." and measured an accurate position. 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."

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NGC 1208 = MCG -02-08-047 = PGC 11647

03 06 11.9 -09 32 27

V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 75d

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 NGC 1214 = HCG 23A 11' E.

WH 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, lbM, E not far from the parallel; a little from sp to nf." JH observed this galaxy both at Slough and at the Cape and there were 7 observations at Birr Castle. The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 1209 = MCG -03-08-073 = LGG 081-003 = PGC 11638

03 06 03.0 -15 36 41

V = 11.5; Size 2.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 85d

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 1231 lies 6.8' NE. Member of the LGG 81 group. Located 40' following HCG 22 whose brightest member is NGC 1199.

13" (1/18/85): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, very small bright core. Appears slightly fainter than NGC 1199 40' W.

WH discovered NGC 1209 = H II-504 = h286 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and logged "pB, S, lE, mbM. The brightness also extended. " JH called this galaxy "vB; E; psbM; 30" l; 20" br." His position and description matches MCG -03-08-073 = PGC 11638.

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NGC 1210 = ESO 480-031 = MCG -04-08-024 = PGC 11666

03 06 45.3 -25 42 59

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 121d

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 I-88 on 13 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and reported "mag 15.0, vS, iR, E 340°?, gbMN". There is nothing at his rough RA (nearest minute), but 1 tmin 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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NGC 1211 = UGC 2545 = MCG +00-08-093 = CGCG 389-081 = PGC 11670

03 06 52.4 -00 47 40

V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 30d

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" refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. Stephan independently discovered the galaxy on 27 Nov 1880, published it in list XI-8 and measured an accurate position. Stephan is credited with the discovery in the NGC, as Safford's discovery was not published until 1887, too late to be included in the NGC.

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NGC 1212 = UGC 2560 = IC 1883 = PGC 11815

03 09 42.2 +40 53 35

Size 0.9'x0.5'; PA = 22d

18" (11/22/03): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, even surface brightness. Forms the SW vertex of an equilateral triangle with mag 8.7 SAO 38614 2.7' NE and a mag 11.7 star 2.2' E. Located just 18' ESE of Algol at the western edge of AGC 426!

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1212 = Sw I-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 UGC 2560 - but his description of the two stars applies to this galaxy. E.E. Barnard independently found this galaxy on 26 Nov 1888 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory and comunicated the discovery directly to Dreyer. Barnard and Dreyer assumed this was a new object, probably due to Swift's poor position, and it was cataloged again as IC 1883. So, NGC 1212 = IC 1883, with discovery priority to Swift.

RNGC and PGC (as well as secondary sources such as Megastar) misidentify PGC 11761, an extremely faint galaxy just 8' SE of Algol, as NGC 1212. This galaxy is not only too faint to have been seen by Swift, it is nearly lost in the glare of Algol. See Corwin's notes.

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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

V = 14.5; Size 1.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 15.4; PA = 60d

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 I-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 UGC 2557 and his description fits (there are faint stars close north and south). Bigourdan (B. 253) independently found the galaxy on 10 Jan 1891 and measured an accurate RA. Dreyer assumed it was a new object so this galaxy was also catalogued as IC 1881.

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NGC 1214 = HCG 23A = MCG -02-08-051 = Holm 66a = PGC 11675

03 06 55.9 -09 32 38

V = 14.0; Size 1.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 40d

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.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1214 = Sw V-49 = LM I-94 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  The same year it was also found by Ormond Stone with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. The discovery priority is unknown.

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NGC 1215 = HCG 23B = MCG -02-08-055 = Holm 66b = PGC 11687

03 07 09.4 -09 35 32

V = 14.1; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 15d

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.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1215 = Sw V-50 = LM I-95 on 21 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  The same year Ormond Stone independently discovered this galaxy with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. The discovery priority is unknown.

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NGC 1216 = HCG 23C = MCG -02-08-056 = PGC 11693

03 07 18.4 -09 36 44

V = 14.8; Size 0.8'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 65d

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 I-96 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.5, 0.2' dia, stellar ncl, 3rd of 3". His 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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NGC 1217 = ESO 300-010 = MCG -07-07-003 = PGC 11641

03 06 06.0 -39 02 11

V = 12.4; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 50d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1217 = h2508 on 23 Oct 1835 and logged "not vF; R; pslbM; 20". Has a *11m 2' N. JH's position (h2508) and description is accurate (the star is 1.6' N).

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NGC 1218 = UGC 2555 = MCG +01-09-001 = CGCG 416-002 = 3C 78 = PGC 11749

03 08 26.3 +04 06 38

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 155d

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, round, bright core. Located 92' E of Alpha Ceti.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1218 = Sw IV-12 on 6 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 1.4' west of UGC 2555 = PGC 11749.

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NGC 1219 = UGC 2556 = MCG +00-09-006 = CGCG 390-006 = PGC 11752

03 08 28.0 +02 06 30

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" reflector on Malta, reporting "F, pL, R". His position is accurate.

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NGC 1220 = Cr 37 = OCL-380 = Lund 100

03 11 41 +53 20 54

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.

JH discovered NGC 1220 = h287 on 28 Nov 1831, 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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NGC 1221 = MCG -01-09-002 = PGC 11739

03 08 15.5 -04 15 35

V = 14.2; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 160d

17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, very small, round. A mag 13 star is 1.2' SE. FIrst of three with NGC 1223 8' NNE and NGC 1225 15' NE. Also IC 1886 lies 10' SSW. All four galaxies are visible in a 35' field.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1221 = LM II-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 MCG -01-09-002 = PGC 11739 and his PA estimate matches. Howe's corrected position in the IC 2 Notes is accurate. Bigourdan listed this galaxy as #255, measured an accurate position, and noted "could be NGC 1221 with an error of 20 sec in RA." MCG gives the NGC designation as uncertain.

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NGC 1222 = MCG -01-09-005 = Mrk 603 = PGC 11774

03 08 56.9 -02 57 18

V = 12.5; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 170d

17.5" (1/7/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1222 = St XIII-23 on 5 Dec 1883. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1223 = MCG -01-09-003 = PGC 11742

03 08 19.9 -04 08 18

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 II-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, gbMN". His position is 45 sec of RA following MCG -01-09-003 = PGC 11742 and the description applies. Bigourdan listed this galaxy as #256, measured an accurate position, and noted "could be NGC 1223 with an error of 40 sec in RA." MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 1223. RNGC reversed the identifications of NGC 1223 and NGC 1225 and because of this mistake they were switched in the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas.

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NGC 1224 = UGC 2578 = MCG +07-07-034 = CGCG 540-055 = LGG 088-002 = PGC 11886

03 11 13.6 +41 21 49

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (10/24/87): very faint, very small, round, small brighter core. Member of AGC 426.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1224 = Sw II-28 on 20 Aug 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position matches UGC 2578, located just 42' SE of Algol. Swift made specific searches around bright stars assuming others might have missed nebulae hiding in the glare of these stars.

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NGC 1225 = MCG -01-09-004 = PGC 11766

03 08 47.2 -04 06 05

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 II-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 MCG -01-09-004 = PGC 11766. Bigourdan listed this galaxy as #257, measured an accurate position, and noted "could be NGC 1225 with an error of 30 sec in RA." MCG mislabels -01-09-004 as NGC 1223. RNGC reversed the identifications of NGC 1223 and NGC 1225 and because of this mistake they were switched in the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas.

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NGC 1226 = UGC 2575 = MCG +06-08-001 = CGCG 524-061 = PGC 11879

03 11 05.4 +35 23 12

V = 12.9; Size 2.1'x1.9'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 95d

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 X-16 on 6 Dec 1879 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate. This galaxy was apparently first discovered by d'Arrest on 17 Sep 1865, but due to a transcription error his position is 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

V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, round. Forms a pair with NGC 1226 4' NNW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1227 = St X-17 on 10 Jan 1880 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory, one month after discovering NGC 1226 (or perhaps he didn't have time to measure the position earlier). His position is accurate.

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NGC 1228 = Arp 332 NED3 = VV 337a = ESO 480-032 = MCG -04-08-026 = UGCA 54 = PGC 11735

03 08 11.7 -22 55 23

V = 13.2; Size 1.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 78d

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. NGC 1230 lies 3.8' SSE, and IC 1892 8.6' SSE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1228 = LM II-359 (along with NGC 1229 = II-360) in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 15.5, 0.1', R, gbM, 1st of 2". There is nothing at his position, but 1 min of time west is ESO 480-032 = PGC 11735. 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 1229 = Arp 332 NED1 = VV 337b = UGCA 53 = ESO 480-033 = MCG -04-08-025

03 08 11.0 -22 57 37

V = 14.0; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 81d

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 II-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, gbM, 2nd of 2". There is nothing at his position, but 1 min of RA west 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). He also mentioned that NGC 1229 precedes 1228 a little.

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NGC 1230 = Arp 332 NED2 = ESO 480-034 = MCG -04-08-027 = PGC 11743

03 08 16.4 -22 59 03

V = 14.4; Size 0.6'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 109d

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 II-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

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 I-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 MCG -03-08-074 = PGC 11658. MCG doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 1231. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. Assuming NGC 1231 = PGC 11658, I'm a little surprised Leavenworth didn't mention NGC 1209, just 6' SW, but I don't think this is a duplicate observation of NGC 1209 as it is much too bright to be called mag 16.0.

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NGC 1232 = Arp 41W = ESO 547-0141 = MCG -04-08-032 = PGC 11819

03 09 45.1 -20 34 46

V = 9.9; Size 7.4'x6.5'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 108d

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x; this face-on multi-arm knotty Sc appeared very bright, very large, roundish, at least 6' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a very bright, elongated core that contains a brighter central bar-like nuclear region. Spiral structure is evident in the large halo, but subtler than I expected as several segments are disconnected. Most prominent is a knotty arm on the north side. It emerges near the northwest end of the core and shoots linearly (2' length) towards the northeast in the direction of a mag 14 star 2.5' NE of center. Another spiral arm extends east and west perhaps 1.5' length, just south of the central region. The arm fades out at its west end but after a short break, a very faint elongated knot, ~14"x8", is 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 dims again but can just be traced shooting straight N-S in the northwest end of the halo. Another short, linear segment of a arm (containing [HK83] 110) is just visible close east of the core, 1.1' ENE of center. NGC 1232A (the subject of a long-standing redshift controversy) is visible 4.1' ESE of center, just beyond the east edge of the galaxy. It appeared very faint, small, round, ~20" diameter

17.5" (10/8/88): bright, large, slightly elongated, bright core, very large faint halo. Located 8' WSW of mag 8.6 SAO 168347.

13" (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" (10/13/81): faint, diffuse, low surface brightness.

WH discovered NGC 1232 = H II-258 = h2509 on 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 303) recording "eF, lbM, 7 or 8' dia." On 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) he logged "F, cL, bM, irr F, 5 or 5' diam. The nebulosity is unequal, seeming to be two or three clouds or nebulosities joined together." JH made 3 observations at the Cape, the most detailed being ""B; vL; R; resolvable; 3' (dia), first very grad then psbM. With the left eye I see it mottled. (N.B. This is no doubt a distant globular cluster)." The NGC position is accurate.

NGC 1232B = PGC 11834, near the end of one of the spiral arms, was assumed to be interacting with NGC 1232, but its redshift places it four times the distance. This system was used by Arp to argue against redshift-based distances.

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NGC 1233 = UGC 2586 = MCG +06-08-003 = CGCG 525-006 = PGC 11955

03 12 33.1 +39 19 07

V = 13.2; Size 1.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 27d

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 III-20 on 10 Dec 1871 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2586 = PGC 11955. Harold Corwin mentions that Swift's V-51 = NGC 1235 might be a duplicate observation of this galaxy, with a 24' error in declination.

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NGC 1234 = MCG -01-09-011 = PGC 11813

03 09 39.2 -07 50 47

V = 14.2; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 141d

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 SAO 130313.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1234 = LM II-362 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 16.2, 0.6' dia, iR, 1 or eF stars inv, *9m precedes 30 sec." There is nothing at his position but 40 sec of RA due west is MCG -01-09-011 = PGC 11813. The star to the west is preceding by 22", though it's odd he didn't mention a brighter star to the NE.

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NGC 1235

03 12 48 +38 56

=***, JS. =NGC 1233?, HC

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1235 = Sw V-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 NGC 58, the other dozen discoveries by Swift on that night have no significant errors, so this identification is very uncertain. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1236 = CGCG 441-003 = PGC 11898

03 11 28.0 +10 48 30

V = 14.7; Size 0.5'x0.3'; PA = 30d

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 CGCG 441-003 = PGC 11898.

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NGC 1237

03 10 08.9 -08 41 32

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 NGC 1241/1242 pair (Arp 304).

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1237 = LM II-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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NGC 1238 = MCG -02-09-010 = Holm 67a = PGC 11868

03 10 52.7 -10 44 53

V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 110d

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. IC 1897, just 3.3' SW, appeared faint, small, round, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is 1.5' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1238 = Sw V-52 on 1 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory, recording "vF; pS; R; sp of [NGC 1247]. His position is 9 tsec east and 20" south of MCG -02-09-010 = PGC 11868 and NGC 1247 is 25' NE.

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NGC 1239 = MCG -01-09-012 = PGC 11869

03 10 53.7 -02 33 11

V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 70d

17.5" (1/7/89): faint, very small, round, weak concentration.

WH 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 JH was only able to correct the declination, as the nebula was "scarcely seen through thick haze". So, the 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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NGC 1240

03 13 26.7 +30 30 26

=**, Corwin.

WH discovered NGC 1240 = H III-164 on 12 Sep 1784 (sweep 268) and recorded "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' southeast of WH'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

V = 12.0; Size 2.8'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 145d

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 NGC 1242 1.7' NE with both galaxies just south of a mag 9.3 star.

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.

WH discovered NGC 1241 = H II-286 = h289 = h2510 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 355) and recorded "F, pL, R, lbM, south of a small star." JH observed this galaxy both at Slough and at the Cape, where he logged "F, pmE, 50", the preceding of two [with NGC 243]." The NGC position is accurate.

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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

V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 130d

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 SAO 130329.

WH 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, vgvmbM, 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." Bindon Stoney, using LdR's 72" on Dec 7 1850, 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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NGC 1243 = Holm 68b

03 11 25.4 -08 56 43

=**, Corwin.

JH discovered NGC 1243 = h291 = h2511 on 6 Jan 1831. 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 JH's 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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NGC 1244 = ESO 082-008 = PGC 11659

03 06 31.2 -66 46 33

V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 2d

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 NGC 1246 to the SSE.

JH discovered NGC 1244 = h2512 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF, lE, gbM, 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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NGC 1245 = Cr 38 = Mel 18 = OCL-389

03 14 41 +47 14 18

V = 8.4; Size 10'

17.5" (12/8/90): 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" (1/28/84): about 75 stars in a dense cluster. Includes bright stars on the north side.

WH discovered NGC 1245 = H VI-25 = h290 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645), recording "a beautiful very compressed and rich cluster of small stars, about 8' or 9' diameter, irr R." On 30 Nov 1787 (sweep 786) he added "The large stars arranged in lines, like interwoven letters." JH called it a "rich, L, cl not very comp; irreg R with stragllers; stars 12...15m; brightest part 5' diam".

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NGC 1246 = ESO 082-009 = PGC 11680

03 07 02.0 -66 56 19

V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 40d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1246 = h2513 on 2 Nov 1834 and noted "pF, R, glbM, 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

V = 12.5; Size 3.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 69d

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 Mrk 1071. A mag 10 star is 6.2' NW.

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.

WH discovered NGC 1247 = H II-900 on 10 Dec 1798 (sweep 1087), recording "F, E nearly in the parallel sp-nf, 3' l, 1' b". His position is 10 sec of RA east of MCG -02-09-014 = PGC 11931. Dreyer, using Lord Rosse's 72" on 12 Jan 1877, logged "vF, vmE 72.5°, glbM. *10m 6' np."

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NGC 1248 = MCG -01-09-016 = PGC 11970

03 12 48.5 -05 13 29

V = 12.5; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 100d

17.5" (1/7/89): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, possible stellar nucleus. Located 5.5' S of mag 8.3 SAO 130357.

WH discovered NGC 1248 = H III-443 = h292 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457), noting "vF, vS, confirmed by 240 power." JH observed it three times and thought it was a "nova" although his position is close to his father's. JH combined the entries in the GC.

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NGC 1249 = ESO 155-006 = LGG 093-004 = PGC 11836

03 10 01.2 -53 20 09

V = 11.8; Size 4.9'x2.3'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 86d

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. Brighter along the major axis suggesting it's a bar. The observation was cut short by clouds, so it's possible the observation was somewhat compromised.

JH discovered NGC 1249 = h2514 on 5 Dec 1834, recording "B; L; vmE in pos. 80°; vgbM to an axis; 2.5' l; 1' br." His position and description matches ESO 155-006 = PGC 11836.

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NGC 1250 = UGC 2613 = MCG +07-07-040 = CGCG 540-066 = PGC 12098

03 15 21.1 +41 21 20

V = 12.8; Size 2.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 159d

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 V-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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NGC 1251

03 14 09.1 +01 27 24

=**, 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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NGC 1252 = ESO 116-?011

03 10 44 -57 45 30

Size 10'

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x): fairly large scattered group of ~20 stars in a 10' region. Includes mag 6.6 HD 20037 on the southwest end and mag 8.7 HD 20059 on the north side. Not impressive but detached in the field.

JH 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 shown to be an asterism (not a related cluster) 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" in A&A, 340, 402-414 (1998).

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NGC 1253 = Arp 279 NED1 = MCG -01-09-018 = UGCA 62 = PGC 12041

03 14 09.1 -02 49 22

V = 11.7; Size 5.2'x2.3'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 82d

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 NGC 1253A, a low surface brightness dwarf. NGC 1253A appeared fairly faint, large, irregular, roughly oval 3:2 E-W, 1.2'x0.8', small brighter core, very patchy appearance (contains HII knots). The nearby mag 12 star is just off the SW side.

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.

WH discovered NGC 1253 = H IV-17 on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280), reporting "a small star with a vF nebulous brush following, discovered with 240x. The brush was faint and about 1.5' or 2' long. A star on each side which viewed were free from that brush that I drew them in the same part of the field." His position was 6' too far south (at the beginning of this sweep, he noted "The rope being broken the PD is coarsely marked in revolutions of the axel"). d'Arrest corrected the position on 4 Jan 1864 and made a total of 4 accurate positions.

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NGC 1254 = MCG +00-09-033 = CGCG 390-032 = PGC 12052

03 14 23.8 +02 40 42

V = 14.1; 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 SAO 111066 5' SSW and mag 8.4 SAO 111068 5' NE.

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 = PGC 12007

03 13 32.2 -25 43 31

V = 10.9; Size 4.2'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 117d

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.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1255 = LM I-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 ESO 481-013 = PGC 12007, although Stone's declination is accurate.

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NGC 1256 = ESO 547-023 = MCG -04-08-052 = PGC 12032

03 13 58.2 -21 59 10

V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 108d

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 SAO 168391. In same field with NGC 1258 13' NNE.

JH 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 HD 20129) matches ESO 547-023 = PGC 12032.

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NGC 1257

03 16 59.5 +41 31 45

=**, 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 UGC 3621 as NGC 1257. This galaxy is 38 sec of RA preceding his published position and does not match the description. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1258 = ESO 547-024 = MCG -04-08-053 = PGC 12034

03 14 05.5 -21 46 28

V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 17d

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 II-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 ESO 547-024 = PGC 12034 and this galaxy is 13' N of NGC 1256.

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NGC 1259 = MCG +07-07-046 = PGC 12208

03 17 17.3 +41 23 07

Size 0.7'x0.7'

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 MCG +07-07-48 within AGC 426. Incorrect identification in the RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1259 = Big. 17 on 21 Oct 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory, noting "round, 25" diameter, vslbM". With respect to I-18 = NGC 1260, his position is 11 sec of RA west and 1' S. This offset corresponds to MCG +07-07-046 = PGC 12208 (11 sec west and 1.2' S). MCG misidentifies NGC 1260 as NGC 1259 and the RNGC misidentifies UGC 2626 (3.7' SW of NGC 1259) as NGC 1259!

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NGC 1260 = UGC 2634 = MCG +07-07-047 = CGCG 540-081 = PGC 12219

03 17 27.2 +41 24 19

V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 86d

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 UGC 2634 = PGC 12219. MCG misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 1259 and misidentifies PGC 12225 as NGC 1260.

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NGC 1261 = ESO 155-SC011

03 12 15.3 -55 13 01

V = 8.3; Size 6.9'

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 is 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 and described "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 is made of resolution, though it should have been possible (brightest stars mag 13.5).

JH observed the cluster twice, first describing it on 5 Dec 1834 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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NGC 1262 = MCG -03-09-014 = PGC 12107

03 15 33.6 -15 52 46

V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 135d

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.!

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1262 = LM I-99 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, recording "mag 15.0, pS, iR, sbMN, halo 15.5." Within the accuracy of his measurement (nearest minute of RA), his position matches MCG -03-09-014 = PGC 12107. 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 1263 = MCG -03-09-015 = PGC 12114

03 15 39.6 -15 05 55

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 I-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°, sbM." His very rough RA (nearest min of RA) is 0.7 min west of MCG -03-09-015 = PGC 12114. 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 1264 = UGC 2643 = MCG +07-07-050 = PGC 12270

03 17 59.5 +41 31 14

V = 14.6; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 30d

17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, small, round, low surface brightness. An extremely faint companion is 1.5' SSW. Member of AGC 426. Incorrect identification in the RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1264 = Big. 19 on 19 Oct 1884 and noted "mag 13.3, 30" diameter, vslbM." His position corresponds with UGC 2643 = PGC 12270. The RNGC misidentifies CGCG 540-085 = PGC 12254 as NGC 1264. UGC and MCG have the correct identification. Discussed in RNGC Corrections #3 and Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1265 = UGC 2651 = MCG +07-07-052 = CGCG 540-088 = 3C 83.1 = PGC 12287

03 18 15.8 +41 51 28

V = 12.1; Size 1.8'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 165d

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.

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 UGC 2651 = PGC 12287. Steinicke mentions this is the brightest galaxy discovered by Bigourdan.

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NGC 1266 = MCG -01-09-023 = PGC 12131

03 16 00.8 -02 25 38

V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 115d

17.5" (1/7/89): faint, small, oval 3:2 ~E-W, even surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' WSW.

WH 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 MCG -01-09-023 = PGC 12131. At the beginning of this sweep, WH noted "The rope being broken the PD is coarsely marked in revolutions of the axel." so this identification is reasonable. Heinrich d'Arrest noted the error and measured an accurate micrometric position on 4 different nights and noted the mag 13 star 6 seconds of RA west and 1' south.

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NGC 1267 = UGC 2657 = MCG +07-07-055 = CGCG 540-092 = LGG 088-005 = PGC 12331

03 18 44.9 +41 28 04

V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.8'

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, very small, round, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a close pair with NGC 1268 1.0' N with CGCG 540-089 1.8' NW and NGC 1270 2.6' E. Located in the rich central section of AGC 426 with NGC 1272 7.0' ENE and NGC 1275 12.2' ENE.

13" (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" refractor at 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 = PGC 12332

03 18 45.1 +41 29 19

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 120d

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" (1/28/84): 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 UGC 2658. At the same time, he discovered and measured NGC 1267, 1270, 1272, 1273 and 1278.

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NGC 1269 = NGC 1291 = ESO 301-002 = MCG -07-07-008 = PGC 12209

03 17 18.2 -41 06 26

See observing notes for NGC 1291.

JH discovered NGC 1269 = h2518 on 1 Nov 1836, and logged "vB; R; glbM; 15"." 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." The most reasonable conclusion is he 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

V = 13.1; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 15d

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" (1/28/84): 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 accurately placed 14 seconds of time following NGC 1267. At the same time, d'Arrest discovered nearby NGC 1267, 1268, 1272, 1273 and 1278.

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NGC 1271 = CGCG 540-096 = PGC 12367

03 19 11.3 +41 21 12

V = 14.1; Size 0.5'x0.2'

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 CGCG 540-096 = PGC 12367.

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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

V = 11.8; Size 2.0'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.2

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, NGC 1273 3.1' NNE and NGC 1278/1277 7.5' NE. Also located midway between NGC 1275 and NGC 1270 4.4' WSW.

13" (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

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2

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" (1/28/84): 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 CGCG 540-099 = PGC 12396. The same night he discovered NGC 1267, 1268, 1270, 1272 and 1278.

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NGC 1274 = MCG +07-07-062 = CGCG 540-102 = PGC 12413

03 19 40.5 +41 32 55

V = 14.1; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4

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.

13" (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 CGCG 540-102 = PGC 12413. This galaxy is identified as IC 1907 (discovered by Bigourdan on 22 Oct 1884 and included in list IV-375). But Harold Corwin equates IC 1907 with NGC 1278 (see that number). Thomson has a long discussion on the identify of IC 1907 in his IC survey.

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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

V = 11.9; Size 2.2'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 110d

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, NGC 1277 3.7' NNE, NGC 1278 3.3' NNE, NGC 1279 2.8' SE, NGC 1281 7.8' NNE.

13" (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": extremely faint and small, round. Used a 6" mask on the 17.5".

WH discovered NGC 1275 = H II-603 = h293 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and recorded "pretty bright, stellar [nebula], or a pretty considerable star with a small, vF chevelure." WH's position is 1.5' too far south, but JH's position is a very close match.

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?". JH credited d'Arrest with the discovery of GC 675 (later NGC 1278), but Dreyer thought WH 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).

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NGC 1276

03 19 51.2 +41 38 31

=**, Corwin. =PGC 12430, Thomson. See Catalogue Corrections

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 1276 on 12 Dec 1876 with the 72" at Birr Castle. With respect to NGC 1278 (incorrectly identified as h674), this nova was placed 3.5 sec of RA west and 288" north. There is no galaxy close to this position. A possible identification is PGC 12430 at 03 19 47.8 +41 35 47 (2000). Thomson feels this identification is a reasonable match but the offsets are 6 seconds of RA west of NGC 1278 and only 2' N (instead of 4.8' N). Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, mentions "not found in Dreyer's place; perhaps 1.6' nnp of NGC 1277." This also refers to PGC 12430. But closer to Dreyer's offset is a 15" pair of stars at 03 19 51.2 +41 38 31 (2000). The offsets are 3 seconds west and 283" north of NGC 1278, which is an excellent match with Dreyer, and Corwin identifies this pair as NGC 1276. Still it's wide enough that I'm surprised that Dreyer did not resolve the pair. So, the identification is uncertain.

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NGC 1277 = MCG +07-07-064 = CGCG 540-104 = PGC 12434

03 19 51.5 +41 34 25

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3

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" (1/28/84): very faint, extremely small. Located 0.8' NW of NGC 1278.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 1277 on 4 Dec 1875. Dreyer independently found the galaxy a year later on 12 Dec 1876 and both observations are in Dreyer's GC Supplement (5304 = 5305). Dreyer equated the GC entries in the NGC.

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NGC 1278 = UGC 2670 = MCG +07-07-065 = CGCG 540-105 = IC 1907 = PGC 12438

03 19 54.1 +41 33 48

V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2

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. Located at the NE corner of a parallelogram with NGC 1275 3.4' SSW, NGC 1272 7.5' SW and NGC 1273 5.3' WSW.

13" (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. WH (II-603) 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 as a new discovery Big. 375 (4th discovery list) and Dreyer recatalogued it as IC 1906. Both d'Arrest and Bigourdan missed nearby NGC 1277. See notes for NGC 1275 for more on the confusion of NGC 1275 and 1278.

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NGC 1279 = PGC 12448 = PGC 12449

03 19 59.0 +41 28 47

V = 14.6; Size 0.5'x0.2'; PA = 0d

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" (1/28/84): 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 and logged "vF, vS". Micrometric offsets were measured from a star between NGC 1275 and NGC 1272 as 272.4" in PA 104.5°. At this precise offset (270" in PA 105°) is PGC 12448 = PGC 12449 (two entries for this galaxy in the PGC). The PGC (and secondary sources such as Megastar) misidentifies PGC 12450 = V Zw 338 as NGC 1279. The current versions of LEDA and NED have the correct identification.

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NGC 1280 = UGC 2652 = MCG +00-09-050 = PGC 12262

03 17 57.1 -00 10 09

V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 55d

17.5" (10/24/87): faint, small, round, weak concentration.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1280 = St XII-25 on 19 Dec 1881 with the 31" reflector at Marseille Observatory, recording "vF, vS, R, gbM, seems resolvable". His position is accurate.

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NGC 1281 = MCG +07-07-067 = CGCG 540-108 = PGC 12458

03 20 06.1 +41 37 48

V = 13.3; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9

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 CGCG 540-108 = PGC 12458.

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NGC 1282 = UGC 2675 = MCG +07-07-068 = CGCG 540-109 = PGC 12471

03 20 12.1 +41 22 02

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 25d

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" (1/8/84): faint, fairly small, diffuse halo, 10' SE NGC 1275. Forms a pair with NGC 1283.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 1282 = Big. 22 on 23 Nov 1884 with the 12" at the Paris Observatory, describing "mag 13.2-13.3, 20" diameter, faint stellar ncl." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1283 = UGC 2676 = MCG +07-07-069 = CGCG 540-110 = PGC 12478

03 20 15.5 +41 23 55

V = 13.6; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 70d

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, vlbM." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1284 = MCG -02-09-022 = PGC 12247

03 17 45.5 -10 17 20

V = 12.1; Size 2.0'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 90d

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.

WH 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 MCG -02-09-022 = PGC 12247.

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NGC 1285 = MCG -01-09-026 = PGC 12259

03 17 53.4 -07 17 54

V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 35d

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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NGC 1286 = MCG -01-09-025 = PGC 12250

03 17 48.5 -07 37 01

V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 150d

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 SAO 130402 and 3.4' NNW of a mag 10.4 star.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1286 = Sw III-25 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 7 sec of RA east of MCG -01-09-025 = PGC 12250.

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NGC 1287 = PGC 12310

03 18 33.4 -02 43 51

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 SAO 130415.

WH 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.

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NGC 1288 = ESO 357-013 = MCG -05-08-025 = PGC 12204

03 17 13.2 -32 34 34

V = 12.1; Size 2.3'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.6

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.

JH discovered NGC 1288 = h2520 on 19 Nov 1835 and recorded "vF; L; R; vglbM; 2.5' diam." His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 1289 = UGC 2666 = MCG +00-09-054 = CGCG 390-055 = IC 314 = PGC 12342

03 18 49.8 -01 58 24

V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 100d

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. NGC 1298 lies 22' SE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1289 = Sw IV-13 on 1 Sep 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "vF; S; R; 4 st following in a row.". His position is 11 tsec of RA west of UGC 2666 but his description of the 4 stars applies so the identity is not in doubt. Bigourdan (Big 140) independently found this galaxy again on 14 Dec 1887, measured a accurate position, and it was also catalogued as IC 314 (though Swift's position was only a few arcmin off). So, NGC 1289 = IC 314, with discovery priority to Swift. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, measured an accurate micrometric position and reported "the "4 st following" are of about mag 10, and are not close together, the farthest being perhaps 10' from the nebula."

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NGC 1290 = PGC 12395

03 19 25.2 -13 59 23

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 NGC 1295 9' due east. The identifications of NGC 1290 and NGC 1295 are reversed in the RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1290 = LM I-101 (along with NGC 1295 = LM I-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 MCG -02-09-030 as NGC 1290. The correct identification is NGC 1295 = MCG -02-09-030.

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NGC 1291 = NGC 1269 = ESO 301-002 = MCG -07-07-008 = PGC 12209

03 17 18.2 -41 06 26

V = 8.5; Size 9.8'x8.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 156d

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 SAO 216239 lies 11' SSW. Viewed at only 10° elevation.

13" (10/10/86): very bright, moderately large, round, very bright core, almost stellar nucleus, large faint halo. A star is involved on the NW 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 position is 4' ESE of PGC 12209. This galaxy was observed by JH on 1 Nov 1836, along with h2518 = NGC 1269. The declination and descriptions are identical for the two entries, but differ by 2.6 tmin in RA. Clearly, JH was confused and recorded the object twice. So, NGC 1269 = NGC 1291.

On a second sweep JH described the galaxy as "Globular; vB, R, 1st gradually, then suddenly very mbM; r, mottled, but not resolved.", so Dreyer identified this galaxy as a globular in the NGC description. In a 1908 paper in Annals of the Harvard College Observatory, Solon Bailey 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 Bruce plates." He later included it in a list of uncertain or not probable globular star cluster.

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NGC 1292 = ESO 418-001 = MCG -05-08-026 = PGC 12285

03 18 14.8 -27 36 37

V = 12.1; Size 3.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 7d

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

V = 13.4; 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.

WH discovered NGC 1293 = H III-574 = h294, along with NGC 1294 = III-575, on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and described both as "Two [NGC 1293 and NGC 1294] Both vF, stellar, vlbM, but the southern [NGC 1294] is the brightest and largest." His position is ~10 tsec of RA too far west and JH was confused in the orientation (NW - SE), but the 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

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, small, round, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 1293 2' NNW. Member of AGC 426.

WH discovered NGC 1294 = H III-575 = h295, along with NGC 1293, on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 614) and described both as "Two [NGC 1293 and NGC 1294] Both vF, stellar, vlbM, but the southern [NGC 1294] is the brightest and largest." His position is ~10 tsec of RA too far west and JH mixed up the orientation (calling this galaxy the "north-following of two), but this was corrected in the NGC descriptions and positions.

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NGC 1295 = MCG -02-09-030 = PGC 12465

03 20 03.3 -13 59 54

V = 14.3; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 175d

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 I-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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NGC 1296 = MCG -02-09-025 = PGC 12341

03 18 49.7 -13 03 44

V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 0d

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 I-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 MCG -02-09-025 = PGC 12341. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory.

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NGC 1297 = ESO 547-030 = MCG -03-09-017 = PGC 12373

03 19 14.2 -19 06 00

V = 11.8; Size 2.2'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 3d

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.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1297 around Jan 1885 with his 5-inch Byrne refractor while sweeping comets (Sidereal Messenger 4, p53). His position is accurate.

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NGC 1298 = UGC 2683 = MCG +00-09-062 = CGCG 390-063 = PGC 12473

03 20 13.1 -02 06 51

V = 14.0; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.7; PA = 70d

17.5" (10/24/87): fairly faint, small, oval slightly elongated 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 MCG +00-09-063 as NGC 1298.

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NGC 1299 = MCG -01-09-028 = PGC 12466

03 20 09.6 -06 15 45

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 40d

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. MCG +01-09-027 lies 14' NW.

WH 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." It was observed 9 times with LdR's 72", perhaps trying to resolve this galaxy. The NGC position is accurate. The PA is off by 90 deg in the RC 3.

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NGC 1300 = ESO 547-031 = MCG -03-09-018 = UGCA 66 = PGC 12412

03 19 41.0 -19 24 40

V = 10.4; Size 6.2'x4.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 106d

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 attaches 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 then brightens in a thin section near the east end. The two main arms extend at least 4.5'x3' ~E-W.

48" (10/25/14): 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.

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.

8" (10/13/81): faint, fairly large, elongated, low surface brightness, diffuse.

JH discovered NGC 1300 = h2522 on 11 Dec 1835, recording "B; vL; 1st very gradually then pretty suddenly vmbM; 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 bM to a F nucleus; mE 8' or 10' l, 2' b.". Herschel's position (2 observations) is accurate but in the GC he accidentally placed GC 689 = NGC 1300 one degree too far south Barnard caught this error (Sidereal Messenger 4, p125) and Dreyer corrected the position while compiling the NGC.

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NGC 1301 = ESO 547-032 = MCG -03-09-022 = PGC 12521

03 20 35.4 -18 42 58

V = 13.4; Size 2.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 140d

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 I-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 ESO 547-032 = PGC 1252, but there is no question about the identification as the position angle matches this galaxy.

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NGC 1302 = ESO 481-020 = MCG -04-08-058 = PGC 12431

03 19 51.0 -26 03 37

V = 10.7; Size 3.9'x3.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 172d

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.

8" (10/13/81): 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). His position is accurate.

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NGC 1303 = MCG -01-09-029 = PGC 12527

03 20 40.8 -07 23 40

V = 13.9; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 20d

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 SAO 130433 6' SSE and mag 10.1 SAO 130427 6' WSW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1303 on 28 Oct 1865 with an 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His single position matches MCG -01-09-029 = PGC 12527 and his comment that "two or three stars are involved" refers to a star right along the eastern edge and probably the nucleus.

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NGC 1304 = NGC 1307 = MCG -01-09-030 = PGC 12575

03 21 12.8 -04 35 03

V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 130d

17.5" (1/7/89): very faint, small, oval WSW-ENE, weak concentration.

WH 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 NGC 1307, discovered by Francis Leavenworth (II-366) in 1886 is probably a duplicate observation of PGC 12575. Leavenworth's position is 1.0 tmin east (a common error), though his note of a "*9.5 f 8s, north 3'." does not match. But there is a mag 11.5-12 star 6 sec of RA west and 3.2' W, which might be Leavenworth's star.

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NGC 1305 = UGC 2697 = MCG +00-09-069 = CGCG 390-072 = PGC 12582

03 21 23.0 -02 19 01

V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 130d

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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NGC 1306 = ESO 481-023 = PGC 12559

03 21 03.0 -25 30 45

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 SAO 168493.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1306 = LM I-103 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.8, vS, gbM, no Nucl, *10.5 4' E." His rough position matches ESO 481-023 = PGC 12559, though there is no matching star. But a mag 12.5 star 3.3' NE may be the intended star.

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NGC 1307 = NGC 1304 = MCG -01-09-030 = PGC 12637

03 21 12.8 -04 35 03

V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 130d

See observing notes for NGC 1304.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1307 = LM II-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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NGC 1308 = MCG -01-09-032 = PGC 12643

03 22 28.6 -02 45 27

V = 13.9; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 45d

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.

WH 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 MCG -01-09-032 = PGC 12643.

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NGC 1309 = MCG -03-09-028 = PGC 12626

03 22 06.3 -15 24 00

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 SAO 148921.

8" (11/28/81): fairly faint, small, round. A mag 8 star is 4' SW.

WH discovered NGC 1309 = H I-106 = h2523 on 3 Oct 1785 (sweep 451), logging it as "cB, cL, iR, bM, 3' diameter." JH described it as "pF, R, glbM, pos from a * 7 mag = 31°, difference in RA 7.5 sec, * 4' S."

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NGC 1310 = ESO 357-019 = MCG -06-08-004 = LGG 094-001 = PGC 12569

03 21 03.5 -37 06 07

V = 12.1; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 95d

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 NGC 1316 (Fornax A) and 8' SW of mag 9.4 SAO 194250. Member of the Fornax I Cluster.

JH discovered NGC 1310 = h2524 on 22 Oct 1835 and reported "vF, R, pL, vlbM; 90 arcsec." His position is 2' S of ESO 357-019 = PGC 12569. On a later sweep he called it a globular cluster (three other members of the Fornax cluster were also described as globulars). His position is accurate on two of the sweeps.

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NGC 1311 = ESO 200-007 = LGG 093-005 = PGC 12460

03 20 07.2 -52 11 11

V = 13.0; Size 3.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 40d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1311 = h2525 on 24 Dec 1837, recording it as "F, mE in position 37.3 degrees; gbM, 2' long, 15 arcseconds broad.". His position and description is accurate. NGC 1311 and NGC 1356 are included in a list of 46 nebulae recorded on two plates made with the Bruce telescope in October 1898 by DeLisle Stewart (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1899HarCi..38....1P).

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NGC 1312

03 23 41.7 +01 11 05

=**, 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 UGC 2711 as NGC 1312. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1313 = ESO 082-011 = VV 436 = AM 0317-664 = PGC 12286

03 18 16.1 -66 29 53

V = 8.7; Size 9.1'x6.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 39d

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. Embedded with this extension is [PES80] 5/6, a brighter elongated HII knot, ~30"x20". A mag 15 star is west of the northwest end of this arm. Just east of the north-northeast end of the main bar is [PES80] 1, another brighter HII knot, ~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 the end of this arm (nearly due east of the core). The HII designations are from a 1980 study of HII regions by Page, Edmunds and Smith in MNRAS, 193, 219. NGC 1313A = ESO 83-1, lies 16' SE, and appeared as a fairly small, thin edge-on oriented 4:1 SSW-NNE, ~0.6'x0.15'.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1313 = D 206 = h2528 on 27 Sep 1826, describing "a faint ill-defined nebula, rather extended in the direction of the meridian, with several exceedingly minute stars in it." JH only observed this bright galaxy on one sweep and logged "pB, irreg R or lE, vL, vgbM, resolvable, 3'."

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NGC 1314 = MCG -01-09-033 = PGC 12650

03 22 41.2 -04 11 12

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 II-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 MCG -01-09-033 = PGC 12650, a low surface brightness, face-on spiral, about 1.5' diameter and the RNGC identifies NGC 1314 = PGC 12650. A mag 12 star is 1' S, so Leavenworth must have reversed his directions (common error). MCG does not label MCG -01-09-033 as NGC 1314.

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NGC 1315 = ESO 548-003 = MCG -04-09-002 = PGC 12671

03 23 06.6 -21 22 31

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 NGC 1325 in the NGC 1332 group.

JH discovered NGC 1315 = h2526 on 13 Nov 1835, logging "pB, R, gbM, 25 arcsec." His position is accurate. The same night he also found NGC 1319, located 15' SE.

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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

V = 8.5; Size 12.0'x8.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 50d

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 on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta and described "a rather bright, round nebula, about 1.5' diameter, gradually condensed to the centre." He made two observations and his published position was pretty poor -- nearly 20' SE of the galaxy. Dunlop discovered six members of the Fornax cluster, though most (15) were found by John Herschel. John (h2527) first observed the galaxy on 22 Oct 1835 and noted "vB; pL; lE; vsvmbM, to a nucleus 2" in diameter." On his second sweep 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 = ESO 357-023 = MCG -06-08-006 = PGC 12653

03 22 44.4 -37 06 13

V = 11.0; Size 2.8'x2.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 78d

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" (10/13/81): faint, small, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 1316 7' S.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1317 = D 547 = h2529 on 24 Nov 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta and described "a small faint round nebula about 15 arcseconds in diameter." This was the last object he discovered and his position is ~15' ENE of center. JH first observed the galaxy on 22 Oct 1835 and noted "pB, S, R, psbM." 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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NGC 1318 = NGC 1317 = ESO 357-023 = MCG -06-08-006 = PGC 12653

03 22 44.4 -37 06 13

V = 11.0; Size 2.8'x2.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 78d

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 JH'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

V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 27d

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.

JH 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 ESO 548-006 = PGC 12708

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NGC 1320 = MCG -01-09-036 = Mrk 607 = PGC 12756

03 24 48.7 -03 02 33

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 135d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1320 = H III-197 = h298 = h2530, along with NGC 1321, on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and described both as "Two. Both eF, verified with 240 power but with 157x I had but a very distant suspicion of them." JH observed this pair both from Slough 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

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 45d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1321 = H III-196 = h297 = h2531, along with NGC 1320, on 20 Sep 1784 (sweep 280) and described both as "Two. Both eF, verified with 240 power but just suspected with 157 power." JH observed this pair both from Slough as well as the Cape of Good Hope.

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NGC 1322 = MCG -01-09-037 = PGC 12761

03 24 54.7 -02 55 09

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 100d

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.

JH 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 is accurate.

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NGC 1323 = PGC 12764

03 24 56.1 -02 49 19

V = 15.0; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 85d

17.5" (11/25/87): very faint, extremely small, round. Located 30" NE of a mag 14 star. Fourth of four in a group.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 1323 on 2 Nov 1850 with Lord Rosse's 72" (and possibly earlier by George Stoney on 19 Dec 1848) and reported a "suspected neb (or perhaps only a star) with a F* close sp." The group of NGC 1320, 1321, 1322 and 1323 was observed 14 times at Birr Castle!

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NGC 1324 = MCG -01-09-038 = PGC 12772

03 25 01.7 -05 44 44

V = 13.4; Size 2.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 135d

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated NW-SE, bright core.

WH discovered NGC 1324 = H III-445 = h299 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457), logging "vF, pS, E." On his second observation, JH noted "vF; pmE; 20" l, 12" br."

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NGC 1325 = ESO 548-007 = MCG -04-09-004 = UGCA 70 = PGC 12737

03 24 25.6 -21 32 36

V = 11.5; Size 4.7'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 56d

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 NGC 1332 group with NGC 1319 7' W, NGC 1325A 13' NNE, NGC 1315 21' NW and NGC 1332 29' ENE. NGC 1325A = Holmberg VI appeared faint, large, round, diffuse glow. Appears ~2' in diameter and brightens slightly but there is no noticeable core.

13" (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.

WH discovered NGC 1325 = H IV-77 = h2534 on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091), describing "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." JH described and sketched this galaxy from the Cape 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."

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NGC 1326 = ESO 357-026 = MCG -06-08-011 = PGC 12709

03 23 56.4 -36 27 52

V = 10.5; Size 3.9'x2.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 77d

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" (10/13/81): faint, fairly small, round, bright core.

JH discovered NGC 1326 = h2535 on 29 Nov 1837, recording it as "60" diameter, vsvmbM to a nucleus, ? a disc." His position is accurate (on the SE side of the halo).

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NGC 1327 = ESO 481-026 = MCG -04-09-008 = PGC 12795

03 25 23.2 -25 40 46

V = 14.7; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 176d

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. MCG -04-09-010 lies 9.4' ESE.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1327 = LM I-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 tmin of RA and a reasonable match in position and description.

ESO/Uppsala identifies a pair of stars with a wider third star about 8' NW of this galaxy as possibly NGC 1327, although they are too bright to be Stone's intended object. This identification probably derives from the NGC Correction list at Harvard College Observatory "3 vF st close together, no neb" (from DeLisle Stewart and repeated in IC 2). 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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NGC 1328 = PGC 12805

03 25 39.1 -04 07 30

V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 130d

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 SAO 130481.

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 II-368 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.5 tmin of RA east of PGC 12805 (typical error made in RA at Leander McCormick).

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NGC 1329 = ESO 548-015 = MCG -03-09-042 = PGC 12826

03 26 02.6 -17 35 29

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 35d

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 (ESO 548-014) is attached to the mag 11.5 star but was not noticed.

JH discovered NGC 1329 = h2536 on 11 Dec 1835 and commented "F, R, glbM, 30 arcsec.". His position matches ESO 548-015 = PGC 12826.

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NGC 1330

03 29 04.1 +41 40 30

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 XII-26 on 14 Dec 1881 using the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is 6' north of NGC 1335 (found by Stephan on the same night and accurately placed) and falls precisely on a group of at least four mag 15.5-16 stars and a couple of fainter ones. RNGC and PGC misidentify CGCG 541-014 = PGC 12967 as NGC 1330. This galaxy is located ~17' S of Stephan's position. See my RNGC Corrections #2.

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NGC 1331 = ESO 548-019 = MCG -04-09-012 = IC 324 = PGC 12846

03 26 28.3 -21 21 19

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.

WH discovered NGC 1331 = H III-959 on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091), recording it as "The second is close to it [NGC 1332], or about 1 1/2' sf the former; it is vF, vS." His single position on this sweep is 22 seconds of RA too small and happens to fall close to ESO 548-016 = PGC 12827, a galaxy too faint to have been seen by Herschel.

Guillaume Bigourdan independently found NGC 1331 on 3 Dec 1888, placed it accurately and Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 324, assuming it was a different object. In Dreyer's collected "Scientific Papers of William Herschel", he notes for NGC 1331: "This is IC 324, 11 seconds following, 1.2' S of NGC 1332. NGC 1331 is to be struck out." The RNGC misidentifies ESO 548-016 as NGC 1331.

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NGC 1332 = ESO 548-018 = MCG -04-09-011 = UGCA 72 = PGC 12838

03 26 17.1 -21 20 04

V = 10.3; Size 4.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 120d

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). 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.

WH discovered NGC 1332 = H I-60 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and logged "vB, S, lE, mbM." On 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) he recorded "Two [along with NGC 1331], the 1st [NGC 1332] vB, SBNcl with faint branches from np to sf." The position of NGC 1331 is too far west in the NGC, so the pair is out of RA order.

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NGC 1333 = Ced 16 = LBN 741 = vdB 17

03 29 19.7 +31 24 57

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 Barnard 2).

17.5" (12/8/90): 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" (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 refractor, while measuring stars for the BD catalogue (NGC 1333 received the number BD +30° 548). The discovery was announced in AN 1391 (1862) and Auwers included it as #17 in his 1862 list of new nebulae. Horace Tuttle independently discovered this reflection nebula on 5 Feb 1859 with a 3-inch comet-seeker and Bond announced in 1859MNRAS..19..224B that "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, 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." Summarized from Harold Corwin's identification notes and Steinicke's "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters".

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NGC 1334 = UGC 2759 = MCG +07-08-018 = CGCG 541-017 = PGC 13001

03 30 01.8 +41 49 57

V = 13.1; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 115d

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 VIII-37 on 14 Feb 1863 with an 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 UGC 2759 = PGC 13001. Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy on 27 Oct 1888 and reported it in his 8th discovery list. Dreyer apparently realized the equivalence with NGC 1334 as this entry wasn't assigned an IC designation, but the previous entry in the discovery list (described as "p of 2") is IC 323, a triple star.

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NGC 1335 = UGC 2762 = MCG +07-08-019 = CGCG 541-018 = PGC 13015

03 30 19.5 +41 34 22

V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 165d

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 HD 21566.

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 SAO 38888. NGC 1336 lies 16' NNW. Possible outlying member of AGC 426.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1335 = St XII-27 on 14 Dec 1881 using the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2762, although UGC does not 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

V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 22d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1336 = h2537 on 22 Oct 1835 and recorded on his last of 3 observations "vF, lE, 40 arcsec." His position matches ESO 358-002 = PGC 12848.

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NGC 1337 = MCG -02-09-042 = PGC 12916

03 28 05.8 -08 23 21

V = 11.9; Size 5.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 145d

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, even surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1337 = Sw III-26 on 10 Nov 1885 with his 16" refractor and recorded "vL; vE nearly in meridian; eF." His position matches MCG -02-09-042 = PGC 12916, though Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, reported the elongation to be 135°.

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NGC 1338 = MCG -02-09-044 = PGC 12956

03 28 54.5 -12 09 12

V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 55d

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 HD 21634.

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 XIII-24 on 15 Dec 1884 using the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches MCG -02-09-044 = PGC 12956.

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NGC 1339 = ESO 418-004 = MCG -05-09-004 = PGC 12917

03 28 06.5 -32 17 11

V = 11.6; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 172d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1339 = h2538 on 18 Nov 1835 and logged "pB, R, pslbM, 40 arcsec." On a later sweep he noted "B, R, psmbM; a double star precedes." The double star (HJ 3578) is 5.8' NW.

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NGC 1340 = NGC 1344 = ESO 418-005 = MCG -05-09-005 = PGC 12923

03 28 19.1 -31 04 05

See observing notes for NGC 1344.

JH discovered NGC 1340 = h715 on 19 Nov 1835 and logged "vB, lE, psbM, 45 arcsec". There is nothing at his position but exactly 10' S is NGC 1344, which was discovered by WH (I-257) on 9 Oct 1790 and later observed by JH at the Cape. The equivalence was even suggested in the NGC Notes section. Swift felt this number should be struck as he was not able to find it at JH's position. Corwin and ESO equate NGC 1340 = NGC 1344, with NGC 1344 the primary designation.

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NGC 1341 = ESO 358-008 = MCG -06-08-020 = PGC 12911

03 27 58.4 -37 08 58

V = 12.3; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 134d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1341 = h2540 on 29 Nov 1837 and noted "F, S, R; has a star 12th mag following." His position and description matches ESO 358-008 = PGC 12911. The IC notes add "not round, but much extended 140°" (from DeLisle Stewart).

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NGC 1342 = Cr 40 = Mel 21 = OCL-401

03 31 36 +37 22

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.

WH discovered NGC 1342 = H VIII-88 = h301 on 28 Dec 1799 (sweep 1092) and described "a cluster of coarsely scattered large stars, about 15' diameter." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1343 = UGC 2792 = MCG +12-04-001 = CGCG 327-005 = VII Zw 8 = PGC 13384

03 37 49.7 +72 34 17

V = 12.7; Size 2.6'x1.6'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 80d

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 are 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.

WH discovered NGC 1343 = H III-694 = h300 on 11 Oct 1787 (sweep 764) and noted "vF, vS, irr R, bM. 360 confirmed it." JH made two observations, recording on 29 Oct 1831 "F, R, gbM, 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 = PGC 12923

03 28 19.1 -31 04 05

V = 10.4; Size 6.0'x3.5'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 165d

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" (10/13/81): fairly faint, slightly elongated N-S.

WH discovered NGC 1344 = H I-257 = h2542 on 9 Oct 1790 (sweep 972) and recorded "cB, iR, vgmbM, about 1.5' diameter." His position is accurate. JH independently found ESO 418-005 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.

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NGC 1345 = ESO 548-026 = MCG -03-09-046 = UGCA 74 = VV 690 = PGC 12979

03 29 31.7 -17 46 42

V = 13.8; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 33d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1345 = h2541 and noted "vF, R, pslbM, 20 arcsec.". His position is an exact match with ESO 548-026.

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NGC 1346 = MCG -01-09-042 = PGC 13009

03 30 13.1 -05 32 35

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80d

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 SAO 130538 and 12' E of mag 9.5 SAO 130518.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1346 = St VIIIb-12 on 15 Dec 1876 using the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches MCG -01-09-042 = PGC 13009.

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NGC 1347 = Arp 39 = VV 23a = ESO 548-027 = MCG -04-09-017 = PGC 12989

03 29 41.8 -22 16 45

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.2' diameter, weakly concentrated. A very faint companion at the south edge was not seen. Located 14' N of mag 7 SAO 168587.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1347 = LM II-369 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 16.0, 1.0'x0.8', E 130°, sbMN." His position is only 8 sec of RA east of ESO 548-027 = PGC 12989 (part of Arp 39). A very faint companion (PGC 816443) is at the south edge.

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NGC 1348 = OCL-391 = Lund 112

03 34 09 +51 25 12

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).

WH 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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NGC 1349 = UGC 2774 = MCG +01-09-006 = CGCG 416-013 = PGC 13088

03 31 27.5 +04 22 51

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 VI-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 UGC 2774 and this galaxy is "between 2 stars".

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NGC 1350 = ESO 358-013 = MCG -06-08-023 = PGC 13059 = "Cosmic Eye"

03 31 07.9 -33 37 42

V = 10.3; Size 5.2'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 0d

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 HD 21988 and 194353 and 8.7' SE of mag 8.9 HD 21898.

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" (10/13/81): 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 and noted (single observation) "a very faint small ill-defined nebula." His position is 11' SE of ESO 358-013 = PGC 13059. JH 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 in NGC Corrections, Harvard College Observatory and repeated in the IC 2 Notes.

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NGC 1351 = ESO 358-012 = MCG -06-08-022 = PGC 13028

03 30 34.9 -34 51 15

V = 11.6; Size 2.8'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 140d

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 HD 21851.

13.1" (10/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, bright core. Fornax I cluster member.

JH discovered NGC 1351 = h2544 on 19 Oct 1835 and reported "pB, R, psbM, 30 arcsec.". His position matches ESO 358-012 = PGC 13028.

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NGC 1352 = ESO 548-030 = MCG -03-10-002 = PGC 13091

03 31 32.9 -19 16 42

V = 13.3; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 134d

17.5" (11/17/01): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration. Located 4.4' NW of mag 8.4 SAO 149019.

JH discovered NGC 1352 = h2543 on 11 Dec 1835 and recorded "eF; S; pslbM; 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 ESO 548-030 = PGC 13091.

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NGC 1353 = ESO 548-031 = MCG -04-09-022 = UGCA 76 = PGC 13108

03 32 03.0 -20 49 05

V = 11.5; Size 3.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 138d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1353 = H III-246 = h2546 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and noted "vF, E, equally bright." On 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) he reported "cB, cL, irr F, lE from np to sf." JH logged it on 11 Nov 1835 as "B, mE, gmbM, 90" l, 40" br.

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NGC 1354 = MCG -03-10-004 = PGC 13130

03 32 29.4 -15 13 16

V = 12.4; Size 2.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 148d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1354 = H III-487 = h2547 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 499) and recorded "vF, S, E." JH called it "vF, S, lE, glbM, 25 arcsec." The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 1355 = MCG -01-10-002 = PGC 13169

03 33 23.5 -04 59 55

V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 80d

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated WSW-ENE, bright core. NGC 1358 lies 6.8' SSE.

13" (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 WH and Rosse (unaware of Hunter's observation). Dreyer made an observation at Birr Castle on 6 Nov 1877 and later realized that Alpha 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

V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 149d

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 IC 1947 located 2.2' SW. A mag 12.7 star lies 1.3' SW, directly between NGC 1356 and IC 1947. IC 1947 appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, ~0.5'x0.25'. Forms the west vertex of a small triangle with the mag 12.7 star 1' NE and a mag 11.7 star 1.3' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 1356 = h2549 on 23 Dec 1837 and recorded "vF, R, gbM, 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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NGC 1357 = MCG -02-10-001 = PGC 13166

03 33 17.0 -13 39 49

V = 11.5; Size 2.8'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 85d

13.1" (12/7/85): fairly bright, moderately large, round, bright core. Forms the vertex of an isosceles right triangle with mag 8.1 SAO 149035 4' NNE and mag 9.2 SAO 149028 4' WNW.

WH 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." JH 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 = PGC 13182

03 33 39.7 -05 05 22

V = 12.1; Size 2.6'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 15d

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.

13" (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.

WH discovered NGC 1358 = H III-446 = h302 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457) and noted "vF, S, between some small stars." His position is 3' S of MCG -01-10-003 = PGC 13182, but JH measured an accurate position used in the NGC.

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NGC 1359 = ESO 548-039 = MCG -03-10-007 = LGG 100-001 = PGC 13190

03 33 47.2 -19 29 23

V = 12.2; Size 2.4'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 139d

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 group with ESO 548-044 8.5' NE.

JH discovered NGC 1359 = h2550 on 12 Oct 1836 and recorded "F, L, R, vglbM, 2'." His position matches ESO 548-039 = PGC 13190.

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NGC 1360 = PK 220-53.1 = ESO 482-PN7 = M 1-3 = PN G220.3-53.9

03 33 14.6 -25 52 18

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 10.5 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 10.4 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 central star mag 10.5-11, almost even surface brightness. Very impressive planetary with or without OIII filter.

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 (discovery not published until 1885, though). Wilhelm Tempel independently discovered it on 9 Oct 1861 (along with NGC 1398) using his 4-inch Steinheil refractor from Marseille, but didn't publish his discovery either. August Winnecke then found it again in Jan 1868 with a 3.8-inch comet-seeker as well as Eugen Block on 18 Oct 1879 (AN 2293). Dreyer credited Winnecke with the discovery in the GC Supplement (5315). Afterwards, Tempel published his find in 1882, claiming an earlier discovery.

Finally, in the Mar 1885 issue of "The Sidereal Messenger: A Monthly Review of Astronomy", Swift reported "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 NGC 6364 and 7422) for any NGC number, according to Wolfgang Steinicke.

This is one the brightest objects missed by the Herschels as well as by John Dunlop. First classified as planetary in 1946 by Minkowski. 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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NGC 1361 = MCG -01-10-005 = PGC 13218

03 34 17.7 -06 15 54

V = 13.9; Size 1.6'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 39d

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 II-370 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is just 0.2 tmin east and 1' north of MCG -01-10-005 = PGC 13218. MCG (-01-10-005) mislabels this galaxy NGC 1369. The Uranometria Deep Sky Field Guide gives a V mag of 13.9 and a surf brightness of 14.6, but that may be too faint.

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NGC 1362 = ESO 548-041 = MCG -03-10-008 = LGG 095-001 = PGC 13196

03 33 53.0 -20 16 56

V = 12.8; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 5d

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 SAO 168637. First in the nearby group LGG 95 with NGC 1370 20' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 1362 = h2551 on 13 Nov 1835 and recorded "vF; S; R." His position (measured on 2 sweeps) is accurate. WH 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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NGC 1363 = PGC 13245

03 34 49.3 -09 50 33

V = 13.1; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 45d

17.5" (11/17/01): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.7'x0.6', very weak concentration. Forms a close pair with NGC 1364 2.3' following. Forms the NE vertex of an equilateral triangle with mag 6.2 SAO 149047 3.3' WSW and mag 9.3 SAO 149051 3.7' S!

Sherburne Burnham discovered NGC 1363 = Sw V-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 PGC 13245.  Wilhelm Tempel independently discovered this galaxy around 1880 as well as Lewis Swift on 21 Oct 1886, who noted "forms triangle with 2 stars, one vB".  NGC 1364, a fainter companion 2.3' E, was discovered by Frank Muller (list II-371) in 1886.

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NGC 1364 = PGC 13253

03 34 58.8 -09 50 19

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 II-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 PGC 13253.

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NGC 1365 = ESO 358-017 = MCG -06-08-026 = VV 825 = LGG 094-007 = PGC 13179

03 33 35.9 -36 08 24

V = 9.6; Size 11.2'x6.2'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 32d

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 #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 (contains HII #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 #2-3, matching the west end. A group of stars is just east, beyond this patch. 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" (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 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta and 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 position is off by 10 tmin in RA. By examining Dunlop's original papers, Glen Cozens found a copying error, and when corrected his position falls ~8' E of NGC 1365.

NGC 1365 was independently discovered by John Herschel on 28 Nov 1837 and described as "A very remarkable nebula. A decided link between the nebula M 51 and M 27. Centre very bright; somewhat extended; gradually very much brighter to the middle; a 13th magnitude star near the edge of the halo involved. The area of the halo very faint; general position of the longer axis 20.8 degrees. whole breadth = 3'. See Pl. IV. fig. 1." The next night he made a second observation and logged "very bright, extended, resolvable nucleus; or has 2 or 3 stars involved; the preceding Arc is the brighter. I think the oval is in some degree filled up to the south." The NGC attributes Herschel with the discovery. Based on his size estimate, he may have only observed the central region.

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NGC 1366 = ESO 418-010 = MCG -05-09-013 = PGC 13197

03 33 53.7 -31 11 39

V = 12.0; Size 2.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 2d

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 SAO 194375.

WH discovered NGC 1366 = H III-857 = h2553 on 9 Oct 1790 (sweep 972) and recorded "vF, S, irr F, lbM." His position is at the south edge of the galaxy.

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NGC 1367 = NGC 1371 = ESO 482-010 = MCG -04-09-029 = UGCA 79 = PGC 13255

03 35 00.7 -24 56 04

See observing notes for NGC 1371.

Ormond Stone found NGC 1367 = LM I-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 NGC 1371 (discovered by WH) 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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NGC 1368 = MCG -03-10-012 = PGC 13247

03 34 58.9 -15 39 23

V = 14.2; Size 1.3'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 108d

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. NGC 1372 lies 32' SE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1368 = LM I-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 Observatory. MCG does not 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

V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 12d

18" (12/30/08): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, ~0.9'x0.8', very weak concentration. Located 4.3' NW of mag 7.2 HD 22621 and 39' ESE of NGC 1365. This is a relatively bright member of the Fornax I cluster that was missed by John Herschel. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC due to a poor position by Julius Schmidt.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1369 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2" refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey on the Fornax Cluster (nebula "b" in his table). 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 states that if Schmidt made 3 min 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. ESO-LV (surface photometry catalogue) and RC3 identify NGC 1369 = ESO 358-034 but the ESO-Uppsala catalogue and MCG do not 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

V = 12.6; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 50d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1370 = H III-559 = H III-960 = h2554 on 20 Sep 1786 (sweep 597) and logged III 559 as "3 vS stars in a line, with vF nebulosity. On 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) he noted III 960 as "vF, vS, 300 confirmed it." His position on both sweeps are pretty close to ESO 548-048 and clearly his first description (III-559) mentioning "3 vS stars in a line" applies to this galaxy (one of the "stars" is the nucleus).  In the CGH catalogue, JH 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, JH decided to reverse the assignment of his father's numbers and Dreyer copied this in the NGC. But both observations refer to NGC 1370. JH 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 = LGG 097-012 = PGC 13255

03 35 01.3 -24 56 00

V = 10.7; Size 5.6'x3.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 135d

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" (10/13/81): faint, moderately large, bright core, diffuse halo.

WH 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' north of ESO 482-010 = PGC 13255. JH called the galaxy "B, L, R, psbM, 2'." and noted a 4' error in the PD in his working list from Caroline Herschel.

Ormond Stone independently found the galaxy in 1886 and recorded LM I-106 as "mag 13.0 [bright], *9, nf 5.0'." His rough position is a good match with H II-262 = 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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NGC 1372 = PGC 13346

03 36 59.7 -15 52 53

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. NGC 1388 lies 17' E and NGC 1368 32' WNW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1372 = LM I-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 PGC 13346.

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NGC 1373 = ESO 358-021 = MCG -06-08-028 = PGC 13252

03 34 59.2 -35 10 16

V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 131d

18" (12/17/11): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 40"x30", broad concentration. Smallest and faintest in a trio with NGC 1374 and 1375 about 6' SE.

13.1" (12/22/84): very faint, extremely small. First of three with NGC 1374 4.8' SE and NGC 1375 6.8' SE. Member of the Fornax I cluster member.

JH 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. 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 ESO 358-021 = PGC 13252.

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NGC 1374 = ESO 358-023 = MCG -06-08-029 = PGC 13267

03 35 16.6 -35 13 35

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" (10/13/81): faint, small, round.

JH discovered NGC 1374 = h2557 (along with NGC 1373 = h2556 and NGC 1375 = h2558) on 29 Nov 1837, recording "vB, pL, lE, gmbM, the 2nd of three." His position is 1.6' ENE of center (similar offset as NGC 1375). 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 = PGC 13266

03 35 16.8 -35 15 57

V = 12.4; Size 2.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 91d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1375 = h2558 in the Fornax Cluster and described "B, S, lE, pmbM; 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 = PGC 13352

03 37 05.9 -05 02 34

V = 12.1; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 95d

17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, diffuse, weak concentration.

13" (12/7/85): moderately bright, round, moderately large, weak concentration, diffuse.

WH discovered NGC 1376 = H II-288 = h303 on 28 Jan 1785 (sweep 359) and logged "F, pL, irr R, r." His position is 1.7' NNE of ESO 548-051 = PGC 13324. JH measured an accurate position on sweep 96 (Oct 1821), calling it "L; the faintest thing imaginable."

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NGC 1377 = ESO 548-051 = MCG -04-09-033 = PGC 13324

03 36 39.0 -20 54 05

V = 12.5; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 92d

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 SAO 168686. Located one degree NE of 19 (Tau 5) Eridani. Member of large LGG 97 group.

WH discovered NGC 1377 = H II-961 = h2560 on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) and noted "vF, vS." JH made two observations from the Cape of Good Hope, recording it as "F, S, R, bM, 15 arcsec."

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NGC 1378 = ESO 358-**030

03 35 58.2 -35 12 40

=**, Carlson & ESO. =NF, 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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NGC 1379 = ESO 358-027 = MCG -06-09-001 = PGC 13299

03 36 04.0 -35 26 29

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 NGC 1387 lies 11.5' SE and elongated NGC 1381 is 10.5' NE.

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" (10/13/81): faint, small, round, bright core.

JH discovered NGC 1379 = h2561 on 25 Dec 1835 and reported a "Globular cluster, pB, R, gpmbM, 70 arcsec." His position corresponds with ESO 358-027 = PGC 13299 and he also described a few other galaxies in the Fornax cluster as globulars.

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NGC 1380 = ESO 358-028 = MCG -06-09-002 = PGC 13318

03 36 27.5 -34 58 31

V = 9.9; Size 4.8'x2.3'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 7d

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" (10/13/81): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated, bright core.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1380 = D 574 = h2559 on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta and recorded "a rather faint pretty well-defined elliptical nebula, about 1' long, and 50" broad, a little brighter to the centre." Dunlop made a single observation and his position is well off, 19.5' ESE of ESO 358-028 = PGC 13318. JH made a single observation on his sweep of 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."

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NGC 1381 = ESO 358-029 = MCG -06-09-003 = PGC 13321

03 36 31.6 -35 17 43

V = 11.5; Size 2.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 139d

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 NGC 1382 10' NE and NGC 1379 10' SW. NGC 1374/1375 pair is ~15' WNW.

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" (10/13/81): faint, small, elongated.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1381 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "e" in his table). His position is an excellent match with ESO 358-029 = PGC 13321. Of the 11 "new" objects listed by Schmidt in his table, two are clearly duplicates (object "a" = NGC 1318 = NGC 1317 and object "c" = NGC 1375). Of the remaining 9, only 4 have accurate positions that can be matched up with certainty.

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NGC 1382 = NGC 1380B = ESO 358-037 = MCG -06-09-009 = PGC 13354

03 37 09.0 -35 11 42

V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 179d

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 refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "f" in his table). There is nothing at his position, but Schmidt's position is 37 sec of RA east and 1.7' S is ESO 358-037 = PGC 13354 and there are no other nearby candidates. His position for NGC 1381, the previous object is his list, is accurate so this identification is not 100% certain as Schmidt did not provide visual descriptions. de Vaucouleurs called this galaxy NGC 1380B in the RC1. See Harold Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 1383 = ESO 548-053 = MCG -03-10-015 = PGC 13377

03 37 39.2 -18 20 22

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 91d

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 NGC 1400 and NGC 1407.

JH discovered NGC 1383 = h2562 on 11 Dec 1835 and recorded "pF, vS, R, psmbM." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1384 = MCG +03-10-003 = CGCG 465-004 = PGC 13448

03 39 13.5 +15 49 08

V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 145d

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 SAO 93537.

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 CGCG 465-004 = PGC 13448 and this galaxy has a mag 13.5 star superimposed (mentioned in my visual notes) that matches Marth's description.

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NGC 1385 = ESO 482-016 = MCG -04-09-036 = PGC 13368

03 37 28.8 -24 30 07

V = 10.9; Size 3.4'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 165d

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" (10/13/81): faint, fairly small, brighter core.

WH 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. JH called it "B, R, gpmbM, 40 arcsec" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 1386 = ESO 358-035 = MCG -06-09-005 = PGC 13333

03 36 46.2 -35 59 58

V = 11.2; Size 3.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 25d

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. NGC 1389 lies 16' NNE.

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 SAO 194401. Member of the Fornax I cluster.

8" (1/1/84): fairly faint, bright core, almost round.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1386 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch 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 ESO 358-035 = PGC 13333.

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NGC 1387 = ESO 358-036 = MCG -06-09-007 = PGC 13344

03 36 56.8 -35 30 24

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 NGC 1399 19' ENE.

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" (10/13/81): faint, small, round, broad concentration.

JH discovered NGC 1387 = h2564 on 25 Dec 1835 and described a "globular cluster, vB, R, gmbM, 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).

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NGC 1388 = PGC 13402

03 38 12.0 -15 53 58

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 I-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 PGC 13402.

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NGC 1389 = ESO 358-038 = MCG -06-09-010 = PGC 13360

03 37 11.7 -35 44 46

V = 11.5; Size 2.3'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 30d

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 refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "h" on his list). His position is accurate.

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NGC 1390 = ESO 548-054 = MCG -03-10-017 = LGG 095-003 = PGC 13386

03 37 52.1 -19 00 30

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 19d

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 II-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 was measured incorrectly, though (should read 20°).

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NGC 1391 = ESO 548-059 = MCG -03-10-020 = PGC 13436

03 38 52.9 -18 21 15

V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 65d

17.5" (12/11/99): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, very weak concentration. Located between NGC 1393 5.6' SW and NGC 1394 5.0' NE in the NGC 1407 group.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1391 = LM II-373 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His description reads "mag 15.4, 0.4' dia, R, gbMN, 1st of 3, one of which is GC 742 [NGC 1383]. There is nothing at his position, but 28 tsec of RA east is ESO 548-059 = PGC 13436 and Ormond Stone's micrometrically measured RA matches this galaxy. Leavenworth described NGC 1391 as the "1st of 3, one of which is GC 742 [NGC 1383]", but it should read "2nd of 3" as NGC 1393 is further west. Herbert Howe caught this error in his NGC visual survey.

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NGC 1392

03 37 30 -37 08

=Not found, Corwin. =ESO 358-G40, ESO.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1392 = Sw VI-15 on 13 Feb 1887 with a 16" refractor and recorded "vF; pS; R." There is nothing at his position, though Swift noted the declination was uncertain. Swift has a long note at the end of his 6th list about his entries VI-14 and VI-15, as he assumed VI-14 referred to the Great Comet 1887-I, though not at the expected position, and VI-15 = NGC 1392 was roughly 4' north of it. ESO misidentifies ESO 358-040 (one degree north of Swift's position) as NGC 1392. RNGC misidentifies ESO 358-034 (53' SSE of Swift's position) as NGC 1392. Corwin concludes NGC 1392 is lost as these other candidates are merely guesses. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1393 = ESO 548-058 = MCG -03-10-019 = PGC 13425

03 38 38.5 -18 25 41

V = 12.0; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 170d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1393 = H III-451 = h2565 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "vF, S, R." JH logged "pF, R, glbM, 30".", and measured an accurate position. Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 1391 and NGC 1394 to the northeast.

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NGC 1394 = ESO 548-060 = MCG -03-10-021 = PGC 13444

03 39 06.9 -18 17 32

V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 5d

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 II-374 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.5, 0.4'x0.2', E 170°, sbMN, 3rd of 3." There is nothing at his position, but 30 sec of RA east is ESO 548-060 = PGC 13444 and his description matches this galaxy (PA should read 10°). Ormond Stone's corrected position in the IC 1 notes is accurate.

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NGC 1395 = ESO 482-019 = MCG -04-09-039 = PGC 13419

03 38 29.8 -23 01 41

V = 9.6; Size 5.9'x4.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 126d

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 NGC 1401, NGC 1403, NGC 1415 and NGC 1416.

8" (10/13/81): fairly bright, small, round, small bright core.

WH discovered NGC 1395 = H I-58 = h2566 on 17 Nov 1784 (sweep 321) and logged "B, S, lE, mbM." JH recorded "vB, pmE, psmbM, 60" long", and measured an accurate position (2 sweeps).

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NGC 1396 = LGG 098-006 = PGC 13398

03 38 06.5 -35 26 24

V = 13.8; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 90d

18" (12/17/11): extremely faint, small, slightly elongated, ~20" diameter, low surface brightness. Requires averted vision and no details 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.

Due to a poor position by Julius Schmidt (14' due south) and the faintness of this galaxy (discovered with a 6-inch refractor), the identification is uncertain.

Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 1396 on 19 Jan 1865 with the 6.2-inch 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 PGC 13398 as NGC 1396. This galaxy is 14' due north of Schmidt's location and places NGC 1396 just 5' WNW of the bright elliptical NGC 1399. Harold Corwin feels this galaxy is a reasonable match and the only faint candidate in the vicinity. See Harold Corwin's historical notes and my RNGC Corrections #6. But I'm not convinced that Schmidt could have picked up this galaxy with a 6" refractor as it was quite faint in my 18-inch, at least from northern California.

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NGC 1397 = MCG -01-10-017 = PGC 13485

03 39 47.2 -04 40 12

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.

WH 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 MCG -01-10-017 = PGC 13485. JH thought his observation of h305 applied to this galaxy, but actually he discovered IC 344.

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NGC 1398 = ESO 482-022 = MCG -04-09-040 = PGC 13434

03 38 52.0 -26 20 13

V = 9.7; Size 7.1'x5.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 100d

17.5" (11/26/94): very bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 N-S, 2.2'x1.1', well concentrated with a very bright 30" rounder core and a stellar nucleus. NGC 1360 lies 1.3° NW.

8" (10/13/81): 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 own 4-in Steinheil refractor from Marseille. Tempel didn't announce the discovery until May 1882 and in the meantime it was independently found by August Winnecke on 17 Dec 1868 with a 4.5" refractor at Karlsruhe and Eugen Block (AN 2287) on 18 Oct 1879 with a 4" refractor at Odessa. This is the brightest galaxy discovered by Tempel (V = 9.7) and the most southerly.

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NGC 1399 = ESO 358-045 = MCG -06-09-012 = PGC 13418

03 38 29.0 -35 27 04

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 NGC 1404 10' SSE.

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" (10/13/81): fairly bright, round, bright core.

JH discovered NGC 1399 = h2569 on 22 Oct 1835 and recorded a "globular cluster, vB, pL, psbM, resolvable or resolved, 2'." He also described a few other galaxies in the Fornax cluster as globulars (NGCs 1310, 1379, 1387 and 1436).

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NGC 1400 = ESO 548-062 = MCG -03-10-022 = PGC 13470

03 39 30.8 -18 41 17

V = 11.0; Size 2.3'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 40d

17.5" (12/11/99): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, brighter core, stellar nucleus. Smaller and fainter than NGC 1407 11' NE.

13" (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" (10/13/81): faint, very small, round. Situated 11' SW of NGC 1407.

WH 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." JH noted "B, R, psmbM, 30"."

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NGC 1401 = ESO 482-026 = MCG -04-09-042 = PGC 13457

03 39 21.9 -22 43 29

V = 12.3; Size 2.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 130d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1401 = H III-247 = h2568 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and noted "eF, vS." His position is 23 sec of RA too far east, but JH measured an accurate position. I'm surprised neither noted the elongation.

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NGC 1402 = ESO 548-061 = MCG -03-10-023 = PGC 13467

03 39 30.5 -18 31 37

V = 13.6; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 88d

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 II-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

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 175d

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 II-375 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 0.2 min of RA due east of ESO 482-025 = PGC 13445.

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NGC 1404 = ESO 358-046 = MCG -06-09-013 = PGC 13433

03 38 52.1 -35 35 38

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 there a stellar nucleus was not seen. A mag 12-12.5 star is 45" SE, at the edge of the halo. Mag 8.1 HD 22862 lies 2.8' SE. NGC 1404 is smaller but has an overall higher surface brightness than NGC 1399, located 10' NNW. NGC 1396 lies 4.6' W.

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 SAO 194428. NGC 1399 lies 10' NW. Member of Fornax I cluster.

8" (10/13/81): fairly bright, small, round, bright core. A mag 8 star is close SSE.

JH discovered NGC 1404 = h2571 on 28 Nov 1837 and recorded (the following night) "vB, R, psmbM, 40", has a star N.f." His position is accurate, though the star is south following.

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NGC 1405 = MCG -03-10-028 = PGC 13512

03 40 18.9 -15 31 48

V = 15.6; Size 1.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 15.1; PA = 153d

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 NGC 1413.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1405 = LM I-110 (along with NGC 1413 = I-111) on 26 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick and logged "mag 16.0, pL, vE 150°, glbM, 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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NGC 1406 = ESO 418-015 = MCG -05-09-020 = UGCA 83 = PGC 13458

03 39 23.1 -31 19 18

V = 11.8; Size 3.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 15d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1406 = h2572 on 18 Nov 1835 and accurately recorded "F, vmE, vglbM, 2' l, 20" br; *7 mag precedes in parallel."

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NGC 1407 = ESO 548-067 = MCG -03-10-030 = PGC 13505

03 40 11.8 -18 34 48

V = 9.7; Size 4.6'x4.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 35d

17.5" (12/11/99): bright, moderately large, round, 1.5' diameter, bright core, nearly stellar nucleus. Brightest in the NGC 1383-1407 Group, which includes 8 NGC galaxies and IC 343.

13" (1/18/85): bright, fairly small, bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a wide pair with NGC 1400 11.6' SW.

8" (10/13/81): bright, small, round, small bright core.

WH discovered NGC 1407 = H I-107 = h2570 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "B, R, mbM or large nucleus, about 1.5' diameter." JH logged it as "vB, L, R, first vg then vs, vmbM; 3'."

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NGC 1408 = ESO 358-?048

03 39 24 -35 31

=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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NGC 1409 = VV 729 = III Zw 55 = MCG +00-10-011 = CGCG 391-028 = PGC 13553

03 41 10.4 -01 18 08

V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 130d

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.

WH 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

V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 120d

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 discovered NGC 1410 on 17 Jan 1855 using Lord Rosse's 72" and 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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NGC 1411 = ESO 249-011 = MCG -07-08-004 = IC 1943? = PGC 13429

03 38 44.9 -44 06 02

V = 11.3; Size 2.3'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 6d

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. IC 1970 lies 25' WNW. One of the brighter members of the NGC 1433 subgroup of the Dorado Group complex.

13.1" (10/10/86): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core. One of farthest southern galaxies easily viewed from Northern California.

JH discovered NGC 1411 = h2573 = Sw XI-55? on 24 Oct 1835 and recorded "B, R, vsvmbM, 20 arcsec." His position is accurate. Harold Corwin suggests Lewis Swift may have independently found the galaxy on 3 Oct 1897 at Echo Mountain, but made an error in recording the RA, placing it 9 min of RA too small (his dec matches). If so, then NGC 1411 = IC 1943. See Corwin's notes for IC 1943.

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NGC 1412 = ESO 482-029 = MCG -05-09-021 = IC 1981 = PGC 13520

03 40 29.3 -26 51 44

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 131d

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. Classified as nonexistent in the RNGC due to a poor declination by John Herschel.

JH found NGC 1412 = h2574 on 20 Nov 1835 and recorded "F, S, E, gpmbM, 15"; has a * S.f. distance 2'." There is nothing at his position and the RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent. But 40' due south of Herschel's position is ESO 482-029 = PGC 13520 and ESO-LV and RC3 identify this galaxy as NGC 1412. This galaxy is a good match in description; the galaxy is elongated NW-SE and there is a mag 12 star 1.6' SSE. The poor declination probably resulted from a copying error. Swift (XI-58) independently found this galaxy on 26 Dec 1897, placed it 37 sec of RA too far west (declination matches) and it was recatalogued as IC 1981. So, NGC 1412 = IC 1981. ESO and MCG identify this galaxy as IC 1981. Included in my RNGC Corrections #6 and Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1413 = PGC 13504

03 40 11.5 -15 36 39

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 I-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, lbM." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is 0.8 min of RA east of PGC 13504. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 1414 = ESO 548-071 = MCG -04-09-045 = LGG 097-014 = PGC 13543

03 40 57.0 -21 42 48

V = 14.0; Size 1.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 172d

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 NGC 1422 8' ENE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1414 = LM II-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), bMN. 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, matches NGC 1422.

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NGC 1415 = ESO 482-033 = MCG -04-09-047 = IC 1983 = PGC 13544

03 40 56.8 -22 33 50

V = 11.9; Size 3.5'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 148d

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 SAO 168726.

13" (10/10/86): moderately bright, elongated NW-SE, fairly small, bright core, faint elongated halo.

8" (11/28/81): faint, small.

WH discovered NGC 1415 = H II-267 = h2575 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and logged "F, vS, R, lbM." JH made 3 observations from the CGH, recording it first as "pF, E, pslbM, 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 as "vF; pS; R; not [NGC] 1426." His position is 3.4' SE of NGC 1415, but given his many poor positions in his later years, this equivalence is not certain. See Harold Corwin's discussion for IC 1983.

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NGC 1416 = ESO 482-034 = MCG -04-09-048 = PGC 13548

03 41 02.9 -22 43 08

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 SAO 168733 1.5' SSW and mag 9.3 SAO 168734 3.7' S. A mag 13.5 star is 1' SE. Forms a pair with NGC 1415 9' N. Slightly misplotted 5' too far south on U2000.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1416 = LM II-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 ESO 482-034 but the mag 8.6 star is 2' south-southeast (the other mag 8.7 star is 2.2' further south). Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). The RNGC and the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas placed the galaxy 3' too far south. See Corwin's notes for more on the story.

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NGC 1417 = MCG -01-10-021 = Holm 70a = LGG 103-004 = PGC 13584

03 41 57.4 -04 42 18

V = 12.1; Size 2.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 175d

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 with NGC 1418 4.9' ESE and IC 344 7.3' WNW.

13" (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.

WH discovered NGC 1417 = H II-455 = h306, along with NGC 1418, on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457) and recorded both as "Two. The preceding [NGC 1417] F, S, E, lbM. 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. JH remarked "R; north-preceding a star. The second of 3 [with NGC 1418]. His position is 19 sec of RA too far west, but the description applies (the star is 1.3' SE). He has one accurate measure for the position but it is listed 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

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 15d

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.

13" (12/7/85): faint, small, oval ~N-S. A mag 12 star is 1' S. Third of three in a group.

WH discovered NGC 1418 = H II-456 = h307, along with NGC 1417 = II-455 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 457) and recorded both as ""Two. The preceding [NGC 1417] F, S, E, lbM. 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 2.6' too far NE, but the identification is certain. JH had problems with his observation, and one description and position applies to NGC 1417!

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NGC 1419 = ESO 301-023 = MCG -06-09-017 = AM 0338-374 = LGG 096-027 = PGC 13534

03 40 42.1 -37 30 40

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 SAO 194475. Outlying member of the Fornax I cluster.

JH discovered NGC 1419 = h2576 on 22 Oct 1835 and recorded "pB, vS, psbM, 15" (clouded)." His position (from two sweeps) matches ESO 301-023 = PGC 13534.

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NGC 1420

03 42 39.8 -05 51 09

=***, 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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NGC 1421 = MCG -02-10-008 = PGC 13620

03 42 29.4 -13 29 20

V = 11.4; Size 3.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 179d

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.

WH 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." JH observed this galaxy on 8 Dec 1835 and recorded "F, vmE, vlbM, 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

V = 13.2; Size 2.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 65d

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 NGC 1426.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1422 = LM II-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 ESO 548-077 = PGC 13569 and his description is a good match with this galaxy. DeLisle Stewart's corrected position in the IC 2 notes is accurate and he also corrected the PA to 65 deg. Herbert Howe also measured an accurate position in 1899-00, though assumed this nebula was NGC 1414.

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NGC 1423 = MCG -01-10-025 = Mrk 1191 = PGC 13628

03 42 40.1 -06 22 54

V = 13.8; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 20d

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 V-55 on 31 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 29 sec of RA east of MCG -01-10-025 = PGC 13628 = PGC 13629.

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NGC 1424 = NGC 1429? = MCG -01-10-026 = PGC 13664

03 43 13.9 -04 43 48

V = 13.8; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 10d

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" (12/7/85): faint, fairly small, almost round, diffuse, slightly elongated N-S. Located 14' E NGC 1418.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 1424 on 8 Dec 1850 using Lord Rosse's 72" while observing the NGC 1417 field. He recorded a "faint nova" about 16' following [NGC 1418]. The next month he noted it was "vF, E." This group was observed 15 times at Birr Castle. Francis Leavenworth mentions the galaxy in list II-381 [NGC 1429]: "1st of 2, one of which is GC 763 [NGC 1424]; *10, p 15 sec." There's only one galaxy here, though, so NGC 1429 is considered lost or perhaps he found another pair and made a large error in position.

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NGC 1425 = ESO 419-004 = MCG -05-09-023 = UGCA 84 = PGC 13602 = IC 1988:

03 42 11.3 -29 53 36

V = 10.6; Size 5.8'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 129d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1425 = H II-852 on 9 Oct 1790 (sweep 972) and recorded "F, pL, irr R, gbM." His position is accurate. Harold Corwin notes that Lewis Swift's IC 1988, found on 14 Oct 1897 at Echo Mountain (list XI-61) and described as "eF, pL, R; 2 sts near f, wide D* np", may be a duplicate observation. There are two stars "near following" this galaxy, but the wide double star is WSW. The identification NGC 1425 = IC 1988 requires that Swift made a 10° error in declination, but these types of errors are common in Swift's later observations, particularly from southern California.

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NGC 1426 = ESO 549-001 = MCG -04-09-054 = PGC 13638

03 42 49.1 -22 06 30

V = 11.4; Size 2.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 111d

13" (10/10/86): fairly bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 1426 = H III-248 = h2578 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and recorded "vF, vS, lE." JH made two observations from the CGH, first calling it "F" and then "B", probably due to varying sky conditions.

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NGC 1427 = ESO 358-052 = MCG -06-09-021 = LGG 096-020 = PGC 13609

03 42 19.4 -35 23 34

V = 10.9; Size 3.6'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 76d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1427 = h2579 on 28 Nov 1837 and logged "pF; S; R; psmbM; 20" dia." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1428 = ESO 358-053 = MCG -06-09-022 = LGG 096-021 = PGC 13611

03 42 22.8 -35 09 16

V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 118d

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 refractor at the Athens Observatory during his survey of the Fornax Cluster (nebula "l" in his table). His position matches ESO 358-053 = PGC 13611.

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NGC 1429

03 44 00 -04 43

=Not found, Corwin. =*, Carlson.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1429 = LM II-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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NGC 1430

03 43 24 -18 14

=Not found, Gottlieb; =*, Corwin.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1430 = LM II-380 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described as "mag 15.4, 0.6'x0.4', E 20°, sbMN." 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. Harold Corwin identifies 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°). So, I've listed it as lost.

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NGC 1431 = UGC 2845 = MCG +00-10-017 = CGCG 391-033 = PGC 13732

03 44 40.8 +02 50 06

V = 14.1; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 160d

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 UGC 2845 = PGC 13732.

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NGC 1432 = Maia Nebula = LBN 771 = vdB 21 = Ced 19f

03 45 49.5 +24 22 05

Size 30'x30'

Reflection nebula in Pleaides surrounding Maia.

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 2702, though it didn't include an image of the nebula (first published in 1888). This is the only object in the NGC discovered photographically!

Pickering noted on 21 Jan 1886 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 revealed that these "irregularities" included a patch west of Maia, pointing to the north, and a diffuse remnant near Merope pointing south. As Pickering interpreted these as plate flaws, the discovery priority remains with Paul and Prosper Henry. The first visual observation was made by Otto Struve on 5 Feb 1886 with the new 30-inch refractor at Pulkovo. On 23 Feb 1886 he made another observation and sketch with the nebula stretching from Maia to the east. E.E. Barnard also observed it visually in 1890.

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NGC 1433 = ESO 249-014 = AM 0340-472 = PGC 13586

03 42 01.5 -47 13 20

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. 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 complex that includes NGC 1512, 1448, 1493 and 1411.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1433 = D 426 on 28 Sep 1826 with his 9-inch f/12 speculum reflector and described "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." JH first logged the galaxy on 14 Dec 1835 and recorded (h2580), "B, L, pmE, smbM; 100" long, 60" broad". His second sweep noted "vB, L, mE, vsmbM to nucleus = 10th mag star."

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NGC 1434 = PGC 13804

03 46 12.8 -09 40 57

V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 165d

17.5" (11/17/01): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter. Situated between mag 8.6 SAO 130713 6' SE and a mag 11 star 5.5' NW. Incorrectly listed as nonexistent in the RNGC. NGC 1445 lies 21' SW.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1434 = LM II-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 PGC 13804. The bright star he mentions follows by 21 sec of RA and is 2.6' south, instead of north. Classified as nonexistent in the RNGC.

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NGC 1435 = Merope Nebula = Tempel's Nebula = Ced 19j = vdB 22

03 46 10 +23 45 54

Size 30'x30'

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 NE 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 HD 23326.

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): 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 and initially he 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 1290).  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 NGC 1555 = Hind's Variable Nebula for a similar situation).

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 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 Marseille 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.

Tempel published an excellent drawing of the nebula in 1880 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 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."  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."  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 at 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 has 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 ridicules 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.

IC 349 is a knot of nebulosity just 0.6' SSE of Merope discovered and sketched by Barnard in 1890 using the 36-inch refractor at Lick.  The discovery was published in AN 3018.  See WSQJ July 1992.  In terms of distance, Steinicke notes this is the closest NGC object.

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NGC 1436 = NGC 1437 = ESO 358-058 = MCG -06-09-02 = PGC 13687

03 43 37.1 -35 51 12

See observing notes for NGC 1437.

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 is 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. JH (h2582) observed this object again on 28 Nov 1837 (sweep 801), assumed it was new and measured an accurate position. It later received a GC (770) and NGC (1437) designation. So, NGC 1436 = NGC 1437. Dorothy Carlson and RNGC list NGC 1436 as "Not Found". See Corwin's notes for the full story.

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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

V = 11.7; Size 3.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 150d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1437 = h2582 on 28 Nov 1837 and logged "F, vL, glbM, R, 4" dia." His position matches ESO 358-058 = PGC 13687. h2581 = NGC 1436 is a duplicate observation, made while searching for Dunlop 562. So NGC 1437 = NGC 1436. Dunlop 562 may apply to this galaxy or perhaps NGC 1365, with a 10 tmin error in RA.

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NGC 1438 = ESO 482-041 = MCG -04-09-058 = PGC 13760

03 45 17.2 -23 00 09

V = 12.4; Size 2.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 69d

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 I-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 ESO 482-041 = PGC 13760. DeLisle Stewart's corrected position in the IC 2 Notes is accurate.

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NGC 1439 = ESO 549-009 = MCG -04-09-056 = PGC 13738

03 44 49.9 -21 55 14

V = 11.4; Size 2.5'x2.3'; Surf Br = 13.3

13" (10/10/86): moderately bright, fairly small, bright core, stellar nucleus, round, large faint halo.

WH discovered NGC 1439 = H III-249 = h2584 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 331) and recorded "vF, vS." JH made 3 observations from the CGH, first logging it as "pF, S, R, bM, 20" dia."

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NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = NGC 1458: = ESO 549-010 = MCG -03-10-043 = PGC 13752

03 45 02.9 -18 15 59

V = 11.5; Size 2.1'x1.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 28d

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, small, small faint halo, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 7' ENE of mag 10 SAO 149139. Member of the NGC 1332 group.

WH discovered NGC 1440 = H II-458 = h2583 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "pB, R, bM." JH made two observations at the CGH, logging it on 11 Dec 1835 as "pB; R; vsmbM to a nucleus = *13' 60" dia." WH 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 NGC 1142, also noting it was probably identical to NGC 1440.

Finally, Francis Leavenworth found this galaxy again in 1886, recorded it in list II-387, but made a 2 min error in RA (too far east). Dreyer assumed it was new and was catalogued as NGC 1458. So, NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = NGC 1458.

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NGC 1441 = MCG -01-10-029 = PGC 13782

03 45 43.0 -04 05 31

V = 12.9; Size 1.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 70d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1441 = H II-597 on 30 Sep 1786 (sweep 608) and recorded "F, E in a row with some stars." His position is just 0.8' north of MCG -01-10-029 = PGC 13782 and the description of the row of stars matches.

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NGC 1442 = NGC 1440 = NGC 1458: = ESO 549-010 = MCG -03-10-043 = PGC 13752

03 45 02.9 -18 15 59

See observing notes for NGC 1440.

WH found NGC 1442 = H II-594 on 20 Sep 1786 (sweep 597) and logged "pB, vS, R, bM." There is nothing at his position but exactly one degree north is NGC 1440 = H II-458, which he earlier discovered on 6 Oct 1785. The equivalence was noted by Auwers but JH still included the observation in the GC (774) as well as Dreyer in the NGC, although Dreyer added the comment that II-594 is probably identical to II-458 = NGC 1440. Leavenworth (list II-387) found this galaxy again in 1886, but made a 2 min error in RA (too far east), and it was catalogued as NGC 1458 with a 2 min error in RA. So, NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = NGC 1458.

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NGC 1443

03 45 53.1 -04 03 09

=*, Corwin. =NF, 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.

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NGC 1444 = Cr 43 = OCL-394 = Lund 119

03 49 26 +51 39 18

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 (∑446 = 7/9 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 HD 23675) is a member of the Cam OB1 Association in a dusty portion of the Milky Way, but the "cluster" may be an unrelated group of field stars.

8" (1/1/84): consists of a mag 7.5 star with 7 faint stars just west. The brightest star is ∑446 = 7.5/9.0 at 10".

WH 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." JH called it a "cluster of about 20 st; place that of a superb double star (∑ 446); the rest 12m."

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NGC 1445 = PGC 13742

03 44 56.1 -09 51 20

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 II-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 PGC 13742 and the description of the nearby star clinches the identification. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 1446

03 45 57.5 -04 06 44

=*?, 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.

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NGC 1447 = PGC 13786

03 45 47.1 -09 01 07

V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 105d

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter nucleus. Located 2.7' WSW of mag 7.9 SAO 130711 which detracts from viewing. NGC 1450 lies 13' S.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1447 = LM II-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 PGC 13786 and the star is ENE.

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NGC 1448 = NGC 1457 = ESO 249-016 = MCG -07-08-005 = PGC 13727

03 44 32.0 -44 38 38

V = 10.7; Size 7.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 41d

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.

JH 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 sec of RA east is ESO 249-016 = PGC 13727, which matches his description. He also recorded h2586 = NGC 1457 (observed on 3 different sweeps; the first on 24 Oct 1835), which all point exactly to this galaxy. I'm surprised he didn't notice there was only a single bright galaxy here! By priority, NGC 1457 should be the primary designation, instead of NGC 1448 which is commonly used. The IC 2 notes state "1448 = 1457 (DeLisle Stewart); h on different nights". ESO labels this galaxy as NGC 1448 = NGC 1457 and MCG calls it NGC 1448.

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NGC 1449 = MCG -01-10-032 = PGC 13798

03 46 03.0 -04 08 17

V = 13.5; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 20d

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.

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 MCG -01-10-032 = PGC 13798. WH probably saw 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."

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NGC 1450 = PGC 13775

03 45 36.5 -09 14 04

V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 15d

17.5" (11/17/01): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.7'x0.5' SSW-NNE. Several faint galaxies are situated nearby. 2MASXi J0345396-091149 is 2.4' N and I plotted a very faint star or galaxy at or near this position. But even closer (1.7' W) is the brighter edge-on PGC 993557, which I apparently missed.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1450 = Sw V-56 = LM I-113 = LM I-114 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory.  His position is 16 sec of RA due east of PGC 13775.  Ormond Stone independently found this galaxy on 31 Dec 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described a double nebula with separation 0.5' (only one galaxy is listed in NED and LEDA).  Dreyer combined Swift's and Leavenworth's entries into NGC 1450. 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 1451 = MCG -01-10-033 = PGC 13801

03 46 07.1 -04 04 10

V = 13.3; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 45d

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.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1451, along with NGC 1449, on 9 Oct 1864. His position (measured on 4 nights) matches MCG -01-10-033 = PGC 13801 and he measured a mag 12 star that precedes by 12 seconds of time. WH probably saw 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, they were not assigned internal discovery numbers.

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NGC 1452 = NGC 1455 = ESO 549-012 = MCG -03-10-044 = PGC 13765

03 45 22.3 -18 38 01

V = 11.8; Size 2.2'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 113d

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 1332 group.

WH discovered NGC 1452 = H II-459 on 6 Oct 1785 (sweep 459) and recorded "F, R, lbM." His position is 3.2' north of ESO 549-012 = PGC 13765. Francis Leavenworth (II-386) independently found the galaxy in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory but his position is 40 sec of RA east of NGC 1452. So Dreyer assumed it was new and catalogued it again as NGC 1455. But Leavenworth's position angle ("lE in 30 deg") matches the bar of NGC 1452, so NGC 1452 = NGC 1455, with NGC 1452 the primary designation. 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 1453 = MCG -01-10-034 = PGC 13814

03 46 27.2 -03 58 09

V = 11.5; Size 2.4'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.2

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.

WH 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; gmbM."

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NGC 1454 = ESO 549-?013

03 45 59.3 -20 39 08

=*, Gottlieb. =NF, ESO.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1454 = LM II-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. ESO 549-011 is 12' NW of Muller's position and has a mag 8 star 2.5' NE. It's possible that Muller reversed the orientation with the mentioned star, although his magnitudes are usually too bright. I feel a more likely match is the mag 15.3 star listed here. With respect to this star there is a mag 12.3 star at a distance of 3.4' in PA 240 degrees, which is an excellent match with the description. Corwin concurs that NGC 1454 is a star. ESO and RNGC state "not found".

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NGC 1455 = NGC 1452 = ESO 549-012 = MCG -03-10-044 = PGC 13765

03 45 22.3 -18 38 01

V = 11.8; Size 2.2'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 113d

See observing notes for NGC 1452.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1455 = LM II-386 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory amd recorded "mag 14.7, 0.5', lE 30°, sbMN." There is nothing at his position but 40 sec of RA west is NGC 1452 = H II-459, and his position angle matches the bar of NGC 1452. NGC 2000 and the Southern Galaxy Catalogue equate NGC 1455 with NGC 1452. RNGC misidentifies PGC135094 at 03 46 09.4 -18 39 26 (2000) as NGC 1455 while PGC and ESO misidentify ESO 549-014 as NGC 1455.

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NGC 1456

03 48 08.3 +22 33 31

=**, 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''. 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. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

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NGC 1457 = NGC 1448 = ESO 249-016 = MCG -07-08-005 = PGC 13727

03 44 32.0 -44 38 38

V = 10.7; Size 7.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 41d

See observing notes for NGC 1448.

JH discovered NGC 1457 = h2586 on 24 Oct 1835 and recorded "pB, vmE, glbM, 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.

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NGC 1458 = NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = ESO 549-010 = MCG -03-10-043 = PGC 13752

03 45 02.9 -18 15 59

See observing notes for NGC 1440.

Francis Leavenworth found NGC 1458 = LM II-387 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at his position, but 2.0 min of RA west is NGC 1440 (discovered earlier by William Herschel). NGC 1442 (also from Herschel) is probably another observation of this galaxy with a 1° error in declination (see these entries for more). So, NGC 1440 = NGC 1442 = NGC 1458.

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NGC 1459 = ESO 482-043 = MCG -04-10-001 = PGC 13832

03 46 57.9 -25 31 18

V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 167d

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 I-115 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is a good match with ESO 482-043 = PGC 13832.

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NGC 1460 = ESO 358-062 = MCG -06-09-031 = AM 0344-365 = LGG 096-025 = PGC 13805

03 46 13.7 -36 41 48

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 60d

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.

JH 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.

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NGC 1461 = MCG -03-10-047 = PGC 13881

03 48 27.1 -16 23 36

V = 11.8; Size 3.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 155d

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.

WH 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. JH logged "pB, vlE, pmbM, 25" dia.", but was off by 21 sec in RA (too far east). Schönfeld measured an accurate position (used in the NGC).

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NGC 1462 = MCG +01-10-010 = CGCG 417-007 = PGC 13945

03 50 23.5 +06 58 22

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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NGC 1463 = ESO 117-009 = PGC 13807

03 46 15.5 -59 48 37

V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 45d

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 HD 24060. IC 2010 lies 43' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 1463 = h2589 on 6 Oct 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, bM, 15", one of a constellation with 7 bright stars." JH's position (h2589) and description is accurate.

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NGC 1464 = NGC 1471 = PGC 13976

03 51 24.4 -15 24 08

V = 13.8; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 44d

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 SAO 149206.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1464 = Sw V-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.  Leavenworth also found the galaxy in 1886 and it was catalogued as LM I-116 = NGC 1471. So NGC 1464 = NGC 1471 (discovery priority unknown).

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NGC 1465 = UGC 2891 = MCG +05-10-003 = CGCG 508-004 = PGC 14039

03 53 32.0 +32 29 33

V = 13.7; Size 1.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 165d

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 SAO 56775 lies 12' SW. Located 40' N of Zeta Persei (V = 2.9).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1465 = Sw V-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 UGC 2891 = PGC 14039. His "pB * nr p" probably refers to a mag 11 star 2' W.

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NGC 1466 = ESO 054-SC016 = S-L 1

03 44 32.4 -71 40 16

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.

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 HD 241888 (CT Hydri) and 2.2' NNW of a mag 9 star.

JH discovered NGC 1466 = h2590 on 26 Nov 1834 and recorded "F, irregularly round, glbM, 30", has a * 7th mag foll, and others near." On a second sweep he notes "Viewed past meridian; found in place; pB, R, gbM, 30" dia."

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NGC 1467 = MCG -02-10-015 = PGC 13991

03 51 52.7 -08 50 17

V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 115d

17.5" (2/11/96): very faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, slightly brighter core. Slightly brighter of a pair with NGC 1470 10' SSE.

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 II-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 MCG -02-10-015 = PGC 13991, along with the matching star.

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NGC 1468 = MCG -01-10-045 = PGC 14004

03 52 12.5 -06 20 56

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 135d

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 XII-27 on 14 Dec 1881 using the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. HIs position is accurate.

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NGC 1469 = UGC 2909 = MCG +11-05-004 = CGCG 305-003 = PGC 14261

04 00 28.0 +68 34 40

V = 12.7; Size 1.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 153d

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 III-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 UGC 2909 = PGC 14261 and the "B * nr" refers to a mag 10.5 star at the SW edge.

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NGC 1470 = MCG -02-10-016 = PGC 14002

03 52 09.7 -08 59 57

V = 14.2; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 169d

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 II-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 MCG -02-10-016 = PGC 14002, along with the described star at his offset.

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NGC 1471 = NGC 1464 = PGC 13976

03 51 24.4 -15 24 08

See observing notes for NGC 1464.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1471 = LM I-116 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 14.5, vS, pE 45°." His rough RA (to the nearest min) is about 1.5 min east (same dec) of NGC 1464, which was found by Lewis Swift (V-57) on 1 Nov 1886 and the position angle of 45° matches. RNGC equates the numbers. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1472 = PGC 14050

03 53 47.3 -08 34 06

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 NGC 1478.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1472 = LM I-117 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and described "mag 14.0, 0.1' dia, 1st of 3 [with NGC 1477 and 1478]." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) essentially matches PGC 14050 and the other two galaxies are appropriately placed in his list.

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NGC 1473 = ESO 054-019 = LGG 107-001 = PGC 13853

03 47 26.8 -68 13 13

V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 36d

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 NGC 1511 and NGC 1511A.

JH discovered NGC 1473 = h2592 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF; R; glbM; 25" dia." His position (from two sweeps) corresponds with ESO 054-019 = PGC 13853.

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NGC 1474 = UGC 2898 = MCG +02-10-003 = CGCG 442-005 = IC 2002 = PGC 14065

03 54 30.3 +10 42 24

V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 0d

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 SAO 93675.

This galaxy is identified as IC 2002 in UGC, MCG, CGCG and RC3 due to a poor declination by Marth. RNGC reverses the sign of the declination.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1474 = m 93 on 5 Oct 1864 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta and logged "vF, S, R." His position is 8' S of UGC 2898 = PGC 14065, but this is the only nearby galaxy he could have seen. Several objects discovered by Marth that evening have poor positions including NGC 1141 and NGC 1142 (dec error of 40'). Stephane Javelle (III-983) independently found the galaxy on 21 Dec 1903, measured an accurate position and Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 2002. So, NGC 1474 = IC 2002. UGC, MCG, CGCG and RC3 all use the IC designation, as the position is unambiguous, but NGC 1474 should take priority. In addition, the RNGC and PGC reversed the sign of the declination of NGC 1474 (as well as Roger Sinnott's NGC 2000.0 and amateur software including Megastar). See my RNGC Corrections #6 and Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1475 = PGC 1007783

03 53 49.8 -08 08 15

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 HD 24485 and 4.5' S of a mag 11.5 star. A couple of other similar stars are within 5' to the SW and NE. The RNGC lists this number as nonexistent.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1475 = LM II-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 PGC 1007783, though the mag 14 star is 5' southwest, instead of northwest. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1476 = ESO 249-024 = MCG -07-09-001 = AM 0350-444 = PGC 14001

03 52 08.9 -44 31 57

V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 86d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1476 = h2591 on 14 Dec 1835 and recorded "F, S, pmE in the parallel; gbM, 15" long." On a second sweep he described it "vF, lE, gbM, 25" long". His position is accurate.

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NGC 1477 = PGC 14060

03 54 02.9 -08 34 30

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 I-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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NGC 1478 = PGC 14062

03 54 07.3 -08 33 20

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 I-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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NGC 1479

03 54 24 -10 12

=Not found, RNGC and Corwin.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1479 = LM II-391 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory recorded "mag 16.0, 0.6'x0.1', 1st of 2 [with NGC 1480 = LM II-392]; nebulous **, in PA 170°." There is nothing near his position which matches this description and no discovery sketch was found to aid in the identification. Neither of these objects could be recovered by Harold Corwin. See his identification notes.

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NGC 1480

03 54 30 -10 16

=Not found, RNGC.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1480 = LM II-392 (along with NGC 1479 = LM II-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.

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NGC 1481 = ESO 549-032 = MCG -03-10-053 = KTS 22A = PGC 14079

03 54 28.9 -20 25 38

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 133d

24" (12/1/13): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, 30"x20", broad concentration. Fainter of a pair with NGC 1482 5.0' SE. Between the two galaxies is mag 8.6 HD 24672 and a mag 12.5 star is less than 1' SE. ESO 549-035 lies 8.6' ENE.

17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, even surface brightness. Located 2.5' NW of mag 8.7 SAO 168936. Continuing on this line is NGC 1482 5' SSE.

JH 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 ESO 549-032 = PGC 14079 and the description applies perfectly.

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NGC 1482 = ESO 549-033 = MCG -03-10-054 = KTS 22B = PGC 14084

03 54 38.9 -20 30 09

V = 12.1; Size 2.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 103d

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 HD 24672 2.6' NNW. Brightest in a triplet (KTS 22) with NGC 1481 5.0' NW and ESO 549-35 9' NE. The dust lane in this IR-luminous starburst galaxy was not seen.

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 SAO 168941 2' NE! Forms a pair with NGC 1481 5' NNW..

WH discovered NGC 1482 = H III 962 = h2594 on 19 Dec 1799 (sweep 1091) and recorded "vF; vS; near 2 bright stars, south preceding of them." JH 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, lE, gbM (newly polished mirror); makes an obtuse angled triangle with two stars 10th mag to its north."

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NGC 1483 = ESO 201-007 = PGC 14022

03 52 47.7 -47 28 40

V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 125d

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 HD 24500. Member of the Dorado Group.

JH 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 discovered D 427 on 2 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta and reported "a pretty large nebula, round figure, 2' or 3' diameter". D 428 was described as "An extremely faint ill-defined small nebula. A pretty large nebula (D 427) precedes this." Despite Herschel's comments, Dunlop's position for D 428 lands very close to NGC 1483, although there is only a single object here, so perhaps this is a coincidence.

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NGC 1484 = ESO 359-006 = MCG -06-09-036 = PGC 14071

03 54 17.9 -36 58 14

V = 13.1; Size 2.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1484 = h2596 on 28 Nov 1837 and recorded "vF, L, E, vgvlbM, 2'." His position is 1' S of ESO 359-006 = PGC 14071.

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NGC 1485 = UGC 2933 = MCG +12-04-010 = CGCG 327-014 = PGC 14432

04 05 03.6 +70 59 46

V = 12.6; Size 2.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 22d

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 III-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 UGC 2933 = PGC 14432 and the identification is certain, though the galaxy is quite elongated.

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NGC 1486 = ESO 549-037 = MCG -04-10-008 = PGC 14132

03 56 18.6 -21 49 17

V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 2d

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 SAO 168958 and 9' ENE of mag 9.4 SAO 168962.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1486 = LM II-393 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is about 25 sec of RA east of ESO 549-037 = PGC 14132. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 1487 = VV 78 = ESO 249-003 = MCG -07-09-0021 = LGG 108-001 = PGC 14117

03 55 45.3 -42 22 05

V = 11.9; Size 3.3'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 55d

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.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1487 = D 480 = h2597 on 29 Oct 1826 with his 9" reflector and 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 position, but 83 sec of RA west is the interacting system VV 78 = PGC 14117. Glen Cozens notes this is probably the faintest galaxy discovered by Dunlop (V = 11.9). JH observed this galaxy on 3 sweeps, first recording "pB, pL, R, 90"; makes a triangle with two stars 13th mag about 1 radius of nebula (by diagram) from its edge." NGC 1487 is a distorted triple system.

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NGC 1488

04 00 04.3 +18 34 02

=**, Thomson. Incorrect ID in RNGC, CGCG, RC3.

Edward Cooper discovered NGC 1488 = Au 19 at the Markree Observatory in Ireland, and noted as a nebulous mag 12 star while compiling the Markree ecliptic Catalogue. At his position is a 9" pair of stars. Bigourdan reported finding only 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 CGCG 466-003 = PGC 14181 as NGC 1488. This galaxy is located 1m 55s of time west of Cooper's position. All of the other six objects discovered at Markree Observatory have been shown to be stars. See Thomson's Catalogue Corrections and Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1489 = ESO 549-042 = MCG -03-11-003 = PGC 14165

03 57 38.2 -19 12 58

V = 13.8; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 12d

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 II-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 ESO 549-042 = PGC 14165 and the position angle is a perfect match. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes). MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 1489.

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NGC 1490 = ESO 083-011 = PGC 14040

03 53 34.4 -66 01 05

V = 12.4; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 142d

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 ESO 083-012 is 9.5' NE. Located 1.5 degrees SE of mag 3.8 Beta Reticuli and 4' N of mag 9.3 HD 24957.

JH discovered NGC 1490 = h2599 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, S, lE, pmbM, 18" dia." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1491 = LBN 705 = Ced 25 = Sh 2-206

04 03 13.6 +51 18 58

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" (12/8/90): 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" (1/18/85): 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.

WH 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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NGC 1492 = ESO 359-012 = AM 0356-353 = PGC 14186

03 58 13.1 -35 26 48

V = 13.5; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 10d

18" (1/21/04): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, fairly even surface brightness. Located 1.5' N of a mag 13 star.

JH 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 = PGC 14163

03 57 28 -46 12 36

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 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, vglbM, 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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NGC 1494 = ESO 201-012 = PGC 14169

03 57 42.5 -48 54 32

V = 11.7; Size 3.2'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 179d

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 HD 25315. Possible member of the Dorado Group.

JH discovered NGC 1494 = h2601 on 28 Dec 1834 and described "F, L, R, vgvlbM, 70" dia." On a second sweep he called it "F, L, R, vglbM, 2.5'; has north of it a triangle of stars 12th mag." His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 1495 = ESO 249-034 = MCG -07-09-004 = AM 0356-443 = PGC 14190

03 58 21 -44 28 00

V = 12.6; Size 3.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 104d

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?).

JH discovered NGC 1495 = h2602 on 24 Oct 1835 and logged "F, E in the parallel, vgvlbM, 60" l, 40" br." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 1496 = Cr 44 = OCL-396 = Lund 122

04 04 32 +52 39 42

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.

JH discovered NGC 1496 = h310 on 8 Nov 1831 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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NGC 1497 = UGC 2929 = MCG +04-10-008 = CGCG 487-009 = PGC 14331

04 02 06.8 +23 07 59

V = 13.1; Size 1.8'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 60d

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 UGC 2927 6' WSW ("fairly faint, small, round, 24" diameter, very small bright nucleus. A mag 15 star is attached at the east side of the core") and UGC 2928 7.4' NW ("fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 20" diameter").

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 VIIIb-13 on 11 Dec 1876 using the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2929 = PGC 14331.

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NGC 1498

04 00 19.4 -12 01 11

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.

WH discovered NGC 1498 = H VII-3 on 8 Feb 1784 (sweep 136) and recorded "a small cluster of compressed stars, containing some pretty large." Dreyer notes in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel", that "there is no very pronounced cluster near the place." Herschel's reference star is 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 doesn't qualify as a "small cluster of compressed stars." See Corwin's notes for more of the story.

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NGC 1499 = California Nebula = LBN 756 = Ced 26 = Sh 2-220

04 03 14 +36 22 06

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.

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.

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 Sidereal Messenger, Vol 5 (page 27) 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.

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NGC 1500 = ESO 201-013 = PGC 14187

03 58 13.9 -52 19 42

V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 88d

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. Brightest member of AGC 2193 with several cluster members in the field including PGC 14176 2.6' SW, PGC 128672 3.1' SE and PGC 14188 6.3' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 1500 = h2603 on 24 Dec 1837 and logged "F, vS, R, pmbM, 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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NGC 1501 = PK 144+6.1 = PN G144.5+06.5 = Oyster Nebula

04 06 59.4 +60 55 15

V = 11.9; Size 56"x48"

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" (1/28/84): slightly annular, very faint mag 14 central star visible.

8": fairly faint, moderately large, bluish, slightly elongated, sharp-edged.

WH discovered NGC 1501 = H IV-53 on 3 Nov 1787 (sweep 774) using the front-view (no secondary) design with a power of 157. He described "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 360 much magnitified, but still the borders pretty abruptly defined, irregularly elliptical."

On 15 Jan 1868 Lawrence Parsons, the son of Lord 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."

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NGC 1502 = Cr 45 = OCL-383 = Lund 124

04 07 49 +62 19 54

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 ∑485 = 7.0/7.1 at 18" and the cluster also includes ∑484 = 9.0/9.5 at 5". Located near the SE end of the chain of stars "Kemble's Cascade".

WH 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."

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NGC 1503 = ESO 083-013 = PGC 14137

03 56 33.5 -66 02 28

V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 140d

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.

JH 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 ESO 083-013 = PGC 14137.

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NGC 1504 = MCG -02-11-008 = PGC 14336

04 02 29.7 -09 20 07

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 NGC 1505 1.8' NE and a mag 12 star 1.6' W.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1504 = LM I-120 (along with NGC 1505 = LM I-121) on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough positions (nearest min of RA) correspond with MCG -02-11-008 = PGC 14336 and MCG -02-11-009 = PGC 14339.

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NGC 1505 = MCG -02-11-009 = PGC 14339

04 02 36.4 -09 19 21

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 I-121 (along with NGC 1504 = LM I-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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NGC 1506 = ESO 156-027 = PGC 14256

04 00 21.6 -52 34 25

V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80d

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 AGC 3193 with brighter member NGC 1500 24' NW.

JH 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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NGC 1507 = UGC 2947 = MCG +00-11-009 = CGCG 392-002 = Mrk 1080 = PGC 14409

04 04 27.1 -02 11 21

V = 12.3; Size 3.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 11d

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.

WH 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, vlbM, about 3' l."

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NGC 1508 = MCG +04-10-021 = CGCG 487-021 = PGC 14454

04 05 47.6 +25 24 31

V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (11/14/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. UGC 2949 lies 15' SW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1508 = St VIIIb-14 on 15 Dec 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches CGCG 487-021 = PGC 14454.

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NGC 1509 = MCG -02-11-013 = Mrk 1079 = IC 2026 = PGC 14393

04 03 55.2 -11 10 44

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. Forms a close pair with MCG -02-11-012 = PGC 14389 just 1.2' W. At first I thought it was a very faint mag 15-15.5 star, but with extended viewing, a 15" knot was seen. The companion is often misidentified as IC 2026.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1509 = Sw V-59 = LM 1-122 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and logged "vF; vS; lE; F* nr p." His position is 9 sec of RA following MCG -02-11-013 and it's possible his "F* nr p" refers to PGC 14389 (as I almost thought). Ormond Stone also found this galaxy the same year with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and listed it as #122. Stone's rough position (to the nearest min of RA) is close enough to be unambiguous. Bigourdan reobserved the galaxy in 1897 but assumed it was a nova and it received the number IC 2026. So, NGC 1509 = IC 2026, with priority to Swift and Stone. Howe also observed the field in 1899-00 and measured an accurate position with the 20" refractor at Denver. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 1510 = ESO 250-003 = MCG -07-09-006 = LGG 108-002 = PGC 14375

04 03 32.6 -43 24 01

V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 90d

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.

JH 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

V = 11.3; Size 3.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 125d

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, and appeared as a 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 NGC 1511B.

JH discovered NGC 1511 = h2608 on 2 Nov 1834 and described "pB; mE; vgbM; 90" l; pos 125.5°." His position and description matches ESO 055-004 = PGC 14236.

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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

V = 10.3; Size 8.9'x5.6'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 90d

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 arcseconds diameter, a little brighter in the centre: a star of 10th or 12th magnitude preceding the nebula." Dunlop made a single observation and his position is 10' SE of the galaxy (typical error).

JH 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, gpmbM." Based on the second description, Herschel identified this object as a globular cluster in the GC and Dreyer copied this classification into the NGC description. The IC 2, though, has a note from DeLisle Stewart "Not a globular cl, but an eF ring nebula".

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NGC 1513 = Cr 46 = OCL-398 = Lund 125

04 09 55 +49 31 00

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).

WH 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, iR, about 7' dia." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1514 = PK 165-15.1 = PN G165.5-15.2 = Crystal Ball Nebula

04 09 17.0 +30 46 33

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. A mag 17 star is at the edge of the rim on the southwest end. The rim is also weaker on the north and northeast side. The rim bulges out on the southeast side (near the two enhancements on this end) and to a lesser extent on the northwest end 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 SAO 57017 8' NNW and mag 9 SAO 57021 8' S.

13" (12/22/84): bright, fairly large, round, dominated by a mag 9.5 central star.

WH discovered NGC 1514 = H IV-69 = h311 on 13 Nov 1790 (sweep 980) and described "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 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 point, he was convinced of the existence of pure nebulosity, 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.

A total of 20 observations were made with the 72" at Birr Castle with one of the earliest (13 Jan 1852) by Bindon Stoney describing 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". 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 LdR'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.

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NGC 1515 = ESO 156-036 = PGC 14397

04 04 03.0 -54 06 10

V = 11.2; Size 5.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 18d

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 NGC 7331. The overall surface brightness is high with a very high surface brightness elongated core. NGC 1515A lies 2.0' SW of center. The companion appeared faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter with a small brighter core and a very low surface brightness halo. Despite the closeness, the companion is more than 10 times as distant as NGC 1515. Member of the Dorado Group.

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. JH first observed this galaxy on 5 Dec 1834 and logged "B, L, vmE, gbM; 3' l, 40" br".

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NGC 1516 = NGC 1524 = MCG -02-11-017/018 = PGC 14515

04 08 07.4 -08 49 46

Size 0.5'x0.4'

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 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.

WH discovered NGC 1516 = H III-499 = h2610 on 30 Jan 1786 (sweep 516) and recorded "vF, S, E, easily resolvable." JH observed this double system twice from the CGH, logging it (on his second sweep) as "vF; first vg then psvmbM, 20" diameter". Ormond Stone (I-113 and I-114) independently found this system again on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. He resolved the individual members, 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 NGC 1524 and NGC 1525. So, NGC 1516 should apply to the entire double system found by Herschel, while NGC 1524 and NGC 1525 should apply to the individual members found by Stone. But the components are generally labeled NGC 1516A and NGC 1516B. The RNGC declination is 3' too far south. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1517 = UGC 2970 = CGCG 418-013 = PGC 14564

04 09 11.9 +08 38 56

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 XIII-25 on 23 Dec 1884 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 2970 = PGC 14564.

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NGC 1518 = ESO 550-007 = MCG -04-10-013 = PGC 14475

04 06 49.1 -21 10 35

V = 11.8; Size 3.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 35d

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. NGC 1521 lies 22' ENE.

JH discovered NGC 1518 = h2611 on 6 Jan 1785 and recorded "B; L; pmE; gbM; has a *8 mag south-preceding 3' or 4' dist." His position is exactly 1.0 min of RA east of ESO 550-007 = PGC 14475, but the description applies. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and gave the position angle as 200°. Sir Robert Ball, observing with Lord Rosse's 72" on 25 Jan 1867, wrote "I have little doubt that there are interesting details in the form of this object but the altitude is low (15°) and the night was bad. The middle part is bright but apparently excentric if (as was suspected) there is a branch proceeding south and somewhat curved towards the preceding side."

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NGC 1519 = ESO 550-009 = MCG -03-11-013 = PGC 14514

04 08 07.5 -17 11 34

V = 12.9; Size 2.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 107d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, broad concentration. Located 4.6' WNW of mag 8.8 SAO 149397.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1519 = T I-14 = T V-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 ESO 550-009 = PGC 14514.

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NGC 1520 = ESO 032-SC005

03 57 51 -76 48 20

Size 5'

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): fairly small and poor cluster of a dozen stars mag 9.6 and fainter in a 5' region. Not impressive but detached in the field. Viewed through thin clouds.

JH 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.

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

V = 11.4; Size 2.8'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 10d

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 SAO 169161 lies 4.6' SSE.

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.

JH 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 is good and matches ESO 550-011 = PGC 14520.

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NGC 1522 = ESO 156-038 = AM 0404-524 = PGC 14462

04 06 07.7 -52 40 12

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 42d

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 HD 26354. Member of the Dorado Group (NGC 1566 subgroup).

JH 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, vlbM, 12" dia". His position matches ESO 156-038 = PGC 14462.

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NGC 1523 = ESO 156-**39

04 06 11 -54 05 24

=4*, Dreyer and HC.

JH 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" in the Harvard College Observatory NGC Correction list. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1524 = NGC 1516a = MCG -02-11-017

04 08 07.4 -08 49 47

See observing notes for NGC 1516.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1524 = LM I-123 (along with NGC 1525 = LM I-124) 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 min of RA west is NGC 1516, discovered by WH (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

04 08 08.2 -08 50 08

See observing notes for NGC 1516B.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1525 = LM I-124 (along with NGC 1524 = LM I-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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NGC 1526 = ESO 084-003 = PGC 14437

04 05 12.3 -65 50 23

V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 36d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): 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.

JH discovered NGC 1526 = h2617 on 2 Nov 1834 and logged "F, R, glbM, among B stars; one = 9th mag, 3' north." His position and description matches ESO 084-003 = PGC 14437.

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NGC 1527 = ESO 201-020 = PGC 14526

04 08 24.4 -47 53 50

V = 10.8; Size 3.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 78d

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 on 28 Sep 1826 and described as "a very small and very faint round nebula, about 20" diameter." His position is 10' too far NE. JH independently found this galaxy (h2612) on 28 Dec 1834 while searching for D 409 and recorded "B, E, spmbM, growing more round internally; 60" long, 30" broad; pos 77°." On a second sweep he called it "pB, E, vsbM to a roundish nucleus." His third observation logged it as "pB, pmE, vsvmbM; seen in sweeping in vain for Dunlop 409." Herschel tentatively suggested this object corresponded with Dunlop 409 in the Cape Catalogue though the equivalence is not mentioned in the NGC. It's also possible that D 429 is a duplicate observation with a 1° error in declination (too far north).

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NGC 1528 = Cr 47 = Mel 23 = OCL-397

04 15 19 +51 12 42

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 SAO 24496 and mag 9.0 SAO 24501, includes many faint stars. Extremely faint naked-eye object!

WH 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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NGC 1529 = ESO 084-004 = PGC 14495

04 07 19.7 -62 53 57

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 164d

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 NGC 1534 11' NE. Located 55' WSW of mag 3.3 Alpha Reticuli.

JH discovered NGC 1529 = h2619 on 9 Dec 1836 and commented "vF, S, R, gbM, 15" dia.". His position matches ESO 084-004 = PGC 14495, though the galaxy was clearly elongated in the 24".

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NGC 1530 = UGC 3013 = MCG +13-04-004 = CGCG 327-017 = VII Zw 12 = PGC 15018

04 23 26.7 +75 17 44

V = 11.5; Size 4.6'x2.4'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 17d

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 NW side [1.1' from center] and a mag 12.8 star lies 2.5' N.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, fairly large, very diffuse, almost round, gradual weak concentration, no nucleus.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 1530 = T I-15 in 1876 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and included in the GC Supplement (GCS 5334). His matches UGC 3013 = PGC 15018.

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NGC 1531 = ESO 359-026 = MCG -05-11-001 = PGC 14635

04 11 59.3 -32 51 05

V = 12.2; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 122d

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 NGC 1532 and situated just 1.7' NW of the core of the larger galaxy. In addition, the major axis of NGC 1531 is angled directly perpendicular to the core of NGC 1532. Several stars surround the galaxy.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated. Forms a close pair with larger and brighter NGC 1532 1.6' SE.

JH 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 = PGC 14638

04 12 04.3 -32 52 29

V = 9.9; Size 12.6'x3.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 33d

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.

IC 2041 lies 7' NE of center, close following the NE tip of NGC 1532. It appeared fairly bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, ~35"x24", small bright core.

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 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta, NSW, and described "an extremely faint ill-defined nebula, rather elongated in the direction of the meridian, gradualy a little brighter towards the centre." Dunlop's position (single observation) is 7' too far east. JH observed this showpiece galaxy on 3 differents sweeps, recording it first on 19 Oct 1835 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."

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NGC 1533 = ESO 157-003 = PGC 14582

04 09 51.8 -56 07 06

V = 10.7; Size 2.8'x2.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 151d

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 NGC 1536 24' SSE, NGC 1546 40' E and the NGC 1549/1553 pair less than a degree NE.

JH discovered NGC 1533 = h2622 on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "vB, pL, R, smbM to a stellar nucleus. Has two stars 10th mag N.f." His position and description matches ESO 157-003 = PGC 14582.

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NGC 1534 = ESO 084-006 = AM 0408-625 = LGG 110-002 = PGC 14547

04 08 46.2 -62 47 49

V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 76d

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 HD 26524 is 6.6' NW. Forms a wide pair with fainter NGC 1529 11.6' SW. Located 43' WSW of mag 3.3 Alpha Reticuli. Images show a dust lane on the south side.

JH 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 ESO 084-006 = PGC 14547.

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NGC 1535 = PK 206-40.1 = PN G206.4-40.5 = Cleopatra's Eye

04 14 15.8 -12 44 22

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 is mottled with subtle darker and brighter patches around the mag 12.5 central star. The outer shell doubles the diameter and is 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 northwest 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 is surrounded by a well-defined dark central hole with subtle mottling. This is surrounded by a striking, bright inner ring that is relatively narrow and sharply defined. The ring has a clumpy appearance, particularly on the north side and it dims slightly on the southeast side. This 20" diameter ring is encased within an outer shell of fainter nebulosity that doubles the diameter. Although the inner ring is round, this outer envelope is 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" (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.

WH discovered NGC 1535 = H IV-26 = h2618 on 1 Feb 1785 (sweep 364) and recorded "a very curious planetary, vB of a uniform brightness all but the edges which are ill defined; about half a minute in diam. With 240 proportionally magnified, perfectly R or perhaps a little elliptical." On a second observation he called it resolvable on the borders, and probably a very compressed cluster of stars at an immense distance. JH recorded from the CGH, "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.

Ralph Copeland, made a detailed observation with 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." He measured the position of this star at 16" in PA 324° (NW) of the central star. See my 48-inch observation.

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NGC 1536 = ESO 157-005 = PGC 14620

04 11 00.0 -56 28 55

V = 12.5; Size 2.0'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 155d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1536 = h2625 on 4 Dec 1834 and described "vF, R, pL, vlbM, 60" dia." His position matches ESO 157-005 = PGC 14620.

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NGC 1537 = ESO 420-012 = MCG -05-11-005 = PGC 14695

04 13 40.7 -31 38 43

V = 10.6; Size 3.9'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 98d

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, prominent elongated core, stellar nucleus.

JH discovered NGC 1537 = h2624 on 18 Nov 1835 and recorded "vB, lE, psvmbM, 50" l, 40" br." His position is 5' N of ESO 420-012 = PGC 14695, but the identification is secure.

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NGC 1538 = IC 2047? = PGC 941480

04 14 56.1 -13 11 30

Size 0.8'x0.6'; PA = 108d

24" (12/22/14): faint, small, round, 12" diameter (core only), very faint stellar nucleus. Holmberg 73 (double system) lies 3.3' SE and IC 2045 is 5.0' WNW.

Holm 73a = PGC 3093623 appeared faint, extremely small, round, 6" diameter (core). Forms a close pair with Holm 73b = PGC 940994 45" NE. The companion is 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 IC 2047 5' ESE and Holmberg 73 (pair) 8' ESE. With my 17.5" on 12/30/99, IC 2045 was logged as faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration. Situated between a mag 10 star 3' NE and a mag 9 star 5.5' SW.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1538 = LM I-125 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 16.0, 0.1' dia, R, gbM." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is very close southeast of Holmberg 73A = PGC 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 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 = PGC 941480, noted as "eF, eS, difficult, near [NGC 1538]."

RNGC, PGC and HyperLeda 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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NGC 1539 = CGCG 488-001 = V Zw 373 = PGC 14852

04 19 02.0 +26 49 38

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, gbM." There is nothing at his position, though CGCG 488-001 = PGC 14852 lies 1 min of RA east and 5' N (nearly 15' ENE). Harold Corwin notes this would be a fairly large error for Marth, so the identification is uncertain, though there are no other candidates within at least 30' he might have picked up instead. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1540 = ESO 420-014 = AM 0413-283 = PGC 14733

04 15 10.6 -28 29 21

V = 13.5; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 5d

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 [NGC 1540B]! Located 8' SW mag 9.4 SAO 169272 (wide double).

JH 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 ESO 430-014 = PGC 14733. This is an interacting pair (AM 0413-283) with separation 0.55'. My visual observation recorded the southern galaxy as brighter and larger and Harold Corwin concurs that the southern object is probably the one viewed by Herschel. He suggests, though, assigning NGC 1540 to the entire system.

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NGC 1541 = UGC 3001 = MCG +00-11-040 = CGCG 392-013 = PGC 14792

04 17 00.2 +00 50 06

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 77d

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, small bright core. Located 7' SW of mag 8.8 SAO 111720.

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 UGC 3001 = PGC 14792.

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NGC 1542 = UGC 3003 = MCG +01-11-016 = CGCG 418-017 = PGC 14800

04 17 14.2 +04 46 55

V = 13.9; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 128d

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 UGC 3003 = PGC 14800.

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NGC 1543 = ESO 118-010 = PGC 14659

04 12 43.0 -57 44 17

V = 10.5; Size 4.9'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 93d

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 HD 26942 lies 5' SW. 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' south of ESO 118-010 = PGC 14659. JH independently found this galaxy on 4 Dec 1834 (no reference to Dunlop) and recorded it as "B, pL, pmE, smbM to a round nucleus = star 11th mag." Herschel's position is accurate.

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NGC 1544 = UGC 3160 = MCG +14-03-006 = CGCG 361-011 = CGCG 370-001 = PGC 16608

05 02 36.0 +86 13 20

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 130d

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 (SAO 785/786).

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 I-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 UGC 3160 = PGC 16608. This galaxy is the 2nd closest galaxy to the pole (next to "Polarissima") in the NGC or IC.

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NGC 1545 = Cr 49 = OCL-399 = Lund 131

04 20 56 +50 15 18

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 pretty pair of mag 7/8 stars are near the center (South 445 = 7.3/8.2 at 72") with a blue mag 9 star to the west (SAO 24549) forming an isosceles triangle. A number of mag 11/12 stars are arranged in a curving stream oriented SW-NE which passes through the bright pair. At the north side of the cluster is a pretty colored pair ∑519 = 7.9/9.4 at 18". Off the east side is a small circular group of five faint stars and one brighter star in a clump.

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 ∑519 = 7.9/9.4 at 18" at the north edge.

WH 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 = LGG 112-002 = PGC 14723

04 14 36.5 -56 03 39

V = 10.9; Size 3.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 147d

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 HD 27142. A trio of 11-12th magnitude stars trail to the SW (nearest is HJ 3635 = 8.8/10.9 at 12" just 1.7' W). Located in the Dorado Group ~25' SW of the NGC 1553/1549 pair. NGC 1533 lies 40' W.

JH discovered NGC 1546 = h2628 on 5 Dec 1834 and logged "pB, lE, gbM 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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NGC 1547 = ESO 550-018 = MCG -03-11-020 = PGC 14799

04 17 12.4 -17 51 27

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 133d

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 I-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 ESO 550-018 = PGC 14799, which matches his description. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes), although he adds he "had no such suspicion" it was a cluster", probably due to the nearby stars. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and MCG does not label their entry as NGC 1547.

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NGC 1548 = OCL-415

04 20 59 +36 34 00

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 HD 27403 on the south side of the eyepiece field.  Extending to the west and southwest of this brighter star was an elongated group highlighted by an oval ring, roughly 10' diameter with several mag 10 stars.  A collection of fainter stars that follows the oval ring extends the overall dimensions to 20' x 10'.

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.

JH discovered NGC 1548 = h312 on 3 Feb 1832 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 = LGG 112-003 = PGC 14757

04 15 44.0 -55 35 30

V = 9.8; Size 4.9'x4.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 135d

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 SAO 233458 to the SSE. This member of the Dorado Group forms an interacting pair w/NGC 1553 12' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 1549 = h2629 on 6 Dec 1834 and noted "B, R, 40 arcseconds." (single sweep). Wolfgang Steinicke originally credited James Dunlop with the discovery, though Glen Cozens states D 331 applies to NGC 1553 with a 1 hr error in RA and that Dunlop missed NGC 1549 for some reason (possibly poor conditions b/c of dew on optics). Steinicke now credits JH with the discovery. Innes (MN 59, 339, 1899) and DeLisle Stewart's corrected position in the IC 2 Notes section is accurate (Herschel's RA was uncertain).

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NGC 1550 = NGC 1551 = UGC 3012 = MCG +00-11-055 = CGCG 393-001 = PGC 14880

04 19 37.9 +02 24 36

V = 12.0; Size 2.2'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 30d

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"). Form a pair with IC 366 3.1' SSE. The companion appeared faint (B ≈ 15.7), small, round, 12" diameter.

UGC 3011, located 12' NNW, appeared very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 21"x14", low surface brightness. UGC 3008, located 17' NW, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 24"x18", slightly brighter core. Three stars are nearby: a mag 11 star is 1.5' SSW, a mag 13 star 1' SW and a mag 14 star 1.5' ESE.

13.1" (1/18/85): 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. WH discovered this galaxy on 8 Oct 1785, but made a 1 degree error in recording his declination (too far south) and it was catalogued as H II-464 = NGC 1551. d'Arrest searched unsuccessfully for NGC 1551 and suspected WH made an error in his declination. So, NGC 1550 = NGC 1551. Nearby IC 366 was missed by d'Arrest and discovered by Sherburne Burnham with the 36-inch at Lick.

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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

See observing notes for NGC 1550.

WH 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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NGC 1552 = UGC 3015 = MCG +00-12-007 = CGCG 393-005 = PGC 14907

04 20 17.6 -00 41 36

V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 110d

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.

WH 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 UGC 3015 = PGC 14907. JH's mean position (2 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 1553 = ESO 157-017 = LGG 112-004 = PGC 14765

04 16 10.5 -55 46 48

V = 9.4; Size 4.5'x2.8'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 150d

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 star is just west of the NNW tip and a slightly fainter star is off the SSE edge. Forms a bright pair with NGC 1549 12' NNW in the center of the Dorado Group. IC 2058 lies 17' SE.

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 1 hr copying error in his RA (verified by Glen Cozens after examining Dunlop's original observations), and his corrected position is 10' S of this galaxy, a typical error. Wolfgang Steinicke equates D 331 = NGC 1549, but that seems less likely, as Dunlop's description of two stars involved and a group of stars to the north (near NGC 1549) applies to NGC 1553. But it is surprising that Dunlop apparently missed NGC 1549. On his first sweep (5 Dec 1834), JH recorded "vB, R, gmbM, 60", between three stars."

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NGC 1554 = Struve's Lost Nebula

04 21 43.5 +19 31 14

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 Pulkovo Observatory in St. Petersburg and 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 = Hind's Variable Nebula = Ced 32b = vdB 28 = HH 155 = PP 17

04 21 56.8 +19 32 04

Size 1'

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 HD 27560 5.6' SW and a mag 12 star 4.7' SW. The nebula has likely brightened since the view in 1996 with my 17.5".

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 and described "a pretty bright nebula, 4' diameter, star 10 at its northern end" and made several additional observations in 1856. 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 nebula 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 Mar-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 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 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. 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 Sep 1895 ("under the finest conditions") he could find no trace of the nebula. Three years later in Sep 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 visual observations in the NGC, IC 1 and IC 2 Notes section.

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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NGC 1556 = ESO 202-004 = AM 0416-501 = PGC 14818

04 17 44.7 -50 09 50

V = 13.1; Size 1.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 167d

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 4.5 day moon up.

JH discovered NGC 1556 = h2631 on 28 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF, S, R, vglbM, 20" dia." His position matches ESO 202-004 = PGC 14818. Using Harvard College Observatory plates, DeLisle Stewart noted "Not round but elongated 165 deg." The RNGC position is nowhere close and falls on a blank piece of sky.

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NGC 1557 = ESO 55-**15

04 13 12 -70 32 24

Size 17'

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 184x): 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 possible cluster is projected onto the outer parts of the LMC.

JH 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 SAO 256073 at 04 13 14.9 -70 25 14. There is a scattered group of brighter stars mostly south of this star.

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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NGC 1558 = ESO 250-017 = PGC 14906

04 20 16.2 -45 01 52

V = 12.5; Size 2.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 72d

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 HD 27805. ESO 250-018, with a similar redshift, lies 8' ESE. Viewed with 4.5 day moon up.

JH discovered NGC 1558 = h2632 on 14 Dec 1835 and recorded "pF, pmE, gpmbM, 25" long, 15" broad". There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1 min of RA east is ESO 250-017 = PGC 14906.

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NGC 1559 = ESO 084-010 = PGC 14814

04 17 35.8 -62 47 01

V = 10.6; Size 3.5'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 64d

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 NGC 1672 Group in the Dorado Cloud complex that includes NGC 1672, NGC 1688, NGC 1796 and NGC 1703. Images reveal a number of HII knots, though other than some mottling I didn't note these.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1559 = D 264 = h2634 on 6 Nov 1826 with his 9" reflector and described a "faint round nebula, about 40" diameter, slightly bright to the centre; this is north preceding Theta Rhomboidis". His position, though, is 18' too far south (accurate in RA). JH observed the galaxy twice but didn't mention an equivalence with D 264, so Dunlop is not credited with the discovery in the GC or NGC. On his first sweep of 9 Dec 1836, Herschel noted "B, L, mE, vg pmbM; 90" l; 40" br; has a * 14m at the southern edge."

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NGC 1560 = UGC 3060 = MCG +12-05-005 = CGCG 328-006 = FGC 71A = PGC 15488

04 32 48.9 +71 52 59

V = 11.4; Size 9.8'x1.7'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 23d

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 IC 342/Maffei I group, a nearby but obscured group of galaxies.

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 IX-1 on 1 Aug 1883 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His position is 1 min of RA preceding UGC 3060 = PGC 15488, though at this high declination this amounts to 5'. UGC 3060 is misidentified as IC 2062 in RC2, UGC and CGCG. According to Harold Corwin, IC 2062 is a faint star found by Guillaume Bigourdan on the same night he observed NGC 1560.

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NGC 1561 = MCG -03-12-006 = Holm 75a = PGC 15005

04 23 01.1 -15 50 45

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 SAO 149593. Brightest of six faint galaxies with NGC 1562 (18' WNW), NGC 1563 (7.0' NNW), NGC 1564 (6.4' N), NGC 1565 (8' NE) and IC 2063 (12' NNW).

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 I-127 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 14.0, vS, lE 170°, glbM, *8, precedes 6 seconds." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is a good match with MCG -03-12-006 = PGC 15005, and the bright star is 2' SW. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) for NGC 1561, 1562, 1563, 1564 and 1565.

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NGC 1562 = PGC 14956

04 21 47.6 -15 45 20

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 I-128 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is 1 min of RA east of PGC 14956. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes) and noted that "1562 precedes the rest of the group over a minute [of RA]."

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NGC 1563 = PGC 15000

04 22 53.9 -15 43 58

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 I-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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NGC 1564 = PGC 15004

04 23 00.9 -15 44 20

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 I-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

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 I-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 MCG -03-12-007 = PGC 15015. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 1566 = ESO 157-020 = LGG 114-003 = PGC 14897

04 20 00.4 -54 56 16

V = 9.7; Size 8.3'x6.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 60d

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this gorgeous spiral was a showpiece treat even with a 4.5-day moon well up in the west. NGC 1566 is strongly concentrated with a very bright, elongated 1' core region that increases 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, just over 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 HD 27713 lies 5.4' NW. NGC 1566 is the largest and most luminous member of the Dorado Group, which contains three subgroups: NGC 1433 group, NGC 1672 group and NGC 1566 group.

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. NGC 1581 lies 40' E.

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 position is 11' too far south but the identification is certain.

JH observed the galaxy twice from the CGH, recording on 5 Dec 1834, "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." JH noted this nebula could be Dunlop 338.

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NGC 1567 = ESO 202-010 = AM 0419-482 NED02 = PGC 14934

04 21 08.7 -48 15 18

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) with ESO 202-009 3' SSW. The companion appeared very faint, fairly small, thin edge-on SSW-NNE, 40"x12", low surface brightness. Viewed with a 4.5-day moon up.

JH discovered NGC 1567 = h2636 on 28 Dec 1834 and described "vF, S, R, glbM, 20" (hazy)". A later observation adds "found in place and viewed past meridian; not vF, S, R." His position matches ESO 202-010 = PGC 14934.

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NGC 1568 = NGC 1568B = UGC 3032 = MCG +00-12-027 = CGCG 393-016 = II Zw 10 = VV 809 = PGC 15034

04 24 25.4 -00 44 47

V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.8'; PA = 135d

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 (II Zw 10) with NGC 1568A = UGC 3031 1.2' WNW.

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 V-60 on 2 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and reported "eF; vS; R; nearly betw 2 stars." His position is 21 sec of RA west and 19" south of UGC 3032. 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.

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NGC 1569 = Arp 210 = UGC 3056 = MCG +11-06-001 = CGCG 306-001 = VII Zw 16 = LGG 104-002 = PGC 15345

04 30 48.6 +64 50 56

V = 11.0; Size 3.6'x1.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 120d

48" (10/23/11): at 488x, three very compact knots (luminous super-star clusters) are 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-B 7" SE. NGC 1569-C appeared very small but was also clearly non-stellar. NGC 1569-B, very close to the geometric center, was very compact and symmetrical, like a slightly bloated star. SIMBAD lists a V mag of 15.3 for 1569-A.

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.

WH discovered NGC 1569 = H II-768 on 4 Nov 1788 (sweep 881) and noted "pB, S, lE, BN, just south of a pretty bright star." Ralph Copeland observed this galaxy on 17 Jan 1873 using Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded "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 stars. 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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NGC 1570 = NGC 1571 = ESO 250-019 = MCG -07-10-001 = PGC 14971

04 22 08.9 -43 37 47

V = 12.3; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 172d

See observing notes for NGC 1571.

JH discovered NGC 1570 = h2637 on 4 Dec 1836 and recorded "F; S; R; gbM; 20" dia." His position is 10' N of ESO 250-019 = PGC 14971. This galaxy was found again by JH on 1 Dec 1837, accurately placed, and it was catalogued again as h2638 = GC 848 = NGC 1571. Although NGC 1570 is the earlier discovery, this galaxy is referred to as NGC 1571. RNGC labels NGC 1570 as nonexistent.

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NGC 1571 = NGC 1570 = ESO 250-019 = MCG -07-10-001 = PGC 14971

04 22 08.9 -43 37 47

V = 12.3; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 172d

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 (h3648) 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.

JH found NGC 1571 = h2638 on 1 Dec 1837 and recorded as "vF; S; R; 15"; gbM; 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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NGC 1572 = ESO 303-014 = MCG -07-10-003 = PGC 14993

04 22 42.8 -40 36 03

V = 12.4; Size 2.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 0d

18" (12/30/08): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, ~0.9'x0.3', slightly brighter core. A mag 12 star is just off the east side, 0.9' NE of center.

JH 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 ESO 303-014 = PGC 14993.

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NGC 1573 = UGC 3077 = MCG +12-05-008 = CGCG 328-009 = VII Zw 18 = PGC 15570

04 35 04.1 +73 15 45

V = 11.7; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 35d

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 CGCG 328-007 4.7' NW ("fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", low even surface brightness") and UGC 3069 4.3' SW ("fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 25"x20", gradually increases to the center, faint stellar nucleus").

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 IX-2 on 1 Aug 1883 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His position is 2' SW of UGC 3077 = PGC 15570.

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NGC 1574 = ESO 157-022 = PGC 14965

04 21 59 -56 58 24

V = 10.4; Size 3.4'x3.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 35d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1574 = h2640 on 4 Dec 1834 and described "pB, S, R, pgbM, 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.

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NGC 1575 = NGC 1577 = MCG -02-12-014 = PGC 15090

04 26 20.6 -10 05 54

V = 12.2; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7

See observing notes for NGC 1577.

Frank Muller found NGC 1575 = LM II-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 MCG -02-12-014 = PGC 15090 (accurate in declination) and his description of the nearby star matches. This galaxy was discovered earlier by Lewis Swift (III-29) on 10 Nov 1885 and catalogued as NGC 1577. Swift's position is just south of the galaxy, though the equivalence was not noticed until Herbert Howe examned the field in 1900 (the equivalence is repeated in the IC 2 Notes). So, NGC 1575 = NGC 1577, with discovery priority to Swift (NGC 1577). Some sources, such as RNGC, use NGC 1575 as the primary designation. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1576 = MCG -01-12-007 = PGC 15089

04 26 18.8 -03 37 16

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 125d

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.

WH 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 re-reduction) is 1' NW of MCG -01-12-007 = PGC 15089 and two stars bracket the galaxy.

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NGC 1577 = NGC 1575 = MCG -02-12-014 = PGC 15090

04 26 20.6 -10 05 54

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 SAO 149622.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1577 = Sw III-29 on 10 Nov 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and recorded "vF, pL, R, lbM, * 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 it was also catalogued as NGC 1575 (list II-395). Although his RA is 0.4 min off, the comment "*9.5, PA 185, 2' sep" clinches the identify NGC 1575 = NGC 1577, with priority to Swift.

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NGC 1578 = ESO 202-014 = AM 0422-514 = PGC 15025

04 23 46.7 -51 35 59

V = 13.1; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 177d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1578 = h2641 on 27 Dec 1834 (same night he discovered NGC 1522) and reported "vF, S, R, pgbM, dilute at the borders." His position (3 sweeps) matches ESO 202-014 = PGC 15025.

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NGC 1579 = LBN 767 = Sh 2-222 = Ced 35

04 30 14.3 +35 16 47

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. Symmetrically placed on the opposite side of the central region is a pair of mag 13 stars. 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" (1/18/85): 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.

WH 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."

Samuel Hunter made a detailed sketch with the 72" on 13 Jan 1858, which was included in LdR's 1861 publication (fig. 8, plate XXV). 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.

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NGC 1580 = MCG -01-12-011 = PGC 15189

04 28 18.4 -05 10 44

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 SAO 131233, which is at the edge of the 220x field, and 1 degree west of the NGC 1600 group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1580 = St VIIIb-15 on 18 Jan 1877 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches MCG -01-12-011.

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NGC 1581 = ESO 157-026 = LGG 114-004 = PGC 15055

04 24 44.9 -54 56 31

V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 80d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1581 = h2642 on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, S, E, gbM." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1582 = Cr 51 = OCL-407 = Lund 133

04 31 39 +43 50

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 which extends 20' SW of the cluster's position and includes a number of mag 8-10 stars. The string begins with mag 8.7 SAO 39581 and includes a 16" pair of mag 10 stars as well as mag 8.6 SAO 39578. The classification of this group as a true cluster is doubtful.

WH 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."

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NGC 1583 = ESO 551-008 = MCG -03-12-010 = PGC 15193

04 28 20.7 -17 35 44

V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 98d

17.5" (11/10/96): slightly brighter of a similar pair with NGC 1584 located 5.0' NNW. Faint, small, round, 40" diameter.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1583 = LM I-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 ESO 551-008 = PGC 15193. 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 1584 = ESO 551-006 = PGC 15180

04 28 10.2 -17 31 24

V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 122d

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 I-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).

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NGC 1585 = ESO 303-018 = MCG -07-10-006 = PGC 15150

04 27 33.0 -42 09 55

V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 175d

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 HD 28552. IC 2068 is in the field 11' NW.

JH discovered NGC 1585 = h2643 on 6 Dec 1834 and logged "pF, S, R, gbM, 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.

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NGC 1586 = UGC 3062 = MCG +00-12-036 = CGCG 393-027 = LGG 117-001 = PGC 15331

04 30 38.2 -00 18 15

V = 13.2; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 155d

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 UGC 3062 and a wide double star is 14' northwest, along with a mag 14.5 star at the northwest end. All major catalogues (except MCG) correctly identify NGC 1586 = UGC 3062.

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NGC 1587 = UGC 3063 = MCG +00-12-035 = CGCG 393-028 = Holm 76a = Mrk 616 = II Zw 12 = LGG 117-002 = PGC 15332

04 30 40.0 +00 39 43

V = 11.7; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 144d

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 NGC 1588 0.9' E. In a trio with NGC 1589 12' N.

13" (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.

WH discovered NGC 1587 = H II-8 = h316, along with NGC 1588 and 1589, on 19 Dec 1783 (early sweep 54). He noted "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." JH called this object "the south-preceding of a double nebula; R; pL; distance of centres 60"."

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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

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 175d

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" (12/22/84): faint, very small. Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 1587 1' W.

WH 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." JH called this object "the north-following of a double nebula; F; S; R. Position by a drawing made at the time 30-40° nf."

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NGC 1589 = UGC 3065 = MCG +00-12-038 = CGCG 393-030 = PGC 15342

04 30 45.5 +00 51 52

V = 11.8; Size 3.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 160d

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" (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.

WH 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, iR, vlbM." JH 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, using LdR's 72" 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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NGC 1590 = UGC 3071 = MCG +01-12-008 = CGCG 419-014 = II Zw 13 = PGC 15368

04 31 10.3 +07 37 51

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 90d

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 UGC 3071 and his comment "mag 12 star follows by 2.7 seconds of time and 1 3/4' north" clinches this idenfication.

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NGC 1591 = ESO 484-025 = MCG -04-11-015 = PGC 15276

04 29 30.6 -26 42 47

V = 12.8; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 30d

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 ESO 484-G26 4.4' SE and ESO 484-28 10' SE.

JH discovered NGC 1591 = h2644 on 6 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF; S; R; glbM; 15" dia." His position matches ESO 484-025 = PGC 15276. His RA in sweep 643 is 10 sec too small, though he noted the "time of transit somewhat confusedly stated in MS, which renders a mistake of 10s not improbable." It's a bit surprising he missed ESO 484-26 and ESO 484-28 on all three sweeps.

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NGC 1592 = ESO 421-IG 002A/B = MCG -05-11-011 = VV 647 = AM 0427-273 = PGC 15292

04 29 40.8 -27 24 32

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 96d

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 (PGC 15285 and 15292) with two off-center knots or condensations, one on the east end! A perfect parallelogram of stars with sides 3'x1' lies 5' SE (brightest stars mag 10 on the south side).

John Herschel's position is off by 27' in declination and ESO (421-IG 002A/B) and MCG (-05-11-011) do not equate this galaxy with NGC 1592, while RNGC lists NGC 1592 as nonexistent.

JH 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 ESO 421-002 as NGC 1592, although this galaxy is 27' S (correct in RA) of Herschel's position. Given the uncertainly in his dec, this seems a likely candidate. Neither MCG nor ESO label ESO 421-002 as NGC 1592. RNGC classifies this number nonexistent.

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NGC 1593 = NGC 1608: = IC 2077 = UGC 3082 = MCG +00-12-044 = CGCG 393-037 = PGC 15447

04 32 06.1 +00 34 02

See observing notes for NGC 1608.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 1593 = m 97 on 7 Nov 1863 with William Lassell's 48" on Malta. There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1 min of RA east is NGC 1608 and Harold Corwin "recovered" this identification while compiling the ESGC. NGC 1608 was found by Lawrence Parsons, using Lord Rosse's 72", on 1 Jan 1876, though his position is also poor. Finally, Stephane Javelle (III-988) independently found the galaxy again on 15 Jan 1898 with the 30" refractor at Nice, reported an accurate micrometric position and it was catalogued again as IC 2077. So, NGC 1593 = NGC 1608 = IC 2077.

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NGC 1594 = MCG -01-12-014 = IC 2075 = PGC 15348

04 30 51.6 -05 47 54

V = 13.0; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 100d

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 V-61 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 17 sec of RA following MCG -01-12-014 = PGC 15348. 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 IC 2075. So, NGC 1594 = IC 2075, with discovery priority to Swift. MCG identifies this galaxy as IC 2075. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1595 = Carafe Group = ESO 202-025 = AM 0426-475 = KTS 25B = PGC 15195

04 28 21.7 -47 48 57

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 17d

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 NGC 1598 2.8' NE and ESO 202-023 (Carafe Galaxy) 6.9' SW.

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.

JH 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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NGC 1596 = ESO 157-031 = LGG 114-005 = PGC 15153

04 27 38.1 -55 01 40

V = 11.2; Size 3.7'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 20d

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 NGC 1602 2.9' SE in the Dorado Group of galaxies. NGC 1617 lies 43' NE. Located 55' due west of mag 3.3 Alpha Doradus.

JH discovered NGC 1596 = h2648 (along with NGC 1602 = h2649) on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "B, mE, pL, psmbM, 60" long. The preceding of two [with NGC 1602]." His position (2 consecutive sweeps) is very accurate.

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NGC 1597 = MCG -02-12-032 = PGC 15374

04 31 13.5 -11 17 26

V = 13.9; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 95d

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 I-134 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest minute of RA) matches MCG -02-12-032 = PGC 15374.

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NGC 1598 = Carafe Group = ESO 202-026 = AM 0427-475 = KTS 25C = PGC 15204

04 28 33.6 -47 46 57

V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 123d

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. Third in the "Carafe" trio with NGC 1595 2.8' SW and ESO 202-023 10' SW.

JH discovered NGC 1598 = h2646 (along with NGC 1598 = h2647) on 3 Dec 1837 and logged "F, R, bM, 20 arcseconds." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1599 = NGC 1610? = MCG -01-12-016 = PGC 15403

04 31 38.7 -04 35 18

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 174d

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, very small, round, slight central brightening. Located just 1.1' W of mag 9.1 SAO 131769. Member of the NGC 1600 group with NGC 1607 10' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1599 = St XII-29 on 14 Dec 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is an exact match with MCG -01-12-016 = PGC 15403. NGC 1610 may be a duplicate observation (see notes) and the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 labels the galaxy NGC 1599 = 1610.

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NGC 1600 = MCG -01-12-017 = PGC 15406

04 31 39.9 -05 05 10

V = 10.9; Size 2.5'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 15d

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, NGC 1603 2.6' ESE and NGC 1606 7' NE. Other members include NGC 1599, NGC 1604, NGC 1607, NGC 1609, NGC 1611, NGC 1612, NGC 1613 and IC 373. Located 12' SE of mag 7.8 SAO 131262 12' NW and 15' ESE of mag 9 SAO 131258.

13" (12/18/82): fairly bright, small, round, broad concentration.

WH discovered NGC 1600 = H I-158 = h319 on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638) and recorded "pB, pL, irr R, vgmbM." Just two nights later (sweep 640) he noted "cB, pS, mbB." JH made 4 observations and the observers using the 72" at Birr Castle made 5 observations of the field, discovering NGC 1601, 1603 and 1606.

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NGC 1601 = MCG -01-12-018 = PGC 15413

04 31 41.7 -05 03 37

V = 13.8; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 95d

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 discovered NGC 1601 = GC 867 (along with NGC 1603 and NGC 1606) on 14 Jan 1849 using Lord Rosse's 72" and a sketch of the field surrounding NGC 1600 was made 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

V = 13.0; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 83d

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 in the Dorado Group.

JH 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).

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NGC 1603 = MCG -01-12-019 = PGC 15424

04 31 49.9 -05 05 40

V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 115d

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 discovered NGC 1603 = GC 868 (along with NGC 1601 and NGC 1606) on 14 Jan 1849 using Lord Rosse's 72" and 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

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 VI-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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NGC 1605 = Cr 52 = OCL-406 = Lund 134

04 34 52 +45 16 18

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 SAO 39630 is 10' ESE at the edge of the 220x field.

WH discovered NGC 1605 = H VI-26 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645) and 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

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 SAO 131278 within the large NGC 1600 group.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 1606 = GC 869 on 14 Jan 1849 (along with NGC 1601 and NGC 1603) using Lord Rosse's 72" and a sketch of the field surrounding NGC 1600 was made in 1850. An accurate position was never measured but the sketch matches MCG -01-12-022 = PGC 15443.

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NGC 1607 = MCG -01-12-023 = PGC 15442

04 32 03.1 -04 27 37

V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness. Located 4.5' S of mag 7.9 SAO 131272. Member of the NGC 1600 group with NGC 1599 10' SW and NGC 1609 10' NE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1607 = St XI-30 on 14 Dec 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches MCG -01-12-023 = PGC 15442.

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NGC 1608 = NGC 1593: = UGC 3082 = MCG +00-12-044 = CGCG 393-037 = IC 2077 = PGC 15447

04 32 06.1 +00 34 02

V = 13.4; Size 1.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 130d

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 UGC 3082 = PGC 15447 and the "*12 mag 117" south" is 1.7' north. Albert Marth (m 97) earlier discovered this galaxy on 7 Nov 1863 and Dreyer catalogued this galaxy as GC(S) 5342 and NGC 1593, but Marth's position was exactly 1.0 min of RA too far west, so the observations seemed to apply to different objects. FInally, Stephane Javelle independently found the galaxy on 15 Jan 1898 and he (as well as Kobold at Strasbourg) measured an accurate position. So, NGC 1608 = NGC 1593 = IC 2077. UGC, MCG and CGCG label the galaxy IC 2077, though NGC 1593 refers to the earliest visual observation. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, notes NGC 1608 = IC 2077. Discussed in Malcolm Thomson's Catalogue Corrections.

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NGC 1609 = MCG -01-12-025 = PGC 15480

04 32 45.1 -04 22 21

V = 14.2; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 170d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1609 = H III-585, along with NGC 1611 = III-586, on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638) though only noted "suspected, but the haziness [weather] is increasing." His position is less than 1' northwest of MCG -01-12-025 = PGC 15480.

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NGC 1610 = NGC 1599?? = MCG -01-12-016 = PGC 15543

04 31 38.7 -04 35 18

See observing notes for NGC 1599. The NGC identification is very uncertain.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1610 = LM II-396 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing at Leavenworth's position, though RNGC identifies PGC 15543 at 04 34 13.9 -04 41 59 (2000) as NGC 1610. Leavenworth's position is 81 sec of RA west and 7' north of PGC 15543 (not an unusual error in RA, but the declination in the L-M lists are generally fairly accurate). Corwin suggests NGC 1610 may be a duplicate observation of NGC 1599. This galaxy is ~1 tmin W of Leavenworth's position, a common error. But Corwin notes this galaxy has a bright star 1.1' ENE which would probably have been mentioned by Leavenworth.

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NGC 1611 = MCG -01-12-029 = PGC 15501

04 33 05.9 -04 17 49

V = 13.0; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 103d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1611 = H III-586, along with NGC 1609, on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 638) and recorded "eF, S, E, but hazy weather." His summary description (including a later observation) reads "eF, S, E nearly in parallel, another suspected 3' S.f., stellar." In Dreyer's 1912 update to WH's catalogues, he states that WH probably also observed NGC 1613 but his orientation should read 3' north-following instead of 3' south-following.

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NGC 1612 = MCG -01-12-030 = PGC 15507

04 33 13.1 -04 10 20

V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 40d

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 XI-31 (along with NGC 1613 = St XI-32) on 21 Dec 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1613 = MCG -01-12-031 = PGC 15518

04 33 25.3 -04 15 55

V = 14.1; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 135d

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.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1613 = St XI-32 (along with NGC 1612 = St XI-31) on 21 Dec 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches MCG -01-12-031 = PGC 15518.

This galaxy was probably discovered earlier by WH in his observation of NGC 1611 = H III-586, commenting "another suspected 3' S.f., stellar." This would apply to NGC 1613 if south-following was replaced with north-following.

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NGC 1614 = Arp 186 = II Zw 15 = MCG -01-12-032 = Mrk 617 = PGC 15538

04 34 00.0 -08 34 44

V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 85d

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 III-30 on 29 Dec 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 21 tsec east of MCG -01-12-032. 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 1615 = UGC 3096 = MCG +03-12-005 = CGCG 467-003 = PGC 15608

04 36 01.9 +19 57 03

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 115d

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 SAO 94022 6' SW and mag 8.0 SAO 94021 5' NW!

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1615 = St IX-3 on 5 Jan 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate. MCG does not label +03-12-005 as NGC 1615.

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NGC 1616 = ESO 251-010 = MCG -07-10-013 = AM 0431-434 = PGC 15479

04 32 41.7 -43 42 56

V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 36d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): 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.

JH discovered NGC 1616 = h2650 on 24 Oct 1835 and logged "pF, S, psbM." His position from 3 observations is accurate.

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NGC 1617 = ESO 157-041 = PGC 15405

04 31 39.5 -54 36 08

V = 10.4; Size 4.3'x2.1'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 107d

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. The NGC 1596/1602 pair lies 43' SW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1617 = D 339 on 5 Nov 1826 and described "a small round pretty well defined nebula, bright in the centre, N.p. Alpha Doradus". His position was off by 11.5' (typical error) to the southeast. JH 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, sbM, 3' long, 2' broad, pos. 105.8 degrees." His mean position is accurate.

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NGC 1618 = MCG -01-12-034 = PGC 15611

04 36 06.5 -03 08 56

V = 12.7; Size 2.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 35d

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. First of three prominent spirals with NGC 1622 and NGC 1625. Located 13' NNW of mag 3.9 Nu Eridani

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). HCG 30 lies 19' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 1618 = H II-524 = h320 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and noted "F, S, iF, lbM, preceding 2 small stars." JH gave no description and the "observation marked as doubtful", but his position is accurate. William missed nearby NGC 1622 and NGC 1625, although they are similar in magnitude (JH missed NGC 1622 also).

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NGC 1619

04 36 12 -04 50

=Not found, Corwin and Howe.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1619 = Sw VI-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 NGC 1621, which he discovered on the same night (V-18), but there is nothing at this relative offset. Herbert Howe, using the 20" refractor at Chamberlain Observatory in 1898, reported "in the place given for this I saw only stars of mags 13-14. Its neighbour, 1627, was readily seen." Corwin suggests two possible candidates in his notes, though both are speculative. So, I've left NGC 1619 as not found.

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NGC 1620 = UGC 3103 = MCG +00-12-052 = CGCG 393-046 = LGG 117-007 = PGC 15638

04 36 37.3 -00 08 35

V = 12.3; Size 2.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 25d

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 SAO 131350.

WH discovered NGC 1620 = H II-514 = h321 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and logged "F or vF, pL, E from sp-nf, about 2' long, 1' broad." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1621 = NGC 1626 = MCG -01-12-035 = PGC 15626

04 36 25.0 -04 59 14

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.8'; PA = 95d

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. NGC 1627 lies 20' ENE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1621 = Sw VI-18 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. This galaxy was independently found the same year by Francis Leavenworth and included in list II-397. His position is 48 tsec east of MCG -1-12-35. Leavenworth mentions a "*8 np 12 sec", which clinches the identification NGC 1626 = NGC 1621. The discovery priority is unknown. See notes for NGC 1619.

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NGC 1622 = MCG -01-12-036 = Holm 77a = PGC 15635

04 36 36.6 -03 11 20

V = 12.5; Size 3.6'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 45d

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! MCG -01-12-037 lies 9' NNE.

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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NGC 1623 = PGC 15591

04 35 32.4 -13 33 23

V = 14.7; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 15d

18" (1/21/04): very faint, extremely small, 15" diameter. A very faint superimposed star or stellar nucleus was intermittently visible. Member of AGC 496. The identification or position in the RNGC is incorrect.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1623 = LM I-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 PGC 75238 as NGC 1623.

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NGC 1624 = OCL 403 = Cr 53 = Ced 37 = LBN 722 = Sh 2-212

04 40 37.2 +50 27 41

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.

WH 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

V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 130d

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" (12/18/82): very faint, very elongated NW-SE.

JH discovered NGC 1625 = h322 on 24 Nov 1827 and recorded "vF; E; 45° np sf; sbM; 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 WH) 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

See observing notes for NGC 1621.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1626 = LM II-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

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. NGC 1628 lies 10' N and NGC 1621 20' WSW. The photographic descriptions of NGC 1627 and NGC 1628 are reversed in the RNGC.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1627 = Sw VI-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

V = 14.2; Size 1.8'x0.4'; PA = 171d

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 VI-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 MCG -01-12-038 = PGC 15654. The photographic descriptions for NGC 1627 and NGC 1628 are reversed in RNGC. See comments for NGC 1627.

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NGC 1629 = ESO 055-SC024 = S-L 3

04 29 36 -71 50 18

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.

JH discovered NGC 1629 = h2653 on 23 Dec 1834 and reported "vF, R, glbM, 1'." (single observation)

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NGC 1630 = ESO 551-019 = PGC 15659

04 37 15.5 -18 54 06

V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 140d

17.5" (12/26/00): very faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1630 = LM II-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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NGC 1631 = ESO 551-021 = MCG -03-12-017 = PGC 15705

04 38 24.2 -20 38 59

V = 13.4; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 44d

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 SAO 169624.

JH 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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NGC 1632 = IC 386 = PGC 15769

04 39 58.5 -09 27 23

V = 14.4; Size 1.0'x0.6'; PA = 40d

17.5" (1/23/93): very faint, small, round, weak concentration, low surface brightness. Located 3.1' SSW of a mag 10.5 star. IC 382 lies 30' WSW. Misidentified in the RNGC as IC 382.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1632 = LM II-399 in 1886 with the 26" refractor 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 PGC 15769. Javelle later independently found this galaxy on 6 Feb 1893, measured an accurate position and it was catalogued as IC 386. So, NGC 1632 is likely equivalent to IC 386. RNGC and NGC 2000.0 identify IC 382 as NGC 1632. Although IC 382 is brighter, Muller's declination matches that of IC 386 and the L-M positions are typically off mainly in RA. So, NGC 1632 and IC 382 is a less likely identity. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1633 = UGC 3125 = MCG +01-12-014 = CGCG 419-023 = LGG 120-012 = Holm 79a = PP 22: = PGC 15774

04 40 09.1 +07 20 58

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 NGC 1634 just 0.8' S. Situated among a group of brighter stars including mag 8.7 SAO 111965 5.4' SSW, a mag 10 star 3' SW and a mag 11.5 star 2.4' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 1633 = H III-952 = h323, along with NGC 1634, on 9 Dec 1798 (sweep 1085) and recorded "Two nebulae [NGC 1633 & NGC 1634] within 1' of each other; lying in the meridian. Both eF, vS. 300x showed the same." His position (Auwer's reduction) is 1' too far north.

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NGC 1634 = MCG +01-12-015 = CGCG 419-022 = Holm 79b = PGC 15775

04 40 09.8 +07 20 19

V = 14.1; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 109d

13.1" (1/18/85): forms a double system with NGC 1633. Very faint, extremely small. Appears like a nebulous knot almost in contact close south of NGC 1633. Situated within a group of brighter stars.

WH discovered NGC 1634 = H III-953 = h324, along with NGC 1633, on 9 Dec 1798 (sweep 1085) and recorded "Two nebulae [NGC 1633 & NGC 1634] within 1' of each other; lying in the meridian. Both vF, vS."

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NGC 1635 = UGC 3126 = MCG +00-12-063 = CGCG 393-060 = PGC 15773

04 40 07.8 -00 32 51

V = 12.4; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 5d

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 SAO 131395.

WH discovered NGC 1635 = H II-515 = h325 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and recorded "F or pB, S, bM." JH called it "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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NGC 1636 = MCG -01-12-042 = PGC 15800

04 40 40.1 -08 36 29

V = 12.0; Size 1.2'x0.8'; PA = 0d

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.

WH 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." JH observed this nebula both from Slough and from the CGH where he reported "F, R, gbM, 40", near some small stars."

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NGC 1637 = MCG +00-12-068 = CGCG 393-066 = UGCA 93 = PGC 15821

04 41 28.0 -02 51 29

V = 10.8; Size 4.0'x3.2'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 15d

48" (11/2/13): bright, large, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 3'x2.5'. Contains a large bright core which contains 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.

WH discovered NGC 1637 = H I-122 = h327 on 10 Dec 1835 (sweep 518) and reported "cB, vL, iR, bM, easily resolvable, 5' or 6' diameter." This galaxy was observed 15 times at Birr Castle and was seen first as a spiral on 19 Dec 1848 (included in the LdR'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 (LdR's 1861 publication, Plate XXV, figure 9).

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NGC 1638 = UGC 3133 = MCG +00-12-069 = CGCG 393-068 = PGC 15824

04 41 36.3 -01 48 33

V = 12.0; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 70d

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. UGC 3127 lies 22' SW.

13" (12/18/82): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE. Evenly lit halo with a very small bright core.

WH 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 UGC 3133 = PGC 15824. The NGC position (from d'Arrest) is accurate. RNGC has an obvious typo in the RA (0h 01.3m)

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NGC 1639

04 40 52 -16 59 30

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.

JH 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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NGC 1640 = ESO 551-027 = MCG -03-12-018 = PGC 15850

04 42 14.5 -20 26 04

V = 11.7; Size 2.6'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 45d

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 I-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 ESO 551-027 (typical error), but his noted "E 40°" secures the identificiation. Stone later measured an accurate micrometric position with the 26". Steinicke states this galaxy is the brightest galaxy discovered at Leander McCormick Observatory.

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NGC 1641 = ESO 084-SC024

04 35 35 -65 46 48

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. No central concentration or rich subgroups, though detached in the field so stands out reasonably well. Still, this is a very poor "cluster" considering its size. Some catalogues have misidentified NGC 1641 with a close pair of galaxies on the east side of the group.

JH 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. 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 ESO 84-25, which happens to be close to Hershel's position. Clearly, Herschel's description applies to the larger star group and not these galaxies, so the listing in S-L is erroneous. The Hodge-Wright Atlas of the LMC also labels the ESO galaxies as NGC 1641. RNGC classifies this number as an open cluster, but references S-L, and NGC 2000.0 references the RNGC. The identifications were sorted out by Jenni Kay in an email dated Dec 13, 1998.

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NGC 1642 = UGC 3140 = MCG +00-12-072 = CGCG 393-073 = PGC 15867

04 42 55.0 +00 37 08

V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 175d

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.

UGC 3141 lies 8.4' NNE and appeared faint to fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, low surface brightness, no core or zones.

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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NGC 1643 = MCG -01-13-001 = PGC 15891

04 43 43.9 -05 19 08

V = 12.8; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 30d

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 NGC 1645 10' SE.

WH discovered NGC 1643 = H III-588 = h328 on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) and noted "vF, S." JH called this nebula "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." So, in the IC 2 notes, Dreyer comments "Is not eF. Roberts in 1903 found it B, pL; d'Arrest has F or pF. I found it F in 1877."

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NGC 1644 = ESO 084-SC030 = S-L 9

04 37 40 -66 11 48

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 HD 29878. NGC 1641, a scattered group of stars, lies 28' NNW.

JH discovered NGC 1644 = h2657 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, S, R, gbM, 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

V = 12.2; Size 2.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 95d

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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NGC 1646 = MCG -01-13-003 = II Zw 22 = PGC 15914

04 44 23.5 -08 31 54

V = 13.0; Size 1.6'x1.1'; PA = 155d

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 NGC 1648 4.4' NE and 56 Eridani (V = 5.9) 4.8' WNW. The bright star detracts from viewing! A mag 11 star lies 2.1' E. On the DSS, NGC 1646 is a merged double system (15" between centers) with the fainter companion attached on the southeast end.

WH discovered NGC 1646 = H II-523 = h329 on 30 Jan 1786 (sweep 516) and remarked "F, vS, irr R, bM, almost stellar." JH measured an accurate position and noted "pF; R; has a *7m, 3 or 4' dist np." Robert Ball observed NGC 1646 at Birr Castle on 10 Jan 1867 and wrote, "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 PGC 3084954, an extremely faint companion 0.7' SE or perhaps Ball resolved the two merged components of NGC 1646 (15" SSE of center)?

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NGC 1647 = Cr 54 = Mel 26 = OCL-457

04 46 00 +19 04

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.

WH 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." Sue French notes it was the first object discovered while trying out a new speculum mirror. He wasn't satisfied with the mirror, 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

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 III-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 PGC 15920 and the identification is certain though it's odd he didn't mention the nearby bright star!

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NGC 1649 = ESO 055-SC031 = KMHK 22

04 38 06.9 -68 46 41

V = 11.2; Size 0.6'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter. Sandwiched between 8.1 HD 29994 2.1' SSE and a mag 12 star 1.4' NNW. Located 6.5' SSW of NGC 1652. The identification of NGC 1649 is disputed. It may refer to the small cluster described above or more likely NGC 1649 is a duplicate observation of NGC 1652.

JH discovered NGC 1649 = h2660 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; R; gbM; 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."

But Jenni Kay disagrees and notes there is a small cluster (ESO 55-031 = KMHK 22) just 2.3' NNW of JH's positon for NGC 1649 which may be the correct object. The visual appearance in a 30-inch is given in my notes.

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NGC 1650 = MCG -03-13-001 = PGC 15931

04 45 11.5 -15 52 12

V = 11.9; Size 2.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 170d

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 I-137 on 12 Nov 1885 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 13.0, pS, E 0° [N-S], glsmbMN, envelope mag 14.0." His position is 3.6' SW of MCG -03-13-001 = PGC 15931and the description pins down the identification. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 1651 = ESO 055-SC030 = S-L 7

04 37 31.7 -70 35 07

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.

JH discovered NGC 1651 = h2662 on 3 Nov 1834 and noted "vF, L, R, vglbM, 2.5' dia." His position (3 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 1652 = ESO 055-SC032 = S-L 10

04 38 22.6 -68 40 21

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.

JH discovered NGC 1652 = h2661 on 2 Nov 1834 and remarked "vF; S; R; gbM; 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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NGC 1653 = UGC 3153 = MCG +00-13-003 = CGCG 393-002 = PGC 15942

04 45 47.3 -02 23 34

V = 12.0; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.8

13" (11/29/86): moderately bright, moderately large, round, broadly concentrated halo. The NGC 1654/NGC 1657 pair lies 19' N.

WH discovered NGC 1653 = H II-526 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and remarked "F, cS, R, lbM." His position is just off the ESE side of UGC 3153 = PGC 15942.

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NGC 1654 = UGC 3154 = CGCG 394-003 = PGC 15943

04 45 48.4 -02 05 02

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 SAO 131483.

13" (11/29/86): faint, small, oval slightly elongated ~E-W. NGC 1657 4.6' E not seen.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1654 = St XII-33 (along with NGC 1657 = St XII-34 and NGC 1661 = St XII-35) on 21 Dec 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1655

04 46 12 +20 56

=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 and Steward reported the object was not found on Harvard College Observator plates. A mag 9.2 star to the south matches the NGC description "pB, R, gbM, *10 south."

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NGC 1656 = MCG -01-13-005 = PGC 15949

04 45 53.3 -05 08 12

V = 12.8; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 55d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1656 = h330 on 10 Feb 1830 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

V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 150d

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 XI-34 (along with NGC 1654 and NGC 1661) on 21 Dec 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1658 = ESO 304-016 = MCG -07-10-020 = PGC 15899

04 44 01.2 -41 27 48

V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 124d

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 NGC 1660 to the SE. Located 5' NE of mag 10 HD 30203 and 45' NE of mag 4.5 Alpha Caeli. Viewed at a very low elevation from Lake Sonoma.

JH discovered NGC 1658 = h2658 (along with NGC 1660 = h2659) on 1 Dec 1837 and logged "F, pmE, glbM, 40"." His position is 1.6' too far south (similar offset with nearby NGC 1660).

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NGC 1659 = NGC 1677 = MCG -01-13-006 = PGC 15977

04 46 29.8 -04 47 22

V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 40d

13.1" (12/18/82): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE.

WH discovered NGC 1659 = H II-589 = h331 = Sw V-64 on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) and recorded "vF, cL, iE nearly in the parallel, bM." Harold Corwin found Lewis Swift independently found this nebula on 22 Oct 1886 and recorded "pF; pL; lE." His declination is accurate but his RA is 5 min too large (same error with NGC 1689). Once corrected, NGC 1677 = NGC 1659.

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NGC 1660 = ESO 304-018 = MCG -07-10-021 = PGC 15908

04 44 11.3 -41 29 52

V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 32d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1660 = h2659 (along with NGC 1658 = h2658) on 1 Dec 1837 and logged "vF, lE, glbM, 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

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 35d

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 XII-35 on 21 Dec 1881 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. HIs position is accurate.

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NGC 1662 = Cr 55 = OCL-470 = Lund 141

04 48 29 +10 55 48

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" primarily consists of a bright quadruple (one with a fainter companion) of mag 8-10 stars (h684) with sides less than 1'. This group may be a scattered group of bright stars.

WH 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 PT description also using a later sweep, added "10' or 12' in extent, with a vacancy in the middle." His position is 30 tsec of RA too far east, but JH measured an accurate position 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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NGC 1663 = OCL-461 = Lund 142

04 49 24 +13 09 06

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 although this group has been listed as a "possible open cluster remnant" - Bica et al., 2001A&A...366..827B. The Lynga position, DSFG, NGC 2000, SC 2000 and RNGC all place the cluster too far west by ~45 tsec of RA.

WH 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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NGC 1664 = Cr 56 = Mel 27 = OCL-411

04 51 05 +43 40 36

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 SAO 39807 on the SE edge. Appears rich in the center.

WH 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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NGC 1665 = MCG -01-13-009 = PGC 16044

04 48 17.1 -05 25 39

V = 13.2; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 50d

17.5" (12/23/89): faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, weak concentration.

WH discovered NGC 1665 = H II-457 = h333 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458) and recorded "F, cL, lbM." JH measured an accurate position and called it "vF, pL, R."

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NGC 1666 = MCG -01-13-010 = PGC 16057

04 48 32.8 -06 34 12

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 35d

13.1" (1/18/85): faint, small, round, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a wide pair with NGC 1667 15' N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1666 = Sw V-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 = PGC 16062

04 48 36.9 -06 19 13

V = 12.1; Size 1.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 20d

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 XIII-26 on 13 Dec 1884 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate. Swift independently found this galaxy on 22 Oct 1886, but Harold Corwin found his RA was 5.0 tmin 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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NGC 1668 = ESO 251-030 = MCG -07-10-023 = PGC 15957

04 46 05.9 -44 44 00

V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 107d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): 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.

JH discovered NGC 1668 = h2663 on 1 Dec 1837 and logged "eF; R; attached to a star 14m". His position is 3' SE of ESO 251-030 = PGC 15957, and the description of the nearby star applies.

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NGC 1669 = ESO 084-038 = PGC 15871

04 43 00.0 -65 48 52

V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 97d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): extremely to very faint, small, round, 25" diameter. Two mag 14 and 13 stars lie 1.4' NW and 3.5' NW, respectively. An asterims of 5 stars including two mag 10 stars is roughly 7' WNW. I couldn't hold the galaxy steaditly with averted although it was viewed in poor conditions (very hazy skies and positioned well west of the meridian).

JH discovered NGC 1669 = h2664 on 20 Dec 1835 and logged "eF, S, R." His position is 6 sec of RA west of ESO 084-038 = PGC 15871.

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NGC 1670 = MCG +00-13-016 = CGCG 394-017 = Holm 81a = PGC 16107

04 49 42.5 -02 45 37

V = 12.7; Size 2.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 112d

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, round, bright core. A mag 14 star is close off the ESE edge 0.9' from center.

WH discovered NGC 1670 = H III-501 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and noted "vF, vS." His position is 1.5' SSE of CGCG 394-017 = PGC 16107.

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NGC 1671 = IC 395? = UGC 3178 = MCG +00-13-015 = Holm 80a = PGC 16095

04 49 34.1 +00 15 10

See observing notes for IC 395.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1671 = Sw V-63 on 2 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory and described as "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 = UGC 3178 (found later by Swift on 30 Oct 1889 and recorded in list IX-15). But this requires that Swift made large errors in both RA (45 tsec) and in declination (1 degree). His comment "pB * nr sp" applies, though, to this galaxy. RNGC classifies NGC 1671 as nonexistent.

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NGC 1672 = ESO 118-043 = AM 0444-592 = LGG 119-002 = PGC 15941

04 45 42.5 -59 14 50

V = 9.7; Size 6.6'x5.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 170d

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 which 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 (HD 30790) is 13' NE.

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 IC 2056. Possible additional members include NGC 1559, NGC 1602, NGC 1672, NGC 1688, NGC 1703 and NGC 1705.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1672 = D 296 on 5 Nov 1826 and described "a faint ill-defined nebula, with a small bright point in the preceding side, which I suspect to be a star; there are several similar small stars in the field." His position was off by 15' to the NW. JH, who made two observations of this barred spiral, noted the equivalence of h2665 with D 296 as uncertain. On the first sweep he logged "B, L, pmE, svmbM to a nucleus; 2.5' long, 1.5' broad; a star 12th mag involved." His position was accurate.

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NGC 1673 = ESO 055-SC034 = S-L 17

04 42 40 -69 49 18

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.

JH 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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NGC 1674

04 52 24 +23 54

=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 NGC 1675] in same field" but there are candidates near his position so this number is lost.

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NGC 1675

04 52 24 +23 54

=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-SC036 = S-L 25

04 43 54 -68 49 42

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.

JH discovered NGC 1676 = h2669 on 13 Dec 1835 and recorded "vF; irreg R; 90"; resolvable." His position matches this small cluster.

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NGC 1677 = NGC 1659 = MCG -01-13-006 = PGC 15977

04 46 29.8 -04 47 22

V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 40d

See observing notes for NGC 1659.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1677 = Sw V-64 on 22 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. There is nothing at his position but Harold Corwin identifies NGC 1677 = NGC 1659, assuming Swift made a 5 min error in RA too far east. The same error was made with Swift's V-65 = NGC 1689, which was found on the same evening, and is 5 tmin of RA east of NGC 1667.

Swift's (uncorrected) position is 0.4 tmin east and 6' north of IC 2099 = PGC 16146, and this galaxy is identified as NGC 1677 in the RNGC, PGC, NED. Isaac Roberts (MNRAS, Vol LXIII, p302) recorded MCG -01-13-019 on a photographic plate in 1903, placed it accurately, and it was catalogued as IC 2099. So, IC 2099 = PGC 16146 but not NGC 1677.

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NGC 1678 = MCG +00-13-019 = CGCG 394-020 = PGC 16179

04 51 35.3 -02 37 24

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 70d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1678 = H III-502 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and called "vF, S." His position is less than 1' S of CGCG 394-020 = PGC 16179.

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NGC 1679 = ESO 422-001 = MCG -05-12-004 = UGCA 96 = PGC 16120

04 49 55.5 -31 58 01

V = 11.5; Size 2.7'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 150d

17.5" (1/23/93): moderately bright and large, 2' diameter, irregularly round, brighter core. Unusual appearance as four stars are close including a mag 12 star at the NW edge, two stars near the SW edge and a mag 13.5 star at the SE edge. This is a fairly bright galaxy for low elevation viewing. Images reveal an irregular extension on the south side.

JH 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." The mag 11 star mentioned in my observation may be at the north edge instead.

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NGC 1680 = ESO 203-004 = PGC 16058

04 48 33.8 -47 48 58

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 102d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): 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.

JH 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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NGC 1681 = MCG -01-13-026 = PGC 16195

04 51 50.3 -05 48 13

V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 40d

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 IX-4 on 6 Jan 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1682 = MCG -01-13-028 = PGC 16211

04 52 19.7 -03 06 20

V = 11.8; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 11.7

17.5" (12/23/89): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 4.0' N of mag 8.0 SAO 131557. In a group with NGC 1684 3.0' E and NGC 1683 5' N.

WH discovered NGC 1682 = H II-527, along with NGC 1684 = II-528, on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518), and logged "Two, the 1st vF, vS." His position is 40 tsec too far east, the same offset applying to II-528. JH missed this galaxy, only recording NGC 1684 = h334. The NGC position (from d'Arrest) is accurate.

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NGC 1683 = PGC 16209

04 52 17.6 -03 01 29

V = 14.8; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 165d

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' W 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 discovered NGC 1683 in Jan 1850 using Lord Rosse's 72" while examining the NGC 1684 field, and labeled as "Gamma" on his sketch. The NGC position is just 1.7' too far east.

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NGC 1684 = MCG -01-13-031 = PGC 16219

04 52 31.0 -03 06 20

V = 11.7; Size 2.3'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 90d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1684 = H II-528 = h334 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and noted "The 2nd [with NGC 1682], F, S, lbM." His position is 40 tsec of RA too far east (same error as NGC 1682 = II-527). JH made two observations at Slough, first recording "pB; R; bM; has a *7m 45° sp; very well observed." His position is accurate, though I'm surprised he missed nearby NGC 1682. The field was observed 9 times at Birr Castle. Because of the confusion with WH's positions as well as the identifications at Birr Castle, JH assigned 3 GC designations -- 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

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 135d

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 discovered NGC 1685 in Jan 1850 using Lord Rosse's 72" 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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NGC 1686 = MCG -03-13-019 = PGC 16239

04 52 54.5 -15 20 49

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 27d

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 I-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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NGC 1687 = ESO 361-013 = MCG -06-11-005 = PGC 16166

04 51 21.3 -33 56 21

V = 13.9; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 40d

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 SAO 195348 and 19' NW of mag 6.7 HD 31142.

JH discovered NGC 1687 = h2670 on 8 Jan 1836 and noted "vF; R; gbM; 20"." On the next sweep his position was a perfect match with ESO 361-013.

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NGC 1688 = ESO 119-006 = LGG 119-003 = PGC 16050

04 48 23.5 -59 47 57

V = 12.0; Size 2.4'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 177d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1688 = h2671 on 4 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF; pL; R; gbM; 50"." Later he called this nebula "B" and "pB". His position is accurate.

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NGC 1689 = NGC 1667 = MCG -01-13-013 = PGC 16062

04 48 36.9 -06 19 13

See observing notes for NGC 1667.

Lewis Swift found NGC 1689 = Sw V-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 min error in RA on the same sweep with NGC 1677 = Sw V-64, which is identical to NGC 1659. RNGC classifies this number as "not found" (from Dorothy Carlson's paper).

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NGC 1690 = UGC 3198 = MCG +00-13-027 = CGCG 394-029 = WBL 109-002 = PGC 16290

04 54 19.2 +01 38 25

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 1.7' NNW and CGCG 394-028 6.8' WNW. Several stars are nearby including a mag 13.8 star 0.6' NW. Located 7' NE of mag 6.6 HD 31209. The observation was made with the bright star outside the field.

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 SAO 112191.

JH discovered NGC 1690 = h335 on 13 Mar 1831 and called it "eF; among vS stars; has one vL * sp." His position matches UGC 3198 = PGC 16289, although he erroneously equated this object with his father's III-453. WH's III-343 has an error of 10 min in RA due to a reduction error by Caroline Herschel and coincidentally happens to fall 13' west of UGC 3198. JH corrected this mistake in the GC.

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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NGC 1691 = UGC 3201 = MCG +01-13-009 = Mrk 1088 = PGC 16300

04 54 38.3 +03 16 04

V = 12.0; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 85d

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, very small, bright stellar nucleus or star superimposed.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1691 = St VIIIb-16 on 15 Dec 1876 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1692 = ESO 552-021 = MCG -03-13-029 = A0453-20 = PGC 16336

04 55 23.7 -20 34 16

V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 5d

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 SAO 169878. Misidentified in the RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1692 = LM I-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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NGC 1693 = ESO 056-SC002 = S-L 39

04 47 39 -69 20 36

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 NGC 1695 2' SSE and fainter KMHK 109 4.5' SE.

JH 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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NGC 1694 = MCG -01-13-035a = PGC 16335

04 55 16.8 -04 39 10

V = 14.7; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.7; PA = 30d

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 NGC 1700.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1694 = St X-18 on 9 Jan 1880 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate. The MCG RA is 0.5 tmin too far east.

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NGC 1695 = ESO 056-SC003 = S-L 40

04 47 45 -69 22 24

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 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.

JH discovered NGC 1695 = h2673 (along with NGC 1693 = h2672) on 3 Nov 1834 and logged "F, S, R."

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NGC 1696 = ESO 056-SC004 = S-L 43

04 48 30 -68 14 36

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 HD 31532.

JH discovered NGC 1696 = h2674 on 2 Nov 1834 and wrote "vF; E; vlbM" on his only observation. His position is off by 1.5' in dec.

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NGC 1697 = ESO 056-SC005 = S-L 44

04 48 36 -68 33 30

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 HD 30969.

JH discovered NGC 1697 = h2675 on 2 Nov 1834 (along with NGC 1696, 1714, 1715, 1718, 1735, 1747, and a couple of dozen additional objects). On his first observation (out of 5) he recorded "pB, R, vglbM, 40"." On the 4th sweep he wrote "globular cluster, pB, R, glbM, 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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NGC 1698 = ESO 056-SC006 = S-L 45 = KMHK 115

04 49 04 -69 06 54

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. KMHK118 lies 1.6' SE. It appeared as a faint, small glow, 20" diameter with no resolution. IC 2105, a bright compact HII knot, lies 5.5' SSE, just beyond a mag 10 star.

JH discovered NGC 1698 = h2677 on 23 Dec 1834 and called it "pB; R; glbM; 60"; resolvable." Although only observed on a single sweep his position is good.

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NGC 1699 = MCG -01-13-039 = PGC 16390

04 56 59.6 -04 45 25

V = 12.9; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 160d

17.5" (12/23/89): very faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, even surface brightness. Located just 4' ENE of mag 7.8 SAO 131619 and bracketed by two mag 13 stars 1.8' SW and 1.1' NE of center. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 1700 6.7' S.

Samuel Hunter discovered NGC 1699 = Sw VI-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 *.”  This object was 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 the discovery in list VI-21.  Dreyer credited both observers in the NGC.

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NGC 1700 = MCG -01-13-038 = PGC 16386

04 56 56.2 -04 51 56

V = 11.2; Size 3.3'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 90d

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.

13" (12/18/82): fairly bright, small, round, small bright core. Located 20' NNE of 62 Eridani (V = 5.5).

WH 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 at Birr Castle and R.J. Mitchell recorded on 13 Jan 1858, "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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NGC 1701 = ESO 422-011 = MCG -05-12-010 = PGC 16352

04 55 51.2 -29 53 01

V = 12.8; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 137d

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.

JH 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 ESO 422-011 = PGC 16352.

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NGC 1702 = ESO 056-SC008 = S-L 46

04 49 28 -69 51 06

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 HD 31518. NGC 1704, a bright cluster, lies 6' NNE and NGC 1711, a showpiece object, lies 10' SE.

JH discovered NGC 1702 = h2680 on 12 Nov 1836 and reported a "vF, S, cluster." His position matches this LMC cluster. JH mentions that Dunlop's D 73 is possibly an earlier discovery but of the three objects that are likely D 73, namely NGC 1702, 1711 and 1751, NGC 1711 is the brightest.

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NGC 1703 = ESO 119-019 = LGG 119-005 = PGC 16234

04 52 52.6 -59 44 36

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'. Unusual appearance as a mag 10 star (close double) is superimposed southeast of the core and the galaxy extends to the northwest of this bright star. The outer halo is diffuse and fades into the background. Located 34' E of NGC 1688.

JH discovered NGC 1703 = h2678 on 4 Dec 1834 and recorded F, L, R, vlbM, 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-SC009 = S-L 50

04 49 56 -69 45 24

V = 11.5; Size 1.7'x1.6'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.1'x0.9'. Three bright collinear stars are resolved 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 discovered this cluster in 1826 with his 9" reflector and reported "a small faint nebula". Dunlop claims two observations and his position is 11' NE of ESO 56-9 = S-L 50. JH described (h2683) the cluster in Dec 1834 as "B; R; bM; 90"." On a later sweep he called it "eF; S; E; 40" l; resolvable."

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NGC 1705 = ESO 158-013 = PGC 16282

04 54 14.1 -53 21 38

V = 12.4; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 50d

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 appears 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.

JH discovered NGC 1705 = h2679 on 5 Dec 1834 and recorded "B; S; R; pmbM; 20"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 1706 = ESO 085-007 = AM 0452-630 = LGG 125-001 = PGC 16220

04 52 31.0 -62 59 08

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 124d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): 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. The SGC notes this galaxy is similar to the LMC, although it was too low and faint to see structure.

ESO 085-014, situated 19' NE, appeared fairly faint, elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 45"x15", low surface brightness. Situated just 2.7' W of mag 8.0 HD 31875. A mag 12/13 pair at 7" is 1.6' SE.

JH discovered NGC 1706 = h2682 on 25 Dec 1837 and called it "F; R; vglbM; 40"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1707 = IC 2107

04 58 21.1 +08 14 19

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.

JH discovered NGC 1707 = h338 on 8 Jan 1828 and described a "resolved nebula or a small round group of very small stars, 30" diameter." R.J. Mitchell, observing with Lord Rosse's 72" in 1854, called it "only a group of 4 or 5 stars." The DSS shows a close triple very near Herschel's position with another two faint stars nearby. The brighter mag 13.5 star is at 04 58 21.1 +08 14 19 (J2000). This multiple star was also observed by Bigourdan (B.381), described as "cl, vF, vS, R", and catalogued as IC 2107. So, this multiple star has both a NGC and IC designation! RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 1708

05 03 26 +52 52 30

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).

JH discovered NGC 1708 = h337 on 16 Feb 1831 (single sweep) and described a "v Loose, pRi, 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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NGC 1709 = MCG +00-13-054 = CGCG 394-058 = PGC 16462

04 58 44.0 -00 28 42

V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 10d

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 discovered NGC 1709 on 8 Dec 1854 while observing NGC 1713 at Birr Castle. He described "two nebulous knots, the following one [NGC 1713] brighter than the other, both R, lbM, * preceding."

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NGC 1710 = MCG -03-13-037 = IC 2108 = PGC 16396

04 57 17.0 -15 17 20

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 15d

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 HD 31585 and 45' SW of R Leporus.

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 I-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 MCG -03-13-037. Ormond Stone later measured an accurate position. Bigourdan couldn't find a nebula at Leavenworth's position, but independently found MCG -03-13-037 on 9 Dec 1896, accurately measured its position (published as #296 in Comptes Rendus, Dec 1896) and it was catalogued again as IC 2108. SO, NGC 1710 = IC 2108. MCG labels the galaxy IC 2108. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1711 = ESO 056-SC010 = S-L 55

04 50 36 -69 59 06

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 surrounded by a well resolved halo. There appears to be two superimposed layers of stars 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 probably discovered NGC 1711 = D 73 and/or D76 = h2684 on 3 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector and described (for D 73) "a pretty bright round nebula, bright at the centre." Dunlop's position is 6' NE of the center of this LMC cluster. D 76 was also described as a "pretty bright small round nebula" and placed 11' ESE of the cluster. JH first observed this object on 11 Nov 1836 and described a "globular; B; S; R; r". On a second sweep he logged "globular; B; irreg R; gbM. Resolved into st 14m, with outliers as far as 4' diam." Herschel gave a possible equivalence with D 76.

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NGC 1712 = ESO 056-SC011 = S-L 60 = LMC-N79 = LH 1

04 50 59 -69 24 30

V = 9.9; Size 4'x3'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): first of three clusters with nebulosity including NGC 1722 + IC 2111 4' NE and NGC 1727 8' NE. At 128x it appeared as an irregularly shaped, 4' nebulous haze just north of an attractive mag 10.7/11.5 double star (17"). A half dozen faint stars are embedded in the haze (part of LMC-N79) besides the two brighter stars at the south edge. This is a young LMC cluster and forms the western portion of association LH 1.

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first of three nebulous 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 probably discovered NGC 1712 = D 111 = h2685 on 24 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector and described "a small round nebula. The preceding of three nebulae in the form of a triangle." He made 2 observations and his position is 12' SE of this nebulous cluster. JH made a single observation in Dec 1834 and reported "a pB, S, cluster." Herschel didn't reference Dunlop's possible earlier observation.

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NGC 1713 = UGC 3222 = MCG +00-13-056 = CGCG 394-059 = PGC 16471

04 58 54.5 -00 29 20

V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 45d

13.1" (11/29/86): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, faint halo gradually brightens. Forms a pair with NGC 1709 2.7' WNW.

WH discovered NGC 1713 = H II-516 = h339 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and reported "F, S, iR, lbM." There is nothing at his position, but 6.3' due south is UGC 3222 = PGC 16471. Because of H's poor position, JH thought he discovered this nebula on 23 Nov 1827 and described "F; R; bM; the preceding of two [with NGC 1719]. JH equated the two observations in the GC, so there is only a single NGC designation.

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NGC 1714 = ESO 085-EN008 = LMC-N4A = S-L 64

04 52 06.5 -66 55 25

V = 11.6; Size 1.1'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, surprisingly bright, high surface brightness knot, ~30" diameter with a brighter core. A mag 11 star is 1' NW. Forms a close pair with NGC 1715 just 1' N. NGC 1731 lies 8' E and NGC 1718 is 8' SSE. Situated in the NW corner of the LMC.

JH 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, psbM. Double or extended wedge-shaped." NGC 1714 is plotted as an planetary on the Skalnate Pleso "Atlas of the Heavens" as well as the Sky Atlas 2000.0

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NGC 1715 = ESO 085-EN009 = LMC-N4B

04 52 10.2 -66 54 27

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.

JH 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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NGC 1716 = ESO 552-034 = MCG -03-13-038 = PGC 16434

04 58 13.3 -20 21 49

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 20d

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, small, slightly elongated, low even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is 2.5' N.

JH discovered NGC 1716 = h2681 on 11 Dec 1835 and called "pF; pL; R; glbM; 50"." His position is about 1' E of ESO 552-034 = PGC 16434.

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NGC 1717

04 59 12 -00 15

=* or possibly =NGC 1709, HC. =NGC 1719, JS.

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 JH 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 and is another possibility. A visual observation might help decide. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 1718 = ESO 085-SC010 = S-L 65

04 52 25.6 -67 03 09

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.

JH discovered NGC 1718 = h2688 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "F, R, bM." On his 3rd of 3 sweeps he logged "pF, R, vglbM, 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

V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 102d

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" (11/29/86): fairly faint, very small, elongated ~E-W. A mag 14.5 star is at the west end (possibly NGC 1717).

JH discovered NGC 1719 = h340 on 23 Nov 1827 and reported "pB; R; psbM; 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 UGC 3226 = PGC 16501. Heinrich d'Arrest's position (used in the NGC) is only 40" N.

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NGC 1720 = MCG -01-13-041 = PGC 16485

04 59 20.5 -07 51 32

V = 13.1; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 95d

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 SAO 131659. Imprecise RA in the RNGC.

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.

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NGC 1721 = MCG -02-13-027 = VV 699 NED1 = KTS 28A = PGC 16484

04 59 17.4 -11 07 08

V = 12.3; Size 2.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 120d

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 NGC 1725 and 1728.

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 NGC 1728 2.5' ESE. In addtion, NGC 1723 lies 8.5' NNE.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 1721, 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 (list III-32, III-33 and III-34) a month later on 2 Dec 1885 after being notified by Barnard, but he mistakenly reported them new.  Barnard immediately responded in AN 2755 to claim prior discovery.  Swift mentioned this trio was previously discovered by Barnard in his list V errata.

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NGC 1722 = ESO 056-SC012 = LH 1 = LMC-N79

04 51 43 -69 23 54

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): in a small group of LMC clusters with nebulosity including NGC 1727 and NGC 1712. At 128x appears as a fairly faint, irregular hazy region with a few stars resolved and a small, bright knot (IC 1211). 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 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 probably discovered NGC 1722 = D 112 = h2689 on 24 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector and described "a very pretty small double nebula; very nearly equal; distance about 12" or 15"." He made 2 observations and his position is 7' too far SE. JH made three observations beginning in Dec 1834 and describing "F; S; R (Sky Hazy)". On a second sweep he recorded "pB; S. A knot of clustering stars." On his last sweep, he noted "The second of a series of clustering patches." Herschel did not reference Dunlop's possible earlier observation. NGC 1722 is plotted as an planetary nebula (since the IC description for IC 2111 is "Planetary, Stellar") on the Skalnate Pleso "Atlas of the Heavens" as well as the Sky Atlas 2000.0

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NGC 1723 = MCG -02-13-029 = PGC 16493

04 59 25.8 -10 58 51

V = 11.7; Size 3.2'x2.2'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 40d

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 V-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 3.5 min of RA too far east, though he noted the RA might be in error.  Swift notified Barnard that this "nebula" was discovered earlier by Tempel.

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NGC 1724 = OCL-405 = Lund 1121

05 03 33 +49 29 30

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

V = 12.3; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 20d

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, along with NGC 1721 and 1728, on 10 Nov 1885 at Nashville with the 6-inch refractor at Vanderbilt University (see description under NGC 1725).

Lewis Swift observed the trio (list III-32, III-33 and III-34) a month later on 2 Dec 1885 after being notified by Barnard, but he mistakenly reported them as new.  Barnard immediately responded in AN 2755 to claim prior discovery.  Swift mentioned this trio was previously discovered by Barnard in his list V errata. 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

V = 11.7; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 0d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1726 = h341 on 8 Jan 1831, noting "F; R; about 30" north of a *13 m." JH's position and description is accurate.

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NGC 1727 = ESO 056-SC014 = S-L 67 = LMC-N79E = LH 2

04 52 11.5 -69 20 13

V = 11.1; Size 2.8'x2.0'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, irregular patch, ~2.5'x1.5', with at least a half-dozen stars mag 13 stars resolved. This LMC cluster with nebulosity responds well to a UHC filter at 128x. A small extension is visible to the southeast (KMHK 187 = LMC-N79D) increasing the size to ~3.5'x1.5'. 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, ~1' diameter, is close SE. 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.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 1727 = D 113 in 1826 with his 9" reflector and described "a small faint nebula; 12" or 15" diameter." He made a single observation and his position is 19' SSE of this nebulous cluster. Because of the poor match in position and simple description, this identification is very uncertain. JH made three observations of h2690 beginning on 3 Nov 1834, when he noted "a rather poor irreg R cluster. (Sky Hazy)". On a second sweep he recorded "A cluster, pB, pmE, 3' l, 90" br; stars 12m" His last description says "The third of a series of clustering patches. Oval." Herschel did not reference Dunlop's possible earlier observation.

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NGC 1728 = MCG -02-13-030 = VV 699 NED3 = KTS 28C = PGC 16495

04 59 27.7 -11 07 22

V = 12.9; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 177d

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. MCG -02-13-031, a very thin edge-on, lies 9.5' SSE and NGC 1725, a barred spiral, lies 8.5' N.

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, 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 = PGC 16529

05 00 15.5 -03 21 06

V = 12.3; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 30d

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.

WH discovered NGC 1729 = H III-503 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.

Lewis Swift independently found this nebula on 20 Nov 1886 and recorded in list VI-22, "eeeF; pS; R; pF * nr foll; [NGC 1740] in field."

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NGC 1730 = MCG -03-13-043 = IC 2113 = PGC 16499

04 59 31.8 -15 49 25

V = 12.3; Size 2.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 94d

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 SAO 150066 7' ENE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1730 = LM I-141 = I-142 = Sw I-66 on 12 Nov 1885.  The two listings were called 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.  Swift's position (used in the NGC) is very accurate.  Apparently Barnard independently found the galaxy again and notified Dreyer directly, who catalogued it as IC 2113.  As Barnard's position is nearly identical to Swift's, Dreyer missed the earlier discovery.  See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1731 = ESO 085-SC012 = S-L 82 = LMC-N4 = LH 4

04 53 29.5 -66 55 30

V = 9.9; Size 8'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this is a large region of nebulosity (LHa 120-N4) and scattered stars (association LH 4), 6'-7' diameter, involving the double star h3710 = 10.7/12.7 at 12" and a number of fainter stars.

JH 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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NGC 1732 = ESO 056-SC017 = S-L 77

04 53 11 -68 39 00

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 look one of the "stars" is clearly bloated (perhaps has very close companions) and appears as a very small high surface brightness glow. NGC 1734 lies 7.3' SSE.

JH 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." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1733 = ESO 085-SC013 = S-L 85

04 54 04.9 -66 40 57

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 HD 31754 on the NW side of the LMC.

JH discovered NGC 1733 = h2693 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "eF, R, gbM, 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-SC018 = S-L 83

04 53 34 -68 46 06

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 are 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.

JH discovered NGC 1734 = h2695 on 23 Dec 1834 and described as "pB, L, R, gmbM". His position matches this LMC cluster.

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NGC 1735 = ESO 085-SC015 - S-L 86

04 54 20.2 -67 06 04

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. NGC 1747 is 6.5' SE and NGC 1731 12' NW.

JH 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 in November 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_3_20.php

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NGC 1736 = ESO 056-EN016 = LMC-N8

04 53 02 -68 03 12

Size 1.8'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this is a bright, relatively large, crescent-shaped nebulosity of stars, ~1.2'x0.8', stretching NNW to SSE. On the east side, four stars are resolved in an 0.8' curving arc that follows the shape of the nebulosity! The brighter two 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 views with a filter. Located ~9' E of a 2' pair of bright stars: mag 6.8 HD 31532 and mag 8.4 HD 31576.

JH 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 JH'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." JH caught several typos of this type and corrected them in an errata list, but missed this one.

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NGC 1737 = ESO 056-EN020 = LMC-N83

04 53 57.8 -69 10 28

V = 13.2; Size 0.8'

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. In an impressive complex of nebulosity (within LMC-N83 and association LH 5) with NGC 1745 and NGC 1748 as well as cluster NGC 1756.

JH 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.

NGC 1737 was observed with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope and noted in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope". See sketch of group at http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_3_22.php

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NGC 1738 = ESO 552-049 = MCG -03-13-054 = PGC 16585

05 01 46.7 -18 09 28

V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 38d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, even surface brightness. Contact pair with NGC 1739 at the south end.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1738 = LM I-143 (along with NGC 1739 = LM I-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 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 1739 = ESO 552-050 = MCG -03-13-055 = PGC 16586

05 01 47.4 -18 10 02

V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 105d

17.5" (1/20/90): extremely faint, very small, round. Attached at the south end of NGC 1738.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1739 = LM I-144 (along with NGC 1738 = LM I-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

V = 12.6; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 125d

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. NGC 1753 lies 10' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 1740 = h342 on 11 Feb 1830 and described "eF; S; 4"; has a * 12m N.f." His position is just off the east side of MCG -01-13-046 = PGC 16589, although the star is south-preceding and not north-following.

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NGC 1741 = NGC 1741A = HCG 31A = Arp 259 NED4 = VV 524 NED4 = VV 565 NED4 = MCG -01-13-045 = PGC 16574

05 01 38.7 -04 15 34

V = 12.5; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 70d

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". HCG 31A, which is attached or merged near the southwest end, appeared moderately bright, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 20"x10". A mag 12 star is less than 1' SE. The seeing was too soft to detect the low surface brightness plume to the northeast. HCG 31B, just 45" SW, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, ~24"x8", no central brightening. HCG 31D situated 40" W is by the far the faintest member (V = 17.8 and a distance of over 1 billion l.y.), and appeared as an extremely faint and small knot, round, 6" diameter. Finally, IC 399 = Mrk 1090 lies 2.3' SE and is interacting with the group.

17.5" (2/8/97): brightest in HCG 31 (merged system with HCG 31C). Fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W after extended viewing, bright core. Located 0.9' NW of a mag 12 star. NGC 1741 has an irregular appearance and is intermittently partially resolved with a faint "knot" = HCG 31C visible with concentration at the west end. IC 399, located 2.3' SE, is not considered as part of HCG 31 though it is a group member (similar reshift as HCG 31A, 31B and 31C).

13" (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 IX-5 on 6 Jan 1878 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. Stephan's micrometric position matches MCG -01-13-045 = Hickson 31A (irregular double system) in a compact group.

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NGC 1742 = Holm 84b

05 02 00.4 -03 17 14

=* 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 = ESO 056-EN21 = S-L 87 = LMC-N83A

04 54 03.2 -69 11 57

V = 11.3; Size 1.0'

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" extending mostly north 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 and described "a small round nebula, about 20" diameter, bright at the centre." JH recorded this object on 3 Nov 1834 as "round, gradually brighter in the middle; 2' (thick haze)." He next saw it as "bright, round, resolvable; No. 2 in a group of four forming a sort of lozenge." The four objects he refers to are NGC 1737, 1743, 1745 and 1748.

Joseph Turner sketched these four nebulous clusters in November 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. The orientation of the objects is not very good (even if north is not at the top), and NGC 1743 is sketched as a very elongated, curvy nebulosity oriented N-S.

NGC 1743 is plotted as an planetary nebula on the Skalnate Pleso "Atlas of the Heavens", as well as the Sky Atlas 2000.0

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NGC 1744 = ESO 486-005 = MCG -04-12-029 = PGC 16517

04 59 57.6 -26 01 19

V = 11.1; Size 8.1'x4.4'; Surf Br = 14.9; PA = 168d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1744 = h2692 and called "vF, vL, vmE, vgvlbM, 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 in Dec 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_3_23.php). 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 1745 = LMC-N83

04 54 27 -69 09 34

V = 13.4; Size 1.5'x1.0'

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 (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.

JH 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 sketched the group in 1876 in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the [48"] Great Melbourne Telescope". See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_3_22.php

Misidentified on the Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas with a small group of stars off the SE edge of NGC 1743.

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NGC 1746 = Cr 57 = Mel 28 = OCL-452

05 03 50 +23 46 12

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. Includes two main subgroups - NGC 1750 and NGC 1758 - which are probably the only clusters here, along with several mag 7.5-8.5 stars. NGC 1750 consists of two dozen stars on the south side. It appears as a fairly large oval oriented NW-SE with a void in the center and includes a nice mag 9.1/9.1 pair at 20". NGC 1758 is a richer, roundish group of stars close northeast (though probably unrelated physically to NGC 1950) including about two dozen stars. NGC 1758 is bracketed by two mag 8 stars oriented N-S and a mag 7 star is off the east end. Includes five mag 13 stars at the east side.

NGC 1746, although often applied to the 40' field including NGC 1750 and 1758, may in fact be a duplicate of NGC 1750 or just a group of faint field stars noted by d'Arrest while searching for NGC 1750.

13" (12/22/84): about 100 stars in 20' field. The brightest mag 7 star (HD 32461) at the south edge and there are many nearby bright stars.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 1746 on 9 Nov 1863 with an 11" refractor while searching for NGC 1750 and called it a poor cluster. His position is roughly 10' north of WH's position for NGC 1750 = VIII-43 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 on the east side but Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 1746 may indeed 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 = ESO 085-SC016 = LMC-N9 = S-L 98

04 55 11 -67 10 06

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 (HD 32034). Without the filter the cluster consists of a number of mag 12 and fainter stars that huddle around the bright star. On the DSS, the emission component (LHa 120-N9) is a nearly complete large bubble of 5'-6' in diameter (open on the NE end) with the bright star in the interior to the southwest of center. The stellar component is part of association LH 6. NGC 1735 lies 6.5' NW and NGC 1774 is 17' ESE.

JH 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 = ESO 056-EN024 = LMC-N83B

04 54 24.7 -69 11 02

V = 12.3; Size 0.7'

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

JH discovered NGC 1748 = h2704 on 11 Nov 1836 and described as "pB, vS, R, No. 4 in a group of 4." The other three objects are NGC 1737, 1743, 1745. According to Harold Corwin, IC 2114 = Fleming 86, discovered by Williamina Fleming on a Harvard objective prism plate taken at the Arequipa station in 1901, is probaby a bright knot at the east edge.

Joseph Turner sketched the nebular complex in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the [48"] Great Melbourne Telescope". See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_3_22.php

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NGC 1749 = ESO 056-SC026 = S-L 93

04 54 56.0 -68 11 22

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): extremely faint, very small glow, ~20" diameter. Located 2' NW of NGC 1755.

JH 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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NGC 1750

05 04 00 +23 38 42

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": group of fainter stars, just SE of open cluster NGC 1746.

WH discovered NGC 1750 = H VIII-43, along with NGC 1758, on 26 Dec 1785 (sweep 493) and described a "A cl of very coarsely scattered L *, 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 southwest 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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NGC 1751 = ESO 056-SC023 = S-L 89

04 54 12 -69 48 24

V = 11.7; Size 1.7'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, round, 1.3' diameter, slightly brighter offset core with an irregular halo. Two mag 15-15.5 stars resolved at the edges and a couple of extremely faint mag 16-16.5 stars are occasionally resolved within the cluster.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1751 = D 78 = h2705 on 24 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector and described as "a small faint nebula, about 15" diameter, with a minute star slightly involved in the south side." His position is 12' ESE of this cluster. though this observation was missed by JH when compiling the GC. Dunlop's position is 12' ESE of the cluster. JH independently discovered this cluster on 12 Nov 1836 and logged "extremely faint, irregularly round; 2' diameter".

According to Wolfgang Steinicke, this is the faintest (at V = 14.5) of Dunlop's discoveries but it was much more prominent visually (described as a "fairly bright" using Zane Hammond's 24"). Also, 1996ApJS..102...57 gives V = 11.7, so Steinicke's magnitude may be from an erroneous source (same mag repeated in DOCdb).

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NGC 1752 = MCG -01-13-047 = PGC 16600

05 02 09.4 -08 14 27

V = 12.4; Size 2.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 70d

17.5" (12/8/90): 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 SAO 131718.

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

V = 14.7; Size 1.6'x1.0'; Surf Br = 15.1; PA = 15d

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 V-67 on 31 Oct 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position and comment "s of [NGC 1740]" applies to MCG -01-13-048 = PGC 16610, though the direction is ESE.

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NGC 1754 = ESO 056-SC025 = S-L 91

04 54 18 -70 26 30

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 (HD 268805) is 3.8' NNW. NGC 1775 lies 13' E and NGC 1776 is 15' NE.

JH 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-SC028 = S-L 99

04 55 14.7 -68 12 20

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 with his 9" reflector and described a "pretty bright round well-defined nebula, 15 arcsec diameter." Dunlop made two observations and his position is 7' west of center. JH 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."

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NGC 1756 = ESO 056-SC027 = S-L 94

04 54 49.9 -69 14 16

V = 12.2; Size 1.1'

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.

JH discovered NGC 1756 = h2707 on on 11 Nov 1836 and noted "vF, S, R." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1757

05 02 36 -04 43

=Not found, Corwin and Dreyer.

JH discovered NGC 1757 = h343 on 11 Nov 1836 and described as 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.)". It was not seen on 6 or 7 attempts at Birr Castle in the years 1848-1858. It was not found twice by Tempel nor by Spiraler 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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NGC 1758 = OCL-453 = Lund 150

05 04 33 +23 48 54

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 (HD 32575) is close east. Includes five mag 13 stars at the east side. The larger NGC 1750 group is close SW also within NGC 1746.

WH discovered NGC 1758 = H VII-21, along with NGC 1750, on 26 Dec 1785 (sweep 493) and 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 conclude it was a double cluster) and that 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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NGC 1759 = ESO 305-001 = MCG -06-12-001 = PGC 16547

05 00 49.0 -38 40 27

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 AGC 3301 and the only one viewed at a very low elevation (9 degrees).

JH discovered NGC 1759 = h2700 on 28 Nov 1837 and called "vF; pL vglbM; 90"." His position is 2' S of ESO 305-001 = PGC 16547.

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NGC 1760 = ESO 085-EN19 = LMC-N11F = LH 9

04 56 36 -66 31 36

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 NGC 1763 = Bean Nebula, a showpiece nebula and cluster centered 7' NE; NGC 1761, a larger cluster and nebulosity just 3' N; NGC 1769, a bright emission nebula 8' NE; along with NGC 1773, NGC 1776 and IC 2115. Lucke and Hodge assign NGC 1760 and 1761 to stellar association LH 9.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, small, elongated 1' strip just 3' S of NGC 1761 with one or two stars barely resolved.

JH 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 feel this object is not obvious enough to have been picked up with his 9" speculum reflector.

NGC 1760 was recorded in "Observations of the Southern Nebulae made with the [48"] Great Melbourne Telescope": Baracchi, in November 1884, says:— "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." I think the sketch, though, applies to NGC 1763 and not this string of stars.

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NGC 1761 = ESO 085-SC18 = S-L 122 = LH 9

04 56 38 -66 28 42

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. There are 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'. A close bright double star (h3716 = 10.2/10.9 at 5") is on the NW side of the main group.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): this rich group of very faint stars is located just south of the south end 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 was probably the discoverer of NGC 1761 = D 231 on 6 Nov 1826, recording "a faint round nebula, 1' diameter." His position is 15' too far south, a typical error. This identification is reasonable, assuming D 230 applies to NGC 1763 (Bean Nebula), although Steinicke applies D 230 to NGC 1760, a much less obvious object.

JH independently discovered NGC 1761= h2710 on 11 Dec 1835 and recorded the "chief star 9th mag in a large loose cluster." He made 3 observations as well as including it on a sketch (Plate III, fig 3), along with NGC 1760, 1763 and 1769.

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NGC 1762 = UGC 3238 = MCG +00-13-067 = CGCG 394-073 = PGC 16654

05 03 37.0 +01 34 25

V = 12.6; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 175d

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, small, oval ~N-S. A mag 13 star is superimposed on the east side.

WH 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 WH's offset in RA and his published position was 10 tmin of RA too far west. Coincidentally, that placed it close to UGC 3198. When JH observed this galaxy, he equated his h335 with H III-453. JH sorted out the mistake when compiling the GC. The NGC dec is 3' too far north.

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NGC 1763 = Bean Nebula = ESO 085-EN20 = S-L 125 = LMC-N11B = LH 10

04 56 45 -66 24 36

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 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.

Involved with NGC 1763 is a large cluster catalogued as OB-association LH 10 (the youngest cluster in the LMC-N11 complex), with roughly two dozen resolved stars. This cluster 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. At the northeast edge is mag 11.3 HD 268726 (sometimes identified as IC 2115) and 45" further east is IC 2116, a high surface brightness knot of ~15" diameter. Very faint haze at the NE side of NGC 1763 bulges towards IC 2116. The surrounding field is rich in stars between the individual objects with some locally brighter patches of nebulosity.

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 with his 9" reflector and described a "very faint rather elliptical nebula, about 2' diameter. This is the preceding largest of three nebulae forming a triangle". Dunlop made two observations and his position is ~12' south of the "Bean Nebula", but his description seems to apply.

JH made 5 observations of this nebula, describing it on one sweep 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.

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NGC 1764 = ESO 056-SC030 = S-L 115

04 56 28 -67 41 36

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. NGC 1786 lies 15' ESE.

JH 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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NGC 1765 = ESO 119-024 = PGC 16444

04 58 24.3 -62 01 41

V = 12.9; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 150d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): 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.

JH discovered NGC 1765 = h2712 on 26 Dec 1834 and described as "vF; S; R; glbM; 15"." His position, measured on two sweeps, is accurate.

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NGC 1766 = ESO 056-SC029 = S-L 113

04 55 58 -70 13 30

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 HD 268824 and 4.7' NNE of mag 9.5 HD 32229. NGC 1754 lies 15' SW and NGC 1775 is 13' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 1766 = h2717 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, S, R, gbM, 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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NGC 1767 = ESO 056-SC031 = S-L 120 = LMC-N94A?

04 56 27.3 -69 24 08

V = 10.6; Size 1'

18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 218x, this compact LMC cluster appeared bright, small, round, ~25" diameter, containing a very small bright core and an overall high surface brightness. Forms the western vertex of a triangle with NGC 1782 7.4' E and NGC 1772 9.5' SSE. Just 2' N, I noticed a very faint and small, round cluster, ~15" diameter (verified as Shapley-Lindsay 123). These clusters are part of the stellar association LH 8 and within LMC-N94, though no nebulosity was seen.

JH discovered 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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NGC 1768 = ESO 056-SC032 = S-L 127

04 57 02.7 -68 14 54

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.

JH discovered NGC 1768 = h2718 on 30 Dec 1836 and described as "F; R; gbM; 20"." His position is just off the southwest side of this cluster.

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NGC 1769 = ESO 085-EN023 = LMC-N11C = IC 2116? = LH 13

04 57 45 -66 27 48

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 15" SE. 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 of the most single massive and luminous stars in the LMC but has been shown to be a very compact cluster with over a dozen components. The companion to the SE (an O3-class star) is actually the ionizing source of the nebula. The bright knot on the south side was also discovered to be a compact cluster of very faint stars in 1987 and is identified as HNT 1 in SIMBAD.

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 probably discovered NGC 1769 = D 232 on 6 Nov 1826 and reported "a faint round nebula, about 1 1/2' in diameter." His position is 11' SSW of the LMC nebula, but roughly matching the positional offset he made with NGC 1763.

JH independently discovered the nebula on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded for h2716, "B, irregularly R; 2'; has a 10th mag star in centre." The next observation reads: "vB; vsmbM to a 10th mag star which is double or triple. Other clusters and nebulae in field." JH made a total of five observations of this nebula.

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NGC 1770 = ESO 056-SC035 = S-L 130 = IC 2117 = LMC-N91 = LH 12

04 57 17 -68 24 39

Size 3'x2'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC object is an interesting mix of a star cluster and associated nebulosity (stellar association LH 12), with the nebulosity (LMC-N91A = IC 2117) mostly on the south side. Includes a mag 10 star near the center and 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.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1770 = D 169 = h2715 with his 9" reflector and described a "pretty bright pretty large nebula, of an irregular round figure, 5' diameter; a little brighter in the middle." He made 2 observations and his position is accurate. JH attributed the discovery to Dunlop and described the object on 23 Nov 1834 as a "cluster of 6th class; pretty rich, large, irregular figure, brighter in the middle; stars of 11..18th mag; fine object." On a second sweep 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

V = 13.4; Size 1.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 136d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): 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 HD 32363 and 4' SE of a mag 10.7 star (the two stars are nearly collinear with the major axis of the galaxy).

JH discovered NGC 1771 = h2720 on 25 Dec 1837 and recorded "vF, mE, glbM, 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. Eric Lindsa notes in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), "A galaxy at the same RA but 9' south, which seems to be this object."

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NGC 1772 = ESO 056-SC33 = S-L 128

04 56 54.1 -69 33 24

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.

JH discovered NGC 1772 = h2722 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "pB, S, R, 40", resolvable, preceded by a hook of stars 12th mag." On a second sweep he recorded "an irregularly round, compact cluster, bM, 40" diameter." Finally on a third observation he logged "pF, R, resolvable, among numberless stars." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1773 = ESO 085-EN025 = LMC-N11E = LH 14

04 58 11 -66 21 36

Size 2.7'x2.1'

30" (11/4/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly large, bright glow, oval 3:2 ~N-S, 2.2'x1.5'. On first glance, two brighter mag 12/13 stars are offset southwest of the geometric center and separated by 17". But on closer inspection the more central star (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 is slightly irregular in surface brightness and brighter along the rim, particularly on the southwest side. This emission nebula is located at the northeast end of the NGC 1763 (Bean Nebula) complex with NGC 1763 centered 9' SW, NGC 1769 7' SSW and NGC 1776 5' SSE.

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.

JH 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-SC026 = S-L 141

04 58 07 -67 14 36

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.

JH 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, pgbM" and on his last sweep "vB, S, R, smbM, 20" (evidently better seen.)".

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NGC 1775 = ESO 056-SC034 = S-L 129

04 56 53 -70 25 48

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 resolve 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.

JH 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-SC028 = S-L 145

04 58 40 -66 25 48

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.

JH discovered NGC 1776 = h2724 on 3 Jan 1837 and described "vF; S; R; gbM." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1777 = ESO 033-SC001 = S-L 121

04 55 48 -74 17 06

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 a mag 5.5 Eta Mensae.

JH 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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NGC 1778 = Cr 58 = OCL-429 = Lund 152

05 08 06 +37 01 24

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 h3266 = 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.

WH 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. JH described "a double star in a pretty close cluster of 20 or 30 stars." His position is 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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NGC 1779 = MCG -02-13-041 = PGC 16713

05 05 18.0 -09 08 50

V = 12.1; Size 2.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 135d

17.5" (12/8/90): fairly faint, fairly small. Contains a small, well-defined, fairly bright oval core that's elongated 3:2 NW-SE, very faint oval halo.

WH discovered NGC 1779 = H III-500 = h345 = h2714 on 30 Jan 1786 (sweep 516) and called it "cF, S, irr F, bM.". JH observed this galaxy both from Slough and at the Cape. His CGH observation reads ""pB, R, gbM, it is visible in strong moonlight and is much brighter than II.522 [NGC 1636] or III.399 [NGC 4163]."

A sketch was made by Joseph Turner with the Great Melbourne Telescope (http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_3_25.php) with the comment "Present aspect agrees with H.'s description." In 1882 he added, "The nebula becomes gradually brighter towards the middle, not suddenly as shown in the lithograph."

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NGC 1780 = ESO 553-001 = MCG -03-13-070 = PGC 16743

05 06 20.7 -19 28 00

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 84d

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, round. A mag 13 star is 1.4' NNE.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 1780 = LM I-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 ESO 553-001. 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 1781 = NGC 1794 = ESO 553-007 = MCG -03-14-002 = PGC 16788

05 07 55.0 -18 11 24

See observing notes for NGC 1794.

WH 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 ESO 553-007 = PGC 16788.

Ormond Stone independently discovered this galaxy 100 years later on 11 Dec 1885, recording it in LM I-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 MCG -03-13-071 = PGC 16748 as NGC 1781. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1782 = ESO 056-SC36 = S-L 140

04 57 51.5 -69 23 38

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. 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.

JH discovered NGC 1782 = h2727 on 16 Dec 1835 and described "B, R, pmbM, 35", resolvable." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1783 = ESO 085-SC029 = S-L 148

04 59 08.7 -65 59 18

V = 11.0; Size 3'

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. NGC 1805 lies 20' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 1783 = h2726 on 13 Dec 1835 and recorded "pB, L, R, gbM, 2'." On a second sweep he called it "B, L, R, vgpmbM, resolvable 3'."

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NGC 1784 = MCG -02-13-042 = PGC 16716

05 05 27.0 -11 52 18

V = 11.7; Size 4.0'x2.5'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 105d

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' NNE of center. Located 14' SE of mag 7.5 SAO 150123.

8" (10/13/81): faint, moderately large, diffuse. A mag 7 star is in the field to the NW.

JH discovered NGC 1784 = h2719 on 11 Dec 1836 and recorded "pB, pL, irregularly round, or vlE, vgbM, 80", among pB stars." His position is accurate. Ralph Copeland, observing with 72" on 19 Dec 1873 called it "pB, L, irr E. The brighter part is much elongated 90°." The brighter part is the central bar.

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NGC 1785 = ESO 56-**38

04 58 45.4 -68 49 24

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.

JH 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: ESO 56-**38 at 04 58 45 -68 49.4 (2000) with comments "Chain of 5 to 10 sts; not in LMC" and S-L 150 = ESO 56-SC40 at 04 58 57 -69 13 04, which is LMC cluster.

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 JH'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-SC039 = S-L 149

04 59 08 -67 44 42

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! This is one of the old globular clusters in the LMC. KMHK 412 was picked up as a very faint glow 6.5' SE and just north of two mag 13 stars.

JH 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, vsmbM, 30"."

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NGC 1787 = ESO 085-SC031 = LH 15

05 00 07 -65 45 48

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. 40-50 mag 11-13 stars are visible at 105x within the cluster. NGC 1783 is located 15' S.

JH 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 is 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 NW 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 follow 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

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.

WH discovered NGC 1788 = H V-32 = h347 = Sw II-30 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and reported as "cB, vL, milky, diffused and vanishing, very near and sf a bright star, the miliness diffused and vanishing." On 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) he recorded "vL, 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." JH's description reads "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." The nebula was observed 21 times at Birr Castle beginning in 1849 (the 1880 publication listing 10 of these).

Lewis Swift found this reflection nebula on 24 Nov 1884 and apparently felt it was distinct from H V-32, reporting it as a "nova" in list II, although he described a bright knot sourrounding a fainter star.

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NGC 1789 = ESO 056-SC037 = S-L 144

04 57 51 -71 54 06

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 area.

JH discovered NGC 1789 = h2733 on 15 Dec 1835 and called it "vF, R, vglbM, 40"." His position is about 40" too far north.

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NGC 1790

05 11 13.3 +52 03 54

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 HD 33247, the brightest member. There are no rich regions and the group does not appear to be a cluster visually. Classified as nonexistent in the RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 1790 = h346 on 16 Feb 1831 and described "A group of 8 or 9 stars 10m, nearly in parallelogram. A pretty object." His position corresponds with mag 9 SAO 25060 at 05 11 13.3 +52 03 54 (2000). This appears to be an asterism on the DSS and RNGC classifies it as nonexistent.

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NGC 1791 = ESO 056-SC041 = S-L 155 = LMC-N186

04 59 07 -70 10 06

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 NW end. Located in the center of an equilateral triangle consisting of mag 8.7 HD 32571 5' WNW, mag 10 HD 268923 5' NE and S-L 158 5.4' S. The latter object appears as a bright, compact knot (cluster), round, 20" diameter, with a surprisingly high surface brightness. The cluster is within LMC-N186 but I didn't note any nebulosity.

JH discovered NGC 1791 = h2734 on 16 Dec 1835 and recorded "eF, R; 25"." His single position is very accurate.

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NGC 1792 = ESO 305-006 = MCG -06-12-004 = LGG 127-001 = PGC 16709

05 05 14.0 -37 58 47

V = 10.2; Size 5.2'x2.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 137d

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 with NGC 1808 40' NE.

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." JH lists 3 observations in the Cape Catalogue: on his first sweep on 24 Dec 1835 he logged "vB, vL, vmE, gbM, 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 he revisited this galaxy and noted "vB, vL, mE, glbM, 5' long, 2' broad, pos 314°, stars seen in it. Visible with moonlight and lamp illumination". Finally on a third sweep he noted "B, vL, mE, regular elliptic; resolved. I see several small stars in it."

This starburst spiral has a mean distance of ~42 million light years and spans 70,000 l.y. across. We view it inclined ~28° from edge-on.

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NGC 1793 = ESO 056-SC043 = S-L 163

04 59 38 -69 33 30

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 NGC 1801 6' SE.

JH discovered NGC 1793 = h2736 on 24 Nov 1834 and described as "pB, R, bM, 1'." On a second sweep he logged "vF, S, R, glbM, 30", insulated." His mean position (2 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 1794 = NGC 1781 = ESO 553-007 = MCG -03-14-002 = PGC 16788

05 07 55.0 -18 11 24

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 45d

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 SAO 150172. Identified as NGC 1781 on the U2000.

Ormond Stone found NGC 1794 = LM I-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 I-146 = GC 998 = NGC 1781. This galaxy was discovered 100 years earlier by WH (III-268) but Herschel's RA was 3.0 tmin too far west (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-SC044 = S-L 165

04 59 47 -69 48 06

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 81 = h2738 on 24 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector and described "a faint nebula, 35" diameter, a small star preceding". Dunlop's position is just 2' N of this LMC cluster. JH made a single observation on 12 Nov 1836 and recorded "F, pL, lE, 2'."

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NGC 1796 = ESO 119-030 = PGC 16617

05 02 43.0 -61 08 22

V = 12.3; Size 1.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 102d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): 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.

JH discovered NGC 1796 = h2735 on 26 Dec 1834 and called it "F, pmE, gbM, 7" long, 25" broad." His position (2 observations) and description matches.

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NGC 1797 = MCG -01-14-002 = Mrk 1093 = PGC 16781

05 07 44.9 -08 01 07

V = 14.7; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 90d

17.5" (12/8/90): very faint, very small, round, very faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is just 48" NW of center. Forms a pair with NGC 1799 3' N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1797 = Sw VI-23 (along with NGC 1799 = Sw VI-24) on 13 Feb 1887 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1798 = Be 16 = OCL-410

05 11 40 +47 40 37

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 Berkeley 16, a 5' group of stars.  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 with 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

V = 14.3; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 65d

17.5" (12/8/90): faint, small, round, bright core. This galaxy is the brighter of two with NGC 1797 3' S.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1799 = Sw VI-24 (along with NGC 1797 = Sw VI-23) on 13 Feb 1887 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 8 tsec east of MCG -01-14-001 = PGC 16783.

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NGC 1800 = ESO 422-030 = MCG -05-13-005 = PGC 16745

05 06 25.5 -31 57 16

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 113d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1800 = h2732 on 19 Nov 1835 and described it as "pB, pmE, gpmbM, has a star 13th mag following." His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 1801 = ESO 056-SC045 = S-L 170

05 00 35.3 -69 36 48

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 HD 33031. Forms a pair with NGC 1793 6' NW. Galaxy NGC 1809 lies 8' NE.

JH discovered NGC 1801 = h2739 on 24 Nov 1834 and reported "B, L, R, vgbM, 2.5'." On 3 subsequent sweeps he logged variously described the size as 90", 45" and 40".

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NGC 1802

05 10 13 +24 08 24

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.

WH 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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NGC 1803 = ESO 203-018 = PGC 16715

05 05 26.5 -49 34 04

V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 62d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): 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 hampers the observation.

Forms a close pair with ESO 203-019 2.2' SE. The companion appears as a slightly soft mag 13 "star". This is the stellar nucleus of the galaxy.

JH discovered NGC 1803 = h2737 on 28 Dec 1834 and described "F, S, R, vglbM; 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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NGC 1804 = ESO 056-SC046 = S-L 172

05 01 03 -69 05 00

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.

JH 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-SC32 = S-L 186

05 02 21.2 -66 06 41

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 NGC 1822 is 18' ESE (all three collinear).

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 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.

JH made 5 observations, the first on 2 Nov 1834 in which he recorded "a vS compact cluster of stars 11th mag with (?) nebulosity, 20"." On later sweeps he wrote "B, S, R, sbM, 25", has two stars very near, one N.p. one S.f." and "vB, vS, vsvmbM, a condensed knot of stars, two of which (one on either side) are exterior."

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NGC 1806 = ESO 056-SC047 = S-L 184

05 02 11 -67 59 00

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 HD 32972 = AO Doradus.

JH discovered NGC 1806 = h2745 on 30 Dec 1836 and described as"pB, L, gbM, 3'." His position and description is accurate, though his estimate is a little too large.

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NGC 1807 = Cr 59 = Mel 29 = OCL-462

05 10 45 +16 30 48

V = 7.0; Size 17'

18" (1/26/09): this asterism contains a very faint galaxy, CGCG 469-003, located just following a 26" pair of mag 11.5/12 stars just south of center. The galaxy appeared very faint and small, round, 15" diameter, low surface brightness.

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 a 11' string oriented N-S. The central star in this string is a pleasing, close double star h3268; 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 forming a cross asterism.

8": ~25 stars in cluster including 10-12 brighter stars, several almost collinear. A double star mag 10/11 at 10" separation is near the center. Forms a pair of open clusters with NGC 1817 25' NE.

JH discovered NGC 1807 = h348 on 25 Jan 1832 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 (NGC 1817)." His position is accurate.

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 = MCG -06-12-005 = LGG 127-002 = PGC 16779

05 07 42.3 -37 30 47

V = 9.9; Size 6.5'x3.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 133d

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 with NGC 1792 40' SW.

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 = h2740 on 10 May 1826 and 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." He observed it on 2 occasions and his position is ~7' too far east. D 532 is probably a duplicate observation, but his position was off by 42' ESE.

JH made two observations from the Cape. On 24 Dec 1835 he logged "B, L, lE, first gradually then psmbM. Transit missed, PD very rough" Two nights later 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 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_3_26.php)

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NGC 1809 = ESO 056-048 = PGC 16599

05 02 05.0 -69 34 06

V = 12.1; Size 3.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 143d

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, NGC 1830 and NGC 1835! At 128x it appeared as a large, very faint, low surface brightness glow with very weak if any concentration and no visible core. With careful viewing the galaxy is elongated 5:2 or 3:1 NW-SE, perhaps 1.6'x0.6'. Located 5' SE of mag 8 HD 33031.

JH discovered NGC 1809 = h2747 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded (one one sweep only) "pF, S, R, gbM, 40", the second of two in field [with NGC 1801 = h2739]." JH's position is 4' south of ESO 056-048 = PGC 16599. This is a pretty low surface brightness galaxy to be noticed by JH.

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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NGC 1810 = ESO 085-SC035 = S-L 194

05 03 23 -66 22 54

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 HD 268879. A mag 12.5 star lies 45" N. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 1818 6' SE. S-L 205 lies 8.4' ENE.

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, lbM, 40 arcsec", "F, S, R", "pF, R, lbM, 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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NGC 1811 = ESO 422-037 = MCG -05-13-008 = PGC 16811

05 08 42.6 -29 16 35

V = 13.5; Size 1.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 60d

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.

JH 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 NGC 1812]."

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NGC 1812 = ESO 422-039 = MCG -05-13-009 = PGC 16819

05 08 52.9 -29 15 04

V = 12.7; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 8d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1812 = h2744 (along with NGC 1811 = h2743] on 6 Nov 1834 and recorded "F; S; R; glbM; 15"; the following of 2." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1813 = ESO 056-SC050 = S-L 190 = LH 18

05 02 40 -70 19 06

V = 12.8; Size 0.8'

30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): first in a string of three clusters with NGC 1823 4' ESE and S-L 200 7' SE (within stellar association LH 18). Appears as an irregular 45" glow with a single brighter mag 14 star on the south end and three fainter stars aligned E-W resolved on the north side.

JH 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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NGC 1814 = ESO 085-SC036 = S-L 199 = LMC-N17B = LH 19

05 03 46.4 -67 18 04

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 NGC 1820 = LH 19. Three stars are resolved within the 24" glow. Faint, irregular nebulosity encompasses the knot. Forms a close pair with NGC 1816 2.5' NNE.

JH 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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NGC 1815 = ESO 056-SC049 = S-L 189

05 02 27 -70 37 18

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 there are several mag 11-12 stars in the field. Located 9' due east of mag 7.6 HD 32956.

JH discovered NGC 1815 = h2753 on 24 Nov 1834 and described as "pF, vS, R, vlbM, among many stars." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1816 = ESO 085-SC037 = S-L 199

05 03 51 -67 15 36

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.

JH 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

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.

WH discovered NGC 1817 = H VII-4 = h349 on 19 Feb 1784 (sweep 147) and 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." JH called it "L, rich cl; stars 12...15 m; fills the field. Place that of a double star. The most compressed part is 42.5 sec foll the double star and 3' south of it." The double star is h3269 = 8.6/10.6 at 20".

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NGC 1818 = ESO 085-SC040 = S-L 201

05 04 14 -66 26 06

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 is 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 appears like a close double star. 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 NGC 1826, a fainter pair of clusters, lie 14' NNE. NGC 1818 is a "young" blue globular (YPC), formed only 40 million years ago.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1818 = D 236 = D 234? = D235? = h2749 on 3 Aug 1826 and described (for D 236) as "a small nebula, 20" diameter, with a very bright point in the centre." He observed it twice and the published position is 3.4' ENE of center. D 234 was described as "a round well-defined nebula, about 30" diameter." This entry has a single observation and the position is 8.5' SSW of center. D 235 was described as a "small round pretty well-defined nebula" and his position is 5.5' NNW of center! JH made 6 observations of the cluster with the first description from 2 Nov 1834: "vB, S, R cluster of distinct stars, mbM, 2' diameter."

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NGC 1819 = UGC 3265 = MCG +01-14-002 = Mrk 1194 = PGC 16899

05 11 46.1 +05 12 03

V = 12.4; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 120d

13.1" (11/29/86): faint, very small, bright core, elongated NW-SE. Located 12.5' S of mag 8 SAO 112508.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 1819 = Sw III-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-SC039 = S-L 199 = LH 19

05 04 02 -67 16 00

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).

JH 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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NGC 1821 = MCG -03-14-007 = PGC 16898

05 11 46.0 -15 08 04

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 130d

17.5" (12/3/88): faint, very small, elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration. MCG -02-14-004 lies 20' N.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1821 = LM I-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 MCG -03-14-007 = PGC 16898 and his PA = 140 deg is very close. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898-99 using the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 1822 = ESO 085-SC042 = S-L 210

05 05 09 -66 12 36

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.

JH 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-SC051 = S-L 198 = LH 18

05 03 25 -70 20 06

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.

JH 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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NGC 1824 = ESO 119-036 = AM 0506-594 = PGC 16761

05 06 56 -59 43 30

V = 12.6; Size 3.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 160d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 230x): fairly faint to moderately bright, nice edge-on 4:1 or 5:1 NNW-SSE, ~2.2'x0.5'. Weak, broad concentration to a slightly brighter core. Located 9' NNE of mag 7.3 HD 33475.

JH discovered NGC 1824 = h2755 on 26 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF, vmE, 2' long, 20" broad, pos = 162 degrees."

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NGC 1825 = ESO 056-SC053 = S-L 202

05 04 19 -68 55 36

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 HD 33477. NGC 1847 lies 15' ESE and NGC 1804 is 20' SW.

JH 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-SC043 = S-L 221

05 05 34 -66 13 54

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.

JH 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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NGC 1827 = ESO 362-006 = MCG -06-12-008 = PGC 16849

05 10 03.7 -36 57 32

V = 12.5; Size 3.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 120d

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.

JH 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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NGC 1828 = ESO 056-SC054 = S-L 207

05 04 21.5 -69 23 18

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.

JH 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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NGC 1829 = ESO 056-SC057 = S-L 208 = LMC-N23A

05 04 57 -68 03 18

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 and two mag 14s and a mag 15. Located 1.8' NW of mag 7.9 HD 33486. The surrounding region includes several mag 12-13 stars, but these are detached from the glow. HS 114 lies 6.3' ENE.

JH 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-SC056 = S-L 207

05 04 39 -69 20 26

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).

JH 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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NGC 1831 = ESO 085-SC044 = S-L 227

05 06 16.2 -64 55 09

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 cluster.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1831 = D 246 = h2759 on 3 Aug 1826 and described a "pretty well-defined round faint nebula, 25" diameter; a little brighter at the centre." He observed in on 2 occasions and his position is 5' W of center. JH credited Dunlop with the discovery and logged on 3 Dec 1834 "B; L; R; glbM; 90"."

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NGC 1832 = MCG -03-14-010 = PGC 16906

05 12 03.2 -15 41 19

V = 11.3; Size 2.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 10d

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.

WH 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 MCG -03-14-010 = PGC 16906.

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NGC 1833 = ESO 056-SC055 = S-L 206 = LMC-N190 = LH 24

05 04 22 -70 43 54

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 has 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 NGC 1845 association/star cloud (LH 26) with many brighter stars over a rich, glowing background extending a full 20' NNE! Mag 9.5 HD 269028 lies 3.2' NNW. NGC 1837 lies 3' ENE.

JH 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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NGC 1834 = ESO 056-SC060

05 05 12.2 -69 12 27

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.

JH 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 (ESO 056-SC060) but gives no other details. NGC 2000.0 misidentifies this object as an asterism.

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NGC 1835 = ESO 056-SC058 = S-L 215

05 05 06 -69 24 18

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 has the highest known number (84) of RR Lyr variables in the LMC and is the brightest and most elliptical of the true globulars.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1835 = D 116 = h2763 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a small round pretty well-defined nebula, bright at the centre." The description fits this globular, though his position is nearly 15' SSE of center (fairly typical error). JH independently discovered the cluster in December 1834 and recorded "vB, S, R, pmbM; 40"; the last of three [with NGC 1828 and 1830]." His position is accurate. The cluster is missing from the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas although it includes nearby NGC 1828 and 1830.

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NGC 1836 = ESO 056-SC061 = S-L 223

05 05 35 -68 37 42

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 containing a very tight string of 15th magnitude stars. Forms a striking pair with NGC 1839 2.5' E. HS 109 is 5.4' S and several other small clusters are in the field.

JH 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-SC059 = S-L 217 = LH 24

05 04 56 -70 42 54

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. Appears to have no filter response. A few brighter mag 12.5-13 stars are involved and a dozen total in the 1.2' string. 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.

JH 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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NGC 1838 = ESO 056-SC064 = S-L 225

05 06 47 -68 25 42

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 HD 33617 with mag 10.2 HD 269035 at the southeast edge.

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.

JH 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 B895, and JH references the Brisbane number in the Cape Catalogue.

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-SC063 = S-L 226

05 06 02 -68 37 36

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 glo, ~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.

JH discovered NGC 1839 = h2768 (along with NGC 1836 = h2766) on 23 Nov 1834 and described as "pB, irregular figure; the following of 2 [with NGC 1836] in field together." On a second sweep he called it "the second nucleus of a binuclear clustering group of mixed nebula and stars."

Herschel questioned, though, whether this object was Dunlop 170, which was described as "a pretty large faint nebula, irregular figure." Dunlop's RA is 1.7 tmin too large and I would assume if NGC 1839 was picked up then so would NGC 1836, just 2.5' W.

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NGC 1840 = ESO 056-SC062

05 05 19 -71 45 46

Size 0.6'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 394x; NGC 1840 is an asterism of four mag 13.7-14.7 stars within 1.4'. In addition a couple of mag 15-16 stars were resolved. Situated in a sparsely populated field.

JH 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.

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."

Harold Corwin is not convinced the asterism of four relatively bright stars is Herschel's object, even given that he viewed "through a thick haze", although there are no other viable candidates he was able to find.

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NGC 1841 = ESO 004-SC015

04 45 23 -83 59 48

V = 14.1; Size 2.4'

18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, this 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 mag 16 stars. This is an older-type outlying globular of the LMC and the southernmost globular in the sky.

JH discovered NGC 1841 = h2788 on 19 Jan 1836 and described "pF, L, irregularly round, vgbM, 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.

Shapley and Paraskevopoulos announced it was a new globular cluster, possibly extragalactic (credited to Mrs. Seyfert, based on a long-exposure plate).

in "Southern Clusters and Galaxies" (Harvard Obs. Bull., No.914, 6).

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NGC 1842 = ESO 085-SC046 = S-L 241

05 07 18 -67 16 24

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 NGC 1844 3.4' SSE.

JH 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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NGC 1843 = MCG -02-14-008 = UGCA 107 = PGC 16949

05 14 05.9 -10 37 38

V = 12.6; Size 2.5'x1.8'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 110d

17.5" (12/8/90): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration, halo gradually fades into the background.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 1843 = St VIII-17b on 17 Jan 1877 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1844 = ESO 085-SC048 = S-L 242

05 07 31 -67 19 24

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 NGC 1846 8' S.

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 (HD 33631) is 8' SW. Nearby is the larger (globular?) cluster NGC 1846 8' S.

JH discovered NGC 1844 = h2773 on 2 Nov 1834 and described "pB, R, gbM, 60"." On a second sweep he recorded "pF, R, gbM, 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-SC065 = S-L 232 = LH 26

05 06 22 -70 35 24

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.

JH 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 HD 269070 and the much larger star cloud itself (LH 26 association). Uranometria 2000 misclassifies this object as a bright nebula. The Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas identifies S-L 232 as NGC 1845.

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NGC 1846 = ESO 056-SC067 = S-L 243

05 07 34.1 -67 27 41

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 NGC 1852 21' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 1846 = h2774 on 2 Nov 1834 and logged "B; L; R; gbM; 3'." He recorded this cluster on 4 different sweeps and his position is accurate. James Dunlop possibly discovered the cluster earlier (D 209) on 6 Nov 1826 and described a "very faint round nebula, 45" diameter, preceding a bright star in the same parallel." He made a single observation and his position is 9' SW of center, certainly within the range of Dunlop's usual measurements. Wolfgang Steinicke credits Dunlop with the discovery, but there isn't a bright star "in the same parallel" anywhere nearby to match his description, so I'm skeptical.

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NGC 1847 = ESO 056-SC066 = S-L 240

05 07 08 -68 58 18

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 NGC 1855/1858 are ~15' NE. John Herschel described a "double star in the centre" and I'm sure this refers to the two brightest central stars.

JH 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, gbM, 15"." His position is accurate.

Joseph Turner described and sketched NGC 1847 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope: "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, Barachi notes:— "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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NGC 1848 = ESO 056-SC068 = S-L 247 = LH 28

05 07 27 -71 11 43

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 HD 33923.

JH 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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NGC 1849 = ESO 085-SC049 = S-L 267

05 09 35 -66 19 00

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.

JH discovered NGC 1849 = h2778 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "vF; lE; glbM; 25". His position from a single sweep is ~30" NNW of center.

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NGC 1850 = ESO 056-SC070 = S-L 261 = LMC-N103A

05 08 45.8 -68 45 39

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 N1850A]. The center is highly concentrated with an extremely bright 1' core that appears elongated, irregular and clumpy with a curved outline. A small, 20" diffuse glow is embedded at the north edge of the halo (open cluster S-L 260). 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.

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, NGC 1856 22' SSE and several others including NGC 1836, 1839, 1847, 1860, 1863, 1865. Unfortunately dawn was starting to break so I only was able to view the first group of objects mentioned above and I need to return to this field! See image at http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap010712.html.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1850 = D 172 = h2780 on 3 Aug 1826 and described a "pretty bright round nebula, 40" diameter. This is the preceding and brightest of three nebulae in a line." His position was 10' too far east but correct in declination. The other two "nebulae" are NGC 1855 and 1858. D 170 may be a duplicate observation ("a pretty large faint nebula, irregular figure.")

JH observed this cluster on 6 sweeps beginning on 2 Nov 1834 when he logged "pretty bright, small, round, a cluster of stars 12th mag; diam 1'." The 2nd sweep was recorded as "globular, very bright, very much compressed, 3' diameter." On the third sweep he noted "globular, a fine large clusgter st = 13m, mbM." Herschel gave possible synonyms with D 172 as well as D 170.

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NGC 1851 = ESO 305-SC016 = Mel 30

05 14 06.3 -40 02 50

V = 7.2; Size 11.0'

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 is very bright, strongly concentrated with an intense 1.5' core and a 4-5' fainter halo. The core is very lively and there are ~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" (1/1/84): mottled bright core, unresolved except for two or three faint stars at the west edge.

8" (10/13/81): small, very small bright core, faint halo.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1851 = D 508 = h2777 on 10 May 1826 with his 9-inch speculum f/12 reflector at Parramatta, New South Wales. His decription 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." Dunlop observed it 5 times.

JH recorded it on 23 Oct 1835 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." He recorded it a second time as "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."

This is an older halo cluster (age of 14 billion years and 54,500 l.y. from the galactic center) and harbors an intense X-ray source, that might signal the presence of a black hole. Sydney van den Bergh suggested that NGC 1851 (along with NGC 2808 and Fornax 3) may have formed from the merger of two globular clusters that were once part of a dwarf spheroidal galaxy (based on its peculiar color-magnitude diagram). See http://cdsaas.u-strasbg.fr:2001/ApJ/journal/issues/ApJL/v471n1/5467/5467.pdf. A 2010 preprint ("Accreted versus In Situ Milky Way Globular Clusters") states this globular is a probable member of the Canis Major dwarf galaxy, along with M79, NGC 2298 and NGC 2808!

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NGC 1852 = ESO 056-SC071 = S-L 264

05 09 24 -67 46 36

V = 12.0

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 (HD 34038 and HD 34143) 7.4' SSW and 6' SSE, respectively. NGC 1846 lies 21' NW.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1852 = D 171 = h2781 on 6 Nov 1826 and described a "very faint round nebula, 25" diameter." His position is 5' SSE of the cluster and there are no other nearby candidates. JH independently found the cluster on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; R; gbM; 2'." His position (measured on 4 sweeps) is accurate. Herschel made no mention of Dunlop's possible earlier observation.

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NGC 1853 = ESO 158-022 = PGC 16911

05 12 16.4 -57 23 57

V = 13.0; Size 2.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 43d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 184x): moderately bright and large, elongated at least 2:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.6', 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 HD 34231 and 8.7' SW of mag 9.7 HD 34314.

JH 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 ESO 158-022 = PGC 16911. RNGC labels this object as an "unverified southern object".

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NGC 1854 = NGC 1855 (core) = ESO 056-SC072 = S-L 265

05 09 20.1 -68 50 50

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 probably discovered NGC 1854 = D 119 on 2 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector and noted a "small round pretty well-defined nebula". His position is 12' ESE of NGC 1854 (bright core of NGC 1855) and nearby NGC 1858 = D 120 has a similar offset. It is also possible that D 119 refers to NGC 1858, as Dunlop's position is directly east of NGC 1858 by 8'.

John Herschel independently discovered NGC 1854 = h2782 on 23 Nov 1834 (Dunlop is not referenced) and logged "a cluster nebula, S, R, pB, 40"." On a 2nd sweep he noted "globular, B, S, R, 25", resolvable." On the 3rd sweep logged as "B, S, R, 35"." The 4th observation reads "B, E, gbM, 2' resolvable. The second of three objects." His final observations reads: "F, R, gbM, 40"." Except for the 4th observation, these refer to the core of the cluster (NGC 1855). His observation 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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NGC 1855 = ESO 056-SC072

05 09 20 -68 51 00

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-SC073 = S-L 271

05 09 29 -69 07 42

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 HD 34144 and 23' SSE of NGC 1850.

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' ENE of NGC 1856 and the position of the nearby star clinches the identification. JH missed the possible earlier observation by Dunlop and independently swept up the cluster on 3 Nov 1834, logging it as "B, R, gbM, 12 seconds diameter in RA in time. Has a bright star to south." On a second sweep he noted "B, pL, R, gbM, 1.5'." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 1857 = Cr 61 = Mel 32 = OCL-428

05 20 06 +39 20 36

V = 7.0; Size 6'

13.1" (1/18/85): 50-60 stars resolved surrounding mag 7.5 SAO 57903 near the center. This is a very pleasing cluster and is rich in faint mag 13/14 stars.

WH 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. JH recorded "a *7m, very ruddy, almost orange-coloured, in a p rich cl of very small stars."

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NGC 1858 = ESO 056-SC074 = S-L 274 = LH 31 = LMC-N105

05 09 56.1 -68 54 06

V = 9.9; Size 4.4'x2.6'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this would be a fascinating nebula and cluster (association LH 31) if it were isolated, but is even more striking situated at the southeast end of a wonderful chain with the bright cluster NGC 1854 and NGC 1850, which is one of the top showpieces in the LMC. At 346x about two dozen stars were superimposed over an elongated glow and many other stars are just outside the glow. At 200x with a UHC filter, the nebula (LMC-N105) was very bright overall with a 30" very high surface brightness patch at the north end. 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. NGC 1854 lies 4.5' NW.

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 on 3 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector and described a "small round nebula, about 30" diameter." His position is 14' ESE of this cluster/nebula (association?).

JH missed the earlier observation by Dunlop (not referenced in the CGH catalogue) due to the poor position and independently discovered NGC 1858 = h2784 on 2 Nov 1834, noting "A bright cl of irregular figure." Herschel observed the cluster on no less than 7 sweeps. The next observation was recorded as "a large, irregularly elongated cluster and nebula. Has two bright nebulae N.p." On a third occasion he noted it as "bright, large, irregular figure; binuclear; 3' long, 2' broad. The S.f. of 3." His final observation was recorded as "Two oval nebulae joining." He notes: "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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NGC 1859 = ESO 085-SC50 = S-L 297

05 11 32.5 -65 14 55

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 HD 34349 5.5' NE and a mag 11.4 star 4.5' SW. NGC 1866 lies 18' SE.

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 SAO 249218 and 18' NW NGC 1866.

JH discovered NGC 1859 = h2786 on 3 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; S; R; vgbM; 20"; has a *7m nf, dist 6'." His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 1860 = ESO 056-SC075 = S-L 284

05 10 39.9 -68 45 13

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 NGC 1863 (5.5' ENE) and NGC 1865 (9.5' ESE). The amazing field containing NGC 1850 (brightest cluster in the LMC), NGC 1854 and 1858 is just to the SW.

JH discovered NGC 1860 = h2787 on 30 Dec 1836 and described as "F; R; vgbM; 60." His position is ~30" too far south.

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NGC 1861 = ESO 056-SC076 = S-L 286

05 10 22 -70 46 36

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.

JH discovered NGC 1861 = h2790 on 12 Nov 1836 and described as "eF, R, gvlbM, 90 arcseconds." His single position is accurate.

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NGC 1862 = ESO 085-SC051 = S-L 306

05 12 34.4 -66 09 11

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.

JH 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-SC077 = S-L 299

05 11 40.1 -68 43 36

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 possibly discovered NGC 1863 = D 173 on 5 Sep 1826 and recorded a "small faint nebula, 12" diameter." He made a single observation and his position is 12' ENE of the cluster. This easily falls within the range of his rough positions although NGC 1860 and NGC 1865 are nearby and also possible candidates. JH independently discovered NGC 1863 = h2791 on 23 Dec 1834 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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NGC 1864 = ESO 056-SC079 = S-L 309

05 12 41.0 -67 37 25

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. NGC 1871/1869/1873 lies 12' and more to the northeast.

JH 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-SC078 = S-L 307

05 12 25.0 -68 46 19

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.

JH discovered NGC 1865 = h2794 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF, pL, R, vglbM, 45"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate. James Dunlop possibly discovered this cluster earlier in 1826 and described for D 173, "a small faint nebula, 12" diameter." He made a single observation and his position is 6.4' NE of the cluster. Herschel noted the possible equivalence with D 173.

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NGC 1866 = ESO 085-SC52 = S-L 319

05 13 38.6 -65 27 51

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 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 = D 247 = D 248 on 3 Aug 1826 and described (for D 247) "a pretty bright round nebula, 40" diameter." His position for this entry (1 observation) is 10' too far NW. Dunlop described D 248 as "a pretty bright round well-defined nebula, about 30" diameter, gradually brighter to the centre." He claims 3 observations for this object and the published position is 9' too far east. Since both descriptions are quite similar and this is the only bright object in the vicinity, it's reasonable to assume D 247 = D 248 = NGC 1866. JH described NGC 1866 = h2793) as "vB; L; R; vgmbM; 2'; resolvable." and listed both Dunlop entries as possible equivalences.

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NGC 1867 = ESO 058-SC053 = S-L 321

05 13 41.6 -66 17 36

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. NGC 1882 lies 15' NE and NGC 1887 is a similar distance ESE.

JH 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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NGC 1868 = ESO 085-SC056 = S-L 330

05 14 37 -63 57 18

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.

JH discovered NGC 1868 = h2796 on 30 Nov 1834 and reported "pF; pL; R; vglbM; 80"." On a second sweep he recorded "pB; R; gbM; 30"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1869 = ESO 085-SC055 = S-L 326 = LH 37

05 13 53 -67 22 48

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 to the southeast of the mag 11.5 star. Moderately enhanced with the NPB filter, which reveals nebulosity extending off the cluster to the west. NGC 1873 lies 3' N and NGC 1871 is 4.5' S. All three clusters appear as local enhancements anchored by bright stars and lie within a striking star cloud (large association of blue supergiants including LH 32/34/36/37/38). A rich background glow of unresolved stars extends west and north.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, hazy glow (= S-L 326) around a mag 10.5 star (HD 269183) with a couple of mag 12 stars close west. NGC 1873 lies 2.7' N with 1871 4.4' S. Located 11.5' S of mag 4.9 Theta Doradus. Shapley used NGC 1869 as the center of Constellation IV, an association of blue supergiants.

JH discovered NGC 1869 = h2798 on 30 Jan 1835 and described on sweep 658 "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." On a second sweep (2 Jan 1837) he noted "The first of a series of clusters which extends northwards as far as B 922 [Theta Doradus]." 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 JH's position. This is the object described by JH 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 JH'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 JH 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).

Wolfgang Steinicke, as well as JH, attributes James Dunlop as the discoverer of NGC 1869 on 24 Sep 1826 as his position for D 210 is just 3.4' ESE of S-L 326 in the center of the association (the "point taken" by JH). Dunlop's description 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." Although Dunlop gives a sketch, I couldn't match up the sketch with the DSS to tell what object he was sketching. Another reasonable guess is that D 210 applies to NGC 1871, which is the "southern" cluster in a line of nebulae extending north to Theta Doradus.

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NGC 1870 = ESO 056-SC081 = S-L 317

05 13 10.9 -69 07 03

V = 11.3; Size 1.1'x1.0'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this cluster (globular?) 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 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta and described "a faint ill-defined nebula, 2' diameter." His position, from a single observation, is 9.5' ESE of the cluster. JH independently discovered the cluster on 30 Jan 1835 and logged "B; S; R; glbM; 25." His position (measured on two sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 1871 = ESO 056-SC085 = S-L 325 = LH 38 = LMC-N30B

05 13 54.4 -67 27 27

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. A very small nonstellar knot is near the center. Nebulosity encases the stars and is moderately enhanced with an NPB filter. Located at the southeast end of a 15' star cloud (includes LH 32/34/36/37/38) with NGC 1869 = S-L 326 4.6' N and NGC 1873 7' N.

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 on 24 Sep 1826 and recorded "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". Although NGC 1871 is not "preceding in a line", it is the furthest south in a line and his position is just 5' NE of this cluster.

JH independently discovered NGC 1871 = h2800 on 2 Nov 1834 and described "a poor cluster; the southern of three (with NGC 1869 and 1873) of four." On a subsequent sweep he logged "the second of a series of clusters which extend northwards as far as B 922." His mean position from two sweeps is accurate.

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NGC 1872 = ESO 056-SC083 = S-L 318

05 13 11.6 -69 18 45

V = 11.0; Size 1.7'x1.7'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this bright globular was the first LMC object I viewed 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. 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 (NGC 1881). The southern end of the chain is near an impressive complex (stellar association LH 35) containing five HII regions (NGC 1874, 1876, 1877 and 1880) which are located ~4' S and 5' SSE of NGC 1872.

JH discovered NGC 1872 = h2802 on 3 Nov 1834 and reported "B, R, gbM; the preceding nebula." The next observation was recorded as "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.

James Dunlop possibly discovered this cluster on 24 Sep 1826 and recorded for D121 "a small round nebula." This would require he made a 15' error in declination (too far south). Another possibility is that NGC 1872 = D 122, described by Dunlop as "a small nebula, about 20" diameter, with three smaller nebulae following, and three pretty bright small stars on the north side". This position of D 122 is 17' due south of NGC 1872. The "three smaller nebulae following" matches, though I can't identify the "three pretty bright small stars."

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NGC 1873 = ESO 085-SC054= S-L 324 = LH 36

05 13 53.5 -67 20 14

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.

JH discovered NGC 1873 = h2801 on 2 Jan 1837 and described as "the third [with NGC 1871 and 1869] of a series of clusters extending to B 922." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1874 = ESO 056-EN084 = LMC-N113D = LH 35

05 13 09.0 -69 22 34

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 globular NGC 1872. At 200x and UHC filter, NGC 1874 appeared bright, round, ~1' diameter, even surface brightness. Just slightly fainter than NGC 1876 which is just 1.3' NE. Without a filter a couple of mag 14 stars are superimposed.

JH discovered NGC 1874 = h2803 on 16 Dec 1835 and described as "the south preceding of two [with NGC 1876 = h2804], forming a binuclear nebula at the southern extremeity of an arc-formed cluster of stars." Also in this grouping are NGC 1877 and NGC 1880. Sketched on Plate III, figure 6 in his CGH observations. His position is accurate.

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NGC 1875 = HCG 34A = Arp 327 NED1 = VV 169a = MCG +01-14-032 = CGCG 421-039 = PGC 17171

05 21 45.8 +06 41 20

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 Arp 327) are in a string to the SE with HCG 34D 0.5' SE, HCG 34C 0.9' SE and HCG 34B 1.2' SE. HCG 34D is extremely faint and small, round, 6" diameter, HCG 34C is faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, 12"x8" and HCG 34B appears faint, very small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 20"x10". I also picked up 2MASX J05215739+0643182, a fairly faint (mag 16.7B) galaxy 3.5' NE.

24" (2/9/13): NGC 1875 is the dominant E or S0 galaxy in HCG 34. At 375x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter, well concentrated with a small brighter core. A mag 13 star lies 1' W and a mag 16 star is just 0.4' W of center. Two additional members were barely seen to the southeast; HCG 34C 0.9' SE and 34B 1.2' SE.

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 MCG +01-14-032 = PGC 17171, the brightest member of HCG 34. VV 169 = Arp 327 is a triplet of distorted galaxies just southeast.

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NGC 1876 = ESO 056-EN084 = LMC-N113C = LH 35

05 13 18.5 -69 21 52

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 globular cluster 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. Another bright section, NGC 1874, lies only 1' SW and NGC 1877 is a similar distance south-southeast. A long curving chain of stars sweeps to the NE of the complex (stellar association LH 35). NGC 1881 lies the north end of this stellar chain.

JH discovered NGC 1876 = h2804 on 3 Nov 1834 and described as "B, irreg R (the following of two very close) connected by an arc-formed cluster with another." On his second he logged "pB, r, 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-EN084 = LMC-N113A/B

05 13 21.7 -69 22 37

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the third in an interesting group of HII regions and is located 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 involved. NGC 1877 forms the SE vertex of a small equilateral triangle with NGC 1874 and 1876. NGC 1880 lies another 1.5' ESE.

JH 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.

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NGC 1878 = ESO 056-SC080 = S-L 316

05 12 51 -70 28 18

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.

JH discovered NGC 1878 = h2807 on 12 Nov 1836 and described as "vF, lE, gvlbM, 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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NGC 1879 = ESO 423-006 = MCG -05-13-016 = UGCA 110 = PGC 17113

05 19 48.2 -32 08 29

V = 12.8; Size 2.5'x1.7'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 60d

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, moderately large, almost round, low even surface brightness. Located 3.3' SE of mag 9.8 SAO 195756.

JH discovered NGC 1879 = h2797 on 18 Nov 1835 and reported as "vF, L, R, vgvlbM, 2', has a star 12 seconds preceding and 3' north." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1880 = ESO 056-EN082 = LMC-N113F

05 13 38.6 -69 23 03

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 star ~40" SW is free of nebulosity. Very faint haze is visible extending to the east and northeast.

JH 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.

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NGC 1881 = ESO 056-SC086 = S-L 323 = LH 35

05 13 37.3 -69 18 03

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 NE 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.

JH 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 JH's position. See Corwin's notes and my visual description.

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NGC 1882 = NGC 1884? = ESO 085-SC057 = S-L 340

05 15 33 -66 07 48

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.

JH discovered NGC 1882 = h2809 (along with NGC 1867, 1919, 1946, 2034, 2062, 2153 and 2176) on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "pF, R, vgvlbM, 3' diameter, mottled (resolvable)." His position is less than 30" NW of center.

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NGC 1883 = Cr 64 = OCL-417 = Lund 175

05 25 54 +46 29 24

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.

WH discovered NGC 1883 = H VII-34 on 11 Dec 1786 (sweep 645) and recorded "a cluster of vF and vS stars, pretty compressed but not very rich, irr F, about 3' diameter." His position is just off the north side of this cluster. The declination in Lynga, RNGC and Sky Catalogue 2000.0 is 4' too far N.

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NGC 1884

05 15 58 -66 09 48

=Not found or 3 *'s, Corwin. =Not Found, Lindsay.

JH 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 JH 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 JH's position.

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NGC 1885 = ESO 056-SC088 = S-L 338

05 15 07.0 -68 58 43

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).

JH 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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NGC 1886 = ESO 487-002 = MCG -04-13-013 = FGC 484 = PGC 17174

05 21 48.6 -23 48 34

V = 12.8; Size 3.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 60d

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 SAO 170343 10' NW, mag 9.5 SAO 170346 6' WNW and mag 9 SAO 170350 3.4' SSW.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 1886 = LM II-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 ESO 487-002. Herbert Howe mentioned the "*8 sp 40" should read "*9 precedes 11 sec, 0.9' south, and a *8.5 about 6' S."

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NGC 1887 = ESO 085-SC059 = S-L 343

05 16 06 -66 19 06

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.

JH 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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NGC 1888 = Arp 123 NED1 = MCG -02-14-013 = PGC 17195

05 22 34.7 -11 29 58

V = 11.9; Size 3.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 145d

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 NGC 1889, which is attached on the east side of the core.

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" (10/13/81): very faint, small.

WH discovered NGC 1888 = H II-289 = h352 = h2806 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 362) and recorded as "F, pL, irregular triangular figure, resolvable." I'm surprised he missed NGC 1889, which was discovered by Bindon Stoney at Birr Castle on 29 Oct 1851. The pair of galaxies (Arp 123) was sketched by Joseph Turner on 4 Jan 1877 with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_3_28.php). The NGC position is accurate.

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NGC 1889 = Arp 123 NED2 = MCG -02-14-014 = PGC 17196

05 22 35.3 -11 29 49

V = 13.3; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.6; PA = 165d

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 discovered NGC 1889 on 29 Oct 1851 using Lord Rosse's 72" and described 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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NGC 1890 = ESO 056-SC087 = S-L 331

05 13 46 -72 04 42

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 HD 271126 is 2.8' NNE and mag 9.1 HD 35141 is 9.5' E.

JH discovered NGC 1890 = h2816 on 26 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; glbM." His position (single sweep) is accurate.

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NGC 1891 = ESO 362-?020

05 21 16.3 -35 42 5

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.

JH 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 SAO 195771 at 05 21 16.3 -35 42 56. ESO notes "No Cluster" and RNGC also classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 1892 = ESO 085-061 = PGC 17042

05 17 09.0 -64 57 35

V = 12.2; Size 2.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 74d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1892 = h2815 on 30 Nov 1834 and reported "vF; pL; lE in parallel; vglbM; 2' l; 9" br." On a second sweep he recorded "pF, pL, elongated in parallel; 90", 50"; has a star or two in it." 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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NGC 1893 = Cr 63 = Mel 33 = OCL-439

05 22 45 +33 25 12

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 HD 242908 at the NW tip of the "boomerang" and 9.4-mag HD 24296 (O6-type star) forming the SW tip of the outline. In the rich central region is 9.8-mag O7-type HD 242935, and the brightest component of the multiple star Bu 887, with two fainter companions at ~10" separation. Just 1.4' NNW of this triple is a 14" of mag 10.4/11.4 stars, with brighter component BD+33 1025, an O8-type star. Also 2.4' SE is a 10" pair of mag 11.4/12.4 stars. In addition, many other stars appear to be arranged in pairs and strings, so the cluster has a striking appearance. These and other hot O and B-type stars in the cluster ionize the large emission nebula IC 410, which is quite impressive using a UHC filter (see separate description).

The cometary "Tadpoles" nebulae Simeis 130 and 129, which contain recently minted stars, lie on the east end of the cluster. The "head" of Simeis 130 was immediately picked up at 200x as a very small, fairly high surface brightness knot with at least one star involved. At 260x and 375, two very close "stars" oriented WSW-ENE were embedded in the glow, with the ENE object quasi-stellar (would not focus to a sharp point) and perhaps a very tight pair. Although impressive on images, there was no sign of the wavy tail extending from the "head" towards the NE. Mag 9.1 BD+33 1028, 3' E of Simeis 130, along with a 6' group of a half-dozen mag 10-11 stars, were visually detached to the NE of the main cluster.

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.

JH discovered NGC 1893 = h351 on 22 Jan 1827 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. Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey Die Herschel-Nebel, gave an corrected RA (noting it with an asterisk).

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NGC 1894 = ESO 056-SC089 = S-L 344

05 15 51 -69 28 06

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. NGC 1903 and NGC 1916, both showpiece globulars, lie 11' NE and 15' ENE, respectively. NGC 1876 and neighbors, an impressive HII complex, lies 15' NW and NGC 1898 is 12' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 1894 = h2818 on 24 Nov 1834 and recorded "F; R; gbM; 80"; resolvable. On a ground of small stars." His position from a single sweep is accurate.

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NGC 1895 = ESO 085-EN062 = LMC-N33

05 16 52 -67 19 50

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. NGC 1897 lies 8' SSE and the NGC 1873 complex (along with NGC 1869 and 1871) is 16' W.

JH discovered NGC 1895 = h2817 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF; pL; R; glbM; 40"." On later sweeps he estimated the size as 70" and 80".

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NGC 1896

05 25 35 +29 15 36

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 SAO 77158. The group is elongated NW-SE, ~10'x4' in size, although the borders of the group are arbitrary. Includes 10 brighter mag 10-12 stars. The declination given in the RNGC is 9 degrees too far south (listed as nonexistent).

WH discovered NGC 1896 = H VIII-4 = h353 on 17 Jan 1784 (sweep 76) and recorded "a cl 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 is accurately placed in this scattered group of stars. JH made a single observation, calling it "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-SC092 = S-L 355

05 17 32 -67 26 54

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 HD 35292 is 5' ENE. NGC 1895 is 8' NNW.

JH 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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NGC 1898 = ESO 056-SC90 = S-L 350

05 16 42 -69 39 24

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 NGC 1918, a large nebulous cluster. Open cluster S-L 363 is 6' E and NGC 1894 is 12' NNW.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1898 = D 124 on 27 Sep 1826 and recorded "a very small round nebula, about 12" diameter." He made 2 observations and his position is 5' SW of this LMC globular. JH found NGC 1898 = h2822 on 24 Nov 1834 and reported as "F; R; 40"." His position from a single sweep is accurate. Herschel noted this object as possibly D 124.

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NGC 1899 = ESO 056-EN094 = LMC-N36

05 17 49 -67 54 06

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.

JH discovered NGC 1899 = h2821 on 30 Dec 1836 and reported as "F; R; vgbM; 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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NGC 1900 = ESO 085-SC068 = S-L 376

05 19 09 -63 01 24

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 HD 35199.

JH discovered NGC 1900 = h2819 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "eF; pL; lE; vgvlbM". In a second sweep, it appeared "pB; irreg R; gbM; 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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NGC 1901

05 18 16 -68 26 24

Size 15'

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 184x): 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 HD 35294 in the central group and mag 7.6 HD 35230 on the southwest end. This sparse Milky Way cluster or asterism is superimposed on the LMC. The true LMC cluster S-L 359, just 1.3' WSW of the mag 8.4 star, was not seen.

JH 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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NGC 1902 = ESO 085-SC066 = S-L 367

05 18 18.3 -66 37 35

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. NGC 1920 lies 16' SE.

JH 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; psmbM; 2' diameter. Resolved."

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NGC 1903 = ESO 056-SC093 = S-L 356

05 17 22.4 -69 20 16

V = 11.9; Size 1.9'x1.9'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this showpiece globular is located just 10' SW of the NGC 1910 complex containing S Doradus. At 350x, it appeared very bright, ~1' diameter, with a blazing 20" core. Perhaps 20 stars are resolved in the halo at this power with a single brighter star at the edge of the core on the south side. NGC 1916, another bright globular, lies 8' SE. This cluster is located in a wonderful section of the LMC and panning south and to the west yields field upon field filled with both bright and fainter clusters of all sizes, along with nebulous HII glows.

JH discovered NGC 1903 = h2825 on 3 Nov 1834 and described as "vB; S; R; gbM; 30"." His position on 5 sweeps (all descriptions similar) is accurate.

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NGC 1904 = M79 = ESO 487-SC7

05 24 10.6 -24 31 27

V = 7.8; Size 6'

13.1" (2/19/04 - Costa Rica): excellent view at 200x.  Contains an intense, 1' core which is mottled and partially resolved, particularly around the edges.  The halo is easily resolved with several dozen brighter members peppered within the halo and around the periphery (~40 stars counted) although there are no dense knots.  Surrounding the inner core (nucleus) is a dense ring of high surface brightness which is very mottled.  In good moments of seeing this ring breaks 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 is 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 is 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" (12/8/90): 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" (1/19/85): 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, and included it in his 1780 catalogue. On 17 Nov 1784, WH recorded M79 as "a fine cluster of stars, near 3' dia. Extremely compressed but completely resolved." On 13 Jan 1806, he observed with his "Large 10 feet" and logged "The 79th of the Connoiss. is a cluster of stars of a globular construction, and certainly extremely rich. Towards the centre the stars are extremely compressed, and even a good way from it. With 171 the diameter is a little less than 1/3 of the field, and with 220 a little more; the field of one being 9'0", and of the other 8'0", a mean of both gives the diameter of the cluster 2'50", but I suppose that the lowness of the situation prevents my seeing the tiny scattered stars, so that this cluster is probably larger than it appears."

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NGC 1905 = ESO 085-SC067 = S-L 369

05 18 24 -67 16 42

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.

JH 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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NGC 1906 = MCG -03-14-015 = PGC 17243

05 24 47.2 -15 56 34

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 I-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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NGC 1907 = Cr 66 = Mel 35 = OCL-434

05 28 05 +35 19 30

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 M38.

13" (11/5/83): dense, about three dozen stars.

8": rich, glowing cluster, compact, includes two bright stars to the south.

WH 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." JH made three observations and reported "p Rich; irreg R; stars 9...12m, 50 or 60 counted; bM."

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NGC 1908

05 26 00 -02 32

=Not found, Corwin and Carlson.

WH discovered NGC 1908 = H V-33 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and reported "I suspect diffused eF milky nebulosity. The means of verifying this phenomenon are difficult."

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 PSS, also reports no obvious nebulosity. So, NGC 1908 is either lost or nonexistent. See Corwin's notes for more information.

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NGC 1909 = IC 2118?

05 04 54 -07 15

Size 180'x60'

See observing notes for IC 2118?, HC (Witchhead Nebula)

WH 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. Corwin suggests this giant north-south nebuosity may refer to IC 2118 = Witch Head Nebula! WH's rough position of H V-36 is ~23 min of RA to the east but if his offset direction from Rigel is reversed (roughly 11 min of RA west instead of 11 min of RA east), then his position is a reasonable match with IC 2118. This would be a pretty amazing observation to pick up this extremely low surface brightness nebula without prior knowledge as it is considered a major challenge object today.

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NGC 1910 = ESO 056-SC099 = S-L 371 = LH 41 = LMC-N119

05 18 42.5 -69 14 12

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 mag 12 stars. On the northwest side (2' N of S Dor) is S-L 360, a small bright knot that is clearly non-stellar and surrounded by a thin, fainter halo (ring of faint stars on DSS).

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, on a northwest to southeast stream extending a couple of degrees, are dozens of LMC clusters with NGC 1903, an impressive globular, situated 10' SW. Shapley and Nail defined NGC 1910 as the center of Constellation V, a 24' region containing a number of blue supergiants.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1910 = D129 = h2827 on 3 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta, New South Wales. He described "A pretty large and very ill-defined nebula, of an irregular round figure, with several small stars in it." His position is unusually accurate.

John Herschel first recorded it in Dec 1834 as a "fine cluster. Irregular figure, the chief nucleus (which seems to be a close double star, 9th mag) taken." On a second sweep he called it "The most condensed knot ( = 12 arcseconds) in a pretty rich, L, scattered cluster." His third observation was recorded 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...)."

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NGC 1911 = NGC 1920?

05 20 33.0 -66 46 44

Size 1.2'

See observing notes for NGC 1920.

JH discovered NGC 1911 = h2826 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; R; gbM; 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 may be a duplicate observation of NGC 1920, which was recorded on 7 sweeps but not on the one in which he recorded NGC 1911. JH'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 NGC 1915." RNGC follows Lindsay and classifies this number as nonexistent. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1912 = M38 = Cr 67

05 28 43 +35 51 18

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.

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. It was independently discovered by Le Gentil in 1749 and probably by Messier on 25 Sep 1764 (Le Gentil is not mentioned in his description). WH observed the cluster on 23 Nov 1805 with the large 10-foot reflector and recorded "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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NGC 1913 = ESO 056-SC097 = S-L 373

05 18 18.7 -69 32 15

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.

JH 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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NGC 1914 = ESO 056-SC095 = S-L 365 = LMC-N195 = LW 40

05 17 40 -71 15 24

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 northeast end. A mag 12 star is 4' E.

JH 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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NGC 1915 = BSDL 1237

05 19 38.5 -66 47 59

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 ESO 085-SC71 located 4' N. It also may be a duplicate observation of either NGC 1919 or 1920.

JH 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). Eric Lindsay reported "Not found. This should be WSW of NGC 1920..." in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud". RNGC follows Lindsay and say "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-SC098 = S-L 361

05 18 37.6 -69 24 25

V = 10.4; Size 2.1'x2.1'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this LMC globular was 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. Located within the LMC's central bar, ~10' S of the large NGC 1910 complex that contains S Doradus.

JH discovered NGC 1916 = h2829 on 3 Nov 1834 and described "vB; vS; R; gbM; 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 1 tmin too far west and this error was copied into the RNGC.

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NGC 1917 = ESO 056-SC100 = S-L 379

05 19 02.1 -69 00 04

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 on 25 Sep 1826 and described "a small round nebula." His position is about 10' ESE of this cluster, certainly within his usual errors. JH independently discovered NGC 1917 = h2831 on 16 Dec 1835 and recorded "vF, L, R, gvlbM, 1'." His position (only recorded on this one sweep) is accurate.

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NGC 1918 = ESO 056-SNR101 = LMC-N120 = LH 42

05 19 04.5 -69 38 56

V = 9.8; Size 7'x4'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a combination LMC cluster and nebula (classified as a supernova remnant). At 200x a striking double star (TDS 3145 = 11.6/11.8 at 9") sits within the glow with a third star in a line and an additional 20 stars are resolved in the cluster (stellar association LH 42). 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.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1918 = D 88 on 27 Sep 1826 and described a "small faint nebula, 25" or 30" diameter, with two small stars near the south side of it." His position is about 13' too far SE, but the double star is within the nebula.

JH independently discovered this nebula (SNR) 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 Herschel's position falls between two bright knots near the supernova remnant.

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NGC 1919 = ESO 085-SC073 = S-L 392 = LMC-N37

05 20 15 -66 53 00

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), 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.

JH 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 = ESO 085-EN074 = LMC-N38

05 20 33.0 -66 46 44

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.

JH 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, vgbM, 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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NGC 1921 = ESO 056-SC102 = S-L 381

05 19 23 -69 47 18

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 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's a very faint, small, roundish, low surface brightness glow, ~20" diameter.

JH discovered NGC 1921 = h2834 on 12 Nov 1836 and recorded "vF; oval; r; 40"." His position from a single sweep is accurate.

James Dunlop possibly discovered the cluster earlier on 24 Sep 1826 and recorded D 128 as "a small faint nebula, 1' north of a pretty bright star." His position is within his usual errors - 8' WSW, but there is no "pretty bright star" 1' S, so I'm not confident of this identification Perhaps this is another observation of NGC 1918 to the north. Another possibility is NGC 1921 = D 89, described by Dunlop as "a pretty well-defined round nebula, about 20" diameter. His position is 15' ESE of NGC 1921. Without further information or a sketch, I can't see assigning a Dunlop number to this cluster.

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NGC 1922 = ESO 056-SC103 = S-L 391

05 19 49.7 -69 30 04

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.

JH 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 included the cluster to the GC Supplement as GC 5063. JH'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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NGC 1923 = ESO 085-SC75 = S-L 404 = LMC-N40 = LH 43

05 21 33.0 -65 29 16

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 with a filter. Locate 49' E of NGC 1866.

JH 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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NGC 1924 = MCG -01-14-011 = PGC 17319

05 28 01.9 -05 18 39

V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 130d

17.5" (11/25/87): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated. Located 6.7' SE of mag 8.5 SAO 1321324 and 9' NW of mag 8 SAO 132149. M42 lies just two degrees east!

WH discovered NGC 1924 = H III-447 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458) and recorded as "vF, pL, R, within 2 or 3' of the corner of a hook of vS stars." It's interesting he classified this galaxy as a cluster. His position is 3.6' south of MCG -01-14-011 = PGC 17319. George Bond independently found this nebula 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).

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NGC 1925 = ESO 085-SC076 = LH 45

05 21 44 -65 47 36

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 haze or unresolved stars. At 105x and UHC filter, the nebulosity seems to increase a bit in contrast although on the DSS, nebulosity (LMC-N43) is only evident in the northern portion. NGC 1923 is located 18' N.

JH 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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NGC 1926 = ESO 056-SC105 = S-L 403

05 20 35.4 -69 31 33

V = 11.8; Size 1.4'x1.2'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this bright LMC globular 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 NGC 1928 3.4' NE.

JH discovered NGC 1926 = h2838 on 3 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB; R; 60". Situated in the main body of the Nubecula Major." On a second observation he wrote "pB; pL; irreg R; r. Field full of light, consisting partly of stars, and partly of resolvable nebula." His position (on his first two sweeps) matches this cluster.

James Dunlop possibly discovered this object earlier on 3 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector and recorded D 131 as "a very faint ill-defined small nebula." His position is 2' NE of the cluster, but also just 1.7' S of NGC 1928, and I'd be surprised if Dunlop picked up one of these clusters and not the other. Another possibility is his observation refers to NGC 1922, which is 5.6' W of his position. Unless there is additional information on his observation, I don't see how an assignment can be made (Steinicke gives both NGC 1926 and 1928).

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NGC 1927

05 28 42 -08 23

=Not found, Carlson and Corwin.

JH 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 HD 36059, but there is no nebulosity in the vicinity of this star. JH equated his object with H V-38, but his father's object (NGC 1909) is either nonexistent or perhaps refers (according to Harold Corwin) to the Witchhead Nebula (IC 2118). The observers at Birr Castle were unsuccessful (on 3 attempts) in finding h356. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, states "not found" and this is was repeated by Dorothy Carlson and the RNGC. Harold Corwin also concludes this object is nonexistent.

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NGC 1928 = ESO 056-SC106 = S-L 405

05 20 57.7 -69 28 40

V = 12.5; Size 1.3'x1.3'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this object is one of only about 15 bona-fide GC's in the LMC. At 200x it appeared 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.

JH discovered NGC 1928 = h2839 on 3 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB; R; 60". Situated in the main body of the Nubecula Major." On a second observation he wrote "vF; R; gbM. Field full of the nebulous light of the great Nubecula. His position is accurate, though a second sweep placed it 20 sec of RA too far west.

James Dunlop possibly made an earlier observation of NGC 1928, recording it as D 131 on 3 Aug 1826 and reporting "a very faint ill-defined small nebula." Dunlop made a single observation and his position is 1.7' S of NGC 1928. But his position is just 2' NE of NGC 1926, which is slightly brighter, and I'm a bit surprised Dunlop would notice one of these clusters and not the other. Another possibility is D 131 refers to NGC 1922, which is 5.6' W of his position. Unless there is more unpublished information, I don't see how an assignment can be made (Steinicke gives both NGC 1926 and 1928).

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NGC 1929 = ESO 056-EN107 = LMC-N44F = = LH 47

05 21 38.3 -67 54 50

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 NGC 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, and IC 2126. At 260x it appeared as a bright, moderately large, round glow of ~50" diameter surrounding a 13th magnitude star.

On the DSS this object appears to be a symmetrical bubble. This HII complex and cluster includes the superbubble complex N44

JH 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.

James Dunlop discovered the LH 47 association = D 175, which contains NGC 1929, on 27 Sep 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 good match for Dunlop and NGC 1929 might be one of the "seats of attraction."

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NGC 1930 = ESO 253-004 = PGC 17276

05 25 56.5 -46 43 43

V = 12.4; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 32d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x 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.

JH discovered NGC 1930 = h2836 on 29 Dec 1834 and recorded, "vF; S; R glbM; 15"; has 4 B stars preceding." His position matches ESO 253-004 = PGC 17276. On a second observation he called NGC 1930 "B[bright]" instead of "vF".

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NGC 1931 = Sh 2-237 = LBN 810 = Ced 49 = Cr 68

05 31 26 +34 14 42

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 4 stars = ADS 4112 (one difficult in fairly poor seeing) form a small trapezium asterism. Best view is unfiltered. IC 417 lies 45' WNW.

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" (11/5/83): five 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.

WH discovered NGC 1931 = H I-261 = h355 on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1030) and recorded "vB, irr R, vgbM, about 4 or 5' diameter. Seems to have 1 or 2 stars in the middle or an irregular nucleus; the chevelure diminishes very gradually." JH reported "a triple star in a nebula. A most curious object. The nebula surrounds the stars like an atmosphere." The observers using Lord Rosse's 72" reported 5 to 6 stars involved on various nights.

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NGC 1932

05 22 17.3 -66 09 16

=*, Corwin

JH 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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NGC 1933 = ESO 085-SC077 = S-L 420

05 22 27.3 -66 09 08

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.

JH 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 = ESO 056-SC109 = = LH 47

05 21 46.9 -67 56 14

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 very close northwest of NGC 1935. This patch is not as well defined as the other NGC objects in this bright HII complex but is noticeable as it involves a couple of brighter mag 12 stars and a number of fainter stars.

JH 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 discovered the entire LH 47 association = D 175, though NGC 1934 is probably not one of the "seats of attraction" in the description.

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NGC 1935 = IC 2126 = ESO 056-EN110 = LMC-N44B = LH 47 = S-L 417

05 21 58 -67 57 20

V = 11.2; Size 1.2'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this emission glow forms the NW pair with NGC 1936 in a very striking field of clusters and HII patches (part of stellar association LH 47). At 200x and UHC filter it appeared as a very bright, round glow of uniform high surface brightness. The size is slightly smaller than NGC 1936, perhaps 45"-50" in diameter. Good response to the UHC filter. Nebulosity also extends off to the NW of NGC 1935 and a locally brighter patch (NGC 1934) involves a couple of brighter stars.

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.

James Dunlop discovered the LH 47 association = D 175, consisting of NGC 1929, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 on 27 Sep 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, so a good match (for Dunlop), although JH didn't reference Dunlop as the discoverer. It's probably safe to assume that two of these "seats of attraction" were NGC 1935 and NGC 1936 (JH only credited Dunlop with the latter).

JH 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 independently discovered this nebula 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. So, NGC 1935 = IC 2126. 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 = ESO 056-EN111 = LMC-N44C = LH 47

05 22 12.6 -67 58 32

V = 11.6; Size 1.1'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 1936 appeared as a very bright, round glow, ~1' diameter with a very high, uniform surface brightness at 200x using a UHC filter. Situated at the south end of a large cluster and HII complex. 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.

James Dunlop discovered the LH 47 association = D 175, consisting of NGC 1929, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 on 27 Sep 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, so a good match (for Dunlop), although JH didn't reference Dunlop as the discoverer. It's probably safe to assume that two of these "seats of attraction" were NGC 1935 and NGC 1936, the brightest knots in the complex.

JH 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 independently discovered this nebula on Harvard objective plates taken in 1901 at Arequipa and Dreyer catalogued Fleming 91 as IC 2127, although the IC position is just 4 sec of RA west of NGC 1936. The Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas labels this nebula as IC 2127 instead of NGC 1936 (same with NGC 1935 = IC 2126).

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NGC 1937 = ESO 056-SC112 = S-L 422 = LMC-N44I = LH 48

05 22 25 -67 53 42

V = 10.4; Size 2.8'x2.0'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this object is the furthest NE 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. The cluster or star cloud (association LH 48) includes a string of stars oriented WSW-ENE that passes through the center including a mag 11.5 star. NGC 1936, a very bright nebulous glow, lies 5' S, and other sections of the N44 superbubble complex (see http://www.universetoday.com/am/publish/gemini_interstellar_cavern.html) lie to the SW including NGC 1929, 1935 and IC 2126. Superimposed on this complex of HII glows is a fairly rich concentration of stars.

JH 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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NGC 1938 = ESO 056-SC108 = S-L 413

05 21 24.8 -69 56 22

V = 13.0; Size 0.6'

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.

JH 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; glbM; 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; glbM; 35" and 30"." JH catalogued both objects individually in the GC (1144 and 1145). See Corwin's notes for more on the clusters.

James Dunlop possibly discovered this "double cluster" on 24 Sep 1826 and described D 89 as a "pretty well-defined round nebula, about 20" diameter." His position is ~5' NE of NGC 1938 and 1939. Perhaps he noticed the combined glow of these clusters (though the size would then be much too small), or he picked up only NGC 1939, which is the brighter cluster. Another possibility is D 90, described as "a small round faint nebula, north of a small star", refers to NGC 1938 and 1939. His position is 13' SE of the pair of the clusters. Without further information, I don't see how Dunlop can be confidently given credit for the discovery.

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NGC 1939 = ESO 056-SC108 = S-L 414

05 21 26.7 -69 56 59

V = 11.8; Size 1.2'

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. NGC 1939 is a bona-fide old-age GC in the LMC. NGC 1943 lies 14' SSE and NGC 1950 is 16' ENE.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1939 = D 89 on 24 Sep 1826 and described a "pretty well-defined round nebula, about 20" diameter." His position is ~5' NE of NGC 1938 and 1939, a close pair of clusters. Perhaps he noticed the combined glow of both clusters (though the size would then be too small), or he only picked up NGC 1939, which is the brighter cluster. See Corwin's notes for more on the clusters.

JH observed the pair of clusters (NGC 1938/1939 = h2848) on 24 Nov 1834 and described a "B; R; a double nebula (clouding over)." On a second observation he recorded "pB; S; R; glbM; a double nebula. It has a vF neb attached np." On a third sweep he logged "A double neb. Pos 339.1; 50" dist; each F; R; glbM; 35" and 30". He attributed Dunlop with the discovery.

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NGC 1940 = ESO 085-SC078 = S-L 427

05 22 44.9 -67 11 10

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.

JH discovered NGC 1940 = h1146 on 23 Dec 1834 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 recorded D 212 on 6 Nov 1826, noting a "small faint ill-defined nebula." That's not much to go on and his position is 26' E of this cluster. JH didn't list a possible equivalence with NGC 1940 and I feel this identification is very uncertain. Still, Wolfgang Steinicke attributes Dunlop with the discovery.

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NGC 1941 = ESO 085-EN079 = LMC-N46

05 23 07.4 -66 22 41

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 NGC 1945. Within LMC-N46, although nebulosity was not evident.

JH 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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NGC 1942 = ESO 085-SC081 = S-L 445

05 24 45 -63 56 30

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 NGC 1947 is 17' NE.

JH 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 is off by ~3'.

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NGC 1943 = ESO 056-SC114 = S-L 430

05 22 29 -70 09 18

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-N 130). NGC 1938 and 1939, a very close pair of clusters, lies 14' NNW.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1943 = D 91 = h2850 on 24 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector at Parramatta and described "a small round nebula, 12" or 15" diameter." His position is 13' SE of the cluster. Dunlop's D 90, described as "a small round faint nebula, north of a small star", may be another observation of this cluster. His position for D 90 is just 5' NE of the cluster.

JH independently discovered the cluster in Dec 1834 and recorded "pB; R; glbM; 50"." On a later sweep he wrote "vF; 40"; has a *15m at 60" dist, pos = 19.6°." His position (recorded on 3 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 1944 = ESO 033-SC017 = S-L 426

05 21 57 -72 29 42

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 resolve around the edges of the halo. A mag 13.5-14 star is off the SW edge, a mag 15.5 star at the NW edge. Situated within a nice group of star with four mag 12.5 stars nearby; 1.4' SE, 2' SSE, 2' N and 3.4' SE.

JH 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 = ESO 085-EN083

05 24 55 -66 27 24

Size 1.0'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x unfiltered, this LMC HII region appeared fairly faint, fairly small, ~30" diameter. Irregular shape, brighter along the south edge. NGC 1946 lies 4.4' NE. Several mag 11-13 stars are in the field to the northwest and these seem to stream 10' to the northeast direction, heading towards NGC 1948, a magnificent star cloud and HII complex. NGC 1951, a bright cluster, lies 11' SE and NGC 1941 is 12' NW.

JH 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'm 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-SC084 = S-L 454

05 25 16 -66 23 42

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.

JH discovered NGC 1946 = h2854 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "pF, R, gbM, 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 = PGC 17296

05 26 47.5 -63 45 37

V = 10.6; Size 3.0'x2.6'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 119d

18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): fairly bright and large, slightly elongated, ~2.5'x2.0', well concentrated with a bright core that gradually increases to the center. A mag 9.7 star (HD 36355) lies 4.2' NNW. The LMC cluster NGC 1942 lies 17' SW and S-L 509 is 21' NE.

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 outskirts of the LMC with S-L 509, a faint LMC cluster, 21' NE. On images, the minor axis of this elliptical is bisected by a dust lane, though this feature wasn't noticed.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 1947 on 5 Nov 1826 with his 9" reflector although the observation was not included in his 1828 catalogue. Glen Cozens found the observation by examining Dunlop's handwritten notes. John Herschel independently discovered this galaxy on 30 Nov 1834 and described h1153 as "pB, L, R, glbM; 2.5' diameter, a star 9th mag N.p.". There is nothing at his position but exactly 1 degree north is ESO 85-87, an unusual elliptical with a minor-axis dust lane, and mag 9.7 HD 36355 (matching his description) is 4.4' NNW.

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-SC85 = S-L 458 = LMC-N48 = LH 52

05 25 46 -66 15 51

V = 10.6; Size 6'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a large, well-resolved star cloud (stellar association LH 52) and emission nebula, ~6' 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). Supernova remnant LMC-N49 lies 11' NNE. Two parallel stream of stars and unresolved haze (roughly 3' apart), oriented SW to NE, extends southwest from NGC 1948 through NGC 1946 to NGC 1945. The western string is brighter, consisting of a number of mag 12-14 stars along with an unresolved glow (stars or nebulosity) extending at least 10'.

LMC N49 is the brightest supernova in the LMC 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 HD 36257. Open cluster S-L 463, which appears as a very small knot attached to a star, is located 2.4' NE.

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 are resolved in a triangular group, ~6' diameter, over unresolved background haze or possibly nebulosity. NGC 1978, a bright "blue globular", lies 18' E.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 1948 = D 237 on 6 Nov 1826 with his 9" reflector and described a "a rather large faint nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, of an irregular round figure; no central concentration. His position is about 6' SW of NGC 1948, certainly within his usual errors, and his size estimate (3' or 4') is reasonable. A less likely assignment is NGC 1945 = D 237, situated a similar distance south-southwest of his position. But NGC 1945 is much smaller (roughly 30"), so this seems much less likely to me, though Glen Cozens suggests the possible equivalence with D 237.

JH independently discovered NGC 1948 = h2856 on 3 Jan 1837 and described "a rich, discrete cluster, class VII. Not much compressed to the middle; 10' diameter, stars of 13th mag." His position is accurate. Herschel didn't credit Dunlop as the discoverer and neither did Dreyer in the NGC.

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NGC 1949 = ESO 056-EN117 = LMC-N138A

05 25 05 -68 28 18

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, round emission nebula was nearly attached on the southwest side! The nebula (considered part of LHA 120-N 138A) extends 1.3' with a slightly brighter rim and NGC 1949 nearly forms with it a "diamond ring". It surrounds a mag 13.6 star at its center.

With the NPB filter, LHA 120-N 138C 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 a mag 6.1 HD 36584 (equal mag 1.3" pair).

JH discovered NGC 1949 = h2857 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "pB; S; R; psbM; 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-SC116 = S-L 450

05 24 33.0 -69 54 04

V = 13.2; Size 1.7'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first in a group of clusters including NGC 1958, 1959, 1969, 1971, 1972 and 1986, towards the SE end. These clusters reside in a dense part of the LMC bar with a bright background glow. NGC 1950 forms the southwest vertex of a triangle with NGC 1959 5.5' ESE and NGC 1958 6.3' NE. At 260x it appeared moderately bright, fairly large, ~2' diameter, with a relatively low surface brightness. At 346x, several extremely faint stars pepper the surface of the cluster. A mag 11 star lies 3' E, within the triangle described above.

JH discovered NGC 1950 = h2859 on 23 Dec 1834 and described as "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 figure 8, Plate 4." His second description reads: "A large ill-defined patch at the lower edge of the Nubecula Major, which is pretty definite here, and very bright." His position (measured on 2 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 1951 = ESO 085-SC086 = S-L 464

05 26 06.4 -66 35 50

V = 10.6; Size 1.9'

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).

JH discovered NGC 1951 = h2858 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "B, R or lE; binuclear or sbM 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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NGC 1952 = M1 = Crab Nebula = LBN 833 = Sh 2-244 = Ced 53 = Tau A = SNR 184.6-5.8

05 34 32.0 +22 00 52

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 M1, which filled over half the field, was resolved into an intertwined maze of thin, twisting filaments. This complex structure was more evident than the view I had a year ago at 287x.

48" (11/2/13): using 488x I immediately focused in on a close unequal mag double star (roughly mag 16/16.5) that was visible near the center but a bit offset from the geometric center towards the SE side of the nebula. 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): 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.

John Bevis discovered M1 = NGC 1952 = h357 in 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 but not published until 1786.  Charles Messier independently discovered M1 on 28 Aug 1758 while looking for comet Halley on its first predicted return.  Bevis informed Messier of his earlier discovery in a letter written in 1771.  Charles Messier’s rediscovery of M1 was the inspiration to begin the compilation of his catalog.

William Herschel recorded the following observations, clearly attempting to resolve the nebula into stars:

1783, 1794, 7 feet telescope [6.2"]. "With 287 [magnification], light without stars."

1805, 1809, 10 feet telescope [8"]. "It is resolvable [mottled]. There does not seem any milky nebulosity minced with what I take to be small lucid points."

1783, 1784, 1809, 20 feet telescope [18.7"]. "Very bright, of an irregular figure; full 5 minutes in longest direction. I suspect it to consist of stars."

1805, large 10 feet telescope [24"]. "With 220 the diameter is 4'0"; with this power and light it is what must be called resolvable [mottled]."

The following discussion is from Wolfgang Steinicke's book on "Observing and Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters". It was observed by William Parsons (third Earl of Rosse), Romney Robinson and James South with his first (compound) 36-inch in early November 1840 and a few weeks later Robinson wrote Rosse to examine other nebulae as "I am anxious to know whether they all have tails and claws".  This remark may be the origin of the nickname "Crab Nebula".  It was sketched in 1844 by Parsons using the (solid) 36-inch and showed crab-like filaments or streamers extending out of the body and a long tail (see http://messier.seds.org/more/m001_rosse.html).  This often-reproduced sketch is generally taken as the source of the nickname.  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."

Wolfgang Steinicke also comments that 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 led the popular nickname.  Interestingly, although the original sketch showed a long "tail" and filaments extending out of an oval body, 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.

In 1921 Lundmark mentioned (PASP, 33, 234) that the nova of 1054 was near NGC 1952 and in 1928 Edwin Hubble (http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1928ASPL....1...55H) found 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!"  Spectral analysis was done by Nicholas Mayall in 1937 (PASP, 49, 101) and a 1939 paper by Mayall (ASPL, Vol 3, 145) announced the Crab Nebula as a supernova remnant.  Steinicke mentions that M1 was classified as a planetary nebula until 1933.  More historical observations are at http://www.southastrodel.com/NGC1952.htm

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NGC 1953 = ESO 56-SC118 = S-L 459

05 25 28.0 -68 50 18

V = 11.7; Size 1.2'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this LMC globular 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 NGC 1962-65-66-70 HII complex and cluster follows with NGC 1962 4.5' due east and stretching quite a distance to the east and SE lie a huge number of clusters, star clouds and HII regions.

JH discovered NGC 1953 = h2862 on 31 Jan 1835 and described as "pF, S, R, glbM, 40"." On a second sweep 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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NGC 1954 = MCG -02-15-003 = PGC 17422

05 32 48.3 -14 03 45

V = 11.8; Size 4.2'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 155d

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.

WH 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. JH observed it from the Cape and noted "vF, R, 25"." Both Herschels missed nearby NGC 1957.

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NGC 1955 = ESO 056-SC121 = S-L 467 = LH 54 = LMC-N51D

05 26 10 -67 29 54

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 NGC 1966 and NGC 1974 to the NE and S-L 456, a group of stars and nebulosity 4' W of NGC 1955. 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. The cluster is immersed in a large, irregular haze that is brightest on the eastern side in a 30" circular glow. This is a locally brighter portion 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 form an 8' bubble (LHa 120-N51D) like a Wolf-Rayet shell or supernova remnant. NGC 1968 lies ~8' ENE and NGC 1974 11' NE.

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. JH 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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NGC 1956 = ESO 016-002 = PGC 17102

05 19 36.1 -77 43 45

V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 68d

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.

JH discovered NGC 1956 = h2874 on 22 Jan 1836 and recorded "eF, S, R, gbM, 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. DeLisle Stewart described this galaxy as a "vF, hazy * inv in nebula" (Harvard College Observatory correction list).

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NGC 1957 = PGC 17427

05 32 55.1 -14 07 58

V = 13.9; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (12/3/88): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Located 5' SSE of NGC 1954.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 1957 = LM I-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 PGC 17427. RNGC classifies it as an unverified southern object.

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NGC 1958 = ESO 056-SC119 = S-L 462

05 25 30.7 -69 50 10

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'

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'-6' E.

JH discovered NGC 1958 = h2864 on 23 Dec 1834 and commented "The second of the group, fig 7, Pl IV. L; F; vgbM." On a second observation he noted "F; R; gbM, 40". Joseph Turner sketched the cluster on 21 Dec 1875 with the Great Melbourne Telescope (see http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/index.php#m_3_29). S-L 460, which lies 4.6' N of NGC 1958, is clearly shown on the sketch as well as S-L 469 situated 5.5' NNE, but these clusters did not receive NGC designations.

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NGC 1959 = ESO 056-SC120 = S-L 466

05 25 35.7 -69 55 36

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.

JH discovered NGC 1959 = h2865 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; vL; vgbM; the third of several whose borders join, forming the group in figure 7, pl IV." His position is fairly accurate.

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NGC 1960 = M36 = Cr 71

05 36 18 +34 08 30

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 (∑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 ∑737 = 8.5/9.0 at 11" is near the center.

Naked-eye (10/24/11): just glimpsed in very dark skies.

Giovanni Hodierna probably discovered M36 = NGC 1960 = h358 in 1654. Guillaume Le Gentil independently discovered this cluster in 1749 and he is credited with the discovery in the NGC. WH, using his 7-ft reflector (6.2" aperture) 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]."

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NGC 1961 = Arp 184 = UGC 3334 = MCG +12-06-007 = CGCG 329-008 = IC 2133 = PGC 17625

05 42 04.4 +69 22 46

V = 11.0; Size 4.6'x3.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 85d

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 is 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.

17.5" (12/8/90): 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 CGCG 329-011 7.6' NE (not seen).

8" (10/13/81): faint, moderately large, bright core, diffuse, elongated, star involved.

WH discovered NGC 1961 = H III-747 on 3 Dec 1788 (sweep 889) and recorded "cF, pL, iF, mbM, easily resolvable, 5 or 6 of the stars belonging to it visible in the middle." In the 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" Dreyer comments "Caroline Herschel has used the place of the comparison star in Wollaston's Catalogue of 1790, which is very erroneous. Auwers assumed it to be B.A.C. 1985, hence his very erroneous polar distance. But it is = G. 1199 agreeing with two other stars, 42 and 43 Camelop. The place of the neb found from this coincides with that of I.C. 2133 = Bigourdan 385." Bigourdan discovered this galaxy independently on 22 Dec 1891, measured an accurate position, and Dreyer catalogued again as IC 2133. So, NGC 1961 = IC 2133 = UGC 3334. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 1962 = ESO 056-SC122 = LMC-N144

05 26 18 -68 50 18

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. Excellent contrast gain using the UHC filter which increased the visibility to a prominent glow. Globular cluster NGC 1953 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.

JH discovered NGC 1962 = h2866 on 31 Jan 1835 and recorded "vF, pL, R; the first of a group of 4 nebulae [NGC 1962, 1965, 1966, 1970] with stars. (N.B. The mirror newly polished. See fig 20, Plate VI.)" His sketch (Plate VI, figure 20) clearly identifies all 4 nebulae in the group. James Dunlop discovered the entire group (D 136 = S-L 476) and described "a faint confused pretty large nebula. There are a multitude of small nebulae in this place." His position is ~10' too far SW (typical error), though he did not distinguish individual components.

The entire group was sketched by Joseph Turner in Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/index.php). The sketch resolves NGC 1962 into two adjacent pieces.

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NGC 1963 = ESO 363-SC005

05 32 10.8 -36 22 51

17.5" (2/22/03): at 100x, a distinctive looping group of two dozen mag 10-13 stars which is likely an asterism. Roughly 10' diameter 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. IC 2135, an edge-on galaxy, lies 15' E.

JH 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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NGC 1964 = ESO 554-010 = MCG -04-14-003 = PGC 17436

05 33 22.6 -21 56 49

V = 10.8; Size 5.6'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 32d

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, unusually bright stellar 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 southeast of a thin triangle of mag 9.5-10.5 stars, the closest being mag 9.3 SAO 170546 1.7' NW of center.

13" (12/18/82): faint, elongated, small bright nucleus, fairly small, faint halo surrounded core.

WH discovered NGC 1964 = H IV-21 = h2860 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 325) and recorded "vS, stellar, the nucleus very brigh; 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. JH observed this galaxy from the CGH and recorded "F, irregularly round, vsbM, to a star 12th mag, 2 or 3 stars involved, and several bright ones near." His position is accurate.

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NGC 1965 = ESO 056-SC123 = LMC-N144B = LH 58

05 26 29.5 -68 48 23

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 NGC 1970. NGC 1965 surrounds two stars and ~20" in diameter with a fainter nebulous halo.

JH discovered NGC 1965 = h2867 on 31 Jan 1835 and recorded "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 notes that this could be Dunlop 136 which refers to the entire group (S-L 476): "a faint confused pretty large nebula. There are a multitude of small nebulae in this place." His position is ~10' too far SW (typical error), though he did not distinguish individual components. The entire group was also sketched by Joseph Turner in Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/index.php).

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NGC 1966 = ESO 056-SC125 = LMC-N144A = LH 58

05 26 46 -68 48 49

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.

JH discovered NGC 1966 = h2868 on 31 Jan 1835 and recorded "the third of a group of four nebulae with stars; pB, R, pslbM. Plate VI, figure 20." Herschel notes this might be Dunlop 77 (two question marks), but this must be an error as the position of D 77 is roughly 04 56 07 -70 07 (2000). Dunlop discovered the entire group (D 136 = S-L 476) and described "a faint confused pretty large nebula. There are a multitude of small nebulae in this place." His position is ~10' too far SW (typical error), though he did not distinguish individual components.

The entire group was also sketched by Joseph Turner in Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/index.php).

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NGC 1967 = ESO 056-SC126 = S-L 478

05 26 43 -69 06 06

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 NGC 1984 5.4' ESE and NGC 1994 9' ESE. BSDL 1781 is a 1.5'x0.5' elongated group of stars just 2.5' NE. About 10 stars mag 13-14.5 in a N-S string were resolved. NGC 1967 is situated 9' SW of the NGC 1983 star cloud/association (LH 61).

JH 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 = ESO 056-SC130 = LMC-N51C = S-L 483 = LH 60

05 27 39.7 -67 27 48

Size 1.5'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): 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 west. 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".

JH discovered NGC 1968 = h2870 on 2 Jan 1837 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." His position is 1' too far west.

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NGC 1969 = ESO 056-SC124 = S-L 479

05 26 33 -69 50 27

V = 12.5; Size 1.2'

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

JH 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 trio NGC 1969/1971/1972, but based on my visual observation I found NGC 1971 the most prominent of the trio. So, my guess is that D 93 refers to NGC 1971.

Joseph Turner sketched the field (along with NGC 1958, 1971 and 1972) on 21 Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/index.php#m_3_29

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NGC 1970 = ESO 056-SC127 = LMC-N144 = LH 58

05 26 53 -68 50 12

V = 10.3

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the 4th of 4 NGC knots in the NGC 1962-65-66-70 complex (stellar association LH 58) using 200x. At the ESO position and the Morel Atlas are three close collinear stars oriented NNW-SSE, with the brightest mag 10.8 star at the north end. Using a UHC filter, the stars are surrounded by only a very weak glow, which is not more prominent than the general haze between the other knots. Perhaps the string of stars caught his attention or this object was misplaced on Herschel's diagram.

JH discovered NGC 1970 = h2869 on 31 Jan 1835 and recorded "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. Dunlop discovered the entire group (D 136 = S-L 476) and described "a faint confused pretty large nebula. There are a multitude of small nebulae in this place." His position is ~10' too far SW (typical error), though he did not distinguish individual components. Herschel noted the possible equivalence with D 136.

The complex was also sketched by Joseph Turner in Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope (http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/index.php).

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NGC 1971 = ESO 056-SC128 = S-L 481

05 26 45.6 -69 51 03

V = 11.9; Size 1.1'x0.95'

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 discovered NGC 1971 (or NGC 1972) = 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 propose that NGC 1971 = D 93, although Steinicke assigns D 93 to NGC 1972. JH independently discovered this cluster (h2875) on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded it as "the 5th of several running together (fig 7, Pl IV); attached to a smaller, No. 4". His position is accurate.

Joseph Turner sketched the field (along with NGC 1958, 1969 and 1972) on 21 Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/index.php#m_3_29

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NGC 1972 = ESO 056-SC129 = S-L 480

05 26 48.8 -69 50 17

V = 12.6; Size 0.9'x0.8'

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.

Joseph Turner sketched the field (along with NGC 1958, 1969 and 1972) on 21 Dec 1875 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/index.php#m_3_29

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NGC 1973 = Ced 55b = Sh 2-279 = "Running Man" Nebula

05 35 04.8 -04 43 55

Size 5'x5'

24" (1/22/15): locally bright (reflection?) nebula surrounding mag 6.9 HD 36958, embedded within the much larger NGC 1977 complex. Extends ~4' diameter in a circular glow, though the perphery is not well defined. A fainter star 34" NNE is involved in the nebula and at moments seemed to be encased in its own small halo. NGC 1975 is 4.4' NE.

13.1": bright reflection nebulosity surrounding 7th magnitude SAO 132302. See NGC 1977.

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 = ESO 085-SC089 = LMC-N51A = S-L 494 = LH 63

05 28 00 -67 25 24

Size 1.7'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fourth in a great looping chain of clusters and nebulosity (collectively called the "Sextant Arc") including NGC 1955 and NGC 1968 to the SW. This group is virtually attached to NGC 1968, only distinguished by less nebulosity and stars. There are roughly three dozen stars 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 (LCM-N51A). NGC 1991 is a duplicate entry with a 1 minute error in RA.

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 position is 2.8' too far northeast. JH recorded h2877 on 23 Nov 1834 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 NGC 1991 and his position is accurate (~30" south of cneter). JH found this nebulous cluster again on 2 Jan 1837 and recorded it as h2884 (= NGC 1991), although his RA was 1.0 min too large. So, NGC 1974 = NGC 1991. Lucke and Hodge misidentifies this object (typo) as NGC 1947.

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NGC 1975 = Ced 55c = Sh 2-279 = "Running Man" Nebula

05 35 18 -04 41 06

Size 10'x5'

24" (1/22/15): bright 2' reflection nebulosity surrounding HD 294263 (triple star) within the NGC 1977 complex. The two brighter components form ∑746 = 10.4/10.7 at 14", with a third fainter star 12" SW. Also a 4th star is ~35" NW of the pair and within the glow. The nebula seems more centered on the northeast component of ∑746. Brighter NGC 1973 lies 4.5' SW and the entire field is awash in nebulosity.

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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NGC 1976 = M42 = LBN 974 = Ced 55d = Sh 2-281 = Orion Nebula

05 35 17.1 -05 23 27

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!

The following observation history of M42 = NGC 1976 = h360 is 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. It was independently found a year later 1611 by the Jesuit astronomer Johann Baptist Cysat (1588-1657) of Lucerne who compared it in 1619 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. 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 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 nebula. 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 large mirrors towards M42 and obtained much more detailed views. He called it "althogether the most wonderful object in the heavens." (16 Oct 1784)

[In his 1811 PT paper, WH noted "it may easily be supposed that it was the very first object to which, in February 1787, I directly my 40-foot telescope. The superior light of this instrument shewed it of such a magnitude and brilliancy that, judging from these circumstances, we can hardly have a doubt of its being the nearest of all the nebulae in the heavens, and as such will afford us many valuable informations."]

M42 was one of the objects attempted to be "resolved" in 1845 and 1846 by Lord Rosse and associated 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).

Ronald Stoyan, in "Sketching the Orion Nebula" (Astronomy, Feb 2013) mentioned that George P. Bond [son of William Cranch 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/

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NGC 1977 = Running Man Nebula = Ced 55e = Sh 2-279

05 35 15.8 -04 50 40

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 HD 37058 on the south side and NGC 1973 (KX Ori) and NGC 1975 (∑746) in the northern half. The entire complex is irregularly luminous but locally brightest around these stars and dimmer in the central region. The southern portion is brighter and elongated E-W with an irregular outline. On the southeast side is an extension and the northeast section ends near a 30" unequal pair of stars. See NGC 1973 and NGC 1975 for separate descriptions.

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 NGC 1981.

WH discovered NGC 1977 = H V-30 on 18 Jan 1786 (sweep 510) and 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.

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NGC 1978 = ESO 085-SC90 = S-L 501

05 28 44.6 -66 14 08

V = 10.7; Size 3.9'x2.7'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): this impressive LMC 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 are resolved around the edges at 303x. The NGC 1848 complex is 18' WSW, NGC 2003 is 19' SE and the "Eighth-Note Nebula" (LHa 120-N55) is 25' SE.

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. His position is 05 27 37, -66 21 (2000), about 10' SW of the globular.

JH first observed this bright globular on 2 Nov 1834, logging "vB, vL, E, gbM, 3'." On his final of 3 sweeps, 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 = PGC 17452

05 34 01.1 -23 18 37

V = 11.8; Size 2.2'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 7d

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.

WH 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 ESO 487-024 = PGC 17452. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 11 Feb 1898 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 1980 = OCL-529 = LBN 977 = Ced 55f = Lund 189 = Cr 72

05 35 26.0 -05 54 36

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.

WH 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." JH simply noted (single observation) "Iota Orionis involved in a feeble neb 3' diam."

It is very possible that WH 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

V = 4.6; Size 25'

24" (1/22/15): at 200x; HD 37040 = ∑750 = 6.4/8.4 at 4" on the northeast side of the cluster was easily resolved and ∑743 = 7.7/8.3 at 1.8", a tight pair in the western side was just resolved. The cluster filled most of the 30' field.

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 ∑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.

JH discovered NGC 1981 = h362 on 4 Jan 1827 and described "a coarse and por but very splendid cluster of large stars; a beautiful object." His position corresponds with mag 6.5 HD 37040 = ∑750 = 6/8 at 4" on the NE side of the cluster.

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NGC 1982 = M43 = Ced 55g = Sh 2-281 = Orion Nebula

05 35 31.3 -05 16 02

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.

Jean-Jacques d'Ortous de Mairan discovered M42 = NGC 1982 = H III-1 around 1731 with a small, long-focal length refractor (18 or 22 ft). It's sometimes referred to as "De Mairan's Nebula". This prominent patch in the Orion Nebula complex was not mentioned by Piersec or sketched by Huygens. William Herschel catalogued it as H III-1 on 3 Nov 1783 (third night of sweeps), noting "vF, S, mE. In the Large nebula."

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NGC 1983 = ESO 056-SC133 = LH 61 = S-L 492

05 27 45.3 -68 59 10

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.

JH 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-SC132 = S-L 488

05 27 40.8 -69 08 05

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. 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.

JH discovered NGC 1984 = h2882 on 16 Dec 1835 and described as "a cluster; a double star in it taken." His position is accurate and he catalogued the double star as HJ 3771 = 11.4/13 at 5".

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NGC 1985 = Ced 57

05 37 47.8 +31 59 20

13.1" (1/18/85): faint reflection nebulosity surrounding a mag 13.5 star. This small, circular nebula is visible without a filter.

WH discovered NGC 1985 = H III-865 = h359 on 13 Nov 1790 (sweep 980) and recorded "vF, vS, R, bM. 300 showed it very plainly." His position is 2.5' too far NW, though JH measured on accurate position. R.J. Mitchell, observing on 28 Dec 1856 with Lord Rosse's 72", remarked "Looks like a star enveloped in a vF nebulous atmosphere which is lE 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-SC134 = S-L 489

05 27 37.7 -69 58 14

V = 11.1; Size 2.8'x2.4'

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 M4). Located 7.5' NE of a mag 8 star (HD 36598) near the southeast end of the LMC's central bar. A very faint cluster, H-S 307 lies 4.8' NNE and a very small trio of clusters, NGC 1969, 1971 and 1972 lies ~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 NGC 2016 are nearly on a line extending the east!

JH discovered NGC 1986 = h2883 on 24 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF; pL; R; glbM; 2'." His position (measured on 4 sweeps) is accurate. James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 1986 = D 94? earlier on 27 Sep 1826 and simply logged "an extremely faint small nebula." His position is 7' due south of the cluster. Another possibility is D 96, recorded on 24 Sep 1826, refers to this cluster. He reported "a faint round nebula nebula, about 1 1/4' diameter, slightly bright to the centre." Dunlop's position here is further off - 12.6' ESE - but is the entry Glen Cozens identifies as NGC 1986.

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NGC 1987 = ESO 056-SC131 = S-L 486

05 27 17 -70 44 18

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.

JH 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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NGC 1988 = Chacornac's Variable Nebula

05 37 26.5 +21 13 06

=*, 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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NGC 1989 = ESO 423-021 = MCG -05-14-004 = PGC 17464

05 34 23.4 -30 48 04

V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 106d

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 SAO 19574 3' NNE and mag 9.4 SAO 195974 5.5' NNE. Forms a pair with NGC 1992 6' SSE and brightest in cluster ACO S536.

JH 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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NGC 1990 = Epsilon Ori = LBN 940 = Ced 55h

05 36 12.7 -01 12 07

V = 1.7

=* (Epsilon Orionis = middle belt star). Nebulosity not visible on the POSS-II.

WH discovered NGC 1990 = H V-34 = h363 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 518) and reported "Epison Orionis passed, and I am pretty sure it is involved in nebulosity, unequally diffused." JH 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. Dunlop in Sweep 110." 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.

Dorothy Carlson classified this number as nonexistent in her 1940 paper on NGC/IC corrections, as nebulosity was not recorded on a 2-hour exposure by Curtis. 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-SC089

05 28 00 -67 25 24

Size 1.7'

See observing notes for NGC 1974 with the 30" from Coonabarabran.

JH 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

V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 45d

17.5" (12/3/88): extremely faint, small, very low surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 1989 6' NNW in ACO S536.

JH 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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NGC 1993 = ESO 554-014 = MCG -03-15-003 = PGC 17487

05 35 25.5 -17 48 55

V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 80d

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, very small, round, very small bright core. Located 40' E of Alpha Leporis (V = 2.6).

WH 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-SC136 = S-L 499

05 28 22 -69 08 30

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 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.

JH 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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NGC 1995

05 33 03.3 -48 40 34

V = 15/15.5; Size 13"

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x 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.

JH 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 NGC 1998 was also recorded on sweep 762. NGC 1995 appears to apply to a faint pair of stars at ~13" separation and Corwin also concludes NGC 1995 is a double star. The photographic description in the RNGC under NGC 1995 applies to NGC 1998 (descriptions are reversed).

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NGC 1996

05 38 10.2 +25 49 02

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 HD 37438 (125 Tauri). This cloud stands out reasonably well at low power but would not be distinguishable at higher power.

WH 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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NGC 1997 = ESO 086-SC001 = S-L 520

05 30 34 -63 12 18

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.

JH 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.

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NGC 1998 = ESO 204-015 = PGC 17434

05 33 15.7 -48 41 46

V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 20d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x 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 HD 274952 and 37047. NGC 1995, a close pair of very faint stars, is 2.3' NW.

JH 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 ESO 204-015 = PGC 17434, though NGC 1995 applies to a double star. RNGC misclassifies NGC 1998 as nonexistent (Type 7), though the photographic description for NGC 1998 is given under the listing for NGC 1995. Megastar mislabels this galaxy as NGC 1995.

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NGC 1999 = LBN 979 = Ced 55i = PP 34

05 36 25.3 -06 42 57

Size 2'x2'

48" (10/25/11): stunning view at 375x and 488x. The high surface brightness reflection nebulosity surrounding the mag 10.5 illuminating star 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 HH 2 lies 4.3' due south and fainter HH 1 2.5' is SSW.

17.5" (2/8/90): 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" (2/22/86): 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" (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.

WH discovered NGC 1999 = H IV-33 on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458) and called it "a star with a very strong burr all around." On 1 Nov 1785 (sweep 468) he noted "vB or rather a nucleus with a milky nebulosity chiefly on the preceding side, of no very great extent." In his 1814 PT paper WH included NGC 1999 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 shows the off-central star superimposed, though no dark patch. Ralph Copeland, observing with Lord Rosse's 72" on 15 Nov 1873, recorded 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.

Although the dark patch in NGC 1999 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-SC135 = S-L 493

05 27 29 -71 52 48

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 NGC 2025.

JH discovered NGC 2000 = h2889 on 8 Feb 1836 and described as "F; R; vlbM; 60"." His position (single sweep) is accurate.

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NGC 2001 = ESO 056-SC137 = S-L 507 = LH 64

05 29 02 -68 46 12

V = 9.5; Size 7.3'x3.6'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): a gorgeous, elongated star cloud/association (LH 64), extending 7'x2.5' NNE-SSW. Roughly 65 stars, including a number of mag 12-13 stars are resolved in this region over a glowing background. A mag 10.7 star is at the southwest end and a non-stellar mag 12 knot (KMHK 955) is north of center. A curving chain of a dozen stars pokes out of the west side and heads south towards S-L 495 (3.4' W of the mag 10.7 star). S-L 495 is a very bright, very small knot, 20" diameter. It was difficult to resolve this clump, but a few stars popped. A mag 12.5 star is just off the west edge. LH 58, a stunning large star cloud and HII complex including NGCs 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1970, lies roughly 13' WSW.

JH discovered NGC 2001 = h2888 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "the middle of the most condensed part of a cluster of stars 13th mag which runs off to the south-preceding and joins No. 39 of this sweep." In a separate entry on the same sweep he also mentioned "Here commences a very starry or resolved region of the greater Nubecula."

James Dunlop possibly discovered this association earlier on 25 Sep 1826, recording D 178 as "a small faint nebula with a ray proceeding from it, about 6' or 7' long; a small star is involved in the preceding extremity of the ray." Dunlop's position is 11' ENE of the cluster and Herschel noted the possible equivalence of D 178. Glen Cozens equates NGC 2001 = D 136, which was recorded as "a faint confused pretty large nebula. There are a multitude of small nebulae in this place." The position is D 136 is ~12' SSW of the association and actually falls much closer to NGC 1983. So, I don't see how a specific assignment can be made without additional information, such as similar offsets on the same night.

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NGC 2002 = ESO 086-SC003 = S-L 517

05 30 21.0 -66 53 02

V = 10.1; Size 1.9'x1.7'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this cluster is extremely bright but small. It is sharply concentrated with a small, brilliant core surrounded by a much fainter 30" halo. At 346x, the core diameter is ~15" diameter and three interior stars are resolved, the brightest on the southeast side. Sharing the same field 8' SE is the double cluster NGC 2006 and S-L 538. NGC 2002 is at the west end of a huge, arcing string of associations (bowed to the south) referred to as LH 77 or the "Quadrant", which extends nearly 40' to the east beyond NGC 2041.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2002 = D 214 on 24 Sep 1826 and recorded a "a round small nebula, 12" or 15" diameter." He made two observations and his position is 4.7' SW of the cluster. JH credited Dunlop with the discovery.

JH made two observations for h2890. On 20 Dec 1835 he logged "place of a double star, the chief of a great cluster of small stars loose and filling the field. It is the forerunner of the great cluster-region [OB association LH 77] of the nubecula." On a second sweep he called it "vB, S, R. Here comes on the richest and brightest part of the starry and clustering portion of the nubecula. (Note - From this object being described at one time as a double star, and at another as a nebula, it is probable that it is one of those singular close-knotted groups which especially characterize the nubeculae)." So, it appears he is describing two objects -- one the cluster (containing the double star) and second, the association that contains the cluster.

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NGC 2003 = ESO 086-SC006 = S-L 526

05 30 54.3 -66 27 59

V = 11.3; Size 2.1'

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 303x; extremely bright, extremely high surface brightness core, fairly small, 30" diameter. Surrounded by a thin fainter halo. A mag 13-13.5 star or quasi-stellar knot is at the west end and a couple of mag 15 stars are off the east side. Two mag 9 and 10 stars lie 4.7' SSW and 7' SSW and mag 8.0 HD 36849 is 9' WNW.

S-L 553 and the remarkable Eighth-Note Nebula (LHa 120-N55) lies ~8' E. Even without a filter the Eighth Note Nebula is a gorgeous object, with ~75 stars (S-L 553) in a 7'x3' region elongated NW-SE. A very large, detailed nebula encompasses these stars. There are four main sections with the largest and brightest on the southeast end (N55A) extending ~2.5' diameter in an uneven, knotty circular glow. A couple of dozen stars are involved with N55A including a mag 13 star on the northeast end and a mag 12 star on its northeast side. A second small, detached 35" glow lies ~2' NW. Unfiltered, 4 or 5 mag 15-15.5 stars are involved. A larger roundish glow, extending 1', is 2' further NNW. A few mag 15 stars are involved and mag 11.5-12 HD 269722 (brightest in the cluster, type OBe) is 1.4' ENE. Finally the 4th and faintest piece is a 50" detached glow that is close north of the bright star. Three mag 14-14.5 stars are involved. Using an NPB filter at 152x enhances the nebulosity, presenting a showpiece object similar in detail to the Red DSS2 image! The three southern nebulous glows all have an irregular surface brightness and are connected by very faint nebulosity but the northernmost section seems detached.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): this compact cluster in the LMC appeared fairly faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Appears to have a star involved or increases to a sharp stellar nucleus. S-L 553, a 3' star cloud (association LH 72) lies 9' E. S-L 553 appeared as a 3' elongated glow, consisting of a half-dozen resolved stars over an unresolved background glow of stars and nebulosity. The outline is irregular but elongated N-S. S-L 553 cluster is embedded within the HII complex LMC-N55 ("Eighth-Note Nebula"), though I didn't use a UHC filter to examine its extent.

JH discovered NGC 2003 = h2891 on 23 Nov 1834 and described "a B S stellar neb, or very close cluster 15"." His position is accurate. GC and NGC misidentify (typo) this cluster with h2981, instead of h2891.

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NGC 2004 = ESO 086-SC004 = S-L 523

05 30 40 -67 17 12

V = 9.6; Size 2.7'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, superb cluster, ~3' diameter. Contains a small, brilliant core and a highly resolved halo that is packed with 50 stars. The surrounding field is quite rich in both faint and brighter mag 11-12 stars. The NGC 1955/1968/1974 complex lies ~20' SW and the NGC 2014/2020 complex lies 27' SSE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2004 = D 215 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a round well-defined nebula, about 20" diameter, bright at the centre." Dunlop reported 3 observations and his position is 5.5' WSW of center (relatively accurate for him).

JH observed this bright cluster (h2893) on 6 sweeps: on 2 Nov 1834 he recorded "B; pretty rich; compressed cluster of stars 12m." Next he recorded "globular, B; irreg; R; 2'. The stars are easily distinguishable." On a third sweep he wrote "globular, B; S; R; comp M to a blaze of stars. Many stragglers." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2005 = ESO 056-SC138 = S-L 518

05 30 11 -69 45 12

V = 11.6; Size 1.8'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): extremely bright, fairly large, round, 45" diameter, very bright core, mottled halo, high surface brightness. No resolution except for a couple of extremely faint star around the periphery. Located 2' NE of mag 9.1 HD 37121 along the southeast side of the LMC's central bar.

I noticed two nearby faint clusters. H-S 332, just 2.3' S and 50" SE of the mag 9 star, is a faint 20" glow with no resolution. S-L 514 was also picked 3.3' SW. It appeared fairly faint, elongated WSW-ENE, 40"x25", grainy but no resolution. A mag 13 star is off the southwest edge.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2005 = D 138? on 24 Sep 1826 and described a "small round faint nebula." His position is 12.7' ESE of the cluster. JH independently discovered the cluster with a 5-inch refractor between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 and listed it as #509 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major."

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NGC 2006 = ESO 086-SC008 = S-L 537

05 31 20.0 -66 58 23

V = 10.9; Size 1.6'x1.4'

24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): forms the southern member of a close pair of small clusters (a double cluster!) with SL-538 less than 1' N. At 346x it appeared fairly bright, fairly small, ~30" diameter, brighter core, with no evident resolution. Forms a small triangle with two stars on the east side. Located 8' SE of NGC 2002.

Just 0.9' N is S-L 538, a small, moderately bright glow that is sandwiched between a brighter star at the east edge and a fainter star off the west side. At 346x the shape appeared irregular and ~25" diameter. Interestingly, John Herschel's two positions for NGC 2006 on different sweeps correspond closely with each cluster, so he apparently viewed both (quite similar in the eyepiece) and NGC 2006 should apply to the pair. Herschel didn't note this object as double, though, so he noted this object was the central part of the "extremely rich assemblage of stars and clustering groups which fill the field." NGC 2006 is on the western side of the huge OB association LH 77, an arcing group of clusters and stars stretching 40' E-W and including NGC 2002, 2027 and 2041 and collectively dubbed the "Quadrant Arc".

JH discovered NGC 2006 = h2895 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "a very small nucleus knot in an extremely rich assemblage of stars and clustering groups which fill the field." On his second sweep JH recorded "a small highly condensed knot in an immensely large and very rich cluster, which fills much more than the field, and is like the Milky Way." His positions differ by ~2' in declination and apply to two different close clusters! NGC 2006 is generally assigned to the southern object, with the northern cluster is S-L 538. The "immensely large and very rich cluster, which fills much more than the field, and is like the Milky Way" is known as the "Quadrant Arc".

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NGC 2007 = ESO 204-019 = PGC 17478

05 34 59.3 -50 55 18

V = 13.9; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 83d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): very faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 45"x15", low even surface brightness. A mag 11.6 star is 4' ENE. Forms a close pair with NGC 2008 2.7' S. Viewed in poor transparency.

JH discovered NGC 2007 = h2892 (along with NGC 2008 = h2894) on 27 Dec 1834 and logged "eeF; pL; R; 40"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2008 = ESO 204-020 = PGC 17480

05 35 03.7 -50 58 00

V = 13.8; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 93d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 ~E-W, ~40"x16", weak concentration, low surface brightness. A mag 11.2 star is 3' E. Forms a close pair with NGC 2007 2.7' N. Coincidentally, both galaxies have mag 11-11.5 stars 3' to 4' following. Observation in poor transparency.

JH discovered NGC 2008 = h289 (along with NGC 2007 = h2892) on 27 Dec 1834 and logged "eF; pL; R; vlbM; 30"." His position is fairly accurate.

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NGC 2009 = ESO 056-SC140 = S-L 534

05 30 59 -69 10 54

V = 11.0; Size 0.9'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; very bright knot, moderately large, round, 45" diameter, mottled. A dozen mag 13.5-15.5 stars are resolved. Sits in a beautifully rich star field (association) with numerous mag 12 and fainter stars including an arc of 4 mag 12-13 stars off the southwest side. The NGC 2015 star cloud and cluster S-L 557 lies to the southeast and NGC 1994 and 1984 lies 14' and 18' WNW. This cluster is ~40' WSW of the Tarantula Nebula.

JH discovered NGC 2009 = h2897 on 3 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB, R, bM, 40"; in a field rich with clustering stars." On a second sweep of four he logged "pB, R, glbM, 80", in the N.p. part of a cluster." His mean position is accurate.

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NGC 2010 = ESO 056-SC139 = S-L 531

05 30 34.6 -70 49 10

V = 11.7; Size 1.9'x1.7'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster is located just 1.5' NE of 9th magnitude HD 37181. This star is part of a large, scattered group of mag 8.5-10.5 stars including a prominent 24' loop with a double star (h3783 = 8.2/10.7 at 15") at the east end of the loop. This double star is 6' S of NGC 2010. NGC 2031 lies 18' SE and the bright HII complex/cluster NGC 2018 lies 15' S. S-L 539 lies 7.7' NNE. This cluster appears as a small, elongated glow, 20"x10", with a mag 12.5 star involved on the east end and three additional very faint stars resolved.

JH discovered NGC 2010 = h2898 on 12 Nov 1836 and logged "F; R; vglbM; 3'." His position is 1' south of center of this cluster.

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NGC 2011 = ESO 056-SC144 = S-L 559 = LH 75

05 32 19.8 -67 31 17

V = 10.6; Size 1.0'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, tight intense knot of four stars (a couple are quite bright) enveloped in a 1.5' triangular glow with a few additional stars resolved within the boundaries of the emission nebula. A 3' line of brighter stars (part of the stellar association LH 75) oriented E-W passes through the south end of the glow. The surrounding fields include a number of fascinating objects with a cluster and star cloud ~6' E (S-L 567), a bright, compact cluster/nebula 8' NE (NGC 2021), a large bright cluster/nebula 10' S (NGC 2014), a large ring-shaped emission nebula (NGC 2020) 12' SSE and the Seagull Nebula complex (NGC 2030/2032/2035) 17' E. NGC 2011 is embedded in the OB association LH 75.

JH discovered NGC 2011 = h2899 on 31 Jan 1835 and logged "vB; S; R; psmbM; 25"." His single position is accurate.

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NGC 2012 = ESO 016-005 = PGC 17194

05 22 35.4 -79 51 07

V = 12.9; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 117d

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, contains a very small brighter core. A very faint star lies close following and a close double star lies 4' E. An unequal brighter pair lies 5' NE.

JH discovered NGC 2012 = h2907 on 22 Jan 1836 and reported "vF; S; lE; bM; 2 st 9 mag follow toward the north." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2013

05 44 14 +55 46 30

Size 4'

18" (11/6/04): This unimpressive asterism consists of two small groups of stars to the NW of mag 8.9 HD 37880. A group ~3' NW of the brighter star is a quartet containing two mag 10.5 stars, while 6' NW is a evenly distributed quintet of mag 11-12 stars. Also, a couple of arcminutes further NW are 3 stars including a double. The three small groupings are extended NW to SE and span 7', although John Herschel's description may just apply to the first two groups which are 4' diameter.

JH discovered NGC 2013 = h364 on 10 Feb 1831 and described as "a poor cl of 8 or 10 stars 11 mag." The NGC RA is 30 tsec larger than JH's discovery position and corresponds better with the center of this group of stars. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, adds "10-12 st 11...14; BD+21d907 f 0.6'." RNGC gives the description "No cluster."

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NGC 2014 = ESO 056-SC146 = S-L 560 = LMC-N57A = LH 76

05 32 20 -67 41 24

V = 9.0; Size 5'x3.5'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): very bright, large cluster or star cloud (stellar association LH 76) with nebulosity, ~50 stars resolved in a 5' region (no distinct boundary on the north side), including many in a 2' string, elongated N-S. A mag 10 star (brightest in the cluster) is at the south end of this string. A portion of the cluster is immersed in nebulosity (Henize N57A), most prominently on the southeast side of the cluster. Irregular haze (roughly elongated SW-NE) extends out of the cluster for a couple of arc minutes on the east side, spreading south and north. Forms an interesting contrast with emission nebula NGC 2020 5' ESE. The remarkable Seagull Nebula (NGC 2030, 2032, 2035) lies ~20' NE.

JH discovered NGC 2014 = h2900 on 23 Dec 1834 and described the "chief *9 of a very irreg cluster, 4' long, 3' broad." On a second sweep he logged "a pretty L irreg cluster 7th class; chief *9m taken (at leaving the field); the rest are 10...15m." His position is accurate.

James Dunlop possibly discovered this cluster (D 217?) earlier on 3 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta, NSW, and recorded "a rather well-defined nebula, 40" or 50" diameter. Dunlop observed this object 3 times and his position is 5' SSW of the cluster. Despite Dunlop's relatively good position, JH did not credit Dunlop with the discovery and Dunlop's description for D 217 implies a much smaller object, so I'm also hesitant about this identification.

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NGC 2015 = ESO 056-SC147 = S-L 557 = LH 74

05 31 47 -69 14 54

V = 10.4; Size 5.6'

30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): this bright star cloud extends up to 8' diameter, spreading out on the west side and reaching NGC 2009 in the northwest corner. Near the east end is open cluster S-L 557, which is often taken for NGC 2015. It appeared fairly bright, fairly small, very irregular outline, 35" diameter. It contains a brighter mag 13.5 star and at least a half-dozen mag 14.5-16 stars over haze. Mag 9.7 HD 269720 lies 2.3' NE. Extending west and spreading north and south is a large star cloud (association LH 74) containing a number of mag 12 stars and at least 70 in total. The background glow of unresolved stars is bright in this entire region. NGC 2009 is 7' NW of S-L 557.

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; large star cloud with a few dozen mag 11-15 stars. Not well detached in this rich region of the LMC as the clouds extends to the west and north. On the east end is S-L 557, which includes a single brighter mag 13.5 star and ~6 total, over unresolved glow.

JH discovered NGC 2015 = h2901 on 24 Nov 1834 and reported "the general middle of a cluster of loose stars 11...16m. It is rich and fills the whole field." The "whole field" contains the smaller cluster S-L 557 on its east side, which Shapley-Lindsay and the Hodge-Wright Atlas took as NGC 2015. But based on Herschel's description Brent Archinal says "This is not NGC 2015" in "Star Clusters". Instead he identifies NGC 2015 as the entire association LH 74 at 05 31 48, -69 14.9 with a size of 5.6'.

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NGC 2016 = ESO 056-SC142 = S-L 547

05 31 39 -69 56 48

Size 1.8'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): fairly bright LMC cluster, large mottled glow, elongated E-W, ~1.5'x0.8'. Two or three mag 14.5-15 stars are resolved on the west end and perhaps a half-dozen additional mag 15.5-16 stars are resolved at 394x. NGC 2016 is situated in a gloriously rich region of the LMC with numerous clusters nearby including NGC 2028 11' E, S-L 674 9' E, BSDL 2212 2.4' SSE, S-L 535 3.6' WSW, S-L 519 8.3' W, H-S 327 12' WNW.

S-L 535: fairly bright, fairly small, roundish haze, 30" diameter, mottled. Two faint stars were resolved on the west side. Located 1.5' NNE of mag 10.2 HD 269663.

S-L 519: fairly bright, fairly small, elongated E-W, 30"x20", a single star was resolved. Picked up less than 2' N of mag 8.2 HD 37122.

H-S 327: this is a very close pair of LMC clusters. At 394x the brighter western cluster (H-S 327W) appeared as a fairly faint, hazy 20" knot. H-S 327E = OGLE-CL LMC 520 is a fainter 20" knot just 40" SE. A couple of mag 15-15.5 stars near these two clumps may be members.

BSDL 2212: moderately bright, small, round, hazy glow, ~20" diameter, just preceding a mag 13 star.

JH discovered NGC 2016 = h2902 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; vL; and diffused; irreg R; gbM." His position is ~40" too far south.

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NGC 2017 = h3780 = ESO 554-**22

05 39 16 -17 51 00

V = 6.4/7.9/8.5/9.2/8.4/8.1

18" (3/13/04): multiple group of six stars mag 7-10 within 3.5'. The stars are generally separated by at least 1' with the widest separation at 2'. The brightest star is mag 6.4 HD 37643. The brightest "star" to the SE is the C+D component, a close 8.5/9.2 pair separated by 1.4", making 7 stars in total. Located 1.6° east of mag 2.6 Alpha Leporis.

8": this is the multiple star h3780. Six stars are visible including mag 7, 8, 8.5, 9 and 10 stars. This group does not appear to be a true cluster.

JH discovered NGC 2017 = h2896 on 11 Dec 1835 and recorded a "fine clustering group of large stars." His position matches the multiple star h3780. Bica et al, in 2001A&A...366..827B, call this object a "possible Open Cluster remnant".

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NGC 2018 = ESO 056-SC141 = LMC-N206A = LMC-N206B = S-L 533 = LH 69

05 31 23 -71 04 12

V = 10.2; Size 25'x18'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a fascinating, showpiece HII complex with a cluster and a large, detailed nebula appearing like a fainter version of M8 -- of course, in another galaxy! At 200x the cluster (S-L 533) is ~8' in diameter and includes a couple of dozen mag 11-15 stars (part of the stellar association LH 69). The stars are involved in the glow of a bright HII complex that has an excellent response to a UHC filter. Using the filter, the brightest region (NGC 2018) is a very prominent 1' circular patch on the east end with fainter wings extending north and south, increasing the size to 3'x1'. A wide pair of stars including a brighter star (HD 269676) is at the west edge of this patch. Three additional elongated patches (each 1' to 1.5' in diameter) along the SW side of the complex, are strung out in a 6' line oriented NW to SE line (BSDL 2005, BSDL 2048 and LMC N206B = BSDL 2120). Another glowing patch of nebulosity, ~45" diameter, is to the west of of the brightest region and surrounds a couple of brighter stars. Finally there is an isolated, elongated patch on the north end of the complex that seems detached (BSDL 2129). Weaker sections of the nebulosity give the impression of dark lanes. Surprisingly, Herschel's description applies only to the brightest region at the east end of this entire complex.

JH discovered NGC 2018 = h2904 on 3 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB; R; pglbM; 2'; a star 10m involved, preceding." His position (single sweep) is on the southeast side of the brightest portion of the nebula. The ESO position is centered on the entire complex described in my notes and not the bright piece described by Herschel.

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NGC 2019 = ESO 056-SC145 = S-L 554

05 31 57 -70 09 36

V = 10.9; Size 1.5'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 394x; extremely bright, large, 50" diameter, sharply concentrated with a large intense core and smooth halo, no resolution.

S-L 542 (brightest of 3 nearby clusters) is 4.6' SW, BSDL 2196 is 2.7' SW and S-L 544 is 5' NNW. S-L 542 is fairly bright, moderately large, round, 40" diameter, mottled but with no definite resolution. A mag 12.8 star is 0.9' NW. BSDL 2196 (noticed between NGC 2019 and S-L 542) is a very faint, small, round, low surface brightness patch, 20" diameter, no resolution.

JH discovered NGC 2019 = h2905 on 11 Nov 1836 and recorded the cluster as "B; R; gbM; 60". He observed it on two sweeps and his position is just off the east side. On the first observation, though, his polar distance was 1° further north, but he rejected that (correctly) in favor of the polar distance in the second sweep.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 2019 = D 96, D 98, D 99 and/or D 94 (one or more of these may apply!) on 24 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta. He described D 96 as "a faint round nebula, about 1 1/4' diameter, slightly bright to the centre." Dunlop made two observations of D 96 and his position is 12' NW of this cluster. But his position is also 12.6' SE of NGC 1986, so this description could also apply to the later cluster. D 98, described as "a pretty well-defined round nebula, about 30" diameter" was observed twice and the position is just 1.9' W. Finally, D 94, described as an "extremely faint small nebula" is also within Dunlop's usual errors (7' S of the cluster). To further confuse the issue, Glen Cozens identifies NGC 2019 = D 99, which Dunlop described as a "pretty well-defined nebula, 20" diameter." His position in this case is 16' SE of the cluster!

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NGC 2020 = ESO 056-?148 = LMC-N57C

05 33 10 -67 42 54

Size 2.5'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, roundish annular emission nebula, slightly elongated SW-NE, 3'x2.5'. The inner edge of the annulus is slightly brighter and sharply defined with a relatively large dark center, ~45" x30". North of center in the ring is a 13th magnitude star, which appears roughly centered in the emission nebula. A 12th magnitude star lies 1.3' S of the central star, at the southern edge of the nebula. Two fainter stars are just north and south of the mag 12 star and the trio is collinear with the central star. Forms a striking due with NGC 2014 (cluster and emission nebula) 5' WNW. The remarkable Seagull Nebula (NGC 2030, 2032, 2035) lies 15' NE.

JH discovered NGC 2020 = h2903 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "pB; vL; vglbM; lE; 4'. A fine cluster precedes it." On the very next sweep he wrote "vF; vL; R; vglbM; 4' diameter." His position is accurate.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 2020 = D 218? earlier in 1826 and described "a pretty bright round nebula, 30" diameter, with a minute star slightly involved in the margin." Dunlop claims two observations and his position is 5' too far NE, well within his usual errors, though Steinicke attributes Herschel with the discovery. This nebula is probably too faint to have been picked up by Dunlop with his 9" reflector and it could describe NGC 2014 instead, which is 9' west of his position.

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NGC 2021 = ESO 056-SC150 = S-L 570

05 33 30.3 -67 27 11

V = 12.1; Size 0.9'

30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, compact knot surrounding two resolved stars, slightly elongated, ~20"x15". This knot is in the northern end of a very large, elongated cluster or star cloud. Extending mostly south of NGC 2021 is a very elongated stream of stars, 5'x1', including a mix of brighter and fainter stars (stellar association LH 78). The densest concentration is a 2' group (S-L 567) on the south end with a number of mag 12-14 stars. Roughly a total of 50-60 stars were resolved. The Seagull Nebula complex (NGC 2030, 2032, 2035) lies 12' SE.

JH discovered NGC 2021 = h2906 on 31 Jan 1835 and logged "vS; F; R; 12". In the northern part of a cluster of stars 14m, 8' long, 3' br." His position points to the small clluster S-L 567 within the stellar association LH 79.

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NGC 2022 = PK 196-10.1 = PN G196.6-10.9

05 42 06.2 +09 05 10

V = 11.7; Size 29"x28"

48" (2/21/12): at 488x, this bright, double-shell planetary contains a bright oval ring oriented SSW-NNE, ~23"x18". The annulus is fairly thin with a relatively large, darker central hole, though the contrast is fairly low. At the exact center is a faint central star (close to 16th mag?). The ring has an irregular surface brightness; slightly brighter at the ends of the major axis, particularly the SW end (knot or star?), and slightly fainter along the minor axis. Surrounding the ring is a fainter and rounder outer shell, ~32" diameter. The outer shell was surprisingly prominent and exhibited a pinkish hue.

24" (1/25/14): at 500x appeared as a fairly bright knotty annulus, slightly elongated SW-NE with fascinating structure. The rim was clearly brighter along an ~200° arc running from the southwest counterclockwise to the northeast. Very small brighter knots were definite at the SW and NE ends and perhaps a slight brightening at the NW edge. In general, though, the rim appeared mottled and sparkling though clearly dimmer along the southeast side, giving a "C" appearance. At 750x, the darker center was also irregular in surface brightness and occasionally, an extremely faint central star sparkled.

18" (2/24/06): at 220x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, ~25" diameter, very slightly elongated, irregularly lit and brighter along the western half of the rim giving a "C" appearance. A faint sparkle is occasionally visible on the WSW edge of the rim and images show this may be a faint superimposed star or knot in the planetary. 320x provides an excellent view with the planetary weakly annular and the rim a bit dimmer on the SE side. At 435x, the shape is slightly elongated SW to NE, ~27"x22" with a mottled interior and a brighter rim, particularly along the western half. The appearance is quite patchy at 565x and the sparkle on the SW end is still evident. The central star was not seen at any power. Ced 59 (surrounding FU Orionis) lies 48' due east.

17.5" (2/2/02): immediately picked up at 100x as a very small, bluish-gray "egg" of fairly high surface brightness. Good contrast gain with OIII filter. At 380x (unfiltered), it appeared as fairly bright, clearly elongated SSW-NNE, ~27"x20". The surface brightness was irregular or mottled with a slightly brighter rim and darker center giving a weakly annular appearance. The rim seems to have a couple of slightly brighter spots and the ends of the minor axis are slightly dimmer. No sign of a central star.

17.5" (12/8/90): fairly bright, slightly elongated 4:3 ~SSW-NNE, about 30" diameter. Appears slightly annular at 412x with a brighter rim. No central star seen at this power.

13": moderately bright, high surface brightness. No internal structure was visible.

WH discovered NGC 2022 = H IV-34 = h365 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 496) and described it as "cB,v S, like a star with a large diameter. With 240 it appeared almost like a planetary nebula, but very ill defined, and little elongated. Nearly of equal brightness throughout, except at the edges." JH called it "Planetary neb, a little indistinct at the edges; rather oval and perhaps of a mottled light."

NGC 2022 was observed 5 times with Lord Rosse's 72", often in an attempt to resolve it, and the following notes were recorded -

11 Dec 1850: "It is I am nearly sure resolvable, probably it is a glob Cl. At times I fancied the centre a little darker and a star in the p part."

23 Oct 1851: "I strongly suspect annular, r[esolvable], one star especially seen in the p part.

28 Dec 1853: "...a B patch or a star?, it is near the edge of the neb. Some dark spot or spots certainly seen and at times I had the suspicion of a concentric ring or rings."

5 Jan 1877: "Seems a glob Cl, stars seen sparkling in it, oval sp nf. Edges v diffuse, especially sf, np edge more sharp. Proportion of diameters about 7:10."

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NGC 2023 = LBN 954 = Ced 55o

05 41 38.3 -02 15 33

Size 10'x10'

13.1": fairly prominent nebulosity surrounds mag 7.8 SAO 132464. The Horsehead nebula lies 15' SW.

8": moderately bright, surrounds a mag 8 star.

WH discovered NGC 2023 = H IV-24 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 352) and described in his 1791 paper "On Nebulous Stars" as "A bright star with a very considerably milky chevelure; a little extended, 4 or 5' in length, and near 4' broad; it loses itself insensibly. I suspected some extensive milky windings in the neighborhood but could not verify them; other stars of equal magnitude are perfectly free from this chevelure." He later noted "The connection between the star and the chevelure cannot be doubted, from the insensible gradation of its luminous appearance, decreasing as it receded from the centre."

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NGC 2024 = Flame Nebula = Ced 55p = Sh 2-277

05 41 43 -01 51 30

Size 30'x30'

17.5" (2/8/86): bright, very large. Consists of two main parallel sections elongated SSW-NNE separated by prominent detailed dark lanes. Excellent structure with ragged edges, gaps, streaks, rifts and various brightness levels. The eastern strip has one or two indentations or a scalloped inner edge. The inner edge of the connecting strip has a sharply defined edge and the gap at the base connecting the brighter western section is obvious. Zeta Orionis lies 15' NE detracts and the best view is unfiltered.

8": fairly easy in very dark skies, the strip along the east side is longer with a possible gap at the base of "U" in the southwest corner. The center is definitely darker than the background sky.

8" (10/4/80): fairly bright, large. Consists of two parallel strips separated by a dark lane. Appears possibly broken (gap) at the base of "U". Best view with a UHC filter.

WH discovered NGC 2024 = H V-28 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and recorded "a wonderful milky nebulosity, divided into 3 or 4 large patches including a dark space, the whole cannot take up less than half a degree; but I suppose it to be much more extensive." A month later (sweep 518) he noted "Wonderful black space inlcuded in nebulosities."

The following information is from Wolfgang Steinicke's book "Observing Cataloguing Nebulae and Star Clusters. NGC 2024 was independently found by Brorsen in 1850 with a small refractor at Senftenberg Observatory and announced in AN that "I have found a very faint, very extended, pretty irregular nebula, located about 15 minutes east of Zeta Orionis, which is listed neither in the catalogue of the younger Herschel nor in Messier's." Marth noted in 1856 that Brorsen's object is William Herschel's V-28. This was another case where the observer only checked the Slough catalogue and didn't refer to WH's catalogues, which only had relative offsets and not absolute positions.

d'Arrest sketched the nebulosity in 4 sections. The brightest section (labeled A) is just west of the main dust lane. This object was observed 13 times at Birr Castle from 1873-1878 by Lawrence Parsons (with the 36-inch), Ralph Copeland and Dreyer, and stars "in an about the neb" were sketched and accurately measured.

Garrett Serviss (Pleasures of the Telescope, 1901) wrote "Just to the left of Zeta, and in the same field of view with a very low power, is a remarkable nebula bearing the catalogue number GC 1227. We must use our five-inch on this with a low power, but with Zeta out of the field in order to avoid its glare. The nebula is exceedingly faint, and we can be satisfied if we see it simply as a hazy spot, although with much larger telescopes it has appeared at least half a degree broad. Tempel saw several centers of condensation in it, and traced three or four broad nebulous streams, one of which decidedly suggested spiral motion."

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NGC 2025 = ESO 056-SC149 = S-L 571

05 32 33.1 -71 43 00

V = 10.9; Size 1.9'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster appeared bright, slightly elongated, moderately large, ~45"x40", weakly concentrated with a slightly brighter core. Three faint stars are resolved around the edges. Two 8th magnitude stars lie 11' ESE and 13' ENE.

JH discovered NGC 2025 = h2909 on 8 Feb 1836 and recorded "vB; S; lE; gmbM; resolvable. Almost a globular." His position is less than 1' too far north.

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NGC 2026

05 43 06 +20 08

17.5" (2/14/99): At 220x, ~30 stars in a 6' region including three mag 9-9.5 stars (mag 8.7 SAO 77440 and mag 9.3 SAO 77448). Most of the stars are mag 11-13. The group lacks any concentration and appears to be an asterism with the three brighter stars drawing attention to the group. However, there is a small arc of a half a dozen mag 13 stars that includes SAO 77448 at the SE corner and a nice clump of mag 13 stars is just south of the mag 9.5 star at the north end of the group. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2026 = H VIII-28 on 5 Dec 1784 (sweep 329) and reported "a cluster of pretty large scattered stars. Not rich." No observations were made by JH or at Birr Castle. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, found "no distinct Cl" and RNGC classifies it as nonexistent (Type 7" with the comment "No cluster".

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NGC 2027 = ESO 086-SC13 = S-L 592 = LH 84

05 35 00 -66 54 55

V = 11.0; Size 1.0'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): NGC 2027 is at the west end of an interesting, elongated cluster or association (LH 84) extending ~4'x2' E-W in a crescent shape with NGC 2034 at the east end. At 105x, this condensed portion of the cloud contains a couple of dozen mag 12-13 star and a wide pair of mag 10 stars on the NW side. Although NGC 2027 is often applied to the small cluster S-L 592, Herschel's description applies to the entire association LH 84.

NGC 2027 is situated ~10' NW of the compact cluster NGC 2041 and near the east end of a huge, elongated star cloud known as the "Quadrant" (consisting of OB associations LH 65, LH 77 and LH 84) looping SW and the bending NW, extending 35' to NGC 2006 and 2002.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2027 = D 241 = h2908 on 6 Nov 1826 and described "a large cluster of small stars of mixt magnitudes in strong nebula; irregular extended figure." His position falls at the east end of association LH 77 or the west end of LH 84, known as the LMC "Quadrant" (of a circle).

JH made three observations of the field. On the first sweep (2 Nov 1832) he described "a very large, very rich cluster of separate stars 9..11th mag, which fills the whole field." On a second sweep he called it "cluster 7th class. The second of two stars 9th mag, which may be considered the leading stars of the very large and fine cluster of the Nubecula Major, which fills many fields, is of all degrees of condensation, and much broken up into groups and patches." His third observation was recorded as "an ill-defined nebuloid group of stars 15th mag (N.B. Clouds very troublesome.) The field full of grouping stars."

Herschel is clearly describing the large OB association LH 77, which stretches west to NGC 2002. His position from the second sweep ("second of two stars 9th magnitude") and third sweeps is close to S-L 592, and the position given here. This cluster is also at the west end of a looping association of stars (probably NGC 2027) on the east end of LH 77.

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NGC 2028 = ESO 056-SC152 = S-L 575 = LH 80

05 33 49 -69 57 06

V = 12.9; Size 1.1'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): fairly bright, moderately large, roundish, high surface brightness, mottled, a couple of stars resolved at the edges. A small partially resolved clump is just off the northeast side. In a small trio with similar S-L 574 2.4' W and fainter H-S 353 2.2' NNW. NGC 2028 is within association LH 80, a stunningly rich region of the LMC with NGC 2016 11' W, S-L 591 6' NE, H-S 362 is 8' NE, NGC 2036 8' SE and more. A group of 4 mag 14 stars is 2' E.

S-L 574 appeared bright, moderately large, slightly elongated E-W, 30" diameter, brighter along the major axis, clumpy. A mag 14 star is at the west tip and a mag 11.9 star is 0.9' SSW. H-S 353 is a fairly faint, soft round glow, 30" diameter. S-L 591 appeared fairly bright, fairly small, roundish, 35", mottled. Only a couple of mag 16 stars resolved around the edges. A mag 11.8 star is 1.7' NE. H-S 362, just 2' ENE of S-L 591 is fairly faint, elongated NW-SE, 25" diameter. It forms the eastern vertex of a equilateral triangle with S-L 591 and the mag 11.8 star.

JH discovered NGC 2028 = h2912 on 12 Nov 1836 and simply noted as "vF". His position is an excellent match (he corrected his RA by 10 sec) with cluster S-L 575, so the identification is certain although I'm surprised he apparently missed nearby S-L 574, which is equally as prominent. JH questioned if his object might be D 100. Dunlop's description reads "a small round nebula, about 2' north of a small star." His position is just 2' NW of S-L 575 and 3.4' NE of a mag 11 star (his small star?). But D 100 is also 10' ENE of NGC 2016, so it could be also be D 100 given his range of positional errors. Neither Steinicke nor Glen Cozens equates D 100 with NGC 2028.

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NGC 2029 = ESO 086-SC15 = LMC-N63A = S-L 595 = LH 83

05 35 40.8 -66 02 06

V = 12.3; Size 4'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x): fairly bright, large, over a dozen mag 13 and fainter stars are resolved in a 3.5' region. A fairly faint, oval emission glow (LMC-N63) is involved with the cluster (S-L 595). Adding an NPB filter, the nebulosity is bright, large, irregular (roughly round), ~2.5' diameter, with several of the brighter stars still visible. N63A, embedded near the center of N63, is a well-known bright, compact SNR and one of the first 3 extragalactic SNRs to be discovered (1966). Note: this object is identified as NGC 2030 in most sources!

Emission nebula LHa 120-N 62A is 14' SSW. Using an NPB filter, it appeared very bright, very elongated ~E-W, relatively large, ~1.5'x0.4'. The shape is a bit irregular, but it has a sharply defined northern edge, with the southern edge weaker and more ill-defined. Visible unfiltered but excellent response to the NPB. A couple of very faint stars are visible with averted. BSDL 2348, an LMC cluster perhaps associated with the nebula, is ~2' W and contains a half-dozen mag 14-15 stars in a 1.5' knot, along with a mag 12.5 star on the west end. Emission nebula LHa 120-N 64 is 16' further southeast.

Emission nebula LHa 120-N 64 is 20' SSE. Using an NPB filter, it is a bright, large, irregular nebulous patch, about 3'x2' E-W. The brightest portion (N64A) is on the west side. A mag 11 star is ~2' N of the east end. Another 2' NNW of this star is a detached 40" piece (N64C) that was fairly easy with the filter. Unfiltered three mag 13 line in a 1.8' string are involved in the central portion, along with a couple of mag 14-15 stars. Mag 8.8 HD 37853 is 6' NW.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly large, 3'x1.5', elongated N-S. This LMC object appears to be a large cluster with nebulosity (stellar association LH 83). A half-dozen mag 12-13 stars are resolved over an irregular background haze (unresolved stars?). Located 32' N of mag 6.2 HD 37935. NGC 2003 lies 38' SW. The compact SNR N63A is embedded (not noted).

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2029 = D 240 = h2911 on 27 Sep 1826 and noted a "faint round nebula, 25" or 30" diameter." His position is just 4' SW of center of the nebula. JH called this object "a rich, R, pL cluster of stars 12m; little comp; 5' l; one * 11m." On a second sweep he wrote "pB; R; gbM; 60"; resolved into stars 13...15m."

Jenni Kay notes that GC and NGC positions for NGC 2029 and NGC 2030 are reversed from JH's original CGH positions of h2911 and h2910, respectively. The error must have occurred when JH transfered his positions into the GC. So, NGC 2030 = h2030 is part of the Seagull Nebula and NGC 2029 = h2911 is an isolated nebula. All modern sources such as SIMBAD, ESO and the KMHK catalogue reverse the original identifications and call NGC 2029 part of the Segull Nebula. See WSQJ #108, 4/97. The identifications given here are based on the CGH positions/identifications.

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NGC 2030 = Seagull Nebula = LMC-N59A = LH 82

05 35 00.5 -67 33 18

Size 1.6'x0.9'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the NW component of the Seagull Nebula; a bright, highly structured 7'x5' emission nebula. The brightest portion of NGC 2030 is a bright streak elongated E-W that extends west from mag 12.3 HD 269810. A large mass of nebulosity spreads to the north from this streak in a more circular 2' patch. This object is incorrectly identified as NGC 2029 in modern catalogues and atlases.

JH discovered NGC 2030 = h2910 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "B; L; gbM. The first of 3 neb, which run together." On a second sweep, he logged "vF; pL; irreg R. The first of 3, which run together. See Plate III. fig 5." The modern identities for NGC 2029 and 2030 are reversal. See historical notes for NGC 2029.

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NGC 2031 = ESO 056-SC153 = S-L 577

05 33 41.9 -70 59 16

V = 10.8; Size 3.4'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster was very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, well concentrated with a 1' core and 2' much fainter halo. The cluster had a mottled texture and was quite lively around the edges, but was not clearly resolved. Located 12' NW of mag 7.6 HD 37899 and 5.5' SW of a mag 9.1 star. NGC 2018, a remarkable nebulous cluster, lies 12' WSW and NGC 2051 is a similar distance to the ESE.

JH discovered NGC 2031 = h2915 on 3 Nov 1834 and noted "F (?); R; gbM; 3' (Hazy Sky)". On a later sweep he had a better view and logged "globular, B; R; gbM; 2'. Resolved into stars." His position is just off the south side of this large cluster.

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NGC 2032 = Seagull Nebula = LMC-N59A = LH 82

05 35 20.6 -67 34 06

Size 2'x1'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is possibly the brightest section of the Seagull Nebula in the LMC (similar to NGC 2035 1.6' SE). It consists of a very bright, elongated ~SSW-NNE patch, 2'x1', with an unusual kidney-bean shape that is indented or concave on the east side. NGC 2032 is just separated to 2035 by an elongated SSW-NNE on the east side. A faint, thin streamer of nebulosity shoots to the north from 2032. Mag 11.4 HD 269808 is off the SW side.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2032 = D 219 on 27 Sep 1826 and described a "pretty bright round nebula, about 1 1/4' diameter, bright towards the centre." He states 2 observations were made and his published position is within the Seagull Nebula complex. As NGC 2032 is probably the brightest section along with NGC 2035, this identification seems reasonable. Herschel gave an uncertain equivalence with D 219 in his CGH catalogue. He first observed the nebula (h2913) on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "vB; vL. A singular figure like 3 nebulae lumped together." On a second sweep he recorded "pB; irreg fig; glbM." On his next observation he logged "B; L; gbM. The second of 3 which run together." A detailed sketch of the complex was published in plate III, figure 5 in the CGH observations.

The Seagull Nebula contains four separate NGC designations: NGC 2030 (misidentified as NGC 2029 in GC and NGC), NGC 2032, NGC 2035 and NGC 2040 with NGC 2035 being the brightest and largest of the group. Collectively the area is known as N59A and is located at the boundary of the supershell LMC4 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. NGC 2032 and 2035, which form the bright core of the H II region N59A (B053530- 6736), belong to a single H II region that appears divided due to the presence of a heavy dust lane.

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NGC 2033 = ESO 056-SC157 = S-L 589 = LH 81 = LMC-N154B

05 34 30 -69 46 48

Size 10'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 230x): large bright star cloud (stellar association LH 81), ~10' diameter with ~50 stars (depending on size taken) mag 11-14. Adding an NPB filter brings out the associated nebulosity (LHA 120-N54), which is fairly bright and very large. A curving swath of nebulosity, elongated E-W for ~8' on the southwest side of the association. The cluster itself is also encased in diffuse nebulosity with the filter. NGC 2037 is generally taken as a small knot (BCDSP 8) within this star cloud. NGC 2048, a bright emission nebula, is at the northeast end of the association.

JH discovered NGC 2033 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and recorded it as #579 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." Herschel's position falls in the large stellar association LH 81. But as there is no listing or description in the CGH catalogue, it's possible Herschel was recording a small knot or a very large field of stars + nebulosity. So, the size and center is unknown. See NGC 2037 for more. The large nebulosity on the south side of the association might be NGC 2052. See that number.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 2033 = D 141? earlier on 24 Sep 1826, recording "a faint extended nebula, about 4' long, very faint towards the extremities, brightest and broadest in the middle. This is in the south following side of a faint cluster of very minute stars." Dunlop's position (single observation) is 11' SE of this nebulous cluster.

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NGC 2034 = ESO 086-SC14 = S-L 592 = LH 84

05 35 38 -66 54 06

V = 9.3; Size 8'x4'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x this is an interesting, elongated cluster or association (LH 84), situated northwest of the compact cluster NGC 2041 and at the east end of a very large cloud (collectively known as the "Quadrant" = LH 77), looping 30' W to NGC 2002. This condensed portion of LH 84 contains a couple of dozen mag 12-13 star and a wide pair of mag 10 stars on the NW side. The resolved stars are embedded in an unresolved glow of fainter stars, ~4'x2', extended E-W in a crescent shape, concave towards the north (arching north on the south side). Herschel's position is near the east end of the association.

JH discovered NGC 2034 = h2914 on 3 Jan 1837 and described "a more condensed part of the great cluster (sweep 761, 39), of a crescent-like form, occupying one field. Rich and fine." His position corresponds with association LH 84 at the northeast end of the "Quadrant" feature of the LMC. NGC 2034 = h2914 and NGC 2027 = h2908 both described the same field, though NGC 2027 is on the west end of the association. Harold Corwin considers NGC 2027 to refer to the entire region.

James Dunlop discovered the association on 6 Nov 1826 and described D 241 as "a large cluster of small stars of mixt magnitudes in strong nebula; irregular extended figure." His position falls at the east end association LH 77 or the west end of LH 84, known as the LMC "Quadrant" (of a circle).

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NGC 2035 = Seagull Nebula = LMC-N59A = LH 82

05 35 33 -67 35 06

Size 1.6'x1.0'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the southeast section of the bright Seagull Nebula in the LMC. At 200x using a UHC filter it appeared very bright, moderately large, with a very irregular shape similar to an anvil. The very knotty, complex structure was elongated N-S, 1.6'x1.0', with the widest part of the anvil on the south end. NGC 2032, another very bright section, is very close preceding (roughly 1.6' between centers) and the two sections are separated by a dark lane oriented SSW-NNE. A very faint streamer attached on the NE side flows to the north (NGC 2032 has a similar but brighter streamer). A fairly small detached patch, ~1.2' in diameter, is close SE (identified as LHA 120-N 59C in SIMBAD).

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2035 = D 219 on 27 Sep 1826 and described a "pretty bright round nebula, about 1 1/4' diameter, bright towards the centre". He states 2 observations were made and his published position is within the Seagull Nebula complex. As NGC 2032/2035 are the brightest sections, this identification seems reasonable.

JH first observed this bright nebula on 23 Dec 1834 and called NGC 2035 = h2916, "B, L, bM. The 3rd of three which run together. (Plate III, fig 5)". On his next observation he recorded "pB, L, R. The third of 3 which run together." Herschel gave an uncertain equivalence with D 220 in the CGH.

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NGC 2036 = NGC 2043? = ESO 056-SC155 = S-L 587

05 34 32 -70 03 54

V = 12.8; Size 1.5'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): very bright, fairly large, irregular, mottled, brighter core, 50" diameter. A bright, tiny knot of mag 15.5 stars is at the southeast end. A couple of additional mag 16 stars are resolved near the edges. A mag 10.7 star lies 4' NNE. NGC 2028 lies 8' NW.

BSDL 2464 = OGLE-CL LMC 611 was noticed 2.6' NE as a very faint, small glow, 20" diameter. A couple of very faint stars were resolved at the east end. The mag 10.7 star noted above lies 2.7' NW.

JH discovered NGC 2036 = h2917 on 11 Nov 1836 and recorded "vF; R; gbM; 90"." There is nothing at his position, but one degree south is the cluster S-L 587. Herschel's added a note to his description that there was likely an error of 1° in the polar distance and clearly this was the case. Eric Lindsay, in the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289) comments "The Decl. seems to be in error. The object is probably the small cluster S/L 587 at 1° south. Herschel found strong ground to suspect an error of a degree in P.D. which should most likely be 160° and not 159°." As this cluster is exactly 1° S of h's position, the identification is virtually certain.

Also, see historical notes for NGC 2043. This number may be a duplicate observation with the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope.

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NGC 2037 = OGLE-CL LMC 605 = BCDSP 8

05 34 40.4 -69 44 50

V = 11.6; Size 0.4'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 230x): very small high surface brightness glow, ~12" diameter. Situated with the large stellar association LH 81 and at the north end of a 2' string to the south-southwest with three mag 12, 11 and 13 stars. This standard identification is unlikely and both NGC 2033 and 2037 probably refer to sections of the general star cloud.

JH discovered NGC 2037 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed it as #593 in his preliminary catalogue of"Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." The only information he gives (besides a position) is type "Cl" and Mag 8. There is no listing or description in the main CGH catalogue, so along with nearby NGC 2033, it is unknown if Herschel was describing a small knot or a very large field of stars + nebulosity in association LH 81, though the magnitude implies a bright object. NGC 2037 is taken as the small cluster OGLE-CL LMC 605 at 05 34 40 -69 44.8 (2000) by Archinal and Hynes, Mati Morel and Jenni Kay. Harold Corwin remarks this cluster is too faint to have been picked up by Herschel with his 5-inch refractor and certainly wouldn't be described as 8th magnitude. So, the standard identification (given here) is almost certainly wrong.

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NGC 2038 = ESO 056-SC158 = S-L 590

05 34 42 -70 33 42

V = 11.9; Size 1.6'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 40" diameter, clumpy but no individual stars resolved. First of three nearly on a line with NGC 2056 11' SE and NGC 2075 20' SE. Located 4' SSE of mag 9.5 HD 37732.

JH discovered NGC 2038 = h2920 on 24 Nov 1834 and logged "B, R, glbM, 25", has a *9 mag 5' north-preceding." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2039

05 44 33 +08 39 42

Size 30'

18" (1/26/09): large, scattered field with a number of mag 8 to 10 stars, though too dispersed to resemble a cluster. the most distinctive part is a nice 8' string of 6 collinear stars oriented E-W with mag 8 HD 38096 at the west end and mag 8.5 HD 38163 at the east end. A larger elongated group of stars extends to the SE out to the edge of the 35' field. This group probably contains unrelated field stars and there is no listing in SIMBAD.

JH discovered NGC 2039 = h366 on 19 Jan 1828 and described as "A large tract of stars filling many fields. It extends much further in RA." He equated this observation with H VIII-2 = NGC 2063, so he may have confused these two fields at the time. His father's object is either nonexistent or just an asterism ~40' to the east. On a second sweep, JH logged "A large ill-defined tract of loose stars, neither rich nor condensed"). JH used two numbers in the GC for h366 and H VIII-2, so both objects received their own NGC designation. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, states "many st, Cl not well defined." See Corwin's notes for further discussion.

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NGC 2040 = ESO 56-EN164 = LMC-N59B = LH 88

05 36 05 -67 34 01

V = 11.5; Size 2'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a bright, irregularly round glow, ~2' diameter, located ~4' ENE of the Seagull Nebula and part of the same emission complex. The nebulosity surrounds a cluster of roughly 15 stars. Excellent contrast gain using a UHC filter at 200x which reveals a very irregular outline. The POSS image shows delicate filaments to the south forming a large loop (SNR shell SNR 0536-67.6) although I don't believe this extension was recorded.

JH discovered NGC 2040 = h2918 on 2 Nov 1834 and recorded "F; irreg R; glbM; r; 2'. (Pl III, fig 5)." On a later sweep he reported "vF; R; follows 3 vB L nebulae [NGC 2030, NGC 2032 and NGC 2035] which run together." His position (from 5 sweeps) is accurate and an excellent sketch of the complex is on plate III, figure 3.

James Dunlop possibly discovered this nebula (D 220) earlier on 27 Sep 1826 and logged "a round faint nebula, about 40" diameter." His position is just 4' NNW of the center of LMC N59B = NGC 2040, but given the range of his positional errors, it's possible this observation either refers to nearby NGC 2032 or 2035 (part of the same complex).

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NGC 2041 = ESO 086-SC16 = S-L 605

05 36 28.0 -66 59 29

V = 10.4; Size 0.7'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, this LMC cluster appears bright, fairly small, round, 1' diameter, high surface brightness. Symmetrical appearance and increases to a very small bright core and a stellar nucleus. This young, massive cluster is located ~7' SE of the elongated cluster NGC 2034 and at the east end of the very large, extended collection of associations (the "Quadrant") that includes NGC 2026 and 2002 on the western side.

JH discovered NGC 2041 = h2919 on 2 Nov 1834 and described as "B, S, vgbM, 20"." On a second sweep he noted "a rich clustering part precedes." His position (measured on 4 sweeps) is accurate. Wolfgang Steinicke and Glen Cozens both credit James Dunlop with the discovery on 6 Nov 1826. His entry for D 241 describes "a large cluster of small stars of mixt magnitudes in strong nebula; irregular extended figure." His position is 6.6' NW of the cluster, but his description implies a much larger object - like NGC 2027/2034 and the position is a closer match.

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NGC 2042 = ESO 056-SC163 = S-L 601 = LH 89n

05 36 09.6 -68 55 24

V = 9.6; Size 6'x3'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly large patch of stars and haze (association LH 89), ~5' in size. At least two dozen stars are visible in an elongated group oriented SW-NE, including a few mag 10 stars over unresolved stars or haze. Two additional knots are to the northwest and form an obtuse isosceles triangle with NGC 2042. The first knot is KMHK 1122 situated 5' NW, and S-L 585 at 10' NW. NGC 2042 is located just 17' NW of the center of the Tarantula Nebula.

JH discovered NGC 2042 = h2922 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "the chief star (9th mag) of a large, irregular figured, looped or hooked cluster of stars 12..15th mag, rich and various, and filling the field." His description and position applies to the assocation LH 89.

This object may have been discovered earlier by James Dunlop. His D181, described as a "small faint nebula, 10" or 12" diameter" is 5.5' NW of center of the association. But the description doesn't match an object of this size. His D 140, described as "a small faint round nebula" is a similar distance SW of center, but again the description is a very poor match. Finally D 183, described as "a faint ill-defined nebula, 20" diameter", is ~8' NE but another poor match in description. So, I'm not confident any of these observations referring to NGC 2042.

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NGC 2043 = NGC 2036? = ESO 056-SC155

05 34 32 -70 03 54

=NGC 2036?, Jenni Kay. =NF, Lindsay. =ESO 56-SC168, ESO and Corwin.

Pietro Baracchi discovered NGC 2043 on 18 Dec 1884 with the 48-inch f/41 Great Melbourne Telescope and it was included in R. L. Ellery's "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885". He wrote "preceding H. 1259 [NGC 2058] by 79.5 sec and 4' 30" north is a small elongated group of minute stars in very thin nebula..". There is nothing at his offset from NGC 2058 except very faint stars. ESO identifes ESO 056-168, an extremely faint cluster close to Baracchi's position, as NGC 2043. But this cluster is probably too faint. Eric Lindsay, in the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), comments "Not found. Star-rich region but no evidence of clustering. Not listed by Herschel. In the Melbourne Catalogue."

Harold Corwin suggests NGC 2043 is a N-S string of stars (about 1.7' length) situated 2.5' S of Baracchi's position, which is a good match with his description.

Jenni Kay suggests NGC 2043 was a duplicate observation of NGC 2036, discovered earlier by John Herschel but with a published error in declination of 1 degree (he actually noted that this was a strong possibility). Furthermore, the GC (and later the NGC) carry forward this declination error without any reference to the discrepancy. So, Baracchi would have thought this cluster was a new discovery. This requires he made a 1 min error in RA (NGC 2036 precedes NGC 2058 by 2 min 23 sec of RA, instead of 1 min 20 sec of RA), though the dec would be fairly close.

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NGC 2044 = ESO 056-SC165 = 30 Dor C = S-L 602 = LH 90

05 36 06.2 -69 11 55

V = 10.6; Size 4.5'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): group of about a dozen stars in a 3' diameter at 171x dominated by three brighter stars in a 1' E-W string. Both the east and west "stars" in this line are actually compact clusters (BRHT 17a and 17b) with multiple components on a HST image. Situated in the outer portion of the 30 Doradus complex 16' SW from the central core. Like NGC 2060, this stellar association (LH 90) also harbors a young SNR! The site of SNR 1987A (05 35 28, -69 16.2) lies only 5.5' SW.

JH discovered NGC 2044 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed as #608 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." His position is ~1' south of the center of this cluster/association (LH 90).

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NGC 2045 = Ced 58 = SAO 94827

05 45 01.3 +12 53 18

V = 6.6

=*6.6 = SAO 94827, Gottlieb. =no nebulosity, Carlson.

JH discovered NGC 2045 = h367 on 23 Jan 1832 and recorded "a star 8-9 mag with faint nebulosity." His position coincides precisely with mag 6.6 HD 38263. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, describes NGC 2045 as "BD+12 884, nebulous?" Although classified as nonexistent in RNGC, the RA is 5.0 minutes too small.

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NGC 2046 = ESO 056-SC162 = S-L 597

05 35 37.6 -70 14 27

V = 12.6; Size 1.3'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first in a rich field of 8 NGC clusters (with the brightest NGC 2058). At 200x, it appeared bright, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE in the direction of a mag 13 star just 0.8' SW. The core seems offset from the center to the NE end or a separate knot is attached at the following end. NGC 2047 lies 3.2' NNE. Located 6' SE of mag 8.2 HD 37762.

JH discovered NGC 2046 = h2923 on 11 Nov 1836 and descrbed as "vF; R; gbM; the first of a group of six nebulae. See Pl IV, fig 9. His position and sketch is accurate. The entire group of clusters (NGC 2046, 2047, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2065, 2066) was also sketched by Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_4_33.php

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NGC 2047 = ESO 056-SC167 = S-L 600

05 35 54.4 -70 11 29

V = 13.2; Size 0.9'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster is located on the west side of a rich field of 8 NGC clusters in the 13mm Ethos (200x). It appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 45" diameter. A faint star is at the south edge. Forms a pair with slightly brighter NGC 2046 3.2' SSW. Located 5.8' ESE of mag 8.2 HD 37762 and 5.4' WSW of NGC 2058.

JH discovered NGC 2047 = h2925 on 11 Nov 1836 and described as "the second of a group. Pl IV, fig 9." His position and sketch is accurate. The entire group of clusters (NGC 2046, 2047, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2065, 2066) was also sketched by Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_4_33.php

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NGC 2048 = ESO 056-*N166 = LMC-N154A = LH 87

05 35 56 -69 38 54

V = 12.2; Size 2'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x + NPB filter): NGC 2048 is a bright elongated glow, ~1'x0.7' E-W, surrounded by fainter nebulous haze extending 3'-4' in diameter. The emission component (LHA 120-N 154A) is cradled around the south and east side by a large, semicircular chain with mostly mag 12 stars and a total length of ~15' (association LH 87). NGC 2048 is situated in a glorious region of the LMC; extending to the southwest is NGC 2033 = LH 81, a large stellar association (the stars on the south side of the semicircular chain are likely members) and further north is NGC 2055 = LH 96, a huge rich cloud just south of the Tarantula Nebula.

JH discovered NGC 2048 = h2926 in 1834-1835 (exact sweep or date unknown as based on a sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) region made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835) and described as "a very faint large oval ill-defined nebula; not taken in sweeping, but laid down from a careful drawing. See Notes on Catalogue of Nubecula Major". His position is 3' NE of the center of this nebula. Hodge and Wright describe it as "possibly only 2-3 stars in nebulosity" in their LMC Atlas.

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NGC 2049 = ESO 424-011 = MCG -05-14-011 = PGC 17657

05 43 15.2 -30 04 42

V = 12.8; Size 2.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 168d

18" (12/22/11): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 0.6'x0.3', low surface brightness, very weak concentration (possibly viewed through thin clouds). IC 2147 lies 25' S.

17.5" (12/8/90): fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, bright core.

JH discovered NGC 2049 = h2921 on 28 Jan 1835 and recorded "vF; S; R; pslbM; 25." His position (measured on two sweeps) matches ESO 424-011 = PGC 17657.

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NGC 2050 = ESO 056-SC170 = S-L 609 = LH 93

05 36 41.8 -69 22 49

V = 9.3; Size 3.0'x2.4'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x): NGC 2050 was taken as a 2'-3' patch of stars on the north side of the large stellar association LH 96, a 15'x10' cloud of roughly 120 stars. At 142x, ~20 stars were resolved including a mag 10.6 star at the west edge and a mag 10.7 star (11" double) at the southwest edge. The central part contains several mag 12 stars. A long stream of mag 10-12 stars begins about 12' SW of the cluster and extends east-northeast for over 20', passing just south of the Tarantula Nebula, and heads towards NGC 2100. Several of the nearby stars in this stream may also be part of NGC 2050.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x, appears as just a locally brighter spot containing perhaps a dozen stars over a hazy background glow (stellar association LH 93), ~2' in diameter. Embedded in the edge of an amazing 15'-20' linear stream of stars (association LH 93/94) which runs through the field from east-northeast to west-southwest. This long chain passes just off the south side of the tendrils of the Tarantula Nebula and heads towards NGC 2050! NGC 2050 is situated 30' SW of the center of the Tarantula.

JH discovered NGC 2050 = h2928 in 1834-1835 (exact date unknown as based on a sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835). He described this object "Cl VI; vF st and nebulosity of irregular branching figure, or rather 3 clusters connected. See Notes on Catalogue of Nubecula Major." His position falls in the north-central portion of NGC 2055, a very large association and probably included part of the stream of stars mentioned in my description.. See Harold Corwin's notes for more on this object.

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NGC 2051 = ESO 056-SC169 = S-L 608

05 36 07.5 -71 00 43

V = 11.7; Size 1.7'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster appeared bright, fairly small, round, 35" diameter. Located 12' ESE of brighter NGC 2031. Two additional S-L clusters (617 and 624) share the field 8.5' SSE. The cluster is also equidistant from a mag 9 star 8' NW and mag 7.6 HD 37899 a similar distance SW.

JH discovered NGC 2051 = h2930 on 23 Dec 1834 and reported "pB; S; R; gbM; 30"; insulated." His position from a single sweep is accurate.

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NGC 2052 = ESO 056-EN176 = LMC-N155

05 37 11 -69 46 30

Size 1.2'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x): without a filter this emission nebula (N155) is a very faint, small patch perhaps 35" diameter, only a couple of faint stars are involved. Situated midway between a mag 12 star 2' W and a mag 12.5 star 2' ENE.

JH discovered NGC 2052 = h2929 in 1834-1835 (sweep number and date unknown as based on a sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) region made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835) and described as "vvF, vvL, vglbM." Herschel changed the description in the GC to read "eF, vvS, vglbM" (probably an error) and this was copied by Dreyer into the NGC. His position is 2.5' SW of the faint HII region Henize N155, which the Hodge-Wright Atlas and the ESO identify as NGC 2052. There are no other nearby candidates. Harold Corwin suggests "NGC 2052 may be the large diffuse nebula 2 minutes of time preceding JH's position. But it may not be."

Eric Lindsay, in the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), notes "Should be 2.3m E of NGC 2033. It may be a small group slightly NE in which is Henize N155. Dreyer and Herschel differ as to size [actually Herschel changed the size]. Position measured by Herschel from a drawing and not during a sweep."

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NGC 2053 = ESO 086-SC017 = S-L 623

05 37 40 -67 24 48

V = 12.2; Size 1.2'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 184x): fairly bright, relatively large, slightly elongated N-S, 1.0' diameter, smooth glow at 142x, slightly mottled at 184x. A mag 12 star is 1.2' W. Located 23' W of mag 7.0 HD 38616 and ~15' NE of the showpiece Seagull Nebula complex (NGC 2030, 2032, 2035, 2040).

S-L 628 lies 7' NE. It was immediately seen as an moderately bright, fairly small glow, round, 25" diameter, fairly high surface brightness, no resolution.

JH discovered NGC 2053 = h2927 on 2 Jan 1837 and noted "F; lE; gbM; 2'." His position from a single sweep is 1' SSE of this cluster.

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NGC 2054

05 45 15.4 -10 04 59

=4*, HC and Dreyer.

George Bond discovered NGC 2054 = HN 3 on 6 Oct 1850 with a 4-inch comet-seeker at the Harvard College Observatory. He mentioned that it required confirmation and JH didn't include this object in the GC. Dreyer observed the cluster using the 72" at Birr Castle on 13 Jan 1877 and reported "vF, pS, iR, at times I thought it was a very small cluster, but it is doubtful". Nevertheless, he included it in the GC Supplement (GC 5354). Herbert Howe observed it around 1899 using a 20" refractor and noted "it appears to be simply a small triangle composed of 2 stars of mag 12, and one of mag 13." Bigourdan's position from 26 Dec 1891 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) also corresponds with three mag 14.5, 14.7 and 14.9 stars within 30", along with a couple of fainter stars.

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NGC 2055 = ESO 056-SC171 = LH 96

05 36 45 -69 29 54

V = 8.4; Size 15'x10'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x): roughly 120 stars are resolved in a gorgeous 15'x10' SW-NE star cloud (association LH 96) situated to the south of the Tarantula Nebula. The cloud is rich in faint stars but also includes a mag 9.6 star (HD 269820) at the southwest edge, along with a few other mag 10.5 stars. The background shows unresolved haze and perhaps nebulosity. Adding an NPB filter, there is definite nebulosity in the northeastern quadrant of the cloud. It spreads northwest and northeast, merging with the outer tendrils of the Tarantula Nebula!

Within this cloud is S-L 610 (often misidentified as NGC 2055), a small knot of four stars in a 1' region. It includes two bright "stars" (R127, V ≈ 10.5 and R128, V ≈ 10.7 ) at 20" separation, along with two 12th mag stars to the northwest. Both R127 and R128 are very compact clusters with R127 containing the brightest Luminous Blue Variable (LBV) in the LMC! NGC 2050 is probably a group of stars on the north side of the cloud. Roughly ~20 stars were resolved including a mag 10.6 star at the west edge and a mag 10.7 star (11" double) at the southwest edge. The central part contains several mag 12 stars. A long stream of mag 10-12 stars begins about 12' SW of the cluster and extends east-northeast for over 20', passing just south of the Tarantula Nebula.

JH discovered NGC 2055 = h2931 on 24 Nov 1834 and noted "a vL v rich cluster of sc st 10...15 which more than fills the field." His position is near the center of this large association or star cloud (LH 96), which includes NGC 2050 and S-L 610.

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NGC 2056 = ESO 056-SC172 = S-L 611

05 36 34 -70 40 17

V = 11.8; Size 1.5'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, fairly large, 1.2' diameter, very high surface brightness core, mottled and clumpy halo with a couple of mag 15.5-16 stars resolved around the edges. Second of three with NGC 2038 11' NW and NGC 2075 9' ESE. Mag 9.3 HD 38174 is near the midpoint of NGC 2056 and 2075. Mag 10.5 HD 269825 lies 3.6' SSW and a mag 11 star is 2.5' N.

JH discovered NGC 2056 = h2932 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "pB, R, bM, the preceding of 2 [with NGC 2075] on the same parallel; a star 9 mag between." His position is ~30" SE of center of this cluster.

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NGC 2057 = ESO 056-SC174 = S-L 616

05 36 56.2 -70 16 10

V = 12.2; Size 1.8'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster is on the south side of a field filled with 8 NGC clusters. At 260x it appeared bright, fairly small, round, ~30" diameter, fairly well concentrated with a small bright core. Situated on a line between NGC 2065 4' NE and a mag 10.4 HD 269839 3' SW. NGC 2046 lies 6.8' WNW, 2047 7.0' NW and 2058 6.4' N.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2057 = D 104? on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a very small faint nebula, 8" or 10" diameter." He made a single observation and his position is 11' SE of this cluster. Assuming Dunlop also picked up NGC 2057 = D 104 and NGC 2065 = D 105, this identification is reasonable. JH independently discovered NGC 2057 = h2935 on 11 Nov 1836 and recorded "pF; S; R; gbM; the 5th (4th properly) of a group of 6, RA only estimated from a rough diagram incorrect (as it would seem) in the order of the objects."

The entire group of clusters (NGC 2046, 2047, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2065, 2066) was sketched by Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_4_33.php

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NGC 2058 = ESO 056-SC173 = S-L 614

05 36 54.5 -70 09 44

V = 11.9; Size 2.1'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest cluster in a 15' field of 8 NGC clusters including NGC 2046, 47, 57, 59, 65, 66 and 72. All 8 clusters easily fit in the field of 13mm Ethos at 200x within a 20' circle. Using 260x, NGC 2058 appeared very bright, large, well concentrated. The outer halo extends up to 2' diameter using averted vision. At 350x, a few very faint stars are resolved in the halo and around the edges of the core. Two mag 12.5-13 stars lie 1' WSW and 1.5' WNW. Other nearby clusters include NGC 2059 2' N, NGC 2066 4.1' E, NGC 2047 5.4' WSW and NGC 2065 5.8' SE. I also picked up a couple of "anonymous" clusters or HII knots. OGLE-CL LMC 632 is north of NGC 2059 and LHA 120-N171B is following NGC 2072. This group of clusters is located just over a degree south of the Tarantula Nebula.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2058 = D 103 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a A round well-defined nebula, 30" diameter, bright at the centre. The preceding of three nebulae forming a triangle" He made a single observation and his position is just 3.7' NW of the cluster. On 11 Nov 1836, JH called this cluster (h2933), "B; R; gbM; 90"; the 3rd of a group of 6." Three sweeps later he observed the cluster again as "vB; R; the 3rd of a group of 7. Pl IV, fig 9." His position and sketch is accurate. JH equated Dunlop 102 with h2933, which Dunlop described as "a faint ill-defined nebula, perhaps 3' diameter". The large size, though, makes this identification unlikely.

The entire group of clusters (NGC 2046, 2047, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2065, 2066) was also sketched by Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_4_33.php

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NGC 2059 = ESO 056-SC175 = S-L 613

05 37 01.5 -70 07 37

V = 12.9; Size 1.1'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster is on the north side of a field of 8 NGC clusters. At 200x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 35" diameter. At 350x it appeared grainy but was still unresolved except for a faint star at the north edge. Located 2.1' NNE of NGC 2058 and just 40" following a mag 12 star.

JH discovered NGC 2059 = h2936 on 11 Nov 1836 and reported "vF; the 5th (4th in MS) of a group of 6. Pl IV, fig 9." His position and sketch is accurate. This cluster was also sketched using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_4_32.php). The cluster was shown as elongated N-S. The Hodge-Wright Atlas misidentifies OGLE-CL LMC 632 (too far north) as NGC 2059.

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NGC 2060 = ESO 057-EN001 = 30 Dor B = SNR 0538-69.1 = LMC-N157B = LH 99

05 37 46.9 -69 10 18

V = 9.6; Size 2'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this fairly small knot of nebulosity is situated just southwest of the main mass of the Tarantula nebula approximately 7' from the center. About a half-dozen mag 12-14 stars are involved (association LH 99) with a total diameter of 2'.

Studies have shown this nebula contains a compact x-ray source and a rapidly rotating pulsar, indicating NGC 2060 is a Crab-like supernova remnant in the LMC! (see the 1998 IAU Circ., 6810, 2).

JH discovered NGC 2060 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed it as #642 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." (not included in his main CGH catalogue). His position corresponds with this SNR on the southwest side of the Tarantula nebula.

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NGC 2061 = ESO 363-**16

05 42 53.2 -33 57 29

Size 16'

18" (1/15/07): at 115x I was initially attacted by a large, bright trapezoid-shaped asterism of 5 stars with a pair of 9.5-magnitude stars at 35" separation at the NW vertex. The brightest star in the asterism is a mag 7.2 orange star at the NE vertex with an 11th magnitude companion (h3794). But John Herschel was likely referring to an 8' scattering of a couple of dozen mag 13 and fainter stars that lie to the north of the bright star. This group appears to be a random collection at the eyepiece.

JH discovered NGC 2061 = h2924 on 9 Jan 1836 and logged "Cluster, 8th class, course, loose and filling the field; stars 10...13m. Place that of a double star in a vacant part." There is no double star at Herschel's position but exactly 1.0 tmin west is h3794 = 7.7/11.6 at 20" separation with a mean position of 05 42 53.2 -33 57 29 (J2000). There is a scattering of stars extending 8' north and five brighter stars to the south. The ESO position is 05 42 42 -34 00.6 (2000), and it is classified as a group of stars instead of a cluster. Dorothy Carlson also classifies this group as "no cl" (from Helwan Observatory) and this is repeated in the RNGC.

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NGC 2062 = ESO 086-SC020 = S-L 640

05 40 03.8 -66 52 36

V = 12.7; Size 0.9'

18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 30" diameter, mottled. Some extremely faint stars are on the verge of resolution including one at the north or northeast edge. Two mag 9.8 stars lie 1.6' S and 2.9' SSW. A small, low surface patch, ~20"x15" NW-SE, was noticed 4.7' W. On the DSS, it appears to be a possible uncatalogued LMC cluster. S-L 643 lies 10' SSE. It appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, smooth surface brightness. Located 4.7' E of mag 8.4 HD 38305. A mag 12 star is 2' SE.

JH discovered NGC 2062 = h2937 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded "vF; E; glbM; 40"; north of 2 stars 10m." His position is 1 tmin too far west, but his declination matches this cluster and two bright stars lie to the south, so the identification is certain. Eric Lindsay first noted this error in "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), "Position should probably be 1.3m E corresponding to S/L 640."

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NGC 2063

05 46 48 +08 39 12

18" (1/26/09): although nothing stands out in the field, near William Herschel's position is a group of 30 stars elongated N-S in a string. Includes mag 10.1 HD 247555 near the north end, though the richest concentration is at the south end (7' S from the bright star).

Other observers have picked brighter groupings in the area as NGC 2063 and WH's description of "a small cluster of very small scattered stars" is not very helpful. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and in any case this number likely applies to an asterism and not a true cluster.

WH discovered NGC 2063 = H VIII-2 on 26 Dec 1783 (very early sweep 67) and logged "A small Cl of scattered stars." In a second sweep (28 Dec 1785) he reported "A few pretty closely scattered very small stars." JH equated his h366 = NGC 2039 with his father's H VIII-2, but these are two diferent star fields. Harold Corwin notes there is only a small grouping of faint stars near WH's position although a larger and brighter patch of stars is ~8' south-southeast. In any case, this is likely just a random group of stars. The position given in Archinal and Hynes (Star Clusters) to the west of NGC 2039 is incorrect. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 2064 = LBN 939 = Ced 55s

05 46 18.4 +00 00 21

Size 12'x2'

17.5" (12/20/95): very faint reflection nebula in the M78 complex, but clearly visible. Appears elongated 2:1 SW-NE, at most 2'x1'. There are no involved stars. Located 7' SW of M78 and 4' SE of a mag 10.5 star. The large listed dimensions refer to a very elongated strip extending NNE on the west side of M78.

13" (2/25/84): very faint reflection nebula, small. Located 7' WSW of M78 and 4' SE of a mag 10.5 star. This difficult object is near the visual threshold.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2064 near M78 on 11 Jan 1864. He noted a mag 9-10 star was 4' north-preceding and measured an accurate position (2 nights). The visual extent is much smaller than the catalogued dimensions.

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NGC 2065 = ESO 057-SC002 = S-L 626

05 37 35.9 -70 14 07

V = 11.2; Size 2.6'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this LMC cluster appeared very bright, fairly large, round, 1.2' diameter, weak concentration. With averted vision, the surface is mottled and the outer halo increases to at least 1.5'. The cluster appeared very lively at 350x with a few stars just on the verge of resolution. At this power the halo appeared up to 1.8' in diameter. A mag 12 star is at the NE edge and two mag 13/13.5 stars lie ~1.5' WNW. Eight NGC clusters reside in this one field with four other clusters within 6': NGC 2057 4' SW, NGC 2066 4.2' N, NGC 2072 4' E and NGC 2058 5.8' NW!

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2065 = D 105 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a round well-defined nebula, 25" diameter." He made two observations and his position is 9' SE of this cluster. On 11 Oct 1836, JH found the cluster and reported h2938 as "pB; R; last of group of 6. Pl IV, fig 9." Three sweeps later he noted "B; the 6th of a group of 7." His position and sketch is accurate. He questioned if this object was D 103, though D105 seems a better match. The entire group of clusters (NGC 2046, 2047, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2065, 2066) was also sketched by Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_4_33.php

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NGC 2066 = ESO 057-SC003 = S-L 627

05 37 41.2 -70 09 58

V = 13.1; Size 1.0'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared moderately bright and large, round, 45" diameter, very weakly concentrated. Located on the eastern end of a rich field of 9 NGC clusters and forms the vertex of an isosceles right triangle with NGC 2065 4.2' due south and NGC 2058 4.1' due west.

JH discovered NGC 2066 = h2939 on 12 Nov 1836 and noted "vF and S; the last of a group of 7; this nebula escaped notice sweep 748. Plate IV, fig 9." The sketch on Plate IV accurately places the 7 clusters (flipped right-left and upside down). The entire group of clusters (NGC 2046, 2047, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2065, 2066) was also sketched by Joseph Turner on 26 Apr 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. See http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_4_33.php

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NGC 2067 = Ced 55t

05 46 29 +00 06 24

Size 8'x3'

13.1" (2/25/84): extremely faint, suspected reflection nebula 5' WNW of M78. Sighting uncertain as only visible fleetingly. [It's not clear from my description whether I observed the very low surface brightness circular patch NW of M78 or the brightest portion of the streamer pointing towards NGC 2064].

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2067 = T I-17 in 1876 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His position and rough tranlation of his description (in German) points to the very faint nebulosity to the northwest of M78. Harold Corwin lists two possible regions as the intended object - "a large patch of pretty low surface brightness nebulosity about 5 arcmin northwest of M78" and "a knot about 3 arcmin southwest, the brightest part of a long faint streamer pointed toward NGC 2064". It's possible that Tempel's nebula applies to both sections.

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NGC 2068 = M78 = Ced 55u = vdB 59

05 46 45 +00 04 42

V = 8.0; Size 8'x6'

17.5" (12/20/95): very bright reflection nebula surrounding two mag 10.5 stars with a mag 13 star involved at the south end. Large, irregular shape, 6'x4'. Brightest along the north side which has a sharply defined slightly bowed-out edge with one of the mag 10.5 stars near the midpoint. A brighter knot is just following this star. The nebula irregularly fans out towards the south and fades with no distinct borders but tapers somewhat at the south edge.

17.5" (2/1/92):very bright, surprisingly large, 6'x4'. Surrounds two mag 10 stars although the nebulosity extends further to east of these stars. Also a mag 13 star is embedded in the SE end. Brighter and sharper edge gently curves from west to north side. Appears to fan out to the SE where the nebula gradually fades into background. Brightest in a group of reflection nebulae including NGC 2064 7' SW and NGC 2067 6' WNW.

8" (12/6/80): bright reflection nebula, large, NW edge brighter and sharper, elongated, roughly rectangular, wide pair of mag 10 stars involved, striking. Brightest in a group of reflection nebulae.

Pierre Méchain discovered M78 = NGC 2068 = h368 in March 1780. WH described M78 on 19 Dec 1783 as "Two large [bright] stars, well defined, within a nebulous glare of light resembling that in Orion's sword. There are also three very small [faint] stars just visible in the nebulous part which seem to be component particles thereof. I think there is a faint ray near 1/2 deg long towards the east and another towards the south east less extended, but I am not quite so well assured of the reality of these latter phenomena as I could wish, and would rather ascribe them to some deception. At least I shall suspend my judgement till I have seen it again in very fine weather, tho' the night is far from bad." M78 was the first reflection nebula that was discovered.

R.J. Mitchell, using LdR's 72" on 9 Jan 1856, described "in finder eyepiece a B oval neb with n and nf edges brightest and best defined, and sp edge fading away gradually; with higher power there is seen a decided darkness at and between the stars. I can confirm previous observation as to the curve formed by the brightest part of the neb."

Joseph Turner made a sketch in Dec 1876 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope - see http://www.docdb.net/history/texts/1885osngmt________e/lithograph_m_3_31.php

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NGC 2069 = Tarantula Nebula = ESO 057-EN007

05 38 37.7 -69 00 49

V = 10.1

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the northern outer loop of the Tarantula Nebula which Dunlop and Herschel catalogued separately. See observing notes for NGC 2070.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2069 = D 143 on 3 Aug 1826 with his 9 reflector and noted a "A pretty large, faint, ill-defined nebula, elongated in the direction of the meridian." His position is 2'-3' too far north (unusually accurate for him). JH recorded h2940 on 24 Nov 1834 as "the middle of a large extended faint nebulous mass which forms the northern branch of the great looped nebula, and is almost, or entirely, detached from it. See the next object [Tarantula Nebula]."

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NGC 2070 = Tarantula Nebula = 30 Doradus = ESO 057-EN6 = S-L 633 = LMC-N157A = LH 100

05 38 42 -69 06 03

V = 8.3; Size 40'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x unfiltered, I examined the 30 Doradus cluster = R136 cluster at the heart of the Tarantula Nebula. The cluster is dominated by R136a, a 10th magnitude bloated "star" at the center that would not focus sharply. Surrounding this star was a compact but very rich carpet of dozens of mag 14-15.5 stars packed into a 1' region that were much too numerous to count.

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): The Tarantula nebula was simply unreal at 200x in the 13mm Ethos with a UHC filter -- better than any photo I've seen and convincingly 3-dimensional, even though I viewed it late so the elevation was only 20°. Although this magnification brought out an unbelievable amount of detail in the loops and ribbons, the main complex fit snugly in the eyepiece field (30').

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): the Tarantula is the largest known emission region (800-1000 light years) and is easily visible to the naked-eye from Australia. The view of the Tarantula early in the morning through a 20" f/5 at 127x (20 Nagler) and OIII filter was jaw-dropping! Near the center are several bright loops and arcs. Extending out are a number of convoluted loops including one heart-shaped arch which is quite large. Running out from the central region of the nebula are streaming lanes of nebulosity. One in particular extends quite a long distance and the outer loops and streamers seem to merge into some of the nearby HII regions forming a mind-boggling complex. There are perhaps 10 different loops and ribbons in the main body giving a 3-dimensional effect. Near the center lies an extremely compact cluster of superluminous stars (R136) but only a few were visible including what appears to be a single bright star. Also a number of additional stars are scattered about the main body.

12" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): first view of the Tarantula in Les Dalrymple's 12" was early in the evening, very low in the southern sky (20° elevation) and without a filter. Even under these conditions it was a fascinating sight - fairly bright, detailed, 15' convoluted, mottled nebulosity with several striking loops or ribbons which radiate out from the central region. Sweeping in the nearby fields I ran across numerous small knots of nebulosity and small clusters.

10x30 IS binoculars (1/21/12): viewed the Tarantula Nebula in a 19" dobsonian (pointed horizontally) and in my binoculars.  At a declination of -69.1°, the Tarantula just skimmed the horizon from the 9300' Mauna Kea Visitor Center, culminating 1.1° above the horizon!  Still with atmospheric refraction, it was obvious in the binoculars.  There was too much extinction and seeing effects for much structure in the 19".

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 2070 = Lac I-2 = D 142 = h2941 in 1751-1752 using a half-inch refractor at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He included it in his 1755 catalogue as Class I No. 2 and remarked "like the former [NGC 104: "like the nucleus of a fairly bright comet] but faint." James Dunlop reported D 142 as "a pretty large ill-defined nebula, of an irregular branched figure, with a pretty bright small star in the south side of the centre, which gives it the appearance of a nucleus. This is resolvable into very minute stars - Figure 4. is a very good representation of the nebula resolved. (N.B. The 30 Doradus is surrounded by a number of nebulae of considerable magnitudes, nine or ten in number, with the 30 Doradus in the centre.)"

On his first observation from the Cape of Good Hope, JH noted "the great nebula; an assemblage of loops." He later discussed in detail, "This is one of the most singular and extraordinary objects which the heavens present, and derives no small addition to its intrinsic interest from its situation, which is among the thickest of the nebulae and clustering groups of the greater Nubecula, of whose total area it occupies one-five hundredth part. For these reasons, as well as because its real nature has been completely misunderstood, and its magnified appearance so strangely misrepresented in the only figure which I am aware to have been made of it as to convey an entirely erroneous impression both of its form and structure; I have taken great pains to give as nearly as possible a perfect representation of it as it appeared in the twenty-feet reflector on a great many occasions, but more especially on the 29th November, 1834, when a 'very careful drawing' was made of it by the eye alone, unaided by any micrometrical measures; and on the 21st and 22nd December, 1835, when the nebula was worked in from the telescope on a 'skeleton' previously prepared by an approximate reduction of the micrometrical measures of its principle stars, forming a chart, with a system of triangles, for its reception and for that of minute stars not susceptible of micrometric measurement, or not considered as of sufficient importance to be so measured. This is the only mode in which correct monographs can be executed of nebulae of this kind which consist of complicated windings and ill-defined members obliterated by the smallest illumination of the field of view; and in which the small stars, when very numerous, can be mapped down with tolerable precision. The following catalogue contains all the stars which I have been able distinctly to perceive within the area occupied by the nebula and nearly adjacent to it... [The catalogue contains 105 stars.] The stars thus scattered over the area occupied by this nebula may or may not be systematically connected with it, either as an individual object, or as part of the vast and complex system which constitutes the Nubecula. In respect of their arrangement there is nothing to distinguish them from those which occupy the rest of the area covered by the Nubecula, in which every variety of condensation and mode of distribution is to be met with. The nebula itself (as seen in the 20-feet reflector) is of the milky or irresolvable kind - quite as free from any mottling or incipient stellar appearance as any other nebula which I can remember to have examined with that instrument. Its situation in the Nubecula is immediately adjacent to two large and rich clusters [NGC 2042 and NGC 2055]. Mr Dunlop remarks that 'The 30 Doradus is surrounded by a number of nebulae of considerable magnitudes, nine or ten in number, with the 30 Doradus in the centre.', of which nebulae he gives a figured representation. For what objects these can be intended I am quite at a loss to conjecture, unless they be the brighter portions of the nebulous convolutions seen without their connecting enbranchments. But with this supposition their relative situations, intensities, and magnitudes in the figure alluded to, so far as I am able to judge, appear irreconcilable."

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NGC 2071 = LBN 938 = Ced 55v = vdB 60

05 47 07.2 +00 17 39

Size 4'x3'

17.5" (12/20/95): fairly bright reflection nebula surounding a mag 9.5 star, 3.5' diameter. Shape appears irregular (although no distinct borders) but extends more to the south side of the star, which has a faint companion close south. A second mag 9.5 star (not involved) lies 3.5' NW. The field is strangely lacking in stars due to obscuration.

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly bright reflection nebula surrounds a mag 10 star although extends farther south. A second mag 13 star is embedded just south of the bright star. The round outline gradually fades into the background. A mag 10 star is 3.5' NW but the field is strangely devoid of stars due to obscuring dust. Located 15' NNE of M78.

8": faint reflection nebula. Located 15' NNE of M78. Surround the SE member of a mag 10 double star.

WH discovered NGC 2071 = H IV-36 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and recorded "a star affected with vF extensive milky chevelure. The star not quite central." On a second observation on 22 Feb 1786 (sweep 526) he noted again "a star with a milky chevelure. vF and extensive." In his PT paper of 1791 he mentions "As by the word chevelure I always denoted something relating to a center, the connection cannot be doubted." His position is fairly accurate.

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NGC 2072 = ESO 057-SC004 = S-L 630

05 38 23.8 -70 14 01

V = 13.2; Size 1.0'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x this LMC cluster appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 35"-40" diameter, weak concentration. Located 4' E of NGC 2065 at the east end of a group of 8 NGC clusters (and a couple of fainter ones)

Pietro Baracchi discovered NGC 2072 on 20 Dec 1884 with the 48-inch Great Melbourne Telescope while observing near NGC 2065 in the LMC . He described "following H.1265 [NGC 2065] by 47s and north 40" is a very faint, small, indistinct patch." Barrachi also found NGC 2043 in the area, though the identification for that number is not clear. Dreyer credits "Melbourne Obs" in the NGC (R. L. Ellery's "Observations of Southern Nebulae made with the [48"] Great Melbourne Telescope 1869 - 1885"). His position is just 0.6' NE of center of this small cluster.

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NGC 2073 = ESO 554-031 = MCG -04-14-024 = PGC 17772

05 45 53.9 -21 59 58

V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 35' NE of the wide bright double star Alpha Leporis 3.6/6.3 at 90".

WH discovered NGC 2073 = H III-241 = h2934 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 325) and recorded "eF, vS, lE nearly in the parallel."

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NGC 2074 = ESO 057-EN008 = S-L 637 = LMC-N158C = LH 101

05 39 03 -69 29 54

V = 9.3; Size 3.5'x2.0'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this prominent HII region (LMC-N158C) and cluster (OB-association LH 101) appeared as a very bright, very large "C" shaped nebula surrounding a semi-circular chain or crown of stars open to the SW. Two bright mag 10.4 and 11 stars oriented SW-NE (50" separation) lie on the northwest end of this crown. The northeastern luminary is a very close pair of OB-stars (TDS 3273 = 11.4/11.8 at 2") and the star at the southwest end (HD 269923) is the brightest in the cluster. On the opposite southeast end of the chain is a brighter mag 12.5 star (O3-class supergiant). A small bright knot, ~35" diameter, is superimposed on the general glow in the northeast side of the "C". At 216x at least 20 fainter stars were resolved in the chain besides the brighter stars at the ends. NGC 2074 is part of a huge complex (LMC-N158) stretching 11' SW-NE with NGC 2081, a bright HII region that lies just 8' NE. LMC-N158 is located roughly 20' SSE of the center of the Tarantula Nebula.

JH discovered NGC 2074 = h2942 in 1834-1835 (exact sweep or date unknown as based on a detailed sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) region made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835) and recorded as "pL, pB, mE, of irreg rounded and somewhat serpentine figure, much brighter in its foll part; elongated generally in parallel. Involves 5 stars, 2 of which are 10th mag. See Notes in 'First Approximation Towards a Catalogue of Objects in the Magellanic Clouds...'." His position is ~1' W of center.

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NGC 2075 = ESO 057-EN005 = S-L 631 = LMC-N213

05 38 21 -70 41 04

V = 11.5; Size 2.2'

24" (11/18/12 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, irregular, triangular-shaped, ~50" diameter. Near the center is a very bright knot consisting of a few extremely close stars. A couple of additional stars are resolved within the glow and a number of stars are near the edges. The cluster is surrounded by faint nebulosity (LMC-N213) which doubles the size of the object. Forms the vertex of an isosceles right triangle with mag 9.4 HD 38174 4.5' W and a mag 10 star 4.5' S. Third of three clusters with NGC 2056 9' WNW and NGC 2038 20' NW. NGC 2107 lies 24' ENE.

JH discovered NGC 2075 = h2943 on 23 Dec 1834 and logged "B, R, bM, resolved; the following of two on the same parallel [with NGC 2056], a star 9 mag intervening." His position is at the east edge of this nebulous cluster.

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NGC 2076 = MCG -03-15-012 = PGC 17804

05 46 47.1 -16 46 54

V = 13.0; Size 2.2'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 45d

17.5" (12/3/88): moderately bright, fairly large, oval SW-NE, fairly high surface brightness but no distinctive core. Several bright stars are nearby including mag 7.8 SAO 150803 8' NNE and mag 9.2 SAO 150795 5' WNW. This is an early-type galaxy with a broad equatorial dust lane.

WH discovered NGC 2076 = H III-267 on 4 Feb 1785 (sweep 365) and recorded "vF, pS, irr E, bM, requires attention to be seen."

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NGC 2077 = ESO 057-EN009 = LMC-N160D = LH 103

05 39 35.3 -69 39 21

V = 11.7; Size 1.0'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the southwest component of a very bright, impressive 2' emission patch with NGC 2080. At 200x and UHC filter, NGC 2077 appeared bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 E-W, ~1.2'x0.6'. Without a filter, three fainter stars are involved in the glow (one is a massive Wolf-Rayet star). Forms a close pair of with NGC 2080 (Ghost Head Nebula) 1.1' NE.

NGC 2085 and 2086, a smaller pair of bright HII glows, lie 3' and 4' ESE, and the entire collection forms LMC-N160. In addition, a bright complex of HII knots including NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and 2084 (LMC-N159 and O-association LW 105) lies 5' S. Together these groups form a stunning field about 35' SSE of the Tarantula Nebula.

JH discovered NGC 2077 = h2947 in Dec 1834 (exact sweep date unknown) and described as "The preceding two forming a double nebula. The place deduced from that of the following and brighter [NGC 2080 = h2950], by Delta RA = 7.1sec, Delta NPD = 20", as they result from the drawing of Dec 4, 1837. Pl III, figure 4."

James Dunlop discovered the entire complex (D 145) on 24 Sep 1826 and recorded "This is the centre of a large cluster of extremely minute stars, with many very small nebulae in it." His position is just 4' SE of NGC 2080. As NGC 2077 has a high surface brightness, it was likely picked up as one of the "very small nebulae in it."

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NGC 2078 = ESO 057-EN010 = LMC-N159F

05 39 39.7 -69 44 37

V = 10.9; Size 0.8'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the northwest component of an impressive 4' emission nebula filled with bright knots (LMC-N159), several of which form a curving "S" shape. At 200x and UHC filter it appeared as a fairly bright, moderately large glow surrounding a mag 12 star (B5 supergiant R148) and two fainter stars. This knot is elongated ~E-W, ~1.2'x0.8' and is encased in a fainter outer halo that extends perhaps 1.5', mostly to the north. NGC 2079, an extremely bright isolated patch, lies 1.7' S, NGC 2083 is a similar distance to the east, and NGC 2084 is 2.5' SE.

R148 forms a 6" pair - not logged - with the optical counterpart (V~14.8) of LMC X-1, a 10 solar-mass black hole and variable X-ray source. Nearby is the impressive LMC-N160 complex with NGC's 2077 and 2080, another very bright patch of nebulosity, 6' N and NGC's 2085 and 2086, a smaller bright pair, a similar distance to the NE. This complex along with LMC-N159 is within the O-association LH 105.

JH discovered NGC 2078 = h2948 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "the north preceding of the four principal nuclei of the nebula of Plate III, figure 4." Herschel's sketch shows a complex object with 7 condensations or nuclei, involved in nebulosity. The four NGC objects in this grouping are NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and NGC 2084. Glen Cozens and Wolfgang Steinicke assign Dunlop's #149 (discovered in 1826) to NGC 2078. Dunlop recorded "a faint round nebula, about 1' diameter" and his position is 6' due east of this emission nebula. But unless there is additional information available, I don't see how a specific object in this complex can be assigned to D 149.

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NGC 2079 = ESO 057-EN11 = LMC-N159A

05 39 40 -69 46 20

V = 11.8; Size 1.0'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest section of an impressive 4' collection of perhaps 8 different emission knots (collectively LMC-N159) that are encased in a diffuse glow and carry four separate NGC designations. NGC 2079 (LMC-N159A) is situated on the southwest end of the complex and appeared extremely bright, ~1' diameter,with a uniform very high surface brightness. The outline has an unusual triangular shape (one vertex at the north end) with a well-defined border and appears detached from the the main section. Without a filter, a faint star and ionizing source (DD 13, an unresolved pair of O-stars) is located at the center of the glow.

NGC 2079 is collinear with two mag 12 stars 1.7' N (at the center of 2078) and another mag 12 star 3.5' N. The main section of the complex to the northeast forms a large "S" shaped group of multiple knots with NGC 2078 1.7' N, 2084 to the east and 2083 to the NE.

JH discovered NGC 2079 = h2949 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "The most southern of a group of 4 or 5 nebulae, 5' diameter, mixed with stars. This is the south preceding of the four chief nuclei [NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and 2084] of the complex group of Plate III, figure 4". Herschel's sketch shows a complex object with 7 condensations or nuclei involved in nebulosity with the NGC 2079 at the upper right corner in the detailed sketch.

James Dunlop discovered the entire complex earlier in 1826 and described D 152 as "a cluster of six or seven small nebulae, forming a square figure 5' or 6' diameter, with several minute stars mixt. This is a very pretty group of nebulae - see Figure 5." Dunlop's sketch appears to show this complex though his position is 15' SE. Since NGC 2079 is one of the brightest sections, Dunlop should probably be credited with the discovery.

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NGC 2080 = Ghost Head Nebula = ESO 057-EN12 = LMC-N160A = S-L 641

05 39 44.6 -69 38 45

V = 10.4; Size 1.5'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x and UHC filter, this emission nebula is very impressive, appearing as an extremely bright nebulous glow with an irregular shape, ~1.5' diameter, slightly elongated. The brightest section is encased in a larger, fainter nebulous glow that extends mostly to the south. NGC 2077, a bright HII glow, is attached on the SW side with their centers just 1' apart. At 350x the view was fascinating with 3 or 4 "stars" embedded (the brightest one or two appear to be quasi-stellar knots) and NGC 2080 had a curdled texture. A couple of brighter mag 13/14 stars are off the NW side and a number of stars trail off to the east and NE (part of the O-association LH 103). Located 30' SSE of the center of the Tarantula Nebula.

Along with NGC 2085 and 2086, another pair of knots ~3' SE, this group forms LMC-N160. Roughly 6' S is LMC-N159, another stunning group of nebulous glows consisting of NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and 2084. NGC 2080 is the brightest region in the LMC-N159/160 complex and is nicknamed the "Ghost-Head Nebula" from a 2000 HST image. The two "eyes" of the Ghost (noted as quasi-stellar above) are rare, compact "high excitation blobs" (HEBs) discovered in 1986.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2080 = D 145 or D 150 in 1826 and described D 145 as "the centre of a large cluster of extremely minute stars, with many very small nebulae in it." Dunlop's position falls just southwest of the NGC 2077/2080/2085/2086 association and just northwest of the NGC 2078/2079/2083 association, so he certainly observed several of these objects and NGC 2080 is perhaps the brightest individual section. D 150 was recorded as "A well-defined round nebula, small. This precedes a group of nebulae." There is nothing at his position but NGC 2080 is 14' NW and it is on the west side of the complex, so fits the description.

JH observed NGC 2080 = h2947 in Dec 1834 and logged "B; R; double; the other sp [NGC 2077] is F; R; followed by clustering stars." An excellent sketch of the entire complex is on plate III, figure 4.

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NGC 2081 = ESO 057-SC13 = LMC-N158A = LH 104

05 40 00 -69 24 24

V = 9.9; Size 6'x3.5'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): At 214x, this is a gorgeous star cloud consisting of two dozen stars in a 5' region (stellar association LH 104 dominated by B-class supergiants), including many mag 13-14 stars as well as mag 12.2 star HD 38489 (an extreme luminous blue variable!) on the northeast side. Adding a UHC filter enhances a fairly bright HII glow that nearly surrounds the entire cluster in a triangular wreath (weak in the center)! The brightest portion is a ribbon with a bright region (identified in SIMBAD as BSDL 2722) at one end just south of the cluster and extending due east. With closer inspection BSDL 2722 actually consists of a couple of knots and fainter streaks intersecting! Just beyond the east end of this ribbon is NGC 2091, a slightly elongated cluster that is collinear with the streamer. HDE 269936, a mag 11 "star" (found to be an extremely compact cluster) is just off the SW side and NGC 2074, a bright HII region and cluster (part of the same complex LMC-N158), lies 8' SW.

JH discovered NGC 2081 = h2951 in 1834-1835 (exact sweep or date unknown as based on a detailed sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) region made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835) and simply noted in the CGH catalogue as a "Cluster VI of vF stars and nebula. See Catalogue of Nubecula Major." His coordinates and placement on his chart of the LMC matches this association.

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NGC 2082 = ESO 086-021 = PGC 17609

05 41 51.0 -64 18 04

V = 12.1; Size 1.8'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.1

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.3' diameter, irregular surface brightness, slightly mottled like a face on spiral. A mag 12 star is 2.5' ESE and two mag 11.5 stars are 8' WNW. Shines through the north edge of the LMC.

JH discovered NGC 2082 = h2945 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF, L, R, vlbM, 2'." On a later sweep he added "B, L, R, glbM, 90", has a *10m 2' dist 25° south-following." His position and decsription matches ESO 086-021 = PGC 17609.

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NGC 2083 = ESO 057-EN14 = LMC-N159D

05 39 58.8 -69 44 10

V = 10.8; Size 1.5'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 214x and UHC filter, NGC 2083 appeared as a bright, large, slightly elongated glow ~1.8' diameter, surrounding a mag 12.5 star (O-class supergiant). A brighter knot is embedded within the glow on the west side (LMC-N159I) on a line with NGC 2078. Removing the filter, the bright central star has a companion at ~7" and several other mag 14 stars are embedded in the periphery of the glow. On the southeast side is the 15th magnitude "star" N159-5, known as the LMC "Papillon Nebula". This very compact object (not resolved) is classified as a Young Stellar Object (YSO) and High Excitation Blob (HEB).

NGC 2083 is situated in the northeast section of the curving "S" shaped NGC 2078/79/83/84 complex (LMC-N159 and OB-association LH 105). This complex shares the same field with two additional bright emission regions - NGC 2085/86 4' N and NGC 2077/80 ~5.5' NNW (LMC-N160), and the combined complex forms a superb field of bright HII regions ~35' SSE of the center of the Tarantula Nebula. Although Herschel assigned 4 NGC numbers within LMC-N159, I logged at least 7 different brighter knots (see NGC 2084 for more).

JH discovered NGC 2083 = h2952 (along with numerous other objects in this HII complex) on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "the north following nucleus of the complex group of Plate III, figure 4, from drawing." Herschel's excellent sketch shows a complex object with 7 condensations or nuclei, involved in nebulosity. The four NGC objects in this grouping are NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and NGC 2084.

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NGC 2084 = ESO 057-EN015 = LMC-N159C

05 40 06.9 -69 45 34

V = 11.3; Size 1.2'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I returned to this detailed nebula the following night to make a complete observation at 200x using a UHC filter. NGC 2084 forms the SE region of the complex and it's composed of several nearby components. At the NE end of this extended region is a moderately bright, round knot, ~45" diameter (N159G). Without a filter a star is involved with N159G (sketched by John Herschel but not catalogued). A second, brighter embedded "glow" is close WSW on a direct line with NGC 2079. This knot corresponds with John Herschel's position for NGC 2084 and is catalogued by Henize as N159C-east. It appeared very bright, fairly large, elongated, ~1.2'x1.0'. Removing the filter a couple of stars are involved (with one brighter star). Finally, N159C-west (also sketched by Herschel) lies 1.5' W of NGC 2084 = N159C-east in the center of the entire complex and is connected to NGC 2084 by a faint bridge of nebulosity. N159C-west (also sketched by John Herschel but not catalogued) appeared fairly bright, moderately large, round, 45" diameter.

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the SE component of a fascinating 4' HII complex filled with up to 8 distinguishable knots (4 have NGC numbers) with several of the brighter knots forming an "S" shape (this knot is at SE end of the "S"). At 200x and UHC filter it appeared very bright, round, fairly large glow, 1' diameter and encased within fainter nebulous haze that extends to the west. NGC 2083 lies 1.5' NNW within the background glow that envelopes the entire complex.

JH discovered NGC 2084 = h2953 in Dec 1834 and described as "The south following nucleus of the complex group of Plate III fig 4, from drawing." Herschel's sketch shows 7 condensations or nuclei, involved in nebulosity. The four NGC objects in this grouping are NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and NGC 2084. The complex was discovered earlier by James Dunlop on 24 Sep 1826 and D 149 was recorded as "a faint round nebula, about 1' diameter". The description may apply to NGC 2084 or one of the others in the nebulous group. His position is ~5' too far east.

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NGC 2085 = ESO 057-EN016 = LMC-N160B

05 40 09.3 -69 40 23

V = 12.1; Size 0.7'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this HII knot is part of an amazing field of nebulous glows located ~35' SSE of the Tarantula Nebula. At 200x using a UHC filter, NGC 2085 appears bright, fairly small, ~25" diameter. A mag 10.0 star (supergiant HDE 269953) is just off the NE end (23" from the center). NGC 2085 forms a close pair with NGC 2086 = IC 2145, a similar knot just 1.2' E. Both of these knots are immersed in small, much fainter nebulous halos but the bright star itself does not appear to be involved. Viewing with the filter, the field is divided up into three main groups with NGC 2085 and 2086 forming a close E-W pair separated by a mag 10 star. NGC 2080 (brightest section in the LMC-N159/160 complex) and NGC 2077 lies ~2.5' NW and an impressive cluster of nebulous knots (NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and 84) is roughly 6' SSW.

JH discovered NGC 2085 = h2954 on 23 Dec 1834 and reported "a very faint, nearly round nebula close to a star 10th mag, not observed in sweeping, but laid down Dec 4, 1873 in the drawing fig 4, Plate III whence its place is derived." The identification is certain based on his sketch.

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NGC 2086 = IC 2145 = ESO 057-EN018 = LMC-N160C

05 40 24 -69 40 14

V = 12.0; Size 0.7'

24" (4/9/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the eastern component of a close pair of nebulous glows with NGC 2085 just 1.2' W. This pair is part of a fascinating group of numerous emission nebulae (LMC-N160 and LMC-N159) just 35' S of the Tarantula nebula. At 200x with a UHC filter, this knot appears very bright (slightly brighter than NGC 2085), fairly small, round, ~30" diameter. Without a filter, a faint star is near the center. Mag 10 supergiant HD 269953 (misidentified as NGC 2086 in the ESO catalogue), which is nearly attached to the NE side of NGC 2085, lies 1' W.

JH discovered NGC 2086 = h2956 in Dec 1834 and recorded "B, pS, R, lbM, follows a star 10m with other S stars about it. Not observed in sweeping, but laid down in the drawing of Dec 4, 1837, whence its place is derived from the drawing fig 4, Pl III . JH's position and sketch clearly shows that NGC 2086 follows the mag 10 star and corresponds with a nebulous patch 12 tsec of RA following the bright star.

Williamina Fleming independently found this nebula on an objective prism plate taken in 1901 at Arequipa. Dreyer recatalogued NGC 2086 as IC 2145 = Fleming 92. ESO, Harold Corwin and Mati Morel misidentified NGC 2086 with the mag 10 star. After notifying Corwin he corrected his identification of NGC 2086.

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NGC 2087 = ESO 159-026 = PGC 17684

05 44 16.2 -55 31 57

V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 136d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): fairly faint, slightly elongated, 30"x25", weak concentration. Mag 7.5 HD 38873 is 11' ESE, mag 7.5 HD 38683 is 10' S, and unequal double HJ 3802 (8.4/10.7 at 8") is 14' SE, the trio forming a striking right triangle of stars.

JH discovered NGC 2087 = h2946 on 6 Dec 1834 and noted "eF, R, vlbM, 40"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2088 = ESO 057-SC020 = S-L 652

05 41 00 -68 27 55

V = 12.5; Size 1.7'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, fairly small, irregular, ~35" diameter. Includes a bright quasi-stellar knot of stars near the center along with an individual star close east and a couple of mag 15-16 stars around the edges. A neat 6' curving stream of stars begins at a mag 11 star 4.5' north and arcs southeast. NGC 2088 is the first in a group of cluster with NGC 2096 7' E, NGC 2094 8.6' NE, NGC 2098 14' NE and NGC 2109 19' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 2088 = h2955 on 9 Feb 1836 and recorded "eF; S; R; insulated." His mean position (2 sweeps) of 05 40 56.4 -68 27 54 (2000) was used by Dreyer in the NGC. The declination given in RNGC, NGC 2000 and UGC 2000 (first edition) is exactly 1 degree too far south. This error originated in Shapley and Lindsay's "A Catalogue of Clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud", Irish Astronomical Journal, v. 6, pp. 74-91, 1963. The declination should have been -68° 29' instead of -69° 29'. The error was noted by Hodge and Wright in their LMC Atlas. The ESO and Kontizas position is correct.

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NGC 2089 = ESO 554-036 = MCG -03-15-016 = PGC 17860

05 47 51.4 -17 36 08

V = 11.9; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 39d

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus. Collinear with a mag 11 star 1.6' SSE and a mag 12 star 2.8' SSE of center.

WH discovered NGC 2089 = H III-270 on 6 Feb 1785 (sweep 367) and recorded "a very faint extremely small stellar nebula; 240 verified it with difficulty, and considerable attention, the night being uncommonly clear." JH did not make an observation but the NGC position matches ESO 554-036 = PGC 17860. Auwers reduced RA is 1 hr too large.

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NGC 2090 = ESO 363-023 = MCG -06-13-009 = PGC 17819

05 47 01.8 -34 15 02

V = 11.2; Size 4.9'x2.4'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 13d

13.1" (2/25/84): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, 2.5'x0.8'. A mag 13.5 star is at the north tip 1.5' from center, a mag 14 star is at the west edge, 40" from center and another 14th mag star is 1.2' SE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2090 = D 594 = h2944 on 29 Oct 1826 and described "a small faint nebula, with a ray shooting out on the north side." Dunlop observed this galaxy once and his position is 3' too far SSW. The "ray" he mentions probably consists of 3 mag 13-14 stars. JH recorded the galaxy twice, on 8 Jan 1836 recording a "globular cluster, B; R; with an appendage to northward; 2.5' diameter." The following night he described it as "B, irreg R, gbM; 3' long; 2' broad with stars appended. This RA to be preferred". Herschel called this galaxy a globular in the GC and Dreyer copied that classification in the NGC description.

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NGC 2091 = ESO 057-SC021 = S-L 653

05 40 57.7 -69 26 11

V = 12.0; Size 1.0'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I accidentally picked up this cluster while examining the beautiful star cloud/nebula NGC 2081 to the NW. A bright E-W ribbon is on the south side of NGC 2081 with its vertex (brighter and larger end of the streamer) closest to NGC 2074 (to the SW) and extending towards the east. Just beyond the east end of this ribbon I picked up this extended glow that is collinear with the streamer. A 214x without a filter, the 35"x25" knot partially resolved into a number of fainter stars.

JH discovered NGC 2091 = h2957 in 1834-1835 (exact sweep or date unknown as based on a detailed sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) region made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835) and recorded as "vF; S; mE; glbM; 1' l; perhaps a vF double neb. See Catalogue of the Nubecula Major." Since no sweep is given in his LMC catalogue, the discovery date is unknown. His position is ~1' SSW of this cluster.

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NGC 2092 = ESO 057-SC022

05 41 22.0 -69 13 27

V = 12.2; Size 1.2'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very faint round knot, ~40" diameter with a brighter core. Located 4' W of NGC 2100 and 17' SE of the center of the Tarantula.

JH discovered NGC 2092 = h2962 in 1834-1835 (exact sweep or date unknown as based on a detailed sketch of the Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) region made over several nights in Nov 1834 and Dec 1835) and recorded a "cluster class 6. vF, R, 60", partially resolved. See Catalogue of the Nubecula Major". The CGH position (based on the sketch) is 1.3' east of this cluster (and just west of NGC 2100).

Eric Lindsay, in the 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), notes "This may be the star-rich region just W of NGC 2100. Position deduced by Herschel from a drawing and not made in a sweep. Listed as N[ebula] in Nubec. Cat and Cl in general Cat. Description does not agree with anything here."

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NGC 2093 = ESO 057-SC023 = S-L 657 = LH 109

05 41 50 -68 55 18

V = 11.6; Size 1.5'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): this stellar association (LH 109) is located just 20' NE of the center of the Tarantula Nebula and less than 1-' SSE of a mag 7.2 star (HD 38617). It appeared as a fairly bright, fairly large mottled glow, roughly 1.7' in diameter. A mag 11.7 star is at the west edge. Several faint stars are resolved around the edges, including ones at the north, northeast and south side. A mag 9.4 star (HD 38654) is 3' NW and a mag 9.4 star (HD 269975) is 6' WSW.

JH discovered NGC 2093 = h2963 on on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded "vF, S, R. This nebula forms an appendage to the skirts of the great looped nebula 30 Doradus, which hang down in visible fringes from the upper (southern) part of the field." His position is accurate. Herschel gave a possible equivalence with D 184, which James Dunlop discovered in 1826 and described as "a very small round nebula, about 8" diameter." Dunlop's position is 9' due west of the cluster.

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NGC 2094 = KMHK 1251

05 42 07.4 -68 21 47

V = 12.8; Size 0.4'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, small, high surface brightness, 20" diameter. Two close stars are resolved at the north edge. Mag 9.6 HD 270036 is 4.6' SE. Several clusters are nearby including NGC 2098 5.8' NNE, NGC 2096 5.8' S and NGC 2088 8.7' SW

JH discovered NGC 2094 = h2959 on 31 Jan 1835 and noted "vF; S; R; 12"." Herschel made a single observation and his position is an excellent match with KMHK 1251. The Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas misidentifies ESO 57-SC26 as NGC 2094. This cluster is situated 33' south (and just following NGC 2093). ESO and NED followed this misidentification. Archinal and Hynes correctly identify NGC 2094 = KMHK 1251.

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NGC 2095 = ESO 086-SC024 = S-L 669 = LH 112

05 42 51 -67 19 18

V = 13.1; Size 3.0'x1.5'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): Although Herschel described a large "oblong cluster", the brightest subgroup is at the east end (S-L 669). It appeared as a bright, moderately large patch, irregular, 1' diameter, with several mag 13.5-14 stars resolved around the edges. A separate patch lies 1.3' W with a mag 11 star 2.2' W. A group of stars (KMHK 1253) is 1' NW of the brighter star. The entire collection forms the stellar association LH 112, a 3'x1.5' group of resolved stars highlighted by S-L 669. Located 8' NE of mag 7.0 HD 38616.

JH discovered NGC 2095 = h2961 on 20 Dec 1835 and described "a star 9m, chief of a F irreg oblong cluster 3' in extent." His position, measured on 3 sweeps, is fairly accurate.

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NGC 2096 = ESO 057-SC027 = S-L 664

05 42 18 -68 27 30

V = 11.4; Size 1.2'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): bright, compact LMC cluster, ~25". A close double star is resolved at the center, along with two other bright mag 13 stars and a couple of additional mag 15+ stars. A mag 11.8 star is off the west side [40" from center]. Mag 9.6 HD 270036 lies 3.5' NE. Nearby is NGC 2088 7' W, NGC 2094 6' N and NGC 2098 11' NNE.

JH discovered NGC 2096 = h(725) between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and listed it as#725 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." His position is 1.7' too far south.

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NGC 2097 = ESO 086-SC028 = S-L 682

05 44 16 -62 47 06

V = 13.7; Size 1.8'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; fairly faint , moderately large, 45" glow with a mag 14 star involved on the south side. The slightly brighter core of the cluster is very close northeast of the star, but the cluster was unresolved. The field includes a mag 13 star 2' SSE, two mag 11/12.5 stars 3.5' ENE and a group of mag 13-15 stars ~3' NW. Located 17.5' NE of mag 6.9 HD 38511.

JH discovered NGC 2097 = h2960 on 26 Dec 1834 and described as "F, irregularly round, psbM, sf a small group." On a second sweep he called it "eF, S, R; has a star 16th mag in centre." His last observation was recorded as "pF, R, pslbM, 50"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2098 = ESO 057-SC028 = S-L 667

05 42 30 -68 16 30

V = 10.7; Size 1.6'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): extremely bright LMC cluster, ~1' diameter. Contains a very bright, nebulous core. The halo is largely resolved and includes two or three bright stars; a mag 13 star is at the east edge, a mag 13-13.5 star is at the north edge and a mag 13.5 star is at the south edge. In addition another 10 stars are resolved in the cluster. Several clusters are to the south: NGC 2094 5.8' SSW, NGC 2096 11' S, NGC 2088 14' SW as well as S-L 666 6' NNW. The S-L cluster surrounds a mag 13 star and a half-dozen mag 15/16 stars are resolved in a 40" halo.

JH discovered NGC 2098 = h2965 on 31 Jan 1835 and recorded "B; S clustering group or globular cluster; 30", stars visible." On a second sweep he logged it as "a small close knot or cluster, 40"." JH gave a very uncertain (??) equivalence with D 185. Dunlop's description reads "a small faint round nebula, preceding a minute double star of the 12th magnitude. Another similar nebula follows, about 20" in RA, and 2' south in a line with the double star." His position is nearly 13' due E of this cluster, though there is no "similar nebula" that follows, so this identification is very suspect.

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NGC 2099 = M37 = Cr 75

05 52 19 +32 33 12

V = 5.6; Size 24'

8": very large, very rich cluster, over 150 stars, rich in mag 10-13 stars. A reddish star is near the center. Best of the three bright Messier open clusters in Auriga and one of the top open clusters in the sky.

Giovanni Hodierna discovered M37 = NGC 2099 = h369 in 1654. Charles Messier independently discovered the cluster on 2 Sept 1764 and reported a "cluster of small stars, not far from the preceding [M36], on the parallel of Chi Aurigae; the stars are very small, very crowded and containing nebulosity; it is difficult to see the stars with an ordinary telescope of 3 feet and a half." On 4 Nov 1782, WH recorded "Is an astonishing number of small stars with 227; they are almost all of the 2ndor 3rd class. I see no kind of nebulosity in the spot. With 460 the whole is resolvable into stars without nebulosity."

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NGC 2100 = ESO 057-SC025 = S-L 662 = LH 111

05 42 08.0 -69 12 44

V = 9.6; Size 2'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster appears as a small, bright (V = 9.6) clump of stars and unresolved haze with a diameter of ~2'. Fairly compact and isolated with at least 10 mag 12 and fainter stars resolved. Located 20' SE of the core of the Tarantula nebula within the LMC OB-association LH 111. On the DSS, this appears to be a very rich open cluster or globular within a larger association. NGC 2092 ies 4' WSW and NGC 2108 is 10' ENE.

James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 2100 = D 154? on 25 Sep 1826 and reported "a pretty bright round or rather elliptical nebula, 25" diameter." His position is 5.6' ESE of the cluster, well within his typical errors. Glen Cozens assigns D 151 to NGC 2100. Dunlop described this entry as "a faint ill-defined small nebula" and the position is just 2.5' NW of the cluster. Finally, JH also suggest that D 147 might be an equivalence. This entry is 8.4' WSW of the cluster and the description reads "a pretty bright round or rather oval nebula, 30" diameter." This description is very similar to the one for D 154.

On his first sweep of 3 Nov 1834, JH described NGC 2100 = h2966 as "a bright S cluster of distinct stars (thick haze)." On a second sweep he wrote "the cluster sf the great looped nebula." On a third occasion he called it "globular cluster, irr R, psmbM, 2'." His 4th sweep reads "globular, B, R, 3', all resolved into stars 13..16th mag." His final record states "B, S, m compressed, not mbM; irregular oval, 3', stars distinct 13th mag." He noted it might be equivalent to Dunlop 154, 151? or 154??

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NGC 2101 = ESO 205-001 = PGC 17793

05 46 22.6 -52 05 24

V = 13.7; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 85d

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, this disturbed, chaotic galaxy appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. The galaxy is collinear with a string of three mag 10-11 stars to the SW (closest star is 3.6' SW) and mag 14 stars are close south and ESE. Located 22' SSW of NGC 2104.

JH discovered NGC 2101 = h2958 on 9 Jan 1837 and recorded "eF, R, 40", a line of three stars, 10th mag to south, points nearly to it." His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 2102 = ESO 057-SC029 = S-L 665

05 42 21 -69 29 12

V = 11.4; Size 1.0'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, small, mottled glow, 24" diameter. A half-dozen tightly packed stars are resolved including an easy mag 12.9 star at the south edge. Located 17' E of the excellent NGC 2074 nebulous cluster and 15' SE of showpiece NGC 2081, both of which lie ~20' SSE of the Tarantula Nebula!

JH discovered NGC 2102 between Nov 1836 and Mar 1837 with a 5-inch refractor and recorded it as#730 in his preliminary catalogue of "Stars, Nebulae and Clusters in the Nubecula Major." His position is 0.9' SSW of this cluster.

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NGC 2103 = ESO 57-EN24 = S-L 660 = LH 110 = LMC-N214C

05 41 40 -71 19 56

V = 10.8; Size 3'x2'

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this LMC cluster and emission nebula appeared as a bright, very large oval glow, ~3'x2'. Five stars are involved including two mag 12/13 stars. Excellent response to a UHC filter at 200x and with this combination the nebulosity has a very high surface brightness. At the center of the emission nebula is Sk -71°51, an unusually hot and intrinsically bright star. The cluster is the O-association LH 110.

JH discovered NGC 2103 = h2968 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "pB; L; pmE; glbM; has a *13m in the middle." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2104 = ESO 205-002 = PGC 17822

05 47 04.7 -51 33 11

V = 12.7; Size 2.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 160d

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x appears very faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, low even surface brightness, 1.3'x0.8'. A mag 12 star lies 5' SW. Easy to locate 29' S of mag 3.9 Beta Pictoris. NGC 2101 lies 22' SSW.

JH discovered NGC 2104 = h2964 on 27 Dec 1834 and recorded "pB, R, vlbM, 30"." His position matches ESO 205-002 = PGC 17822.

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NGC 2105 = ESO 086-SC029 = S-L 687

05 44 19.8 -66 55 02

V = 12.2; Size 1.7'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; very bright, large, irregular, mottled, partially resolved, 50"x30" E-W. Slightly brighter stars are at the east and west end, and several additional mag 16 stars are resolved. A mag 11.5 star is 2' SE and cluster H-S 408 was picked up 5.5' SE. It appeared as a moderately to fairly bright glow, elongated NW-SE, 0.6'x0.2', mottled but unresolved. The mag 11.5 star is roughly midway between H-S 408 and NGC 2105. The HII complex LHa 120-N74 lies 15' SSE (western part) and 20' SE (eastern part).

LHa 120-N74 (west): at 152x + NPB filter; excellent HII region! Bright, very large, elongated E-W, very irregular shape, ~7'x4', the main section tapers on the eastern end and spreads out on the western end. Numerous mag 14 stars are involved as well as mag 10.2 HD 270111 on the south side. LHa 120-N74 (East) lies ~9' ESE, with the two regions spanning nearly 15' E-W.

LHa 120-N74 (east): at 152x + NPB filter; bright, very large nebulous region. The main piece is oval 3:2 E-W, ~2'x1.4' and brighter along the rim. A filament is attached on the south side extending to the southeast! Unfiltered a number of stars are involved with the nebulosity. A mag 11.2 star is roughly 3' S. LHa 120-N74 W is ~9' W. Although this is very likely part of the same complex, the two sections did not appear connected.

JH discovered NGC 2105 = h2969 on 2 Jan 1837 and logged "vF; R; 30". The obs in RA is marked as uncertain." On the very next night he observed the cluster again and reported "F; R; gbM; 80". His (mean) position matches ESO 86-SC29. The RNGC and NGC 2000.0 declination is 30' too far north. This positional error originated from a misprint in the Shapley-Lindsay catalogues for S-L 687 = NGC 2105.

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NGC 2106 = ESO 555-003 = MCG -04-14-040 = PGC 17975

05 50 46.6 -21 34 01

V = 12.1; Size 2.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 100d

17.5" (12/3/88): fairly faint, small, oval, bright core. A mag 13 star is 1.6' N and a mag 13.5 star lies 2.5' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 2106 = h2967 on 21 Nov 1835 and recorded "vF; S; R or lE; gbM; 15"." His position matches ESO 555-003 = PGC 17975.

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NGC 2107 = ESO 057-SC032 = S-L 679

05 43 12.5 -70 38 28

V = 11.5; Size 2.1'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; very bright, large, round, 1' diameter. Contains a very large bright core with only a thin fainter halo, slightly mottled but no clear resolution. Two mag 12 and 13 stars are 3' and 4' WSW and two mag 12.5 and 13 star lie 3.5' and 4' WNW.

NGC 2107 is surrounded by several small clusters (these were all picked up by just examining the field): S-L 691 and S-L 692, a close pair of open clusters, is 5' ESE, S-L 676 is 4' N, S-L 684 is 5' NNE and H-S 398 is 9' NNW.

S-L 676: moderately bright and large, round, 35" diameter, smooth glow with no resolution. S-L 684 is 2.4' ENE.

S-L 684: fairly faint to moderately bright, smooth glow, 25" diameter, roundish, no resolution.

S-L 691: faint or fairly faint, small, round, glow, 25" diameter. S-L 691 is the northern of close pair of LMC clusters with S-L 692 just 48" S.

S-L 692: fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated glow, 35" diameter, no resolution.

H-S 398: moderately bright, fairly small, round, soft glow, no resolution.

JH discovered NGC 2107 = h2971 on 9 Feb 1836 and described as "F; R; gvlbM; 60"." On a second sweep he recorded "B; R; gmbM; 40"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2108 = ESO 057-SC033 = S-L 686

05 43 56.8 -69 10 50

V = 12.3; Size 1.8'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): picked up while viewing NGC 2100 located 10' WSW. At 171x it appeared as a fairly faint knot, ~1 diameter with no resolution. Located 5' NE of a mag 10 star.

JH discovered NGC 2108 = h2970 on 16 Dec 1835 and described as "eF; pL; 1E." His position is accurate. Herschel gave an uncertain (??) equivalence with D 153, which James Dunlop described as "a faint small round nebula, 15" diameter." His position is 7.4' NW of the cluster, so this identification is within his typical errors, though the Glen Cozens doesn't make this equivalence.

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NGC 2109 = ESO 057-SC034 = S-L 688

05 44 23 -68 32 54

V = 12.2; Size 1.6'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 394x; very bright, large, high surface brightness glow with a thin halo, mottled but too dense to resolve the main 40" glow. A couple of mag 16 stars are visible around the edges of the 1' halo. A mag 9 star is 7' SW. NGC 2096 lies 13' WNW and NGC 2116 is 16' ENE.

JH discovered NGC 2109 = h2972 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF; pL; R; vglbM; 80"." On a second sweep he recorded "F; S; R; gbM; 20"." Finally, on his last observation he noted "pF; pL; R; vgvlbM; 35"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2110 = MCG -01-15-004 = PGC 18030

05 52 11.4 -07 27 21

V = 12.4; Size 1.7'x1.3'; PA = 160d

17.5" (1/23/93): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 N-S, evenly increases to bright middle and small bright core with a stellar nucleus. Located in a rich star field 6' SSW of mag 8.9 SAO 132606. Mag 5.4 55 Orionis lies 12' WSW. Appears brighter than 14p. Incorrect declination in the RNGC 10' too far north.

WH discovered NGC 2110 = H III-448 = H III-450 = h370 (equivalence noted by Albert Marth in AN 995) on 5 Oct 1785 (sweep 458) and recorded III-450 as "eF, vS, 240 confirmed it." His summary description from three observations reads "vF, S, R, resolvable, lbM." He also found it on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 529) and logged "eF, E, er. Is probably a patch." Because of the differing descriptions, WH assumed it was new, and catalogued it again as III-510. JH called this galaxy "vF; R; psbM." and combined the two H-designations in the GC. The declination given in the RNGC is 10' too far north.

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NGC 2111 = ESO 057-SC035 = S-L 699

05 44 33 -70 59 36

V = 12.4; Size 1.5'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): moderately bright, fairly large cluster, irregular outline, 45" diameter. The brighter core is elongated E-W and mottled with a couple of stars occasionally resolved. A few mag 15+ stars are also visible around the edges. Mag 9.2 HD 39133 is 5' SW. Located near the southeast end of the LMC.

JH discovered NGC 2111 = h2973 on 9 Feb 1836 and described as "vF; S; R; gbM". On a second sweep he estimated the size as 40". His position is accurate.

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NGC 2112 = Cr 76 = OCL-509 = Lund 1122

05 53 46 +00 24 36

V = 8.4; Size 11'

17.5" (2/8/91): three dozen stars over unresolved haze, roughly 10' diameter. The brightest star (mag 10) is at NW edge. Includes a string of five mag 12-13 stars on the north side but most stars are very faint. This cluster is fairly rich but not dense. Barnard's Loop passes just west of the cluster heading south and NE where it is brightest!

8" (1/1/84): 12 faint stars mag 12/13 in cluster. Also includes one bright mag 10 star at NW edge.

WH discovered NGC 2112 = H VII-24 = h371 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and recorded "a cluster of pretty compressed pS scattered stars." The summary description (including a 2nd observation) in his PT catalogue and "with many eS suspected between them. 7' or 8' diameter." JH recorded "the 2nd and brightest star of a poor straggling cl 10 or 12' long."

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NGC 2113 = ESO 057-EN36 = LMC-N168

05 45 25 -69 46 30

V = 12.3; Size 2.0'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): bright, fairly large elongated glow, knotty, 1' diameter. This nebulous cluster has an unusual structure; a small bright elongated knot in on the east end and a second small, fairly bright, elongated knot is adjacent on the west side. Strong response to an NPB filter and a much larger nebulous hazy glow extends to the west, increasing the size to 1.5'. The high surface brightness elongated pieces lie on the east end. Located 30' E of the NGC 2078/79/83/84 complex.

Emission nebula LHa 120-N163 lies 12' W and appeared as a bright, large, irregular glow, ~3' diameter. Several stars are involved with the nebulosity, including a mag 13 star on the north side and a couple of additional mag 13.5 stars (H-S 400). Excellent response to the NPB filter at 152x and 303x. The glow is clearly brighter in an arc (opening towards the northwest) on the southeast end.

JH discovered NGC 2113 = h2975 on 3 Nov 1834 and recorded (first of 5 observations) "F (?) L, R; thick haze." The next observation was recorded as "a pB cluster nebula 90"." On a third occasion he noted "F cluster, irreg fig; gbM; 2'; resolved." The fourth observation was recorded as "F, irreg fig; resolvable; one star seen; 90"." The final observation was recorded as "irregular oval cluster; vF; 2' diameter; vl compressed to the middle; almost nebulous. Stars = 16th mag." JH noted the equivalence with Dunlop 155, although it is not given by Steinicke.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 2113 = D 155? in 1826 and described "a very faint elliptical nebula, about 50" diameter, slightly bright to the center." His position is 6' SW of this cluster and the description is a reasonable match. But Wolfgang Steinicke and Glen Cozens equate D 156 with NGC 2113. The position for D 156 is 11' SE of this nebulous cluster.

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NGC 2114 = ESO 057-SC037 = S-L 706

05 46 12 -68 02 54

V = 12.5; Size 1.0'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; this fairly faint to moderately bright LMC cluster is elongated SW to NE, ~1' diameter. A mag 14 star is at the southwest edge and another is near the north edge, 30" from center. In addition, a couple of individual stars are within the main body of the cluster. A mag 11.3 is 1.4' ESE of the cluster, mag 10 HD 270109 is 4.5' NW and mag 7.5 HD 38942 is 15' WSW.

JH discovered NGC 2114 = h2974 on 30 Jan 1835 and described as "eF; pL; irreg R." His position (single sweep) is accurate.

James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 2114 = D 186? on 27 Sep 1826 and recorded "a very small faint nebula". His position is 14' SE of the cluster. Wolfgang Steinicke equates D 187 with NGC 2114. His position for this entry is 19' SE of the cluster.

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NGC 2115 = ESO 205-G006 = PGC 18001

05 51 19.8 -50 34 58

V = 13.1; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 50d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, occasional faint stellar nucleus. Located just north of a bright asterism of a half-dozen stars; mag 9.0 HD 39625 is 5' SW, mag 9 HD 39606 8.6' SSW, mag 10 star 3.5' SE, mag 11/12/11 triple at 5"/24" is 3' S. Located 49' NE of mag 3.8 Beta Pictoris. A faint companion (NGC 2115A) off the south side was not seen.

JH discovered NGC 2115 = h2976 on 4 Jan 1837. His position and description ("eeF; vS; nf a triangle of stars 10m which form part of a bright group") matches ESO 205-006 (double system). Classified as an "Unverified southern object" in the RNGC.

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NGC 2116 = ESO 057-SC038 = S-L 715

05 47 15 -68 30 30

V = 12.9; Size 1.0'

30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, fairly small, roundish glow, 0.6' diameter, very mottled and lively with a number of extremely faint mag 16+ stars popping in and out of view. Located 2.2' ESE of a mag 11 star. NGC 2109 lies 16' WSW.

JH discovered NGC 2116 = h2977 on 30 Dec 1836 and reported "F; S; R. A star 11m precedes." His position from this single sweep is accurate.

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NGC 2117 = ESO 086-SC033 = S-L 718

05 47 46 -67 27 00

V = 11.6; Size 1.3'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): bright, moderately large, irregular, 1' diameter. A mag 13.3 star is at the west edge, a mag 14 star is on the northeast side and a mag 14.8 star is at the southeast end. The central region is very mottled and lively with 8 additional mag 15+ stars revolving. Mag 9 HD 39371 lies 6' WNW. LHa 120-N74, a huge HII complex with two sections lies 20'-25' NNW.

JH discovered NGC 2117 = h2978 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded (first of 5 sweeps) "pB, S, resolved." On a second sweep he recorded "pB, E; resolved. I see the stars in it; 2' long." On his third sweep he logged "pF, irregularly round, 40 or 50", vlbM."

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NGC 2118 = ESO 057-SC039 = S-L 717

05 47 40 -69 07 54

V = 12.0; Size 1.3'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; very bright, moderately large, round, 40" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright core, unresolved.

JH discovered NGC 2118 = h2979 on 16 Dec 1835 and described a "globular; vsmbM; 15"." On a second sweep he recorded "a vS, B knot, probably 6 or 8 vS stars wedged into a close group." His position matches this cluster.

James Dunlop perhaps discovered NGC 2118 = D 157? earlier on 25 Sep 1826 and recorded "a small round nebula, 8" or 10" diameter. This is the preceding of three nebulae forming a triangle." His position from a single observation is 8' NE, well within his typical errors, though there is no sign of his other two nebulae anywhere nearby.

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NGC 2119 = UGC 3380 = PGC 18136

05 57 26.9 +11 56 56

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 145d

17.5" (12/19/87): faint, very small, bright core, elongated 3:2 NW-SE in a rich star field. A mag 11 star is 2' NE. Located just 6 degrees from the galactic equator.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2119 = St X-19 on 9 Jan 1880. His position matches UGC 3380 = PGC 18136, though the UGC does not identify this number as N2119.

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NGC 2120 = ESO 086-SC034 = S-L 742

05 50 35 -63 40 30

V = 12.7; Size 2.0'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; moderately bright and large, round, contains a large slightly brighter core, fairly smooth, ~50" diameter. A mag 15 star is off the southwest side, 0.9' from center, and a few extremely faint stars sparkle around the edges. Located 5.7' S of mag 8.8 HD 39842.

JH discovered NGC 2120 = h2980 on 30 Nov 1834 and described as "vF; pL; R; glbM; 80"." His position (measured on 2 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2121 = ESO 057-SC040 = S-L 725

05 48 12 -71 28 54

V = 12.4; Size 2.3'x1.5'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 318x; bright, very large, slightly elongated ~N-S, 2.0'x1.6', only a broad weak concentration. Fairly smooth appearance with only a slight granularity. A couple of mag 15.5-16 are resolved around the edges. Mag 9.9 HD 39626 is 6' WSW.

JH discovered NGC 2121 = h2982 on 9 Feb 1836 and described as "vF; vglbM; 3'." His position from one sweep is accurate.

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NGC 2122 = ESO 057-EN041 = LMC-N180B = S-L 731 = LH 117

05 48 53 -70 04 12

V = 10.4; Size 4.5'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): Superb HII region and cluster! Unfiltered, at least 3 dozen stars are resolved in a 4' region including several fairly bright mag 12 stars. The cluster and nebulosity is irregular in shape. Excellent contrast gain using an NPB filter at 152x! With the filter, the nebulosity is very bright and large, round, ~4.5' diameter, brighter on the southwest end, irregular surface brightness. A bright, small detached knot, just south of 3 stars, is off the southeast side [3.5' from center]. NGC 2122 is part of association LH 117.

Open cluster S-L 740 is 10' SSE and S-L 769 is 23' due east. At 394x; S-L 769 appeared large, round, smooth moderate surface brightness, nearly 1' diameter. A mag 13 star is attached at the east end.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2122 = D 106 on 3 Aug 1826 with his 9" reflector and recorded "A faint elliptical nebula, about 2' diameter; slightly condensed to the centre." He made 2 observations and his position is just 3' NE of center.

JH observed this cluster/nebula on 5 sweeps (h1319). On his first observation from 24 Nov 1834 he logged "B, L nebula, 6' l, 5' br; resolved, in part; chief star 11th mag taken." On a second sweep he called it "pB, L, irregularly round, glbM, 3', resolved into stars 15th mag." On his 4th sweep he noted "cluster, irregular figure, consists of 3 or 4 disjoined clusters, the middle one the largest and brightest; of 3 or 4 large stars and nebulosity; chief star taken."

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NGC 2123 = ESO 086-SC036 = S-L 755

05 51 43.5 -65 19 18

V = 12.6; Size 1.2'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter. This LMC cluster is located 50' NE of mag 4.3 Delta Doradus. In the 105x field it is 8' SE of mag 8.0 SAO 249373 and is collinear with two mag 10.5-11.5 stars 5' and 10' NE, respectively. DSFG notes this is a "relatively bright and compact group".

JH discovered NGC 2123 = h2983 on 30 Nov 1834 and described as "pB; vS; R; vglbM; 12"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2124 = ESO 555-016 = MCG -03-16-003 = PGC 18147

05 57 52.2 -20 05 05

V = 12.6; Size 2.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 2d

17.5" (12/3/88): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, broadly concentrated halo. A mag 15 star is at the south edge. Located in a rich star field.

WH discovered NGC 2124 = H III-225 on 20 Oct 1784 (sweep 304) and noted "eF, E, resolvable, near 1' long. Verified 240 power." Auwer's reduction places his position is 2.4' NW of ESO 555-016 = PGC 18147. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlain Observatory, commented "F,S; not eeF as in WH's description".

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NGC 2125 = ESO 057-SC044 = S-L 750

05 50 54 -69 28 48

Size 1.0'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly faint to moderately bright glow, elongated NW-SE, 35" diameter. A mag 14.7 star (~5" double with a mag 16 star) is at the northeast end, a mag 15.7 star is at the southwest tip and a mag 16 star is at the northwest edge. NGC 2127 lies 7.5' NNE and the double cluster NGC 2136/2137 is 11' E.

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): fairly faint, fairly small, 30" diameter, unconcentrated. A couple of very faint stars are resolved as well as a mag 14.5-15 star on the northeast edge. Faintest of 3 clusters with NGC 2127 7.5' NE and NGC 2136/2137 11' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 2125 = h2985 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF; R; 50"; gbM." His position (single sweep) is 1' too far south.

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NGC 2126 = Cr 78 = Mel 39 = OCL-418

06 02 31 +49 52 00

Size 6'

13.1" (2/25/84): 25-30 stars mag 12-14.5, fairly dense, small, pretty cluster. The cluster is dominated by mag 6.1 SAO 40801 which lies on the NE side of the cluster.

8" (1/1/84): 20 stars mag 12-13.5. Located close SW of a mag 6 star, appears rich with averted vision.

WH discovered NGC 2126 = H VIII-68 on 12 Nov 1787 (sweep 781) and recorded "a small cluster of scattered stars, not rich, one 7th mag towards the northern side, but it does not seem to be connected with the cluster." His position is very close to mag 6 HD 40626, although this is at the northeast side of the cluster and is probably not related.

Ling notes that position of this cluster should be 06h 02.6m +49d 52' according to Megastar position.

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NGC 2127 = ESO 057-SC045 = S-L 751

05 51 22 -69 21 39

V = 11.6; Size 1.2'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): very bright, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 30" diameter, high surface brightness, stellar nucleus. No resolution except for mag 14.5 star at the south tip and a mag 15.5 star at the west edge. NGC 2125 is 7.5' SSW and NGC 2136 is 12' SE.

JH discovered NGC 2127 = h2986 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "B, S, R, 15"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2128 = UGC 3392 = MCG +10-09-010 = CGCG 284-006 = PGC 18374

06 04 34.2 +57 37 40

V = 12.6; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 60d

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus.

Edward Swift, Lewis' 15 year-old son, discovered NGC 2128 = Sw VI-25 on 27 Dec 1886. There is nothing near the published position but exactly 30' south is UGC 3392. The description "vF; vS; vlE" is appropriate (though not adding anything) and it seems very possible that Lewis made a 30' error in reading the dec circle. Due to the difference in dec, Bigourdan was unable to find NGC 2128. Harold Corwin concurs with this conclusion.

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NGC 2129 = Cr 77 = OCL-467 = Lund 293

06 01 07 +23 19 24

V = 6.7; Size 7'

17.5" (12/20/95): bright, fairly rich group surrounding two mag 7.5 and 8 stars (SAO 77842 and 77839) oriented N-S. There are about three dozen stars mag 10-14 in an 5' well-detached circular group with several double stars including a faint pair preceding the northern mag 8 star. The southern mag 8 star has a couple of very faint companions.

This group is apparently an asterism based on a 1994 study.

WH discovered NGC 2129 = H VIII-26 = h372 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 317) and described "A Cl of st of various magnitudes, not very rich, 6 or 7' diam." JH recorded "about 40 or 50 st. The brightest 8m taken. The rest are 10...15m." The center (as defined as the midpoint of the two mag 7.5-8 stars) is 06 01 07 +23 19.4 (J2000).

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NGC 2130 = ESO 086-SC037 = S-L 758

05 52 24 -67 20 06

V = 12.1; Size 1.2'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; bright, small, round, high surface brightness, 35" diameter. Four or five mag 14.5-15 stars are resolved in the halo on the NW, SW and E sides. NGC 2135 lies 9' SE.

JH discovered NGC 2130 = h2987 on 2 Nov 1834 and the cluster was observed on 7 sweeps! His descriptions for this cluster range from "faint" to "pretty bright" with sizes ranging from 18" to 45".

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NGC 2131 = ESO 488-050 = PGC 18172

05 58 47.4 -26 39 10

V = 14.1; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 118d

17.5" (12/8/90): very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is in contact on the north end. A possible companion is about 4' NW.

JH discovered NGC 2131 = h2984 on 20 Jan 1835 and recorded "eF; S; R; has a *13 m in centre." His position matches ESO 488-050 = PGC 18172.

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NGC 2132 = ESO 120-?022

05 55 58 -59 55 42

Size 17'x11'

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): 20 stars (half-dozen bright ones) in a 10'x3' region, roughly arranged in two east-west strings. This group (asterism or cluster) includes mag 7.9 HD 40484 at the northwest end and four additional mag 10 stars.

JH discovered NGC 2132 = h2988 on 11 Jan 1836 and described the "chief * of a cluster 8th class of about a dozen bright and some smaller stars." His position corresponds with mag 8 SAO 234207 at 05 55 09.0 -59 54 37 (J2000) and his description probably applies to the scattered group following.

Eric Lindsay, in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289) notes "Not found. Centered on CPD 59°542. This is supposedly the chief star of a cluster of about a dozen stars. Dreyer has a marginal note "1/2 doz. only". Not in the Nubec. Major Catalogue. No sign here of a cluster." RNGC follows Lindsay as classifies as nonexistent and the number is missing from the ESO catalogue, although it stands out on the DSS.

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NGC 2133 = ESO 057-SC046 = S-L 751

05 51 29 -71 10 30

V = 12.4; Size 1.7'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): moderately bright and large, round, 45" diameter, relatively large brighter core, unresolved. This cluster is a smaller and paler version of NGC 2134, which lies 5.2' NNE. S-L 747 is 6.5' WNW.

JH discovered NGC 2133 = h2989 (along with NGC 2134 = h2991) on 24 Nov 1834 and recorded "pB; pL; R; gbM; 60"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2134 = ESO 057-SC047 = S-L 760

05 51 57.2 -71 05 52

V = 11.1; Size 2.5'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): bright, fairly large, round, 1.1' diameter, sharply concentrated with a relatively large bright core. No resolution in the halo except for a mag 14.5 star just off the northeast edge and a mag 15.5 star at the south-southwest edge. NGC 2133 lies 5' SSW.

JH discovered NGC 2134 = h2991 (along with NGC 2133 = h2989) on 24 Nov 1834 and recorded it in four sweeps. His first observation reads "B; L; R; gbM; 90"." His mean position is 05 51 57.2 -71 06 27 (2000) which is close to the ESO position of 05 51 56.7 -71 05 50 (2000) but RNGC has an incorrect RA of 05 50.1, which is repeated in NGC 2000.0.

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NGC 2135 = ESO 086-SC039 = S-L 765

05 53 35 -67 25 36

V = 12.1; Size 1.0'

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; bright, small, roundish, mottled, high surface brightness, 30" diameter. Unresolved (too compact) except for a mag 14.5 star at the west edge. A mag 11 star is 1.9' WSW. NGC 2130 lies 9' NW.

JH discovered NGC 2135 = h2990 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded it on 5 sweeps. His first observation reads "vF, R, glbM, 1'. Among stars." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2136 = ESO 057-SC048 = S-L 762

05 52 59 -69 29 36

V = 10.5; Size 1.9'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; extremely bright LMC cluster, large, very mottled and lively, relatively large bright core. A mag 13-13.5 star is at the northwest edge and a mag 14 star is at the south edge. Roughly a dozen stars are resolved in total. A mag 10.8 star is 1.5' NNW and a mag 12 star is 1' SSW. Forms a striking double cluster with NGC 2137 1.4' NE. NGC 2125 lies 11' W and NGC 2150 (a galaxy) is 15' ESE.

James Dunlop probably NGC 2136 = D 160 on 24 Sep 1826 and described "a small round pretty well defined nebula." He made 2 observations and his position is 8.6' too far SW (typical error).

JH attributed Dunlop with the discovery and recorded the cluster on 4 sweeps. His first observation of h2992 reads "pB, R, bM, 1'; has a star 10.11th mag N.p. (thick haze)." On his last sweep he noted "Globular cluster, pB, R, gmbM, resolved, stars 14..16 mag; has a vvF neb N.f [NGC 2137]."

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NGC 2137 = ESO 057-SC049 = S-L 764

05 53 13 -69 28 54

V = 12.7; Size 0.8'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright, small, round, 20" diameter, lively, several extremely faint mag 16+ stars resolved. A mag 13 star is 50" NE. NGC 2137 is the fainter and smaller of a striking double cluster with much brighter NGC 2136 just 1.4' SW!

JH discovered NGC 2137 = h2994 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF; R; 30"; the following of 2 [with NGC 2136]." His position (2 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2138 = ESO 086-SC040 = S-L 777

05 54 49 -65 50 06

V = 13.8; Size 1.0'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): relatively faint, small, round, 25"-30" diameter, slightly brighter core, low surface brightness, no resolution. Four bright field stars lie directly south including mag 7.9 HD 40624 2.9' SSE and mag 8.5 HD 40625, along with a mag 10 companion at ~45", is 7.5' S.

JH discovered NGC 2138 = h2993 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "eF; S; R; has 3 B st pretty distinct towards the south." His position from a single sweep is accurate.

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NGC 2139 = ESO 488-054 = MCG -04-15-005 = IC 2154 = PGC 18258

06 01 07.9 -23 40 25

V = 11.6; Size 2.6'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 140d

17.5" (12/8/90): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, broad concentration, core appears offset to the northwest of center. A mag 14 star is at the north edge 1.3' from center and a mag 11 star lies 3.5' SSE.

8" (1/1/84): faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration. A mag 11 star is 4' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 2139 = H II-264 on 17 Nov 1784 (sweep 322) and called it "F, S."  He added "The RA cannot be above 10 or 15 sec out; the roller went off the apparantus which occasions the uncertainty."  This was the only nebula found in the sweep.

Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy from Southern California on 1 Dec 1897 at age 77 and included it in list XI-90.  Dreyer assumed it was new, so it's also known as IC 2154.  Swift's position was only off by 14 sec in RA, though Herbert Howe measured an accurate position (used in the IC). Dreyer notes in his 1912 revision of WH's catalogues that once a correction is made to WH's position (based on another star in the sweep), NGC 2139 matches IC 2154. MCG labels this galaxy only as IC 2154.  See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 2140 = ESO 057-SC051 = S-L 773

05 54 16.5 -68 36 05

V = 12.4; Size 1.7'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright LMC cluster, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 40"x25". A star is located at the WNW tip. Situated between a mag 10.2 star 3.2' NW and a mag 10.1 star (HD 40750) 5.3' SE. NGC 2159 lies 20' E, in a group of 4 NGC clusters with NGC 2155, 2164 and 2172.

JH discovered NGC 2140 = h2995 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "pF; irreg R; psbM." His next observation reads "pF; R; bM; 30"." On his last sweep he wrote "F; lE; gbM."

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NGC 2141 = Cr 79 = OCL-487 = Lund 203

06 02 56 +10 26 48

V = 9.4; Size 10'

17.5" (12/8/90): 20-25 faint stars mag 13-15 at 220x over extensive haze. Located within an incomplete circle of several brighter mag 11-12 stars about 8' diameter.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 2141 in Jan 1883 with his 5-inch refractor. His announcement note in Sidereal Messenger, Vol 3, p9 titled "A New and Faint Nebulosity" gives an accurate position and describes a "very faint nebulosity. It lies a little over 3/4° north of Mu Orionis, and requires a low power to be seen at all. With my 5-inch refractor and a power of 30, it is quite distinct; but high powers diffuse it greatly. There is a faint star in its center, and several others on its border, about 2' diameter. I have repeatedly seen this nebula since January 1883."

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NGC 2142 = 3 Mon = SAO 151037

06 01 50.4 -10 35 53

V = 5.0

=* 5.0 = 3 Mon, Corwin. =NF, RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2142 = h373 on 6 Jan 1831 and recorded "3 Monocerotis. I am sure this star has a F neb atm 2'-3' diam." This is a mag 5 star free from nebulosity. There are other similar cases from Herschel including NGC 771 = 50 Cas, NGC 4530 = Beta CVn and NGC 2542 = h3115 (see comments on NGC 4530). Lord Rosse also recorded on Nov 30 1850: "Same appearance as epsilon Orionis [N1990], but v[ery] m[uch] fainter". In 1868, his son Lawrence also recorded, "appears nebulous..." Corwin notes, however, that on the red POSS1 there is a very faint extended nebulosity surrounding 3 Mon, so perhaps Herschel did pick something up.

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NGC 2143

06 03 07.5 +05 43 42

Size 15'

18" (11/6/04): at 73x this asterism is a large, scattered rectangular group, roughly 10'x6', and elongated N-S. On the west side is a N-S string of stars while the east side is dominated by three brighter mag 9.5-10.5 stars including mag 9.6 HD 41080. Off the two northern vertices of the main rectangle, strings of stars head NW and NE extending the diameter to at least 15'. This scattered group just stands out with 31 Nagler in a fairly rich field and appears to be an asterism. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2143 = h374 on 2 Feb 1831 and recorded "L, p rich, very scattered; place of *10m in M." His position corresponds with mag 9 SAO 113401 at 06 03 07.5 +05 43 42 (J2000). Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 survey based on Heidelberg plates, gives the dimensions as 20'x20' and described "Cl, L, iR, P, sc, st 9.5...". But this group does not appear to be a cluster on the DSS and RNGC classifies it as nonexistent.

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NGC 2144 = ESO 016-010 = PGC 17592

05 40 57.2 -82 07 10

V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 93d

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated ~E-W, 1.4'x1.1'. Contains a bright core that increases to the center. Located between a mag 10 star 6' E and a mag 11 star 6' WNW. This is the third closest NGC galaxy to the south celestial pole.

JH discovered NGC 2144 = h3009 on 17 Jan 1836 and reported "F; irreg R; pslbM; 40 arcsec." His position (measured on 2 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2145 = ESO 057-SC052 = S-L 780

05 54 23 -70 54 06

V = 12.1; Size 1.7'

25" (10/10/15 - OzSky): bright, fairly small, roundish, 40" diameter, well-defined slightly brighter core. A mag 14 star is at the southeast edge and two mag 15.5-16 stars are just off the north and east side. A bright mag 11.7 star is 50" SSW.

JH discovered NGC 2145 = h2998 on 12 Nov 1836 and described as "F; lE; resolvable." His position from a single sweep is off by 1.7' in dec (too far south).

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NGC 2146 = "Dusty Hand" Galaxy = UGC 3429 = MCG +13-05-022 = CGCG 348-017 = PGC 18797

06 18 39.0 +78 21 28

V = 10.6; Size 6.0'x3.4'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 123d

24" (12/28/13): this highly distorted galaxy was observed at 260x. The galaxy appeared very bright, very large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, ~5'x2', with a very asymmetric structure. Contains a very bright, elongated core, ~1.2'x0.5' NW-SE, but with no distinct nucleus. A low contrast dust lane cuts through the core unevenly, with the main section on the north side, so the lane initially appears to run parallel to the core on the southwest side. But a fainter, elongated section of the core extending NW-SE is just beyond the dust lane on the southwest side. To the southeast of the core, the outer halo is diffuse, with a low surface brightness and is not aligned with the major axis of the core, extending more towards the east. On the NW side of the core, the halo has a higher and irregular surface brightness with a slightly brighter curving arc (arm) along its eastern side.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, bright core. A mag 11 double at 30" separation is just off the SE end. A few brighter mag 10-11 stars are 6' E. NGC 2146A lies 19' ENE.

Friedrich August Winnecke discovered NGC 2146 = T 1-18 in 1876 using a 6.5-inch comet seeker at the Strasbourg Observatory. It was independently discovered by Wilhelm Tempel the same year and by Johann Palisa (AN 2732). This is one of 3 galaxies discovered by Winnecke, along with NGC 2276 and NGC 4760.

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NGC 2147 = ESO 057-SC054 = S-L 784 = LMC-N75B

05 55 46 -68 12 06

V = 12.9; Size 1.0'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; very bright, small, roundish cluster, 25" diameter. Contains a very small, extremely bright core. Three or four stars are resolved in the small halo on the west side and south side. Located 3.6' NNW of mag 9.9 HD 270358 and 9.5' S of mag 7.6 HD 40810. A shallow arc of 3 mag 13/13.9/14.2 stars lies 2' SE. Just north of these is a small group of resolved mag 15-15.5 stars. The collection is catalogued as S-L 785 and is part of association LH 122. The red DSS shows very faint nebulosity (LHA 120-N 75B) but I didn't notice this, at least without a filter. NGC 2160 is 15' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 2147 = h2997 on 30 Jan 1835 and logged "vF; R; bM; 30"." On a second sweep he also noted "connected with stars, etc." The "stars" probably refers to S-L 785.

NGC 2147 was possibly discovered by James Dunlop on 27 Sep 1826 with his 9" reflector. He described D 191 as "a pretty bright round nebula, 40" diameter". His position is 12' west of the cluster, a typical error. Also D 190, described as "two very small faint nebulae" is roughly at the same position, so could also apply to this object. Herschel didn't reference these possible earlier discoveries by Dunlop and neither does Glen Cozens.

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NGC 2148 = ESO 120-024 = PGC 18171

05 58 45.8 -59 07 34

V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 150d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 184x): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, required averted vision. A mag 12.5 star is 33" E of center and two mag 13 star are within 2' to the south. Observation made in quite hazy conditions through thin clouds or smoke.

JH discovered NGC 2148 = h2996 on 4 Dec 1834 and recorded "eF; S; R; 20"; has a *12m, sf very near." The star is 33" E of center.

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NGC 2149

06 03 30.8 -09 43 50

Size 3'x2'

17.5" (1/19/91): this moderately bright reflection nebula is fairly small and has a 12th magnitude (illuminating) star on the west side. Appears prominent with an OIII filter(?) at 140x.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2149 = St VIIIb-18 on 17 Jan 1877 with the 31" refractor at Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate. NGC 2149 was misclassified as a galaxy in the Shapley-Ames list and misplotted as a galaxy on the Skalnate Pleso Atlas of the Heavens.

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NGC 2150 = ESO 057-055 = PGC 18097

05 55 46.4 -69 33 40

V = 13.0; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 143d

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 or 5:4 NW-SE, 0.7'x0.5', smooth halo then suddenly increases to a bright, very small core. A mag 16.5 star is at the southeast edge. Located 9' SW of mag 8.0 HD 41158 and 15' ESE of the LMC cluster NGC 2136. So, this galaxy easily shines through the thin outer halo of the LMC.

JH discovered NGC 2150 = h3000 on 9 Feb 1836 and recorded "F; vS; R; vsbM; stellar." His position is ~35" south of ESO 057-055 = PGC 18097.

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NGC 2151 = ESO 057-SC057 = S-L 786

05 56 21 -69 01 06

Size 1.0'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright, small, roundish, 35" diameter. A mag 15.2 star is resolved on the southwest edge and a mag 14 star is at the northeast end. The bright nucleus is nearly stellar, so on first glance it looked like three collinear stars. A 13" pair of similar mag 12.6/12.8 stars lies 4.5' ENE and a mag 10.6 star is 3.7' SSW. Located 12.6' NW of NGC 2157.

JH discovered NGC 2151 = h3001 on 31 Jan 1835 and logged "F; R; bM; 45"." His position is accurate. The Hodge-Wright Atlas completely misplaces NGC 2151 onto chart 66, near 05 57 50 -63 53 38 (2000), about 20' SW of NGC 2162. NGC 2151 is labeled SL 786.

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NGC 2152 = ESO 205-015 = PGC 18249

06 00 55.2 -50 44 27

V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 69d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): very faint, small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", low surface brightness, no concentration. A mag 14 star is just off the northeast edge. A mag 10 star is 4.4' E. Located 29' N of mag 5.7 HD 41214. Observation through thin clouds or smoke.

JH discovered NGC 2152 = h2999 on 28 Dec 1834 and noted, "eeF; R; attached to a vS star." His position is fairly accurate and the star is off the northeast edge.

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NGC 2153 = ESO 086-SC043 = S-L 792

05 57 52 -66 24 06

V = 13.1; Size 1.3'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 35"-40" diameter, smooth glow. A mag 14 star is easily resolved at the southwest edge. Located 8' SE of mag 8.2 HD 40924. A mag 10 star is 4' NNE. NGC 2153 happens to be situated just 16' NW of the south ecliptic pole!

JH discovered NGC 2153 = h3002 on 3 Jan 1837 and recoded "eeF; R or lE; attached to a * 16m." His position, from a single sweep, is accurate and the faint star appears to be at the south end.

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NGC 2154 = ESO 086-SC042 = S-L 793

05 57 38 -67 15 42

V = 11.8; Size 2.3'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): this LMC globular is located 50' SE of mag 5.1 Epsilon Doradus. It appeared bright, large, round, 1.5' diameter, broad concentration, mottled with a couple of mag 15-16 stars resolving. A mag 14 star is close off the north side. S-L 800 lies 10' NNE and NGC 2135 is 25' SW.

S-L 800 was fairly faint, round, 0.6' diameter, low surface brightness. A mag 12.5 star is at the west end and a mag 14.5 star is just off the east side.

JH discovered NGC 2154 = h3003 on 2 Nov 1834 and observed on 4 sweeps. His first description reads "F; L; R; glbM; 100".

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NGC 2155 = ESO 086-SC045 = S-L 803

05 58 32.3 -65 28 40

V = 12.6; Size 2.1'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): faint, fairly small, round, 1.1' diameter, weak concentration. Near a scattered group of bright (mag 9-10) Milky Way stars and nearly collinear with two mag 9/9.5 stars 7' NW and 13' NW. This well-studied (globular) cluster is an older intermediate-age LMC cluster, roughly 3.6 billion years old.

JH discovered NGC 2155 = h3004 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; pL; R; vlbM; 80"; in a rich field." His position (from 3 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2156 = ESO 057-SC059 = S-L 796

05 57 50 -68 27 36

V = 11.4; Size 1.1'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the first of four bright clusters in a 16' field! At 200x it appeared bright, fairly large, elongated N-S, ~1.2'x0.8', sharply concentrated. At 350x a couple of stars are resolved in the halo and the central core is just broken up into several clumps or knots with a couple of very faint stars resolved. Located 6.9' NW of the impressive cluster globular NGC 2164.

JH discovered NGC 2156 = h3005 on 23 Nov 1834 and recorded "pF; S; irreg R; psbM; 25". He observed this cluster on 5 sweeps and other than brightness, the descriptions are similar.

James Dunlop possibly made the first observation (D 197) on 27 Sep 1826 and noted a "small faint round nebula". His position, though, while correct in declination is nearly 19' too far east and might also apply to NGC 2172, which is 12' SW of his position. Another possibility, given by Herschel, is that D 196 = h 3005 = NGC 2156. Dunlop's position is 8' ESE of this object.

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NGC 2157 = ESO 057-SC058 = S-L 794

05 57 35 -69 11 48

V = 10.2; Size 2.7'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): extremely bright, very large, 1.3' diameter, strong concentration with a very bright, large core, very mottled appearance, showpiece (globular?) cluster. At 394x, several obviously mag 14.8-15.5 stars are resolved in the halo and around the edges. With careful viewing the core broke up into a few dozen extremely packed stars (too tight and faint to count). A mag 11.4 star is 1.4' WNW of center. NGC 2151 lies 13' NNW. These clusters are on the east end of the LMC.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2157 = D 161 on 6 Nov 1826 with his 9" speculum reflector and described "a small faint nebula, 15" diameter; a small star near the north preceding edge." Dunlop made a single observation and his position is 6.8' too far SW. Despite the small size estimate, there is a mag 11 star off the NW edge.

JH recorded this cluster (h3006) on 4 sweeps, first recording "vB, R, gbM, 30"." On a second sweep he logged "globular cluster, vB, R, vgvmbM, resolvable." JH noted a very uncertain (??) identification with D 161.

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NGC 2158 = Mel 40 = Cr 81

06 07 26 +24 05 48

V = 8.6; Size 5'

18" (2/24/06): at 323x, this rich, irregularly shaped cluster is beautifully resolved into 45-50 stars that are peppered over a 5' background glow. Appears like a resolved globular of low concentration class. Includes a couple of dozen mag 13.5-14.5 stars along with a rich carpet of fainter mag 15 stars. There are several close pairs (1"-2" and possibly closer) and the number of stars keep increasing in moments of rock steady seeing as they seem to emerge from the background. A single brighter star is at the east edge.

17.5" (2/8/86): 30-35 stars resolved, unusually rich, compact, about 5' diameter. The appearance is similar to a resolved globular cluster. Located 30' SW of M35.

13.1" (2/16/85): at least 20-25 stars resolved at 415x.

13.1" (11/5/83): ~15-20 stars, mottled clump near SE edge.

8": few stars resolved over haze.

13x80mm (1/20/07): visible in the finder as a very faint, small glow about a half-degree SW of M35.

WH discovered NGC 2158 = H VI-17 = h375 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 317) and logged "a very compressed cluster of vS stars, very rich." JH described the cluster as "rich; much compressed almost to nebulosity; stars very small; irregular triangular figure."

NGC 2158 has been classified as a globular by Rosino in 1954 (Contr. Padova in Asagio No. 52), Helen Sawyer Hogg, 1959 (Star Clusters) and more recently in the RNGC due to its richness. Nevertheless, it is considered an intermediate age open cluster (~ 1 billion years old). NGC 2158 is also five or six times as distant as M35, as far as 16,000 light years away (5071 parsecs).

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NGC 2159 = ESO 057-SC060 = S-L 799

05 58 03 -68 37 30

V = 11.4; Size 0.9'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this cluster appeared bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.9'x0.7'. A brighter star is at the north edge. At 350x, at least three additional faint stars are resolved on the north side and the appearance is asymmetric as the cluster is brighter on the north side. Located 8' SW of NGC 2164 and 10' S of NGC 2156. NGC 2172 lies 11' ESE, NGC 2140 is 20' WNW and S-L 791 is 6' W.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2159 = D 193 on 6 Nov 1826 and recorded "pB; R; well-defined, 12"." He made a single obervation and his position is just 3' S of this cluster.

JH observed the cluster (h3007) on 4 sweeps, first reportin on 23 Nov 1834, "pF; S; irreg R; psbM; 25"." Next he logged it as "pF; S; R; the second of three [with NGC 2156 and 2164]." On the third sweep he logged "pB; S; R; has a *15m close to the edge, nf". Herschel attributed Dunlop with the discovery.

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NGC 2160 = ESO 057-SC061 = S-L 801

05 58 13 -68 17 24

V = 12.2; Size 1.2'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, small cluster, 25"-30" diameter. Three stars are resolved in the small central clump including a mag 13.5 star on the northwest edge. Two fainter stars are on the east side and just south of center. NGC 2156 lies 10' SSW, NGC 2164 is 14' SSE, NGC 2147/S-L 785 is 15' WNW and S-L 822 is 22' ESE. The last cluster appeared as a moderately bright, small round glow. A mag 13.5 star is involved at the north edge.

JH discovered NGC 2160 = h3008 on 30 Dec 1836 and recorded as "pF; R; gbM; 30"." His position from a single observation is accurate. James Dunlop's D 195 possibly refers to this cluster, but it seems too faint to have been described as "a small pretty bright round nebula, 10" or 12" diameter." His position is 10.6' NE of the cluster.

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NGC 2161 = ESO 033-SC031 = S-L 789

05 55 43 -74 21 12

V = 12.9; Size 2.3'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): this outlying LMC globular appeared moderately bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, nearly 1' diameter, weak concentration, no resolution. It appeared the cluster was slightly brighter along a central spine oriented WSW-ENE (probably due to slightly brighter unresolved stars).

S-L 804 was picked up 13' NE as a faint, relatively large glow, round, ~50" diameter, low even surface brightness. A mag 10.6 star is 6' SW.

S-L 828, located 28' ENE, is fairly faint, fairly small, round, ~35" diameter, smooth surface brightness, no resolution. Two mag 13-14 stars lie 2' SW.

S-L 783, located 16' SSW, is very faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, smooth glow, fairly low surface brightness, no resolution.

JH discovered NGC 2161 = h3013 on 8 Feb 1836 and described as "F; pL; R; gpmbM; 2'." His position from a single sweep is about 30" NW of center. Located outside the boundaries of the Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas.

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NGC 2162 = ESO 086-SC047 = S-L 814

06 00 30 -63 43 18

V = 12.7; Size 2.1'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright, very large, round, contains a relatively large brighter core, mottled. A couple of very faint stars are fairly easily resolved and several more pop in and out with averted vision. Located 4' W of mag 8.5 HD 41515. Three additional mag 11.5-12 stars, forming a distinctive group, extend south-southwest from the bright star. This LMC globular is located in the northeast outer halo of the LMC, well outside the main outline.

JH discovered NGC 2162 = h3010 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; pL; R; vglbM; 80"." On a second sweep he noted "F; R; glbM; 40"; a *9 mag follows in parallel, and 3 more 11 mag near." His position (recorded on 3 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2163 = Ced 62 = DG 87 = GN 06.04.9

06 07 49.5 +18 39 27

Size 3'x2'

17.5" (1/9/98): moderately bright reflection nebula surrounding a young mag 11 star (HBC 193). The brightest portion of the nebula is noticeably elongated N-S from the central star and 2'-3' in length tapering towards the star. The northern extension has a slightly higher surface brightness. Located 3' W of a mag 9 star. Observed at 220x without filtration.

17.5" (12/23/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 N-S, ~2.5'x1.0', fairly high surface brightness. A mag 11 star is at the south tip of the bright portion and a small very faint extension appears south of this star. Located 3' W of mag 9 HD 41787. Two mag 13 stars are 1' NE and 1' N and a mag 10 star is 5' S. An evenly matched mag 10.5/10.5 double at 12" separation lies 8' WSW. This reflection nebula doesn't respond to a Daystar 300 or OIII filter. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC due to an error in declination in the NGC. Plotted as Ced 62 in U2000.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2163 = St IX-6 on 6 Feb 1874 with the 31-inch reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded "eF, E, dif, *11 attached south." He observed it again on 6 Jan 1878. In compiling the NGC, Dreyer accidentally copied the declination of NGC 1741 (Stephan's previous entry, IX-5). Dreyer later caught and corrected his error in the IC 2 Notes/Corrections section (Dreyer added the comment "my mistake"). The correction was missed by most later cataloguers though Esmiol's 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions also gives the accurate position. As an example, in 1922 Edwin Hubble called it "A bright, uncatalogued nebula similar to NGC 2245" and Sven Cederblad listed it as "anonymous" object (#62). So, both were obviously thrown off by Dreyer's mistake. I uncovered that E.E. Barnard independently discovered it on 2 Sep 1888, though initially mistook it for Faye's Comet, which he was searching for.

Skiff recomputed Stephan's original position using precise coordinates for his offset star HD 41787 as 06 04 53.62 +18 40 08.7 (1950). At this exact location is the reflection nebula Cederblad 62 at 06 04 53.17 +18 39 55.0 just 0.45 tsec of RA and 13".7 in declination from Stephan's original coordinates. Besides the excellent positional match, Stephan described NGC 2163 as "elongated with *11 attached south" and visually this nebula appears to extend more prominently north of the mag 11.5 (central) star. On the POSS, Ced 62 is an interesting bipolar nebula with two symmetrical funnel-shaped jets extending north-south from the central star.

More recently, Cederblad 62 wasn't referenced as a NGC object in the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0, Sky Atlas 2000.0 or the Sky Catalogue 2000. The RNGC identifies this object as nonexistent and furthermore reverses the sign of the declination. In addition, a poor RA was given for Ced 62 in Sky Catalogue 2000 and it was misplotted on the Uranometria 2000 (first edition) too far east, though the position was corrected in the second edition. The Millenium Star Atlas labels this object Ced 62 at the wrong position.

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NGC 2164 = ESO 057-SC062 = S-L 808

05 58 56.0 -68 30 57

V = 10.3; Size 2.5'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest of four clusters in a 10' field. At 260x it appeared very bright, large, round, sharply concentrated with an extremely bright core (appears to be a globular), the large outer halo extends to 2' diameter. Roughly 15 stars are resolved in the halo - some of these are easily resolved 14th mag stars, while others are quite faint. At 350x, two dozen stars are resolved and the core is very grainy. Overall, this is a very impressive cluster. NGC 2156 lies 6.8' NW, NGC 2159 is 8' SW and NGC 2172 is 9.7' SE..

James Dunlop probably NGC 2164 = D 194 on 27 Sep 1826 and described a "A pretty large faint ill-defined nebula." His position is just 3' SW of this cluster. There are 3 other clusters within 9' (NGC 2156, 2159, 2172), but this is the largest and brightest. D 193, decribed by Dunlop as "pretty bright" is south of NGC 2159, but could also apply to NGC 2164.

JH observed this cluster (h3011) on 5 sweeps beginning on 23 Nov 1834, when he recorded "vB, R, gmbM; 90", resolvable." Herschel attributed Dunlop with the discovery.

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NGC 2165

06 11 05 +51 40 36

17.5" (3/1/03): Roughly a dozen stars in a 6'x4' group at 100x. Extended E-W except for a few stars which tail off towards the north on the following end. Nine of the stars in the group are fairly evenly distributed and similar in magnitude (10.5-11). No concentration or dense spots and appears to be an asterism. Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2165 = h376 on 12 Feb 1831 and noted "a ppor cl 7' length, 3' broad; about a dozen stars 11m." There is a very scattered group of brighter stars on the DSS at Herschel's position with the fields to the west lacking in stars. Karl Reinmuth, using a Heidelberg plate, described a "Cl, P, 20-25 st 11...". RNGC classifies this object as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2166 = ESO 057-SC064 = S-L 811

05 59 34 -67 56 30

V = 12.9; Size 1.2'

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; very bright, fairly small, round, 24" diameter, high surface brightness. Contains a relatively large bright core and smooth halo. A mag 12.5 star is off the northeast side [42" from center]. Located 6' S of mag 9.3 HD 41443. NGC 2177 lies 16' NE.

JH discovered NGC 2166 = h3012 on 2 Jan 1837 and recorded "F, S, R, gbM, 15"." His position is accurate. JH credits D 223 as the possible earlier discovery. James Dunlop found D 223 and/or D 222 on 27 Sep 1826. His description for D 222 reads "small round nebula preceding a small star." There is a "small star" just following the cluster, though his position is 9' too far west. D 223 has a relatively accurate position (1.6' N) with description "pretty bright and well-defined small round nebula." Both objects were recorded as observed once, though I don't know if they were on the same night.

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NGC 2167 = SAO 132848

06 06 58.5 -06 12 08

V = 6.6

=*6.6 SAO 132848, Gottlieb and Corwin. = no neb, Carlson.

JH discovered NGC 2167 = h378 on 8 Jan 1831 and described "a star 7m with a p strong neb atmosphere." His position matches mag 6.6 HD 41794 at 06 06 58.7 -06 12 25, but there is no surrounding nebulosity. He incorrectly assumed this was his father's IV-44, which was described on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640) as a "star involved in milky chevelure, situated between two stars, with a 3rd star at rectangles to the former two." There is nothing at WH's position for IV-44, though a couple of reflection nebulae are nearby, including NGC 2170 8' south and vdB 68 about 30 sec of RA following and 2' north.

Several unsuccessful attempts were made to see h378 at Birr Castle. The GC and NGC used JH's position and description for h378, so NGC 2167 = h378 = HD 41694, and not H IV-44.

Dreyer commented that IV-44 ≠ h378 in the notes to his 1912 Scientific Papers of WH: "Occurs only in Sw. 640, 2m 0s p, 4' n of IV 38 [NGC 2182]. 'Situated between two stars with a third star at rectangles to the former.' This cannot be h378 (as hitherto assumed), nor does the description quite fit IV 19 [NGC 2170], which does not occur in this sweep, though this star has a star 11m ssp and a vF star north and third farther off npp. But 70s f h378 on the same parallel there is a star 11m between two others sp and nf with a third star p, forming a striking rectangular triangle [vdB 68]. If this is H's object, his RA is 33s too small."

Dreyer is proposing IV-44 = vdB 68 = Ced 65 (and Wolfgang Steinicke concurs), though Corwin feels H IV-44 is more likely a duplicate observation of NGC 2170 = H IV-19, which is brighter and 8' due south of WH's position.

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NGC 2168 = M35 = Cr 82

06 08 54 +24 20

V = 5.1; Size 28'

18" (11/14/09): gorgeous view at 75x, which beautifully frames the cluster as well as NGC 2158. The densest portion is the central 25' where roughly 250-300 stars are resolved. The cluster is noticeably lopsided due to a loop of stars that juts out on the SE side of the cluster. This loop includes mag 7.5 HD 42086 near its SE end. The brightest cluster star is a double on the north side (O∑ 134 = 7.5/9.1 at 31") with a bright orange-colored primary. A prominent loop of stars heads south and curves to the west beginning at O∑ 134. This same chain nearly merges with another prominent chain of fainter stars that begins on the west side of the cluster and forms a string that heads east through the cluster. Other loops and chains caught my eye as star chains seem to outline regions where there are star voids. The cluster itself resides in a rich star field though is fairly well-detached by a region of lower star density surrounding the cluster, particularly around the south side.

8": very bright string cluster, very large, excellent field but not rich in faint stars. Many of the stars are arrange in rows and loops.

Naked-eye: Visible as a fairly small naked-eye glow in a dark sky.

Phillippe De Chéseaux discovered M35 = NGC 2168 = h377 in 1745-46. John Bevis independently found the cluster before 1750 (possibly earlier than De Chéseaux). JH described "a L, coarse, p rich cl of st 9...16m, which fills 2 or 3 fields, but cheifly one in which are about 100 stars."

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NGC 2169 = "37" Cluster = Cr 83 = OCL-481 = Lund 206

06 08 25 +13 57 54

V = 5.9; Size 7'

17.5" (1/19/91): 20 stars mag 7.5-13 in bright, distinctive group. Fairly small, about 6' diameter, not rich. The stars are divided into two main subgroups - along the west side is a string of six stars aligned N-S in a very shallow "V" asterism. The northern two stars in this string form the wide double ∑844 = 8.8/9.9 at 24" and less than 2' S is mag 8.7 SAO 95271. The eastern subgroup consists of 9 stars forming a distinctive triangle outline and includes the close double star ∑848 = 7.5/8.0 at 2.5". The brighter stars form a fairly distinctive "37" pattern! Located 0.9 degrees WSW of Xi Orionis.

WH discovered NGC 2169 = H VIII-24 = h379 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 293) and recorded as "a small cluster of pretty large white stars, prettily arranged, not many of them." On 24 Dec 1786 (sweep 662) he note "a cl of brilliant stars, not many in number, but pretty much compressed; with a vacancy in the middle."

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NGC 2170 = LBN 994 = vdB 67 = Ced 63 = RAFGL 877

06 07 31.8 -06 23 57

Size 2'x2'

18" (1/13/07): fairly bright, moderately large reflection nebula surrounding a mag 9.5 star, ~2.5' diameter. There are two stars bracketing the nebula at the north and south ends with the brighter southern star of 10th magnitude.

Reflection nebula vdB 69 lies 8.5' ENE and surrounds a mag 9.5-10 star. It appeared moderately bright, ~4'x2', extends mostly SE of the star. vdB 68 lies 13' NE and surrounds mag 9.6 HD 42004. It appeared moderately bright, large, encompassing two mag 11 stars 1.5' NE and 3' NE. The shape appears irregular and ~5' in size.

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly bright nebulosity surrounds mag 9.5 SAO 132861. Also a star 8' ENE is slightly nebulous (vdB 69). This is the brightest and westermost in a group of reflection nebulae.

WH discovered NGC 2170 = H IV-19 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 296) and recorded "a pretty large star, about the 9th magnitude, surrounded by milky nebulosity, not circular; but an irregular ellipsis." He recorded it again on 23 Feb 1786 (sweep 528) and logged "a considerable star with milky nebulosity E in meridian or a little from np to sf. It involves a smaller star which is about 1.5' north of it. Other stars of equal magnitude are perfectly clear from it." It was possibly recorded again on 28 Nov 1786 as IV-44 (sweep 640) as a "star involved in milky chevelure, situated between two stars, with a 3rd star at rectangles to the former two." His position is 8' north of NGC 2170.

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NGC 2171 = S-L 691 and S-L 692

05 58 59 -70 43 09

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): there are no good candidates matching Herschel's description for this number, but Mati Morel suggested NGC 2171 was possibly S-L 691/692 with a large error in RA (15 min of RA). Although Corwin has since rejected this possibility as it is out of RA order in the sweep, here are the descriptions of these clusters.

S-L 691: faint or fairly faint, small, round, glow, 25" diameter. S-L 691 is the northern of close pair of LMC clusters with S-L 692 just 48" S. Located 5' ESE of NGC 2107.

S-L 692: fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated glow, 35" diameter, no resolution. There is no noticeable star cloud surrounding these two clusters.

JH discovered NGC 2171 = h3016 on 16 Dec 1835 and recorded "eeF; vL; R; glbM; 4'." There is nothing at this position though ~5' NW is S-L 809 = KMHK 1571. Eric Lindsay, in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), notes "This may be the small object S/L 809, 0.5 min W, 2' N which may be an unresolved cluster or possibly a galaxy. The size does not agree." SIMBAD also identifies S-L 809 as NGC 2171. But this tiny cluster is roughly 30", so it's not a reasonable match with a 4' object. The Hodge-Wright Atlas misidentifies a faint star as NGC 2171.

Mati Morel has proposed that h3016 is a star cloud at 05 44 14 -70 40 09, which includes S-L 691 and S-L 692. This requires a very large error in RA (over 15 min of RA). Harold Corwin notes that the sweep order argues against such an error (see his identification notes) and this object appears to be lost.

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NGC 2172 = ESO 057-SC065 = S-L 812

06 00 05.6 -68 38 14

V = 11.8; Size 1.7'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): At 200x this LMC cluster appeared moderately bright, fairly small, ~0.8' diameter, irregular, a couple of stars are resolved within the glow. At 350x, the glow is clumpy with four stars resolved with the brightest star at the SE edge. Located 10' SE of NGC 2164 and 11' ESE of NGC 2159. Fourth of four (including NGC 2156) in a 16' circle.

JH discovered NGC 2172 = h3015 on 31 Jan 1835 and recorded "vF; L; R; gbM; 2'." On a second sweep he recorded "pF; R; lbM; 50"." His mean position (two sweeps) is at the south edge of the cluster.

James Dunlop's D 197, found on 27 Sep 1826 possibly is an earlier discovery, though this cluster may be too faint to have seen by Dunlop. He described a "small faint round nebula" that was placed 12' NE of this cluster.

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NGC 2173 = ESO 033-SC034 = S-L 807

05 57 58.9 -72 58 46

V = 11.9; Size 2.3'

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x this outlying LMC globular appears as fairly bright, round glow, ~2' in diameter, weak concentration, no resolution. A wide pair of 12th magnitude stars lies 2.4' ENE and 3.5' ESE. NGC 2199 (a galaxy) lies 38' SE, and NGC 2209, another LMC cluster, lies 68' SE.

JH discovered NGC 2173 = h3018 on 8 Feb 1836 and described as "pF; R; gmbM; 90"." His single position is accurate.

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NGC 2174 = "Monkey Head" Nebula = LBN 854 = Sh 2-252 = Ced 67a

06 09 23.6 +20 39 34

Size 40'x30'

17.5" (1/16/02): at 64x and OIII filter, this is a beautiful, detailed nebulosity surrounding a mag 8 star (SAO 78049), extending at least 20' diameter. The OIII filter gives a dramatic contrast gain. With averted vision and careful viewing, the outer borders extend to ~25'. Structure includes interior streaky dark lanes visible to the west of the star. The rim is slightly brighter or has a higher contrast on the western edge but slightly more nebulosity is visible on the following side of the star.

Without a filter at 64x, I was surprised to immediately notice a moderately bright 3' round glow, situated ~11' NNW of SAO 78049 near the NW edge of the main glow. Interestingly, this patch of nebulosity is more prominent than the main body without a filter and is probably the section of the HII complex visually discovered by Stephan! It seemed quite strange that this patch had such a different filter response and dimmed significantly with the OIII (mainly reflection component?). A curving arc of stars is situated along the north side of the glow. The entire nebula is situated among a scattered group of stars, which is often mistaken for NGC 2175. Located 1.4 degrees ENE of Chi(2) Orionis.

17.5" (2/28/87): very large, irregular nebulosity surrounding mag 8.0 SAO 78049. Dark lanes are evident west of the star, appears very streaky. A bright small unresolved knot is 3.2' ENE of the bright star using an OIII filter [this is NGC 2175].

13" (1/18/85): very bright with filter, very large, surrounds a mag 8 star, sky very dark off west side. West of the star the nebula is mottled and streaky with a bright region near the north edge.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2174 = St IX-7 on 6 Feb 1877. His description does not describe the entire nebulosity or a scattered cluster but rather a small patch of nebulosity (without the accents): "excessive., excess., faible (a peine observable); a l'interieur d'un triangle forme par trois petites etoiles."

He gives a 1878 position of 06 02 07.47 +20 40 54.4 which precesses to 06 09 24.0 +20 39 53 (2000), and falls on the northwest side of the nebula. This probably needs a small correction in declination based on his reference star, but is still accurate enough to clearly identify a small brighter patch of nebulosity. His three stars are mag 13-14 and the knot of nebulosity is quite prominent on the DSS just following the middle of these three stars. This star has a position of 06 09 21.9 +20 39 30 (2000) and Stephan's knot appears only 30-40" in diameter.

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NGC 2175 = "Monkey Head" Nebula = Ced 67a = LBN 854 = Sh 2-252E = Cr 84

06 09 39.5 +20 29 15

Size 40'x30'

17.5": See description for NGC 2174. Although the scattered group of stars involved with the HII region is identified as NGC 2175, the NGC description (from Auwers and Bruhns) does not refer to a cluster but rather a "*8m in neb (Auw No 21)". The position given is 10' S of NGC 2174 and 16 tsec east. But in the IC 2 notes and correction, Dreyer gives a correction in RA from Bigourdan to 06 01 32. This places NGC 2175 at 06 09 52 +20 29.1 (2000) and is just 1' S of the brightest section of the nebula (about 3' ENE of mag 8 SAO 78049). The scattered group is catalogued as Cr 84.

Carl Christian Bruhns discovered NGC 2175 = Au 21 in 1857 using a comet-seeker at the Berlin Observatory. His position corresponds with mag 7.6 HD 42088. Arthur Auwers described this nebula on 24 Feb 1861 with the 6" Heliometer at Konigsberg Observatory as "a considerable area of milky, faint light, extended about 8' north-south and 25' east-west. In the brightest part is the 8m star." Heinrich d'Arrest made 3 observations using the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen in Jan 1865 and wrote "the extraordinarily large, faint nebula is one of the objects which are difficult to see with higher magnification. It took a long time to find it." (translations from Wolfgang Steincke). See notes on NGC 2174.

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NGC 2176 = ESO 086-SC050 = S-L 815

06 01 19 -66 51 12

Size 1.3'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): fairly faint, roundish, 30" diameter, low surface brightness, no resolution although a mag 14 star is just off the east side. The compact cluster S-L 824 is 8' SE and large S-L 800 is 23' SW.

JH discovered NGC 2176 = h3017 on 3 Jan 1837 and recorded as "eeF; R; pL; gbM; 2'." His position from a single sweep matches this cluster.

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NGC 2177 = ESO 057-SC066 = S-L 816

06 01 17 -67 44 00

V = 12.8; Size 1.2'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, fairly even surface brightness, no resolution. Located 8' NNW of mag 9.3 HD 41802 and 11' NE of mag 9.4 HD 41443. Three additional mag 10 stars are in the field to the north and east. NGC 2166 lies 16' SW.

JH discovered NGC 2177 = h3020 on 13 Dec 1835 and recorded "F; R; lbM; 15"." On a second sweep he noted "pF; irreg R; resolvable." His mean position matches this cluster.

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NGC 2178 = ESO 086-053 = PGC 18322

06 02 47.6 -63 45 50

V = 12.6; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.7

30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 50"x40", contains a very small bright core and stellar nucleus. A mag 15.3 star is close west-northwest [33" from center]. Located 2.7' WSW of mag 8.5 HD 41904. The LMC open cluster NGC 2162 lies 15' WNW.

ESO 086-056 lies 8.8' NE and appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.4', broad concentration, the brighter core bulges slightly at the center.

JH discovered NGC 2178 = h3019 on 31 Jan 1835 and logged "eF, vS, r, 10"." His position is 35" south of ESO 086-053 = PGC 18322.

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NGC 2179 = ESO 555-038 = MCG -04-15-011 = PGC 18453

06 08 02.2 -21 44 48

V = 12.3; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 170d

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, broad concentration. Located 15' ENE of mag 6.0 SAO 171251.

JH discovered NGC 2179 = h3014 on 21 Nov 1835 and noted "F, pmE, glbM, 40"." His position matches ESO 555-038 = PGC 18453.

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NGC 2180

06 09 37.6 +04 43 03

Size 15'

18" (3/5/05): large, scattered group viewed at 115x with the 31 Nagler. Most distinctive is a "candy-cane" loop of a dozen mag 10-11 stars which closely wrap around to the east of mag 7.9 HD 29212 and then extends in a string to the NW ending in two mag 10 stars. A scattering of brighter stars in the vicinity increase the apparent diameter to perhaps 20'x15', though besides the half-dozen or so brighter stars this appears to be an asterism. A half-dozen mag 8.5-10 stars 10' to 12' E and north from the mag 7.1 star roughly define an eastern border to the group. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC. though this may be an evolved, open cluster remnant that is partially stripped of former members.

WH discovered NGC 2180 = H VIII-6 = h380 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 114) and reported "A Cl of scattered stars, about 30 large and many small ones." A later sweep provided an accurate position. JH felt this was a "a fine cluster, coarse, p rich, place of a *9m." His position corresponds with mag 8.4 SAO 113523 at 06 09 37.6 +04 43 03 (2000).

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey, lists dimensions of 20'x20' with the description "Cl, L, pR, P, sc, st 8.7..., B* BD+4d1141 nr M." RNGC classifies this object as nonexistent (Type 7), though a recent journal article suggests this is an evolved, disrupted cluster (A&A 427, 485-494 (2004).

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NGC 2181 = ESO 086-SC054 = S-L 825

06 02 43.2 -65 15 52

V = 13.6; Size 1.6'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): extremely faint, fairly small, irregular, ~1' diameter, very low surface brightness. This LMC cluster is located 2.8' WSW of a mag 10 star. NGC 2193 lies 21' NE.

JH discovered NGC 2181 = h3021 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R." His position from this single sweep is 1' too far east.

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NGC 2182 = LBN 998 = vdB 72 = Ced 68

06 09 30.9 -06 19 35

Size 3'x3'

18" (1/13/07): bright reflection nebula, round, ~2' diameter, surrounding 9.3 HD 42261. In a group of reflection nebula with NGC 2170 28' WSW and NGC 2183 20' ENE.

13.1" (1/28/84): faint, small, nebulosity surrounding mag 9.0 SAO 132895 using averted vision. Located 28' ENE of NGC 2170.

WH discovered NGC 2182 = H IV-38 = h381 on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 529) and described "a considerable star very faintly affected with milky chevelure, the milkiness not far from the parallel." A second observation (also with an accurate position), was made on 28 Nov 1786 (sweep 640), although Sherburne Burnham (Publ of Lick Observatory, II) incorrectly stated the RA should be 1 min larger.

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NGC 2183 = LBN 996 = Ced 69

06 10 46.9 -06 12 43

Size 1'x1'

18" (1/13/07): fairly faint reflection in a group. Appears ~1' diameter and notably was *not* surrounding a bright star as are the other nebulae in the group. There appears to be a faint star, though, at the south edge which may be the illuminating star. A much larger complex of of nebulosity including NGC 2185 is less than 5' E and SE.

13.1" (1/28/84): very faint reflection nebula near four faint stars just SE. Forms a pair with NGC 2185 4.8' E. Located 25' ENE of NGC 2182.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2183 on 11 Dec 1850 using Lord Rosse's 72" was noted as "about 65' following h378 [NGC 2167} is a small nebula with nucleus or stellar point." On the sketch of 24 Jan 1851, it's labeled as Epsilon and NGC 2185 is labeled Alpha.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this reflection nebula on 11 Jan 1864 and measured an accurate position (as well as NGC 2185). He noted a mag 11-12 star 2.5' south and 1.4 sec of time preceding. Stoney's observation was not included in the GC (because of his rough location) and Dreyer only credited d'Arrest with the discovery in the GC Supplement and NGC.

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NGC 2184

06 11 04 -03 31 12

Size 20'

17.5" (12/23/92): scattered group of 75 stars mag 7.8 to 13 in a 30' diameter. Bright, very large, includes a mag 7.8 star (HD 42761) on the SE, 10 mag 9 stars and two mag 8 stars off the SE end (one a nice double ∑874 = 9.5/10.3 at 21"). There is no concentration towards the center and no dense regions. Fills most of the 100x field. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2184 = h382 on 19 Feb 1830 and recorded "A large loose straggling cl of 8th class. The place is that of a double star [HJ 2299]." Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", gives dimensions 30'x30' and a description "Cl, vL, P, v sc, iR, st 9..."

RNGC classifies this number as a nonexistent cluster (Type 7) and it is not included in the Lynga catalogue.

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NGC 2185 = LBN 997 = vdB 73 = Ced 70 = GN 06.08.7

06 11 06.1 -06 12 38

Size 3'x3'

18" (1/13/07): faint, fairly small, 1' reflection nebula surrounding a mag 12-12.5 star. A few arc minutes southwest is a group of 4 mag 12 stars which are also encased in a larger 3' haze of weak nebulosity. Both of these pieces are part of NGC 2185. Located 5' E of NGC 2183.

13.1" (1/28/84): this faint reflection nebula surrounds a mag 12 star. A group of four mag 11.5-12.5 stars is 2' to 3' SW. Forms a close pair with NGC 2183 in the NGC 2182 group.

WH discovered NGC 2185 = H IV-20 = h383 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 296) and recorded as "a small star of the 11 or 12 mag, affected in the same manner [as NGC 2170], but very faint. 240 also showed it, other stars of the same magnitude are perfectly free from these appearances." He observed this reflection neb again on 23 Feb 1786 (sweep 528) and logged "5 or 6 pS stars within a space of 3 or 4'; all affected with vF milky nebulosity. It is remarkable that the general milkiness which involves them, seems to be a little stronger about each star; but this last circumstance may be a deception arising from the light of the star."

JH recorded on sweep 235, "A *10m with a vF atmosphere. Two others sp are free from such atmosphere. A very F neb suspected south preceding this object [this may refer to NGC 2183, which is due west].

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NGC 2186 = Cr 85 = OCL-498 = Lund 209

06 12 08 +05 27 30

V = 8.7; Size 4'

17.5" (1/19/91): at 140x about 30 stars in a 4' diameter including three mag 10 stars. Includes a prominent subgroup with a mag 10 star on the north side and a double star 11/12 at 10". A clump of mag 13/14 stars is just west of this subgroup.

WH discovered NGC 2186 = H VII-25 = h384 on NGC 2186 (sweep 512) and logged "a cluster of pretty compressed stars of several sizes, 4' or 5' diameter wth extensively straggling ones." JH described "a pretty rich, comp cl, one st = 9, 3 or 4 = 11, and many 12...15. Place that of double star h2288." JH's position is accurate.

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NGC 2187 = ESO 057-068A = AM 0604-693 = PGC 18354

06 03 48.3 -69 34 59

V = 12.1; Size 2.5'x1.1'; PA = 79d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): although described as a "double nebula" by John Herschel, this close pair of galaxies received a single NGC entry. At 260x the double system is oriented SW-NE with their outer halos overlapping. The brighter northeast component is fairly bright, fairly small, round, 35" diameter, strong concentration. The southwest member is fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 40"x35", weak concentration, with a lower surface brightness than the NE member of the pair. The pair shines through the eastern portion of the LMC.

JH discovered NGC 2187 = h3025 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded a "Double nebula, position 12.5 degrees; larger pB, R, gbM, 40"; smaller vF, R, glbM." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) corresponds with the double system ESO 57-68A. On the other two sweeps he only described a single object and he only gave a single entry in the GC.

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NGC 2188 = ESO 364-037 = MCG -06-14-008 = AM 0608-340 = PGC 18536

06 10 09.5 -34 06 22

V = 11.7; Size 4.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 175d

24" (1/25/14): at 200x-260x appeared fairly bright, large, very elongated 5:1 N-S, 4.0'x0.8', broad concentration with a large, slightly brighter elongated core. Mag 8.5 HD 42519 lies 8' SW. ESO 364-039 lies 16' NE and ESO 364-035/036, in the core of AGC 3391, lie 28' N. This edge-on Magellanic dwarf irregular has several giant HII regions on the south side and appears to be disrupted, although there is no nearby interacting companion.

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, moderately large, edge-on streak 6:1 NNW-SSE. A mag 13.5 star is at the NNW end. Located 7.8' NE of mag 8.6 SAO 196541.

JH discovered NGC 2188 = h3022 on 9 Jan 1836 and described as "pF, vmE, gvlbM, 2' long." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2189

06 12 18 +01 08

=Not found, Carlson.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 2189 = HN 25/26 on Mar 19 1863 using the 15-inch Merz refractor at Harvard College Observatory. In AN #1453, George Bond (then director of the observatory) noted "two clusters, seen 1863 Mar 19, near two stars of the 10th, 11th magnitude by J.H. Safford, with the Great Refractor." The positions for the two stars are roughly 15' apart E-W although Dreyer used a mean position and only a single entry in the NGC. In any case, there are no obvious clusters on the DSS at his positions, just scattered stars. The same night he also found NGC 2198, which appears to be nonexistent or a weak scattering of stars.

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey using Heidelberg places, was unable to identify NGC 2189. Corwin very tentatively identifies a group of stars at 06 14 29 +01 02.2.

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NGC 2190 = ESO 033-SC036 = S-L 819

06 01 04 -74 43 30

V = 12.9; Size 2.0'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): fairly faint, relatively large, ~1' diameter, fairly low smooth surface brightness. No resolution, though viewed through thin clouds. NGC 2161 lies 30' NW. Located 36' W of mag 5.1 Alpha Men.

JH discovered NGC 2190 = h3027 on 8 Feb 1836 and described as "vF; R; gbM; 2'." His position from single sweep is accurate (45" NW of center). NGC 2190 is located outside the boundaries of the Hodge-Wright LMC Atlas.

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NGC 2191 = ESO 160-014 = PGC 18464

06 08 23.8 -52 30 44

V = 12.3; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 118d

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, this Carina galaxy (on border with Pictor) appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.5'. Sharply concentrated with a very small brighter core. Surrounded by several brighter stars including mag 9 HD 42537 1.9' SW and mag 9 HD 42545 5' ESE. Located 2.4 degrees west of Canopus on the Pictor border.

JH discovered NGC 2191 = h3023 on 9 Jan 1837 and reported "pB, vS, E, vsbM; a ruddy star 9th mag precedes about 5 seconds in R.A." His position is accurate. The ruddy star is mag 9 HD 42537.

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NGC 2192 = Cr 86 = Mel 42 = OCL-437

06 15 18 +39 51 18

Size 6'

13.1" (12/22/84): two dozen very faint stars in a 4' diameter over unresolved haze.

WH discovered NGC 2192 = H VII-57 on 31 Dec 1788 (sweep 901) and recorded "a compressed cluster of vS stars, irregular figure, 6' diameter, considerably rich." His position (Auwer's reduction) is accurate. This older cluster has an age of roughly 2 billion years

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NGC 2193 = ESO 086-SC057 = S-L 839

06 06 17.5 -65 05 54

V = 13.4; Size 1.9'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): very faint, fairly small, round, ~1' diameter, low surface brightness. NGC 2181 lies 24' SW. This LMC globular is the most elliptical of any known globular cluster with e = 0.33 (see http://aa.springer.de/papers/9348002/2300418/sc2.htm).

JH discovered NGC 2193 = h3026 on 3 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; irreg fig; glbM; has 2 or 3 stars in it." His position from this single sweep is just 30" NNW of center.

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NGC 2194 = Cr 87 = Mel 43 = OCL-485

06 13 46 +12 48 24

V = 8.5; Size 10'

13.1" (1/18/85): at least 50 stars in a 5' region including many mag 14/15 stars, very rich with averted. Includes a few brighter stars on the east edge.

WH discovered NGC 2194 = H VI-5 on 11 Feb 1784 and described a "a cluster of very close stars. Rich and of large extent, i.e. about 7 or 8' or more." On 24 Dec 1786 (sweep 662) he recorded "a beautiful cluster of very compressed small stars of several sizes, gradually most compressed in the middle, irr R, 12 or 15' in diameter." In his 1814 PT paper he considered this as an example of a cluster in an advanced state of insulation, "not much differing from a globular figure."

Adolph Petersen independently found the cluster in 1849 but with a poor position. The position was accuratelly measured by d'Arrest on 18 Sep 1862 and by Vogel on 7 Dec 1869. Dreyer missed the equivalence with H. VI 5 and entered d'Arrest's observation as GC 5380 in his Supplement.

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NGC 2195

06 14 33.8 +17 38 22

V = 13/14

17.5" (12/23/97): this close pair of mag 13/14 stars was picked up at 100x just south of a mag 10 star. At 220x and 280x this double star was cleanly resolved [10" separation] although the region between the pair and the bright star (just 30" from the southern star) appeared slightly hazy, probably due to two additional very close faint stars just below resolvability. At 410x, at least one very faint sparkle was occasionally glimpsed close to the mag 10 star. It is not difficult to see why Lohse may have suspected this object to be nebulous. Coincidentally, a very faint reflection nebula (GN 06.11.5) is located 6.7' NNW and it is misidentified as NGC 2195 in RNGC.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 2195 around 1886 with the 15.5-inch refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in England. His position is 17 tsec west of a double star (with two additional very faint stars in a chain). His description of a mag 10 star 30" north pins down this identification. Interestingly, on my first observation of this object, I also thought it was nebulous - either due to glare from the mag 10 star or the closeness of the chain of the stars. Coincidentally, there is a very faint reflection nebula (GM 1-45 = P-P 58) 6.7' NNE in the same field which was also visible in my 17.5" and this object has the same RA as Lohse's original position. The RNGC has misidentified this reflection nebula as NGC 2195. See Corwin's notes.

Wolfgang Steinicke commented "The discoverer was Gerhard Lohse, a German working at Scarborough using a 15.5 inch refractor. The object is one of 18 nebulae (from a total of 20) Dreyer put into the NGC. Lohse is among the observers with the poorest statistics: Only 3 objects are real nebulae (the galaxies NGC 2518, 2565, 6792)! 12 are stars (or asterisms), 3 are "not found". From the existing, NGC 2518 is the faintest, but an easy object with V around 13 mag a and compact core. Due to this, it is questionable, if he really saw GM 1-45. The description of a 10 mag star 31" N matches the small group. In general Lohse's positions are not bad, there are "objects" at the places, but in most cases no nebulae."

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NGC 2196 = ESO 556-004 = MCG -04-15-014 = UGCA 121 = PGC 18602

06 12 09.5 -21 48 27

V = 11.0; Size 2.8'x2.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 45d

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly bright, fairly small, almost round, increases to a small bright core.

WH discovered NGC 2196 = H II-265 = h3024 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 325) and logged "pF, pS, iF, bM of an irregular shape, somewhat elongated." His position is 30 sec of RA too large and 3' too far south. JH observed this galaxy from the Cape on 4 sweeps, first recording it as "B, pL, R, pspmbM. Many stars near it." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2197 = ESO 086-SC058 = S-L 838

06 06 09 -67 05 54

V = 13.4; Size 1.7'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): fairly faint, round, 35" diameter, even surface brightness, a mag 15 star is resolved at the north edge and one or two others occasionally pop. The galaxy ESO 86-59 is 3.8' SE (= HS 452 in Hodge-Wright Atlas), but was not noticed. NGC 2197 is situated 12' NNW of mag 6.7 HD 42701

JH discovered NGC 2197 = h3028 on 31 Jan 1835 and noted "vF; R; 40"." His mean position from two sweeps matches this LMC cluster.

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NGC 2198

06 13 54 +01 00

24" (1/22/15): at the position given here is a 10' to 12' field with perhaps a half-dozen mag 10-11 stars and a number of fainter stars. The group, though, is totally unimpressive and does not stand out in the general field. On the southwest side is a 20" pair (one of Safford's 10th magnitude reference stars). About 25' south is a scattered group of mag 9-10.5 stars (along with some fainter stars) that is much more distinctive, though doesn't match Safford's position.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 2198 = HN 27 on 19 March 1863, along with the nonexistent cluster NGC 2189, using the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Harvard College Observatory. In AN #1453, George Bond (director of the observatory) reported "A cluster, seen 1863 March 19, by J.H. [sic] Safford, between two stars in the following position. With the Great Refractor." The positions for the two stars are fine (separated by ~8' east-west) but there is no obvious clustering nearby.

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", reported "no CL, many pB st sf Dreyer's place." RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7). Harold Corwin suggests Safford's object might be "a scattered group of 20-30 stars, probably no more than a random field, centered at 06 11 56, +01 03.2 (B1950.0) that covers an area about 12 x 11 arcmin in size. The stars range between 9th magnitude (the eastern-most of Safford's two stars) to about 13.

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NGC 2199 = ESO 034-003 = PGC 18379

06 04 45.0 -73 24 00

V = 12.8; Size 1.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 37d

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.6', small bright core, occasional sharp stellar nucleus. NGC 2173 and NGC 2209, both likely LMC clusters, lie 38' NW and 30' SE, respectively.

JH discovered NGC 2199 = h3031 on 8 Feb 1836 and recorded "F, vS, R, bM." His position matches ESO 034-003 = PGC 18379, a galaxy shining through the southeast side of the LMC.

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NGC 2200 = ESO 254-039 = MCG -07-13-006 = PGC 18652

06 13 17.4 -43 39 48

V = 14.1; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 171d

Southern object (not observed). 3.5' NW of NGC 2201.

JH discovered NGC 2200 = h3029 (along with NGC 2201 = h3030) on 1 Jan 1835 and recorded "eF; R; vlbM; 40"." He observed the pair again in Dec 1837, but his NPD was 1° further south. His first position was accurate and matches ESO 254-039 = PGC 18652.

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NGC 2201 = ESO 254-040 = MCG -07-13-007 = PGC 18658

06 13 31.4 -43 42 18

V = 13.4; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 113d

24" (2/22/14): at 260x appeared very faint, small, 18" diameter, low even surface brightness. Viewed at 9° elevation. Forms a pair with NGC 2200 3.5' NW, but the companion was not seen at this low elevation.

JH discovered NGC 2201 = h3030 (along with NGC 2200 = h3029) on 1 Jan 1835 and recorded "eF; vS; pslbM; rather a doubtful object." He observed the pair again in Dec 1837, but his NPD was 1° further south. His first position was accurate and matches ESO 254-040 = PGC 18658.

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NGC 2202

06 16 51 +05 59 48

17.5" (2/2/02): fairly distinctive asterism at 100x (20 Nagler), consisting of a bulbous mushroom-shaped ring of about a dozen fairly bright stars with a few others nearby. Within this irregular ring is a nice, mag 9.1/10.8 double (SAO 113671) at 10" separation. Adding to the effect is a straight trail of stars from the double forming a 10' "stem" heading to the NNE and containing a mag 8.7 star (SAO 113677). Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC.

Wilhelm Struve discovered NGC 2202 = ∑ 885 in 1825 with the 9.6" refractor at the Dorpat Observatory and he listed it in his main catalogue of double stars. JH observed this cluster (or asterism) on Feb 2 1831 and recorded h385 as "The chief of a tolerably neat cluster of large stars." The double star is a 9.1/10.8 pair at 10" separation located at 06 16 51.5 +05 59 47. Karl Reinmuth described the photographic appearance as "Cl, S, R, vP, st 8.5..." with dimensions 6.5'x6.5'. RNGC classifies NGC 2202 as a nonexistent cluster.

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NGC 2203 = ESO 034-SC004 = S-L 836

06 04 43 -75 26 18

V = 11.3; Size 3.2'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): this LMC cluster (outside the Hodge-Wright Atlas) appeared fairly bright and large, round, ~1.4' diameter, unresolved but slightly patchy or mottled with a weak concentration. A mag 12.4 star is off the NW side [1.6' from center] and a mag 14.5 star is off the south side [1.6' from center]. Located 46' SSW of mag 5.1 Alpha Mensae.

The galaxy IC 2164 lies 9' NE and logged as faint, small, round, 30" diameter, fairly low surface brightness, no concentration. A mag 14 star is 1' SE.

JH discovered NGC 2203 = h3035 on 23 Jan 1836 and recorded "pB; irreg R; vgpmbM; 2'; resolvable. His position from this single sweep is accurate. DeLisle Stewart called this object a "faint cluster, not a nebula" (given in the IC Notes).

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NGC 2204 = Cr 88 = Mel 44 = ESO 556-SC007

06 15 33 -18 40 00

V = 8.6; Size 13'

13.1" (1/28/84): two dozen stars mag 12-14 in a 10' diameter. Two mag 9 stars are on the SW and NW edge and many stars are aligned in strings. Mag 6.0 SAO 151274 in field to NNW about 11'.

WH discovered NGC 2204 = H VII-13 on 6 Feb 1785 (sweep 367) and recorded "a cluster of scattered stars, not very rich, above 15' diameter, south following a star 6-7 mag." Jane Houston Jones credited Caroline Herschel credit for the discovery in her Sky & Tel article on CH, but she is not referenced in the NGC nor in WH's catalogues. The error was caused by a transcription error when William's handwritten catalogue went to the printer (she discovered H VII-12 = NGC 2360).

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NGC 2205 = ESO 086-063 = PGC 18551

06 10 33.0 -62 32 19

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 80d

14" (4/7/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 25"x20". A mag 11.7 star is 3.3' NNE and a similar star is 5' SSE. A group of stars (mag 10.6 and fainter) is ~10' W. Located 33' SE of a mag 5.0 HD 42540. Observation made in hazy conditions (thin clouds and/or smoke).

JH discovered NGC 2205 = h3034 on 9 Dec 1836 and noted "pF, R, bM, 20"." There is nothing at Herschel's position, but Eric Lindsay comments in his 1964 paper "Some NGC objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (IAJ, 6, 286-289), this is "Probably the galaxy 3/4m West."

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NGC 2206 = ESO 489-026 = MCG -04-15-019 = UGCA 123 = PGC 18736

06 15 59.9 -26 45 57

V = 12.2; Size 2.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 138d

17.5" (2/8/86): moderately bright, small, almost round, small bright core. A star is superimposed very close east of the core.

JH discovered NGC 2206 = h3033 on 20 Jan 1835 and remarked "vF; R; vlbM; 50"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) matches ESO 489-026 = UGCA 123. Herbert Howe noted that the superimposed star is actually a 10" double.

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NGC 2207 = ESO 556-008 = MCG -04-15-020 = UGCA 124 = Holm 85a/b = PGC 18749

06 16 22.0 -21 22 21

V = 10.8; Size 4.3'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 112d

48" (2/20/12): this beautiful spiral galaxy forms a stunning pair with IC 2163 attached to its east side. Sharply concentrated with a brilliant nucleus embedded in a very bright core. A mag 13.5 star is superimposed on the west-southwest edge of the core. A couple of beautiful, winding spiral arms are visible in the halo. An outer arm is on the southern end of the galaxy stretching to the west and curving counterclockwise north towards a mag 12.5-13 star situated 1.7' NW of center. A second more inner arm vaguely emerges on the west side of the core and wraps counterclockwise to the north, where it is parallel to the outer arm described above. This arms then curve back east of along the north side of the halo, stretching to the NE side of the halo, but not reaching IC 2163.

IC 2163 is attached at the east side of NGC 2207. The central region is very bright, round, ~1' diameter, small bright core. Attached on the southwest side is a spiral arm that gracefully sweeps to the east while curving gently clockwise. The arm is ~1.5' long and significantly increases the overall size to roughly 2'x1'. Just NE of the tip of the arm is 2MASX J06163579-2122032, which appears as a faint, very small knot.

18" (2/5/11): fairly bright, fairly large, sharply concentrated with a bright, elongated core (WSW-ENE) ~1' diameter and a large, much lower surface brightness halo ~2.5'x2.0'. A faint star is close WSW of the nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is at the NW edge of the halo.

Forms an interacting pair with IC 2163, which is embedded on the east side of the halo. The fainter companion appears fairly faint, moderately large, oval E-W, 1.0'x0.7', weakly concentrated

13.1" (1/28/84): moderately bright, moderately large, bright core, double nuclei. A faint extension is visible to the east. This is an unusual interacting pair and the extension to the east is IC 2163.

JH discovered NGC 2207 = h3032 on 24 Jan 1835 and recorded "pB, pL, mE in pos = +/- 87°, pslbM, 2.5' long, 40" broad, to a tolerably well defined round nucleus." His position and Engelhardt's micrometric measurement are accurate, though I'm surprised that Herschel wasn't able to resolve the IC component of the system. The IC Notes mentions "binuclear, surrounded by faint trace of ring" from Herbert Howe (based on a visual observation with a 20" refractor) and DeLisle Stewart (based on plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa station). Holmberg 85b refers to the inner spiral arm (ring) to the west of the core.

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NGC 2208 = UGC 3452 = MCG +09-11-010 = CGCG 260-007 = PGC 18911

06 22 34.7 +51 54 34

V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 110d

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is 1.1' W of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2208 = Sw VI-26 on 24 Nov 1886 and noted "pF, pS, lE." His position is 6 tsec of RA west and 1.6' north of UGC 3452 = PGC 18911.

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NGC 2209 = ESO 034-SC006 = S-L 849

06 08 35 -73 50 18

V = 13.2; Size 2.8'

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this fairly bright outlying LMC cluster (probable globular cluster) appears as a 2.5'-3' glow with only a weak concentration and no resolution. Surrounded by a number of stars including a mag 11.5 star 3.4' W. NGC 2199 (a galaxy) lies 30' NW and continuing in this direction another 38' is NGC 2173, a slightly smaller LMC cluster.

JH discovered NGC 2209 = h3037 on 8 Feb 1836 and remarked "vF; L; R; gvlbM; 3'." His position from this single sweep is accurate.

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NGC 2210 = ESO 057-SC071 = S-L 858

06 11 32 -69 07 18

V = 10.9; Size 1.7'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): bright, relatively large, round, at least 1' diameter, contains a very bright grainy core and a relatively thin halo, no definite resolution. A mag 14 star is off the southeast side [1.3' from center]. Located 9.3' NW of a mag 8.2 star and 22' SE of mag 5.1 Nu Doradus.

JH discovered NGC 2210 = h3036 on 31 Jan 1835 and logged "vB; S; R; pgvmbM; 35"; not resolvable." He noted the observation probably had a one degree error in the polar distance as the next two sweeps agreed in position.

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NGC 2211 = ESO 556-013 = MCG -03-16-021 = PGC 18794

06 18 30.3 -18 32 14

V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 22d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 2212 1.5' NE.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 2211 = LM I-150, along with NGC 2212, on 11 Dec 1885. His rough position is accurate to the nearest min of RA, though Bigourdan (on 9 Mar 1890), Herbert Howe and Ormond Stone measured an accurate RA (given in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 2212 = ESO 556-014 = MCG -03-16-022 = PGC 18796

06 18 35.7 -18 31 10

V = 13.5; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 136d

17.5" (1/20/90): extremely faint, very small, round, very low surface brightness. A line of three equally spaced mag 14 stars begins 1.5' E and ends 1.3' N. Forms a pair with NGC 2211 1.5' SW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 2212 = LM I-151 (along with NGC 2211 = LM I-150) on 11 Dec 1885. His rough position is accurate to the nearest min of RA, though Bigourdan, Herbert Howe and Ormond Stone measured an accurate RA for nearby NGC 2211 (given in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 2213 = ESO 057-SC070 = S-L 857

06 10 42 -71 31 42

V = 12.4; Size 2.1'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): moderately bright and large, round, 45" diameter, slightly brighter core, no resolution. A distinctive 1' trio in a slight curve, consisting of a mag 11 star and two mag 12 stars, lies 3' W.

JH discovered NGC 2213 = h3038 on 9 Feb 1836 and recorded "vF; R; glbM; 30". A triple star precedes." His position from this single sweep is 30" SW of center.

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NGC 2214 = ESO 057-SC074 = S-L 860

06 12 57 -68 15 36

V = 10.9; Size 3.6'

18" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): this young massive LMC cluster appeared very bright, fairly large, noticeably elongated E-W, ~1.6'x1.1'. About a half-dozen stars are resolved around the edges and within the main glow. Well concentrated with a bright central region and a slightly mottled halo.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2214 = D 201 on 27 Sep 1826 and described "a round well-defined small nebula, 20" diameter, bright at the centre." Dunlop made 3 observations and his position is about 2' SW of center (unusually accurate).

JH made two observations, first on the sweep of 30 Jan 1835 when he recorded h3039 as "B; S; R; or lE; resolved into stars 14...16m; 50"." On a second sweep he logged it as "B; irreg R; or lE; gbM; 80"; resolvable."

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NGC 2215 = Cr 90 = Mel 45 = OCL-550

06 20 50 -07 17 00

V = 8.4; Size 11'

17.5" (12/28/94): about 50 stars mag 11-14 in a 12' region, pretty evenly distributed and stands out well in the field at 100x. At the west edge is a faint detached group of 8 stars. Near the center are several wide pairs and one close evenly matched fainter pair. The cluster is not well defined on the east side and merges into the general field.

17.5" (2/1/92): 30 stars mag 11-14 in 10' diameter, fairly bright, elongated ~E-W, pretty evenly distributed, fairly rich although there no dense areas. Includes about 10 mag 11 stars but there is no single dominant star. The remainder are mag 12-14. Set over background haze. Stands out well in low power field.

WH discovered NGC 2215 = H VII-20 = h386 on 1 Nov 1785 (sweep 468) and recorded "a cl of coarsely but pretty evenly scattered pS stars, of nearly the same magnitude, coarsely round and about 15' diam." His summary description (based on 3 sweeps) reads "a beautiful cluster of pretty compressed and equally scattered stars, 10' or 12' diameter."

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NGC 2216 = ESO 556-017 = MCG -04-15-027 = PGC 18877

06 21 30.7 -22 05 14

V = 12.8; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 20d

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is off the SE end 1.7' from center and a mag 14.5 star is superimposed at the SE end. A group of 20 stars are in the field to the west.

JH discovered NGC 2216 = h3040 on 23 Jan 1835 and noted it as "vF, pL, R, vglbM, 40"." His position (single sweep) matches ESO 556-017 = PGC 18877.

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NGC 2217 = ESO 489-042 = MCG -05-15-010 = LGG 136-001 = PGC 18883

06 21 39.8 -27 14 04

V = 10.7; Size 4.5'x4.2'; Surf Br = 13.8

24" (2/5/13): very bright, very large, contains a brighter 1.3' core that is sharply concentrated with an intense nucleus! The round halo extends 3' and has a fairly smooth surface brightness. The outer halo passes through a wide pair of mag 12/13 stars on the west side. UGCA 126, a thin edge-on, lies 60' WSW.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, small, elongated ~E-W, well concentrated with a bright core surrounded by small faint halo, stellar nucleus at moments.

JH discovered NGC 2217 = h3041 on 20 Jan 1835 and recorded "vB; R; psmbM; 30", r." His position (measured on two sweeps) matches ESO 489-042 = PGC 18883.

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NGC 2218

06 24 41.5 +19 20 29

=4*, Reinmuth =no cluster, RNGC.

Edward Cooper discovered NGC 2218 on 13 Jan 1853 at the Markree Observatory in Ireland while compiling the Markree Ecliptic Catalogue. Arthur Auwers couldn't find it using the 6" Heliometer at Konigsberg, though included it as #22 in his 1862 list of new nebulae. Karl Reinmuth, using Heidelberg plates, reported "only 4 st 14...15". There is only a small group of 3-5 stars on the DSS at Cooper's position. The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2219

06 23 45 -04 40 36

17.5" (2/2/02): at 100x, 15-20 fairly faint mag 13-14 stars and a few brighter stars are visible just following mag 6.7 SAO 133199. The group is elongated ~WNW-ESE and the stars are fairly evenly distributed. The SE corner is marked by a mag 7.5 star. Visually, this group appears to be a cluster as the star density is reasonably rich and the group is isolated in the field. Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC and not in the Lynga catalogue.

JH discovered NGC 2219 = h387 on 19 Feb 1830 and noted "The first *6 of a course poor cl; *11...12." His position corresponds with mag 6.7 SAO 133199 at 06 23 22.8 -04 41 15 (J2000). Karl Reinmuthm, based on his 1926 photographic survey, gives a size of 10' and describes "Cl, pL, P, st 10...; B* BD -4 1484 p." RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2220 = ESO 255-**4

06 21 11.0 -44 45 32

Size 22'

24" (2/22/14): at 125x, this asterism is a scattered 20' field containing several bright stars. There are two groupings with the more prominent southeast group containing 8 brighter stars including mag 7.7 HD 44737, mag 8.4 HD 44665, mag 8.8 HD 44764, along with 4 mag 10-11 stars. These are scattered within an 8' region. A separate group is to the northwest, separated by a 7'-8' gap, which contains 4 mag 9.5-10 stars. Visually this appears to be a random grouping, though the number of bright stars is striking. ESO 255-005 off the east side of the asterism was not seen. Viewed at an elevation of only 8°.

JH discovered NGC 2220 = h3042 on 29 Dec 1834 and recorded a "A poor, very coarsely scattered, but brilliant cluster of 8th class. Place of a star 8m = B 1222, the chief of cl." His position corresponds with mag 7.7 HD 44737 at 06 21 11.3 -44 45 31 (2000). The asterism also includes HD 44665 = HJ 3852 (8.4/10.7 at 7") and mag 8.8 HD 44764. WEBDA has no listing, and this grouping is probably an asterism. RNGC calls NGC 2220 nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2221 = ESO 121-024 = KTS 33A = PGC 18833

06 20 15.7 -57 34 42

V = 12.9; Size 1.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 0d

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest member of a trio of elongated galaxies (KTS 33). At 260x it appeared fairly bright, large, edge-on 4:1 N-S, ~1.5'x0.35', broad concentration, dims at the tips. Just at the north tip is an extremely faint star or a knot (appears to be an HII knot on the Vickers CCD image). Forms a striking pair with NGC 2222 2.7' N. The third member, ESO 161-001 is much fainter and lies 5.3' NNE. A 26" pair of mag 11.5/12 stars 4.5' NW is collinear with this galaxy and a mag 10.9 star lies to the NW of the trio.

JH discovered NGC 2221 = h3044 (along with NGC 2222 = h3045) on 4 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF; lE; vgbM; the preceding of 2." His position is 1' too far north.

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NGC 2222 = ESO 121-025 = KTS 33B = PGC 18835

06 20 17.0 -57 32 04

V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 150d

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, this edge-on galaxy appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.3', gradually increases to a small bright core. This is the second brightest in a trio of elongated systems with NGC 2221 2.6' S and ESO 161-001 2.9' NE.

JH discovered NGC 2222 = h3045 (along with NGC 2221 = h3044) on 23 Jan 1835 and recorded "vF; lE; vgvlbM; the following of 2." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2223 = ESO 489-049 = MCG -04-16-002 = UGCA 129 = PGC 18978

06 24 36.0 -22 50 18

V = 11.6; Size 3.2'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 175d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is on the north end 24" from center. Apparently I missed the outer 3' low surface brightness outer halo as the superimposed star is just outside the core.

8" (1/1/84): very faint, fairly small, elongated ~N-S.

JH discovered NGC 2223 = h3043 on 23 Jan 1835 and logged "F; R glbM; has 1 or 2 stars on it and a small close double star (dist 3", 12 and 12 mag) north." His mean position (measured on 3 sweeps) matches ESO 489-049 = UGCA 129.

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NGC 2224

06 27 28 +12 35 36

= no cluster, RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2224 = H VII-35 on 24 Dec 1786 (sweep 662) and described "A cluster of small pretty much compressed stars with suspected nebulosity, but the latter may be a deception." His position is close to a mag 9.6 star in a rich field containing some extremely faint nebulosity. Robert Ball, observing with the 72" on 9 Dec 1866, noted "some stars scattered about, but no neby see. Sky not good."

Karl Reinmuth reported "no pC Cl seen", based on Heidelberg plates. The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent and it is not listed in any open cluster catalogue. Harold Corwin there is an elongated group of very faint stars close to Herschel's position and these are embedded in very faint nebulosity, though I haven't checked this field.

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NGC 2225

06 26 37 -09 38 30

17.5" (1/23/93): NGC 2226 is the core of NGC 2225 and consists of a 2' faint group of six mag 14 stars, over unresolved haze. A mag 10 star is 1' S and a mag 12 star is 4' N. NGC 2225 probably also consists of several nearby mag 13.5-14 stars forming a 5' group elongated N-S. Herschel described the cluster as "hook" shaped.

Listed as nonexistent in RNGC though shows up well on the DSS.

WH discovered NGC 2225 = H VII-26 = h388 on 30 Jan 1786 (sweep 516) and described "a cluster of extremely small and pretty much compressed stars, with a few larger ones, but not very rich; in the shape of a hook." His position is off the southeast side of the cluster (or asterism) and the "large ones in the shape of a hook" probably refer to a group of stars off the northeast side of the core of the group. JH measured a more accurate position.

This cluster, though, is not listed in the Lynga catalogue and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent with the comment "NOCL". NGC 2226 is the small core of NGC 2225.

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NGC 2226

06 26 37.6 -09 38 34

Size 2'

17.5" (1/23/93): faint group of six mag 14 stars over unresolved haze giving a fairly rich appearance. Forms an irregular arc 2' length N-S bending west on the south end. Located 1' N of a mag 10 star and a mag 12 star is 4' N. Several more mag 13.5-14 stars are nearby, which together as a 5' group elongated N-S may form NGC 2225.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 2226 (discovery date unknown). Harold Corwin notes Barnard was probably using a 5- or 6-inch refractor at Nashville and the discovery was directly communicated to Dreyer. His rough position is nearly identical to this cluster, but the NGC description "small,very difficult,*10 close S" suggests he only noted the core of the larger group (NGC 2225) discovered by WH. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2227 = ESO 556-023 = MCG -04-16-004 = PGC 19030

06 25 57.9 -22 00 18

V = 12.5; Size 2.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 19d

17.5" (2/8/86): faint, fairly large, fairly diffuse, elongated ~N-S, almost even surface brightness. A mag 10 star is 8' NE.

JH discovered NGC 2227 = h3046 on 27 Jan 1835 and remarked "eF; R; has coarse double star preceding on same parallel 90" dist." His description and position (NPD corrected by two degrees in his addendum) matches ESO 556-023 = PGC 19030.

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NGC 2228 = ESO 087-007 = PGC 18862

06 21 15.6 -64 27 33

V = 13.6; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7

Southern object (not observed). Member of ACO S585 = AGC 3389. Located ~30' N of core of cluster.

JH discovered NGC 2228 = h3047 on 31 Jan 1835 and noted "F; R; glbM; 20"." His position (single sweep) matches ESO 087-007 = PGC 18862.

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NGC 2229 = ESO 087-008 = PGC 18867

06 21 23.7 -64 57 24

V = 13.4; Size 1.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 133d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 0.75'x0.25', a mag 14 star is 45" S of center. In the core of the rich cluster AGC 3389 = ACO S585 with NGC 2230 2' S, NGC 2235 6.4' ENE, NGC 2233 5' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 2229 = h3048 (along with NGC 2230, 2233 and 2235) on 30 Nov 1834 and logged as "eF; vS; R; the preceding of 3." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2230 = ESO 087-009 = PGC 18873

06 21 27.5 -64 59 35

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 81d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, round, 0.9' diameter, moderately concentrated with a bright 20" core. Situated in the core of the rich cluster AGC 3389 = ACO S585 with NGC 2229 2.2' N, NGC 2233 2.9' SE, NGC 2235 6.8' NE, 2MASX J06215975-6459181 3.4' E. A total of 7 galaxies were picked up within an 11' circle.

JH discovered NGC 2230 = h3049 (along with NGC 2229, 2233 and 2235) on 30 Nov 1834 and logged "eF, S, lE, the middle of 3." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2231 = ESO 087-S00C6 = S-L 884

06 20 43 -67 31 06

V = 13.2; Size 2.0'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): this LMC globular appeared fairly faint, moderately large, round, ~45" diameter, fairly low but irregular surface brightness, increases in size with averted, no resolution. A number of brighter stars in the field including HJ 3862, a mag 9.5/11.5 pair at 8", which lies 5' SE. In addition, a mag 10 star is 6' NNE and two other mag 11 stars are within 4' N. Several more mag 12 stars (some closer) are in the field. S-L 885 lies 3.7' NE.

JH discovered NGC 2231 = h3050 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F, pL, R, gvlbM, precedes a double star [h3862]." On a second sweep he called it "F, L, R, 50", among 10 or 12 stars 10th and 11th mag." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is good.

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NGC 2232 = Cr 93 = OCL-545 = Lund 220

06 28 02 -04 50 48

V = 3.9; Size 30'

17.5" (12/28/94): at 100x appears as a scattered group of bright stars surrounding 10 Monocerotis (V = 5.1) with the remaining stars forming a wedge tapering to the SW. Includes 7 brighter mag 8-10 stars and another two dozen fainter stars. Richest surrounding 10 Mon and five brighter stars form a distinctive box around the bright star. Too large and scattered for higher power.

WH discovered NGC 2232 = H VIII-25 on 16 Oct 1784 (sweep 296) and recorded "The 10 Monocerotis surrounded by many bright stars." His position matches the bright star. The position in Lynga #5, RNGC, NGC 2000.0 and Sky Catalogue 2000 is about 20' too far west! Brian Skiff suggests a centroid position of 06 28 02 -04 50.8 based on the star GSC 4793-2505. See my RNGC Corrections #7.

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NGC 2233 = ESO 087-011 = PGC 18882

06 21 40.1 -65 02 00

V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 45d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 36"x9", fairly low surface brightness with little or no concentration. Located 2.8' SE of NGC 2230 in the core of the rich cluster AGC 3389 = ACO S585.

JH discovered NGC 2233 = h3051 (along with NGC 2229, 2230 and 2235) on 30 Nov 1834 and logged "eF; S; the last of 3." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2234

06 29 22 +16 43 24

Size 25'

18" (1/26/09): at 175x only a scattered group of ~75 stars in a non-descript 10' region. Includes a number of mag 12 stars forming the outline of two rough loops or a butterfly shape. This poor grouping is immediately SE of the listed position. The Milky Way is patchy here and the stars are set over unresolved haze. This grouping appears a very weak field enhancement at best and not a cluster.

William Herschel described a larger grouping (nearly 30'), though the entire field is not really distinguishable from the surrouding area.

WH discovered NGC 2234 = H VIII-9 = h389 on 19 Feb 1784 (sweep 148) and reported as "A cluster of stars very much scattered; takes up near 1/2 degree. It is not very rich; the stars are of various magnitudes." JH described "a p rich v loose cl, fills 2 or 3 fields, not bM, st 10...13m."

Karl Reinmuth noted "no distinct Cl" on Heidelberg plates and the RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7). There is a fairly even scattering of mag 10-13 stars in the vicinity on on the POSS.

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NGC 2235 = ESO 087-013 = PGC 18906

06 22 22.0 -64 56 03

V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 68d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.6', broad concentration with a slightly elongated 25" core. A mag 10.8 star is right at the northeast edge of the halo. This is the brightest of 7 galaxies, including NGCs 2229, 2230 and 2233, viewed in the core of ACO S585 = AGC 3389 and the furthest northeast.

PGC 75662: at 260x; very faint, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.2'. Picked up 1.1' NW of a mag 10.5 star and 3.8' SW of NGC 2230.

PGC 75671: very faint edge-on streak 3:1 SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.15'. A mag 15-16 star is very close following. Picked up just 2.3' N of NGC 2229 on a line with NGC 2230 4.5' S.

PGC 75689: very faint, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.4'x0.2'. Picked up 3.4' E of NGC 2229 and 4' SW of NGC 2235.

JH discovered NGC 2235 = h3052 (along with NGC 2229, 2230 and 2233) on 30 Nov 1834 and logged "vF; S; R; 30"." His position (single sweep) is accurate.

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NGC 2236 = Cr 94 = OCL-501 = Lund 221

06 29 40 +06 49 48

V = 8.5; Size 7'

13.1" (1/18/85): two dozen faint stars in a 5' region over background haze. The brighter stars are in a rich 1' triangular outline with the brightest mag 11 star in the cluster. A long curving arc of fainter stars emanates from the group. Fairly striking cluster.

WH discovered NGC 2236 = H VII-5 = h390 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 156) and described "a cluster of compressed stars of various magnitudes, pretty rich in small stars; the preceding part contains chiefly large onces, not round." JH described an "Irreg fig cl like a hollow triangle in a crowded part of the Milky Way; stars vS; 12...15m; one star 10m. The surrounding loose stars are all large."

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NGC 2237 = Rosette Nebula = Sh 2-275 = LBN 948

06 30 18 +05 03

Size 80'x60'

13.1" (11/5/83 and 1/23/82): the complete annulus of the Rosette Nebula was clearly visible surrounding the naked-eye cluster NGC 2244. Appears brightest and broadest in the NW region with a bright knot in the NE quadrant (NGC 2246). The SE portion is split into two shells. The western section has sharp corner on the inner edge. NGC 2237 refers to a brighter section in the western section of the Rosette. The brighter embedded cluster, NGC 2244, is offset within the 20', darker central region, and the SE end of the cluster (including the brightest member 12 Mon) spills over into the nebula.

8" (1/1/84): complete annulus easy visible in field at 42x or in 8x50 finder with filter as a large, soft ring surrounding the cluster.

Naked-eye (1/8/00): using an OIII filter, the apparent diameter of the cluster (NGC 2244) noticeably increases in size due to the surrounding nebulosity becoming visible. The overall brightness, though, is slightly decreased with the filter as the cluster is significantly dimmed.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2237 = Sw II-31 around 1865 while comet hunting with his 4.5-inch refractor, though the discovery wasn't published until 1884 (Sidereal Messenger, 3, 57-58).  Swift reported "Some ten years ago, while searching for comets, I ran across an exceedingly large and fairly bright nebula near 12 Mon which I of course supposed was familiar to every astronomer." It was described as "quite sharply defined and in a shape of a perfect ellipse, having at each focus either a round and much brighter nebula, or it has two centres of condensation, probably the latter." This was the first observation of the main part of the Rosette Nebula, though Swift mentioned he saw nebulosity on one side of the cluster only.  E.E. Barnard independently discovered the Rosette on 29 Jan 1883 with his 5-inch refractor while searching for comets (Sidereal Messenger 4, 313) and was the first to see the entire annulus. He commented in his logbook "Found a large nebulous object, [near] a scattering cluster of bright stars; it is elongated southwest and northeast. Larger than the field of view." His notification prompted Swift to claim an earlier discovery.

Barnard referred to the nebula as "Swift's Nebula", though it was often called "Barnard's Ring" before the "Rosette Nebula" nickname was introduced. The oldest confirmed usage was in JRASC from 1949 (vol 43, 122): "Often referred to as the Rosette Nebula, it is known to astronomers as NGC 2237."

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NGC 2238 = Rosette Nebula = LBN 948 = Ced 76a = Sh 2-275

06 30 40.4 +05 00 47

13.1": small knot on the west side of the Rosette Nebula. See NGC 2237 for description.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2238 = m 99 on 28 Feb 1864 with Lassell's 48" reflector on Malta. This is a small, nebulous area around a star in the western half of the Rosette Nebula but there was no mention of the entire nebula, which was first recognized by Lewis Swift and E.E. Barnard.

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NGC 2239 = NGC 2244 = Cr 99 = Mel 47 = OCL-515 = Ced 76b

06 31 55 +04 56 36

V = 4.8; Size 24'

See observing notes for NGC 2244.

JH discovered NGC 2239 = h392 in March 1830 and noted "the place of a *8m in most compressed part of a large, poor, but brilliant cluster." His position is 1 min of RA west of mag 6.8 HD 46150, at the northwest corner of the cluster (NGC 2244) in the center of the Rosette Nebula. Although he noted the equivalence with H VII-2 = NGC 2244, he listed h392 separately in the GC (1420) probably because of the 1 min difference in RA and Dreyer catalogued the object as NGC 2239. Karl Reinmuth put both numbers together and described (based on Heidelberg plates) "NGC 2239 and 2244 B Cl, pL, P, sc, B st in eeL dif neb."

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NGC 2240

06 33 11 +35 15 00

18" (1/26/09): at 175x this is a fairly course, scattered group of three dozen mag 10-13 stars in a 10' region. Located just following mag 6.8 HD 46050. Many of the stars are in pairs and in conjunction with the nearby bright star probably caught William Herschel's attention. Also in the field is mag 7.0 HD 46072 about 12' SSW of the center of the star group.

Described by WH (VIII 49) as "A cluster of coursely scattered large stars, not rich" and by JH (h391) as "a v coarse straggling cl 10' diam; 30 or 40 stars 10...15m. A *10m taken, but one of 7m precedes to the north." Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2240 = H VIII-49 = h391 on 3 Jan 1786 (sweep 509) and reported "A cluster of coursely scattered large stars, not rich." JH described "a v coarse straggling cl 10' diam; 30 or 40 stars 10...15m. A *10m taken, but one of 7m precedes to the N." Karl Reinmuth gives a diameter of 10' and description "Cl, pL, iR, pP, sc, st 10...; bet BD +35 1436 and BD +35 1444.", based on its photographic appearance. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent as this object may be an asterism.

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NGC 2241 = ESO 057-SC079 = S-L 888

06 22 53 -68 55 30

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): fairly faint or moderately bright LMC cluster, round, 30"-40" diameter, smooth surface brightness, no resolution. A mag 11.9 star is 2.4' SW and a mag 11 star is 2' S. The cluster forms the northern vertex of a rough right triangle with the two bright field stars. NGC 2249, a brighter cluster, lies 16' E.

JH discovered NGC 2241 = h3054 on 31 Jan 1835 and recorded "F; pL; R; 30"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) matches this LMC cluster.

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NGC 2242 = PK 170+15.1 = CGCG 204-005 = PN G170.3+15.8

06 34 07.4 +44 46 38

V = 15.2; Size 20"

17.5" (1/31/87): faint, small, almost round. Unusually weak filtration response as appears similar brightness or slightly fainter using filters! Estimate V = 14.5. This object was recently discovered to be a planetary in 1985 (Shaw and Bidelman) and is listed in the CGCG.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2242 = Sw VI-27 on 24 Nov 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. This is the last planetary nebula, by discovery date, to be included in the NGC. RNGC and CGCG (204-005) misclassify NGC 2242 as a galaxy although the RNGC new description reads "R, HISB, STEL, PLN??". In 1985, spectroscopic investigations by Richard Shaw and William Bidelman revealed that NGC 2242 is a previously uncatalogued planetary nebula (independently shown to be a planetary by Machara in A&A 178, 221). It was included as a new planetary nebula in Kohoutek's 4th update list (AN 315, 1994). See my RNGC Corrections #2.

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NGC 2243 = Cr 98 = Mel 46 = ESO 426-SC016

06 29 35 -31 16 54

V = 9.4; Size 5'

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly small faint cluster located just 8' SW of mag 7.4 SAO 196879. Consists of unresolved haze except for four stars on the west edge and a few stars on the east edge.

JH discovered NGC 2243 = h3053 on 19 Oct 1835 and recorded "pB, R, vglbM, all evidently resolved into stars, not very rich. Something between a cluster and a globular cluster. [This ob makes the RA 24m 8.9s, but it is pretty clear that this is a misreading of the chronometer.]" On a second sweep he logged "pB, R, gbM, 4' diameter, mottled or resolved, amongst bright stars." His mean position (two sweeps) matches this cluster.

James Dunlop possibly discovered the cluster earlier on 24 May 1826. His entry for D 616 reads "an ill-defined faint nebulosity of some considerable extent, with several small stars scattered in it." Although this description fits, his position is 33' further east-southeast and JH gave an uncertain equivalence.

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NGC 2244 = NGC 2239 = Cr 99 = Mel 47 = OCL-515 = Ced 76b

06 31 55 +04 56 36

V = 4.8; Size 24'

17.5" (2/11/96): unusually bright, large cluster of ~15'x5' elongated NW-SE in a rectangular outline and situated in the heart of the Rosette Nebula! The brightest 8 mag 6/7 stars lie along the sides and vertices of the rectangle with the brightest member, yellowish 12 Mon (V = 5.9), residing at the SE vertex. There are ~40 stars within the cluster although the only concentration is 15 mag 11/12 stars surrounding mag 6.8 SAO 114010 (W of center) and trailing to the east towards the wide bright pair of mag 8 stars east of center (one of these stars is a close double).

8": bright, large cluster in the center of the Rosette Nebula. The six brightest stars form a rectangular outline with the brightest star 12 Monocerotis (V = 5.9) at the SE corner. At the north and NW corners of the rectangle are two bright wide pairs with mag 7/8 stars. Many faint stars are near the center surrounding the wide pairs. Faint naked-eye cluster in dark sky.

WH discovered NGC 2244 = H VII-2 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 114) and described "the 12th Monocerotis is a beautiful scattered cluster of stars. They are chiefly of two sorts; the first very brilliant, and the 2nd sort arranged in beautiful winding lines; of these there are about 30 or more. There are besides many very small stars."

Wolfgang Steinicke credits John Flamsteed with the discovery on 17 Feb 1690 as he recorded the 6th magnitude star 12 Monocerotis on his Atlas Coelestis. But Stephen O'Meara notes that Flamsteed didn't note any of the fainter cluster stars (or general fuzziness), so doesn't deserve credit for the discovery.

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NGC 2245 = LBN 904 = Ced 80 = PP 62 = P 13

06 32 41.2 +10 09 24

Size 5'x3'

17.5" (1/19/91): bright, fairly large, about 3' diameter, elongated SW-NE. Fans out to the southwest from a fairly bright mag 11 star at the northeast end. Fades smoothly into background. Located 2' WSW of mag 8.0 SAO 95816. Reflection nebula NGC 2247 lies 12' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 2245 = H IV-3 = h393 on 16 Jan 1784 (sweep 81) and reported "A nebula. It is fan shaped, and appears like a star with a faint, electric brush at one side of it." JH called it "a *11 with a milky neb surrounding it, but chiefly on the sp side. The star is not sharp - not stellar, and the neb fades gradually away from the star; 70" or 80" diam; has a * 7m 30° nf."

The account by LdR (or assistant George Stoney) on Feb 28 1850 is remarkable: "...this neb is part of an enormous neby, which I traced following and north to a great distance, some degrees. It narrows at times to a band across the finding eyepiece of about 6' or 8'. I fancied the number of bright stars was greater in it than in the neighborhood; I am certain the number of small stars is much less..." A sketch made was included in Lord Rosse's 1861 publication (plate XXVII, fig 11).

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NGC 2246 = Rosette Nebula = Sh 2-275

06 32 33.8 +05 07 42

13.1" (1/23/82): this is a brighter patch on the inner northeast side of the Rosette Nebula. A slightly darker gap in the annulus is located at the west end of this portion.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2246 = Sw III-36 on 27 Feb 1886 and described as "eeF; L; iR; e diff. Probably an offshoot of [NGC 2237] Two or three others suspected." The position is on a brighter patch of the Rosette Nebula on the inner portion of the annulus on the northeast side. Wolfgang Steinicke notes this is the last discovered emission nebula included in the NGC (published in 1888).

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NGC 2247 = LBN 901 = Ced 81

06 33 05.1 +10 19 17

Size 4'x3'

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval shape. Surrounds a bright mag 8.5 star although extends further to the east side of the star. Reflection nebula NGC 2245 lies 12' SSW.

13" (1/18/85): fairly faint nebulosity surrounds mag 8 star, round, fans out to south in direction of three faint stars.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2247 = Sw 1-7 on 24 Nov 1883 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and noted a "nebulous star; v diff; B* exactly in center of L, eF nebulosity; follows 1425 [NGC 2245] 28 sec and is 10' N." His position is 2' SE of this reflection nebula.

Dreyer also credited LdR with the co-discovery of NGC 2247. It's possible that Dreyer was referring to Johnstone Stoney's comment on 28 Feb 1850, "...This nebula [NGC 2245] is part of an enormous neby, which I traced f and n to a great dist. some degrees."

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NGC 2248

06 34 35.7 +26 18 16

Size 45"

18" (2/14/10): at 175x a small clump of 4 stars was resolved. The brightest two are a 16" pair of mag 12/13 stars, while the fainter two are probably mag 14.5/15.5.

Edward Cooper discovered NGC 2248 on 23 Dec 1853 while compiling the Markree ecliptic Catalogue. Auwers included it as #23 in his 1862 table of new nebulae and mentioned in the 6" Heliometer at Konigsberg it appeared "extremely faint, just resolvable spot of 2-3' dia. The brightest star 12m." At Cooper's position is a small clump of stars (45" diameter), including a mag 12/13 pair at 16" separation with several fainter stars in a chain to the east. Harold Corwin calls this an "asterism of nine stars". RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 2249 = ESO 057-SC082 = S-L 893

06 25 50 -68 55 12

V = 12.2; Size 1.7'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 184x): fairly bright LMC globular, relatively large, 1.0' diameter, round, gradually increases to the center, no resolution. An unequal mag 11/13 pair at ~10" separation lies 3.7' WNW and mag 8.9 HD 45987 is 9' NW. NGC 2241, a fainter and smaller cluster, lies 16' W.

JH discovered NGC 2249 = h3055 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "F; R; vglbM." On a later sweep he logged "pB; R; gbM; 50"; has a double star preceding." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2250 = OCL-540 = Lund 230 = Cr 100

06 33 49 -05 05 12

Size 7'

18" (1/26/09): at 175x about two dozen stars mag 12-14 stars are resolved in an 8'x4' irregular group, elongated E-W. The brightest star is mag 8.7 HD 46576 on the NE end. Includes several pairs, although none are impressive. Set over a glowing Milky Way background. Appears to be just a weak field enhancement not a true cluster.

JH discovered NGC 2250 = h394 on 20 Feb 1830 and noted as "place of a *8-9 m in following part of a large pretty rich loose cluster; irreg oblong fig; stars 12...14m." His position matches mag 8.7 HD 46576. The Lynga and RNGC position is 1 tmin too far west.

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NGC 2251 = Cr 101 = OCL-499 = Lund 232

06 34 39 +08 22 00

V = 7.3; Size 10'

18" (3/4/08): at 175x, this is a fairly striking cluster that includes a fairly rich 6' string oriented N-S. The string contains ~20 stars including a mag 10.5/11.5 double at 5" (Barton 2120). The brightest star in near the geometric center and is part of second group of ~20 stars with several in a 2' loop. The bright star is a mag 9.5/11.5 pair at 9". Finally, on the north side is a small string of a half-dozen stars oriented E-W.

17.5" (3/12/94): about 40 stars mag 10.5-14 in an 11'x4' fairly rich string NW-SE. Includes about 10 brighter mag 11 stars. The brightest mag 9.5 star is part of a small, roundish subgroup on the west side and is a pleasing double with components mag 9.5/12 at 10". This subgroup has three brighter stars and 15 faint stars mostly west of the double. The main string is fairly uniform except for an empty 3' gap SE of the mag 9.5 star. Located 5' NW of the cluster is an isolated mag 10 star which appears to be a field star.

17.5" (2/1/92): 35 stars mag 10-14 in 12'x6' string NNW-SSE, bright, moderately large, fairly rich but not dense. Consists of 3 main subgroups. The western group is 2' diameter and includes a close double star 10/12 at 10". The NW group is 3' diameter and includes two mag 11 stars with three mag 13 stars between. The SE group is largest and includes 15 stars in a 6' string very elongated N-S with a close double star.

WH discovered NGC 2251 = H VIII-3 = h395 on 26 Dec 1783 (very early sweep 67) and noted "a small cluster of very close stars, not very remarkable." His summary description (2 observatins) reads "an extended cluster of large scattered stars." His position falls just west of center of this cluster. JH called it "a large tract full of stars; v rich; place from working list."

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NGC 2252 = Cr 102 = OCL-514 = Lund 233

06 34 19.8 +05 19 22

V = 7.7; Size 18'

18" (3/13/04): at 115x, this fairly rich field is located just 50' NE of the center of the Rosette Nebula! Most distinctive in the field is a very elongated N-S group of roughly 50 stars in a 12'-15' string just 2' wide. The group has a distinctive hook on the north end as it curves sharply towards the SW. A near perfect triangle of mag 9 stars at 30", 34" and 40" separation lies 23' E.

WH discovered NGC 2252 = H VIII-50 = h396 on 27 Jan 1786 (sweep 512) and reported "a cluster of stars arranged in a broad row, 25' long and 6 or 8' broad, not very compressed but pretty rich." His position is on the east side of the cluster. JH called it "L, pretty rich; stars small; place by working list."

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NGC 2253

06 42 31 +66 24

24" (3/22/14): this number might apply to a fairly rich string of stars about 30' north of William Herschel's position. The surrounding field was examined at 125x (49' field of view) and the only object that caught my attention was a 4' string containing a dozen mag 13-14 stars oriented SW-NE. In addition, a larger group of mag 14 stars is just south (though detached), with the total size of both groups roughly 10'. This asterism is penned in by some brighter stars: mag 9.6 star (SAO 13933) is just north of the group, mag 7.7 HD 47522 is southeast and mag 7.2 HD 47215 is roughly 10' S.

WH discovered NGC 2253 = H VII-54 on 1 Nov 1788 (sweep 879) and recorded "A vF patch of eS stars." There is nothing at Harold Corwin's re-reduced position of 06 41 52 +65 50.3 (J2000) -- similar to Auwers -- and Bigourdan failed to recover this object. Corwin suggests NGC 2253 might be "a small group of about 10-15 stars" at 06 42 32 +66 24.3 (2000). This clump is roughly 30' north of WH's position (possibly a digit error) and described above.

RNGC, CGCG and SIMBAD misidentify CGCG 308-037 as NGC 2253. This galaxy is located at 06 43 14.7 +65 40 39 (2000). NED and HyperLeda equate UGC 3511 with NGC 2253 (originally proposed by Sue French?), though NED notes the identification is very uncertain. UGC 3511 is located ~40' SSE of WH's position so is a very poor positional match. See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 2254 = Cr 103 = OCL-500 = Lund 234

06 35 50 +07 40 24

V = 9.7; Size 4'

18" (3/4/08): small, dense group of ~25 stars in 3' at 225x and 300x. About a dozen of the stars are arranged in a semi-circular chain or "C" that is open on the east side. Several mag 14+ stars are near this loop, segregated into small clumps.

17.5" (2/8/91): at 220x, about two dozen stars over haze in a 3'-4' diameter. About 6 stars of mag 13 form a "C" shaped asterism open on the east side. The brightest mag 13 star is on the NW side of this arc. The rest of cluster members are 14-15th magnitude.

WH discovered NGC 2254 = H VII-22 = h397 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 496) and noted "a small cluster of pretty compressed vS stars." His position is just west of center. JH called this "a pretty rich, small cluster; irreg fig; st 11...15m."

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NGC 2255 = ESO 365-031 = MCG -06-15-010 = PGC 19260

06 33 58.6 -34 48 45

V = 13.4; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 152d

18" (3/11/07): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.5', weakly concentrated.

JH discovered NGC 2255 = h3056 on 2 Feb 1835 and described as "eF; R; vlbM; 25-30"." His position (measured on two sweeps) matches ESO 365-031 = PGC 19260. With a redshift of z = .023 (roughly 340 million light years), this galaxy may be an outlying member of Abell S591.

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NGC 2256 = UGC 3519 = MCG +12-07-015 = CGCG 330-114 = PGC 19602

06 47 13.9 +74 14 11

V = 12.5; Size 2.3'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.0

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, moderately large, oval 4:3 E-W, broad but only weak concentration. Located 3.5' NNW of a mag 10 star. NGC 2258 lies 15' NNE.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2256 = T IX-3 (along with NGC 2258) on 1 Aug 1883 with an 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His position and description matches UGC 3519 = PGC 19602.

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NGC 2257 = ESO 087-SC024 = S-L 895

06 30 12.4 -64 19 40

V = 12.6; Size 2.2'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, fairly large, round, 1.5'-2' diameter, broad weak concentration, no resolution. An elongated group of a half-dozen mag 10-11 stars oriented NW-SE passes just north of the cluster. This is one of the oldest LMC globulars and is located at the north-east periphery of the cloud and is comparable in age to galactic globulars, ~10 billion years old.

JH discovered NGC 2257 = h3057 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded as "F; vL; R; gvlbM; 3'." On his third sweep he logged "pB; L; R; vgbM; resolvable; diam in RA = 17s of time." His position is accurate. NGC 2257 was identified by Gascoigne and Lynga as the "easternmost object to which membership of the Clouds may certainly be assigned".

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NGC 2258 = UGC 3523 = MCG +12-07-016 = CGCG 330-115 = PGC 19622

06 47 46.1 +74 28 54

V = 11.9; Size 2.3'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 150d

17.5" (1/19/91): moderately bright, small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is just 0.8' NE of center and a mag 12 star is 1.2' SSE. NGC 2256 lies 15' SSW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2258 = T IX-4, along with NGC 2256, with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. Tempel just gives a rough RA, but his position is about 6' south of UGC 3523 = PGC 19622 and his description "together with two nearby stars mag 10-11 forms a triangle" clinches the identification. Bigourdan measured an accurate RA on 22 Dec 1891 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes). MCG lists the NGC designation as uncertain.

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NGC 2259 = Cr 108 = Mel 48

06 38 33.3 +10 52 57

Size 5'

18" (3/4/08): at 175x, appears as a 4' rich group of faint stars over haze. At 300x, about two dozen stars in total are resolved, mostly in a 2' circular clump. About 1' N of this dense patch of stars is the brightest mag 11.5 star which has a 13th magnitude companion. This cluster is located 5' E of mag 8.8 HD 47271.

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, small, 3'-4' diameter, rich, irregularly round. Consists of about 15 faint stars mag 13.5-14.5 sparkling over a layer of background haze. A double star mag 12/13 at 7" separation is at the north edge. Mag 8.7 SAO 95930 is 5' W and is surrounded by a less compressed group of 15-20 stars mag 12/13 in a 6' triangular shape. This mag 8.7 star has two faint companions on the south side and another close faint double star is 3' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2259 = H VI-28 on 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 682) and called "a cluster of extremely compressed and exceedintly S stars, considerably rich, irr F, the following and most compressed part of it round." His position (Auwer's reduction) is on the south side of the cluster.

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NGC 2260

06 38 03 -01 28 24

17.5" (2/1/03): roughly 50 stars are visible at 100x spread out over 15'. The stars are in two main subgroups, oriented SW and NE. The SW group includes mag 8.0 SAO 133489 with a rich arc of stars trailing to the north. The NE group is highlighted by mag 7.1 SAO 133505 with a nice 20" mag 11/12 double 1.5' SSE. Also an isolated mag 8.3 star is at the southern vertex of an obtuse triangle with these two groups. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2260 = H VIII-48 = h398 on 1 Jan 1786 (sweep 506) and noted "A Cl of very scattered stars of various sizes, of more than 1/2 degree of extent." JH called it "very course, v poor, v straggling, the chief *8 taken." His position corresponds with mag 8.2 SAO 133505 at 06 38 05.8 -01 26 40. Karl Reinmuth gave an approximate size of 15' with description "Cl, pL, P, st 8..." based on its photographic appearance on Heidelberg plates. The group is not included in the Lynga cluster catalogue and RNGC classifies it as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2261 = Hubble's Variable Nebula = LBN 920 = Ced 83 = R Mon = HH 39 = PP 64

06 39 10 +08 44 42

Size 2'x1'

18" (3/4/08): Hubble's variable nebula is a striking fan-shaped object, with a mag 12 star at its south tip with the nebula extending to the north. The fan displays a great deal of variation in brightness and structure at 300x. The brightest portion is on the northwest side of the fan, though it dims a little near the tip on the west side. The eastern rim is bright and sharply defined N-S like a thin finger. The nebulosity dims along northern end of the fan and a small, wedge-shaped darker area extends into the fan from the north.

13.1" (1/28/84): Hubble's Variable Nebula is bright, small, fan-shaped 2:1 N-S and widest at the north boundary. The nebulosity tapers down towards 12th magnitude R Monocerotis at the south tip which appears to have a very small high surface brightness halo. The western edge (oriented NW-SE) is slightly weaker and more curved than the eastern edge which is sharper and straighter N-S. This is an impressive nebula with high surface brightness and interesting structure.

8": comet-like nebula extends from R Mon.

WH discovered NGC 2261 = H IV-2 = h399 on 26 Oct 1783 (very early sweep 67) and recorded "a curious nebula of a fan shape." His summary description (based on 4 observations) reads "cB, fan-shaped, about 2' long from the centre." His placed it in class IV which includes planetary nebulae. JH called it a "*12m with bright cometic branch 60" l whose axis is 60° np. The star is a little ill-defined. The apex of the neb comex exactly up to star, but does not pass it." George Stoney sketched the nebula using the 72" on 16 Jan 1850 (plate XXXVII, figure 10) and Secchi published an excellent sketch in 1856.

Hubble discovered the nebula was variable (1916), hence the popular nickname. This is an unusual bipolar nebula with the second southern jet hidden from view. According to the California Institute of Technology, Hubble's Variable Nebula was the first object photographed through the 200-inch Hale telescope at Palomar Observatory. Hubble sat in the prime focus cage of that instrument and recorded an image of it on 26 Jan 1949.

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NGC 2262 = Cr 109 = OCL-531 = Lund 242

06 39 38.7 +01 08 30

Size 4'

13.1" (1/18/85): about 10 very faint stars in cluster over unresolved background glow. Incorrect position given in modern catalogues.

WH discovered NGC 2262 = H VII-37 = h400 on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 668) and described "A Cl of v. com eS st, considerably rich, 3 or 4' dia., most condensed around the middle." His position matches this small cluster. JH recorded "A great many sc st; and a strong suspicion of a more comp part (thick haze)" and measured an accurate position.

The wrong position (06 38.4 +01 11 (2000)) is given in modern sources such as Sky Catalogue 2000, Lynga, NGC 2000.0, RNGC and SIMBAD (now corrected). Brent Archinal notes (e-mail from 3/11/98) the error originated with Per Collinder's list of clusters (1931) and copied into the modern catalogues.

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NGC 2263 = ESO 490-019 = MCG -04-16-014 = PGC 19355

06 38 28.9 -24 50 55

V = 12.1; Size 2.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 143d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, even surface brightness. Situated between two mag 13.5 stars 1' N and 1' S with a similar star 1.7' ENE. Located 4.2' N of mag 8.5 SAO 172076 and 7.2' NNW of mag 9.0 SAO 172078" (nearly collinear with the galaxy).

JH discovered NGC 2263 = h3058 on 20 Jan 1835 and recorded "Not vF, R, or lE, pslbM, E between two vS stars, and has two stars about 8th mag S.p. pointing to it." His description and coordinates matches ESO 490-019 = PGC 19355, though the two bright stars are south following.

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NGC 2264 = "Christmas Tree" cluster = Cr 112 = "Fox Fur" Nebula = Ced 84b = Sh 2-273 = LBN 911 = Cone Nebula

06 40 58 +09 53 42

V = 3.9; Size 60'x30'

17.5" (12/28/00): besides the bright nebulosity extending southwest of mag 4.7 S Monocerotis (15), most of the central region of the cluster was set against a weakly glowing background (part of Sh 2-273). At the southern end of the cluster (tip of the "Christmas Tree"), this low surface brightness glow was more evident and clearly extended beyond the 7th magnitude star at the tip towards the SE. The west edge of this weakly glowing extension forms the eastern border of the dark Cone Nebula (LDN 1613). There is a lack of faint stars within the region of the Cone Nebula but the inclusion itself was not darker than the general background.

17.5" (12/30/99): nebulosity was quite prominent to the SW of south Mon as well as a weaker glow in the vicinity around ∑954 at the south end of the cluster. At 100x (unfiltered) there appeared to be a slightly darker vacuity to the south of this star in the position of the Cone nebula but there is no sharp "edge" with the nearby nebulosity.

13" (11/5/83): very bright, very large scattered group, elongated N-S, striking Christmas tree shape. A bright multiple star 15 Monocerotis = south Mon (4.7-7.5 at 2.8" and companions) is at the base of the tree at the north end of the cluster and is surrounded by several stars. Easy nebulosity is visible which extends 10' SW of south Mon and includes a group of three brighter stars. At the south end of the cluster is the double star ∑954 = 7.1/9.6 at 13". The Cone nebula (not seen) extends south of ∑954 and "points" towards ∑954.

8": bright, very large, scattered, Christmas tree outline, fairly rich, includes multiple star south Mon.

Naked-eye (1/8/00): vislble as a 4th magnitude nebulous glow including the mag 5 star (S Mon), but appears much smaller naked-eye than the listed dimensions.

WH discovered NGC 2264 = H V-27 = H VIII-5 = h401 on 18 Jan 1784 (sweep 81) and recorded VIII-5 as "The 15th Mon is attended by above 30 considerable stars, and is itself a double star of the 3rd class. The star extremely unequal and probably not visible in smaller instruments. There is also another double star of the 3rd class not far from it consisting of equal stars." On 26 Dec 1785 (sweep 494) he logged V-27 as "I observed about 7' or 8' sp 15 Mon, some of the pB stars to be contained within vF milky nebulosity which loses itself imperceptibly; but there remains a doubt of the reality." On the 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 496) he mentions "I examined the stars south preceding 15 Mon and believe they contain Milky nebulosity. It is very difficult to ascertain it on account of the glare of the 15th, but I have hardly any doubt. Again on 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 682) he noted "I suspect the sp 2 stars (of which one is Double [15 Mon] to be affected with vF milky nebulosity but may be a deception." WH's descriptions and position apply to the cluster and to the brightest part of the nebulosity southwest of mag 4.7 S Monocerotis. JH also reported "a *5.6 enveloped in a nebulous haze.", although this may be a result of scattered light.

The region around 15 Mon was examined a number of times at Birr Castle, searching for nebulosity. There was several negative results in the 1850's and Lord Rosse wrote "No neby. Found, and only a few stars arranged in pairs; no cl. Has there been a change here? But a couple of later observations (including by Dreyer) were successful. E.E. Barnard and Roberts reported extensive nebulosity in the region based on photographs.

On 10 May 1895 Isaac Roberts showed a three-hour exposure of the NGC 2264 complex taken with his 20-inch reflector on 13 Feb to a meeting of the Royal Astronomical Society. It clearly showed the nebulosity southwest of S Mon (first photographed by Barnard in 1894) but also revealed a “conical dark space bounded by a rim of nebulosity” — this is the famous ‘Cone Nebula’.

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NGC 2265

06 41 42 +11 54 18

17.5" (2/1/03): this is a Milky Way cloud of ~50 faint stars mag 12-14. There is central "hole" lacking any stars, and there are no rich subgroups. Does not look to be a reasonable cluster and candidate and in fact, doesn't stand out in the field at 100x. There does seem to be some unresolved background or Milky Way glow.

JH discovered NGC 2265 = h402 on 23 Jan 1832 and described "A poor cluster 30 or 40 small stars 12-13m." Karl Reinmuth called this "a rich region, >1 degree, no distinct Cl.", based on its photographic appearance. There is a scattering of mag 10-13 stars near Herschel's position on the POSS, but nothing that looks like a cluster. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.

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NGC 2266 = Cr 113 = Mel 50 = OCL-471

06 43 20 +26 58 12

Size 7'

13.1" (12/22/84): three dozen stars mag 9-15 in a 4' diameter. Most members are very faint and the cluster appears quite rich with averted over unresolved background haze. The brightest star, mag 8.6 SAO 78670, is at the southwest edge of cluster and a string of five brighter stars mag 10-12 trail to the ENE. An isolated mag 10 star is off the northwest corner.

WH discovered NGC 2266 = H VI-21 = h403 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 486) and recorded "a very rich and very compressed cluster of stars of about 4 1/2 or 5' diameter, 5 or 6 of the largest stars are in a row." His position is on the southeast side of the cluster. JH noted his position is "the most condensed part of a p rich, p comp cl of stars 11...15m; irreg figure; diam of most compressed part = 3...4'' triangular."

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NGC 2267 = ESO 426-029 = MCG -05-16-015 = PGC 19417

06 40 51.8 -32 28 57

V = 12.2; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 36d

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, very small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, bright core. Two nearby stars confuse the observation: a mag 13 star just 36" W of center (at the NW edge) and a mag 14 star 0.9' SW of center.

JH discovered NGC 2267 = h3059 on 16 Feb 1836 and described as "pB, S, R, 20"; has 2 or 3 small stars close to it." DeLisle Stewart, using photographic plates from Peru, described this object as "two nebulae close together."

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NGC 2268 = UGC 3653 = MCG +14-04-022 = CGCG 362-036 = CGCG 363-020 = LGG 145-001 = PGC 20458

07 14 17.6 +84 22 57

V = 11.5; Size 3.2'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 63d

17.5" (8/27/87): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated SW-NE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is at the SW edge 1.1' from center.

17.5" (2/22/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, faint halo gradually increases to a large brighter core, small bright nucleus, faint stellar nucleus.

Alphonse Borrelly discovered NGC 2268 = T I-19 around 1871 with a 7.2-inch comet-seeker at the Marseille Observatory. His micrometric position in AN 1885 matches UGC 3653. Wilhem Tempel independently discovered the galaxy in 1877 . The RNGC RA is 8.0 tmin too far east.

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NGC 2269 = Cr 114 = OCL-524 = Lund 252

06 43 16.8 +04 37 04

V = 10.0; Size 4'

17.5" (1/1/92): two dozen stars mag 11.5-15 in a 4' diameter. The main portion is a rich, thin 3' string oriented NW-SE with about 15 stars including a mag 11.5 and 12 star over unresolved haze. The scattered outliers to 4' radius increase the total to two dozen stars.

WH discovered NGC 2269 = H VI-3 = h404 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 114) and described "a cluster of very compressed; they are eF and I suppose cannot be visible with my 7 ft reflector. It contains a few L ones. It is of an extended figure, and as it were, divided." His position is poor - 37 sec of RA too far east and 4' too far south, but not unusual for his early sweeps. JH described a "close cl of v small st; poor; twilight; preceded by a coarse cl of large ones." Both Herschels' positions are too far east and so the NGC position is ~9' ESE of center.

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NGC 2270

06 43 58 +03 27 12

17.5" (2/1/03): this is a large, scattered field, ~10' diameter surrounding a kite-shaped asterism of mag 8.5-10 stars. There is no concentration but there are a couple of denser clumps of faint stars on the east side. A curving string of stars heads NE and ends at a group of stars surrounding mag 7.6 SAO 114355. Located 30' S of a mag 5.9 star. Does not appear to be a cluster but just a Milky Way field. Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2270 = H VII-36 = h405 on 26 Dec 1786 (sweep 667) and noted "A Cl of very scattered stars, considerably rich, and of great extent." JH logged a "coarse scattered cluster; not very rich; place of *9m." His position is just 5 tsec east of mag 8.8 SAO 114331 at 06 43 51.7 +03 27 12. Based on its photographic appeared, Reinmuth calls this a "rich region, no distinct Cl." RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2271 = ESO 490-034 = MCG -04-16-017 = PGC 19476

06 42 52.9 -23 28 33

V = 12.2; Size 2.1'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 71d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, oval E-W, weak concentration. There is a string of five stars mag 9-11 on line to north including mag 9.4 SAO 172213 5' NNE and mag 8.7 SAO 12200 9' NW.

JH discovered NGC 2271 = h3060 on 23 Jan 1835 and recorded as "pB, S, R, lbM, 20"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2272 = ESO 490-033 = MCG -05-16-017 = PGC 19466

06 42 41.3 -27 27 34

V = 11.7; Size 2.5'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 123d

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, small, round, small faint core. NGC 2280 lies 30' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 2272 = h3061 on 20 Jan 1835 and called "F, E, bM, 20"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2273 = UGC 3546 = MCG +10-10-015 = CGCG 285-006 = Mrk 620 = PGC 19688

06 50 08.6 +60 50 45

V = 11.7; Size 3.2'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 50d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly bright, moderately large, oval SW-NE, very bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 5.2' SSW of mag 8.5 SAO 13976 and 6.7' WSW of mag 8.3 SAO 13979. NGC 2273B lies 40' SW.

Swedish astronomer Nils Dunér discovered NGC 2273 on 15 Sep 1867 using the 9.6-inch Merz refractor of the Lund Observatory. In AN 78, 251 (1871) he described it as "fairly bright and at least 2' in diameter, with a strong concentration in the middle." and measured an accurate position (using mag 8.6 HD 49039). This was his only NGC discovery. NGC 2273 was also observed by Herman Schultz on 3 and 8 Sep 1872 with the 9.6" refractor at Uppsala and listed as "Dunér's Nova" in his 1874 publication.

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NGC 2274 = UGC 3541 = MCG +06-15-008 = CGCG 175-015 = WBL 121-003 = LGG 139-001 = PGC 19603

06 47 17.3 +33 34 02

V = 12.1; Size 1.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 169d

24" (1/4/14): moderately bright to fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, sharply concentrated with a round high surface brightness core of 0.4' diameter that gradually increases to the center. Halo increases with averted to 0.9'x0.7'. Brighter of a close pair with NGC 2275 1.9' N. The pair resides in a rich star field with UGC 3537 7.4' NW. This low even surface brightness galaxy appeared very faint, fairly small, round, 24", no concentratin.

18" (3/4/08): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated N-S, 0.9'x0.8', contains a sharply concentrated, bright 25" core and a much fainter halo. Forms a close pair with NGC 2275 1.9' N.

18" (10/21/06): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.8'-1' diameter, bright core. This galaxy is slightly brighter than its companion, NGC 2275, located 2' N. The NGC 2288-2294 group lies 45' E.

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, round, small bright core. Forms the brighter of a pair with NGC 2275 2' N.

WH discovered NGC 2274 = H II-614 = h406, along with NGC 2275, on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 628) and described both as "Two, both F, S, R, bM. The southern one [NGC 2274] is the largest." The pair was observed a total of 14 times at Birr Castle! Harold Corwin notes the identifications of NGC 2274 and NGC 2275 are reversed in the MCG.

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NGC 2275 = UGC 3542 = MCG +06-15-007 = CGCG 175-016 = WBL 121-002 = LGG 139-002 = PGC 19605

06 47 17.9 +33 35 57

V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 20d

24" (1/4/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated 5:3 N-S, 50"x30". Sharply concentrated with a small, much brighter core that gradually increases to the center. UGC 3537 lies 6.8' WNW.

18" (3/4/08): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated N-S, 0.9'x0.6', contains a small bright core ~15" in diameter and a much fainter halo. Slightly fainter of a close pair with NGC 2274 1.9' S.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.6', brighter core. Located 2' N of slightly brighter NGC 2274.

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, even surface brightness. Forms the fainter of a pair with NGC 2274 2' S.

WH discovered NGC 2275 = H II-615 = h407, along with NGC 2274, on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 626) and described both as "Two, both F, S, R, bM. The southern one [NGC 2274] is the largest." His single position is 9 tsec of RA too far west, but JH measured a more accurate RA. Harold Corwin notes the identifications of NGC 2274 and NGC 2275 are reversed in the MCG.

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NGC 2276 = Arp 25 = Arp 114 = UGC 3740 = MCG +14-04-028 = CGCG 362-042 = CGCG 363-027 = VII Zw 134 = LGG 145-008 = PGC 21039

07 27 14.4 +85 45 16

V = 11.4; Size 2.8'x2.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 20d

48" (4/4/13): at 488x, NGC 2276 appeared fairly bright, fairly large, irregularly round, 2' diameter. Contains a very small, very bright nucleus, surrounded by a patchy halo with weak spiral structure. The most prominent arm winds along the western edge of the galaxy, curving from west to northwest and creating a very asymmetric appearance. Along this arm segment is a prominent knotty section with two or three clumps, including [HK83] 69, a bright 6" knot. On the southwest side of the halo is [HK83] 63, a faint 6" knot on a line between the nucleus and the 8th-magnitude star (HD 51141) 2.3' SW. In the brighter central region surrounding the nucleus are several brighter, small patches that define the inner arms. A slightly brighter region close southwest of the nucleus includes the multiple designations [HK83] 17/42/46/51. Finally, [H83] 24/27 are weak enhancements on the southeast side of the nucleus. HII region #24 was the site of SN 2005dl.

24" (9/15/12): moderately bright, fairly large, round, 2' diameter. Although spiral arms were not visible, the galaxy has an odd appearance with brighter knots and regions resolved. A non-stellar knot, identified in NED as NGC 2276:[HK83] 69 is visible at the NW edge. The central region contains a faint quasi-stellar nucleus, along with one or two other stellar knots including NGC 2276:[HK83] 24, close east of the nucleus. Another knot (nonstellar) is southwest of the nucleus (perhaps NGC 2276:[HK83] 63). The halo appears weaker on the east side and brighter on the west side. Located 2.3' ENE of a mag 8 star and it helps to move the star just outside the field.

18" (8/2/11): moderately bright, large, round, ~2.0' diameter, weak concentration, slightly brighter core. The halo has an irregular surface brightness giving a strong impression of spiral structure with slightly brighter knots on the west side. Located 2.3' ENE of mag 8.1 HD 51141, which hinders viewing and a mag 11.7 star is squeezed between the bright star and the galaxy. Brighter NGC 2300 lies 6' SE. These are the 3rd and 4th closest NGC galaxies to the North Celestial Pole.

18" (3/13/04): fairly faint, large, slightly elongated,~2.0'x1.6', low surface brightness. The halo fades gradually into the background, particularly on the eastern side, so it was difficult to determine a definite edge. Located 2.2' E of mag 8.4 SAO 1148 which detracts from viewing. Forms a trio with NGC 2300 6' SE and IC 455.

13.1" (1/18/85): diffuse, slightly elongated. Located 2.2' ENE of mag 8.4 SAO 1148 which interferes with viewing. Three mag 11 stars also in line with the 8.4 star to the south including a mag 11.5 star just 1.4' SW. Forms a pair with NGC 2300 6.4' ESE.

8" (1/1/84): faint, moderately large, low surface brightness, slightly elongated. A mag 9 star is near.

August Winnecke discovered NGC 2276 on 26 Jun 1876 with the 6.5" refractor at the Strausberg Observatory. Wilhelm Tempel independently discovered the galaxy the same year with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and included it in list I-20. Winnecke also thought he discovered NGC 2300 but Borrelly found that galaxy earlier (either 1871 or 1872) at Marseille . NGC 2276 is the 3rd closest to the pole in the NGC or IC.

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NGC 2277

06 47 47 +33 27 18

24" (1/4/14): a 7" pair of mag 13.4/14.1 stars were fairly easy to resolve at 375x even in soft seeing. Located 9' SE of NGC 2274 (2' pair with NGC 2275).

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2277 on 20 Apr 1865, while reobserving the nearby galaxies in the NGC 2290 group, along with NGC 2274/2275. At his position is a 30" pair of stars with the northern component a 7" pair of mag 13.4/14.1 stars. Corwin includes 5 stars in this asterism. Nearby NGC 2278 from d'Arrest is also a double star.

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NGC 2278

06 48 16.4 +33 23 39

24" (1/4/14): this 10" pair of fairly evenly matched mag 14.0/14.4 stars (oriented N-S) was easily split at 375x. This pair was easier to resolve than nearby NGC 2277 7' NW and NGC 2279 2' NE. Located 16' SE of NGC 2274 (2' pair with NGC 2275).

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2278 on 1 Jan 1865. At his exact position is a 10" double star (mag 14/14.5). Nearby NGC 2277 from d'Arrest also refers to some faint stars. RNGC misidentifies NGC 2278 = NGC 2275.

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NGC 2279

06 48 24.8 +33 24 55

24" (1/4/14): this is an unequal pair of mag 14.1/15.7 stars at 14" separation. The faint companion was just visible in soft seeing at 375x. Situated just 2' NE of NGC 2278, an easier 10" pair of mag 14.0/14.4 stars.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 2279 = Big. 24 on 8 Jan 1885 and noted 10" diameter with a "stellar aspect". Bigourdan's position is less than 1' S of a triple star (two were resolved in my scope) at 06 48 24.8 +33 24 55. It was found while he was measuring previously discovered nebulae (and asterisms) in the area. RNGC misidentifies NGC 2279 = NGC 2275.

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NGC 2280 = ESO 427-002 = MCG -05-16-020 = UGCA 131 = PGC 19531

06 44 48.9 -27 38 20

V = 10.3; Size 6.3'x3.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 163d

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, bright core. Located 3.9' SE of a mag 10 star. Almost collinear with a second mag 10 star 5.4' NW. NGC 2272 lies 30' WNW.

JH discovered NGC 2280 = h3062 on 1 Feb 1837 and noted "pF; L; irreg R; or lE; gbM; 2'." His position (single sweep) matches ESO 427-002 = PGC 19531.

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NGC 2281 = Cr 116 = Mel 51 = OCL-446

06 48 18 +41 04 42

V = 5.4; Size 15'

18" (3/13/04): ~75 stars in a 30' region to the south of mag 7.3 HD 49009. A number of stars are arranged in a looping chain. There is a neat kite-shaped group of 6 stars (including two pairs at 10" and 15") in the middle of the chain with a faint star in the center. Scattered stars extend to the south, beyond the kite. The group is fairly bright and distinctive and includes a number of mag 9-10 stars, although there are no dense subgroups.

13.1": ~40 stars mag 7-13 in cluster, bright, loose. Five double stars are visible including a mag 9.5-11.0 pair at 11" and a mag 11.0-11.5 pair at 15".

WH discovered NGC 2281 = H VIII-71 on 4 Mar 1788 (sweep 813) and recorded "a cluster of coarsely scattered pretty large stars, pretty rich, the place is that of a double star of the third class." His RA is 1.0 minute too large. The position carried forward to the GC and NGC and modern catalogues including the Lynga Open Clusters Catalog (5th edition) and the RNGC.

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NGC 2282 = vdB 85 = OCL 535.1 = C0644+013 = Ced 87 = IC 2172

06 46 51 +01 18 54

Size 3'x3'

13.1" (1/18/85): very faint reflection nebula with a mag 10 star involved, fairly small, round.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 2282 on 3 Mar 1886 with the 6-inch refractor at Vanderbilt University (announced in AN 2756 and Sidereal Messenger, vol. 5, p154).  He reported finding "a star of 9.5 or 10 magnitiude, with a faint nebulosity surrounding it. I strongly suspect that is not a stellar point but an extremely small nebula with faint nebulosity surrounding.  At best with the 6-inch it did not appear like any of the neighboring stars.  A short distance (4' or 5') preceding this and very slightly north is a faint double star that I suspect is enveloped in nebulosity."  His position matches the central star HD 289120 of this reflection nebula.

Barnard found this reflection nebula again on 30 Oct 1888 using the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory. He noted a "9 1/2 mag star with faint nebulosity about it. 1' in diameter, a little heavier nf. Examined several other stars near, and no nebulosity seen." Apparently Barnard didn't connect this with his earlier observation and notified Dreyer who catalogued it again as IC 2172, at nearly the identical position.  So, NGC 2282 = IC 2172.

This RN is involved with a sparse open cluster OCL 535.1 = C0644+013, listed in Lynga 5 as vdB 85, although Barnard made no reference to an associated cluster (the equivalence was noted by Brian Skiff).

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NGC 2283 = ESO 557-013 = MCG -03-18-002 = Ced 86 = PGC 19562

06 45 52.7 -18 12 37

V = 12.2; Size 3.6'x2.8'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 2d

13.1" (11/5/83): very faint, small, diffuse, even surface brightness. Three faint stars are involved including two mag 13 stars at the NE edge and the north edge. Located in a rich star field 90' S of Sirius and just 9° from the galactic equator!

WH discovered NGC 2283 = H III-271 on 6 Feb 1785 (sweep 367) and reported "3 or 4 small stars with vF nebulosity between them forming an irregular triangle. 240 power showed the same very plainly." Auwers made an error reducing WH's position, but JH corrected the error in the GC and his position matches ESO 557-013 = PGC 19562. Herbert Howe, observing in 1898-1899 with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, described "a small quadrilateral of stars of mag 11, 12, 11, and 13, the interior of which in nearly filled by an eF nebulosity."

Harold Corwin comments that E.E. Barnard's IC 2171 may be a duplicate observation (see his identification notes on that number). Dave Riddle notes Sven Cederblad catalogued this galaxy as a reflection nebula (Ced 86) and it was later included in the Dorschner and Gurtler reflection nebula catalogue as DG 111.

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NGC 2284

06 49 16.2 +33 09 59

24" (1/22/15): this number applies to one of two possible triples. At 200x, I found a mag 13.8 star with a mag 14.5 star 19" SW and a mag 15-15.5 star 19" N. The stars were widely split with no hint of appearing nebulous. A fourth mag 16-16.5 star listed in Corwin's table was not seen viewing through thin clouds.

Just 2' SE of these stars is a very nice equilateral triple! The three stars range from mag 12.3-13.5 with sides of 10", 12" and 13". These were also easily resolved.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2284, along with NGC 2285, on 20 Apr 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory. Near his position is is a pair of mag 13.8/14.5 stars stars at 19" separation with a mag 15-15.5 star a similar distance from the brighter star. Alister Ling found "a triple star (using 255x) amidst a chain of singles and doublets." This trio is 2.4' SSE of d'Arrest's position, but more eye-catching visually. Harold Corwin lists both candidates. The RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2285

06 49 35.9 +33 21 53

24" (1/22/15): at 200x; a 12" pair of mag 14.6 and 15.8 stars was resolved. The fainter star was difficult in hazy conditions. Just 1.6' southeast is a relatively bright double, consisting of mag 10.8/12 stars at 11" separation. d'Arrest didn't mention this pair, which should have been easily resolved, though it is certainly much more eye-catching.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2285, along with NGC 2284, on 20 Apr 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory. About 1' northeast of his single position is a mag 14.6/15.8 pair of stars at 12" separation and he was uncertain if it was nebulous or stellar. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 2286 = Cr 117 = OCL-548 = Lund 257

06 47 40 -03 08 54

V = 7.5; Size 15'

17.5" (12/20/95): at 100x, ~40 stars within an arbitrary 10' region, elongated N-S. This is a fairly rich group of mostly mag 12 and 13 stars bordered by brighter stars grouped in pairs and trios. There is some concentration with a richer 4' core. A wide pair of mag 9 stars is off the SE side.

17.5" (2/1/92): ~60 stars mag 11-14 in the central 10' diameter. Bright, large, fairly rich though not dense. Richest in a lane running NNW-SSE over haze although the brightest mag 10 stars are outliers to the W, north and SE. There is also a bright lane 15' length oriented N-S located to the east of the main group which includes several wide double stars.

WH discovered NGC 2286 = H VIII-31 = h408 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 352) and noted "A larger cluster of scattered stars, not v rich." JH made two observations and noted a "Loose L irreg scattered cl of about 100 st 9...15m." His first position is accurate.

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NGC 2287 = M41 = ESO 557-SC14 = Cr 118

06 46 00 -20 45 18

V = 4.5; Size 38'

18" (2/14/10): this naked-eye cluster was perfectly framed at 73x with the 31mm Nagler (67' field). M41 extends roughly 35' in diameter though many of the brighter mag 7 and 8 stars are in a smaller central region. The cluster includes roughly a dozen brighter stars, many forming a large central oval ~15'-20' diameter and elongated W-E or SW-NE. Near the center is a richer grouping with a number of fainter stars and two bright stars including orange mag 6.9 HD 49091 (brightest member).

A number of loops and chains appear to spin out from the central grouping. One long chain extends NNW to the edge of the cluster and a shorter nearby chain heads WNW and includes a pretty equal mag pair before bending abruptly SW. Two other chains extend from the center to the SW and ENE. About 20' SE of the center of the cluster is mag 6.1 HD 49333, the brightest star in the field though not a member.

8" (10/4/80): ~60 stars mag 7-11.5, very bright, very large, very rich, includes 10 bright stars mag 7 and 8. Many of the stars are arranged in curving rows and groups, includes several double stars. Located about 20' NW of mag 6.0 12 Canis Majoris. Naked-eye object in dark sky.

Naked-eye (numerous times): fairly easy naked-eye glow in a dark sky.

Giovanni Hodierna discovered M41 = NGC 2287 = h411 in 1654 (using a small refractor at 20x). It was independently discovered by John Flamsteed on 16 Feb 1702: "Near this star (12 CMa), there is a cluster." and Le Gentil also found it in 1749. Wolfgang Steinicke lists the visual discoverer as Aristotle, based on comments by J.E. Gore in his 1902 review of the Messier objects. See http://seds.org/messier/more/m041_ari.html for this possibility.

WH recorded M41 in 1784 as "A large cluster of very coarsely scattered large [bright] stars." and JH called it "Coarse; fills field. The chief, 8m, is red; a poor cluster." The position in the NGC, RNGC and NGC 2000 is 1 tmin of RA too far east.

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NGC 2288 = MCG +06-15-011 = CGCG 175-017 = WBL 126-001 = PGC 19714

06 50 52.0 +33 27 45

V = 14.4; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 10.3

18" (3/4/08): very faint, extremely small, round, no more than 10" diameter. Located just 1' SSW of NGC 2289 and faintest of 5 in the group.

18" (10/21/06): faint, extremely small, elongated 5:3 E-W, 20"x12". In a close trio with NGC 2289 1' NNE and NGC 2288 2' SE.

17.5" (12/19/87): very faint, extremely small, elongated WNW-ESE. First of five in a group and forms a close trio with NGC 2289 1.1' NNE and NGC 2290 1.8' SSE.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2288 on 22 Feb 1849 using Lord Rosse's 72", noting "5 neb. in one field [with NGC 2289, 2290, 2291 and 2294]. It was labeled Beta on an accurate sketch of the quintet. The positions of all 5 galaxies (computed by Dreyer and repeated in the GC and NGC) are offset 4' too far south and ~9 seconds too far west, though the relative positions are correct. The RNGC reverses the identifications of NGC 2288 and 2289.

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NGC 2289 = UGC 3560 = MCG +06-15-010 = CGCG 175-018 = WBL 126-002 = PGC 19716

06 50 53.6 +33 28 43

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 92d

18" (3/4/08): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, ~25"x20". A mag 13.5 star is close off the north side. One of the brightest two galaxies in a compact galaxy group (all within 6') of 5 NGCs including NGC 2290 2.5' SSE and NGC 2288 1' S.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, very small, round, 25" diameter. A mag 13.5 star is just off the north side [38" from the center]. In a compact quintet with NGC 2288 1' S and NGC 2290 2.5' S.

17.5" (12/19/87): faint, fairly small, diffuse, slightly elongated, almost even surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is just 0.7' N. Second of five in the NGC 2289/NGC 2290 group with NGC 2288 1.1' SSW and NGC 2290 2.6' SSE.

13" (12/22/84): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE. Forms a pair with NGC 2290 2.6' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 2289 = H III-897 = h409, along with NGC 2290, on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031) and recorded "Two, eF and vS. The place is taken between them. They are about 4' asunder and northern one which is the largest precedes the other about 2 sec. 300x shows the same." Assuming Herschel observed the brightest two galaxies with the orientation NNW-SE, then H III-897 = NGC 2289 and H III-898 = NGC 2290 (Dreyer was confused on the WH and JH identifications in the GC and NGC). His RA is 15 sec too large, but the NPD is in between the pair. These two galaxies were also observed by JH (same orientation and 3 or 4' apart). In the NGC, Dreyer incorrectly assigned III-898 to NGC 2289.

The RNGC reverses the identifications of NGC 2288 and NGC 2289. MCG also misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 2288. See my RNGC Corrections #1 and Malcolm Thomson's article in the Webb Society Quarterly Journal in 1/84.

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NGC 2290 = UGC 3562 = MCG +06-15-012 = CGCG 175-019 = LGG 139-003 = WBL 126-003 = PGC 19718

06 50 56.9 +33 26 15

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 50d

18" (3/4/08): brightest and furthest south in a compact group of 5 NGC's, along with NGC 2289. Appears moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~45"x22", the halo is weakly concentrated with a sharply concentrated 10" core. NGC 2289 and NGC 2288 lie 2' N. The cluster is 0.6° SW of mag 3.6 Theta Gem.

18" (10/21/06): furthest south in a curving chain of 5 galaxies including NGC 2288, NGC 2289, NGC 2291 and NGC 2294. Appears fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 40"x30", increases to a very small bright core. The cluster is located 35' SW of 3.6-magnitude Theta Geminorum.

17.5" (12/19/87): third of five and brightest in the NGC 2289/NGC 2290 group. Fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, bright core. NGC 2289 lies 2.6' NNW and NGC 2288 1.8' NNW.

13" (12/22/84): faint, small, elongated SW-NE, similar to NGC 2289 2.6' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 2290 = H III-898 = h410, along with NGC 2289, on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031) and noted "Two, eF and vS. The place is taken between them. They are about 4' asunder and northern one which is the largest precedes the other about 2 sec. 300x shows the same." His RA is 15 sec too large, but the NPD is in between the pair. JH also observed the pair on sweep 51 (22 Jan 1827) and measured reasonably accurate positions.

George Stoney independently found the entire quintet (NGC 2288, 2289, 2290, 2291, 2294) on 19 Apr 1849 and the group was accurately sketched. Dreyer credited LdR and d'Arrest (his single position is 10 sec of time too large) with the discovery in the GC supplement (GCS 5369) as he was probably unsure of the identities of H III-897 and III-898. All positions in the GC and NGC are offset roughly 4' too far south and 8 tsec too far west. In the NGC, Dreyer incorrectly assigned III-897 to NGC 2290 or NGC 2291.

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NGC 2291 = MCG +06-15-013 = CGCG 175-020 = WBL 126-004 = PGC 19719

06 50 58.6 +33 31 30

V = 13.2; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8

18" (3/4/08): faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration to a very small slightly brighter core. Collinear with a mag 10 star 2.7' NNW and a mag 12 star 0.9' NNW.

18" (10/21/06): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low surface brightness. Located 2.8' SSE of a mag 10 star. In a chain of 5 galaxies with NGC 2294 2.6' E and NGC 2289 3' SSW.

17.5" (12/19/87): very faint, small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness. Fourth of five in a group. On a line with NGC 2288 4.0' SSW and NGC 2289 3.0' SSW. NGC 2294 lies 2.6' ENE.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2291 on 22 Feb 1849 using Lord Rosse's 72", noting "5 neb. in one field [with NGC 2288, 2289, 2290 and 2294]. It was labeled Delta on the field sketch. Dreyer assumed this nebula was JH's h409 (described as "eF; the northern of two, 3 or 4' apart") and possibly WH's III-897, but the Herschel designations more likely apply to NGC 2289. The positions of all 5 galaxies (computed by Dreyer and repeated in the GC and NGC) are offset 4' too far south and 8-9 sec of RA too far west.

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NGC 2292 = VV 178b = ESO 490-048 = MCG -04-16-022 = PGC 19617

06 47 40 -26 44 48

V = 10.8; Size 4.1'x3.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 1d

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness. Forms a close pair with NGC 2293 1' SE and a trio NGC 2295 just 4' W.

JH discovered NGC 2292 = h3063 on 2 Feb 1835 and described "a double nebula [with NGC 2293], the preceding eF; the following (whose place is here set down) pB; both R gbM; in a field full of stars, among which is also a third nebula." His description clearly refers to the double system VV 178 = ESO 490-048/049, although he reversed the orientation and position with NGC 2295! Herbert Howe was the first to note this error in 1898 and corrected the orientation and positions based on observations with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.

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NGC 2293 = VV 178a = ESO 490-049 = MCG -04-16-023 = PGC 19619

06 47 43 -26 45 12

V = 11.2; Size 4.2'x3.3'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 125d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, round, very bright core, stellar nucleus. In a tight group with NGC 2292 1' WNW (double system in a common halo) and NGC 2295 4' W.

JH discovered NGC 2293 = h3063 on 2 Feb 1835 and described "a double nebula [with NGC 2292], the preceding eF; the following (whose place is here set down) pB; both R gbM; in a field full of stars, among which is also a third nebula." His description clearly refers to the double system VV 178 = ESO 490-048/049, although he reversed the orientation and position with NGC 2295! JH listed a single entry for both galaxies, although Dreyer gave separate designations for NGC2292 and 2293. Herbert Howe was the first to note this error in 1898 and corrected the orientation and positions based on observations with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.

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NGC 2294 = MCG +06-15-014 = CGCG 175-021 = WBL 126-005 = PGC 19729

06 51 11.3 +33 31 38

V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 6d

18" (3/4/08): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 ~N-S, 0.6'x0.35', weak concentration. Furthest NE in a group of 5 NGCs. A wide double of mag 10.5-11 stars lies 2' SE.

18" (10/21/06): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 0.6'x0.3', very weak concentration. NGC 2291 lies 2.6' W and NGC 2288, NGC 2289 and NGC 2290 are all nearby to the SW. A 40" pair of mag 10.5-11.5 stars lies 2' SE.

17.5" (12/19/87): fairly faint, small, oval ~N-S. Follows four stars on a line. Last of five in the NGC 2289/NGC 2290 group with NGC 2291 2.6' W.

13" (12/22/84): very faint, extremely small, almost round, no details.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2294 on 22 Feb 1849, noting "5 neb. in one field [with NGC 2288, 2289, 2290 and 2291]. It was labeled Epsilon on the field sketch. The positions of all 5 galaxies (computed by Dreyer and repeated in the GC and NGC) are offset 4' too far south and 9 tsec too far west.

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NGC 2295 = ESO 490-047 = MCG -04-16-021 = PGC 19607

06 47 23.5 -26 44 09

V = 12.7; Size 2.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 46d

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, even surface brightness. Located between two mag 13 stars 30" SSW of center and 20" NNE or center. A similar star is also 1.5' N. First of three with the NGC 2292/2293 duo 4' E.

JH discovered NGC 2295 = h3064 on 2 Feb 1835 and described as "eF; S; R; between stars. A double nebula precedes." His description clearly refers to ESO 490-047 = PGC 19607, although the "double nebula" (NGC 2292/2293 = h3063) follows and his positions are reversed! Herbert Howe was the first to note this error in 1898 and corrected the orientation and positions based on observations with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.

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NGC 2296 = IC 452 = MCG -03-18-003 = PGC 19643

06 48 39.1 -16 54 06

Size 1.9'x1.4'; PA = 145d

17.5" (1/19/91): moderately bright but very small, round, very small bright core. Sirius is 50' WNW and creates a reflection in field! This object is probably a galactic diffuse nebula located within an absorption patch.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2296 = Sw VI-28 = Big. 147 on 11 Mar 1887. His position is 0.7 min of RA too far east and 1' south. Bigourdan found this reflection nebula again on 9 Mar 1890 while searching for NGC 2296, measured an accurate position and Dreyer recatalogued it as IC 452. Herbert Howe measured an accurate RA for NGC 2296 in 1898 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory. So, NGC 2296 = IC 452.

MCG -03-18-003 misclassified this object as a galaxy, though V-V commented "this is almost a diffused nebulosity, but it is not in any catalogue", and it was later catalogued as PGC 19643. According to Wolfgang Steinicke, this was the last reflection nebula, by discovery date, to be included in the NGC.

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NGC 2297 = ESO 087-040 = PGC 19524

06 44 24.6 -63 43 03

V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2

18" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 45"x30", contains a faint quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 9.7 star (SAO 249635) is 4.7' S. NGC 2305 and 2307 pair lies 43' SE (over the border into Volans).

JH discovered NGC 2297 = h3066 on 31 Jan 1835 and called "vF, R, vglbM, 30"." His position (single sweep) is accurate.

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NGC 2298 = ESO 366-SC22 = Mel 53

06 48 59.2 -36 00 19

V = 9.2; Size 5'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 200x, this is a compact, fairly bright globular that is well-concentrated with a bright 1.5' core and a fainter halo of ~3' diameter. Roughly two dozen stars are resolved (brightest cluster members are mag 13.4) including several across the core and a number of stragglers, which are easier to resolve in the outer halo.

17.5" (1/31/87): moderately large globular with no sharp core. A dozen stars are resolved over the mottled disc.

8" (1/1/84): no resolution, fairly small, smooth.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2298 = D 578 on 8 May 1826 and described "a pretty bright round nebula, 3' or 4' diameter, moderately condensed to the centre. This is resolvable into stars." He made 6 observations and his published position is 6' W of center of the globular.

JH observed the globular (h3065) on four sweeps from the Cape of Good Hope, first recording it on 2 Feb 1835 as "B, R, gpmbM, 3', all resolved into stars 14th mag. In the centre is a star 13th mag."

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NGC 2299 = NGC 2302 = OCL-554 = Lund 264

06 51 54 -07 05 00

See observing notes for NGC 2302

JH discovered NGC 2299 = h412 on 19 Jan 1828 and described "A coarse cl, not v rich, 30 or 40 st, probably only an outlying portion of VIII 39 [NGC 2302]". There is nothing at his position (about 7' W of mag 6.6 HD 50138), though it is marked as uncertain. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Neblel", comments "many st, but nothing like a cluster."

Harold Corwin notes that JH's positional offset from NGC 2302 (discovered earlier by WH) is "nearly the same as NGC 2338 (which see), found in the same sweep on 19 January 1828." So, he concludes NGC 2299 = NGC 2302, despite that JH apparently thought he was observing a different cluster.

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NGC 2300 = Arp 114 = UGC 3798 = MCG +14-04-031 = CGCG 362-043 = CGCG 363-029 = LGG 145-003 = PGC 21231

07 32 20.0 +85 42 32

V = 11.1; Size 2.8'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 80d

18" (8/2/11): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, ~1.5'x1.3' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases steadily to the center. The halo fades out and increases with averted vision. Forms a striking pair with NGC 2276 just 6' NW. Brightest in a group of galaxies near +85° declination.

18" (3/13/04): fairly bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 1.2' diameter. Well concentrated with a bright 25" core and a much fainter irregular halo. Forms a trio with NGC 2276 6' W and IC 455 11' SSE.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, bright core, small fainter halo. Forms a pair with NGC 2276 7' W. IC 455 is 11' SSE.

8" (1/1/84): moderately bright, small, bright core, slightly elongated.

Alphonse Borrelly discovered NGC 2300 in 1871 or 1872 with a 7.2-inch comet-seeker at the Marseille Observatory and remarked "fairly nebula, somewhat extended; mag 12-13 core." Borrelly's micrometric position in AN 1885 matches UGC 3798. August Winnecke independently found the galaxy on 26 Jun 1876 as well as Wilhelm Tempel (list V-21) in 1877. This galaxy is the 4th closest to the pole in the NGC or IC.

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NGC 2301 = Cr 119 = Mel 54 = OCL-540

06 51 45 +00 27 36

V = 6.0; Size 12'

17.5" (2/28/87): ~60-70 stars in cluster. A bright blue/yellow double star (h740 = 8.6/9.3 at 21") is near the center. Many of the stars are arranged in two strings oriented SW-NE which pass through the center.

13.1" (1/1/84): striking, ~60 stars in cluster, dozens more nearby. A very elongated string passes through the center.

WH discovered NGC 2301 = H VI-27 = h413 on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 668) and described "a very beautiful cluster of much compressed small and large stars of many sizes, above 20' diameter." His position is accurate. JH noted a "double star in the chief group of a prety rich coarse cl, not very compressed. Broken into 3 groups. The sp group is the richest."

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NGC 2302 = NGC 2299?? = OCL-554 = Lund 264

06 51 54 -07 05 00

V = 8.9; Size 3'

17.5" (2/1/03): at 140x, this a fairly small group (~4' diameter) of roughly two dozen stars embedded in a large, scattered field of stars. On the west side is a nice quadruple including three mag 10 stars. On the east side is a double and a triple star forming a "V" asterism. Located 7' SE of mag 6.6 SAO 133781. This bright star has perhaps a dozen fainter stars within 3' but this subgroup does not look to be a plausible candidate for NGC 2299 which is more likely a duplicate of NGC 2302.

17.5": 20 stars resolved at 140X, in fairly small group. Not rich but includes some close doubles. The three brightest mag 10 stars form a shallow arc on the west side with fourth fainter star nearby. On the east side is a V-shaped group of six stars with the vertex at the east side. The central portion includes a few scattered stars with a line of three stars on the south side.

WH discovered NGC 2302 = H VIII-39 = h414 on 4 Mar 1785 (sweep 377) and recorded "a cluster of scattered large stars, of various sizes, not very rich; but taking up above 20 minutes." His position is ~20 seconds of RA too large, though his description includes the surrounding field. JH measured an accurate position (measured on 3 sweeps). NGC 2299 = NGC 2302 is a duplicate observation (see notes).

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NGC 2303 = UGC 3603 = MCG +08-13-031 = CGCG 234-030 = PGC 19891

06 56 17.5 +45 29 34

V = 12.6; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2303 = Sw VI-29 on 24 Nov 1886 with a 16" refractor at Warner Observatory. His position is 11 tsec west and 23" north of UGC 3603 = PGC 19891. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 9 Jan 1891 (repeated in the IC 2 notes). UGC does not label the galaxy as NGC 2302 and MCG gives an uncertain NGC identification.

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NGC 2304 = Cr 120 = Mel 55 = OCL-484

06 55 12 +17 59 18

Size 5'

13.1" (12/22/84): ~20 faint stars, unresolved haze, rich, elongated WSW-ENE in a thin wedge.

WH discovered NGC 2304 = H VI-2 = h415 on 30 Dec 1783 (early sweep 68) and recorded "a cluster of extremely small stars, very much compressed, 5 or 6' diameter. The stars of the cluster are of unequal sizes but chiefly of two sorts, vS and eS. I viewed them with a power of 500 and found them very numerous and compressed. The cluster is of an irregular oval or almost round form." Auwer's reduction is 40 sec of RA east of the cluster. JH measured an accurate position on sweep 313 and noted a "pretty rich cl; acutangular, the acute angle precedes; the p side is bounded by a remarkably definite line..."

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NGC 2305 = ESO 087-044 = PGC 19641

06 48 37.8 -64 16 24

V = 11.7; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 140d

18" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): moderately to fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 50"x40", sharply concentrated with a very bright small core. Bracketed by two close stars; a mag 12.5 star is 35" S of center and a mag 11.6 star is less than 30" E of center. Forms a pair with NGC 2307 4' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 2305 = h3067, along with NGC 2307 = h3068, on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded, "F; vS; R; makes a small triangle with 2 stars." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2306

06 54 30 -07 12 18

Size 20'x10'

18" (1/26/09): at 175x, ~75 stars are resolved in an 18'x10' Milky Way group or cloud that streams WSW to ENE. The richest portion is on the west side just south of mag 8.6 HD 50734 (not part of the group). This subgroup includes a fairly close double star and a very small clump that resolves into at least 4 tightly packed stars. Appears to be an unimpressive Milky Way field, though the cloud is somewhat detached so is distinguishable.

WH (VIII 51) noted this object as "a cluster of very scattered stars" and JH, who observed it three times (h416) described as an outlying portion of VIII 39 = NGC 2302 and "has no title to be called a cluster."

WH discovered NGC 2306 = H VIII-51 = h416 on 23 Feb 1786 (sweep 528) and noted "a very much scattered cluster." JH made 3 observation and described an outlying portion of NGC 2302 = H VIII-39 that "has no title to be called a cluster." Karl Reimuth also comments "many st, but nothing like a cluster.", based on its photographic appearance. RNGC classifies the number nonexistent (Type 7). See Corwin'sidentification notes.

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NGC 2307 = ESO 087-045 = PGC 19648

06 48 50.8 -64 20 07

V = 12.0; Size 1.7'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 142d

18" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): slightly larger and fainter of a pair with NGC 2305 4' NNW. Appeared moderately bright and large, roundish, contains a bright elongated core or "bar" oriented NW-SE [~40" in length] with a diffuse halo ~1.3' diameter.

JH discovered NGC 2307 = h3068 (along with NGC 2305 = h3067) on 30 Nov 1834 and noted "vF; pL; lE; in the parallel." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2308 = UGC 3618 = MCG +08-13-037 = CGCG 234-037 = PGC 19949

06 58 37.6 +45 12 38

V = 13.2; Size 1.8'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 170d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 N-S. Overpowered by 16 Lyncis (V = 4.9) located 9' SW in the field.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2308 = St VI-5 on 13 Jan 1872 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 3618 = PGC 19949.

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NGC 2309 = Cr 122 = Mel 56 = OCL-557

06 56 04 -07 10 30

Size 3'

17.5" (1/1/92): three dozen stars mag 11-15, fairly rich, compact, 4' diameter. Most stars are located within two streams. The brighter stars in the southern stream are oriented E-W. A fainter star lane to north is oriented NW-SE. At the NW end it hooks NE to mag 9 SAO 133914 about 4' N of the cluster's center. Includes several close pairs with two pairs near the center and a double star 11/14 at 7" separation at the west end.

WH discovered NGC 2309 = H VI-18 = h417 on 4 Mar 1785 (sweep 377) and logged "a cluster of considerably compressed small stars, pretty rich, 8 or 9' diameter, irr figure. With a smaller aperture it would probably appear nebulous." JH called it "a cluster, not v rich; 4' diam' irreg fig' st 12...13m." He observed it on 3 sweeps.

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NGC 2310 = ESO 309-007 = MCG -07-15-001 = PGC 19811

06 53 54.0 -40 51 45

V = 11.8; Size 4.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 47d

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x appears as a fairly faint, very thin edge-on splinter oriented SW-NE, 1.0'x0.15'. Contains a stellar nuclues. Situated in a fairly rich Puppis starfield. This edge-on galaxy has a "box-peanut" central bulge (similar to NGC 128), which is probably a thick bar viewed edge-on.

JH discovered NGC 2310 = h3069 on 2 Jan 1835 and described "pB; vmE; pos 46.6°; psbM; 90" l; 10" br; in a field very full of small stars. His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 2311 = Cr 123 = OCL-553 = Lund 276

06 57 48 -04 36 42

Size 7'

18" (3/4/08): at 225x, ~40 stars are resolved in a fairly rich 5'x3' group, elongated NW-SE. The cluster includes a few pairs with a nice equal mag pair on the south side. A weak stream of stars trails off to the east from the SE end of the cluster towards a mag 9.8/10.4/13 triple at 3" and 9" (ADS 5636).

17.5" (1/1/92): three dozen stars mag 11-15 in 5'x2' region elongated ~N-S. Fairly rich though no dense spots. Most stars form a thin isosceles triangle with the vertex star mag 13 at the north end, although the brightest star is a wide double 2' ESE of the vertex. From the base of the triangle a stream heads SE and then east from the cluster mixing with some brighter field stars. The cluster includes a few close faint double stars.

WH discovered NGC 2311 = H VIII-60 = h418 on 26 Nov 1786 (sweep 639) and described "a cluster of pL scattered stars, not very rich. The place taken is the most compressed part, but not the middle. May be a projecting point of the milky way." His position is is just northeast of center of this cluster.

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NGC 2312

06 58 48 +10 17 42

17.5" (2/1/03): stands out reasonably well in the field at 140x with ~16 stars, highlighted by a mag 10 star at the south end. The group is ~4'x1.5' in size, elongated N-S and includes a close, faint double on the NE end, which was noticed at 220x. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2312 = h419 on 30 Nov 1834 and recorded a "A poor cluster. The largest *10 taken." His position corresponds with a mag 10 star at 06 58 50.0 +10 15 38 (J2000) with a scattering of mag 12 stars to the north . Karl Reimuth called this group a "loose clustering of pF st.", based on Heidelberg plates. The RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2313 = Parsamyan 17 = PP 18 = V565 Mon

06 58 02.8 -07 56 42

Size 1.6'

18" (2/3/05): at 225x this reflection nebula appears as a very faint, very small, low surface brightness glow surrounding a mag 14 illuminating star, ~15"-20" diameter. Situated within a rich Milky Way field which has a mottled appearance at low power. Located 20' NE of mag 6.3 HD 51424. Incorrectly listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2313 on 4 Jan 1862. His position (measured on 3 nights) matches this small reflection nebula. He also measured a mag 15 star that follows by 6 seconds of time and a mag 11 star that follows by 14 seconds. Dreyer, observing with the 72" on 15 Feb 1877, recorded "pF, pS, iR, fades away nf, 2 F st f about 1'." The RNGC misclassifies this object as nonexistent and it is not plotted on the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas.

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NGC 2314 = UGC 3677 = MCG +13-06-003 = CGCG 348-032 = PGC 20305

07 10 32.6 +75 19 37

V = 12.2; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 25d

17.5" (8/27/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus. IC 2174 ("fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, weak concentration") lies 5.8' WNW

17.5" (2/27/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus. 25' to the west is a nice double ∑973 = 7.1/8.1 at 12". Forms a pair with IC 2174 6' WNW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2314 = T IX-5 on 1 Aug 1883 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His description says "follows close on the same parallel against the mag 7 star DM +75 ° 281, the latter is a double star". Although his rough RA is good (nearest min), the galaxy lies 6' N of the double star.

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NGC 2315 = UGC 3633 = MCG +08-13-045 = CGCG 234-041 = PGC 20045

07 02 33.0 +50 35 27

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 116d

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, small, edge-on WNW-ESE, bright core. Located 4' S of mag 8.4 SAO 26113.

JH discovered NGC 2315 = h420 on 16 Feb 1831 and simply noted "eF; doubtful." His RA was roughly 10 tsec too large. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 15 Nov 1885 (repeated in the IC2 Notes).

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NGC 2316 = Parsamyan 18 = PP 68

06 59 40.8 -07 46 40

Size 4'x3'

13.1" (2/25/84): moderately bright nebulosity, small, possibly surrounds two stars. Located just 1' S is an obtuse triangle of mag 12 stars. Enhanced with a Deep Sky filter.

WH discovered NGC 2316 = H II-304 = h421 on 4 Mar 1785 (sweep 377) and noted "3 or 4 stars, containing vF nebulosity. 240 would not resolve it; but showed the same nebulosity." Bindon Stoney observed it on 20 Feb 1851 using Lord Rosse's 72" and called it a "S close D neb, below 3 st, 2 stellar points (or nuclei)." The 3 stars are just south. The second nuclei received the designations GC 1478 = NGC 2317. Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position (#76 in AN 1500).

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NGC 2317

06 59 41.5 -07 46 29

13.1" (2/25/84): part of NGC 2316. See NGC 2316 for description.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2317 on Feb 20 1851 using Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded NGC 2316 = H II-304 as a "S close D neb, below 3 st, 2 stellar points (or nuclei)." The nebula was sketched on Nov 23 1851 and included in LdR's 1861 publication. The RA is is only roughly given in the GC and the NGC (nearest min of RA). The RNGC misclassifies this number as nonexistent although NGC 2317 is part of NGC 2316.

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NGC 2318

06 59 27 -13 41 54

17.5" (2/1/03): this is just a weak enhancement of mag 11-13 stars in a Milky Way field, perhaps only noticed by Herschel because of the mag 8.2 SAO 152208 on the NW side (which he used as a position). Seems roughly 10' in size and circular, although there are no real borders. Does not stand out in the field, even at 64x with a 31 Nagler, although the background Milky Way glow does seem a bit enhanced over the surrounding field. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2318 = H VII-14 = h422 = h3070 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 370) and logged "a cluster of stars above 20' in dia, the stars much scattered." JH observed the group both at Slough, England and at the Cape of Good Hope. At the Cape he described "A large region full of scattered stars forming a cluster of which the chief (=8 m) taken. It seems, however to be only a clustering part of the milky way which here comes on rather suddenly." His position corresponds with mag 8.6 SAO 152208 at 06 59 28.4 -13 41 49 (J2000). RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2319

07 00 32 +03 02 48

17.5" (2/1/03): very nice 15' string of a couple dozen stars heading west of a mag 8.9 SAO 114784 on the east end, which is a close unequal double. The tail of stars is slightly concave to the south and is marked by a mag 10.5 star at the west end. Although the star chain is quite noticeable, it could well be an asterism as there are other similar strings of stars in the same or adjacent fields. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

WH possibly discovered NGC 2319 on 18 Dec 1783 (early sweep 48) and noted "a cluster of vS stars not very rich." He states this cluster follows 18 Mon by 11 minutes, but only gave a rough polar distance (75' range). It was assigned the internal discovery #12, but not an H-designation.

JH rediscovered NGC 2319 = h423 in March 1830 (unknown if he was searching for his father's #12) and recorded a "Linear cluster of stars 11..13m forming a bent line nearly 15' long, terminating on the following side by a *8 whose place is that here taken." His position corresponds with mag 8.8 SAO 114784 at 07 01 06.5 +03 03 11. The "bent line" of stars preceding is oriented WNW-ESE and is fairly striking. JH equated h423 with his father's #12, but identified it as VIII-1 (the previous class VIII object discovered by his father). In the GC, he referred to it as VIII-1B. In the 1912 revision of WH's catalogues, Dreyer gives the details of the sweep. Steinicke equates VIII-1B = h423, though this identification is likely uncertain. The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (probably an asterism).

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NGC 2320 = UGC 3659 = MCG +08-13-051 = CGCG 234-047 = PGC 20136

07 05 42.0 +50 34 51

V = 11.9; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 140d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, spindle NW-SE, weak concentration. Located 1.7' WSW of mag 9.0 SAO 26147. Brightest of three with NGC 2322 5' SE and NGC 2321 11' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 2320 = H II-861 = h424, along with NGC 2322, on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 990) and noted "pB, pL, irr figure, gbM." His position is 3 - 4' northwest of UGC 3659 (same offset as NGC 2322). JH described this galaxy as "pB; R; pgbM; 15"; np a * 8m whose place is that here taken." The star is 1.6' NE of the galaxy.

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NGC 2321 = UGC 3663 = MCG +08-13-053 = CGCG 234-051 = PGC 20141

07 05 59.0 +50 45 22

V = 13.6; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 135d

17.5" (1/20/90): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, low even surface brightness. NGC 2320 lies 11' SSW.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2321 on 18 Dec 1849 using LdR's 72" and labeled Beta in the sketch of the field (includes NGC 2320, 2322 and 2326). Although this was an early discovery, it was not included in the 1861 publication so did not receive a GC designation. Dreyer added it in the GC Supplement (GCS 6248). Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 15 Nov 1885 (repeated in the IC 2 notes).

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NGC 2322 = UGC 3662 = MCG +08-13-054 = CGCG 234-050 = PGC 20142

07 06 00.3 +50 30 37

V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 136d

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, small, elongated NW-SE, even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 2320 5' NW.

WH discovered NGC 2322 = H III-874, along with NGC 2320 = H II-861, on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 990) and noted "vF, vS, lE." His position (Auwer's reduction) is 2.5' too far northwest, the same offset as NGC 2320. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 15 Nov 1885 (repeated in the IC2 Notes).

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NGC 2323 = M50 = Cr 124

07 02 48 -08 22 36

V = 5.9; Size 16'

18" (3/15/10): very bright, fairly scattered cluster, though contains a richer subgroup. About 125-150 stars were resolved at 175x in the central 10'-12'. The cluster has roughly a triangular or wedge-shaped outline, highlighted by an 8' string of stars oriented ~E-W on the north side (including mag 9.0 HD 52965) and a longer 10' string oriented NW-SE on the SW side that includes the brightest cluster star - distinctly orange mag 7.8 HD 52938 near the SE end of the string. Along this string are also four easy pairs of stars. There is a rich circular group of stars, ~5' diameter, a little north of center. On the east side of the cluster is an unequal double, h748 = 8.5/11 at 15". A faint, unequal pair of stars, BRT 392 = 11.5/11.6 at 4", is due west of the unequal pair by 3.5' at the edge of the rich group of stars. A number of stragglers extend out the cluster increasing the size significantly and a scattered group with some brighter stars including mag 9.0 HD 52720 appears detached to the NW.

13.1" (3/24/84): ~75 stars including some brighter stars at the south and northeast borders. There are a few dense spots and many stragglers. An orange/red mag 8 star is at the south edge and a nice 16" pair of mag 9/11 stars (h748) is 1' NW. There is an elongated 4'x3' region that is devoid of stars just north of the colored mag 8 star. Located 42' E of mag 6.0 HD 52312.

Giovanni Domenico Cassini possibly discovered M50 = NGC 2323 = h425 around 1711. Charles Messier independently discovered the cluster on 5 Apr 1772. WH described the cluster (unpublished) on 4 Mar 1785 (sweep 377) as "a very brilliant cluster of large stars, considerably compressed and rich, above 20' in diameter, the stars of various sizes, visible in the finder."

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NGC 2324 = Cr 125 = Mel 59 = OCL-542

07 04 08 +01 02 42

V = 8.4; Size 8'

17.5" (3/20/93: 65 stars mag 10-14 in very irregular 8' diameter. Includes two mag 10 stars at the NE corner and NW side. Includes several mag 12 stars but rich in mag 13-14 stars. Somewhat uneven distribution of very faint stars due to a couple of 2' diameter dark voids; one near the center. The cluster includes several very close, faint double stars.

8": rich in faint stars 12-13, includes two mag 9 stars.

WH discovered NGC 2324 = H VII-38 = h427 on 27 Dec 1786 (sweep 668) and noted "a beautiful cluster of small stars of several sizes, considerably compressed and rich in the middle, 10 or 12' diameter." JH observed the cluster on 3 sweeps, first logging it as a "rich L cl; fills field; st 14...16m; not comp towards a centre."

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NGC 2325 = ESO 427-028 = MCG -05-17-005 = PGC 20047

07 02 40.3 -28 41 50

V = 11.4; Size 3.3'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 6d

13.1" (3/3/84): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated N-S. A mag 12 star is off the SE edge 1.6' from center. Located in a rich star field.

JH discovered NGC 2325 = h3071 on 1 Feb 1837 and recorded "pB; pL; lE; gbM; r; 2' long." His position (single sweep) matches ESO 427-028 = PGC 20047.

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NGC 2326 = UGC 3681 = MCG +08-13-062 = CGCG 234-060 = PGC 20218

07 08 11.0 +50 40 55

V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x1.8'; Surf Br = 14.3

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, bright core. Four mag 12-12.5 stars in a group lie 3' W. Forms a pair with NGC 2326A 5' SE. Poor position given in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2326 = H II-734 = h426 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and recorded "F, pL, iF, mbM, S.f. a triangle of small stars." His position is 2' north of UGC 3681 = PGC 20218 and the description applies. JH called it "eF; R; pslbM; has a small group of stars immediately preceding like the letter Y."

The RNGC has a poor position 0.3 tmin of RA too far east and 3' north. NGC 2326A, located just 4.8' SE, is correctly placed in RNGC. Listed in RNGC Corrections #5.

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NGC 2327 = Ced 89b = PP 72

07 04 07.2 -11 18 51

18" (2/23/06): moderately bright, 1' reflection nebula surrounding a mag 9.5 star with a mag 12 companion at 7". Viewed unfiltered at 225x.

17.5" (3/8/02): small but high surface brightness reflection nebula surrounding an unequal pair of mag 9.5/12.5 stars at 7" separation. At 280x, the nebulosity is round and approximately 50" in size although it fades smoothly into the background and may be a bit larger. This small knot of nebulosity is at the western end of a striking arc of 6 stars which trail off to the NE. The next star in the arc, 1.5' E, also seems to be encased in a very small halo. A similar mag 9.5 comparison star (with no halo) lies 4' ESE and several other mag 9.5-10.5 stars are scattered across the field. The background sky in this vicinity is weakly luminous, as NGC 2327 is situated midway along the western side of IC 2177, a huge IC strip of nebulosity straddling Canis Major and Monoceros. This object did not respond to OIII, UHC or H-beta filters so appears to be predominantly a reflection nebula.

This bright nebula was discovered by William Herschel (IV 25) in 1785 and reobserved by his son, John. Although their positions and descriptions match this object there is a great deal of confusion in the literature as to its identification and position and some sources misidentify NGC 2327 with the much larger Sh 2-292 = Gum 1 located 50' to the north (also associated with IC 2177).

13" (12/22/84): fairly faint reflection nebula, fairly small, surrounds a mag 8 star (close unequal double). Located along the faint, extremely large, curving strip of nebulosity = IC 2177.

WH discovered NGC 2327 = H IV-25 = h428 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 363) and described "A pretty considerable star with vF and vS milky chevelure of an irregular chevelure, other stars of the same size are perfectly free from that appearance." JH reported "a double star whose large star is in the center of a very faint nebula which involves the small star also." His position of 07 04 07.6 -11 19.0 pins down the identification as a compact HII/Reflection nebula on the west side of the Seagull Nebula. In 1886, Engelhardt also published an accurate micrometric position of 07 04 07.77 -11 18 56.6 (J2000). Herbert Howe noted the central star is double with separation 7".

Despite JH's accurate position and description, there has been a great deal of confusion in the literature as to the identification and position.

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NGC 2328 = ESO 309-016 = MCG -07-15-002 = PGC 20046

07 02 36.1 -42 04 06

V = 12.8; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 115d

18" (2/19/09): at 175x appeared very faint, small, round, 20" diameter (probably viewed brighter core region only). Steadily visible with direct vision though viewed at a very low elevation, so the surface brightness of the core is moderately high. Starhopped from mag 5.2 HD 53704 located 23' SE. Steadily visible with direct vision though viewed at a very low elevation, so the surface brightness of the core is moderately high. Located in a fairly rich star field.

JH discovered NGC 2328 = h3072 on 1 Jan 1835 and recorded "F; vS; R; pslbM; 15"; like a blotted star; in field with many small stars." His position (measured on two sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2329 = UGC 3695 = MCG +08-13-073 = CGCG 234-070 = PGC 20254

07 09 08.0 +48 36 55

V = 12.5; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 175d

18" (1/13/07): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 0.8'x0.5', small bright core. Brightest in the core of AGC 569 including UGC 3696, MCG +08-13-072 and +08-13-082.

18" (11/18/06): moderately bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 N-S, 1.2'x0.9', contains a large, brighter core. This galaxy and UGC 3696, located 2.8' NE, are the brightest member of AGC 569. I observed 7 members of the cluster at 280x.

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core. A mag 15 star is 0.7' W of center. Three mag 14 stars lie 1.7' W, 1.3' NE and 2.0' NE. Forms a pair with UGC 3696 3' ENE. Brightest member of AGC 569.

WH discovered NGC 2329 = H II-735 = h429 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and called "F, stellar." His position is 3' east of UGC 3695, the brightest galaxy in AGC 569. He observed the field again on 28 Dec 1790 (sweep 990) and picked up two galaxies -- NGC 2329 and UGC 3696, oriented southwest-northeast (12 sec of time and 2' north). CH assumed the southwest object was new and assigned it III-875. She thought the northeast object was II-735, so it didn't receive a new designation. JH only observed a single galaxy and in the GC equated II-735 = III-875 and Dreyer assigned both designations to NGC 2329. Since WH clearly observed both galaxies on 28 Dec 1790, Wolfgang Steinicke concludes III-875 should refer to UGC 3696, a galaxy that should have received a NGC designation.

Although usually classified as a Lenticular Galaxy, recent studies have concluded NGC 2329 is a 'cluster dominant' Elliptical Galaxy (cD). It is an x-ray source with a radio jet streaming from its core, like many other cD's. In addition that is also a 'radio tail' extending from this galaxy.

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NGC 2330 = IC 457 = MCG +08-13-078 = CGCG 234-074 = WBL 133-001 = PGC 20272

07 09 28.4 +50 09 08

V = 14.7; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (1/20/90): extremely faint and small, round. A mag 15 star is 1' NE. Located 2' SW of NGC 2332. Identifications reversed with NGC 2332 in the RNGC and identified as IC 457 in the CGCG/RC3.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2330 on 2 Jan 1851as the observing assistant on Lord Rosse's 72". He noted a small nebula, label as "b" which was placed SSW of NGC 2332 (the direction of drift is reversed on the sketch) and corresponds with CGCG 234-074 = PGC 20272. This galaxy was also labeled Delta on the final constructed sketch.

Although 9 nebulae were found at Birr Castle over 3 nights, the 1861 publication only included the comment "several knots around" NGC 2332. JH added just one new entry in the GC (1492), which Dreyer assigned to either NGC 2330 and NGC 2334 (with question marks).

Since absolute positions were not computed at Birr Castle, Dreyer relied on Bigourdan's erroneous position (he measured a faint star) for NGC 2330. As a result NGC 2330 was misplaced 2.4' north of NGC 2332 instead of south-southwest (as on the 1851 sketch). In 1893, Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position and Dreyer catalogued it as IC 457. Assuming this is the nebula Dreyer had in mind as NGC 2330 (Malcolm Thomson disagrees), then NGC 2330 = IC 457 = CGCG 234-074. Ironically, Bigourdan measured accurate positions for the other Rosse nebulae in 1885, but these were not published until 1919, so Kobold (and LdR) were given credit for these in the IC.

The RNGC reverses the identifications of NGC 2330 and NGC 2332, making NGC 2330 the brighter northern member of the pair and incorrectly describes NGC 2332 as "almstel" (same error in MCG). UGC and CGCG label NGC 2330 as IC 457. See RNGC Corrections #5 and Corwin's notes for much more on this complicated story!

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NGC 2331 = Cr 126 = OCL-475 = Lund 295

07 07 00 +27 15 42

Size 18'

17.5" (1/20/90): at 82x, very large scattered group of about 40 stars mag 10-14, 15' diameter. There is a small circle of 6 stars at the east end. The classification of this group as a true cluster is doubtful.

WH discovered NGC 2331 = H VIII-40 = h432 on 11 Mar 1785 (sweep 384) and recorded "some clustering, large scattered stars; many of an equal size." JH noted this as "a small cluster of 10 or a doze st 11...13m in an ellipse."

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NGC 2332 = (R)NGC 2330 = UGC 3699 = MCG +08-13-079 = CGCG 234-075 = WBL 133-002 = PGC 20276

07 09 34.2 +50 10 56

V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 60d

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is 1' SW. Forms a pair with NGC 2330 = IC 457 2' SW.

JH discovered NGC 2332 = h430 on 8 Mar 1831 and recorded "F; S; R psbM; 12"." His position matches UGC 3699 = PGC 20276. JH and Dreyer equated this number with H II-862, found on 28 Dec 1790 and noted as "F, pL." In the 1912 republication of WH's catalogues, Dreyer added the note "Identification difficult, as it is one of a group. In Sweep 990, 57 Aurigae is the only comparison star and the neb. is 2 seconds preceding, 2' north of II.736. Auwers gives for 1860 7h 0m 8s, 39° 37' (NPD). It is probably one of Kobold's nebulae in the I.C." Auwers' reduced position is 3' SW of NGC 2340 and Harold Corwin suggests that both H II-862 and H II-736 apply to NGC 2340. Nearby NGC 2332 was discovered at Birr Castle in 1851.

The identications of NGC 2330 and NGC 2332 are reversed in the RNGC and MCG.

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NGC 2333 = UGC 3689 = MCG +06-16-020 = CGCG 176-018 = PGC 20223

07 08 21.3 +35 10 12

V = 13.3; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 35d

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, very small, sharp stellar nucleus surrounded by faint oval halo 3:2 ~N-S.

WH discovered NGC 2333 = H III-899 = h431 on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031) and noted "vF, S, nearly R, bM."

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NGC 2334 = IC 465 = MCG +08-13-098 = CGCG 234-095 = WBL 133-012 = PGC 20357

07 11 33.6 +50 14 53

V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 70d

18" (12/18/06): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4', gradually increases to a very small, brighter core. Furthest NE in a group of 7 galaxies in the field and 5.8' NE of the brightest member, NGC 2340. This galaxy is generally identified as IC 465 as the NGC identification is questionable.

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, small, round, bright core. Last of four galaxies in a 20' field and located 5.8' NE of NGC 2340. Identification as NGC 2334 is uncertain.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2334 on 2 Jan 1851 as the observing assistant on LdR's 72". He noted a small nebula (unlabeled on a sketch of h433 = NGC 2340), which was noted as 6' south-following NGC 2340. Unfortunately the direction of drift was confused as CGCG 234-095 = PGC 20357 is 6' north-following NGC 2340. This galaxy was also labeled Theta on the final constructed sketch.

Although 9 nebulae were found at Birr Castle on 3 nights, the 1861 publication only included the comment "several knots around" NGC 2332. JH added just one new entry in the GC (GC 1492), which Dreyer assigned to either NGC 2330 and NGC 2334 (with question marks) and the additional Rosse nebulae were not included in the NGC.

Since absolute positions weren't computed at Birr Castle, Dreyer relied on Bigourdan's erroneous position for NGC 2334 (he measured a faint star 3' ENE of NGC 2332). In 1893, Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position for Stoney's nebula and Dreyer recatalogued it as IC 465. So, NGC 2334 = IC 465. Ironically, Bigourdan measured accurate positions for the other Rosse nebulae in 1885, but these were not published until 1919, so Kobold (and LdR) were given credit in the IC. Karl Reinmuth couldn't find NGC 2334 (at Bigourdan's position) and noted "in Dreyer's place not found, = IC 464?"

The question remains if IC 465 is the galaxy Dreyer meant as NGC 2334. Dreyer credits both Rosse and d'Arrest in the IC, so this seems probable, although Malcolm Thomson disagrees. See Corwin's identification notes for more on this complicated situation.

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NGC 2335 = Cr 127 = Mel 60 = OCL-562

07 06 49 -10 01 42

V = 7.2; Size 12'

18" (2/23/06): at 225x, ~75 stars are resolved in a 10'x5' region elongated N-S. The cluster is broken up by a circular void on the south side that extends to the west in a dark (dust) lane. Also an elongated rectangular-shaped void of stars is on the north side of the cluster. The brightest cluster star is on the northeast side and is part of a "keystone" asterism that mimics the shape of the main body of Hercules. A mag 7 star lies 10' ENE outside the borders of the cluster. The Milky Way background is very patchy in this vicinity and appears significantly affected by dust in the region and possible nebulosity. This affect is best seen at 115x (20 Nagler). Located just north of IC 2177 = Seagull Nebul, an extremely long N-S string of nebulosity.

17.5" (3/20/93): 50-60 stars mag 10.5-14 in a 10' diameter. Mag 6.9 SAO 134220 is 10' NE of the core. In the center is a 1' parallelogram formed by four mag 10.5-12 stars with parallel sides oriented E-W and NW-SE. There are no dense areas (overall has a fairly scattered appearance) although the cluster includes several subgroups. A wide mag 12 double is on the north side. Located at the north tip of the huge emission nebula IC 2177.

WH discovered NGC 2335 = H VIII-32 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 356) and reported "a cluster of coarsely scattered stars of many sizes, pretty rich, more than 15' diameter." His position is on the west side of this open cluster.

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NGC 2336 = UGC 3809 = MCG +13-06-006 = CGCG 348-034 = CGCG 349-004 = PGC 21033

07 27 03.8 +80 10 43

V = 10.4; Size 7.1'x3.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 178d

17.5" (8/27/87): fairly bright, fairly large, bright core, faint halo elongated N-S. A mag 15 star is superimposed just east of the core. Located 3.6' SSE of a mag 10 star. IC 467 lies 20' SSE. A mag 14.7 supernova discovered in 1987 by Dana Patchick was observed (1987L).

17.5" (2/22/87): fairly bright, small bright core surrounded by a large, diffuse halo elongated 2:1 N-S. Located 26' S of a mag 7.3 star.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2336 = T I-22 in 1876 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory and described a "beautiful II class nebula, R, lbM, 2' diameter, forms a triangle with two mag 10-11 stars." Tempel's very rough position (only the hour of RA is given!) is off by 2.5 tmin of RA (west) and 3' dec (north) and the two stars in the description are just north.

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NGC 2337 = UGC 3711 = MCG +07-15-010 = CGCG 205-023 = PGC 20298

07 10 13.6 +44 27 26

V = 12.5; Size 2.2'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 120d

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ENE, even surface brightness. Bracketed by a mag 14 star 1.1' SW and a mag 13.5 star 1.3' ENE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2337 = St VIIIb-19 on 17 Jan 1877 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 3711 = PGC 20298.

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NGC 2338

07 07 47 -05 43 12

17.5" (2/3/03): roughly 3 dozen stars in an elongated N-S group, ~8'x3'. Includes a few mag 11 stars, with the rest of stars mag 12-14. Just stands out at 100x as a weak field enhancement and detached enough in the field that a definite border can be traced out. Still this is probably just an unrelated group of stars and NGC 2338 is listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2338 = h435 on 19 Jan 1828 and noted a "Very loose and straggling cluster." There is nothing noticeable at JH's (uncertain) position. In 1926, Karl Reinmuth noted (based on Heidelberg plates) "many st, but nothing like a cluster." and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7). Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 2338 is a group of stars ~50 tsec of RA east and 5' south of his position. If a similar offset is applied to NGC 2299 (found by JH on the same sweep), it matches NGC 2302, so this error is quite plausible.

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NGC 2339 = UGC 3693 = MCG +03-19-002 = CGCG 085-040 = CGCG 086-005 = PGC 20222

07 08 20.5 +18 46 49

V = 11.8; Size 2.7'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 175d

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, nearly round, very weak concentration, low surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is superimposed at the east edge 30" from center.

WH discovered NGC 2339 = H II-769 = h434 on 22 Feb 1789 (sweep 906) and recorded it as "pB, pL, iR, easily resolvable, bM.". His position is 16 sec of RA east of UGC 3693. JH called it "pB, pL, R, glbM, 40". In a rich part of the heavens." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2340 = UGC 3720 = MCG +08-13-096 = CGCG 234-091 = WBL 133-010 = PGC 20338

07 11 10.8 +50 10 28

V = 11.7; Size 1.8'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 80d

18" (12/18/06): moderately bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x1.0', large bright core increases gradually to the center. A mag 12 star lies 1.7' NW. Brightest in a group of 12 galaxies (WBL 133) incuding IC 464 2.5' SSW. Beyond IC 464 a string of stars continues to the SSW.

17.5" (1/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated E-W, bright core. Brightest of four in the field with IC 458, IC 464 and IC 465 = NGC 2334? Two mag 12 stars lie 1.7' NW and 2.4' WNW of center.

WH discovered NGC 2340 = H II-736 = h433 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and called "pF, vS, lbM, resolvable." His position (CH's reduction) is just off the east edge of the galaxy. Harold Corwin concludes that H II-862 (found on sweep 990, 28 Dec 1890), although equated with NGC 2332 = h430, is actually a duplicate observation of this galaxy. JH described this object as "pB; pL; R; gbM; 25"; two small stars preceding." and measured a more accurate position.

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NGC 2341 = UGC 3708 = MCG +03-19-003 = CGCG 086-006 = Holm 86b = PGC 20259

07 09 12.1 +20 36 10

V = 13.2; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (1/20/90): faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W. A mag 13.5 star is 0.7' N. Forms a pair with NGC 2342 2.5' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2341 = m 100 (along with NGC 2342 = m 101) on 10 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta. His position matches UGC 3708 = PGC 20259.

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NGC 2342 = UGC 3709 = MCG +03-19-004 = CGCG 086-007 = Holm 86a = PGC 20265

07 09 18.1 +20 38 11

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 126d

17.5" (1/20/90): moderately bright, moderately large, irregularly round, slightly elongated SW-NE, slightly brighter along major axis but no core. Forms a pair with NGC 2341 2.5' WSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2342 = m 101 (along with NGC 2341 = m 100) on 10 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta. His position matches UGC 3709 = PGC 20265.

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NGC 2343 = Cr 128 = OCL-565

07 08 07 -10 37 00

V = 6.7; Size 7'

18" (2/23/06): at 225x, three dozen stars are resolved in a fairly scattered, but well-detached 5' group. The brightest star at the southeast end is a wide double (∑1028) with a mag 8.8 yellow primary and a mag 11 bluish secondary at 11". The stars are arranged in long winding strings with a couple of offshoots. There are no dense areas and the strings appear to wrap around regions devoid of stars. Located off the northeast end of IC 2177. Two ill-defined groups, Cr 465 and Cr 466, lie ~20' to the west (see notes).

17.5" (3/20/93): two dozen stars mag 8-13 in compact 5' diameter. The cluster has a distinctive boxy shape but is not rich. Includes an unequal double star ∑1028 = 8.8/11.1 at 11" at the east side. Stars are arranged in small subgroups with no central concentration, well detached in field. Located off the NE end of the huge, strip of nebulosity IC 2177.

WH discovered NGC 2343 = H VIII-33 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 356) and called it "a cluster of scattered large stars, not so extensive as the last [NGC 2335], nor so rich." His position is just off the southeast side of the cluster.

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NGC 2344 = UGC 3734 = MCG +08-13-103 = CGCG 234-100 = PGC 20395

07 12 28.7 +47 10 00

V = 12.0; Size 1.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad mild concentration, faint stellar nucleus, edges fade smoothly into background.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2344 = Sw VI-30 on 24 Nov 1886. His position is 16 sec of RA west and 81" north of UGC 3734 = PGC 20395 and his description "pB, pS, R" applies. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position at the Strassburg Observatory in 1893.

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NGC 2345 = Cr 129 = Mel 61 = OCL-575

07 08 19 -13 11 36

V = 7.7; Size 12'

17.5" (3/20/93): 50 stars mag 9-14 in 10'x8' region elongated SW-NE. Fairly rich in faint stars. Includes the pretty double h3930 = 9.7/10.6 at 15" on the north side. Near the center is a small clump of about 8 stars including an unequal triple star. Located midway between mag 8 SAO 152444 6' NNE and a mag 9.5 star 6' S.

JH discovered NGC 2345 = h3073 on 14 Feb 1836 and recorded "a pretty rich cluster; irregular fig; 7' diam; gbM; stars 10..14 m; place that of a double star, the chief *." His position corresponds with HJ 3930 = 9.7/10.6 at 15".

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NGC 2346 = PK 215+3.1 = PN G215.6+03.6

07 09 22.5 -00 48 23

V = 11.9; Size 60"x50"

17.5" (2/2/02): easily picked up at 100x as a fairly small, round halo surrounding a bright mag 11.5 star. Nice view at 280x and 380x. The halo is irregularly round, ~50"x45" with a slightly uneven surface brightness and it appears a bit thinner or pinched on the NW side. Modest contrast gain with a UHC filter at 100x-280x, although this object does not require a filter.

13" (1/11/86): bright mag 11.5 central star surrounded by fairly small, round disc. Located between two mag 13 stars 0.8' E and 1.2' W. View enhanced with Daystar 300 filter. Central star is the variable V651 Mon (mag 11.3-13.5).

WH discovered NGC 2346 = H IV-65 on 5 Mar 1790 (sweep 935) and recorded "a pretty considerable star, 9 or 10m, visibly affected with vF nebulosity, of very little extent all around. A power of 300 shewed the same, but gave a little more extent to the nebulosity. The 22d Monocerotis was quite free from nebulosity." CH's reduced position is 1° too far south, but a note was added on the sweep there may be an error of 1°, due to a confusion on the polar distance.

Dreyer observed the PN on 14 Feb 1877 with the 72" at Birr Castle and reported "*9 mag seems nebulous, especially on the n or np side. At last we agreed that it was nebulous all round. About 4' sp is a reddish *10 with a white-bluish *11 1' south. The nebulous star has a bluish tint."

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NGC 2347 = UGC 3759 = MCG +11-09-039 = CGCG 309-026 = IC 2179? = PGC 20539

07 16 04.0 +64 42 41

V = 12.5; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 175d

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core, slightly elongated N-S, diffuse. Located 4' S of mag 7.3 SAO 14129. A mag 10 star lies 5.2' NE. Forms a wide pair with IC 2179 = UGC 3750 13' N.

WH discovered NGC 2347 = H III-746 on 1 Nov 1788 (sweep 879) and described as "vF, S, R lbM." His position, based on Auwers' reduction, is 3.3' N of UGC 3759. The GC/NGC position (from JH) is 5.7' NNE of UGC 3759. Finally, Harold Corwin reduced the offsets given in Dreyer's 1912 republication of Herschel's catalogues and that position is 18' NNE of UGC 3759 -- and 9' NE of UGC 3750, the galaxy generally identified as IC 2179.

Bigourdan later observed this field in 1894 and 1900. His original position for B. 267 = IC 2179 in Comptes Rendus is 07 15 33 +64 57 (2000), which is an excellent match for UGC 3750. CGCG, UGC, MOL, DSFG, RC3, PGC and U2000 all identify this galaxy as IC 2179. But, Bigourdan's listing in the complete Observations, etc. for B267 corresponds with UGC 3759, the galaxy identified as NGC 2347 in modern catalogues and his listing for NGC 2347 matches UGC 3750 (Corwin notes an error in his identification of the reference star). So, Bigourdan reversed the modern identifications.

The question still remains - which of these two galaxies is WH's III-746? See Corwin's identification notes for more on this story (also analyzed by Malcolm Thomson).

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NGC 2348 = ESO 088-SC1

07 03 03 -67 23 36

Size 11'

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 2348 = h3074 on 31 Jan 1835 and recorded as a "Coarse loose cluster of about 30 stars, many 11m, one 10m taken." His position corresponds with a mag 10 star in the center of an 8' circular cluster or group.

RNGC calls this "an unverified southern cluster". Neither Lynga nor ESO have a listing for this object. Listed by Bica et al as a "Possible Open Cluster Remnant" (2001A&A...366..827B).

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NGC 2349

07 10 48 -08 36

17.5" (2/3/03): group of ~30 stars, elongated SW-NE, ~8'x3'. Stands out reasonably well in the field an over background haze but is probably just an asterism. Most stars are 12-14th magnitude. This group is ~11' following John Herschel's position, but the star density is richer on this group. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 2349 = H VII-27 = h436 on 4 Mar 1783. Three years later on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 529), WH recorded "An irregular cluster of extremely small stars, considerably compressed, 9 or 10' l, 4 or 5' b with an extending branch towards sp." Close to his position (Auwers' reduction) is the group of stars described in my observation. JH recorded "a poor straggling cl, place of a D*", but his position is 1 min of RA too far west and corresponds with a mag 10/11.5 at 30" separation that is not involved in any clustering. Unfortunately JH used his own position in the GC and it was repeated by Dreyer in the NGC.

Based on Heidelberg plates, Karl Reinmuth noted "many st in a dense region, very little clustering." RNGC classifies the number nonexistent (Type 7). See Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2350 = UGC 3747 = MCG +02-19-001 = CGCG 057-005 = PGC 20416

07 13 12.2 +12 15 58

V = 12.3; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 110d

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, bright core. Several mag 14 stars are near including one 1' SE of core. A nice double star (mag 10/10 at 20" separation) lies 10' NNE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2350 = St VI-6 on 18 Sep 1871 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 3747 = PGC 20416.

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NGC 2351

07 13 29 -11 29 12

=Not found, Gottlieb. Possibly a scattered group around two stars, wrong dec in NGC, Corwin.

JH discovered NGC 2351 = h437 on 9 Mar 1828 and noted as "A loose straggling cluster, place of double star." There is nothing at his position and even the double star doesn't seem to be there. Exactly 1 degree north is a mag 9.4/12 double star at 12" separation with two mag 9/10.9 stars 1' NW and 1' SW. But there is no obvious clustering here on the POSS. Alister Ling questions if this object is a duplicate of NGC 2353 (20' further NE) which was not recorded separately by JH. But this cluster includes a prominent mag 6.0 star that would probably be chosen as the position. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2352 = ESO 492-**5

07 13 05 -24 02 48

17.5" (3/8/97): at 82x there is no obvious cluster at this position, although there are about a dozen mag 12/13 stars in a 7' string ~N-S, roughly centered on a mag 11.5 star at 07 13.1 -24 03. At 220x, several fainter stars are visible increasing the total to ~20 stars and it stands out a little better. The stars in the N-S string are arranged in "seagull wings" concave to the west. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2352 = H VII-15 on 6 Mar 1785 (sweep 381) and called "A small cluster of pretty compressed stars, not very rich." There is nothing at his position, but 40 sec of RA west is string of stars oriented N-S. Howe also "saw nothing noteworthy in the place given for this cluster, except that the whole background contains myriads of minute stars, on the limit of vision." RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2353 = Cr 130 = Mel 62 = OCL-567

07 14 30 -10 16 00

V = 7.1; Size 20'

17.5" (3/20/93): over 100 stars mag 6-13 in a 20' diameter, requires 100x (20mm Nagler) for best view. Richest around mag 6 SAO 152598 on the south side where 50 stars are in a 8' rectangular outline. A bright double star ∑1052 = 9.1/9.3 at 20" is located just 2' NE of the mag 6 star and two mag 9 stars are at the NW and NE corners of this subgroup. Surrounding this group is a dark ring devoid of stars and then beyond is a fairly rich outer annulus including several mag 9-10 stars.

WH discovered NGC 2353 = H VIII-34 on 10 Jan 1785 (sweep 356) and noted "an extensive scattered cluster contains a very bright star."

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NGC 2354 = Cr 131 = ESO 492-SC006

07 14 15 -25 41 36

V = 6.5; Size 20'

17.5" (3/12/94): ~100 stars in a 20' diameter, circular outline, fairly uniform in magnitudes. No prominent subgroups or individual stars but the cluster is fairly detached in the field at 100x. Unconcentrated with a 9'x3' void or dark lane in the center elongated N-S. A double star with components 11.5/12.5 at 14" separation is just following the dark lane towards the south end.

WH discovered NGC 2354 = H VII-16 = h438 on 6 Mar 1785 (sweep 381) and called it "a large cluster of scattered stars, considerably rich, about 20' in diameter or more." His position matches this cluster. JH recorded a "loose straggling cl; the preceding part is rather separated from the following, and more comp. Place that of 3 stars in the following part."

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NGC 2355 = NGC 2356? = Cr 133 = Mel 63 = OCL-496

07 16 59 +13 45 00

Size 9'

18" (3/15/10): fairly rich group with ~70 stars in an 8'-9' diameter group, with the richest portion in the central 4'. On the north side of the central region is a 13" pair of mag 11/12 stars with a mag 13 star 16" S forming an easy triple. The stars are pretty evenly distributed and many are similar magnitudes, though a number appear to be arranged in strings that extend out radially from the center. The brightest member is a mag 10 star on the SE side. The cluster shares the field with mag 8.3 HD 56329 located 7' NNE.

18" (2/23/06): rich cluster at 257x with ~75 stars in an 8' irregular group. Very rich in a 2.5' central "core" with the brightest mag 10 star just SE of this core. The outline is marked by rows of stars giving a triangular outline. Mag 8 HD 56329 lies 7' NE of the cluster.

13.1" (1/18/85): about 50 stars down to mag 14 in a 8'x5' group elongated N-S including a mag 10 star at the SE edge. Rich, fairly compact, a number of stars are arranged in lanes. Located about 7' SW of mag 8.0 SAO 95722.

WH discovered NGC 2355 = H VI-6 = h439 on 8 Mar 1784 (sweep 161) and reported "a cluster of stars of various magnitudes, pretty much compressed in the middle, and the cluster is pretty rich. Of an iR form; most of the stars are S and I suppose if it is at all visible in my 7 ft reflector it must assume a nebulous appearance. To the north of it is a pretty considerable star which my field will take in with the cl." There is nothing at his position, but 1 min 40 sec of east of his position is this cluster and it fits his description. Karl Harding independently found the cluster around 1823 and reported it as a new discovery (7 of the 8 objects in his list were previously discovered). JH measured an accurate position and questioned whether his h439 was identical to H VI-6. JH recorded "a p rich cl of very small stars; irreg; R; 5' diameter; not bM; st 11...16m."

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NGC 2356 = NGC 2355? = Cr 133 = Mel 63 = OCL-496

07 16 59 +13 45 00

18" (2/23/06): there is no cluster at William Herschel's position or nearby group of stars that match his description "A pretty rich and compressed cluster of stars" other than NGC 2355 10' S of his position. Corwin equates NGC 2356 = NGC 2355 (see description for NGC 2355). Also about 20' W of Herschel's position are 15 stars in a 3' arrowhead outline. This asterism is well detached in the field and though not impressive is also a possible candidate. A nice equilateral triangle of mag 11.5-12.5 stars with sides of 1' form the eastern corner of the group.

WH discovered NGC 2356 = H VII-6 on 16 Mar 1784 (sweep 176) and described "A pretty rich and compressed cluster of stars." There is nothing at his position (reduced using the offsets given in Dreyer's 1912 "Scientific Papers of WH) but ~15' S is NGC 2355 and Harold Corwin concludes this number is probably a duplicate observation of NGC 2355. His position for NGC 2355 is not good either -- it's 100 tsec of RA too far west!

Based on photographic plates taken at the Heidelberg Obseratory, Reinmuth adds "no Cl north of NGC 2355, in 7h 8m.0 +14d 13' (1860) a loose clustering of st 11... in triangle." At Reinmuth's position (about 1 tmin preceding the NGC position) is a triangular group which stands out pretty well. But NGC 2355 is the best fit for NGC 2356. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 2357 = UGC 3782 = MCG +04-17-014 = CGCG 116-046 = FGC 619 = PGC 20592

07 17 40.9 +23 21 23

V = 13.3; Size 3.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 122d

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, large, edge-on 6:1 NW-SE. Appears as a very low surface brightness ghostly streak with no central condensation! A mag 13 star is off the NW end 1.3' from center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2357 = St XIII-27 on 6 Feb 1885 with the 31.5" silver-on-glass reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 3782 = PGC 20592.

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NGC 2358

07 16 56 -17 07

Size 20'x15'

18" (3/13/10): gorgeous low power Milky Way field at 72x (63'), though nothing stands out distinctly as cluster-like. At the given position (07 16.9 -17 07 (2000), is a weak enhancement, roughly 20' diameter, with a nice quardruple group of mag 10-11 stars on the south side. This field enhancement is only noticeable as the Milky Way is weaker or dusty to the north and south of the group and the background glow brightens near the position of NGC 2358.

Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC and William Herschel's description ""A course scattered cluster of stars, not rich." is not specific enough to pin down his intended "cluster".

WH discovered NGC 2358 = H VIII-45 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and noted "A course scattered cluster of stars, not rich., not compressed" JH did not record an observation of this "cluster" and it was not observed at Birr Castle. There is a large (~20') Milky Way field (described in my observation) including a number of mag 10 stars close to WH's position. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2359 = Thor's Helmet = LBN 1041 = Sh 2-298 = Ced 94b = Gum 4 = RCW 5

07 18 31 -13 13 30

Size 8'x6'

48" (4/13/10): the 5' central region of Thor's Helmet was mesmerizing at 267x and 330x (unfiltered). A large, bright knot is at the south end of the rim where the inner portion of the bright wing that heads southwest connects with the central bubble. Along the northern edge of the rim are three collinear mag 11 stars (2.2' length) oriented E-W. The rim of the bubble is noticeably brighter in a thin arc beginning due north of center (between the two western stars) and extending about 90° clockwise to the west (this portion of Thor's Helmet is listed separately as NGC 2361). The rim is also brighter along a 45° thicker arc on the southeast side. The rim has a lower surface brightness on the east and NE side and varies in thickness and brightness around the entire bubble, enclosing a darker central region.

Three brighter stars (nearly collinear) and several fainter stars are superimposed within the main bubble. A second, smaller, incomplete bubble just north of center outlines an inner dark "hole", which includes one of the brighter stars. The ionizing Wolf-Rayet star HD 56925 is at the southwest edge of this inner bubble. Additional thin wisps of nebulosity crisscross the central region.

17.5" (12/28/00): "Thor's Helmet" is a remarkably bright, detailed nebulosity at 100x using an OIII filter. The central region is a 5' bubble (illuminated by a Wolf-Rayet star) with a brighter rim along the west side giving a "C" appearance with irregular knots, filamentary wisps of nebulosity and areas of thinner nebulosity in the interior. A number of fainter stars are superimposed in the central region along with some brighter mag 11 stars on the north portion of the rim. Attached at the south end is a brighter 4' extension elongated towards the west with a mag 9 star at its SE side. This section then thins out into a long 10' streamer that precedes the main section and forms the southern "horn" of the helmet. A second long, thicker streamer is attached at the north end of the central mass and extends out to the NW (this piece has been misidentified as IC 468). A fainter strip of nebulosity also begins on the north end and extends 10' due east while weak nebulosity is also east of the central helmet off the south side. Illuminated by the Wolf-Rayet star HD 56925 = WR 7.

13" (1/28/84): unusual emission nebula, fairly bright, fairly large, about 7'x5'. A thinner section elongated at a right angle (E-W) extends west of a mag 10 star on the south end. A few fainter stars are superimposed on the north side. A very faint section is attached at the NW end extending towards the NW.

13x80mm (1/13/07): the circular central region of Thor's Helmet was easily visible at 13x in my 80mm finder using an OIII filter (24mm Panoptic), though the "horns" of the helmet were not seen.

WH discovered NGC 2359 = H V-21 = h3075 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 363) and recorded "A broad elongated nebulosity, in the form of a parallelogram with a short ray southwards from the south preceding corner. The nebulosity between the milky and resolvable, almost of an equal brightness; but very faint. The parallelogram about 8' long and 5 or 6' broad, but ill-defined."

JH observed this nebula from the Cape and recorded "a very singular nebula, much like the profile of a bust, (head, neck and shoulders,) or a silhouette portrait, very large, pretty well defined, light nearly uniform, about 12' diameter. In a crowded field of milky way stars, many of which are projected on it." His RA is exactly 1 min too small (but accurate in NPD) and this position was copied into the GC and later the NGC. Howe noted this error when he observed the nebula. His sketch (Plate IV, figure 4) shows the silhouette shape well with the shoulders/bust region the brighter "wing". See notes for NGC 2361.

I'm surprised this nebula is mentioned in Garrett Serviss' 1901 "Pleasures of the Telescope" written for at most 5-inch telescopes: "In [GC] 1511 we have a faint nebula remarkable for the rows of minute stars in an near it."  And in the 1909 book "In Starland with a 3-inch Telescope", William Olcott repeats "Note the nebula [GC] 1511 and the curving row of faint stars near it."

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NGC 2360 = Cr 134 = Mel 64 = OCL-589

07 17 43 -15 38 30

V = 7.2; Size 13'

13.1" (1/28/84): includes about 40 fainter stars in an elongated, arrowhead shape with mag 9 SAO 152691 at the east edge. Appears rich with fairly uniform magnitudes.

Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 2360 = H VII-12 = h440 = h3076 on 26 Feb 1783. This was her first deep sky discovery. On 4 Feb 1785 (sweep 366) WH recorded "a large cluster of pretty compressed scattered stars, near 1/2° in diam, considerably rich, most of the stars of the same size." Another observation on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) describes "A beautiful cluster of pretty compressed stars, very large." JH recorded it from the Cape of Good Hope as "Middle of a fine large, rich cluster, not compressed to the middle. Stars 9..12th mag; fills field."

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NGC 2361 = Part of NGC 2359 = Thor's Helmet = LBN 1041 = Sh 2-298

07 18 23.4 -13 12 40

48" (4/15/10): Along the northern edge of the rim of Thor's Helmet are three collinear mag 11 stars (2.2' length) oriented E-W. The rim of the bubble is noticeably brighter in a thin arc beginning due north of center (between the two western stars) and extending about 90° clockwise to the west. Bigourdan's NGC 2359 refers to this brighter portion of the Wolf-Rayet nebula. See observing notes for NGC 2359 for a complete description of the nebula.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 2361 = Big. 27 on 25 Feb 1887. Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2361 with a bright knot along the west side of the main bubble of NGC 2359. Wolfgang Steinicke also lists Wilhelm Tempel as a co-discoverer (in 1887), though he is not credited in the NGC.

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NGC 2362 = ESO 492-SC9 = Cr 136

07 18 42 -24 57 18

V = 4.1; Size 8'

13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): gorgeous low power field surrounding Tau CMa using the 20 Nagler (75x). Tau was easily resolved into a triple with two mag 10 and 11.2 companions at 8" and 14" to the east. At 170x, 75-80 stars are visible and the cluster appears fully resolved. A string of stars passes to the north of Tau oriented NW to SE. Several faint stars and a detached clump lie to the north of Tau beyond the string. A mag 8.5 star marks the south border of the cluster.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): stunning open cluster at 105x surrounding Tau Canis Majoris which is a very close triple star. Perhaps 75 stars are resolved in a well-detached 6' region.

17.5" (3/2/02): at 100x, this is a gorgeous, uniformly rich cluster surrounding Tau CMa, which is offset north of center. A WNW-ESE string of stars north of Tau gives a flattened border and the rich southern portion tapers to the south giving a triangular appearance. At 220x, ~60 stars are visible in a 6' diameter, many of 10.5-11. Just following the central star to the ESE are two mag 11 companions. Several other fainter stars are in the central core including one fairly close preceding.

17.5" (2/28/87): about 75 stars in 6' diameter surrounding Tau Canis Majoris (V = 4.4) in an unusually rich, impressive cluster! Tau is resolved into several components.

13.1": 50 stars in a triangular-shape surrounding Tau Canis Majoris, very rich, impressive.

Giovanni Hodierna probably discovered NGC 2362 = H VII-17 = h441 = h3077 around 1654 (marked on a map of Canis Major). It was discovered again by WH on 6 Mar 1783 (sweep 381) and called "a most beautiful cluster of pretty large stars with one of the 7th magnitude in the center, which however I suppose does not belong to it." The cluster was observed by JH at both Slough and the Cape of Good Hope, where he recorded "a fine cluster of discrete stars, 60 or 70 in number. R, gbM, 8' diameter." It's surprising this bright cluster wasn't found by one of Messier contemporaries.

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NGC 2363 = UGC 3847 = MCG +12-07-039 = Mrk 71 = PGC 21078 = PGC 93088 = NGC 2366:[HK83] 108

07 28 29.6 +69 11 34

Size 1.7'x1.1'; PA = 20d

48" (4/15/10): NGC 2363 is a separate star cloud or galaxy just west of the southwest end of NGC 2366, although it is often applied to the bright HII knot in NGC 2366. At 330x, NGC 2363 appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 or 5:2 SW-NE, with a low but irregular surface brightness. Located ~2.2' SW of the center of NGC 2366 and 1.2' W of the bright knot.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 2363 on 9 Mar 1874 with the 72" while observing NGC 2366 = H III-748. He noted a "diffused nebulosity preceding, pos. 265.9°, dist 71.4"." Copeland's offsets were measured with respect to the unusually bright HII knot at the southwest end of the galaxy, which has always been assumed to be NGC 2363. But Copeland's "diffused nebulosity preceding" refers to UGC 3847, a separate galaxy ( or isolated star cloud) just west of the southwest end of NGC 2366.

CGCG misidentifies NGC 2363 as a "bright emission patch at the SW end of NGC 2366" and RNGC misclassifies NGC 2363 as nonexistent with the comment "Patch in NGC 2366, Zwicky". See Harold Corwin's identification notes for the complete story.

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NGC 2364

07 20 47 -07 33 00

18" (3/13/04): pretty neat group of 50-60 stars at 115x arranged in two rows of stars converging towards the north. The eastern group of stars hooks on the SE end, bending back towards the north. Both groups have strings of faint stars extending to the north beyond a mag 9.5 star located ~5' N of the main groups. Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC, although the group is fairly distinctive.

JH discovered NGC 2364 = h442 on 8 Jan 1831 and noted "Two small pretty close groups of pL stars in the milky way, rather a remarkable cl." There are two strings of stars at JH's position, matching his description. RNGC classifies this object as nonexistent (Type 7).

WH apparently made the original discovery on 24 Feb 1786 (sweep 529) and noted "Clustering stars, in three short parallel lines, the two last whereof are joined to the sp; the placed taken is that of the middle lane." He didn't assign it an internal discovery number, so this observation went uncatalogued.

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NGC 2365 = UGC 3821 = MCG +04-18-008 = CGCG 117-020 = PGC 20838

07 22 22.5 +22 05 00

V = 12.4; Size 2.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 170d

24" (2/14/15): at 260x; moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 N-S, ~1.2'x0.6', well concentrated with a bright oval core. A mag 14 star is at the southwest edge [48" from center]. Located 32' ENE of mag 3.5 Delta Geminorum.

Forms a close pair with CGCG 117-019 2.6' SSW. The companion is faint, small, round, 18" diameter. Occasionally contains a faint stellar nucleus. A wide 15" double star is 1' SSE. UGC 3827 lies 13' NE and appears faint, small, oval 4:3, 20"x15" [core only seen]. A mag 13.3 star is at the south east edge of the galaxy.

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, bright core. A mag 14 star is just off the SW side 0.7' from center and a mag 12.5 star is 1.3' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2365 = m 102 on 10 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "vF, pS, R, psbM." Édouard Stephan independently discovered this galaxy on 13 Jan 1874 and reported it in list VI-7.

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NGC 2366 = UGC 3851 = MCG +12-07-040 = CGCG 330-038 = Mrk 71 = PGC 21102

07 28 55.0 +69 12 57

V = 11.1; Size 8.1'x3.3'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 25d

48" (4/15/10): The most striking feature of NGC 2366 is a prominent double knot (giant HII complex) at the SW end (also known as Mrk 71). At 330x, the knot appeared very bright, elongated 3:2 E-W, ~18"x12", with two overlapping components. A third fainter and smaller knot was easily visible 15" E. NGC 2363, a low surface brightness companion or detached star cloud, lies 1.2' W of the bright knot.

18" (3/19/04): at the SW end of the galaxy is a very bright knot (HII region), roughly mag 12.5 and perhaps 15" in size which responds to a UHC filter at 160x! At 323x this knot is irregular in shape (~20"x15", SW-NE) and brightness and at moments resolves into two or three components. The galaxy itself is fairly faint, large, and very elongated SSW-NNE, 3.5'x1.0', with a low surface brightness.

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, very large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, low almost even surface brightness. An unusually bright HII region is at the SW end of the galaxy (2' from the center) and appears as a "fuzzy" 12th magnitude star. Although very small, it appeared elongated SW-NE and similar to a poorly resolved double star. Definite contrast gain with OIII filter.

WH discovered NGC 2366 = H III-748 on 3 Dec 1788 (sweep 889) and called it "vF, vS, stellar. 300 confirmed it and showed a vF branch to the nf." His description and position matches the prominent HII region at the southwest end of the galaxy. The "vf branch nf" refers to the actual galaxy. So, NGC 2366 applies to the HII region (also known as Mrk 71) as well as the galaxy. Modern sources misidentify the large HII knot as NGC 2363. See historical comments for NGC 2363.

Ralph Copeland described it on 9 Mar 1874 with the 72" as a "diffused neby preceding, pos 265.9°, dist 71.4" Neb * or neb knot post 318°, dist 77.6". The object has a curved tail, pos 30.9°, convex on the following side, traced 9' or 10'. The neb knot preceding is connected with the principal enbulosity. Line of stars spp, curved towards preceding side, nebulous? At least the enbula appears to extend so far on spp side. [See Pl I.]."

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NGC 2367 = Cr 137 = ESO 559-SC005

07 20 05 -21 53 06

V = 7.9; Size 4'

17.5": 25 stars in a distinctive, fairly rich 6' group which is elongated N-S. The brightest star is a close double (HLD 87 = 9.4/9.7 at 5"). A nice elongated group at the south end includes the bright double, three other mag 11/12 stars and several fainter stars. A compact group of four stars is in the field to the north. Located in a rich low power field at 100x.

WH discovered NGC 2367 = H VIII-27 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 326) and recorded "a small cluster of scattered stars, not rich, nor very compressed." His position is ~3' south of the center of this compact cluster.

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NGC 2368 = Cr 138 = OCL-571 = Lund 320

07 20 59 -10 22 48

Size 5'

17.5" (3/20/93): two dozen stars mag 12-14 in 4' diameter, unimpressive although unusual form, no dense spots. Divided into two distinct groupings; a dozen stars in the SW triangular group with a double star 12/13 at 18" separation at the west end; also a dozen stars in the NE group consists of two strings of stars oriented ~N-S forming a thin triangle. The two groups are separated by a dark lane oriented NW-SE. The classification of this group as a true cluster is doubtful.

JH discovered NGC 2368 = h443 on 9 Mar 1828 and described "the preceding star (which is red) of a pretty rich small cluster; fig irreg triangular; stars 15m - in Milky Way." His position is on the southwest side of the group.

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NGC 2369 = ESO 122-018 = AM 0716-621 = LGG 144-001 = PGC 20556

07 16 37.7 -62 20 37

V = 12.3; Size 3.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 177d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared bright, large, very elongated 5:2 N-S, 2.4'x0.9', broad concentration with a slightly bulging middle. A 16th magnitude star is at the north end and a mag 15 star is just following the core. Nearly collinear with two mag 12/13 stars 2.5' and 3' NE. Brightest in a group with NGC 2381 48' SE, NGC 2369A 38' SE (on a line with NGC 2381), NGC 2369B 32' NE, NGC 2417 1.6° east and IC 2200/2200A 1.3° east.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x this Carina galaxy is fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 5:2 N-S, 1.7'x0.6', broad weak concentration but overall has a fairly low surface brightness (viewed at 16° elevation). In a group with NGC 2381 and NGC 2417.

JH discovered NGC 2369 = h3078 on 26 Dec 1834 and recorded "pB, E or irregular figure, glbM." His position (2 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2370 = UGC 3835 = MCG +04-18-015 = CGCG 117-036 = PGC 20955

07 25 01.7 +23 47 01

V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 43d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.4', even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is attached at the NE end 0.4' from center. The galaxy appears to extend from the star like a comet tail!

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2370 = m 103 on 10 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "eF, vS, E." His position is 1' south of UGC 3835 = PGC 20955. RNGC refers to the mag 14 star attached at north end as a "* or knot".

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NGC 2371 = PK 189+19.1 = PN G189.1+19.8 = Peanut Nebula

07 25 33.8 +29 29 18

V = 11.2; Size 74"x54"

48" (4/1/11): I was stunned by the view of this bipolar nebula as there was so much intricate detail it had little resemblance to the previous views with my 17.5" and 18" scopes. The most prominent feature was two, irregularly round, very bright nodules on the southwest and northeast side of the boxy, elongated central region. Each nodule was distinctive and varied in surface brightness and shape with the southwest lobe brighter. Filamentary streamers or a "hairy tail" extended from the northeast node towards the northwest and similar wisps extended mainly southeast from the southwest node, creating a sense of rotation around the fairly bright central star. The interior and sides were filled with much fainter nebulosity. A very faint filament connected the main lobes on the northwest edge. Detached from the main 1' structure were two amazing outer wings, symmetrically hanging 1' NW and 1' SE from the central star. These wings or "polar caps" were easily visible without a filter at 488x and both extended ~40"x10" in a SW-NE orientation, increasing the total diameter of the planetary to 2'. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.5' NW and a mag 16 star is 50" NE of center.

17.5" (2/14/99): very unusual appearance at 380x with two bright knots oriented SW-NE about 30" between centers. The SW knot is 15"-20" in size, slightly elongated and the brighter of the two. The NE condensation has a slightly lower surface brightness and appears ~20" in diameter. Symmetrically placed between the knots is a faint 14.9 magnitude central star. Weaker nebulosity connects the two knots giving a dogbone appearance and a very faint rounder halo encases the structure!

17.5" (2/13/88): unusual planetary, bright, moderately large, elongated SW-NE. Two bright knots are at both ends (with two NGC designations) although the SW end is brighter and concentrated.

13" (2/25/84): two condensations in halo. The WSW side is brighter and sharper.

WH discovered NGC 2371 = H II-316 = h444, along with NGC 2372, on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385) and described both as "Two. F, of an equal size. Both small within a minute of each other; each has a seeiming nucleus, and their apparent atmospheres run into each other. 240 showed the same position from sp to nf." JH called NGC 2371 "the south-preceding of a curious bright double neb or an elongated bicentral neb; nuclei approaching to stars 45° nf or sp - distance of centre 60". See fig 72." This bipolar PN was also sketched by Lord Rosse with his 72" and described (19 Dec 1848) as a "bright star between, tails and curved filaments, perhaps an annulus round the two nebulae."

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NGC 2372 = PK 189+19.1 = PN G189.1+19.8

07 25 35.8 +29 29 30

V = 11.2; Size 74"x54"

48" (4/1/11): see description for NGC 2371.

17.5": see description for NGC 2371.

13": this is the fainter NE component of NGC 2371/NGC 2372. Slightly fainter and more diffuse than NGC 2371.

WH discovered NGC 2372 = H II-317 = h445, along with NGC 2371) on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385). See NGC 2371 for his description.

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NGC 2373 = UGC 3848 = MCG +06-17-004 = CGCG 177-014 = PGC 21016

07 26 36.9 +33 49 25

V = 13.8; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 0d

18" (1/13/07): faint, very small, round, 20". A mag 12.7 star is just off the NE side 24" from the center. Located 6.8' W of NGC 2375 in the NGC 2389 cluster.

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, elongated, small. A mag 13 star is at the NE edge. Forms a trio with NGC 2375 6.7' E and NGC 2379 10' E. First of seven in the NGC 2389 group.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2373 = St IX-8 on 20 Feb 1849 (along with NGC 2375) using Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded "6 nebulae of which epsilon [NGC 2375] is perhaps a double star." This galaxy was labeled Zeta on the sketch in the 1861 publication and accurately measured from NGC 2375, JH didn't assign it a GC designation. Dreyer first catalogued NGC 2373 as GCS 5380. Édouard Stephan independently discovered the galaxy on 8 Feb 1878 and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2374 = Cr 139 = OCL-585 = Lund 328

07 23 56 -13 15 48

V = 8.0; Size 19'

17.5" (3/12/94): ~50-60 stars in 7'x4' region elongated SW-NE. Located in a rich star field so the cluster does not have a distinct border. A detached group with four brighter mag 10-11 stars is off the NE end. The richest portion is 3'-4' diameter at the SW end and consists of three dozen stars over some unresolved haze. At the SW edge is a nice curving U-shaped group of 9 stars mag 13 that is open to the SW.

WH discovered NGC 2374 = H VIII-35 = h3080 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 363) and recorded (summary from 3 sweeps) "a cluster of pretty large scattered stars, pretty rich, about 20' long, crooked figure." JH observed it from the Cape of Good Hope and recorded "the most compressed part of a scattered cluster or rather region, more crowded with stars than the rest of the milky way, though hardly entitled to rank as a cluster. The stars run in singular lines and curves on a dark ground."

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NGC 2375 = UGC 3854 = MCG +06-17-005 = CGCG 177-017 = PGC 21035

07 27 09.5 +33 49 54

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 170d

18" (1/13/07): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 ~N-S, 0.7'x0.4', broad concentration. Larger but lower surface brightness than NGC 2379 3.6' ESE.

13.1" (2/23/85): second of three in the NGC 2389 group. Faint, low surface brightness, appears larger than nearby NGC 2379 3.7' E. NGC 2375 lies 6.7' W.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2375 on 20 Feb 1849 (along with NGC 2373) and recorded "6 nebulae of which epsilon [NGC 2375] is perhaps a double star." Although the sketch was included in the Lord Rosse's 1861 publication, JH didn't assign it a GC designation but Dreyer first catalogued it as GCS 5383. Édouard Stephan independently discovered the galaxy on 8 Feb 1878 and measured an accurate position (list IX-9).

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NGC 2376 = MCG +04-18-017 = CGCG 117-039 = PGC 21015

07 26 35.9 +23 04 23

V = 13.8; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, very small, round. A mag 15.5 star is attached at the west end.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2376 = m 104 on 10 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "eF, vS." His position matches CGCG 117-039 = PGC 21015.

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NGC 2377 = UGCA 132 = PGC 20948

07 24 56.8 -09 39 37

V = 12.7; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 170d

18" (3/4/08): unusual location for a galaxy in a rich Milky Way star field. At 220x appears fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, low even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is embedded on the south end and a mag 14.7 stars is on the NE side. Finally, an extremely faint mag 15.5 star is occasionally visible close south of the fainter star.

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, fairly small, elongated SSW-NNE, ~1.0'x0.5', low surface brightness, no core. A mag 12 star is attached at the south end and an extremely faint mag 15 star is involved at the north end. Appears diffuse with ill-defined edges and seems similar to a faint nebulosity in a rich Milky Way field! Unusually low galactic latitude for a galaxy. Incorrectly listed as nonexistent in RNGC but plotted on U2000.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2377 = St VI-8 on 19 Jan 1874. His position and description matches UGCA 132. Classified as nonexistent (Type 7) in RNGC. Correctly identified in RC2 as NGC 2377.

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NGC 2378

07 27 24.1 +33 49 52

=**, Corwin.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2378 = St IX-10 on 8 Feb 1878. At Stephan's position is a close pair of stars (mag 14.7/15.2 at 8" separation). The double is cleanly resolved on the DSS. The RNGC incorrectly equates NGC 2378 = NGC 2379.

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NGC 2379 = UGC 3857 = MCG +06-17-006 = CGCG 177-018 = PGC 21036

07 27 26.3 +33 48 40

V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9

18" (1/13/07): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 25" diameter, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. This compact galaxy has a fairly high surface brightenss. A mag 12.5 star lies 1' NW and a mag 11 star 3.6' NE. NGC 2375 lies 3.6' WNW.

13.1" (2/23/85): third of seven in the NGC 2389 group. Faint, extremely small, round. A mag 12.5 star is 1.0' WNW of center. NGC 2375 lies 3.7' W.

JH discovered NGC 2379 = h446 on 6 Mar 1828 and simply called the "first of four [with NGC 2385, 2388 and 2389]." He noted both the RA and NPD as approximate, and his position is exactly 1 tmin of RA too far east (repeated in the GC). Lord Rosse (or assistant George Stoney) labeled it Delta on the sketch made 20 Feb 1849. Stephan independently discovered NGC 2379 = St IX-11 on 8 Feb 1878 at the Marseille Observatory and measured an accurate position (repeated in the NGC).

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NGC 2380 = NGC 2382 = ESO 492-012 = MCG -05-18-005 = PGC 20916

07 23 54.6 -27 31 43

V = 11.2; Size 2.0'x1.9'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 99d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core, compact but fairly high surface brightness, appears out of place in very rich Milky Way field. Located only 5.7° from the galactic equator!

JH discovered NGC 2380 = h3079 on 5 Feb 1837 and called "pF, R, vgmbM, 40", in a rich field." His position matches ESO 492-012 = PGC 20916. See NGC 2382.

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NGC 2381 = ESO 088-010 = LGG 144-003 = PGC 20694

07 19 57.4 -63 04 01

V = 12.8; Size 1.6'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.5

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, sharply concentrated with a very bright 25" core that increases to a stellar nucleus. The core is surrounded by a much fainter, fairly small halo, ~0.8' diameter. A mag 13 star lies 2' NE. ESO 088-008 = NGC 2369A lies 11' NW. This ring galaxy is the furthest south in a group including NGC 2369, NGC 2369A, NGC 2369B, IC 2200/2200A, NGC 2417.

JH discovered NGC 2381 = h3084 on 26 Dec 1834 and noted as "vF, vS, R. In a field full of stars." His position is just off the southwest side of ESO 088-010 = PGC 20694.

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NGC 2382 = NGC 2380 = ESO 492-012 = MCG -05-18-005 = PGC 20916

07 23 54.6 -27 31 43

See observing notes for NGC 2380.

JH discovered NGC 2382 = h3082 on 1 Feb and recorded "pF; R; bM; 30"; nearly on meridian of Eta Canis, or perhaps somewhat preceding." He gave approximate coordinates and his position is 9' north and 18 seconds of time west of NGC 2380 (discovered 4 days later). Herbert Howe couldn't find NGC 2382 at JH's position, but gives a corrected position, which corresponds with NGC 2380. ESO equates NGC 2380 = NGC 2382 and Harold Corwin concurs.

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NGC 2383 = Cr 141 = ESO 559-SC008

07 24 40 -20 56 54

V = 8.4; Size 6'

17.5" (3/7/92): about 30 stars mag 10-14 in 5' diameter and rich in mag 13-14 stars near the center. Includes three mag 10 stars; one at the west end, another just east of center and the last at the east end. Just SW of the mag 10 star near the center is a rich glowing knot which is very pretty with averted. The cluster is set over unresolved background haze. NGC 2384 is in the field 8' SE.

8" (3/28/81): small, rich cluster of mag 11-13 stars, three mag 10 stars are near, NGC 2384 lies 8' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 2383 = h3081 on 15 Feb 1836 (along with NGC 2384 = h3083) and recorded "cluster, irregularly round, pretty much compressed, 6'. Stars of mixed magnitudes." His first position (of two) is accurate.

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NGC 2384 = Cr 143 = ESO 559-SC009

07 25 12 -21 01 24

V = 7.4; Size 3'

17.5" (3/7/92): about 20 stars mag 9-14 in an elongated E-W group about 5' length. Includes the close bright double star h3964 = 9.0/9.7 at 5" near the center. A mag 9 star is at the west end and close east are two mag 11/12 stars and a group of six fainter stars. The rest of the cluster mainly consists of a string of six brighter stars oriented SW-NE with h3964 at the SW end of this string and a mag 10 star 30" SSE. In the same field with richer NGC 2383 8' NW.

8": small group, including 9.0/9.6 at 5".

JH discovered NGC 2384 = h3083 on 15 Feb 1836 and described as "a cluster composed to two groups of bright stars separated in RA by a dark interval. Chief star of preceding group taken." His position (measured on two sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2385 = MCG +06-17-008 = CGCG 177-020 = WBL 142-001 = PGC 21080

07 28 28.2 +33 50 16

V = 13.9; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 50d

18" (1/13/07): faintest of trio with NGC 2389 7.7' ENE and NGC 2388 5.4' ESE. At 280x appears faint, small, oval, 0.4'x0.3', low even surface brightness.

13.1" (2/23/85): extremely faint, very small, possibly elongated. Located 5' W of NGC 2388. Fourth of seven in the NGC 2389 group.

WH discovered NGC 2385 = H III-900 = h447, along with NGC 2388, on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031) and called "I suspected another a little south preceding [of NGC 2389] and 300 confirmed it; and a third almost directly preceding [NGC 2385], and 300 confirms that also. I saw all the three very plainly."

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NGC 2386

07 28 38.1 +33 46 29

18" (1/13/07): this is an 18" pair of mag 13/14 stars that was misidentified by Rosse as a nebulous object in the field of NGC 2389. There is a fainter mag 15 star a bit further west forming a triangle.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2386 on 1 Jan 1876 while observing the NGC 2374-2391 group. His micrometric offsets from GC 1530 = NGC 2388 (342" in PA 103°) points to a close double (mag ~14.5/15.5 at 3") with a third mag 14.5 star at 18". Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 lists of NGC/IC corrections, identifies NGC 2386 as a triple star, and Harold Corwin concurs with this conclusion.

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NGC 2387

07 29 26.1 +36 46 07

Size 8"

24" (2/22/14): at 125x, this 7" double star generally appeared as an unresolved quasi-stellar glow and it was easy to see how it could be mistaken as a possible nebula. At 200x, it was often cleanly resolved, but still the fainter companion is dim enough to often appear not as a sharp star, but a very faint "appendage" to the brighter component, mimicking a tiny nebula. Also, there are 3 mag 15-16 stars closeby [within 25"] that perhaps contribute to noticing this pair. At 260x and above, the pair was nearly always resolved cleanly.

CGCG 177-023, the galaxy identified as NGC 2387 in the CGCG, RNGC and PGC, appeared very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness, 15" diameter. An extremely faint companion 25" SE was not seen.

WH discovered NGC 2387 = H II-820 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 937) and recorded "pB, S, stellar. The wind too high to verify it." There is nothing at his position, but Harold Corwin suggests Herschel most likely picked up a faint double only 1.5' north of his position (based on Auwers' reduction). This pair looked like a tiny nebula in my scope at 200x. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey at Heidelberg, describes NGC 2387 as a single mag 13.5 star with "a small group of 5 small stars nnp 3'." Corwin's double is part of these "5 small stars".

Dreyer took CGCG 177-023 as H II-820 on his 23 Feb 1876 observation with the 72": "Irr R, probably lE pf, looks like a hazy star. Forms a rectangular triangle with a *16 sf and a *17 nff about 2' distant. 3 st 14-15m preceding in a curved line, the nearest one in Pos 279.5°, 161.2"." This galaxy is ~25 sec of RA west and 8' N of WH's position and his description and class (II) does not fit this galaxy. RNGC, CGCG and PGC also misidentify CGCG 177-023 as NGC 2387. So, assuming WH's observation refers to the double star, CGCG 177-023 is left without a NGC designation. Also, see Harold Corwin's comments.

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NGC 2388 = UGC 3870 = MCG +06-17-010 = CGCG 177-022 = WBL 142-002 = PGC 21099

07 28 53.5 +33 49 08

V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 65d

18" (1/13/07): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 0.6'x0.4', small brighter core. A mag 13.5 star lies 1' NE of center. Located 3.4' SW of NGC 2389 with NGC 2385 5.4' WNW.

13.1" (2/23/85): fifth of seven in the NGC 2389 group. Faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE. NGC 2389 lies 3.4' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2388 = H III-901 = h448, along with NGC 2385, on 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031). See description under NGC 2385. JH and Dreyer assigned H III-900 to NGC 2388.

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NGC 2389 = UGC 3872 = MCG +06-17-011 = CGCG 177-024 = WBL 142-003 = PGC 21109

07 29 04.7 +33 51 38

V = 12.9; Size 2.0'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 83d

18" (1/13/07): brightest galaxy in a group. At 280x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, oval 5:3 ~E-W, ~1.1'x0.7' though the outer halo fades into the background gradually so difficult to trace with averted vision. Broad, weak concentration with no well-defined core althought there is a small brighter nucleus with direct vision. Trio with NGC 2388 3.4' SW and NGC 2385 7.7' WSW. Also, an unusual edge-on UGC 3879 13' SE (similar redshift) appeared extremely faint, small (viewed only the core of this thin edge-on), 15"-20" diameter. A couple of mag 14-14.5 stars lies 1' to 1.5' NE.

13.1" (2/23/85): this galaxy is the brightest in the NGC 2389 group. Fairly faint, slightly elongated ~E-W, bright core. Third of three in a tight subgroup with NGC 2385 and NGC 2388.

WH discovered NGC 2389 = H III-703 = h449 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 807) and noted as "vF; vS; perhaps a patch of star." His position is just 1' north of UGC 3872 = PGC 21109. On 4 Feb 1793 (sweep 1031) he confirmed it was a nebula and logged "vF, bM, R." He also discovered NGC 2385 and 2388 on this sweep. Dreyer misassigned H III-901 to NGC 2389.

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NGC 2390

07 29 04.2 +33 50 10

18" (1/13/07): this is a 14th magnitude star located 1.4' S of NGC 2389. Misidentified as a nebulous object by Robert Ball, a Birr Castle assistant.

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on the Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 2390 on 10 Dec 1866 (along with NGC 2391) and noted "Eta is faint and perhaps little elongated." He placed this object 82.1" in PA 181° (south) with respect to NGC 2389 and at this position is a mag 14.7 star. Bigourdan was unable to find Ball's object and Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", states "eeS, *15.5?". NGC 2391 also refers to a faint star.

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NGC 2391

07 29 07.5 +33 49 33

=*, Corwin. =NF, Carlson

Sir Robert Ball, an assistant on the Lord Rosse's 72" telescope, discovered NGC 2391 on 10 Dec 1866 (along with NGC 2390) and noted "Theta is eF and S and only seen by glimpses." He placed this object 147" in PA 163.5° with respect to NGC 2389 and at this position is a mag 15.6 star. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", describes a "*14.7, nebulous?, 2.2' ssf of N2389." Nearby NGC 2390 is also a faint star.

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NGC 2392 = Eskimo Nebula = PK 197+17.1 = PN G197.8+17.3

07 29 10.8 +20 54 42

V = 9.2; Size 47"x43"

48" (4/1/11): I just took a quick look at the Eskimo at 488x but the view of the double green shells was stunning. The inner, brilliant annulus is irregularly shaped, with an elongated bulge on the north side. The ring essentially splits into two sections at the north end (the inner "ring" is fainter) with a darker interior forming a small pouch within the ring. This feature could be considered the "chin" at the bottom of the Eskimo's "face" in the eyepiece view. The outer shell is irregularly lit and brighter along the southern rim.

18" (2/24/06): viewed at 807x in good seeing.  This remarkable double-shelled planetary has a darker ring around the bright, 9th magnitude central star. The darker ring is surrounded by fairly narrow bright annulus, perhaps 20" in diameter. The rim of the inner annulus appears slightly brighter along the western half and brightest along the northwest section.  Moving outwards, a narrow darker ring separates the inner shell from a large, lower surface brightness outer halo that extends to nearly 1' in diameter (listed diameter is only 47").

17.5" (12/19/87): using 410x exhibits a prominent double shell structure with a very bright inner shell about 20" diameter with a darker central hole surrounding a very bright mag 9 central star. The Eskimo has a very high surface brightness with a bluish color and easily takes this magnification. The inner shell is surrounded by a thin dark ring about 2/3 of the way out from center and a faint, barely detached outer halo. Located 1.6' S of mag 8.3 SAO 79428.

13" (1/28/84): bright mag 9 central star surrounded by a double shell with a bright inner disk and a dark ring separates the two shells.

WH discovered NGC 2392 = H IV-45 = h450 on 17 Jan 1787 (sweep 694) and recorded "a star with a pretty strong milky nebulosity equally dispersed all around.  The star about 9m.  Having but just began I suspected the glass to be covered with damp, or my eye not yet to be in order; however a star 10 or 11m just north of it was free from the same appearance.  A very curious phenomenon; like my northern Planetary in its growing state."  The next night he added "One of the most remarkable phenomena I ever have seen."  In his 1814 PT paper he used this example as evident connection between an atmosphere and a star, and in the case of a central star in a planetary he was of course correct.

The listing for "Greenw IX yr C" in the "Other Observers" column of the NGC refers to the "Nine-year catalogue of 2263 stars; deduced from observations extending from 1868 to 1876.  Made at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.  Reducted to the epoch 1871.  Appendix I to the Greenwich Observations, 1876."

Neither Herschel commented on the annularity of the planetary, which was discovered and sketched by George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant.  The sketch (figure 15, plate XXXVIII in the 1850 PT paper) also shows a dark spot just to the right (west?) of the central star.  The double shell structure was reported by Henry Cooper Key using an 18.2-inch silvered-glass reflector in 1867MNRAS..28....2A: "the present appearance of this object, as seen in my instrument, is that of a bright, but somewhat nebulous star closely surrounded by a dark ring; this again by a luminous ring; then an interval much less luminous, and, finally, at some distance, an exterior luminous ring."  Barnard also sketched the double ring structure with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory on 10 Apr 1890.  He also commented on "a condensed point or 2 in the preceding part [of the inner disc], then there seems to be a dark vacuity about this disc and then a fainter nebulous ring.  It is a remarkable object."

The CGCG misidentifies CGCG 086-035 = PGC 21128 as NGC 2392.

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NGC 2393 = UGC 3884 = MCG +06-17-014 = CGCG 177-027 = PGC 21154

07 30 04.7 +34 01 39

V = 14.0; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 103d

18" (1/13/07): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 0.6'x0.5', low even surface brightness. Located 16' NE of NGC 2389 in a cluster.

13.1" (2/23/85): extremely faint, similar in size to NGC 2388 but a lower surface brightness. Located 16' NE of NGC 2389. Last of 7 in the cluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2393 = St XIII-28 on 7 Feb 1885. His position matches UGC 3884 = PGC 21154.

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NGC 2394

07 28 37 +07 05 12

18" (3/13/04): at 115x, appears as a 15'x5' scattered group of roughly two dozen stars, extended E-W. Includes a number of mag 10-11 stars. The stars appear to be arranged in a zig-zag chain which is fairly distinctive, but may just be a random grouping. Located just 10' NE of Eta CMi (V=5.3) in the same field! Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2394 = H VIII-44 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 496) and noted "A cluster of very coarse scattered large stars, they form a cross and extend over a large space; not rich." There were no observations made by JH or at Birr Castle. Karl Reinmuth described, based on Heidelberg plates, "a very loose clustering of pB st, bet BD+7d1729 and BD+7d1739." There are about 15 fairly bright mag 10-11 stars in the vicinity. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2395 = Cr 144 = OCL-502 = Lund 338

07 27 13 +13 36 30

V = 8.0; Size 12'

13.1" (12/22/84): scattered cluster of roughly 50 stars mag 10 and fainter in 15' field, not rich. Visible faintly in the 16x80mm finder. The Medusa Nebula (Abell 21) lies 34' SE.

WH discovered NGC 2395 = H VIII-11 on 16 Mar 1784 (sweep 176) and noted "a cluster of scattered stars." There is nothing at the Caroline's reduced position (or the GC/NGC position), but 30' southwest is this scattered group of stars. Auwers' reduced position is 1° too far south, so he made a reduction error. Still, this is an unusually large error, though the cluster was found only 3 months after WH began his sweeps and his positions are sometimes off quite a bit in his early sweeps. Caroline Herschel also noted a confusion in the sweep record about the offset star -- whether it was 50 or 51 Geminorum, so perhaps there is still an error to be uncovered.

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NGC 2396 = Cr 148 = OCL-579 = Lund 344

07 28 06 -11 44

Size 10'

18" (3/2/08): at 94x, roughly three dozen stars are resolved, mostly mag 11-13.5 with a pale orange mag 8.5 star on the west side. At 175x, roughly 50 stars are resolved in a 10' region. A chain of stars extends a few arcminutes NE from the mag 8.5 star and then abruptly loops due south for the same distance. This chain then curves around making a large oval loop forming the east side of the cluster. Located 10' S of a triple star (ADS 6104) consisting of a mag 8.5 primary with mag 8.5 and 9.5 companions at 20" and 23". The brighter two stars have an orange/blue color contrast. Located in a rich star field so the borders of the cluster are ill-defined.

25x80mm finder (3/2/08): roundish, glowing region just following a mag 8 star.

17.5" (2/8/91): about three dozen stars mostly mag 11-13 are resolved at 82x. Evenly distributed, not rich and does not stand out well in a rich field. The brightest star is mag 8.7 SAO 152910 situated at the west side. Located 10' S of ∑1097 = 6.1/8.5 at 20"!

WH discovered NGC 2396 = H VIII-36 = h451 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 363) and called it "a coarsely scattered forming cluster about 20 or 30' diam." His position is within this scattered group. JH simply noted a "straggling portion of the Milky Way." and his position is 16 tsec of RA further east.

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NGC 2397 = ESO 058-030 = LGG 147-001 = PGC 20766

07 21 19.7 -69 00 05

V = 11.8; Size 2.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 123d

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears very bright, large, elongated nearly 5:2 NW-SE, ~2.4'x1.0', broadly concentrated to a brighter core and then rising quickly to a small, brighter nucleus. A mag 14.5 star is just off the east end 1' from the center. Forms a pair with NGC 2397A 7' S. Member of the NGC 2442 group (NGC 2442 lies 1.4° SE).

JH discovered NGC 2397 = h3085 on 21 Feb 1835 and recorded "B, L, mE, gbM, 2' long, 1' broad." On a second sweep he called this nebula "F, pL, pmE, pslbM, 90", pos of extension = 117°." His position and description matches ESO 58-30 = PGC 20766.

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NGC 2398 = MCG +04-18-023 = CGCG 117-048 = PGC 21165

07 30 16.3 +24 29 16

V = 14.1; Size 0.8'x0.65'; PA = 126d

24" (2/14/15): faint to fairly faint, small, very slightly elongated, 20"x16", nearly even surface brightness. A mag 15 star is off the northwest edge [23" from center].

Forms a very close pair with CGCG 117-046 off the west-northwest side [40" between centers]. At 375x, the companion appeared extremely faint and small, round, 8" diameter (core only), visible ~1/3 of time with concentration. IC 2191 lies 10' S and is fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 20"x15", contains a very small brighter nucleus.

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, broad concentration, stellar nucleus.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2398 = St XIII-29 on 10 Feb 1885 with the 31-inch reflector at Marseilles Observatory. His position is accurate.

Stephane Javelle resolved it into a double nebula on 7 Feb 1896 and made a footnote in his listing for IC 2191 = J III-1000 that "NGC 2398 appears double". Dreyer didn't assign CGCG 117-046 an IC designation as Javelle didn't note an offset or position, though he commented in the IC 2 Notes section "seems to be a double neb (Javelle III.)

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NGC 2399

07 29 50.3 -00 12 45

=**, Gottlieb. =***, Corwin.

George Bond discovered NGC 2399 = HN 9, along with NGC 2400, on 26 Feb 1853 with the 15-inch Merz refractor during the Harvard Zone Survey of stars near the celestial equator. He noted "between stars #230 and #231 there are two faint nebulae. Dec +00 05 11 [1853]." Near Bond's position in AN #1453 is a 10" +/- pair of mag 14/15 stars with a third component at 20". Heinrich d'Arrest measured both NGC 2399 and 2340 on 30 Jan 1865, but his positions are 1 minute of RA too large and he didn't resolve these multiple stars. Harold Corwin also concludes that NGC 2399 and 2400 are two different triple stars separated by just 1'.

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NGC 2400

07 29 54.9 -00 12 52

=***, Corwin.

George Bond discovered NGC 2400 = HN 10, along with NGC 2399, on 26 Feb 1853 at Harvard College observatory. Near Bond's position is a triple star with separations of ~10" and 14". Heinrich d'Arrest's positions for both NGC 2399 and 2340, measured on 30 Jan 1865, is exactly 1 minute of RA too large, though he apparently did not resolve the triple. See NGC 2399.

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NGC 2401 = Cr 149 = OCL-588 = Lund 346

07 29 24 -13 58 00

Size 2'

18" (3/2/08): at 225x appears as a rich, glowing 1.5' knot with roughly a dozen very faint mag 14-14 stars peppered over the glow. Appears rich with averted but only partially resolved. A mag 7 star (HD 59543) is the field, 7' ESE. Situated in a rich Milky Way star field at 175x with a patchy background.

13.1" (1/11/86): About 7 very faint mag 13.5-15 stars resolved over haze, unimpressive. Located in a very rich field 7' W of mag 7.2 SAO 152963.

WH discovered NGC 2401 = H VII-65 = h454 on 8 Mar 1793 (sweep 1034) and recorded "a small cluster of vS stars, considerably rich and compressed." His position is just off the southeast side of the cluster, but close enough to be unambiguous.

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NGC 2402 = UGC 3891 = MCG +02-19-004 = CGCG 057-015 = PGC 21176

07 30 47.8 +09 38 59

V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.8'

24" (2/16/15 and 2/14/15): at 322x; faint to fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, ~25"x20", weak concentration with a very small brighter nucleus. A mag 13.5-14 star is at the east-northeast edge [21" from center]. This star is the last of four in a northwest to southeast string with two mag 13 stars and a mag 11 star at the northwest end. Also, a fainter mag 14.5 star is superimposed on the north edge - just 10" from center!

Forms a double system with PGC 200236 at the northeast edge [30" from center]. At 450x, it was seen as a very faint round knot (not 100%, but often visible with concentration), roughly 6" diameter.

17.5" (11/25/87): faint, very small, round. A mag 14 star is at the east edge 22" from center. A chain of four stars begin with a mag 14 star 40" N and forms a line to the NW. Located 3' N of mag 8.8 SAO 115540. This is a double system in contact, though the fainter companion (PGC 200236) at the NE edge was not noticed.

WH discovered NGC 2402 = H III-19 = h453 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 163) and recorded "2 vS and close stars suspected to be mixed with some nebulosity, but not having a higher power at hand I could not put them to the trial. However I rather think it may be a fallacy." His position is 5' NE of UGC 3891 = PGC 21176. JH observed this galaxy on 3 sweeps, reported it as "eF; among several stars 13...14m; one = 14m is in the nebula." My position is on the brighter southwest galaxy. See Harold Corwin's comments.

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NGC 2403 = UGC 3918 = MCG +11-10-007 = CGCG 309-040 = CGCG 310-003 = LGG 176-006 = PGC 21396

07 36 50.6 +65 36 09

V = 8.5; Size 21.9'x12.3'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 127d

48" (4/15/10): this amazing multi-arm spiral stretched across the entire 15' at 330x, with the major axis running NW to SE. The spiral arms are striking with the more prominent arm attached near the NW end and sweeping counter-clockwise 180° along the northern side of the galaxy, tapering as it extends to a point roughly 5' SE of the core. This arm is widest near the NW end, where it begins sweeping east. A second inner arm attaches near the SE end of the main body and tightly hugs the southern side of the galaxy as sweeps to the NW side. A more ill-defined branch heads west from the SE end past a mag 11 star situated 2' WSW of the core. The field was too small to trace out the outer arms. Numerous HII splotches stained the surface and I only had time to quickly sketch the most obvious knots.

The supergiant HII complex NGC 2404 located 1.7' ENE of the core and 1.5' NNW of a superimposed mag 10.5 star, appeared as a very bright, irregular, 20" knot. Hodge lists NGC 2404 as A67 in his 1985 paper "Stellar Associations in the Galaxy NGC 2403". On the NW side of the galaxy is a collinear string of 3 stars oriented NE to SW with an obvious collinear knot an additional 50" SW (SPC-44 in Sivan, Petit and Comte's 1990 "Optical HII Regions in NGC 2403"; VS 3 in Véron and Sauvayre; and A14 in Hodge). Just north of the core are two HII knots, separated by 45" and both 12" in size. The western knot is catalogued as SPC-174 = VS 24 = A36 and the eastern knot as SPC-224 = VS 38 = A45 .

On the SE side of the galaxy is a pair of HII knots separated by 40". The eastern knot is SP-346 = VS 51 = A80 and is situated 1.6' SE of the mag 10.5 star and the western knot includes SPC-318/321/322. At the SE end of the spiral arm that contains NGC 2404 is another 10" knot, which includes SPC-348/351/352 = VS 52 = A81. It can be pinpointed 1.0' NE of the mag 10.5 star. On the SE end of the galaxy a fairly faint, irregular knot (SPC-331/336/343 = VS 48/49 = A73) was noticed 1' W of a mag 14 star.

18" (3/19/04): at 160x, this chaotic spiral displayed a tremendous wealth of detail with two broad, diffuse spiral arms, dark lanes, mottling and a few obvious giant HII regions. A number of stars are superimposed including two mag 11 stars. I focused on observing the HII regions that were best viewed at 323x.

The brightest is the HII complex NGC 2404 (VS 44 = SP 298) on the east side of the core 1.5' from center and 1.5' N of a mag 11 star to the SW of the core. This knot is fairly bright at 323x, perhaps 15" diameter and irregularly round.

On the NW side of the halo is a collinear string of two stars along with a fuzzy knot (VS 3 = SP 44 = A14), oriented from SW to NE. This HII knot forms the SW end of the string and is clearly nonstellar at 323x, ~15" diameter. It can also be pinpointed 2.4' NW of the mag 11 star west of the core (middle of three in a E-W string).

At the NNW edge of the core is a mag 13.5 "star" that does not focus sharply and appears to be another HII knot (VS 24 = SPC-174 = A36). Close following is a fainter, but definite nonstellar knot ~10" diameter (VS 38 = SPC-224 = A45).

Finally, returning to star on the SW edge of the core, a fainter mag 14 star is close south with a weak nebulous glow attached (SPC-221/222/225). This region is also catalogued as A41 in Hodge's 1985 "Stellar Associations in the Galaxy NGC 2403" from PASP, 97, 1065 .

17.5" (2/28/87): very bright, very large, bright core, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 15'x6'. Impressive galaxy with spiral structure clearly visible. Two spiral arms are attached at opposite ends of the central region and both wind almost 180°. The tip of the northern arm ends at the emission nebula NGC 2404. Several stars are superimposed including two mag 11 stars.

17.5" (2/22/87): two spiral arms are visible on attached at the opposite sides of the galaxy and winding a half of revolution. The northern arm ends at the HII knot NGC 2404. The galaxy has a mottled appearance.

13" (1/11/86): spiral arm definite on the west side of the galaxy with a dark gap between this arm and the main body (core). This feature is very faint but definite with averted.

13" (12/22/84): spiral arm highly suspected attached at the west side winding along the north side to a faint knot = NGC 2404.

13" (1/28/84): very bright, large bright core. NGC 2404 is clearly visible as a faint, very small nebulous knot along the east side of the galaxy. Spiral structure (arms) is just suspected. On 3/24/84 the knot was difficult to view at 144x, but on 1/11/86 was fairly easy.

8" (1/1/84): bright, large, bright core, faint star superimposed, mottled?

WH discovered NGC 2403 = H V-44 on 1 Nov 1788 (sweep 879) and recorded "cB; R; vgbM; BN; 6 or 7' dia; resembling a star with a misty atmosphere." His summary description, also based on a later observation, states "with a faint branch extending a great way to the np side; not less than 1/2 degree; and to the n or nf the nebulosity diffused over a space, I am pretty sure, not less than a whole degree." Obviously, his size estimate is well off, but his description of a "faint branch extending a great way to the np side" applies to the spiral side on the west side and the comment "to the n or nf the nebulosity is diffused over a space" probably applies to the northern arm that extends to the east (and contains NGC 2404).

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NGC 2404

07 37 07.1 +65 36 39

48" (4/15/10): The supergiant HII complex NGC 2404, located 1.7' ENE of the core and 1.5' NNW of a superimposed mag 10.5 star, appeared as a very bright, irregular, 20" knot. At the relatively low power of 330x, I quickly logged 8 HII knots in the galaxy (see description of NGC 2403).

18" (3/19/04): brightest of 3 or 4 HII regions visible in NGC 2403. Fairly bright at 160x, small, round. Located just east of the core, 1.5' from center, and 1.5' N of a prominent mag 11 star to the SW of the core.

17.5" (2/22/87): this is a prominent knot (superassociation) located at the end of the northern spiral arm of NGC 2403. Appears fairly faint, small, round, clearly nonstellar.

13": extremely small emission "knot" at the east end of NGC 2403.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 2404 = Big. 28, a superassociation/HII region in NGC 2403, on 2 Feb 1886 with the 12.4-inch refractor of Paris Observatory. The NGC position, based on Bigoudan's original published position in list I, is in error but Bigourdan later measured and published an accurate position in his five volume (3000 pages) compilation (Annales de l'Observatoire de Paris). RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7), although Type 35 (diffuse nebula in galaxy) would be more appropriate.

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NGC 2405 = MCG +04-18-026 = CGCG 117-051 = VV 643 = PGC 21224

07 32 14.0 +25 54 23

V = 13.8; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 95d

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, small, very low even surface brightness. A mag 15.5 star is just off the north edge.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2405 = m 105 on 7 Nov 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "vF, S, iR." His position is 1' S of CGCG 117-51 = PGC 21224.

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NGC 2406 = MCG +03-19-021 = CGCG 086-041 = CGCG 087-002 = PGC 21218

07 31 47.7 +18 17 17

V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (1/31/87): very faint, small, round, faint core, slightly smaller and fainter than NGC 2407 3.4' NNE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2406 = St XIII-30 on 7 Feb 1885 (along with NGC 2407 = St XIII-31) with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches CGCG 086-041.

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NGC 2407 = UGC 3896 = MCG +03-20-001 = CGCG 086-042 = CGCG 087-003 = PGC 21220

07 31 56.7 +18 19 59

V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 75d

17.5" (1/31/87): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 2406 3.4' SSW. Located 7' W of mag 7.8 SAO 96995.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2407 = St XIII-31 on 7 Feb 1885 (along with NGC 2406 = St XIII-30) with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 3896 = PGC 21220.

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NGC 2408

07 40 32 +71 40 30

Size 20'

18" (3/13/04): at 115x, ~50 stars mag 9.5 and fainter are scattered in a 20' triangular group. The group is unconcentrated and there are only a few stars within the interior of the outline. Strings of stars extend off the triangle so there no clear boundaries to the group and it appears to be a chance asterism or an open cluster remnant. A mag 9 star is on the west side of the group.

JH discovered NGC 2408 = h452 in Jan 1830 and noted "A very loose scattered cluster of large stars, or a starry place." His position corresponds with a mag 9 star. Harold Corwin identifies a scattered group of mag 10-12 stars (asterism) with a diameter of ~20'. Bica et al, classify this object as a "possible open cluster remnant" (2001A&A...366..827B).

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NGC 2409 = Bochum 4 = Lund 1128

07 31 37 -17 11 24

V = 7.3; Size 2'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, this is a 2' group of 8 stars with no faint members, so it appears to be an asterism. The two brightest mag 8.5/9 stars are part of a boxy quadrilateral with the other 4 stars grouped into two wide pairs. The three brightest stars are resolved in the 80mm finder at 25x. Sh 2-302, a very faint large HII region is centered ~13' N.

17.5" (2/9/02): small, bright, distinctive group of 8 stars mag 9-11.5 in a 2' knot. Includes two mag 9 stars in a small quadrilateral and two other pairs. Stands out well in the field, though seems too sparse to be a real cluster (Bochum 4).

JH discovered NGC 2409 = h3086 on 12 Feb 1836 and noted "a small but brillliant group of 6 or 8 large stars, 8, 9, 10m, within a very small compass." His position matches this small, bright group of stars. While observing with the 72", Dreyer called this group "only 4 stars 9...11 mag and some fainter ones. I suppose there are millions of such clusters." Herbert Howe noted it "Consists of 10 scattered stars." This knot of stars is plotted on Norton's Star Atlas and described in Webb but RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2410 = UGC 3917 = MCG +05-18-023 = CGCG 177-035 = CGCG 147-043 = PGC 21336

07 35 02.4 +32 49 18

V = 13.0; Size 2.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 31d

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated SW-NE, bright core. A pair of mag 14 stars are 1.0' SE and 1.5' SSE of center.

Truman Safford discovered NGC 2410 = Sf 74 on 5 Feb 1867 with the 18.5" refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and recorded "pS, pB, vmb M N = 12-13m." Safford's discovery, though, was not published until 1887, too late to be credited in the NGC. Stephan independently found the galaxy on 2 Feb 1877, recorded it in list VIIIb-20, and was credited with the discovery in the GC Supplement (5388) and the NGC. It was later found again by Stephane Javelle on 11 Feb 1898 and described in list III-1005 as "F, E 250 deg, 1' long, gbM, r."

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NGC 2411 = UGC 3914 = MCG +03-20-005 = CGCG 177-035 = PGC 21315

07 34 36.3 +18 16 53

V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 50d

24" (2/14/15): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 24"x18", well concentrated with a very small bright nucleus. A mag 14 star is just west of the southwest end.

Forms a close pair with PGC 1555546 just 1.0' NE. The companion was extremely faint, 12" diameter, occasionally popped in the same position, but could not hold for any interval

17.5" (1/31/87): fairly faint, small, almost round, sharp concentration. PGC 1555546, a faint companion off the NE side, was not seen.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2411 = St XIII-32 on 7 Feb 1885. His position matches UGC 3914 = PGC 21315.

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NGC 2412

07 34 21.5 +08 32 44

=**, Gottlieb. =NF, RNGC.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 2412 in 1886 with the 15.5-inch Cooke refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England. At his position is a pair of mag 12.2/13.8 stars at 14" separation that match Lohse's description of a nearby bright star. The mean position of these two stars is used. Only 3 of his 16 objects in the NGC are galaxies (two others were earlier discoveries), the rest being stars or missing.

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NGC 2413

07 33 18.5 -13 07 09

Size 10'

18" (3/13/04): appears as two groups of stars symmetrically placed to the north and south of mag 8.7 HD 60307. The southern group is richer and contains nearly three dozen stars within 5'. The northern group contains more mag 10-11 stars but is not as rich with two dozen stars in 7'. This group is probably not a true cluster. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2413 = H VIII-52 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 540) and called it "a cluster of vL coarsely scattered stars, not rich, nearly R." His position is 1.5' north of mag 8.8 HD 60307, on the south side of the group.

JH did not reobserve this object but it was described at Birr Castle on 3 Jan 1873 as a "very loose Cl, scarcely more compressed than the neighborhood." Brian Skiff notes two clumps in a 10' diameter. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2414 = Cr 150 = OCL-598 = Lund 352

07 33 13 -15 27 12

V = 7.9; Size 4'

18" (3/2/08): very pretty cluster with ~40 stars mag 12-14 resolved in a 4'x3' group using the 13mm Ethos (175x). A mag 8.2 star (HD 60308) is superimposed at the center and sprays of stars to the NW, north and east appear to radiate outward from the bright star. A half a dozen brighter mag 10-10.5 stars form an 8' incomplete ring that partially encompasses the cluster (open to the east).

13.1" (1/11/86): about 20 faint stars surrounding mag 8.2 SAO 153056 with some unresolved background haze. The cluster members are arranged in two curving lanes with a mag 8.2 star at the center, elongated ~E-W. Pretty view at high power.

WH discovered NGC 2414 = H VIII-37 = h455 on 4 Feb 1785 (sweep 366) and recorded "A small cluster of scattered stars of various sizes, not very rich." JH noted "a cl with 1 st 9m; not rich." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2415 = UGC 3930 = MCG +06-17-021 = CGCG 177-038 = PGC 21399

07 36 56.6 +35 14 32

V = 12.4; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.0

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core. Located 2.0' SW of mag 9.1 SAO 60227. Bracketed by two mag 14 stars just 0.6' NW and 0.9' ESE of center.

WH discovered NGC 2415 = H II-821 = h456 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 937) and called "pB, cS, resolvable, preceding a considerable star." His position is 1.2' WNW of UGC 3930. JH observed this galaxy on two sweeps, noting "a curious, almost planetary neb 10" diam R; light nearly equable; between 2 small stars."

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NGC 2416 = UGC 3925 = MCG +02-20-002 = CGCG 058-008 = PGC 21358

07 35 41.5 +11 36 43

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 110d

17.5" (11/25/87): very faint, fairly small, round, diffuse, even surface brightness.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2416 = m 106 on 26 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted as "eF, S." His position is 9 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 3925. There are no other nearby candidates, so this identification is certain

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NGC 2417 = ESO 123-015 = AM 0729-620 = LGG 144-006 = PGC 21155

07 30 12.1 -62 15 10

V = 12.0; Size 2.8'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 81d

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears bright, large, oval 4:3 or 3:2 WSW-ENE, ~3'x2', broadly concentrated with a large, brighter core. A very faint star is at the south edge of the halo. The galaxy pair IC 2200A and IC 2200B lies 15' SW. This galaxy is at the east end of a group of galaxies including NGC 2381, NGC 2369, NGC 2369A, NGC 2369B and IC 2200/2200A.

JH discovered NGC 2417 = h3087 on 8 Mar 1836 and recorded "vF, L, R, gbM, resolvable. Is no doubt a very distant cluster of 6th class." His position matches ESO 123-15 = PGC 21155.

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NGC 2418 = Arp 165 = UGC 3931 = MCG +03-20-008 = CGCG 087-017 = PGC 21382

07 36 37.5 +17 53 02

V = 12.2; Size 1.8'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (1/31/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round, broadly concentrated halo, bright stellar nucleus.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2418 = St VIIIb-21 on 23 Jan 1874. His position matches UGC 3931.

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NGC 2419 = Intergalactic Wanderer

07 38 08.5 +38 52 55

V = 10.3; Size 4.7'

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly faint, round, 2' diameter, gradually brighter core but no well-defined nucleus, mottled appearance although no resolution into stars. Framed by a quadrilateral of four mag 13-14 stars and a few other faint stars. Collinear with mag 7.0 SAO 60232 4' W and mag 7.9 SAO 60229 8' W. The "Intergalactic Tramp" is one of most distant globulars from earth and may be the core of an accreted dwarf galaxy.

8": very faint, small, round, no resolution. Collinear with two mag 8 stars to the west and a mag 9 star in the field W.

WH discovered NGC 2419 = H I-218 = h457 on 31 Dec 1788 (sweep 901) and wrote "cB, R, vgmbM, about 3' diameter." JH observed this gc on two sweeps and remarked "not vB; L; pmE in parallel; 2' l and 75" br." This is an interesting observation as the globular is generally described as round. The first time it was logged at Birr Castle on 9 Mar 1850, Lord Rosse remarked "I think clearly resolved, several points, at least 3 seen plainly in edge which I suspect to be filamentous; no nucl., more round than h[erschel] describes it." The 13 Feb 1852 observation even notes "Lord Rosse thought it like a cluster at a great distance."

NGC 2419 was shown to be globular cluster in 1922 on a plate taken at Lowell Observatory. Shapley estimated a distance of 160,000 l.y. (current estimate ~275,000 l.y. in the outer halo) and along with Sawyer, assigned it concentration class II. He may have been the first to use the nickname "Intergalactic Tramp" in the 1944 paper "Revision of the Distances of 30 high-latitude Globular Clusters."

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NGC 2420 = Cr 154 = Mel 69 = OCL-488

07 38 24 +21 34 30

V = 8.3; Size 10'

18" (3/15/10): this is a rich, pretty group at low power with roughly 80-100 stars in a 10' region at 175x. Higher power brings out the fainter members. The brightest mag 9.4 star is at the west end of the cluster and forms a large mag contrast pair with a 13th companion 12" south. On the north end of the cluster is an equally spaced, collinear trio with separations of 14". The brighter stars in the cluster are pretty evenly distributed. Many of the fainter stars are in a 2'-3' patch that follows the mag 9.4 star and which includes some unresolved haze. A couple of brighter mag 8-9 stars are in the field to the south of the cluster and also to the north.

17.5" (1/23/93): excellent cluster of at least 50 stars mag 11-15 within a 6' diameter. Good spread of magnitudes, includes 15 stars mag 11-13 over a rich background of numerous mag 14-15 stars and unresolved haze. The brightest mag 10 star is on the west side and has a mag 13 companion 12" S. Located between mag 9.1 SAO 79575 6' NNE and mag 8.9 SAO 79563 6' SSW. A faint galaxy pair, CGCG 117-059 and CGCG 117-060 (separation is just 40"), is in the field 10' WNW! Both of these are extremely faint and small.

WH discovered NGC 2420 = H VI-1 = h458 on 19 Nov 1783 (very early sweep and 4th object discovered) and recorded "a beautiful cluster of many large and compressed small stars, about 12' diameter." On 10 Feb 1787 (sweep 697) he noted "A brilliant rich cluster of stars." JH called it "a p rich cl; irreg fig; 50...100 stars; 11...18m; 5..7' diam. His position was accurate.

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NGC 2421 = Cr 151 = Mel 67 = OCL-626

07 36 12 -20 36 42

V = 8.3; Size 10'

18" (3/2/08): ~80 stars mag 10-15 stars are resolved at 175x within a 10' region. Includes a large number of mag 11-12 stars. The group is well-detached in the field, particularly on the west, north and southeast sides. One concentration of stars is on the soiuthwest side. Just to the northeast, a number of the cluster's stars form the outline of a large, equilateral triangle. A rich clump of stars is the center of this triangle including a mag 11/11.5 pair at 18". At 225x, ~100 stars are visible, although the cluster spreads out too much to be pleasing at this power.

25x80mm (3/2/08): appears as a fairly large, richly glowing region with a few brighter stars resolved.

17.5" (3/7/92): about 60 mag 10-14 stars in a 10' field. Many stars are similar magnitudes and the cluster is pretty evenly distributed. Brighter stars at the borders give a triangular outline including mag 10.5 stars at the SW, SE and NE edges. A wide brighter double star (ARA 962 =10.9/11.5 at 18") oriented N-S lies NE of center and two faint companions are also near.

8" (1/1/84): almost three dozen faint stars, triangular-shape, rich field.

WH discovered NGC 2421 = H VII-67 = h3089 on 30 Jan 1799 (sweep 1089) and described "a cluster of compressed stars, considerably rich." JH recorded it from the Cape of Good Hope as "a large fine rich cluster, not much compressed, but nearly filling the field. Stars 11..13th mag, no conspicuous star, place that of a coarse double stars 11th mag."

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NGC 2422 = M47 = NGC 2478 = Cr 152

07 36 35 -14 29 00

V = 4.4; Size 30'

18" (3/2/08): this naked-eye cluster is stunning at 73x (31 Nagler), though at 30' diameter is too spread out for higher powers. The stars are arranged in beautiful chains and groups. The brightest half-dozen stars are in a 10' subgroup in the center including a striking white double star (∑1121 = 7.0/7.3 at 7") that is is surrounded by many stars in chains and loops. The brightest star on the west side is a wide, unequal double (5.7/9.7 at 20"). Perhaps 200 stars are scattered around at low power.

13.1" (11/5/83): very bright, very large, fairly rich, impressive. Includes double stars ∑1121 = 7.9/7.9 at 7" in the center and ∑1120 = 5.7/9.6 at 20" on the west side. Easy naked-eye object in a dark sky.

8": very bright, large but scattered, includes ∑1121 = 8/8 at 7" near core and ∑1120 on west side, many colored stars.

Caroline Herschel independently discovered M47 = NGC 2422 = H VIII-38 = h459 = h3088 on 26 Feb 1783. WH found the cluster again on 4 Feb 1785 (sweep 366) and recorded "a very coarsely scattered cluster of several vL and other different sized stars." His summary description (including a second observation) reads "a cluster of pretty compressed large and small stars, round, above 15' diameter." From the Cape of Good Hope, JH called this "a very large, pretty rich splendid cluster, which more than fills the field. Place of the chief star a find double star."

Giovanni Hodierna probably was the first to discover M47 before 1654 and simply recorded "a Nebulosa between the two dogs". Charles Messier rediscovered it 117 years later on 19 Feb 1771, though he clearly made an error as there is nothing at his position. Messier's missing object was assigned GC 1594 and NGC 2478. In 1959, Canadian amateur T.F. Morris identified M47 as identical to NGC 2422. See notes for NGC 2478.

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NGC 2423 = Cr 153 = Mel 70 = OCL-592

07 37 07 -13 52 18

V = 6.7; Size 19'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, ~100 stars are resolved in a 18' region with an excellent double at the center (h3983 = 9.1/9.7 at 8"). The stars are pretty evenly distributed with no rich subgroups though with several doubles and small groupings.

13.1" (1/28/84): about 50 stars in 15' field. Fairly rich in faint stars. A mag 9 double star is near the center. The primary, itself, is a very close pair (RST 3532 = 9.6/10.2 at 0.5"). Located 37' N of M47.

25x80mm finder (3/2/08): A chain of stars extends north from M47 to this obvious glow with a few resolved stars superimposed.

15x50 IS binoculars (1/15/07): visible about 40' N of M47 in binoculars as a faint glow with the brighter mag 9 and 10 stars resolved.

WH discovered NGC 2423 = H VII-28 = h3090 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 540) and noted "a cluster of pS stars, pretty rich, 15' diameter." His position is accurate. JH observed the cluster from the Cape of Good Hope and recorded "a very large, rich fine cluster of small stars which nearly fills the field. Place that of a double star, class II."

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NGC 2424 = UGC 3959 = MCG +07-16-009 = CGCG 206-015 = FGC 649 = PGC 21558

07 40 39.3 +39 13 58

V = 12.6; Size 3.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 81d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, very small bright core, faint stellar nucleus, very thin extensions from core. Located 7' WNW of mag 7.8 SAO 60267. The distant globular cluster NGC 2419 lies 37' SW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2424 = St XIII-33 on 6 Feb 1885 and described "vF; pS; lbM; mE WSW-ENE; length ~1'." His position and description matches UGC 3959 = PGC 21558.

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NGC 2425 = OCL-599 = Lund 363

07 38 18 -14 52 42

Size 3'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, ~18 stars are resolved over haze in a small 4'x2' group elongated WSW-ENE. At 225x, perhaps two dozen stars are visible. On the east end is a distinctive line of 5 stars oriented SW-NE, though the richest clump of stars is at the west end of the cluster.

13.1" (1/11/86): 15 stars mag 13.5-15.0 over haze in a 4'x2' region elongated ~E-W. Four collinear mag 13 stars are on the east end. Lies SE of M47.

WH discovered NGC 2425 = H VIII-87 on 8 Mar 1793 (sweep 1034) and noted "a small cluster of small stars, not very rich." His position is 2' too far south.

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NGC 2426 = UGC 3977 = MCG +09-13-038 = CGCG 262-022 = PGC 21648

07 43 18.5 +52 19 06

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 2.7' NNW of a mag 10 star. Forms a pair with NGC 2429 5' NE. Misplotted on the U2000 due to a typo in declination (30' too far N) in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2426 = H II-822 = h460 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and called it "pF, R, resolvable, vgbM." His position (based on Auwers reduction) is less than 1' SW of UGC 3977 = PGC 21648. The RNGC declination is 30' too far north and because of this error, the galaxy was misplotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000 atlas.

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NGC 2427 = ESO 208-027 = PGC 21375

07 36 27.8 -47 38 08

V = 11.5; Size 5.2'x2.2'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 122d

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this large, unusual galaxy is set in a very rich Milky Way field and appears as a diffuse, very large, elongated glow with a low surface brightness and a size of ~4.5'x2.0'. A star is superimposed and mimics an offset stellar nucleus, but otherwise there is little concentration. Situated nearly at the midpoint of two mag 10 stars 5.5' SW and 5.5' NE. The cometary globular CG 4 and ESO 257-019 lies 45' NNW.

JH discovered NGC 2427 = h3091 on 1 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF, L, pmE, vlbM, involves two stars." His position is 1.5' NE of the center of ESO 208-027 = PGC 21375.

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NGC 2428

07 39 18 -16 32

Size 10'

18" (2/4/08): at 175x, roughly 40 stars in 10' barely stand out as a group within a rich Milky Way field. Most eye-catching is a small trapezoidal group with a double star at the NW vertex and a wide pair at the SE vertex. A string of 3 stars oriented SW-NE is within the trapezoid. Off the SE vertex an oval chain of stars extends south and west before looping back towards the trapezoid. There are no dense regions and this appears to be an asterism. An even weaker concentration of stars about 10' NNE may be NGC 2430. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2428 = H VIII-47, along with NGC 2430, on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503), and noted "A very much scattered and vL cl or stars; or rather the milky way very much crowded with stars not differing much in size and colour." His position is 10' south of H VIII-46 = NGC 2430 and corresponds with a fairly rich star field on the DSS. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.

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NGC 2429 = VV 284 = UGC 3983 = MCG +09-13-039 = CGCG 262-023 = PGC 21664

07 43 47.6 +52 21 27

V = 13.8; Size 1.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 145d

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is involved at the SE end 0.3' from center and a mag 11 star is 0.8' SE. Forms a pair with NGC 2426 5.0' SW.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 2429 on 10 Mar 1874 with the 72" and recorded "pF, pS, vmE 146.4°, att to a *12 at sf end." Copeland's description and micrometric offset from a mag 10 star matches the double system UGC 3983. MCG lists the two components separately: MCG +09-13-039 = NGC 2429A and MCG +09-13-040 = NGC 2429B.

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NGC 2430

07 39 30 -16 20 24

Size 8'

18" (2/4/08): scattered, undistinguished group with three brighter stars (separations of 3'-4') including mag 8.5 HD 61553 and two mag 10-10.5 stars. A small group of fainter stars is the south of the mag 9 star and a larger group of faint stars is just north of the triangle of brighter stars. Even so, there is really nothing here to catch my eye and it clearly appears to be a random Milky Way star field. Just 10' SSW is NGC 2428, another unimpressive Milky Way concentration. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 2430 = H VIII-46, along with NGC 2428, on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and reported "a very large but coarsely scattered cluster of stars." There is nothing that stands out significantly visually at his position as noted in my observation, so this identification is very uncertain. See Corwin's identification notes for more.

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NGC 2431 = NGC 2436? = UGC 3999 = MCG +09-13-042 = CGCG 262-024 = PGC 21711

07 45 13.4 +53 04 30

V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 35d

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, small, round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 11.5 star is 1.7' SE and a fainter mag 13 star is 2.2' W.

WH discovered NGC 2431 = H III-829 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and noted "eF, vS, R, bM." Auwers' reduced position is 2.8' north of UGC 3999 = PGC 21711. NGC 2436 is possibly a duplicate observation.

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NGC 2432 = Cr 157 = Mel 73 = Lund 369

07 40 54 -19 05 12

Size 8'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, appears a very distinctive 5' N-S string with a total of ~60 stars resolved in a 5'x3' area. The richest part is along the string with numerous mag 13-14.5 stars packed tightly. The north side of the string bifurcates into two prongs.

13.1" (1/11/86): three dozen faint stars mag 12-15 in a very elongated string oriented N-S with dimensions 5'x1.5'. This is a rich, pretty group with several pairs.

13.1" (1/18/85): ~35 faint stars in an elongated string along one side of bright trapezoid of stars.

8" (3/28/81): rich in faint stars or haze, small, elongated.

80mm (3/2/08): faintly visible in the finder at 25x as a thin, elongated glow N-S.

WH discovered NGC 2432 = H VI-36 = h3092 on 4 Mar 1790 (sweep 934) and described a "very compressed cluster of small, and some large stars; extended nearly in the meridian; the most compressed part is about 8' long and 2' broad, with many stars scattered around it to a considerable distance." In his 1814 PT paper, Herschel speculated "the construction of this cluster may have arisen from the situation of many stars in the same plane, drawn towards a centre by the clustering power, for any plane seen obliquely will have the appearance of an extended form." From the Cape of Good Hope, JH called this "a rather irregular cluster of 8th class, pretty much compressed. The most compressed part forms a ridge or body of stars elongated in the meridian. Stars 12..15th mag with larger outliers."

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NGC 2433

07 42 43.5 +09 15 33

=***, Corwin. =CGCG 058-029, RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2433 = h462 on 19 Jan 1828 and described as "eF, has a *15 90" dist 30 deg np." At JH's position (07 42 43.5 +09 15 33) is the close triple star that Corwin identifies as NGC 2433. The star JH mentions north-preceding is at 50" separation. RNGC and PGC misidentify CGCG 058-029 = PGC 21634 as NGC 2433.

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NGC 2434 = ESO 059-005 = LGG 147-002 = PGC 21325

07 34 51.3 -69 17 03

V = 11.3; Size 2.5'x2.3'; Surf Br = 13.1

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this galaxy is located 16' NW of the remarkable barred spiral, NGC 2442. At 260x it appeared bright, moderately large, slightly elongated 5:4, ~1.0'x0.8' in diameter. Sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright core. Mag 6.9 Delta Vol lies 15' NE.

JH discovered NGC 2434 = h3096 on 23 Dec 1834 and measured it on 5 sweeps. His original description reads "pB, R, gpmbM, 35"." and his position matches ESO 059-005 = PGC 21325.

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NGC 2435 = UGC 3996 = MCG +05-19-002 = CGCG 147-062 = CGCG 148-004 = PGC 21676

07 44 13.5 +31 39 03

V = 12.8; Size 2.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 36d

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE. The halo is evenly concentrated down to a small bright core containing a stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1.2' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2435 = H II-616 on 26 Oct 1786 (sweep 628) and noted "F, S, lbM." His position is 2' northwest of UGC 3996 = PGC 21676.

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NGC 2436

07 45 48.3 +52 02 17

=**, Gottlieb. = NGC 2431:, Corwin. =*, RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2436 = h461 on 16 Feb 1831 and recorded "vF, S, R, bM, diam 8"." About 3' west of his position is a faint pair of mag 14.4/15.4 stars with a separation of 8" that could be his object. The mean position of these two stars given here. But Harold Corwin notes that JH's position is exactly 1.0 min of RA east and 1 degree south of NGC 2431 and the description matches the bright core. As the errors are just single digits, he feels NGC 2436 is more likely a duplicate of NGC 2431, though I feel the faint pair of stars is also a possibility.

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NGC 2437 = M46 = Cr 159

07 41 47 -14 48 36

V = 6.1; Size 27'

17.5" (3/16/96): At 100x, M46 fills a large portion of the field and there are a few hundred stars fairly evenly distributed in a 35' field. The cluster appears slightly elongated E-W although there are no clear borders. There is no increase in concentration towards the center and except for two brighter stars on the west side the cluster is unusually uniform in brightness (mag 11-13) and distribution in the main body. There is a noticeable 2' void, though, very close to the center of the cluster. Around the periphery the distribution becomes quite scraggly and the cluster mixes with the general field density. The beautiful annular planetary NGC 2438 is situated in the north side of the cluster.

8": bright, very rich, large, includes a couple of mag 9 stars but most stars are mag 10-13 and fairly uniform in magnitude and distribution except for a gap near the center. Contains the striking pn NGC 2438 at the NE edge. Faint naked-eye object in a dark sky.

Charles Messier discovered M46 = NGC 2437 = h463 on 19 Feb 1771. WH described the cluster (unpublished) on 19 Mar 1786 as "a beautiful, very rich, compressed cluster of stars of various magnitudes." JH reported "the brightest part of a v fine rich cl; stars = 10m; which fills the field. Within the cluster at its n edge is a fine planetary nebula [NGC 2438]."

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NGC 2438 = PK 231+4.2 = PN G231.8+04.1

07 41 50.6 -14 44 07

V = 11.5; Size 73"x68"

48" (2/20/12): at 488x, much of the same detail described in the 4/15/10 observation was seen, though not as much detail in the ring. Besides the slightly off-center central star and the mag 14.5 star ~15" SW, a 16th mag star is at the edge of the rim on the SW side. The mag 16 star on the SE side appears just inside the bright ring. Finally another 16th mag star is near the north edge of the annulus, but clearly within the planetary, for a total of 5 interior stars. The outer rim brightens at this point in a 90° arc to the east and is slightly flattened. The challenging Calabash Nebula (protoplanetary) lies 6.5' ENE.

48" (4/15/10): at 700x, NGC 2438 was a beautiful "cheerio" ring with a sharply defined rim of 1.2' diameter and a fairly large, dark central hole of 25-30". The mag 12.8 star in the center was prominent with a second mag 14.5 star ~15" SW of center. A third mag 16 star was just inside the annulus on the SE side, ~20" from center. The rim had a very uneven surface brightness with an impression of some radial streaks and one or two additional faint, embedded stars. The rim was noticeably brighter along the NE quadrant and to a slightly lesser extent along the opposite SW portion of the rim, creating a bipolar appearance. A bright mag 11 star is just off the SE side and the planetary floats in the beautifully rich star field of M46.

18" (2/24/06): beautiful view of this 70" planetary within M46 at 323x. The annulus is quite prominent and relatively thick with a weakly glowing interior. The rim is irregularly lit and a bit weaker on the NW side and brighter along the eastern edge. A mag 12.8 star is just NW of the center of the annulus (this is not the central star, though) and a fainter interior star (mag 14?) on the SW side (half-way to the rim) was also visible. A mag 11 star is just off the SE edge. At 807x, the rim is noticeably brighter and thicker on the eastern half compared to a weaker section along the NW side and an extremely faint star intermittently pops out on the NNE side on inner edge of the annulus (confirmed on 3/4/08 at Lake Sonoma).

17.5" (3/2/02): at 280x this is a beautiful, 1' diameter PN with a darker central hole at 280x situated on the NE side of the rich oc M46. A mag 13 star (not the central star) is within the central hole slightly offset NW of center. The rim is fairly uniform but slightly brighter along the NE side. The 20" central hole is clearly darker although there is not a dramatic contrast. A brighter mag 11 star is just off the SE edge (about 15"-20" SW of the mag 11 star, a faint mag 14-15 star was also intermittently visible) and a string of faint stars oriented WNW-ESE is just over 1' S. M 1-18 is located 22' NNE of NGC 2438.

13.1" (1/18/85): star near center very easy and second interior star definite.

13.1" (1/28/84): annular planetary on the NE side of M46! Fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter. A mag 11 star is just off the SE edge and a mag 13 star is just NW of the geometric center (this is not the central star). A third extremely faint star lies on the SW side.

13.1" (11/5/83): clearly annular at 166x.

8" (1/1/84): slightly darker center, fairly small, round.

80mm (1/15/07): visible continuously in the finder using an OIII filter and a 13mm Nagler (25x) as a very faint, very small disc on the NE side of M46.

WH discovered NGC 2438 = H IV-39 = h464 = h3093 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 540) and recorded "pB, R, resolvable, within the 46th of [Messier], almost of an equal light throughout, about 2' diameter, no connection with the cluster, which is everywhere free from nebulosity." On 8 Mar 1793 (sweep 1034) he noted "A round, pretty well defined nebula; almost of a planetary nebula aspect." JH described it from the Cape of Good Hope as "a very fine planetary nebula, oval, uniform in light, and of a very flat appearance; rather faint; diam in RA = 4 seconds; has a star 15th mag on it, and one 13th mag close to its border. This object is excentrically situated in a superb cluster of stars 12..16th mag. (46 Messier)"

Lord Rosse sketched the planetary as annular on 12 Dec 1848 (published in his 1850 PT paper). It was observed 21 times at Birr Castle including using a visual spectroscope on 15 Feb 1876.

This planetary is not physically associated with M46 based on differing radial velocities and the youthful age of cluster and is probably superimposed in foreground). Les Dalrymple states a distance of 4500 l.y. for the cluster and only 3000 l.y for the planetary in a S&T article (Dec 2002).

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NGC 2439 = Cr 158 = Mel 74

07 40 45 -31 41 36

V = 6.9; Size 10'

17.5" (1/19/91): at 220x, 70 stars visible in a 10' diameter. Bright, fairly large, elongated N-S. This is a rich, pleasing cluster and includes mag 6.7 R Puppis on the northeast edge. About 1' SW and 2' SSE of R Puppis are two easy but prominent double stars equally spaced with similar magnitudes but with perpendicular orientations (N-S and E-W). The pair 1.7' SSE is PRO 41 (9.2/10.3 at 12"). These wide double stars form a striking group and are part of an elliptical outline of stars with a void in center. Very unusual appearance!

JH discovered NGC 2439 = h3094 on 28 Jan 1835 and recorded "a cluster of about 150 stars, B, pL, p rich, not much more compressed to the middle, 8' diameter, has one star 8th mag (place taken), one red one 9th mag, the rest 12..14th mag."

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NGC 2440 = PK 234+2.1 = ESO 560-PN9 = PN G234.8+02.4

07 41 55.4 -18 12 31

V = 9.3; Size 74"x42"

48" (2/20/12): remarkable detail in this explosive appearing planetary at 488x and 814x. The very high surface brightness central region is irregularly shaped with a very ragged periphery, giving the impression that the central region is erupting or bursting. Within the east side of the central portion are two intense condensations or knots, oriented ~N-S, with the southern knot brighter. A third, smaller elongated knot follows and sits close to the center. The main body is elongated nearly 2:1 SW-NE, roughly 1.1'x0.6', but with an irregular outline. The southwest end of the planetary dims and protrudes out, creating a cup-shaped hollow with a very small brighter knot at its southwest tip. A prominent partial loop or outer wing is attached on the northwest edge of the central section, like a spiral arm, and swings clockwise to the west and slightly south. The eastern portion of the planetary consists of a large complete, irregular loop (darker in the interior), giving the strong appearance of being blown out from the central region.

17.5" (2/14/99): this bi-polar planetary reveals fascinating detail at 380x! The compact high surface brightness inner region is elongated NNW-SSE. Two bright knots comprise both ends and the surface brightness is irregular. The nebulosity is much weaker SW of the main body with a cup-shaped dark "notch" protruding into this central bar. The outer halo is oriented SW-NE with a brighter wing similar to a spiral arm attached at the west edge which swings back towards the south. The outer nebulosity is weaker and less well-defined on the north and NE sides.

13" (2/23/85): very bright and small with a very high surface brightness. This planetary has a double shell structure with an elongated box-shape oriented NW-SE and a fainter shell oriented SW-NE. One or two condensations are visible in the central part. Located 3.0' W of mag 8.4 orange HD 62167.

WH discovered NGC 2440 = H IV-64 = h3095 on 4 Mar 1790 (sweep 934) and described a "beautiful planetary nebula of a considerable degree of brightness, but not very well defined. About 12 or 15" in diameter." Using the 72" on 20 Jan 1874, Ralph Copeland wrote, "vB, pL, very blue. An eB nucleus which is E or bi-central in pos 151.4° in vF outer nebulosity, vmE 33.1° and 2' or 3' long. 35 stars in field (diam 11'), the nearest of which is *16m pos 200.8°, dist 54.8"..."

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NGC 2441 = UGC 4036 = MCG +12-08-015 = CGCG 331-017 = PGC 22031

07 51 54.8 +73 00 55

V = 12.2; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (2/22/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, diffuse. Only a very weak concentration.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2441 = T VI-1 on 8 Aug 1882 with the 9.4-inch "Amici II" refractor (this was his only discovery with the small refractor). He reported a "Weak Neb III class but 1' dia. Found on the terrace with Amici II and seen again on 9 Aug with Amici I; bright III class." His position is off by a few arc minutes too far southeast, but this is the only nearby candidate.

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NGC 2442 = Meat-hook Galaxy = N2443 = ESO 059-008 = LGG 147-003 = PGC 21373

07 36 23.9 -69 31 48

V = 10.4; Size 5.5'x4.9'; Surf Br = 13.9

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I was amazed how prominent the sweeping spiral arms appeared at 260x giving a stunning "S" appearance. The main bar of the galaxy is fairly bright and extended ~2:1 in a SW to NE orientation with a length of ~3'. The bar has just a weak, broad concentration with no real core but it rises sharply at the center to a very small, brighter nucleus. The main arm is attached at the northeast end of the bar and extends a short distance in that direction before dramatically bending sharply to the west (turning nearly 150°) and extending ~3.5' in length towards a mag 12.9 star. At the NW end this well-defined arm fades and broadens a little, terminating just SE of the 13th magnitude star. At the SW end of the bar, a thick arm emerges extending to the SW where it more gently curves around towards the east while fanning out. This arm is not as sharply defined as the inside (east) portion of the curve blends with a diffuse glow extending from the bar. The total distance between the tips of the arms spans nearly 5'. In the same field 10' ENE lies ESO 59-11 and NGC 2534 is 16' NNW. The field also includes a number of mag 9 to 11 stars that frame the galaxy.

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 127x (20mm Nagler), the main body of this unusual galaxy appeared as a fairly faint, large, thick "bar" with just a weak concentration except for an extremely small bright core. On the NE end of the bar, a faint "arm" emerged at a sharp angle towards the NW. The contrast was improved at 212x and the brighter arm was easier to view, extending at nearly a right angle to the main body and curving towards the west on the north side. On the SW end, a broad, short, low surface brightness extension was visible bending towards the SE. The main bar was elongated 2:1 SW-NE, roughly 3'x1.5', but the thick outer arm significantly increased the size to ~4.5'x2'.

JH discovered NGC 2442 = h3097 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "A double nebula; very large; very faint; position of centres = 40°; diameter 4' and 3' running together, and having a star 13th magnitude at their junction." In his 2nd (of 4 sweeps) he called it "faint, very large, much elongated, very suddenly a little brighter to the middle, to a star 13th mag, like a very faint atmosphere, about a nucleus 3.5' long, 1.5' broad; pos of its extension = 39.8 . I think it has some sort of hooked appendage." The "hooked appendage" (NGC 2443) is the prominent arm on the north side (attached at the northeast end of the bar)!

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NGC 2443 = NGC 2442 = "Meat-hook Galaxy" = ESO 059-008 = PGC 21373

07 36 23.9 -69 31 48

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): This number refers to the prominent arm attached at the NE end of the bar. This arm extends a short distance in that direction before dramatically bending sharply to the west (turning nearly 150°) and extending ~3.5' in length towards a mag 12.9 star. At the NW end this well-defined arm fades and broadens a little, terminating just SE of the mag 13 star. See NGC 2442 for full description of the galaxy.

20" f/5 (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): This is the NE portion or NE spiral arm of NGC 2442. At 127x (20 Nagler), on the NE end of the bar, a faint "arm" emerged at a sharp angle towards the NW. The contrast was improved at 212x and the brighter arm was easier to view, extending at nearly a right angle to the main body and curving towards the east on the north side.

JH discovered NGC 2443 = h3097 on 23 Dec 1834. In sweep 523, he described a "double nebula, vL, vF, position of centres = 40 deg, diameters 4' and 3' running together and having a star 13m at their junction." JH assigned two GC designations for the double nebula (GC 1568 and 1569) and they received two NGC designations, NGC 2442 and NGC 2443, although the latter number refers to the massive spiral arm on the northeast side of NGC 2442.

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NGC 2444 = Arp 143 NED1 = Arp 143:C1 = VV 117a = UGC 4016 = MCG +07-16-016 = CGCG 206-024 = PGC 21774

07 46 53.0 +39 01 55

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0

48" (4/5/13): NGC 2444 is the northwest component of a remarkable interacting system with the multi-component ring galaxy NGC 2445. At 488x it appeared bright, small, slightly elongated, 30" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very high surface brightness nucleus ~12"-15" diameter. NGC 2445, directly southeast has 6 components, the nearest being VV 117b, just 0.6' SSE.

13.1" (1/18/85): forms an interacting double ring system with NGC 2445. Both appear as two nearly stellar knots oriented NNW (NGC 2444) and SSE (NGC 2445) with a separation of 1.0', surrounded by faint halo which may merge.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2444 = St VIIIb-22 on 18 Jan 1877, along with NGC 2445. His position matches the northwest component of UGC 4016.

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NGC 2445 = Arp 143 NED2 = VV 117e = UGC 4017 = MCG +07-16-017 = CGCG 206-024 = PGC 21776

07 46 55.1 +39 00 54

V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 15d

48" (4/5/13): this remarkable ring galaxy forms an interacting pair with NGC 2444, just 1' N. At 488x, it was resolved into six components -- the bright ring nucleus and five very small HII regions which are roughly equally spaced around the nucleus (separations between 25" and 42"). The four closest (VV 117b, 117e, 117f, 117g) form a very small square with the nucleus at the center! The nucleus appears moderately bright to fairly bright, small, round, high surface brightness, 15" diameter. The five HII regions are within an irregular, triangular glow, ~1.5' diameter.

VV 117b is at the northern end of NGC 2445, just 27" N of the nucleus and 36" SSE of NGC 2444. It appeared very faint, very small, round, 8" diameter. VV 117f is situated 25" W of the nucleus and appeared very faint to faint, very small, round, 10" diameter. VV 117h is at the SW corner (42" SW of the nucleus) and was the faintest of the 5 knots surrounding the nucleus. It appeared extremely faint and small, round, just 5" diameter. VV 117e is at the east end (35" E of the nucleus) and appeared very faint to faint, very small, irregularly round, ~12" diameter.

Finally, VV 117g is at the southeast corner, 30" S of the nucleus, and appeared fairly faint, very small, round, high surface brightness, 12" diameter. This object was the brightest of 5 "knots" surrounding the nucleus, although on the SDSS it appears to be an HII region attached to a foreground star, which certainly contributed to its brightness. In the 2009 Madore "Atlas and Catalogue of Collisional Ring Galaxies" VV 117g is identified as the second collider (C2).

13.1" (1/18/85): this is the SE component of a double galaxy with NGC 2444. Both appear as two nearly stellar knots oriented NNW (NGC 2444) and SSE (NGC 2445) with a separation of 1.0', surrounded by faint halo which may merge.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2445 = St VIIIb-23 on 18 Jan 1877, along with NGC 2444. His position matches the southeast component of UGC 4016.

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NGC 2446 = UGC 4027 = MCG +09-13-058 = CGCG 262-030 = PGC 21860

07 48 39.2 +54 36 42

V = 12.9; Size 1.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 130d

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE. Unusual appearance as cradled by several stars including a mag 12 star at the west end, two mag 13 stars at the east end and close NW and a mag 15 star is superimposed.

JH discovered NGC 2446 = h465 on 10 Feb 1831 and recorded "four small stars in a semicircle, within whose concavity there is a F nebulosity, which I am pretty sure is real." His position and description matches UGC 4027. R.J. Mitchell, observing with Lord Rosse's 72" on 11 Jan 1856 logged "pF, lE?, bM." His sketch show the 3 nearby brighter stars.

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NGC 2447 = M93 = ESO 493-SC7 = Cr 160

07 44 29 -23 51 12

V = 6.2; Size 22'

18" (3/2/08): very easy with any optical aid (at the threshold of naked-eye visibility) with a few of the brighter stars resolved in 15x50 IS binoculars. The cluster is fairly well resolved at 25x in the 80mm finder. The central region is superb in the 18" at 175x (13mm Ethos) with ~100 stars resolved in the 10' region and richest in the core. Appears fully resolved into mag 10-14 stars. A small, near parallelogram of 4 stars (sides ~40"x20") stands out near the center with numerous fainter stars nearby. The brightest star on the SW side of the cluster is a nice, unequal double (ARA 2066 = 8.3/11.3 at 10").

13.1" (3/24/84): about 60 stars, bright, large, pretty rich. Contains a tight quadrilateral near the center with three faint companions.

8": bright, very rich, triangular-shape, pretty compact, excellent field.

Charles Messier discovered M93 = NGC 2447 = h3098 on 20 Mar 1781. Caroline Herschel independently discovered the cluster on 26 Feb 1783 and recorded "Nebula, about 1 1/4 deg north preceding the bright star in the Ship [or more exactly] preceding the 1st Navis [Puppis] towards 23 Canis Majoris. My Brother examined it with [magnification] 460 and found not less than 20 stars, with 227 above 40. with a compound eyepiece perhaps 100 and 150 very beautiful, nothing nebulous among them. Messier has it not." Owen Gingerich determined that the reference to 1 (Rho) Navis, should read 7 (Zeta) Navis. Observing from the Cape of Good Hope, JH noted "A fine cluster, scarcely scattered, pretty rich, not much more comp[ressed]. M [toward the middle]. Nearly fills field. Stars 8....13 m."

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NGC 2448 = ESO 493-**8

07 44 57 -24 40 30

18" (3/13/04): at 115x, this is a fairly distinctive 15' elongated group with mag 5.6 HD 62747 near the geometric center. The stars are arranged in a concave star chain extended E-W opening towards the north with the mag 5.6 star just a couple of arc minutes north of the center of the arc.

JH discovered NGC 2448 = h466 on 7 Jan 1831 and reported "a *8m followed by a poor cl of 18-20 st, 11...13m." His position is less than 1' south of mag 5.6 HD 62747. This bright star is surrounded by a several brighter stars, mostly on the following side (at the position given by Harold Corwin). RNGC classifies this asterism (not a true cluster) as nonexistent.

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NGC 2449 = UGC 4026 = MCG +05-19-007 = CGCG 148-020 = WBL 152-003 = PGC 21802

07 47 20.4 +26 55 49

V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 137d

24" (2/16/15): at 300x and 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE. Contains low surface brightness extensions (arms) extending ~40"x20" and a sharply defined oval core 25"x12". A mag 14.7 star is just off the west side [34" from center] and a mag 15.5 is off the southwest side [35" from center].

NGC 2449 is the brightest member of a small group (WBL 152) with NGC 2450 6' NNE, IC 476 1.5' NW and IC 2205 7' SW. IC 476 appeared very faint, small, slightly elongated, ~15"x12" diameter. It required averted vision but could hold steadily.

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated NW-SE, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 2450 6.0' NNE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2449 = St VI-9 on 18 Jan 1874. His position matches UGC 4026.

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NGC 2450 = MCG +05-19-008 = CGCG 148-022 = WBL 152-004 = PGC 21807

07 47 32.3 +27 01 09

V = 14.6; Size 0.9'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 156d

24" (2/14/15): at 300x and 375x; faint to fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.2'. Brighter along a thin strip of the major axis. A mag 14.6 star is close off the northwest edge. Last of a 12' quartet (WBL 152) with IC 2205, NGC 2449 and IC 476.

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, very small, very elongated NNW-SSE. A mag 14.5 star is just off the NW edge 0.5' from center. Forms a pair with NGC 2449 6.0' SSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2450 = St IX-12 on 8 Feb 1878. His position matches CGCG 148-022 = PGC 21807.

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NGC 2451 = Cr 161 = ESO 311-SC008

07 45 15 -37 58 06

V = 2.8; Size 45'

13.1" (2/25/84): very bright scattered group of stars including yellow mag 3.6 c Puppis and about 10 bright stars. This naked-eye cluster appears very large but lacking in faint stars. Recent research shows this is a random grouping and not a cluster.

8" (3/28/81): very bright, very large, very scattered, includes mag 4 c Puppis. Resolved in 8x50 finder.

JH discovered NGC 2451 = h3099 on 1 Feb 1835 and recorded "The chief star (4th mag) of an orange colour, of a very large and very diffused cluster of large stars, too loose to be a fit object for the ordinary magnifying power." His position matches mag 3.6 HD 63032. Giovanni Hodierna possibly made the original discovery around 1654.

A study published in May '94 Astronomy & Astrophysics concluded NGC 2451 is a chance alignment of stars that does not share a common motion. The authors, though, identified 24 stars in the vicinity of NGC 2451 which, on the basis of common or similar proper motion, appear to form a "moving group". They call it the "Puppis Moving Group", and emphasized that it is not NGC 2451 (although several stars are common to both objects).

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NGC 2452 = PK 243-1.1 = ESO 493-PN11 = PN G243.3-01.0

07 47 26.2 -27 20 08

V = 11.9; Size 31"x24"

18" (3/2/08): very interesting bipolar appearance at 450x. Appears elongated N-S, ~30"x22", with brighter lobes and rims on the north and south ends. The center appears slightly darker and pinched in. The small open cluster NGC 2453 lies 7' N. This may be a very rare planetary physically related to an open cluster.

17.5" (3/2/02): at 380x this is a moderately bright, fairly small but interesting planetary. Appears elongated N-S, ~30"x20" with an irregular surface brightness and a slightly darker center or a darker spot. The halo appears brighter at the north and south ends giving a slightly bipolar appearance with the impression of two lobes diminishing in brightness in the center. A faint mag 14.5 star is just off the north edge. Located 8' S of open cluster NGC 2453.

13" (3/24/84): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated N-S, no interior star visible. Located 6' S of open cluster NGC 2453.

JH discovered NGC 2452 = h3100 on 1 Feb 1837 and described as "An object whose nature I cannot make out. It is certainly not a star, nor a close double star; but it is not round, and I should call it an oblong planetary nebula, by reason of its decidedly marked though somewhat dim outline, were there not some suspicion of its being double, as if a very close and highly condensed double nebula. It is very small and rather faint, 8" long, 5" broad, and equals a star of 10th mag. In a field with at least 60 or 80 stars [NGC 2453], all sharp and well defined but this. Four nights later he recorded "Planetary nebula. In a field with, and south of a cluster, and on a rich ground is the undefined object of Sweep 769. It is no doubt a very faint, small, round planetary nebula..."

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NGC 2453 = Cr 162 = ESO 493-SC012

07 47 34 -27 11 42

V = 8.3; Size 5'

18" (3/2/08): at 220x appears as a fairly rich group of two dozen stars in a 3' clump, just SE of a mag 9.5 star (HD 63360). The densest section is a 1' knot on the SE side with a mag 11 star on its south edge. Shares the same field with planetary NGC 2452, located 7' SSW.

17.5" (3/2/02): at 220x, this is a small but dense open cluster with about two dozen stars resolved in a 3' region with a mag 9.5 star (SAO 174539) at the NW edge. A very rich 1' clump of mag 12-13 stars is on the SE side with a mag 11.5 star at the south tip of this clump. Two mag 11 stars are 2' S and 2' SE of the central group. Planetary nebula NGC 2452 is in the field 8' SSW making for an interesting pair.

13" (3/24/84): about a dozen stars resolved in a compact 2.5' cluster including three mag 9.5-10 stars. The brightest mag 9.5 star is at the NW edge. There is one dense, partially resolved clump. Planetary nebula NGC 2452 lies 6' SSW. Clouds may have interfered with the observation.

JH discovered NGC 2453 = h3101 on 5 Feb 1837 and recorded "a small but condensed cluster, Class VII. Pretty rich. Dia 3'. [This is the cluster referred to, as in the field with the Planetary Nebula (NGC 2452).]"

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NGC 2454 = UGC 4053 = MCG +03-20-015 = CGCG 087-044 = PGC 21963

07 50 35.0 +16 22 07

V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 100d

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, small bright core. A mag 14.5 star is 40" S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2454 = St VI-10 on 19 Jan 1874. His position matches UGC 4053.

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NGC 2455 = Cr 163 = Mel 77

07 48 59 -21 18 00

Size 8'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, this is a fairly rich group of ~45 stars, mostly mag 12.5-13.5, situated ~7' W of mag 8 HD 63719. Most distinctive is a 6' string of stars oriented NW-SE on the west side of the cluster. Shorter strings with a similar orientation are in the center and east side. Appears fully resolved. Further west is a larger, brighter but more scattered grouping in a triangular arrangement (no catalogue designation) and the observation from 1/19/91 appears to describe this group.

17.5" (1/19/91): about two dozen stars in a fairly large scattered group. Consists mostly of brighter mag 10-12 which are aligned in two perpendicular rows oriented E-W and N-S. Although the stars are fairly bright the cluster does not stand out as located in very rich field.

JH discovered NGC 2455 = h3102 on 15 Feb 1836 and recorded "Irregular cluster, p Rich, not much compressed middle, 10', stars 12m nearly equal. General middle taken." His position corresponds with the group at my position.

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NGC 2456 = UGC 4073 = MCG +09-13-082 = CGCG 262-044 = PGC 22129

07 54 10.6 +55 29 43

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 30d

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, small, slightly elongated, broad mild concentration. A mag 14 star is 1.2' SSE. Forms a pair with NGC 2457 5' ENE.

JH discovered NGC 2456 = h467 on 10 Feb 1831 and recorded "vF; R; vgbM; and losing itself imperceptibly." His position is at the south edge of UGC 4073 = PGC 22129.

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NGC 2457 = MCG +09-13-086 = CGCG 262-046 = PGC 22161

07 54 45.7 +55 32 48

V = 14.7; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 131d

17.5" (1/19/91): extremely faint, very small, round, very low surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 2456 5' WSW. Two extremely faint companions 1.2' E and 3' NNE were not seen.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 2457 on 10 Mar 1874 with the 72" at Birr Castle during an observation of NGC 2456. He described (with respect to NGC 2456) "F, pL, R, Pos 54.8°, dist 339" [or 32.9s f, 195.4" n]. About 3' n of the nova there seemed to be another vF neb. Telescope now at the limit of its range." Copeland's micrometric offset matches CGCG 262-046 = PGC 22161 and 3' north there is a nebula -- MCG +09-13-089 = PGC 22172, which should have received an NGC designation.

MCG and PGC (as well as Megastar, etc) misidentify MCG +09-13-087 = PGC 22171 as NGC 2457. This galaxy is just 1.2' following the NGC 2457, though it was not seen by Copeland. See Corwin's identification comments.

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NGC 2458 = MCG +10-12-016 = PGC 22220

07 55 51.4 +56 42 38

V = 14.5; Size 0.15'x0.15'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 158d

24" (1/25/14): faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 13.5 star lies 35" SW. Located 4.8' ENE of a mag 10.5 star and second in a string of 6 faint galaxies (several of which have identification problems). This galaxy is identified as NGC 2461 in many sources. PGC 22191 lies 2.8' NW.

17.5" (1/19/91): not found.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2458 = Big. 29 on 20 Feb 1851 and noted as one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f." This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced. JH added 8 additional entries in the GC, as h469 (later NGC 2463) and H III-836 = h470 (later NGC 2469) were previously discovered, but was unable to provide specific coordinates for these 8 objects. Harold Corwin notes that Stoney likely observed only the 6 brightest galaxies in this region, so 4 of his objects are probably single stars or asterisms.

Dreyer followed Bigourdan's observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning positions and descriptions ("vF,*12 close"). Bigourdan's position is 23 sec of RA west of MCG +10-12-016 = PGC 22220 and this galaxy has a mag 12-13 star just 35" SW, matching his description. RNGC, PGC and LEDA (as well as Megastar, etc) misidentify this galaxy as NGC 2461. NED does not assign a NGC designation to PGC 22220. As this is one of the brighter galaxies, it's reasonable to equate NGC 2458 with= PGC 22220.

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NGC 2459

07 52 02.8 +09 33 27

17.5" (2/22/03): very small group of 5 faint stars mag 14-15 just resolved at 220x within 30". At low power this knot of stars looks like a nebulous spot. Appears to be a multiple star and not a cluster.

WH discovered NGC 2459 = H III-479 = h468 on 26 Dec 1785 (sweep 494) and noted "suspected. eF, vS, lE, but may be a deception." JH called it "a large group of small stars which has a nebulous look, and perhaps there may be neb among them. No other near." On a later sweep he wrote "a small group of stars; with attention counted 5 with power 320; form a neb group 20" diameter. This asterism was observed 6 times at Birr Castle and last noted by Dreyer as a "vs Cl of 5 st, no neby seen." Karl Reinmuth described the photographic appearance in "Die Herschel-Nebel" as "a small group of 5 st 13.7...15.5" and Harold Corwin also calls this a "group of five stars."

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NGC 2460 = UGC 4097 = MCG +10-12-021 = CGCG 287-010 = PGC 22270

07 56 52.4 +60 20 58

V = 11.8; Size 2.5'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 40d

13.1" (1/11/86): moderately bright, fairly small, bright core, diffuse halo, slightly elongated SW-NE. Forms a (probably interacting) pair with IC 2209 5' SW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2460 = T VI-3 on 11 Aug 1882 and recorded a "small nebula II-III class, round, with star in the middle; repeatedly seen." His position is just 7 tsec E and 1.5' N of U04097 = M+10-12-021 = Z287-010.

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NGC 2461 = Holm 88a

07 56 26.4 +56 40 24

=*, Corwin.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2461 = Big. 30 on 20 Feb 1851 using Lord Rosse's 72" and refers to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f." This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced. NGC 2461 = GC 1582 is one of 8 entries that JH added to the GC without specific coordinates besides the two earlier discovered galaxies: h469 (later NGC 2463) and H III-836 = h470 (later NGC 2469). So, Stoney's specific object is unknown.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning a position and description ("*13 slightly nebulous"). His relative position from NGC 2462 = Big. 31 points to a single mag 15 star 1.2' southwest of NGC 2462.

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NGC 2462 = MCG +10-12-024 = CGCG 287-009 = Holm 88a = PGC 22259

07 56 32.1 +56 41 14

V = 14.5; Size 0.5'x0.3'; PA = 155d

24" (1/25/14): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 20"x15", weak concentration to the center. NGC 2463 lies 5.5' ESE. Located 11' N of mag 6.7 HD 64347. Third in a 25' E-W string of 6 galaxies (nearly equally spaced).

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, very small, round, very weak concentration. Located 10' N of mag 6.5 SAO 64347. First of four on a line with NGC 2463 5.6' E.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2462 = Big. 31 on 20 Feb 1851 using Lord Rosse's 72" and probably refers to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f." This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced. NGC 2462 = GC 1583 is one of 8 entries that JH added to the GC (two were previously found by the Herschels) without specific coordinates.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning a position and description ("vF, vS, vlbM"). Bigourdan's position is 21 sec of RA east and 1' S of MCG +10-12-024 = PGC 22259. His position falls closer to NGC 2463 = h469, but since that galaxy was also seen by Bigourdan, PGC 22259 is the only good candidate. CGCG (287-009) misidentifies PGC 22259 as NGC 2461. See NGC 2461.

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NGC 2463 = MCG +10-12-031 = CGCG 287-013 = PGC 22291

07 57 12.5 +56 40 36

V = 14.1; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.1

24" (1/25/14): at 375x appeared fairly faint, small, round, small bright core increases to a faint stellar nucleus. Located 7' W of NGC 2469 in a group of faint galaxies (4th of 6 in a 25' E-W string). A mag 10.3 star lies 3.2' S.

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, very small, round, broad concentration. In a group with NGC 2462 5.6' W and NGC 2469 8' E.

JH discovered NGC 2463 = h469 on 10 Feb 1831 and recorded "eF; R; the preceding of two [with NGC 2469]." His position is an exact match with CGCG 287-013 = PGC 22291. Several of the galaxies in this group have uncertain identifications (see notes for NGC 2458).

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NGC 2464

07 57 32 +56 41 24

=***, Corwin. =NF, RNGC.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2464 = Big. 32 on 20 Feb 1851 and refers to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f." This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced. JH added 8 additional entries in the GC as h469 (later NGC 2463) and H III-836 = h470 (later NGC 2469) were previously discovered, but was unable to provide specific coordinates for these 8 objects.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning a position and description ("pS Cl, st eF, nebulous"). There is nothing at Bigourdan's published position and Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2464 with a string of three mag 15 stars (within 50" separation) about 2.5' northeast of his position. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.

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NGC 2465

07 57 26.1 +56 49 18

=*, Corwin =NF, RNGC.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2465 = Big. 33 on 20 Feb 1851 and refers to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f." This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced. JH added 8 additional entries in the GC as h469 (later NGC 2463) and H III-836 = h470 (later NGC 2469) were previously discovered, but was unable to provide specific coordinates for these 8 objects. Harold Corwin notes that Stoney likely only observed the 6 brightest galaxies in this region, so 4 of his objects are probably single stars or asterisms.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning a position and description ("*, nebulous?"). There is nothing at Bigourdan's published position and Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2464 with a mag 15 star situated ~5' NNW of the NGC position (perhaps based on a later observation). RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.

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NGC 2466 = ESO 059-018 = PGC 21714

07 45 16.2 -71 24 38

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.6

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.9'x0.8'. Broad, weak concentration to a very small, brighter core. The outer halo appears to change orientation or extent using averted vision (this is a face-on spiral). Located 1.2° NNE of mag 3.9 Zeta Volantis.

JH discovered NGC 2466 = h3104 on 20 Feb 1835 and reported "vF; R; lbM; 25"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2467 = ESO 493-SC25 = Sh 2-311 = Gum 9 = RCW 16 = Ced 103 = LBN 1065/1066/1067

07 52 29 -26 25 48

Size 8'x7'

13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): bright, large nebulosity at 75x using an OIII filter, ~4-5' diameter, surrounding a mag 7.5 star. The main section is roughly mushroom shaped, extending generally south of the bright star. The southern border is locally brighter along a strip oriented NW to SE. There is a sharp light cut-off (apparently due to dust) passing to the north of the central star and oriented E-W. Faint haze extends ~15' to the east. To the north, fainter nebulosity extends 12' E-W, and brightens towards the east end at an elongated group of brighter stars (Haffner 18), oriented NW-SE. Removing the filter this is a gorgeous low power Milky Way field with numerous faint stars peppered in the region of the nebula.

17.5" (3/2/02): Using a 31 Nagler at 64x and an OIII filter, this is a prominent 7' nebulosity surrounding a mag 8 star. A dark lane appears to cut through the nebula from west to east starting NW of the central star. Fainter nebulosity extends beyond the dark lane but then fades out to the north. The south and southeast border of the main mass has a bright, distinct edge and the southern border has a small extension on the west edge which hooks towards the NW.

A finger of nebulosity extends north from the main body and involves a scattered group of brighter stars. This strip dims but nearly merges with a much larger, elongated mass of fairly faint nebulosity extending NW to SE at a roughly right angle. This section is ~15' in size with an irregular border that is bounded on the NE side by a string of brighter stars (Haffner 18). This is a fascinating HII complex to explore in a rich star field!

17.5" (1/23/88): at 82x with OIII filter appears as a large, bright, circular nebulosity about 10' diameter. A mag 7.8 star is involved north of center and several fainter stars are involved. The nebulosity is brightest along the south side in a strip oriented NW-SE. A group of brighter stars is NE (Haffner 18). A separate larger (~15') but fainter section is 10'-15' NE and appears elongated.

8" (3/24/84): fairly bright, moderately large, roughly circular. A mag 8 star is north of center. This is a prominent nebulosity even with this aperture.

WH discovered NGC 2467 = H IV-22 = h472 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 333) and recorded (two observations combined) "L, pB, almost R, easily resolvable, 6 to 10' diameter, a faint red colour visible. A star 8 mag not far from the center, but they evidently have no connection together. By second observation, 9 or 10' diameter." JH called this nebula "a *9m with a W of stars and nebulosity, or ? is not a vF neb about the stars - (no red colour seen)." See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.

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NGC 2468 = UGC 4110 = MCG +09-13-095 = CGCG 287-016 = Holm 88b = PGC 22325

07 58 02.4 +56 21 35

V = 13.9; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 45d

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, very small, oval 2:1 SW-NE. A mag 12 star is off the NW edge 1.2' from center. Located 15' SE of mag 6.5 SAO 26579. The NGC 2461-2472 group lies 20' N.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2468 on 1 Jan 1865 and recorded "F, R, lbM. Without doubt one of the LdR nebulae." See NGC 2458 for some background on the LdR observations on 20 Feb 1851. His single position matches UGC 4110 = PGC 22325.

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NGC 2469 = UGC 4111 = MCG +10-12-035 = CGCG 287-017 = PGC 22327

07 58 03.4 +56 40 50

V = 12.7; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 160d

24" (1/25/14): at 375x appeared moderately bright to fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 36"x28", slightly brighter core, appears mottled. Located 2.3' SSW of a mag 9.5 star. 5th of 6 galaxies in a 25' E-W string.

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE. A mag 14.5 star is off the NW end 0.8' from center. Third of three on a line with NGC 2472 6' E.

WH discovered NGC 2469 = H III-836 = h470 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and recorded "vF, vS, may be a patch of stars." His position is 12 tsec west of UGC 4111 = PGC 22327. JH made two observations and his mean position matches PGC 22327, so the NGC position is accurate. His observation from 9 Feb 1831 reads "pF; R; 15"; np a *9m which is 2 diameters of neb dist from its centre." The description is good except the star is northeast. MCG does label PGC 22327 as NGC 2469. See Corwin's notes for identification problems on other members of this group.

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NGC 2470 = UGC 4091 = MCG +01-20-009 = CGCG 030-029 = PGC 22137

07 54 20.6 +04 27 34

V = 12.7; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 128d

17.5" (12/19/87): moderately bright, fairly small, pretty edge-on WNW-ESE, bright core.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2470 = Sw V-68 on 24 Oct 1886 and recorded "eF; S; eE; betw 2 stars; 2 other stars preceding form trapezoid." His position is 6 tsec of RA west of UGC 4091 and his comment "between two stars, 2 other stars preceding form trapezoid" fits perfectly.

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NGC 2471

07 58 33.0 +56 46 34

=**, Corwin. =*, Carlson.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2471 = Big. 34 on 20 Feb 1851 using Lord Rosse's 72", noting one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f." This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced. Harold Corwin notes that Stoney likely only observed the 6 brightest galaxies in this region, so 4 of his objects are probably single stars or asterisms.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's observation on 9 Mar 1886 in assigning a position and description ("*13 slightly nebulous?"). There is nothing at Bigourdan's published position and Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2464 with a faint double star (~16" separation) about 2.5' NW of the NGC position. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.

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NGC 2472 = NGC 2473? = MCG +10-12-039 = CGCG 287-019 = PGC 22364

07 58 41.9 +56 42 04

V = 14.4; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1

24" (1/31/14): at 375x appeared faint, small, round, 12"-15" diameter, visible continuously but low surface brightness and no concentration. This is the last of 6 galaxies in a 25' E-W string with NGC 2469 5.5' WSW.

17.5" (1/19/91): extremely faint, very small, very low even surface brightness. Fourth of four on a line with NGC 2469 6' W.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2472 on 20 Feb 1851 using Lord Rosse's 72" and refers to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f." This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced but there are 6 galaxies here in shallow arc oriented east-west.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's positions and descriptions for six of these 8 entries, but Bigourdan did not record an observation for NGC 2472 or 2473, so these coordinates are given approximately in the NGC. So, any assignment is somewhat arbitrary and this number could be considered lost.

The CGCG and RNGC identify CGCG 287-019 as NGC 2472 = NGC 2473. NED and LEDA identify CGCG 287-019 as NGC 2472. MCG does not label this galaxy with a NGC number. Although it is not certain this is one of Stoney's "knots", this galaxy is comparable to a couple of other very faint ones in the string. See Harold Corwin's notes for NGC 2469.

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NGC 2473 = (R)NGC 2458 = PGC 22191

07 55 34.8 +56 44 10

V = 15.1; Size 0.3'x0.2'; PA = 80d

24" (1/25/14): extremely faint to very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 15"x12", low even surface brightness. Located at the west end of a 25' string of 6 galaxies (4 found at Birr Castle), several of which have identification problems).

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2473 on 20 Feb 1851 using Lord Rosse's 72" and refers to one of a "Great many knots, reckoned 10 nearly in a line p f." This was the only observation made at Birr Castle and no positions were measured or even a rough sketch produced, but there are 6 galaxies here in shallow arc oriented east-west.

In the NGC, Dreyer followed Bigourdan's positions and descriptions for six of these 8 entries, but he did not record an observation for NGC 2472 or 2473 and the coordinates are approximate in the NGC. So, any assignment is somewhat arbitrary and this number could be considered lost.

The RNGC, CGCG, PGC (and software such as Megastar) identify CGCG 287-019 as NGC 2472 = NGC 2473. Assuming Stoney saw all 6 of the brightest galaxies in this string, Harold Corwin suggests assigning PGC 22191 (which does not have a NGC number) to NGC 2473. This seems reasonable although the westernmost galaxy in the string receives the highest NGC number. PGC 22191 is identified as NGC 2458 in RNGC, PGC and NED and as NGC 2458: = NGC 2473 in LEDA. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for NGC 2469.

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NGC 2474 = UGC 4114 = MCG +09-13-096 = CGCG 262-052 = PGC 22321

07 57 58.9 +52 51 26

V = 13.3; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.0

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, very small, round, very small bright core. Forms a double galaxy with NGC 2475 just 21" NE of center. Located 2.6' SW of a mag 8.8 SAO 26594.

13.1" (12/7/85): this is the SW member of a double galaxy with NGC 2475. Almost stellar, round, faint, NGC 2475 very close NE.

WH discovered NGC 2474 = H III-830 = h471 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and called it "cF, pS, bM." His observation probably refers to the brighter northeast component or both were seen but unresolved. JH recorded "pF; E; or has a vS star sp and a large [bright] star nf. Also query if not vS star in centre." The comment "vS star sp" refers to the fainter southwest component."

JH's position (used in the NGC) matches the double system UGC 4114. But the number has been confused with the nearby planetary JE 1 (Jones-Emberson 1). This mix-up was resolved in Sky & Telescope, April 1981.

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NGC 2475 = UGC 4114ne = MCG +09-13-097 = CGCG 262-052ne = PGC 22322

07 58 00.4 +52 51 42

V = 13.1; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (1/19/91): brighter of a double system with NGC 2474 just 21" SW between centers. Moderately bright, small, round, very small bright core. Forms a striking pair with NGC 2474. Located 2.3' SW of mag 8.8 SAO 26594.

13.1" (12/7/85): brightest of double galaxy, moderately bright, small, round. A mag 9 star is 3' NE.

R.J. Mitchell resolved the double system NGC 2474/2475 on 9 Jan 1856 using Lord Rosse's 72". He recorded "may be a double neb. I see no star between (as suspected by [JH], but the two almost touch." JH appears to have resolved the fainter southwest component, but thought it was a star: "vS star sp." Dreyer assigned the discovery of NGC 2475 to LdR, but NGC 2474 is clearly the fainter component seen by Mitchell.

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NGC 2476 = UGC 4106 = MCG +07-17-003 = CGCG 207-008 = PGC 22260

07 56 45.2 +39 55 40

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 135d

17.5" (2/24/90): fairly faint, fairly small, sharp concentration, stellar nucleus, slightly elongated halo. The NGC 2493/NGC 2495 pair lies 40' ESE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2476 = St IX-13 on 23 Feb 1878. His position matches UGC 4106.

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NGC 2477 = Cr 165 = Mel 78

07 52 10 -38 32 00

V = 5.8; Size 27'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): remarkably rich carpet of mag 11-13 stars at 105x with perhaps 250-300 stars resolved in a 25' field. The appearance is very similar to a highly resolved globular without a sharply concentrated core. There are no distinct boundaries as stars loop outside the main group and many stars are arranged in long streamers. Located roughly 20' N of a mag 4.5 star (HD 64503 = b Puppis).

13.1" (12/22/84): superb cluster, over 200 stars resolved in a 25' diameter, very rich in mag 11-14 stars. Appears similar to NGC 7789 or a rich resolved globular cluster. Located just north of b Puppis (V = 4.5). This is one of the top open clusters in the sky despite the very low elevation!

8" (3/28/81): beautiful, large cluster, very rich in faint stars mag 11-13 over unresolved haze. A mag 4 star is at the south edge.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 2477 = Lac I-3 = D 535 = h3103 in 1751-1752 using a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He recorded a "big nebula 15' to 20' diameter." James Dunlop described this cluster as "a pretty large faint nebula, easily resolvable into small stars, or rather a cluster of very small stars, with a small faint nebula near the north preceding side, which is rather difficult to resolve into exceedingly small stars. This is probably two clusters or nebula in the same line; the small nebula is probably three times the distance of the large nebula." Dunlop's position for D 535 is ~12' NW of center of the cluster.

JH lists 3 observations in his Cape catalogue: on 1 Feb 1835 he recorded "Cluster 6th class, bright, large, rich, not very highly condensed in the middle. Stars very remarkably equal. All 12 or 13th mag. Very few 14th mag; none 11th mag. A fine object." On a second sweep he described it as "a very beautiful large cluster, very rich; stars nearly equal, and 12th mag, gbm, not much compressed in the middle; more than fills the field. (N.B. It is visible in the finder of the equatorial, and in the telescope of that instrument appears as a fine cluster." Finally on his last sweep he described it as a "Superb cluster, gbM, 20' diameter, much more than fills the whole field. Stars 10 and 11th mag all nearly equal."

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NGC 2478 = M47 = NGC 2422

07 36 35 -14 29 00

See observing notes for M47 = NGC 2422.

Charles Messier discovered M47 = NGC 2478 on 19 Feb 1771 and recorded a "Cluster of stars a short distance from the preceding [M46]; the stars are brighter; the middle of the cluster was compared with the same star, 2 Navis. The cluster contains no nebulosity." There is nothing at his position, but it was assigned GC 1594 and NGC 2478 as placeholders for the missing cluster. Giovanni Hodierna probably made the first observation of M47 before 1654 and simply recorded "a Nebulosa between the two dogs".

In the October 1960 issue of Sky & Tel, Owen Gingrich claims in "The Missing Messier Objects" that Messier apparently switched the signs of his offsets from his comparison star, 2 Navis (now 2 Puppis), and cites articles or notes by Oswald Thomas in 1934 and T. F. Morris in 1959. Harold Corwin doesn't fully buy this explanation (see his identification notes) as reversing the offset sign doesn't yield a very good match positional match. In any case, the cluster now taken as M47 was independently discovered by Caroline Herschel on 26 Feb 1783 and observed by WH on 4 Feb 1785. WH catalogued it as H VIII-38 (later NGC 2422), so it is assumed M47 = NGC 2478 = NGC 2422. See Corwin's notes for the full story.

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NGC 2479 = Cr 167 = Tr 8 = ESO 561-SC001

07 55 07 -17 42 48

Size 7'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, over 80 stars mag 12-14 are resolved in a 9' region with the cluster extended WSW-ENE. A semi-circular loop of stars is near the center and is open on the east side. The cluster is ~10' NE of a fairly well matched, bright wide pair (h4015 = 9.1/9.5 at 20").

25x80mm (3/2/08): in the finder this cluster appears as a hazy 8' cloud with no resolution

13.1" (12/7/85): about 50 faint stars spread out in a 10' diameter over some haze. Several stars near the center are arranged in a semi-circle open on the east side. A string of stars trail off to the SE.

WH discovered NGC 2479 = H VII-58 on 4 Mar 1790 (sweep 934) and reported "a pretty compressed and rich cluster of small stars, iR, about 7 or 8' diameter." His position is on the southwest side oft his cluster.

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NGC 2480 = UGC 4116 = MCG +04-19-009 = CGCG 118-026 = Holm 89b = PGC 22289

07 57 10.5 +23 46 46

V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 160d

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, very small, very elongated ~N-S, even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 2481 1' SE.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2480 on 1 Feb 1856 using Lord Rosse's 72". He described NGC 2481 as a "F ray with pB nucleus. There is np this a companion neb vvF, elongated as in diagram. star at Alpha, suspected another at Beta." The sketch clearly identifies NGC 2480 = UGC 4116, although no coordinates or offsets were given by Mitchell. UGC misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 2481.

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NGC 2481 = UGC 4118 = MCG +04-19-010 = CGCG 118-027 = Holm 89a = PGC 22292

07 57 13.7 +23 46 04

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 18d

17.5" (2/20/88): moderately bright, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a close pair with NGC 2480 1' NW.

WH discovered NGC 2481 = H II-302 = h473 on 28 Feb 1785 (sweep 374) and called it "pF, vS, bM, easily resolvable." On 20 Feb 1787 (sweep 697) he noted "F, pL, irr elongated." UGC has a typo and calls this galaxy NGC 2482.

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NGC 2482 = Cr 166 = ESO 494-SC003

07 55 09 -24 15 00

V = 7.3; Size 12'

18" (3/2/08): distinctive group of 80-100 stars at 175x in a 10'-12' field. A long, rich string of stars oriented NW-SE passes through the middle of the cluster with arms or sprays of stars extending outwards from this string. The stars are fairly evenly distributed and similar in magnitude with several close doubles. A mag 8 star (HD 64820) is off the west side of the cluster.

13.1" (12/7/85): about 50 stars mag 10-14 in cluster. The bright stars from a "Y" asterism. Located 1.5° ENE of Xi Puppis.

WH discovered NGC 2482 = H VII-10 = h474 = h3106 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 326) and recorded "a cluster of scattered stars, the stars nearly of a size, more than 15' diam, but not compressed." On 6 Mar 1785 (sweep 381) he noted "a L cluster of scattered stars, considerably rich and compressed; my field is too small to determine the extent of it." JH, observing from the Cape of Good Hope, called it "a very rich milky way cluster, or mass of stars, 10, 11 and 12th mag, diameter 20'. The neighbourhood is rich, but much less so than this cluster." His position is a couple of arcmin south of center.

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NGC 2483 = ESO 430-SC002 = OCL-677

07 55 39 -27 53 12

V = 7.6; Size 10'

18" (3/2/08): at 175x, ~60 stars are resolved, many in a long WNW to ESE chain extending to the NW of the central core of the cluster. Near the SE end of the string is a trio of stars and a wide, equal mag pair. Extending from this pair are two additional strings to the SW and towards the east.

17.5" (3/7/92): scattered group of 30 stars mag 9-14 in 10' diameter. Contains mag 8.9 SAO 174829 and a mag 10 star at the east end with 2.5' separation NW-SE. Most of the member stars are arranged in two well-defined intersecting lanes oriented SW-NE and NW-SE. There are no dense areas or prominent double stars.

25x80mm (3/2/08): easily visible as a hazy cloud with several faint stars superimposed.

JH discovered NGC 2483 = h3105 on 22 Jan 1835 and recorded "Cluster 8th class. Large; loose and straggling. A milky way cluster." His position is about 1 min of RA west of this cluster.

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NGC 2484 = UGC 4125 = MCG +06-18-004 = CGCG 178-011 = PGC 22350

07 58 28.1 +37 47 11

V = 13.1; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 145d

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, small, round, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is just 40" off the SW edge and 0.8' from the center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2484 = St XIII-34 on 21 Jan 1885. His position matches UGC 4125.

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NGC 2485 = UGC 4112 = MCG +01-21-001 = CGCG 031-003 = PGC 22266

07 56 48.7 +07 28 40

V = 12.2; Size 1.6'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (11/25/87): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus, diffuse halo. A mag 13 star is 0.6' S of center.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2485 = m 107 on 25 Mar 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "neb *12." His position matches UGC 4112 = PGC 22266.

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NGC 2486 = UGC 4123 = MCG +04-19-011 = CGCG 118-029 = Holm 90b = PGC 22317

07 57 56.5 +25 09 39

V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 100d

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, fairly small, oval E-W, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 2487 5' ESE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2486 = m 108 on 25 Mar 1864 (along with NGC 2487) with Lassell's 48" and recorded "vF, S, psbM." His position is 2' north of UGC 4123 = PGC 22317 (same offset as NGC 2487).

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NGC 2487 = UGC 4126 = MCG +04-19-012 = CGCG 118-030 = Holm 90a = PGC 22343

07 58 20.4 +25 08 57

V = 12.5; Size 2.6'x2.1'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 115d

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, moderately large, 2' diameter oval, broad concentration. A mag 10.5 is 20" off the south edge and 1.3' from center. Forms a pair with NGC 2486 5' WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2487 = m 109 on 25 Mar 1864 (along with NGC 2486) with Lassell's 48" and recorded "vF, S, gbM." His position is 2' north of UGC 4126 = PGC 22343 (same offset as NGC 2487).

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NGC 2488 = UGC 4161 = MCG +09-13-109 = CGCG 287-029 = PGC 22520

08 01 45.8 +56 33 13

V = 12.4; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 100d

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, bright core. Forms a pair with UGC 4164 6' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 2488 = H III-837 = h475 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and called "eF, vS." His position (CH's reduction) is 1' SSW of UGC 4161 = PGC 22520. Auwers' reduction, though, shows a difference of 10' in dec; the same as NGC 2469 = H III-836, NGC 2497 = III-838, NGC 2505 = III-839 and NGC 2534 = III-840 on this sweep. JH measured an accurate position and noted this galaxy as "vF; R; glbM; 15"."

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NGC 2489 = Cr 169 = Mel 79 = Lund 408

07 56 16 -30 03 54

V = 7.9; Size 8'

13.1" (1/18/85): about 50 stars in a 8' diameter. Rich in mag 11-14 stars. A richer group of stars is at the center surrounded by a larger incomplete ring of stars. Located 13' N of mag 6.3 PX Puppis (6.3-6.7).

WH discovered NGC 2489 = H VII-23 = h479 = h3107 on 30 Dec 1785 (sweep 501) and reported "a compressed cluster of pretty large stars, considerably rich." This cluster was probably first discovered by James Dunlop on 28 May 1826 and logged as "a cluster of small stars, of an irregular round figure, with faint nebula, easily resolvable. The 257 Argus is south following." His position for D 626 is 30' WNW of center, but despite the poor position the description is reasonable.

JH observed the cluster from the Cape of Good Hope on 22 Jan 1835 and recorded "A round, pretty compressed cluster of stars 11..13th mag; 6th or 7th class; gradually brighter in the middle, pretty rich, 7' diameter." On a second sweep he wrote "Cluster 7th class. Round, 5' diameter, stars 12th mag."

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NGC 2490 = MCG +05-19-027 = CGCG 148-080 = PGC 22382

07 59 17.9 +27 04 40

V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is just 0.7' E. Located 4.0' NW of brighter NGC 2492.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2490 on 14 Feb 1857 with Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded "I suspect Alpha to be h477 [NGC 2492], F, S, R, lbM. Beta is a vS, F patch, a star following closely." The sketch and description clearly established Beta as NGC 2490 = CGCG 148-080 = PGC 22382. On 14 Feb 1877, Dreyer recorded "vF, vS, R, *13m 1' foll. Pos 320.6°, Dist 243.7" [from NGC 2492].

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NGC 2491 = CGCG 031-007 = PGC 22353

07 58 27.4 +07 59 02

V = 15.1; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.7; PA = 78d

24" (1/31/14): at 375x appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter, low even surface brightness. Located 3.7' SW NGC 2496. A mag 11 star is 2.8' NW and a similar star is 2.4' NE.

24" (1/25/14): at 375x appeared very faint to faint, small, elongated 4:3, 20"x15", low even surface brightness. Located 3.7' SW of much brighter NGC 2491. PGC 1335584, an extremely faint galaxy (V = 16.5), was just glimpsed 1.4' SW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2491 = Sw III-37 on 15 Nov 1885 (along with NGC 2496) with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "eeeF; pS; iR; B* nr W; sp of 2 [with NGC 2496]; e diff.". His position is ~1.5' NW of CGCG 031-007, which the CGCG, RNGC and PGC have adopted as NGC 2491. There is a mag 11 star 2.8' NW, which could be the "B* nr W", though a similar star is also 2.4' NE.

Harold Corwin notes there are two brighter galaxies 10' N (CGCG 031-005 and CGCG 031-008) which would have been in Swift's field though neither of these have bright stars preceding (nor are they south-preceding NGC 2496). But CGCG 031-007 is quite faint to have been noticed by Swift, so this identification is uncertain.

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NGC 2492 = UGC 4138 = MCG +05-19-028 = CGCG 148-080 = PGC 22397

07 59 29.7 +27 01 35

V = 12.7; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 95d

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 2490 4.0' NW.

JH discovered NGC 2492 = h477 on 24 Dec 1827 and logged "vF; S; R; bM." His position matches UGC 4138. Dorothy Carlson, in her 1949 list of NGC Corrections, misidentifies NGC 2492 as a star.

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NGC 2493 = UGC 4150 = MCG +07-17-007 = CGCG 207-014 = Holm 91a = PGC 22447

08 00 23.7 +39 49 49

V = 12.0; Size 1.9'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (2/24/90): moderately bright, fairly small, round, halo gradually increases to a small bright core. Located 9' SW of mag 7.6 SAO 42123. Forms a close pair with a dim galaxy NGC 2495 1.8' ENE. This galaxy forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 9.5 star 5' WNW and a mag 10 star 4.5' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 2493 = H III-750 = h476 on 31 Dec 1788 (sweep 901) and noted "vF, S, R, lbM." His position matches UGC 4150 = PGC 22447. JH recorded "pB even though there is moon enough to see the wires well. R; gb and then sbM; 20"."

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NGC 2494 = UGC 4141 = MCG +00-21-001 = CGCG 003-002 = IC 487 = PGC 22377

07 59 07.0 -00 38 17

V = 13.1; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 95d

17.5" (1/23/88): moderately bright, oval ~E-W, fairly small, bright core. A nice triple star lies 4' ESE; the closer components are mag 11/12 with separation 19".

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2494 = m 110 on 6 Feb 1864 and noted "F, S, lE." There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1.0 min of RA east is UGC 4141. Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy on 3 Feb 1888, assumed it was new and included it in his 7th discovery list (VII-10). So, NGC 2494 = IC 847 with priority to Marth. UGC, MCG and CGCG label this galaxy IC 487. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2495 = MCG +07-17-008 = CGCG 207-016 = Holm 91b = Mrk 383 = PGC 22457

08 00 33.2 +39 50 23

V = 15.2; Size 0.4'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (2/24/90): extremely faint and small, round. A mag 14.5 is off the east edge 24" from center. Forms a pair with much brighter NGC 2493 1.8' WSW.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2495 on 14 Feb 1855, as the assistant on Lord Rosse's 72". While observing NGC 2493, he noted "a faint star precedes, a nebulous knot follows 2' or 3' dist." At 2.0' ENE of the center of NGC 2493 is CGCG 207-016 = PGC 22457, the galaxy assumed to be NGC 2495. On 5 Mar 1867, though, the description reads "eF, R, bM [referring to NGC 2493, presumably], neb north-following is eF, difficult, Pos 54°, Dist 12". Either this observation refers to a different object, or there was an error in recording the distance (likely). The sketch is a good match with the pair of galaxies except there is no star to the west and Harold Corwin mentions problems with the descriptions (including the position angle). He questions if the Lord Rosse assistants were observing a different field (on at least 1 or 2 of the 4 observations).

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NGC 2496 = UGC 4127 = MCG +01-21-002 = CGCG 031-009 = PGC 22359

07 58 37.4 +08 01 45

V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 2d

24" (1/31/14): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, fairly high surface brightness, gradually increases to the center but no distinct nucleus or zones. A mag 14 star is 35" W of center. NGC 2491 lies 3.7' SW.

24" (1/25/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, ~25"x18", weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is 33" W of center and a mag 11 star is 2' S.

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, weak concentration. A mag 14 star is 30" W. Forms a pair with NGC 2491 4' SW (not seen).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2496 = Sw III-38 on 15 Nov 1885 (along NGC 2491) using the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "vF, pS, R, lbM, * close foll, nf of 2". His position matches UGC 4127 = PGC 22359, although the "* close foll" probably refers is a mag 14 star 35" preceding the center.

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NGC 2497 = UGC 4168 = MCG +10-12-061 = CGCG 287-032 = PGC 22547

08 02 11.0 +56 56 32

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, extremely small, round, stellar nucleus stands out with direct vision. Located 6' E of mag 8.6 SAO 26621.

WH discovered NGC 2497 = H III-838 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and called "eF, vS." According to CH's offset, his position is just 12 sec of RA too small. MCG does not label this galaxy (MCG +10-12-061) as NGC 2497 and MCG +10-12-064 is misidentified as possibly NGC 2497.

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NGC 2498 = UGC 4142 = MCG +04-19-015 = CGCG 118-034 = PGC 22403

07 59 38.8 +24 58 56

V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 113d

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, small bright core, elongated NW-SE, faint stellar nucleus. NGC 2486 lies 20' NW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2498 = St XIII-35 on 19 Jan 1885. His position matches UGC 4142 = PGC 22403.

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NGC 2499 = MCG +01-21-003 = CGCG 031-011 = PGC 22366

07 58 51.7 +07 29 36

V = 14.3; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 175d

17.5" (3/7/92): very faint, very small, round. Located 2' N of mag 8.9 SAO 26621. Two mag 10/11 stars are 1.8' S and 2.8' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2499 = m 111 on 25 Mar 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "eF, pS, iR." His position matches CGCG 031-011 = PGC 22366.

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NGC 2500 = UGC 4165 = MCG +09-13-110 = CGCG 262-062 = PGC 22525

08 01 53.1 +50 44 15

V = 11.6; Size 2.9'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.7

13.1" (2/23/85): moderately bright, fairly large, almost round, mottled, weak concentration. Situated midway between a mag 12 star 1.9' NE and a mag 10.5 star 1.7' SW of center.

WH discovered NGC 2500 = H III-709 = h478 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and recorded "vF, R, vgbM; about 2 1/2 minutes in diameter." A later observation says "I can perceive some of the stars." This is a mottled face-on spiral, so this created the impression of resolving some stars. JH observed this galaxy on a single sweep and his position is 1' too far north.

On 1 Feb 1851, Lord Rosse "saw stars in it and suspected at one time a curvilinear arrangement. On later observations spiral structure was suspected and sketches (by R.J. Mitchell and Samuel Hunter) reasonably capture the spiral structure, although they were not certain. In addition a couple of HII knots on the preceding side were apparently noticed.

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NGC 2501 = MCG -02-21-002 = PGC 22354

07 58 30.0 -14 21 16

V = 13.7; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 120d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, bright core, stands out well in rich Milky Way field. Situated only 8° from the galactic equator.

JH discovered NGC 2501 = h3108 on 14 Feb 1836 and recorded "F,R, gbM, 30", in a field full of stars." On a later sweep he logged "pF, lE, in parallel; glbM, 25"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2502 = ESO 209-008 = PGC 22210

07 55 51.5 -52 18 25

V = 12.0; Size 2.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 126d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE. Well concentrated with a very bright 30" core that dominates the galaxy. The outer halo or arms are much fainter and could be easily missed but extend to 1.2'x0.8'. Forms the NW vertex of a triangle with two mag 11 star 4.3' E and a mag 11.5 star 3' SSE. Located 41' NNW mag 3.5 Chi Carinae.

JH discovered NGC 2502 = h3109 on 5 Jan 1837 and reported "pF; R; vgpmbM; 25"." His single position matches ESO 209-008.

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NGC 2503 = UGC 4158 = MCG +04-19-019 = CGCG 118-041 = PGC 22453

08 00 36.7 +22 24 00

V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, small, round, 0.8' diameter, low surface brightness, very weak concentration. A mag 14.5 star is at the NW edge and a mag 11 star lies 2.0' SE of center. Located on the Cancer/Gemini border.

17.5" (2/20/88): very faint, very small, round, diffuse, weak concentration. A mag 15 star is just off the NW edge and a mag 11 star is 2.0' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2503 = m 112 on 17 Feb 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "eF, S, glbM." His position is 8 sec of RA east of UGC 4158.

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NGC 2504 = UGC 4152 = MCG +01-21-004 = CGCG 031-015 = PGC 22414

07 59 52.3 +05 36 30

V = 13.9; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.9

17.5" (11/25/87): faint, very small, slightly elongated ~E-W, fairly low even surface brightness.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2504 = m 113 on 25 Mar 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and recorded "vF, S, R." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2505 = UGC 4193 = MCG +09-13-115 = CGCG 262-066 = PGC 22644

08 04 06.8 +53 32 57

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 0d

17.5" (1/19/91): faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 N-S, very small brighter nucleus. Located 10' SW of mag 7.1 SAO 26650 at the edge of the 220x field.

WH discovered NGC 2505 = H III-839 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and called it "eF, vS." His position (CH's reduction) is just 1.8' south-southwest of UGC 4193 (typical error). Auwers' reduction, though, shows a difference of 10' in dec for several objects in the sweep.

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NGC 2506 = Cr 170 = Mel 80 = OCL-593

08 00 02 -10 46 12

V = 7.6; Size 7'

18" (3/15/10): at 175x, this is a beautifully rich 8' group of stars, roughly circular, with 80-100 stars mag 11-14 over unresolved background haze. The brightest two stars are at the west side and form a wide, 27" double. The richest portion roughly forms a "U" outline, open to the south, as if a chunk of the cluster was missing. The north side of the "U" consists of a string of stars oriented WNW-ESE (north of the two brightest stars) with a pair at the WNW end. At the ESE end of this string a few brighter stars form a right angle heading SSW and forming another side of the "U". A faint string of stars extends out of the cluster to the SE and another string extends out the WNW.

17.5" (3/12/94): 75 stars in 10' diameter at 220x. The brightest members are a wide pair of mag 11/12 stars at the west end with a separation of 27" oriented SW-NE and a mag 11.5 star at the east end. Rich in mag 13-14 stars with a roughly circular outline except for a "bite" on the south side. The richest subgroup is following the two brighter stars at the west end and is 3' diameter forming a "C" shaped asterism opening to the south over haze and is quite striking.

13" (2/23/85): at 220x, ~35 stars visible, many in a winding row. A number of brighter mag 11 stars surround the group.

WH discovered NGC 2506 = H VI-37 = h480 on 23 Feb 1791 (sweep 995) and recorded "a very compressed and very rich cluster of stars. The stars are of 2 sizes, some considerably large and the rest next to invisible. The compressed part 5' or 6' in diameter." His position (Auwers' reduction) is 7' NNE of center of this cluster. It was independently found by Karl Ludwig Harding around 1823 and reported it as a new discovery. JH's description reads "the first *11m in the p part of a rich resolved p comp cl irreg fig; *s 11...20m, so as to be nebulous. The most comp part = 4' or 5' diam. His Slough Catalogue position is accurate, but he subtracted 10' in NPD in the GC, assuming he made an error, as his position did not match WH or Harding. See GC and NGC notes.

Lord Rosse, or his observing assistant George Stoney, commented on 27 Jan 1849 "More approach towards spiral appearance than I have seen in any other cluster. Very curious black spaces with power 700x."

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NGC 2507 = UGC 4172 = MCG +03-21-010 = CGCG 088-020 = Holm 92a = LGG 153-003 = PGC 22510

08 01 37.2 +15 42 35

V = 12.2; Size 2.5'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.7

24" (2/14/15): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated 0.6'x0.5'. Moderately concentrated to a small brighter nucleus. A very low surface brightness halo increases the size to 0.8'x0.7'. A mag 12 star is off the southwest side [1.3' from center]. A mag 15.5 star is at the southwest edge at 300-375x and a slightly fainter star is embedded on the north edge [just 18" from center!]. An HII region (or galaxy?) at the NE edge was not resolved.

NGC 2514 lies 18' NE (see notes) and CGCG 088-016 lies 15' W. At 322x, the CGCG appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 27"x18", weak even concentration to a faint stellar nucleus, no distinct zones. A mag 10 star lies 1.8' NW.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, gradually brighter halo, stellar nucleus within slightly brighter core. A mag 11.5 star is 1.3' SW. NGC 2514 lies 18' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2507 = H II-554 = h481 on 18 Mar 1786 (sweep 538) and logged "pB, pL, easily resolvable, gbM." JH reported "F; R; 15". Pos of a *12m = 225.5°, dist = 60"."

A couple of faint stars as well as a faint galaxy are superimposed on NGC 2507. On 22 Feb 1867, Robert Ball reported three "knots" were "well seen" at Birr Castle , though one of these "knots" is apparently the nucleus. "The middle knot [nucleus], alpha, is much the largest. Alpha to knot sp, Pos = 223.0° [this is a star], alpha to knot np 338.0° [this is also a star]."

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NGC 2508 = UGC 4174 = MCG +02-21-004 = CGCG 059-018 = PGC 22528

08 01 57.2 +08 33 07

V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 130d

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval slightly elongated NW-SE, small bright core. Collinear with two mag 13.5 stars 0.8' WSW and 1.3' WSW of center.

WH discovered NGC 2508 = H III-7 = h484 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 100) and recorded "a nebulous star, but doubtful of the nebulosity. Yet with 240 the same doubtful appearance continues." There is nothing near his position, but 1 min 42 sec of RA west and 3' south is UGC 4174. This was still an early sweep in which his positions were unreliable. On 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 496) he mentions "I looked for the supposed nebulous star of the 100th sweep, but the evening being remarkably clear and my telescope in fine order I only saw near the place several very close double stars, one of which probably has been the suspected one. Otherwise a small telescopic comet may have been thereabout." JH observed this galaxy on two sweeps although on sweep 120 no position was measured and on sweep 123 the position was marked very uncertain. The accurate NGC position is from Heinrich d'Arrest.

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NGC 2509 = ESO 561-SC7 = Cr 171 = Mel 81 = Lund 417

08 00 48 -19 03 00

Size 8'

18" (3/2/08): beautiful cluster of 80-100 stars at 175x, highlighted by a dense 2-2.5' clump of fainter stars resolved over some remaining haze. Double or multiple stars are at the NE and NW corners of this central knot. At 220x the SE corner of the clump is very rich in faint stars with averted! The brightest star is at the SW side with a string of mag 10-11 stars extending outside of the cluster to the SE from of this star. The cluster is situated ~6' NW of mag 8.8 HD 66034.

17.5" (3/12/94): 50 stars resolved in a 6'x5' region outlined by a perfect parallelogram. The majority of the stars, though, lie in a prominent dense clump along the NW side of the parallelogram and includes a nice double star. The NE vertex of the parallelogram is a double star with components mag 13/13.5 at 12". The parallelogram has no concentration and the interior southern portion has only a couple of faint stars. Mag 8.6 SAO 153720 lies roughly 6' SE and a bright wide double star consisting of a mag 10.5/12 pair at 26" is 4' NNE of the parallelogram.

WH discovered NGC 2509 = H VIII-1 on 3 Dec 1783 (very early sweep, internal discovery #7) and recorded "a cl of coarsely scattered stars. The place is that of the most comp part, which is not M[iddle]" On 4 Mar 1790 (sweep 934) and logged "a considerably compressed and very rich cl of small star, irr F." and on 15 Mar 1801 (sweep 1095) he noted "a beautiful cl of stars, arranced in a circular order."

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NGC 2510 = UGC 4178 = MCG +02-21-007 = CGCG 059-023 = WBL-169-005 = PGC 22541

08 02 10.6 +09 29 09

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 115d

24" (3/22/14): faint to fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, ~40"x25", fairly low even surface brightness. First of 5 with NGC 2511 5.6' SSE, NGC 2513 5.6' SE, CGCG 59-27 6.7' ENE and PGC 1364011 7.5' S.

17.5" (2/13/88): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, even surface brightness. Similar size to NGC 2513 5.6' SE but lower surface brightness. In a group of five with NGC 2511 5.6' SSE.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2510 (along with NGC 2511) on 31 Jan 1851 with Lord Rosse's 72" in the NGC 2513 group. The group was sketched on 26 Feb 1851 with NGC 2510 is labeled as Gamma and precise offsets were measured from NGC 2513.

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NGC 2511 = MCG +02-21-008 = CGCG 059-024 = Mrk 1207 = WBL 169-006 = PGC 22549

08 02 15.0 +09 23 40

V = 14.1; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 125d

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 40"x20", weak concentation. Located 2.7' SW of NGC 2513.

17.5" (2/13/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, almost even surface brightness. In a group with NGC 2513 3' NE and NGC 2510 5.6' SSW. Located on the Canis Minor-Cancer border.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2511 (along with NGC 2510) on 31 Jan 1851 with Lord Rosse's 72" in the NGC 2513 group. The group was sketched on 26 Feb 1851 with NGC 2511 labelled Beta and precise offsets were measured from NGC 2513. Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered the galaxy in 1862 (#77 in AN 1500) and John Herschel mistakenly credited d'Arrest with the discovery in the GC. Dreyer included both observers in the NGC.

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NGC 2512 = UGC 4191 = MCG +04-19-021 = CGCG 118-052 = Mrk 384 = PGC 22596

08 03 07.8 +23 23 30

V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 113d

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus. Not identified as NGC 2512 in the UGC or CGCG.

WH discovered NGC 2512 = H III-605 = h482 on 10 Feb 1787 (sweep 697) and noted "F, S, iF." His position (Auwers' reduction) is 1.4' too far north. JH measured an accurate position. CGCG and UGC fail to label their catalogue entries as NGC 2512.

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NGC 2513 = UGC 4184 = MCG +02-21-009 = CGCG 059-025 = WBL-169-007 = PGC 22555

08 02 24.7 +09 24 49

V = 11.6; Size 2.5'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 170d

24" (3/22/14): bright, fairly large, sharply concentrated with a very bright 20" core. The halo extends ~1.25'x0.9' N-S and has a fairly low surface brightness. Brightest in a group with NGC 2511 2.7' SW, NGC 2510 5.6' NW, PGC 1364011 4.7' SW, CGCG 59-27 6' NE.

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, well concentrated to a very bright core, small faint halo. Brightest in a group including NGC 2510 5.6' NW, NGC 2511 3' SW, CGCG 59-19 and CGCG 59-26.

WH discovered NGC 2513 = H III-512 = h483 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 534) and recorded "vF, S, R, mbM, 240 showed it very well." His position is accurate. JH called the nebula "pB; R; psbM." The two fainter companions (NGC 2510 and 2511) were discovered at Birr Castle.

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NGC 2514 = UGC 4189 = MCG +03-21-011 = CGCG 088-022 = PGC 22581

08 02 49.7 +15 48 30

V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8

24" (2/16/15): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 0.9' diameter, no core but irregular surface brightness (strong impression of a face-on spiral).

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, fairly small, round, low almost even surface brightness. NGC 2507 lies 18' WSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2514 = St XIII-36 on 19 Jan 1885 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 4189 = PGC 22581.

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NGC 2515

08 03 21.3 +20 11 17

Size 9"

=**, Reinmuth.

George Bond discovered NGC 2515 = HN 5 on 11 Sep 1852 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Harvard College Observatory. At his position is a 9" pair of mag 13 stars oreinted ~E-W. Most of Bond's discoveries in the early 1850's at HCO turned out to be close pairs or even single stars. NGC 2515 is correctly classified as a double star in the RNGC (from Carlson's list), but the position is wildly off at 09 47.3 +13 02 (2000).

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NGC 2516 = ESO 124-SC6 = Cr 172 = Mel 82 = Lund 411 = Running Man Cluster

07 58 00 -60 45

V = 3.8; Size 30'

13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): very bright naked-eye cluster located 3° SW of Epsilon Car (southern star in the False Cross). Appears partially resolved in the 9x50 finder and excellent using the 15x50 IS binoculars. Fills over half of the 20 Nagler field, 30'-35' diameter with over 100 stars resolved. The outline is quite irregular though well-detached at low power. A mag 5.2 orange star (V460 = HD 66342) lies at the NE edge of the cluster. The central region is more concentrated and uniform. Includes a number of tinted yellow or orange stars. A nice triple (h4027 = 7.1/7.8/9.3 at 9" and 20") is on the west side and an excellent double (h4031 = 7.2/8.0 at 5") lies on the east side of the cluster. A long curving string starts in the center and heads to the mag 5.5 orange star to the NE. This string includes a 9" evenly matched pair of mag 9 stars (Innes 1104) that were resolved at low power. Mag 5.7 HD 65662 is off the NW side of the cluster.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): this bright naked-eye cluster is located SW of the "False Cross" (3 degrees SW of 2nd-magnitude Epsilon Carinae) and is the only open cluster in western Carina. It was well resolved in the 9x50 finder. At 105x, the main group is 25'-30' with outliers increasing the size and roughly 100 stars are resolved including a number of mag 6-8 stars. Many of the stars are arranged in loops and strings and overall the cluster is quite irregular in magnitudes and star distributions. There is a close, fairly bright double on the SE side (7.2/8.0 at 5.5") and a neat 13' chain of stars near the west side running N-S.

10x30 Canon IS (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a prominent naked-eye cluster below the "False Cross" (formed by Epsilon and Iota Car as well as Delta and Kappa Vel), on a line with the longer axis (Epsilon Car and Kappa Vel) of the cross. In binoculars, it appeared well-resolved, ~50' diameter including outliers with 5 bright stars (mag 6.5-7.5) with a couple of dozen stars resolved overall. Appears fairly rich towards the center with a number of mag 8-10 stars.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 2516 = Lac II-3 = h3111 in 1751-1752 using a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He noted a "Group of 10 to 12 stars, very compressed." NGC 2516 was not published in Dunlop's main catalogue but his handwritted notes read "Very fine cluster about 35' diameter, many of the stars of the 6th and 7th magnitude, mixed magnitudes. Figure irregular branched."

JH observed the cluster a number of times with his 18-inch f/13 speculum telescope at the CGH. His first record reads: "An orange-coloured star 8th magnitude, in middle of a large and magnificent cluster of perhaps 200 to 250 stars 8..16th mag. Many of the larger magnitudes, and really a superb object. Very visible to the naked eye, etc."

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NGC 2517 = MCG -02-21-003 = PGC 22578

08 02 47.0 -12 19 04

V = 11.8; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 70d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, small, round, strong concentration with small bright core. Located in a rich star field between a mag 13 double star 1.1' S at 20" oriented E-W and a mag 11.5 star 1.0' NW. Mag 8.5 SAO 153747 lies 4.2' SW. Located 10° from the galactic equator.

JH discovered NGC 2517 = h3110 on 16 Mar 1836 and noted "F; vS; R; between 3 stars 13 and 14 m." His position is 5 sec of RA east and 1' north of MCG -02-21-003 = PGC 22578 and the description of nearby stars matches. This galaxy is located only 10 degrees from the galactic equator.

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NGC 2518 = UGC 4221 = MCG +09-14-006 = CGCG 263-009 = PGC 22800

08 07 20.1 +51 07 53

V = 13.0; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 35d

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 2518 in 1886 (along with NGC 2519) with the 15.5-inch Cook refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England. The approximate NGC position matches UGC 4221. This is one of only 3 galaxies discovered by Lohse (out of 16 new entries in the NGC).

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NGC 2519

08 07 58.9 +51 07 42

=*?, Corwin. =NF, Sulentic

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 2519 in 1886 (along with NGC 2518) at the private Wiggleworth Observatory in Scarborough, England and described "Two nebulae, F, L, R, gbM, delta RA = 42 seconds". There is only a single galaxy at his position (UGC 4221) identified as NGC 2518. Corwin notes that 39 tsec following this galaxy is a 14th magnitude star (with three much fainter stars within an arcmin northwest) which might be the NGC 2519. There is an obvious error in the position given in RNGC (both RA and Dec) although NGC 2518 is correctly described as "Not found".

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NGC 2520 = NGC 2527 = ESO 430-SC15

08 04 58 -28 08 48

See observing notes for NGC 2527. Incorrect position in the RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2520 = h3112 on 5 Feb 1837 and recorded a "Cluster 7th class, distinguished among milky way clusters, pretty rich, bright. The star taken is the chief of a condensed hook in the following part." In the Cape Observations, JH identifies h3112 as equivalent to H VIII-30 = h488 but his position for h3112 is 3.0 min of RA too far west. Although his description matches H VIII-30 = h488, JH still listed separate entries in the GC for h3112 and h488, which later received the designations NGC 2520 and NGC 2527. So, NGC 2520 = NGC 2527, with NGC 2527 the earlier observation.

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NGC 2521 = UGC 4235 = MCG +10-12-077 = CGCG 287-042 = VV 632 = VII Zw 212 = PGC 22866

08 08 49.3 +57 46 10

V = 12.8; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 45d

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Located 3.6' SSE of a mag 9 star (Z Lyncis). This is the brightest of four in a group including UGC 4241 4.5' E. The three brighter galaxies and Z Lyncis form a perfect parallelogram. UGC 4241 appeared fairly large, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, weak concentration.

JH discovered NGC 2521 = h485 on 9 Feb 1831 and described "pF; R; psbM; sf a *9 dist 3'." His position and description matches UGC 4235, which is the brightest in a group.

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NGC 2522 = UGC 4218 = MCG +03-21-014 = CGCG 088-031 = PGC 22749

08 06 13.4 +17 42 24

V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 32d

17.5" (11/2/91): fairly faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, well concentrated with a small high surface brightness core which dominates view, very thin fainter extensions. NGC 2530 lies 25' ENE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2522 = m 114 on 26 Jan 1865 and recorded "vF, vS, E, psbM." His position matches UGC 4218. Brightest in a group.

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NGC 2523 = Arp 9 = UGC 4271 = MCG +12-08-031 = CGCG 331-032 = PGC 23128

08 15 00.2 +73 34 44

V = 11.9; Size 3.0'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 57d

17.5" (2/8/91): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, fairly small. A center contains a bright central bar with a small bright core. A mag 11.5 is off the SW edge 1.5' from the center. Forms a pair with NGC 2523B = UGC 4271 9' W and NGC 2523C = UGC 4290 lies 20' SE.

Edward Swift, Lewis' 14 year-old son, discovered NGC 2523 = Sw II-32 on 7 Sep 1885 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. The Swifts' position and description ("pB, pL, lE, lbM, * nr") is a good match with UGC 4271 = Arp 9. This is the brightest galaxy (of 23) that Edward discovered.

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NGC 2524 = UGC 4234 = MCG +07-17-016 = CGCG 207-034 = PGC 22838

08 08 09.6 +39 09 26

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 125d

17.5" (2/24/90): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core, almost stellar nucleus, oval NW-SE. Forms a pair with NGC 2528 = UGC 4227 10' WNW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2524 = St VIIIb-24, along with NGC 2528, on 22 Jan 1877 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position is accurate and matches UGC 4234. Through a mix-up he placed NGC 2528 to the southeast of NGC 2524 instead of northwest. This error was caught and corrected by Esmiol in his 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions. See notes for NGC 2528.

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NGC 2525 = MCG -02-21-004 = UGCA 135 = PGC 22721

08 05 38.0 -11 25 41

V = 11.6; Size 2.9'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 75d

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, large, slightly elongated E-W, diffuse, weak concentration. Located 3.8' NNE of mag 8.9 SAO 153813 and 6.2' S of mag 8.7 SAO 153816 on the Monoceros border.

WH discovered NGC 2525 = H III-877 = h486 on 23 Feb 1791 (sweep 995) and recorded "vF, iR, resolvable, about 2' in diameter, almost of equal light throughout." JH called this galaxy "F; L; R; vgbM; 90"; among stars of the Milky Way." and measured an accurate position.

The galaxy was sketched as a spiral by R.J. Mitchell on 30 Jan 1856, using Lord Rosse's 72". He described "vF, L, oval. Several F stars on edge, suspect others in the neb., also dark spaces. Nucl or * in centre? Spiral as in diagram. A year later he saw additional details: "light very unequal, suspect nucleus and a star close foll nucleus, also star in p edge? Again I though I saw a darkness across np centre [gap in spiral arms] and knots in np edge, but it is very uncertain."

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NGC 2526 = UGC 4231 = MCG +01-21-012 = CGCG 031-047 = PGC 22778

08 06 58.6 +08 00 14

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 140d

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WNW-ESE, broad concentration. There is a pretty pair of double stars in the field including a mag 11/12 pair at 10" located 3.5' ENE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2526 = m 115 on 25 Mar 1864 and recorded "vF, S, mE." His position matches UGC 4231.

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NGC 2527 = NGC 2520 = ESO 430-SC15 = Cr 174

08 04 58 -28 08 48

V = 6.5; Size 22'

17.5" (3/7/92): 75-100 stars mag 10-14 in very large 30' loose group. This cluster is fairly bright with two fairly rich subgroups. The central 10' core includes about two dozen stars with a mag 10 star at the NW corner which has three fainter companions within 35". A rich string of faint stars oriented SSW-NNE of length 4' has two mag 10-11 stars at the endpoints. Outliers extend east and west and include a rich elongated group at the NE edge of the cluster.

WH discovered NGC 2527 = H VIII-30 = h488 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 333) and noted "a very large cluster of many coarsely scattered large stars." From Slough, JH called the cluster "p rich; v coarsely scattered; fills field; st 10...15m. RA by working list [marked as uncertain]. JH also observed this cluster at the Cape and gave a similar description (even noting the equivalence with h488), but his RA was 3 min too far west. JH assigned separate GC designations and Dreyer two NGC numbers, so NGC 2527 = NGC 2520.

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NGC 2528 = UGC 4227 = MCG +07-17-015 = CGCG 207-032 = PGC 22805

08 07 24.9 +39 11 39

V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (2/24/90): faint, fairly small, round, almost even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 2524 10' ESE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2528 = St VIIIb-25 on 22 Jan 1877, along with NGC 2528. Through a mix-up in measuring the offset, Stephan's position for NGC 2528 is southeast of NGC 2524, instead of northwest. Corwin sorted out the situation (see his notes for NGC 2528), although it was first corrected by Esmiol in his 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions. Esmiol's new position (calling the object "Anon"), establishes NGC 2528 = UGC 4227. UGC 4227 is not labeled with the NGC designation in CGCG (207-032), UGC (4227) or MCG (+07-17-015) but it is correctly identified in RNGC, PGC and RC3.

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NGC 2529

08 07 48 +17 49

=Not found, Corwin. Incorrect identification in the RNGC.

Bigourdan discovered NGC 2529 = Big. 35 on 29 Jan 1887, along with NGC 2531. These were noted while examining the NGC 2530 field and placed 1' SW and 1' SE of NGC 2530 = H III-752. There is nothing at either of these offsets. RNGC misidentifies NGC 2530 as NGC 2529 and UGC and CGCG misidentify NGC 2530 as NGC 2529 = NGC 2531. See RNGC Corrections #5.

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NGC 2530 = (R)N2529 = UGC 4237 = MCG +03-21-020 = CGCG 088-038 = PGC 22827

08 07 55.6 +17 49 06

V = 13.6; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 170d

17.5" (11/2/91): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 N-S. Unusual appearance as a mag 13 star is attached at the north end 0.8' from center and the galaxy appears to fan out to the south. The edges are difficult to define. NGC 2522 lies 25' WSW. Incorrectly identified as NGC 2529 in the RNGC, UGC, CGCG.

WH discovered NGC 2530 = H III-752 = h487 on 22 Feb 1789 (sweep 906) and noted "eF, lE, south of a vS star." His position and description is accurate, matching UGC 4237. R.J. Mitchell, observing with Lord Rosse's 72" on 25 Jan 1857, recorded "light mottled, bright star to north, another faint star close to nf edge, suspect other stars involved."

RNGC misclassifies NGC 2530 as nonexistent (Type 7), though the correct data for NGC 2530 is listed under the entry for NGC 2529. NGC 2530 is misidentified as NGC 2529 = NGC 2531 in UGC and NGC 2529 in the MCG (+03-21-020). See my RNGC Corrections #5 and Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2531

08 08 01 +17 49

=Not found, Corwin and RNGC. Incorrect position in the RNGC.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 2531 = Big 36 on 29 Jan 1887, along with NGC 2529. These two supposedly nebulous objects were noted while examining NGC 2530. NGC 2531 was placed 1' SE, but there is nothing at this offset. See my comments on NGC 2529 and 2530 as well as Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2532 = UGC 4256 = MCG +06-18-013 = CGCG 178-032 = PGC 22922

08 10 15.4 +33 57 26

V = 12.4; Size 2.2'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 10d

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, moderately large, 1.5', slightly elongated NW-SE, gradually brightens towards the center, faint stellar nucleus, slightly mottled appearance. A mag 12 star 1.6' NNE is within a collinear string of six mag 11/12 stars oriented WNW-ESE running through the 20' field and a mag 11.5 star is 2.6' SSW.

WH discovered NGC 2532 = H II-726 = h489 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 807) and remarked "pF, pL, iR, lbM, resolvable, south of 2 stars that are nearly in the parallel." His position (Auwers' reduction) is just off the southeast side of the halo. This galaxy was observed 13 times at Birr Castle and an arm was suspected several times on the south side. Also a companion close north was sketched (not in GC or NGC), but this is probably a very faint star.

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NGC 2533 = ESO 430-SC019 = Cr 175

08 07 04 -29 53 06

V = 7.6; Size 4'

17.5" (2/8/91): about 20 stars surrounding mag 8.8 SAO 175203. Also includes a mag 10.5 star but the remainder are 13th and 14th magnitude. Fairly small, 4' diameter, does not stand out well in rich field.

JH discovered NGC 2533 = h3113 on 22 Jan 1835 and recorded "place (RA doubtful) of a *9 m; cheif of cl p rich; irreg R; glbM; 5'; stars 13m. Belong to milky way, but is a much more compressed part of it."

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NGC 2534 = UGC 4268 = MCG +09-14-014 = CGCG 263-014 = Mrk 85 = PGC 23024

08 12 54.1 +55 40 19

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly faint, small, round, broadly concentrated halo, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is 1' N. Located 2' N of mag 8.0 SAO 26726.

WH discovered NGC 2534 = H III-840 = h490 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and noted "cF, cS." His position, based on CH's reduction is just 1.6' too far northwest (typical error), though Auwers' reduced position is 9' S of UGC 4268 (an offset shared by several objects discovered on this sweep including NGC 2469, 2488, 2497 and 2505). JH called it "pB; L; R; psbM; diam 60" and very gradually fading away; has a *8m pos = 164.3°. His position and description is accurate.

R.J. Mitchell, observing on 7 Mar 1885 with Lord Rosse's 72" described "Has r[esolved] look, * plain at north end. Alpha [from sketch] is a knot or star. Neb is bM and probably spiral. Certainly a dark space from south-preceding to north." Spiral structure is not evident on the DSS.

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NGC 2535 = Arp 82 NED1 = VV 9a = Holm 94a = UGC 4264 = MCG +04-20-004 = CGCG 119-008 = PGC 22957

08 11 13.5 +25 12 23

V = 12.8; Size 2.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 0d

48" (4/2/11): this is the prominent member of a striking interacting pair (Arp 82) with NGC 2536 1.8' SSE. At 375x appeared bright, fairly large, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, ~1.6'x0.9' (including arms). Contains a relatively large, bright core spanning ~40"x30" and punctuated by a very bright, stellar nucleus. Attached at the west side of the core is a graceful spiral arm that curves clockwise towards the south-southeast in the direction of NGC 2536. The arm fades towards the south-southeast end and increased in length with averted vision though it did not reach the smaller companion. A second arm is attached on the east side and shoots north, though it's only 2/3 the length of the interacting arm. A string (1.4' length) of three mag 12-13 stars is off the west side of the galaxy.

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, weak concentration. Forms a close pair with NGC 2536 1.8' SSE (Arp 82). Located just following a line of three mag 12 stars 1.6' WSW, 1.2' W and 0.9' NW of center.

13" (1/18/85): faint, small, round, diffuse, even surface brightness. Located 22' SSE of a mag 6 star.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2535 = St VIIIb-26 on 22 Jan 1877, along with NGC 2536. His position matches UGC 4264.

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NGC 2536 = Arp 82 NED2 = VV 9b = Holm 94b = MCG +04-20-005 = CGCG 119-009 = PGC 22958

08 11 16.0 +25 10 46

V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 112d

48" (4/2/11): fainter and smaller member of an interacting pair (Arp 82) with NGC 2535. At 375x appeared fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~30"x20", high surface brightness, moderate concentration with a very small, very bright core. Located 1.8' SSE of NGC 2535. A spiral arm hooks from the west side of NGC 2535, appearing to be tidally stretched SE in the direction of NGC 2536, though not reaching the companion.

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, very small, oval ~SW-NE, small bright core. Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 2535 1.8' NW.

13" (1/18/85): very faint, very small, diffuse. Located 2' SE of NGC 2535.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2536 = St VIIIb-27 on 22 Jan 1877, along with NGC 2535. His position matches MCG +04-20-005 (southeast component of an interacting pair w/NGC 2535).

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NGC 2537 = Bear-Paw Galaxy = Arp 6 = VV 138 = UGC 4274 = MCG +08-15-050 = CGCG 236-035 = PGC 23040

08 13 14.5 +45 59 31

V = 11.7; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.6

48" (4/15/10): At 624x, the view of the highly irregular "Bear-paw" galaxy (Arp 6) was fascinating. The galaxy is fairly large, roundish, 1.5' diameter and is broken up into bright knots and arcs that border a large curving dust lane that winds through the glow and traces out a dark "U" inside the galaxy. The main bright regions form the three "toes" of the Bear-paw. On the NW side, the first "toe" consists of the brightest knot, ~0.3' diameter, with a second smaller and fainter knot close south. The combined glow from this "toe" is ~30". In the center is a brighter core, ~0.3' diameter, which is nearly isolated by the obscuring dust, but the glow extends to the south end of the galaxy where it brightens slightly at the rim, forming the middle toe. The third toe is on the following side of the galaxy (~0.3' diameter) and is less prominent, though slightly brighter due east of center. The curving "U"-shaped dust channel enters the galaxy both west and east of the middle toe in two parallel lanes and curves around the core, forming a noticeable arc on the north side of the core.

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, fairly small, round. The "Bear-paw" galaxy has an unusual appearance with a dark lane or vacuity in the center. A small slightly brighter knot is visible along the NW edge. A mag 11 star is 2' SE. Located 6.5' E of mag 8.4 SAO 42225. IC 2233, a faint edge-on, lies 18' SE. Forms a pair with NGC 2537A = MCG +08-15-051 4.5' E (not seen with this scope).

13" (2/25/84): fairly faint, small, round, no structure.

WH discovered NGC 2537 = H IV-55 = h491 on 6 Feb 1788 (sweep 809) and recorded "pB; R; pL; preceding a star about 1'." On 10 Mar 1788 (sweep 817) he logged "pB, R, almost of an even light througout, approaching to a planetary but very ill defined, and a little fainter on the edges, about 3/4 or 1' dia." NGC 2537 was observed 20 times at Birr Castle and even noted as "probably spiral" in Jan 1852, although photographs show no significant spirality. Incorrectly described as a globular cluster in the NGC description.

Wolfgang Steinicke reports that the nickname is due to Ron Buta (Glyn Jones, Webb Society Galaxy Handbook, 1981) in this 36" observation: "Small and of relatively high surface brightness; shaped like a bear-paw, the structure consisting of a single spiral arm winding from W to E around the N side; this ring-tail includes 3 knots, one of about 15 mag; a bar-like feature shows in the interior region of the arm and extends to the S edge of the galaxy; there is a faint glow between the arm and the bar feature".

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NGC 2538 = UGC 4266 = MCG +01-21-019 = CGCG 031-067 = PGC 22962

08 11 23.0 +03 37 59

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 25d

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core. Located between a mag 14 star 0.9' NW and a mag 12 star 1.7' SE. A faint double star mag 14/15 is just 1.2' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2538 = St VIIIb-28 on 2 Feb 1877. His position matches UGC 4266.

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NGC 2539 = Cr 176 = Mel 83 = OCL-611

08 10 37 -12 49 12

V = 6.5; Size 22'

18" (3/2/08): this cluster is situated 10' NW of 4.7-magnitude 19 Pup. Roughly 125 stars are spread out over a 20' region. At the NW end is a roughly equal mag pair, an 11" pair is on the east side and a brighter mag 10/11 pair at 20" is on the NE side.

13.1" (2/25/84): about 85 stars in a 20' diameter. Fairly rich with uniform magnitudes. A brighter mag 10/11 pair at 21" is on the north side. Located about 10' NW of 19 Puppis (V = 4.7).

WH discovered NGC 2539 = H VII-11 = h3114 on 31 Jan 1785 (sweep 363) and called it "a cluster of stars, coarsely scattered, but considerably rich, above 20' diam." JH, observing from the Cape of Good Hope, recorded "a large, extended, rich cluster. Fills field; stars 12th mag approx. A bright star (6th mag) S.f."

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NGC 2540 = UGC 4275 = MCG +05-20-004 = CGCG 149-004 = PGC 23017

08 12 46.5 +26 21 41

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 125d

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, fairly low surface brightness halo, weak concentration. Situated within a triangle of mag 14 stars the closest being 1.3' W. Located 8' NNE of mag 8.5 SAO 80013.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2540 = St XIII-37 on 10 Feb 1885 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 4275.

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NGC 2541 = UGC 4284 = MCG +08-15-054 = CGCG 236-037 = PGC 23110

08 14 40.2 +49 03 43

V = 11.8; Size 6.3'x3.2'; Surf Br = 14.9; PA = 165d

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, fairly large, very diffuse halo, elongated NNW-SSE, weak concentration to an elongated core. A mag 10 star lies 4.5' NNE. In a group with NGC 2500 and NGC 2522.

WH discovered NGC 2541 = H III-710 = h492 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and called it "vF, iF, 2.5' long, 1.75' broad." His position is 20 sec of RA west of center. JH recorded "not vF; L; lE; vgbM; 90"." His position is just north of the core of UGC 4284. This galaxy was observed three times at Birr Castle. An interesting sketch appears to show an elongated HII region or a portion of a spiral arm on the southwest side, separated from the main body.

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NGC 2542 = 19 Puppis = SAO 153942 = ADS 6647

08 11 16.3 -12 55 37

V = 4.7

=* 4.7 = 19 Pup. No nebulosity, Corwin and Carlson.

JH discovered NGC 2542 = h3115 on 11 Dec 1836 and noted "a fine nebulous star 6 mag [19 Pup], in the following part of the cluster VII II [NGC 2539] and almost connected to it. The nebula is faint, but I feel confident that it is not the nebulous haze. [Notandum -Nothing more difficult than to prove a nebulous star of the 6th mag and above." In this case, the star is free of nebulosity. This is the 3rd brightest star with an entry in the NGC (after NGC 771 and 4530).

There are several similar cases of bright stars which JH assumed had a nebulous halo (see notes on NGC 4530). Harold Corwin mentions that JH may have been misled by the faint companion of 19 Puppis, though I think it's more likely he was misled by scattered light/dew. Interestingly, there were three observations made with the 72" and all described the star as being nebulous! In addition, Howe reported "I examined it one night, and saw a faint halo about 2' in diameter encircling it. It looked like a telescopic flare."

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NGC 2543 = UGC 4273 = MCG +06-18-014 = CGCG 178-035 = IC 2232 = PGC 23028

08 12 57.9 +36 15 13

V = 11.9; Size 2.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 45d

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 2.0'x1.5', very small brighter core. Two mag 11.5 stars are 2.4' NW and 3.9' NW on a line with NGC 2543.

WH discovered NGC 2543 = H II-719 = h493 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 803) and recorded "F, pL, iR, bM." His position is 10 sec of RA west and 5' south of UGC 4273. A second observation from 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 937) reads "In a line with a N.p. star, pB, cL, iR, vgbM." The second observation is further off in dec.

JH noted "vF; R; a course double * precedes points to it. Deta RA = 1 m 2 sec." There is nothing at his position but two minutes of RA west is UGC 4273 and two stars 1.6' separation is northwest. The RA given in the GC and NGC is ~1.0 tmin too far east but Rudolph Spitaler's micrometric position (measured on 24 Dec 1891 with the 27" refractor at Wien University Observatory) given in the IC 1 Notes section is accurate. Stephane Javelle independently found the galaxy on 12 Feb 1896 and it was catalogued again as IC 2232 at the correct position. So, NGC 2543 = IC 2232. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2544 = UGC 4327 = MCG +12-08-034 = CGCG 331-036 = Mrk 87 = PGC 23453

08 21 40.3 +73 59 16

V = 12.9; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 70d

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, brighter core. Located 5.5' SW of a mag 9.5 star. Forms a close pair with MCG +12-08-035 1.3' ENE. NGC 2550 lies 12' ENE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2544 = Sw II-33 on 7 Sep 1885 (along with NGC 2550) with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His description reads "eeF; pS; R; sev B stars nearly surround it." His position is 16 sec of RA west and 1.4' south of UGC 4327 and there are several mag 11-12 stars nearby (mostly west).

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NGC 2545 = UGC 4287 = MCG +04-20-007 = CGCG 119-016 = PGC 23086

08 14 14.2 +21 21 20

V = 12.4; Size 2.0'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 170d

13.1" (1/11/86): moderately bright, fairly small, almost round, gradually increases to a small brighter core. A mag 14.5 star at the NNW edge 1.0' from center is similar to the substellar nucleus. Located 3.9' ESE of a mag 9.5 star at the west edge of the Cancer I galaxy cluster.

WH discovered NGC 2545 = H II-627 = h494 on 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 683) and noted "eF, pS, E." The same sweep he observed Uranus and discovered the moons Titania and Oberon. On 13 Feb 1787 (sweep 698) he recorded "F, S, irr F, lE sp to nf." There is nothing at his position but 30 sec of RA preceding and 4' north is UGC 4287. In the 1912 publication of WH's catalogues, Dreyer adds the note "RA by Sweep 683 29 seconds too great, PD 3.5' too great. But in the interval between the star and the neb, H. had discovered two satellites of Uranus, whereby the telescope may have been slightly disturbed." JH logged this galaxy as "F; S; R; has a *8m; 4' dist p." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2546 = ESO 369-SC7 = Cr 178

08 12 16 -37 35 42

V = 6.3; Size 41'

13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): this very large, bright scattered cluster was just visible to the naked eye close south of a brighter, hazy naked-eye patch of unresolved stars. The field is beautifully rich, at least 45' diameter though there was no distinct border. The star field looks impressive beyond the edges of the 66' field of the 20 Nagler. On the northwest side is a rich, elongated strip of ~20 stars that is quite eye-catching. Includes a few pairs and a neat triple with a fairly close unequal mag pair at the SSW end of the elongated strip.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): this cluster is a very bright, scattered field of stars that completely fills the nearly 40' field at 105x. Partially resolved in the 9x50 finder. At the NW edge is a rich elongated strip of two dozen stars including a couple of close, unequal pairs and tight fainter triple. John Herschel's description applies to this denser group of stars. A mag 6.4 star (h4051 = HD 68450) with two mag 13.5 companions is off the NW side of the larger group but does not appear to be part of the cluster and a similar star lies to the SE (HD 68862).

13.1" (1/18/85): ~75 stars, bright, very large, scattered, overfills 30' field.

8" (3/28/81): ~25 stars, rich, elongated. At the edge of a large, scattered field of stars.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 2546 = Lac II-4 = D 563 = h3116 in 1751-1752 using a 1/2-inch refractor at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He recorded II-4 as follows: "One sees with the naked eye two neighboring confused groups of stars; but with the telescope they are small distinct stars, in very great number & very close together."

James Dunlop observed the cluster on 8 May 1826 and recorded "a large cluster of stars of mixt magnitude, rather extended figure, not rich in very small stars." He made two observations and his position is 17' N of center (typical error). JH made 3 observations from the CGH, first recording on 1 Feb 1835 "a cluster 8th class of about 20 bright stars in an oblong, 8' long, 3' broad.".

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NGC 2547 = ESO 209-SC18 = Cr 177 = Mel 84 = Lund 432

08 10 11 -49 13 30

V = 4.7; Size 20'

13.1" (1/30/06 - Costa Rica): this naked-eye cluster to the south of Gamma Velorum (bright binocular double) is roughly 30'x20' in size. There is a very distinctive, gently curving arc of stars bowed out to the east that defines the eastern side of the central region and the brightest mag 6.5 star (HD 68478) is along this arc. Three nice pairs are to the west and NW of the mag 6.5 star (one of these pairs has a third fainter companion forming a triple). The main portion of the cluster is enclosed in two outer strings of stars that form a large "V" with the vertex to the east of the mag 6.5 star and the pair of strings increase the diameter to 30'. While scanning for NGC 2547 I ran across a bright, distinctive red star to the west (probably M3-class HD 67821).

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): this is a very bright naked-eye cluster that includes a number of mag 7-8 stars. It appears at least 20'-25' in diameter, though the outer boundaries are pretty arbitrary. Very unusual arrangement as a number of the brighter stars form a curving arc which is bowed out towards the east and which defines the eastern border of the cluster! The brightest mag 6.5 star is within this arc on the south side of the cluster. The cluster is encased in faint reflection nebulosity, though this was not visible.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 2547 = Lac III-2 = D 410 = h3117 in 1751-1752 using a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He described III-2 as "five faint stars like letter T in nebulosity." Dunlop observed the cluster twice recording "A curiously arranged group of pretty bright small stars of mixt magnitudes. This answers to the place of 310 Argus (Bode) and is described by Lacaille as nebula with five small stars forming the letter T in it. There is no nebulosity in this place. The diameter of the cluster may be about 12'. Figure 16 is a very good representation of the group."

JH first logged the cluster on 28 Dec 1834 and recorded "chief star 7th mag about, of a vL, loose, brilliant cluster of very scattered stars, 1 of 7th mag, 2 of 8th mag, rest 9...16th mag. Fills more than field; 100...150 stars." JH inadvertently equated this cluster with D 411 instead of D 410 and this error was copied into the NGC.

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NGC 2548 = M48 = Cr 179

08 13 43 -05 45 00

V = 5.8; Size 54'

18" (3/15/10): large, sprawling cluster that nearly fills the 67' field of the 31mm Nagler. The most distinctive portion, though, is a 20'x15' group near the center which contains roughly 75 stars, many arranged in strings. Most prominent is a fairly dense SW-NE string of brighter stars that cuts through the cluster with a nice double star in the center (h 2435 = 9.6/9.7 at 7"). A short chain of a few stars branches off to the south of h2435. Another stream of stars branches off this string to the SSW. A third elongated group of stars extends SW-NE on the south side, roughly parallel to main string, and is separated by a mostly starless lane. The cluster includes a number of mag 8-9 stars, with the brightest mag 8.2. At 73x, the main cluster is wedged between two very long streams of stars, roughly oriented NW to SE off both the north and south sides of the main group. These two strings of stars extend the total diameter to over 50'. On the NW side of the central group, a number of stars are scattered between these two streams including a few very wide pairs, but the SE end the two streams are well separated with a very few stars in between.

13.1" (2/16/85): about 125 stars in a large 40' field with no distinct borders. A rich chain of stars oriented SSW-NNE passes through the center. Includes a number of brighter mag 10 stars and many double stars. Partially resolved in 16x80 finder.

Charles Messier discovered M48 = NGC 2548 = H VI-22 = h496 on 19 Feb 1771 and described a "Cluster of very faint stars, without nebulosity; this cluster is a short distance from the three stars that form the beginning of the Unicorn's tail." This cluster, though, was lost for a couple of centuries due to an error in his listed position. Owen Gingerich, in a Oct 1960 article "The Missing Messier Objects" in Sky & Tel, notes that Dr. Morris has pointed out the NGC 2548 has the same RA as Messier's position for M48 though is off by 5° in declination. Messier did not publish the offset star and there is no convenient nearby offset star that might have been source of the problem (misidentified or wrong offset directions) , but this is the only bright cluster in the region that fits his description.

Caroline Herschel independently discovered M48 on 8 Mar 1783 and WH also found it on 1 Feb 1786. He recorded VI-22 as "a beautiful cluster of stars, considerably rich, and pretty much compressed, 10 or 12' dia. The stars are nearly of a size, white and pretty large." He later noted "C.H. [Caroline Herschel] discovered it in 1783."

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NGC 2549 = UGC 4313 = MCG +10-12-124 = CGCG 287-069 = PGC 23313

08 18 58.2 +57 48 11

V = 11.2; Size 3.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 177d

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 N-S, 2.0'x0.5', very bright core, stellar or almost stellar nucleus. Located 10' WNW of mag 5.9 30 Lyncis.

JH discovered NGC 2549 = h495 on 9 Feb 1831 and recorded "pB; S; mE; pos in merid; psmbM; 15" l, 6" br. A *7m follows." His position and description matches UGC 4313.

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NGC 2550 = UGC 4359 = MCG +12-08-037 = CGCG 331-039 = PGC 23604

08 24 34.4 +74 00 44

V = 12.8; Size 1.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.6; PA = 103d

17.5" (12/23/92): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 ~E-W, even surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is at the west tip 0.8' from center. A nice unequal double star SAO 6528 = 8.6/13 lies 2.5' E. Nearby is NGC 2544 12' W and NGC 2550A = UGC 4397 23' SE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2550 = Sw II-34 on 7 Sep 1885 (along with NGC 2544) and recorded "eeF; pS; cE; bet an eF *, and an unequal double star." His position and description matches UGC 4359.

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NGC 2551 = UGC 4362 = MCG +12-08-038 = CGCG 331-040 = LGG 160-005 = PGC 23608

08 24 50.2 +73 24 44

V = 12.1; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 55d

17.5" (2/9/02): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 1.3'x0.7'. A mag 12 star (with a mag 14.5-15 companion 30" N) lies 2' NE. The halo suddenly rises to a very small, bright core and stellar nucleus.

13.1" (1/11/86): faint, diffuse, slightly elongated, brighter star off NE side. Observation made through thin clouds.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2551 = T VI-2 on 9 Aug 1882 (while searching for Comet Pons (1812)) with the 11" refractor at Arcetri Observatory in Venice. He measured an approximate position and noted "Class III nebula, stellar center; on 11 August observed them again. Lewis Swift independently discovered the galaxy on 7 Sep 1885, and recorded it in list II-35. Swift's position is 17 tsec west of UGC 4362. MCG misidentifies MCG +12-08-039 (one degree north) as NGC 2551.

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NGC 2552 = UGC 4325 = MCG +08-15-062 = CGCG 236-042 = PGC 23340

08 19 20.2 +50 00 26

V = 12.1; Size 3.5'x2.3'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 45d

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, moderately large, elongated. A mag 11 star is off the NE side 3.1' from the center.

WH discovered NGC 2552 = H III-711 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and logged "eF, E from sp to nf, about 3.5' long, 2.5' broad." His position (Auwers' reduction) is 2.4' NW of UGC 4325 = PGC 23340.

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NGC 2553 = MCG +04-20-014 = CGCG 119-031 = PGC 23240

08 17 35.0 +20 54 11

V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, round, gradually increases to small bright core, occasional faint stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star is 2' ENE. NGC 2556 lies 21' E. Member of Cancer 1 galaxy cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2553 = m 116 on 17 Feb 1865 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "vF, S, glbM." His position is 2' north of CGCG 119-031 = PGC 23240 (same offset as NGC 2556).

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NGC 2554 = UGC 4312 = MCG +04-20-015 = CGCG 119-033 = PGC 23256

08 17 53.6 +23 28 20

V = 12.0; Size 3.2'x2.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 142d

24" (2/16/15): at 322x; moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.9'. Sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a very small, intense nucleus. A mag 13.5-14 star is barely off the southeast end, 1.2' from center and a comparable star is off the north side, 1.4' from center.

CGCG 119-032 forms the west vertex of an equilateral triangle framing the galaxy with the two nearby stars, and lies just off the west edge [1.4' from center]. At 450x it appeared extremely faint (V = 15.5), round, just 6" diameter. Once identified at high power it was also seen at 322x.

17.5" (3/28/92): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 N-S, strongly concentrated with an abrupt well-defined very bright core, sharp stellar nucleus, faint halo with ill-defined edge. Two mag 14 stars are 1.2' SSE and 1.4' NNE of center. Located at the north edge of the Cancer I galaxy cluster. CGCG 119-032 is just 1.5' W but was not noticed.

WH discovered NGC 2554 = H II-303 = h497 on 28 Feb 1785 (sweep 374) and recorded "F, S, mbM, r." On 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 683) he noted "eF, vS, near some vF stars; may be a patch of a few extr small stars." On 10 Feb 1787 (sweep 697), he logged "pF, S, mbM, irr R." JH called the galaxy "pB, R, bM" but his position was 1.0 min of RA too far east and this error was repeated in the GC and finally the NGC. Dreyer corrected the RA in the IC 2 notes.

Five observations of the galaxy were made with LdR's 72". Bindon Stoney recorded on 9 Mar 1852: "R, bMNucl, 2 st 14m nf and sf, a vS * preceding about the same dist." Interestingly, the "vS * preceding" is CGCG 119-032, a faint compact galaxy. At V = 15.6, this is one of the fainter galaxies discovered with the 72" (though of course it was seen as virtually stellar) and took some effort in my 24", knowing the exact position.

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NGC 2555 = UGC 4319 = MCG +00-21-012 = CGCG 003-028 = Holm 95a = PGC 23259

08 17 56.3 +00 44 45

V = 12.2; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 115d

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, moderately large, oval NW-SE. Several stars are near including a mag 12 star at the SE edge 1.1' from the center, a mag 13 star 1.7' NNE and a mag 14.5 star is at the NW edge 0.9' from center.

WH discovered NGC 2555 = H III-256 = h498 on 20 Dec 1784 (sweep 346) and remarked "vF, vS, diffused about the middlemost of 3 small stars in a row; but seems not connected to them; they being too large and like the rest of the scattered stars. Verified with 240 power." JH described the galaxy as "vF; between a *12m sf and one 16m, north. The former dist about 1 diam, the latter about 1/2 diam from edge. His position is accurate. Two stars at the NW edge were recorded in 1857 by R.J. Mitchell, the observing assistant on Lord Rosse's 72".

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NGC 2556 = CGCG 119-045 = LGG 158-006 = PGC 23325

08 19 00.9 +20 56 13

V = 14.4; Size 0.6'x0.3'; PA = 138d

18" (2/26/11): very faint, very small, round, very small brighter core, sharp stellar nucleus. A wide pair of mag 13.14 stars are within 2' SSW and a mag 10.5 star is 3.5' SE. Located 24' WSW of NGC 2563, the brightest galaxy in the core of the Cancer I cluster.

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, very small, round. A pair of mag 13/14 stars are 1.3' S and 1.7' S. NGC 2560 lies 12' WNW and NGC 2553 21' W. Located near the center of the Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2556 = m 117 on 17 Feb 1865 and noted "vF, vS." His position is 2' north of CGCG 119-045, the same offset error he made with NGC 2553.

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NGC 2557 = UGC 4330 = MCG +04-20-021 = CGCG 119-048 = PGC 23329

08 19 10.8 +21 26 09

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 55d

18" (2/26/11): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, gradually increases to a small brighter core. Forms the eastern vertex of a small isosceles triangle with two mag 13.5 stars 2.5' NW and 2.7' SW. Also forms a larger isosceles triangle with mag 7.8 HD 69698 situated 5' NW and a mag 11 star 5' SSW. IC 2293 lies 5.6' SE. This fainter galaxy appeared faint, small, round, 20" diameter, low even surface brightness.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, small, round, gradually brighter core. Located 5' SE of mag 8.2 SAO 80087 in the Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2557 = St VIIIb-29 on 2 Feb 1877 with the 31" silvered-glass reflector at the Marseille Observatory. Esmiol's re-reduced position is an exact match with UGC 4330.

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NGC 2558 = UGC 4331 = MCG +04-20-022 = CGCG 119-050 = PGC 23337

08 19 12.8 +20 30 38

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 160d

18" (2/26/11): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 or 3:2 NNW-SSE, 32"x24", sharply concentrated with a 15" bright core. Located south of the central region of the Cancer I cluster.

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, gradually brighter halo, small bright core. Member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

WH discovered NGC 2558 = H III-606 = h499 on 13 Feb 1787 (sweep 698) and recorded "vF, S." JH called the galaxy "pF; R; psbM; and then a feeble atmos 25"."

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NGC 2559 = ESO 494-041 = MCG -04-20-003 = UGCA 136 = VV 475 = AM 0815-271 = PGC 23222

08 17 06.3 -27 27 33

V = 10.9; Size 3.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 6d

17.5" (2/8/91): moderately bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 N-S. Unusual appearance as nestled between four stars in a rich Milky Way field! Slight concentration but no core. The brightest of four nearby stars is mag 9.5 SAO 175514 at the east side, 40" from the center. Located just 4.5 degrees from the galactic equator!

JH discovered NGC 2559 = h3118 on 5 Feb 1837 and recorded "pL, F, glbM, in a field of about 60 stars; one of which = 9th mag, and some others also of less magnitudes are involved." His position is just off the east side of ESO 494-041 = PGC 23222.

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NGC 2560 = UGC 4337 = MCG +04-20-027 = CGCG 119-058 = PGC 23367

08 19 51.9 +20 59 06

V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 93d

18" (2/26/11): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 or 3:1 E-W, 0.8'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a small bright core and fainter extensions. Located 1.5' E of a mag 10.4 star and 11' SW of NGC 2563, the brightest galaxy in the core of the Cancer I cluster.

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 E-W, small bright core. Located 4.5' NE of mag 7.9 SAO 116633. A mag 10.5 star is 1.5' W. Located near the core of the Cancer I galaxy cluster with NGC 2556 12' WSW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2560 on 17 Mar 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory (recorded as #78 in AN 1500). His position (based on 4 measurements) matches UGC 4337 and he accurately placed the nearby mag 10.5 star as 7 seconds of time preceding.

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NGC 2561 = UGC 4336 = MCG +01-22-001 = CGCG 031-081 = CGCG 032-001 = PGC 23351

08 19 36.9 +04 39 26

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 138d

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, very small, round, faint stellar nucleus. Located 7' SW of mag 8.6 SAO 116633.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2561 = Sw VI-31 on 23 Mar 1887 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and recorded "vF, S, R, right angles with 2 stars." His position is 8 sec of RA west of UGC 4336 and the two stars lie southwest and southeast.

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NGC 2562 = UGC 4345 = MCG +04-20-031 = CGCG 119-063 = PGC 23395

08 20 23.7 +21 07 53

V = 12.9; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 3d

18" (2/26/11): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, 30"x24", contains a small bright core that gradually increases to the center. Forms a nice pair with brighter NGC 2563 4.7' SE. NGC 2560 lies 11' SW and UGC 4332 is a similar distance west.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 N-S, halo brightens to a small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 2563 4.7' SE. Member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

WH discovered NGC 2562 = H III-607 = h500, along with NGC 2563, on 13 Feb 1787 (sweep 698) and noted "F, S, bM." His position is less than 2' WNW of NGC 2562 (similar offset as nearby NGC 2558 = H III-606). JH's position is accurate.

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NGC 2563 = UGC 4347 = MCG +04-20-033 = CGCG 119-065 = LGG 158-005 = PGC 23404

08 20 35.7 +21 04 04

V = 12.2; Size 2.1'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 80d

18" (2/26/11): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter, pretty sharply concentrated with a bright, 20" core. With direct vision, the core increases to a brighter stellar nucleus. Slightly brighter and larger than NGC 2562 4.7' NW. Located 20' NNE of mag 5.8 HD 69994. This is the brightest galaxy in the core region of the loose Cancer I cluster.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, almost round, halo brightens evenly to a small bright core. Appears similar to NGC 2562 4.7' NW but slightly larger. Member of the Cancer I galaxy cluster.

WH discovered NGC 2563 = H II-634 = h501, along with NGC 2562, on 13 Feb 1787 (sweep 698) and noted "vF, vS." His RA is 6 sec too large.

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NGC 2564 = ESO 562-001 = PGC 23290

08 18 30.0 -21 48 58

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 60d

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus. A very faint larger halo is visible at moments. A wide pair of mag 12/13 stars at 35" separation lies 2' NNW and two mag 14/15 stars are 1' NNW. Located in a rich star field.

JH discovered NGC 2564 = h3119 on 28 Jan 1837 and recorded "vF; vS; R; gbM; at least 60 stars in field." His position is 7 sec of RA west of ESO 562-001. This galaxy is situated 8 degrees from the galactic equator.

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NGC 2565 = UGC 4334 = MCG +04-20-0264 = CGCG 119-057 = Mrk 386 = LGG 156-003 = PGC 23362

08 19 48.4 +22 01 51

V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 167d

24" (4/28/14): at low power appears as close "double" consisting of a mag ~14 star and the fuzzy nucleus (similar or slightly brighter) of the galaxy! At 260x the bright core is elongated 2:1 N-S, 20"x10" and surrounded by a very low surface brightness halo, extending ~1.0'x0.6' NNW-SSE. The superimposed star is at the SSE edge of the core. At 375x, the galaxy is seen to be very sharply concentrated with a very bright core and low surface brightness halo. Forms a physical pair with CGCG 119-056 1.8' NW. The companion appeared faint, small, slightly elongated, 15"x12", contains a faint quasi-stellar nucleus.

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, very small, small bright core, very faint halo elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE. Unusual appearance as the core of the galaxy forms a very close double with a similar star at the SE end. The outer halo appears to touch or encompass the star. Located 6.5' NW of mag 8.9 SAO 80108. This galaxy is an outlying member of the Cancer I cluster and is located ~1° north of center of the cluster.

Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 2565 around 1886 with the 15.5-inch Cooke refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England. His position is 0.9 min of RA east and 1.5' N of UGC 4334 but his description "biN" applies to nucleus and a superimposed star.

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NGC 2566 = ESO 495-003 = MCG -04-20-008 = UGCA 138 = PGC 23303

08 18 45.5 -25 29 59

V = 11.0; Size 3.4'x2.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 50d

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, fairly large, elongated 3:2 ~ENE-WSW, 2.5'x1.8', diffuse, edges fade into background. Unconcentrated except for a nearly stellar bright core. Unusual appearance (similar to a Milky Way nebula) as it is located in a dense field among a rich group of faint stars including a mag 13 star just following the nucleus. A 10' semicircle of stars heads to the north and west. Forms a pair with IC 2311 7.6' N. The IC galaxy appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.2' diameter. Even concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. NGC 2566 is the brightest member of the Klemola 10 quartet.

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, fairly large, elongated 3:2 E-W, ~2.0'x1.5', very low even surface brightness. There is no core and the outer halo is not well defined. Several stars are superimposed including a mag 13.5 star 22" ESE of center. Situated in a rich Milky Way field. Brightest in a group including IC 2311 7.6' N. Located just 6° from the galactic equator.

WH discovered NGC 2566 = H III-288 on 6 Mar 1785 (sweep 381) and recorded "vF, considerably large, easily resolvable or rather some of the stars visible besides those of the milky way scattered over it." His position is off the north side of the galaxy. Herbert Howe described the galaxy as a "vS neb or neb *11 w/*12 close". Visually, nearby IC 2311 has a higher surface brightness and is more identifiable as a galaxy!

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NGC 2567 = ESO 431-SC3 = Cr 180 = Mel 86 = Lund 445

08 18 29 -30 38 42

V = 7.4; Size 10'

13.1" (3/24/84): about two dozen stars mostly mag 11-13 in 10' diameter elongated N-S. Includes a long string oriented N-S on the east side. On the SW wide is a "U" shaped group of brighter stars open to the north. Mag 9.0 SAO 199057 lies 6' SW. First in a group of four open clusters with NGC 2571 54' N, NGC 2580 44' NE and NGC 2587 93' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2567 = H VII-64 = h503 = h3120 on 4 Mar 1793 (sweep 1033) and recorded "a large cluster of stars of a middling size, irregularly extended and considerably rich. The stars are chiefly in rows." In his 1814 publication, Herschel speculated that each row of stars may have a different preponderating attraction, but every row will attract all the other rows..." JH described the cluster as "a fine, p rich cl; stars 11m pretty uniform 5..6' diam. The chief stars make a zigzag line, the outliers extending 20'."

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NGC 2568 = ESO 370-SC5 = OCL-727 = Pismis 1 = Lund 443

08 18 18 -37 06 18

V = 10.7; Size 5'

13.1" (1/18/85): small, faint group of about 6 stars over haze, unimpressive.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 2568 in 1881 with his 5-inch refractor in Nashville. In Sidereal Messenger, Vol 3, p60, he described a "very faint nebulosity of moderate extension; pretty even in light. A small star involved." So, with the 5-inch scope he didn't resolve the cluster. His discovery list in AN 2588 (1884) mentions Oliver Wendell, using the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory, described it as being "rather diffuse and faint, but gradually a little brighter in the middle." I'm surprised the large refractor didn't provide some resolution.

Cederblad catalogued the cluster Ced 105, although there does not appear to be nebulosity involved. The Lynga open cluster catalogue and Sky Catalogue 2000.0 identify the cluster as Pismis 1 although Barnard's accurate position makes the NGC identification certain. ESO does label the cluster NGC 2568.

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NGC 2569 = MCG +04-20-035 = CGCG 119-067 = LGG 158-013 = PGC 23442

08 21 21.1 +20 52 03

V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 119d

18" (2/26/11): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, very small bright core in a fainter halo. A thin, distinctive triangle of mag 13 stars (separations roughly 12", 30", 30") is 1.5' following. Forms a pair with NGC 2570 2.6' N. Located 16' NE of mag 5.8 HD 69994.

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, very small, round, small bright core in low surface brightness halo. A group of three mag 13 stars lie between 1.5'-2.0' E. Forms a pair with NGC 2570 2.6' N. Member of the Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2569 on 19 Feb 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen Observatory (recorded as #79 in AN 1500). His position and description ("a miniature 'Triangulum' is not much more than 1' distant") matches CGCG 119-067 = PGC 23442. Nearby NGC 2570 was discovered at Birr Castle.

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NGC 2570 = UGC 4354 = MCG +04-20-036 = CGCG 119-068 = PGC 23443

08 21 22.6 +20 54 37

V = 14.5; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 70d

18" (2/26/11): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 0.4'x0.3', very low even surface brightness, no noticeable core or zones. Appears larger than NGC 2569, located 2.6' S, but more difficult due to a lower surface brightness. Located 14.5' SE of NGC 2563 (brightest galaxy in the region) and 17' NE of mag 5.8 HD 69994.

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, small, very low surface brightness. Slightly larger than NGC 2569 2.6' S but has a lower surface brightness. Member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 2570 on 20 Feb 1873 in his observation of GC 1650 = NGC 2569 (discovered by d'Arrest) with the 72". He recorded, with respect to NGC 2569, "eeF, L, R, pos 3.9°, dist 174.1". His micrometric offsets matches UGC 4354. This member of Cancer I has a redshift of z = .022.

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NGC 2571 = ESO 431-SC005 = Cr 181

08 18 56 -29 45 00

V = 7.0; Size 13'

13.1" (3/24/84): 18 stars mag 8.8-12 in 10' diameter. Includes a wide bright pair (mag 8.8 SAO 175580 and 8.9 SAO 175577) at 1' separation oriented NW-SE near the center. This cluster is larger and contains brighter stars than NGC 2587 one degree ENE. Also NGC 2580 lies 47' SE and NGC 2567 54' S.

WH discovered NGC 2571 = H VI-39 = h502 on 3 Mar 1793 (sweep 1032) and noted "a cluster of large stars, considerably rich, iR, above 15' diameter." JH called it "a v loose straggling but p rich cl which fills the field, st 9m and under; vl comp middle. Some large st preced it."

NGC 2571 was discovered by WH (VI 39). Finder chart and photometry in PASP, 90, 1978.

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NGC 2572 = UGC 4355 = MCG +03-22-004 = CGCG 089-007 = PGC 23441

08 21 24.6 +19 08 52

V = 13.8; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 133d

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is just off the SSW end 0.5' from the center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2572 = St VIIIb-30 on 2 Feb 1877. His position matches UGC 4355.

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NGC 2573 = Polarissima Australis = ESO 001-001 = PGC 6249

01 41 37.3 -89 20 04

V = 13.5; Size 2.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 70d

30" (10/15/15 - OzSky): at 303x "Polarissima Australis" appeared moderately bright and large, very elongated at least 3:1, ~1.5'x0.5'. Contains a small bright core and a sharp stellar nucleus (possibly a star?). Mag 10.3 HD 23641 is 7.4' WNW.

NGC 2573 is the brightest of three galaxies close to the south celestial pole with NGC 2573A and 2573B 32' WNW. NGC 2573A is the fainter of a colliding pair at 1.3' separation with NGC 2573B. At 303x it appeared very faint to faint, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 ~N-S, ~0.7'x0.2', low surface brightness. NGC 2573B is fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 [PA 125°], 0.6'x0.2', fairly low surface brightness. The major axis is extended in the direction of NGC 2573A. A mag 13 star is 1.2' N. Images reveal an apparent bridge between the galaxies and plumes, tidal tails and knots (particularly with NGC 2573A). The outer tidal plumes were not seen based on my size estimate.

24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 2573 is known as "Polarissima Australis" and is located only 40' from the south celestial pole. At 260x it appeared fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 7:2, ~1.6'x0.45'. Contains a very small, bright nucleus with much fainter extensions. A mag 10.6/11.2 pair at 7" separation was picked up 13' NNE. This galaxy was brighter than I expected based on descriptions I've read.

JH discovered NGC 2573 = h3176 on 29 Mar 1837 and recorded "Neb Polarissima Australis. Faint, round, gradually a little brighter in the middle, 25" across. Situated nearly halfway between a star of 10th magnitude south of it, and a small triangle of stars 11th, 13th and 13th mag. north." This is the closest galaxy to the south celestial pole. Robert Innes reported he was unsuccessful in searching for it with the 9-inch Grubb refractor from Johannesburg. The RNGC positions are in error for NGC 2573, 2573A and 2573B.

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NGC 2574 = MCG -01-22-003 = PGC 23418

08 20 48.1 -08 55 08

V = 12.9; Size 2.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 150d

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, low even surface brightness, no core. A trio of stars are at the south edge; a mag 11 star 1.4' SSE, a mag 13.5 star 1.3' S and a mag 13 star 1.2' SSW. Located 5' SW of mag 7.7 SAO 135801.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2574 = LM II-401 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 7 sec of RA west and 2.8' south of MCG -01-22-003 and his description "mag 15.8, 1.0' dia, rr; *7.5 at 5' in PA 50°" matches this galaxy.

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NGC 2575 = UGC 4368 = MCG +04-20-040 = CGCG 119-075 = PGC 23501

08 22 44.9 +24 17 49

V = 12.7; Size 2.3'x1.9'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 145d

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, fairly small, round, no core though uneven surface brightness. A mag 15 star is at the west end and an extremely faint mag 16 star is involved at the east end. This is an outlying member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2575 = St IX-14 on 23 Feb 1878. His position and description "eeF, iR, 1' dia, envelops sev vF*" matches UGC 4368.

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NGC 2576 = UGC 4371 = MCG +04-20-041 = CGCG 119-076 = PGC 23512

08 22 57.7 +25 44 20

V = 14.3; Size 1.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 41d

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, weak concentration with thin extensions. Located 3.2' E of mag 8.2 SAO 80137 3.2' W. A mag 10.5 star is just 1.7' SSE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2576 on 29 Mar 1865 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "eF, eS, stellar." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2577 = UGC 4367 = MCG +04-20-042 = CGCG 119-074 = PGC 23498

08 22 43.4 +22 33 11

V = 12.4; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 105d

17.5" (1/1/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, dominated by a prominent core, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with UGC 4375 9' NE. I recorded UGC 4375 as "fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 N-S, brighter core, faint halo. Unusual appearance as a mag 12 star is embedded in the east side. Also three mag 14-15 stars are involved, one star is the south end and two are at the north end."

WH discovered NGC 2577 = H II-259 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and logged "F, S, iF, resolvable." His position (Auwers' reduction) is 3.7' NW of UGC 4367 (similar offset as NGC 2599, the next nebula discovered in the sweep). Sir Robert Ball, the assistant on the 72" on 29 Dec 1866 recorded "a very remarkable object. I suspect details would be seen on a better night. At first I thought is was a nebulous star, but on closer examination considered it a B, vS neb with a nucl (perhaps stellar); branches were suspected p and f."

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NGC 2578 = MCG -02-22-002 = PGC 23440

08 21 24.3 -13 19 04

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80d

24" (2/16/15): at 322x; moderately bright and large, oval E-W, 1.0'x0.7', fairly strong concentration with a well-defined bright core and much fainter halo. A mag 15 star is superimposed on the northeast side [24" from center]. Situated in a rich star field with a mag 10.5 star 2.5' SE.

Forms a pair with MCG -02-22-003 = PGC 23449, which lies just 50" E of the mag 10.5 star and 3.0' SE of NGC 2578. It was seen initially at 322x and at 450x appeared faint to fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, ~20"x15".

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, small, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus at moments, in a fairly rich star field. Located 2.5' NNW of a mag 11 star. Forms a pair with MCG -02-22-003 3' SE (not seen) which is close following the mag 11 star.

WH discovered NGC 2578 = H III-902 = h3121 on 8 Mar 1793 (sweep 1034) and logged "vF, lE, bM, resolvable." JH, observing from the Cape of Good Hope, recorded "vF, R, gbM, in a field full of Milky Way stars." Both Herschels' positions are accurate. JH missed the companion described in my observation.

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NGC 2579 = ESO 370-*N8 = ESO 370-PN?9 = Gum 11 = RCW 20 = PP 78 = NS 238

08 20 54.8 -36 13 00

Size 2'

17.5" (2/1/92): small, bright compact nebula involving a mag 10.5 star. Visible without filter as a small bright knot forming a close double with the mag 10.5 star just west. Using an OIII filter at 140x the size increases to 2' diameter and encompasses the mag 10.5 star. With this combination the nebula is quite prominent as the surface brightness is quite high! Located within a large scattered group of about 20 stars.

JH discovered NGC 2579 = h3122 on 1 Feb 1835 and recorded "A double star (h4083) involved in pB nebulosity, which seems to belong to both stars; but of the two the smaller is more nebulous; diameter 50"; in a pretty rich patch of the milky way." The next night he logged "a double star, or a star and a nebula, very close and involving the star ... the field contains about 70 stars, of which 8 are about 9th mag. I cannot be quite positive that the neb extends beyond the large star, or that the small one is not a mere condensation of it. However, I remain pretty well satisfied of its investing both." His mean position (4 sweeps) corresponds with this compact HII region. The Lynga catalogue includes NGC 2579 as an open cluster at 08 20.3 -36 15 (1950), placing the object 20' too far SE! At the Lynga position is a scattered group of stars. This error is repeated in amateur sky-plotting software such as MegaStar. ESO 370-PN?009 is a faint, detached piece off the southeast side with a separate ionizing star.

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NGC 2580 = ESO 431-SC006 = Cr 183

08 21 29 -30 17 48

Size 8'

13.1" (3/24/84): 15-20 stars mag 10-13 within a rectangle of stars. A brighter double star is close north. Located 44' NE of NGC 2567 and 47' SE of NGC 2571 in a group of 4 open clusters along with NGC 2587 53' NNE.

JH discovered NGC 2580 = h3123 on 5 Feb 1837 and described a "cluster 7th class; R; p rich; insulated; 10' diam; stars 12m, nearly uniform." His position is ~1.0' SE of center of this cluster.

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NGC 2581 = UGC 4388 = MCG +03-22-010 = CGCG 089-019 = PGC 23599

08 24 30.9 +18 35 49

V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 10d

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, round, fairly low even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is 2.0' N and a mag 14 star is 1.5' NE of center. Outlying member of Cancer I galaxy cluster. Incorrectly identified in the UGC, CGCG and MCG as IC 2351.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2581 = St XIII-38 on 7 Mar 1885 and measured an accurate position. This is one of the last few galaxies discovered by Stephen. Max Wolf's IC 2351, found on Heidelberg plates, refers to a mag 16 star at the southwest edge (30" SSW of center), and UGC, CGCG and MCG mislabel the galaxy as IC 2351 instead of NGC 2581.

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NGC 2582 = UGC 4391 = MCG +04-20-050 = CGCG 089-022 = CGCG 119-091 = IC 2359 = PGC 23630

08 25 12.0 +20 20 05

V = 13.0; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration, very symmetrical appearance. A bright double star O∑191 = 7.2/9.2 at 38" lies at the edge of the 220x field 11' SW. Outlying member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

WH discovered NGC 2582 = H III-753 = h504 on 22 Feb 1789 (sweep 907) and described as "vF, S, R, vlbM." There is nothing at his position (Auwers' reduction), but 10' southeast is UGC 4391. JH observed this galaxy on 3 occasions, recording on sweep 333, "vF; R; gbM; is 90" following a *11 m, and many small st near." His position on this sweep is at the south edge of the galaxy.

Max Wolf catalogued this galaxy based on a Heidelberg plate and even noted the entry was identical to NGC 2582, but Dreyer mistakenly recatalogued it as IC 2359. So, NGC 2582 = IC 2359. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 2583 = MCG -01-22-008 = PGC 23516

08 23 07.9 -05 00 09

V = 13.4; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9

24" (2/16/15): fairly faint, small, round, 30" diameter, well concentration with a very small bright nucleus. Forms east vertex of a thin, isosceles triangle with two mag 14 stars 1.5' W [20" separation]. MCG -01-22-007 and -006 lies ~4' NNW.

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, bright core, crisp-edge to halo. A 20" pair of mag 14.5/15 star is just 1.5' W. First of three on a SW-NE line with NGC 2584 2.7' NE and NGC 2585 6.9' NE.

17.5" (4/6/91): very faint, very small, round, strong concentration with very small bright core, stellar nucleus. A faint mag 14/14 double star with separation 20" oriented N-S lies 1.5' W. First of three on a line with NGC 2584 2.5' NE and NGC 2585 7' NE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2583 = LM II-402 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 13.5, 0.4' dia, R, sbMN, 1st of 4 [with NGC 2584, 2585, 2586]." There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA west is MCG -01-22-008 = PGC 23516. Kobold measured an accurate position at Strassburg in 1895. MCG doesn't label this galaxy NGC 2583.

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NGC 2584 = MCG -01-22-009 = PGC 23523

08 23 15.4 -04 58 13

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 0d

24" (2/16/15): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.6'x0.3', very weak concentration. Second in a string with NGC 2583 2.7' SW and NGC 2585 4.3' NE. Also MCG -01-22-007 and -006 are nearly in a line 2.9' and 4.1' NW.

17.5" (1/12/02): very faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, low surface brightness. Second of three with NGC 2583 2.7' SW and NGC 2585 4.3' NE.

17.5" (4/6/91): extremely faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, very low surface brightness. Collinear with NGC 2583 2.5' SW and NGC 2585 5' NE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2584 = LM II-403 in 1886 and recorded "mag 14.0, 0.5' dia, R, 2nd of 4 [with NGC 2583, 2585, 2586]." There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA west is MCG -01-22-009 = PGC 23523. Kobold measured an accurate position at Strassburg in 1895. MCG doesn't label this galaxy NGC 2584.

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NGC 2585 = MCG -01-22-010 = PGC 23537

08 23 26.2 -04 54 56

V = 13.7; Size 1.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 85d

24" (2/16/15): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.7'x0.6', weak broad concentration with no distinct zones but surface appears mottled. In a group with NGC 2585 4.3' SW and NGC 2583 7.0' SW (on a line) as well as MCG -01-22-012 (identified as NGC 2586 in RNGC and PGC) 16' ENE.

In addition, a close pair, MCG -01-22-006 and -007, lies 5.3' and 6.4' WSW and has a similar redshift. MCG -01-006 is faint to fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NE, 20"x10". MCG -01-01-007 is extremely to very faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 12"x9", low even surface brightness.

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, weak concentration, 0.9' diameter. Third of three on a SW-NE line with NGC 2584 and NGC 2583 to the SW. This is a challenging trio and I missed two nearby MCG galaxies.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, small, round, very weak concentration. Third of three on a line with NGC 2584 5' SW and NGC 2583 7' SW. Viewed core only (the arms are very low surface brightness on the DSS).

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2585 = LM II-404 in 1886 and recorded "mag 14.0, 0.5' dia, R, 3rd of 4 [with NGC 2583, 2584, 2586]." There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA west (same offset as NGC 2583 and 2584) is MCG -01-22-010 = PGC 23537. Kobold measured an accurate position at Strassburg in 1895. MCG misidentifies MCG -01-22-012 as NGC 2585.

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NGC 2586 = PGC 3325912

08 23 31.4 -04 57 07

Size 18"/16"/11"

24" (2/16/15): at 322x; this faint triple star (components all ~mag 16V) appears as a very faint, very small glow, 0.3' diameter with a mag 16 star often resolving. It is easy to see how this object could be assumed to be a nebula (galaxy). At 450x, 2 or all 3 stars sparkle, but could hold them simultaneously.

The RNGC and PGC identifies MCG -01-22-012 as NGC 2585. At 322x, this galaxy appeared faint to fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 21"x15", low surface even surface brightness. Note: my description applies to the central region and I missed the very low surface brightness spiral arms.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2586 = LM II-405, along with NGCs 2583, 2584 and 2585, in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. He noted "mag 16.2, 0.8' dia, R, 4th of 4; neb?".

Near his published position is MCG -01-22-012, but Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2586 with a triple star at 08 23 31.4 -04 57 07 (2000). This triple is 1.0 min of RA west of Muller's position, agreeing with his offsets for NGC 2583, 2584 and 2585. RNGC and PGC are probably incorrect in identifying MCG -01-22-012 as NGC 2586, though this still seems a plausible identification as it is certainly bright enough to be picked up Muller.

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NGC 2587 = Cr 184 = ESO 431-SC007

08 23 24 -29 30 30

Size 9'

13.1" (3/24/84): 15 faint stars over haze in a 5' diameter extended N-S with mag 9 SAO 17537 at the SE edge. A mag 11.5 star is at the north edge but most members are mag 12-13.

JH discovered NGC 2587 = h3124 on 22 Jan 1835 and described "a milky way cluster 7th class; irreg fig; pretty much compressed in middle. Stars 10...13m; one 9 m."

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NGC 2588 = ESO 370-SC010 = Cr 186 = OCL-715

08 23 10 -32 58 30

Size 2'

17.5" (3/25/95): small faint cluster consisting of 15 stars in a 2' diameter with a few additional out to 3' diameter. The stars are pretty uniform (mag 13/14) and most are arranged in a perfect "U" asterism open towards the south. Only a few stars are inside this "U".

JH discovered NGC 2588 = h3125 on 16 Feb 1836 and recorded "a small F cluster of st 15m; 3' diam; R; gbM; not very rich. His position and description matches this faint cluster.

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NGC 2589

08 24 30 -08 46

=Not found, Corwin and Dreyer.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2589 = Sw VI-32 on 13 Feb 1887 and logged "pF, pS, lE in meridian." There is nothing near his position except faint stars and Howe was not able to visually recover this object on 3 nights with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory around 1900. Harold Corwin was also unsuccessful searching for viable candidates - noting NGC 2574 as a possibility - so this number is lost.

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NGC 2590 = UGC 4392 = MCG +00-22-010 = CGCG 004-020 = IC 507 = PGC 23616

08 25 01.9 -00 35 31

V = 13.1; Size 2.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 77d

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on WSW-ENE, weak concentration. A bright wide double star lies 15' NE (7.3/10 at 43"). Located 4.3' N of mag 9.6 SAO 135887.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2590 = St IX-15 on 26 Feb 1878. His position matches UGC 4392. This galaxy was independently discovered by Lewis Swift on 3 Feb 1888 and catalogued as Sw VIII-47. Swift's position is 10' north of UGC 4392 (after a precession error by Dreyer is corrected) and Dreyer added it as IC 507. Howe was unable to find IC 507 visually on 3 nights because of the poor position but likely NGC 2590 = IC 507. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2591 = UGC 4472 = MCG +13-07-001 = CGCG 349-029 = CGCG 350-001 = PGC 24231

08 37 25.9 +78 01 34

V = 12.3; Size 3.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 32d

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, narrow edge-on 6:1 SW-NE, 2.4'x0.4', brighter middle, very thin faint extensions. A mag 14 star is just off the SW tip 1.4' from center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2591 on 12 Aug 1866 and noted "F, S, E, 45"-55" dia, lbM." His position from 2 observations (#80 in his discovery list in AN 1500) is an exact match with UGC 4472.

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NGC 2592 = UGC 4411 = MCG +04-20-055 = CGCG 119-102 = PGC 23701

08 27 08.1 +25 58 13

V = 12.3; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 45d

17.5" (1/1/92): moderately bright, small, round, sharp concentration with an unusually bright core for a small galaxy, stellar nucleus, small fainter halo. A mag 15 star is 1.0' W. Forms a pair with NGC 2594 5' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 2592 = H II-315 = h505 on 11 Mar 1785 (sweep 384) and recorded "F, S, R, bM, cometic or having a seeming nucleus." JH logged "pB; R; vsbM to a *; 20"." and measured an accurate position. This galaxy was observed 14 times at Birr Castle and LdR (or assistants) thought it was a tight, unresolved cluster on several occasions!

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NGC 2593 = UGC 4408 = MCG +03-22-012 = CGCG 089-029 = PGC 23692

08 26 47.8 +17 22 29

V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 172d

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration. Located in the same field with NGC 2596 11' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2593 on 26 Jan 1865 and noted "eF, vS." His position matches UGC 4408.

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NGC 2594 = MCG +04-20-056 = CGCG 119-106 = PGC 23704

08 27 17.3 +25 52 43

V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.7'

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, very small, round, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is just 0.6' S of center. Forms a pair with NGC 2592 5' NNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2594 on 29 Mar 1865 and simply noted "eF". His position matches CGCG 119-106.

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NGC 2595 = UGC 4422 = MCG +04-20-062 = CGCG 119-109 = III Zw 59 = PGC 23725

08 27 42.0 +21 28 44

V = 12.3; Size 3.2'x2.4'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 45d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, moderately large, irregularly round. Unusual appearance with a very compact bright core displaced towards the NE end. Also a mag 14 star is superimposed close northeast of the core. The halo appears more extensive to the southwest. Located 2.2' NE of double star h448 = 8.9/10.7 at 31". Outlying member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

WH discovered NGC 2595 = H III-599 = h506 on 11 Jan 1787 (sweep 683) and noted "eF, pL, resolvable." He made this observation after he viewed Uranus and discovered the moons Titania and Oberon! JH called the galaxy "vF; irreg fig; has a coarse double star 30° s p, 2' dist [HJ 448]." Five observations were made at Birr Castle as well as a sketch and the note from 14 Feb 1857 "Query: some vF neby reaches to np side" probably refers to the northern spiral arm.

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NGC 2596 = UGC 4419 = MCG +03-22-013 = CGCG 089-030 = PGC 23714

08 27 26.5 +17 17 02

V = 13.5; Size 1.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 65d

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, weak concentration. A small group of five stars lies about 2' E including a close unequal double star (11.5/13.5 at 9" in PA 90°). NGC 2593 lies 11' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2596 = m 121 on 26 Jan 1865 with Lassell's 48" and noted "vF, S, lE." His position is 9 sec of RA east of UGC 4419.

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NGC 2597 = NGC 2598:

08 29 57.4 +21 30 07

=1 or 2 *'s?, Gottlieb. =2*, Corwin. =NF, Carlson. =NGC 2598, UGC.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2597 = m 122 on 1 Jan 1864, along with NGC 2598 = m 123. He listed very similar coordinates for the two objects (NGC 2597 is 5 sec of RA west = 1.2 arcmin). But there is only a single galaxy here, which UGC labels NGC 2598 = NGC 2597. It's possible that Marth thought this galaxy was double but it is elongated north-south, not east-west as his position would indicate. More likely NGC 2597 refers to one or two very faint stars about 1' northwest of UGC 4443. Also see Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2598 = UGC 4443 = MCG +04-20-065 = CGCG 119-116 = PGC 23855

08 30 02.6 +21 29 18

V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 3d

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, small, round, broad concentration. Located just west of the vertex of a "V" asterism consisting of five mag 11-12 stars; the asterism appears to point towards this galaxy with the vertex being a mag 12 star 1.7' E. Outlying member of Cancer I galaxy cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2598 = m 123 on 1 Jan 1864, along with NGC 2597 = m 122. His position matches UGC 4443. NGC 2597, placed only 5 sec of RA preceding, may refer to 1 or 2 very faint stars.

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NGC 2599 = UGC 4458 = MCG +04-20-067 = CGCG 119-122 = Mrk 389 = PGC 23941

08 32 11.3 +22 33 37

V = 12.2; Size 1.9'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, small, round, small high surface brightness core, stellar nucleus embedded, only a small halo visible.

WH discovered NGC 2599 = H III-234 = h507 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and noted "vF, stellar." His position (Caroline Herschel's reduction) is 8 sec of RA west and 3.5' N of UGC 4458 (similar offset as NGC 2577, the previous discovery in the sweep). JH measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2600 = UGC 4475 = MCG +09-14-068 = CGCG 263-055 = PGC 24082

08 34 45.1 +52 42 57

V = 14.2; Size 1.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 78d

18" (3/13/10): first in a group of 5 NGC galaxies. At 280x appeared very faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 30"x15", low even surface brightness. Located 2' ENE of a 50" pair of mag 12 stars. First in a group with NGC 2602, NGC 2603, NGC 2605, NNGC 2606 and second brightest (next to NGC 2606, which is located 8.6' NE).

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 25"x15". Brightens slightly to a near stellar nucleus. Forms the vertex of a thin isosceles triangle with two mag 12 stars 2' SW. Also forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 14 stars closer to the north. Located 8.6' WSW of NGC 2606. In a trio with NGC 2602 7.5' NE.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 2600 = Big. 37 on 7 Mar 1886. His position is 6 sec of RA west of UGC 4475 in a faint galaxy group. It's possible that this galaxy was discovered earlier by Lord Rosse's assistant George Stoney on 9 Feb 1850 as he noted three galaxies in the field, with one "bright". See NGC 2602 for identification problems in this group.

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NGC 2601 = ESO 060-005 = PGC 23637

08 25 30.6 -68 07 03

V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 120d

Southern object (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 2601 = h3126 on 4 Mar 1835 and noted "F; R; gbM; 30"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2602 = MCG +09-14-069 = CGCG 263-056 = PGC 24099

08 35 04.2 +52 49 54

V = 14.7; Size 0.4'x0.2'; Surf Br = 11.8; PA = 27d

18" (3/13/10): extremely faint, very small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 20"x14", low even surface brightness. Located 2.5' WSW of a mag 10.7 star and 5.2' NW of NGC 2606 in a group of faint NGC galaxies.

17.5" (3/12/94): extremely faint and small, 15" diameter, possibly elongated. Located 2.6' WSW of a mag 10.5 star. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 2606 5.2' SE.

JH discovered NGC 2602 = h508 on 16 Feb 1831. His mean position from two observations is 08 35 01.4 +52 50 10 (2000), an excellent match with CGCG 263-056. His description from sweep 328 reads "eF; S; R; north-preceding a star (about 5° n p). The preceding neb of 2 [with NGC 2606]. A mag 10.8 star 2.5' ENE is probably the intended star, so the description should read "south-preceding a star". MCG and PGC correctly identify NGC 2602.

The field was observed three times at Birr Castle. On the first observation (9 Feb 1850), the three brightest galaxies -- NGC 2600, 2602 and 2606 -- were likely observed. On a second observation by R.J. Mitchell on 11 Mar 1858, 4 nebulae were described and sketched. Harold Corwin suggests the following identifications: "4 neb. found, alpha [NGC 2603] is F, S, bM; beta [NGC 2605] is vvF, gamma [NGC 2602] F, S, lbM; delta [NGC 2606] is E and has a Nucl, a F * sf. alpha and gamma are about 5 arcmin dist. from one another, and beta and delta about the same dist. apart."

In compiling the GC, it appears that JH assumed alpha was h508 = NGC 2602, the preceding nebula in the sketch. So, he misplaced the two LdR novae -- NGC 2603 and NGC 2605 -- following, instead of preceding NGC 2602. In addition, on the third observation (5 Mar 1867), Sir Robert Ball noted "2 neb seen nearly p f, p one eeF, f one [NGC 2606] eF. Measures extremely difficult. Pos 92°, Dist 118°." The preceding nebula is PGC 2423840, but it didn't receive a NGC designation. See Harold Corwin's identification notes under NGC 2600.

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NGC 2603 = 2MASX J08343121+5250247 = PGC 3133653

08 34 31.2 +52 50 25

V = 16.2; Size 0.3'x0.3'

24" (3/13/10): at 320x appeared extremely faint and small, round, 6" diameter. Required averted vision to momentarily view, but reaquired several times to confirm. Located 5.0' W of NGC 2602 and 10' WNW of NGC 2606. Faintest of 5 galaxies in a group with brightest member NGC 2606. At B = 16.9, this is one of the faintest, if not the faint NGC galaxy.

18" (3/13/10): not found at 275x.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2603 on 11 Mar 1858 (along with NGC 2605) using Lord Rosse's 72". Although he made a sketch of 4 galaxies (out of 6 total in the group), the identifications have been confused (seen notes for NGC 2602). NGC 2602 (discovered by JH) is labeled Gamma and NGC 2606 is labeled Delta. Of the two remaining galaxies, the logical assignment is NGC 2603 = Alpha = PGC 3133653 and NGC 2605 = Beta = PGC 2424112. Alpha was noted as "F, S, bM." JH assumed Alpha = NGC 2602 when compiling the GC, so he placed NGC 2603, as well as NGC 2605, following NGC 2602 instead of preceding.

RNGC misidentifies LEDA 2423840, the faintest galaxy in the group, as NGC 2603. LEDA 2423840 was noted on Sir Robert Ball's observation on 5 March 1867 (preceding NGC 2606 by 118" in PA 90°), but it didn't receive a NGC designation as Dreyer was not sure which two nebulae were described in this observation. The MCG entry for NGC 2603 (MCG +09-14-072) probably applies to much brighter NGC 2606 as there are no other nearby MCG entries. At ~785 million light years (z = 0.057), this is certainly one of the most distant galaxies in the NGC.

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NGC 2604 = UGC 4469 = MCG +05-20-022 = CGCG 149-048 = Holm 96a = PGC 23998

08 33 22.9 +29 32 17

V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.8

24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, fairly large, round, 1.6' diameter, broad weak concentration but there was no core or zones. The halo gradually fades out. A pair of faint mag 15.5 stars at ~20" separation lies 1.3' NW (outside the halo). A bright 30" pair of mag 10.3/10.8 stars lies 5' SSE. Forms a pair (probably interacting) with CGCG 149-049 = NGC 2604B 3.6' SE. The companion appeared extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 20"x10" and required averted vision at 260x.

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, moderately large, 2.0' diameter, low even surface brightness, slightly elongated but irregular or ill-defined outline. A mag 14 star is 1' off the south edge and 1.8' from center. A very faint close mag 15/15.5 double is at or just off the WNW edge. Almost collinear with a double star 5' SSE with components mag 10/10.5 at 32".

WH discovered NGC 2604 = H III-292 = h509 on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385) and recorded "vF, pL, R, lbM, resolvable. 2 or 3 pB stars about it." His position is ~10 sec of RA too far east and 2' too far south. JH called it "eF; doubtful obs, as at first the neb was hardly seen. Verified, but too late for a good RA. In field with a double star which points rather s of it." The 10 Dec 1866 observation by Robert Ball with LdR's 72" reads "eF, vL, center not uniformly bright, but the luminous portion lE and curved, convex preceding (this was little more than a suspicion); vF double star close north."

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NGC 2605 = 2MASXJ08345328+5248157 = PGC 2424112

08 34 53.4 +52 48 15

Size 0.3'x0.3'; PA = 25d

24" (3/13/10): at 320x appeared very faint, very small, round, 12" diameter. Located 2.4' SW of NGC 2602 and 4th brightest of 5 galaxies. NGC 2606, the brightest member, lies 6.3' E.

18" (3/13/10): not found at 275x.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2605 on 11 Mar 1858 (along with NGC 2603) using Lord Rosse's 72". It is labeled on the sketch as Beta (PGC 2424112) and simply noted as vvF. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and the galaxy is not catalogued in either CGCG or MCG. See identification notes for NGC 2602 and 2603.

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NGC 2606 = MCG +09-14-072 = CGCG 263-059 = PGC 24117

08 35 34.7 +52 47 20

V = 14.3; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 39d

18" (3/13/10): faint or fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE , 35"x25". Located 4' SE of a mag 10.8 star. NGC 2602, a much fainter galaxy, lies 5.3' NW and NGC 2600 lies 9' SW. A very faint galaxy (2MASX J08352151+5247337) which lies 2' W was not seen.

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, very small brighter core with a low surface brightness halo. Located 3.9' SE of a mag 10.5 star. A small group of stars forming a square with a fifth star near the center lies about 6' NNE. Forms a pair with NGC 2602 5.2' NW. This galaxy is identified as NGC 2603 in the MCG and DSFG to the Uranometria.

JH discovered NGC 2606 = h510 on 16 Feb 1831 and recorded "vF; S; R; 12." The following and brighter of 2." His mean position (two sweeps) matches CGCG 263-059. This galaxy was labeled Delta on the field sketch made by R.J. Mitchell with the 72" on 11 Mar 1858. MCG mislabels MCG +09-14-072 as NGC 2603, instead of NGC 2606 and PGC labels this galaxy as NGC 2603 = NGC 2606. PGC 2423840, located 2' west, was observed by Sir Robert Ball at Birr Castle on 5 Mar 1867, but did not receive a NGC designation.

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NGC 2607 = UGC 4473 = MCG +05-20-025 = CGCG 149-051 = PGC 24038

08 33 56.6 +26 58 21

V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, very small, round, very small brighter core. A mag 14 star is close off the west edge 1.1' from center.

JH discovered NGC 2607 = h511 on 24 Dec 1827 and simply wrote "eF; a doubt remained; windy." His position matches UGC 4473, despite the uncertainty in the observation and the measured North Polar Distance.

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NGC 2608 = Arp 12 = UGC 4484 = MCG +05-20-027 = CGCG 149-055 = PGC 24111

08 35 17.2 +28 28 23

V = 12.3; Size 2.3'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 60d

17.5" (5/19/01): Supernova 2001 bg (discovered on May 8, 2001) visible as a mag 14 star at the southeast edge of the galaxy [22" E and 19" S of center].

13" (1/18/85): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, small bright core. Two mag 11 and 12.5 stars are 5' S with separation 1.3'. NGC 2619 lies 33' ENE.

WH discovered NGC 2608 = H II-318 = h512 on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385) and noted "F, pL, lE, mbM, r." His position is ~14 sec of RA west of UGC 4484. JH measured an accurate position (mean of two sweeps).

The galaxy was observed 8 times at Birr Castle and spiral structure was highly suspected several times. On 14 Feb 1857, the observing assistant noted "..twist [spiral arms] in the nebulosity p and f the nucleus, most apparent preceding." and the 1 Feb 1856 observation reads "E nearly p f, the p half is much the brighter and I think has curve in it [in a sketch there appears a dark space p the Nucl].

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NGC 2609 = ESO 124-SC17

08 29 30 -61 06 36

14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x): fairly faint and sparcely populated cluster of 12-15 stars in a 6' circle. Most of the stars are arranged in a 5'x2' region elongated N-S. Contains a nice double HJ 4108 = 9.6/10.6 at 20" with a wider and fainter pair (10.9/11.6 at 26") about 2' SE. A mag 9.0 star (HD 72287) lies ~6' W and additional mag 10 stars lie with 10' to the NNW and SSW.

JH discovered NGC 2609 = h3130 on 8 Mar 1836 and observed on 2 sweeps. His discovery description reads "A double star, chief of a cluster 8th class of scattered stars, 6' diam; not very rich or compression. His position matches a bright double star (HD 72425) at the center of the group. RNGC classifies the group as nonexistent (Type 7) although it shows up well on DSS (several mag 12 stars). See Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2610 = PK 239+13.1 = PN G239.6+13.9

08 33 23.4 -16 08 57

V = 13.0; Size 50"x47"

17.5" (3/25/00): at 280x using a UHC filter appears moderately bright, ~50"x40", elongated SSW-NNE. A mag 12 star is embedded on the NE edge of the rim. The planetary appears to taper near the star although this may be a contrast effect. The rim is sharp-edged and the surface brightness pretty smooth. Located 3.5' SW of a mag 6.5 star.

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright PN, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, about 40" diameter. No annularity or central star seen. A mag 13 star is at the NE edge. Located 3.5' SW of mag 6.6 SAO 154395.

WH discovered NGC 2610 = H IV-35 = h513 = 3127 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and recorded "a small star with an electrical brush sp; F; S. About 1 1/2' after follows a star of the 8th magnitude. It resembles fig 7, Phil. Trans. Vol LXXIV.Tab.17. [Plate VII]". Herschel commented in his 1814 PT paper that "a small star has a small, faint, fan-shaped nebulosity joining to it on the north preceding side." He used this example to (incorrectly) demonstrate the union or mutual attraction between the objects. His position (CH's reduction) is accurate. The 1 Feb 1851 observation by Lord Rosse reads "Dark space foll star, bet neb and star stronlgly suspected like the "snow-drop nebula" [NGC 2261]. Lord Rosse suspected a star in it also."

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NGC 2611 = CGCG 119-127 = PGC 24121

08 35 29.2 +25 01 39

V = 14.3; Size 0.75'x0.25'; PA = 50d

17.5" (3/25/95): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Located 0.9' NW of a mag 14 star. A nice wide pair of mag 10 stars (35" separation) lies 10' WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2611 = m 124 on 29 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, S, pmE, gbM." His position matches CGCG 119-127.

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NGC 2612 = MCG -02-22-020 = PGC 24028

08 33 50.1 -13 10 29

V = 12.7; Size 2.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 115d

17.5" (2/1/92): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, small bright core, almost stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 30" N of center and a mag 12 star is 1.2' S. Appears to have a sharper light cutoff on the north side.

JH discovered NGC 2612 = h3128 on 14 Feb 1836 and recorded "B, S, psbM, E, between two stars." His position and description matches MCG -02-22-020 = PGC 24028. Engelhardt measured a precise micrometric position. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, noted "not bright but faint".

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NGC 2613 = ESO 495-018 = MCG -04-21-003 = UGCA 141 = PGC 23997

08 33 22.6 -22 58 21

V = 10.3; Size 7.2'x1.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 113d

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly bright, fairly large, very pretty edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE, 4.0'x1.0', broadly concentrated. Several stars are nearby as the galaxy is located in a rich star field including a mag 12 star 1.5' N, a mag 13 star 2.0' S of center and another mag 12 star at the west edge of the halo. This is the brightest galaxy in Pyxis.

WH discovered NGC 2613 = H II-266 = h3129 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 326) and logged "F, E, bM, r, pS that is about 1.5' diameter." On 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 663) he noted "cB, cL, irr F, E nearly in the parallel." JH made 3 observations from the Cape of Good Hope, describing it on one sweep as "B, L, vmE in position 110.3°, pslbM, 3' long, 20" broad."

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NGC 2614 = UGC 4523 = MCG +12-09-005 = CGCG 331-058 = CGCG 332-005 = PGC 24473

08 42 48.2 +72 58 35

V = 12.9; Size 2.5'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 150d

17.5" (2/1/92): very faint, fairly large, 2.5' diameter, round, very low surface brightness, very weak concentration but no core. Better view at 140x than 220x due to low surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is at the west edge. First in a group of four including NGC 2629 20' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2614 on 1 Dec 1863 while recording NGC 2629. His single position matches UGC 4523.

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NGC 2615 = UGC 4481 = MCG +00-22-019 = CGCG 004-059 = PGC 24071

08 34 33.2 -02 32 48

V = 12.5; Size 1.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 40d

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, small bright core, faint halo. A mag 12.5 lies 1.8' SSW of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2615 = St XIII-39 on 6 Feb 1885 and recorded "F; oval; 1' diam; lbM; seems resolvable; faint star involved." His position and description matches UGC 4481.

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NGC 2616 = UGC 4489 = MCG +00-22-021 = CGCG 004-069 = WBL 188-004 = PGC 24129

08 35 34.0 -01 51 00

V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 145d

24" (2/5/13): at 375x appeared fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, fairly high surface brightness. A larger halo of extremely low surface brightness was not noticed. A mag 15 star is superimposed just north of center and a mag 13.5 star is off the NE side, 50" from center.

Brightest of 8 in a group (WBL 188) with IC 515 3.1' SSW, IC 516 4.4' ESE and CGCG 004-072 6.5' SE. The four galaxies, with NGC 2616 at the NE vertex, form a near parallelogram. In addition, CGCG 004-071 lies 6' NNE, IC 514 12' SSW, CGCG 004-065 14.5' SSW and IC 517 17' SE.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, very small, round. A mag 13.5 star is 0.8' NE of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2616 = Sw III-39 on 9 Mar 1886 and noted "vF; S; R; * nr north-following; a more distant * in line with both." His position is 6 sec of RA east of UGC 4489 and the description applies.

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NGC 2617 = MCG -01-22-026 = PGC 24141

08 35 38.7 -04 05 16

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/6/91): very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness. Unusual appearance as a mag 14 star is involved on the north edge 22" from center and a second mag 14 star is 30" S of center. Forms a pair with MCG -01-22-027 2.4' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2617 = St XIII-40 on 12 Feb 1885 with the 31" reflector at the Marseilles Observatory. His position is a perfect match with MCG -01-22-026. MCG and RC3 misidentify MCG -01-22-027, a fainter galaxy just 2.4' east, as NGC 2617. The RNGC position and magnitude also refers to MCG -01-22-027, though the RNGC new description "companion 1' foll" refers to MCG -01-22-026. Roger Sinnott's NGC 2000.0 has the wrong magnitude and size (based on the RNGC position and mag) and the first edition of the Uranometria Deep Sky Field Guide also misidentifies MCG -01-22-027 as NGC 2617 (corrected in the second edition). See Harold Corwin's notes.

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NGC 2618 = UGC 4492 = MCG +00-22-023 = CGCG 004-074 = PGC 24156

08 35 53.5 +00 42 26

V = 12.1; Size 2.4'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 140d

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, weak concentration. Located along the south side of a trapezoid of mag 13-14 stars; closest is a mag 13 star 1' E.

WH discovered NGC 2618 = H III-257 = h515 on 20 Dec 1784 (sweep 346) and noted "eF, pL, iF, requires long attention; the night remarkably fine."

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NGC 2619 = UGC 4503 = MCG +05-21-002 = CGCG 150-008 = PGC 24235

08 37 32.7 +28 42 18

V = 12.4; Size 2.3'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 35d

24" (2/16/15): moderately bright and large, oval ~3:2 SW-NE. Sharply concentrated with a bright, elongated oval core 0.5'x0.3', embedded in a low surface brightness halo ~1.2'x0.7'.

PGC 24340, the brightest cD galaxy in AGC 690, lies 24' NE. At 225x it appeared very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter, low even surface brightness. Once identified, I could just hold it continuously with averted and concentration. With a redshift of z = .079, this galaxy has a light-travel time of 1.05 billion years!

13.1" (1/18/85): faint version of NGC 2608, slightly elongated SW-NE, weak concentration, fairly even surface brightness.

WH discovered NGC 2619 = H II-319 = h514 on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385) and noted "F, S, bM, r." JH made 3 observations and 26 were made at Birr Castle with the 72"!

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NGC 2620 = UGC 4501 = MCG +04-21-001 = CGCG 120-006 = PGC 24233

08 37 28.3 +24 56 48

V = 13.4; Size 2.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 93d

17.5" (1/1/92): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W, low even surface brightness. A mag 15 star is 30" N of center. Forms a close pair with NGC 2621 4.0' NE. NGC 2622 lies 10' ESE.

William Lassell discovered NGC 2620 = m 124 on 5 May 1863 with his 48" on Malta (about a month before Marth started his systematic search). It was included in the 1867 Malta catalogue. Lassell's position matches UGC 4501.

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NGC 2621 = MCG +04-21-003 = CGCG 120-007 = PGC 24241

08 37 36.9 +24 59 59

V = 14.5; Size 0.9'x0.8'

17.5" (1/1/92): extremely faint and small, round. A mag 13.5 star is 1.4' E and a faint mag 15 star is 1.7' WNW. Forms a pair with NGC 2620 4.0' SW. Verified on the POSS.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2621 = m 126 on 29 Mar 1865 (along with nearby NGC 2622) with Lassell's 48" and noted "vF, S, R." His position is 1' south of CGCG 120-007.

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NGC 2622 = MCG +04-21-008 = CGCG 120-013 = Mrk 1218 = PGC 24269

08 38 11.0 +24 53 43

V = 14.0; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 45d

24" (4/28/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 or 5:3 SW-NE, 30"x18", contains a very small brighter nucleus. Brightest in a small triplet and interacting with CGCG 120-011 ("faint, small, slightly elongated, 14"x12", low even surface brightness") just 1.1' SW. PGC 1719307, just 1.4' WSW (V = 15.9) appeared "very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter."

17.5" (1/1/92): faint, fairly small, small bright core, very faint halo slightly elongated SW-NE. Third of three with NGC 2620 10' WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2622 = m 127 on 29 Mar 1865 (along with nearby NGC 2621) with Lassell's 48" and noted "F, S, R." His position matches CGCG 120-013.

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NGC 2623 = Arp 243 = VV 79 = UGC 4509 = MCG +04-21-009 = CGCG 120-015 = PGC 24288

08 38 24.1 +25 45 15

V = 13.4; Size 2.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 60d

13.1" (1/11/86): faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.

This galaxy is part of a triple system with tidal tails as the result of a galactic merger.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2623 = St XIII-41 on 19 Jan 1885. His position matches UGC 4509 = Arp 243. This system is the result of a galactic merger and contains tidal tails.

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NGC 2624 = UGC 4506 = MCG +03-22-019 = CGCG 089-055 = PGC 24264

08 38 09.6 +19 43 32

V = 13.6; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5

18" (1/13/07): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration. A mag 15.5 star is close southwest. Brighter of a pair with NGC 2625 just 3.2' ESE. Located on the northwest side of the Beehive cluster.

17.5" (12/19/87): faint, very small, round, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 2625 3.3' ESE. Located 7.6' E of mag 8.3 SAO 97973 on the NW edge of M44 = Beehive cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2624 = m 128 on 30 Oct 1864 (along with nearby NGC 2625) with Lassell's 48" and noted "eF." His position matches UGC 4506.

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NGC 2625 = CGCG 089-057 = Mrk 625 = PGC 24285

08 38 23.1 +19 42 59

V = 15.0; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9

18" (1/13/07): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Smaller and fainter of a pair with NGC 2624 3.2' WNW, though the difference in brightness appears less than the 1.4 magnitudes listed in catalogues. At the west edge of the Beehive cluster. CGCG 89-56 lies 7.3' S.

17.5" (12/19/87): faint, extremely small, round. Appears similar to NGC 2624 3.3' WNW but slightly smaller and fainter. Located at the west edge of M44 = Beehive cluster.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2625 = m 129 on 30 Oct 1864 (along with nearby NGC 2624) with Lassell's 48" and noted "eF, vS." His position matches CGCG 089-057.

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NGC 2626 = ESO 313-N*004 = Ced 106h

08 35 31 -40 40 18

Size 5'

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, diffuse circular reflection nebula surrounding a mag 10 central star. The surrouding, low surface brightness emission nebulosity was not seen, observing at a very low elevation.

JH discovered NGC 2626 = h3131 on 2 Jan 1835 and recorded "A star 9th mag involved in nebulosity, 3' diameter. In the milky way with multitudes of equal stars all round the neighbourhood, none of which are so affected. Sky quite pure, not the slightest nebulous haze. No doubt. The nebula loses itself imperceptibly, the star being (though excentric) yet in the most condensed part." His sketch was published on Plate VI, figure 12.

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NGC 2627 = ESO 431-SC20 = Cr 188 = Mel 87

08 37 15 -29 57 00

Size 11'

13.1" (1/18/85): about 45 stars mag 11-14 in a 10' region elongated E-W. This is a rich and pretty cluster set over an unresolved background haze. Located 40' SW of a mag 5 star. Visible in a 16x80 finder.

WH discovered NGC 2627 = H VII-63 = h516 = h3132 on 3 Mar 1793 (sweep 1032) and described "a large cluster of scattered small stars, irr F, considerably rich." JH observed the cluster at both Slough and at the Cape of Good Hope, where he recorded "a fine, L, rich, pretty much compressed cluster; irregularly E, 10' l, 7' br; stars 12 and 13th mag nearly equal." Both Herschels' positions are near the central part of this cluster.

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NGC 2628 = UGC 4519 = MCG +04-21-012 = CGCG 120-020 = PGC 24381

08 40 22.7 +23 32 22

V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (1/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is 30" off the north edge and 1.2' N of center.

WH discovered NGC 2628 = H III-235 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and recorded "eF, S, verified with 240 power." His position is ~15 sec of RA west and 1' north of UGC 4519, but the identification is certain as there are no other nearby candidates. There were no further observations by JH or d'Arrest and it was not found with the 72" at Birr Castle on 28 Jan 1867 for some reason.

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NGC 2629 = UGC 4569 = MCG +12-09-010 = CGCG 331-062 = CGCG 332-009 = PGC 24682

08 47 15.8 +72 59 08

V = 12.3; Size 1.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 105d

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus, fairly high surface brightness. A mag 12 star is 40" SSE. Brightest of three with NGC 2641 6.3' SSE and (R)NGC 2630 = UGC 4547 7' WNW. NGC 2614 lies 20' W.

WH discovered NGC 2629 = H III-982, along with NGC 2641, on 30 Sep 1802 on his last sweep 1112. He recorded "Two [NGC 2629 & NGC 2641], the place is that of the last [NGC 2641]. That of which the place is taken [NGC 2641] is vF, S. The other [NGC 2629] precedes it RA = 42 seconds and is 6' more north. The preceding one stellar. It is within 1' of a small star which follows it, and which is free from the burs which affect the stellar."

This nebula was not included in WH's third catalogue as it was discovered after his 500 discovery threshold was reached on 26 Sept 1802. It was added as one of the 8 "HON" objects ("William Herschel omitted nebulae") by JH in the Appendix to his Cape Observations and then included in the GC as III 982. Caroline Herschel's reduced position (for 1800) is 5' due south of UGC 4569, though the NGC position from d'Arrest is accurate. This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 2630-31 in MCG (+12-09-010). See identification notes for NGC 2630 and NGC 2631.

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NGC 2630

08 47 06 +73 00

=Not found, Corwin.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2630 and 2631 in July 1883 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory near Florence. In his discovery paper IX (AN #2660), Tempel refers to "two new fine nebula very close to NGC 2629" (after the main table) and mentions that "my two new nebulae are much brighter than those found by D’Arrest [NGC 2614] and William Herschel [NGC 2629/2641]." Dreyer was only able to provide an approximate position near NGC 2629 when compiling the NGC, but no pair of bright nebulae exists near NGC 2629 that might be Tempel's objects. Nevertheless, a confusing array of identifications have been made by various galaxy catalogues.

RNGC selects UGC 4547 as NGC 2630 and classifies NGC 2631 as nonexistent (Type 7). UGC 4547 is a thin edge-on situated 7' WNW of NGC 2629 (see observation). I feel this identification is unlikely due to its extreme faintness and Malcolm Thomson concurs. UGC 4547 is not identified as NGC 2630 in the UGC or CGCG (331-061) and is misidentified as NGC 2629 in the MCG and as NGC 2630 = NGC 2631 in the PGC errata paper. In addition, MCG misidentifies NGC 2629 = MCG +12-09-010 as NGC 2630 = NGC 2631.

I discussed the identifications in several letters with Harold Corwin. He suggests that Tempel may have confused NGC 2633 for NGC 2629 and that NGC 2630 and 2631 might be identical to NGC 2634 and NGC 2634A, about 9' SSE of NGC 2633. But NGC 2634A is a very faint edge-on and I doubt Tempel would refer to this galaxy as a "fine nebula". So, this pair of numbers is currently lost. See Corwin's notes for further discussion.

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NGC 2631

08 47 06 +73 00

=Not found, Gottlieb.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2630 and 2631 in Jul 1883 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory near Florence. See the story of their identifications under NGC 2630.

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NGC 2632 = M44 = Beehive Cluster = Praesepe

08 40 22 +19 40 12

V = 3.1; Size 95'

16x80:extremely large, 1.5° diameter, very bright, brightest stars are mag 6-6.5, includes many double stars, well resolved. Too large for decent view in 13" or 17.5". Bright naked-eye cluster.

The first written mention of M44 = Beehive cluster = NGC 2632 = h517 is by Aratos of Soli (~260 BC) in his work Phainomeina and was probably noted 100 years earlier by Eudoxis. It was later recorded by Hipparchus around 130 BC. Galileo made the first known telescopic observation that clearly identified M44 as a star cluster. His observation of 1610 in Siderius Nuncius ("Starry Messenger") reads "The nebula called Praesepe, which is not one star only, but a mass of more than 40 small stars, I have noticed 30 stars besides the Aselli." The earliest found reference to the nickname "Beehive" is from Admiral Smyth's Bedford Catalogue of 1844: "The Praesepe, metaphorically rendered Bee-hive, is an aggregation of small stars which has long borne the name of a nebula, its components not being separately distinguishable by the naked eye..."

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NGC 2633 = Arp 80 = VV 519 = UGC 4574 = MCG +12-09-013 = CGCG 331-063 = CGCG 332-010 = CGCG 350-005 = PGC 24723

08 48 04.6 +74 05 55

V = 12.2; Size 2.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 175d

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, small bright core with faint extensions slightly elongated N-S. Forms a pair with NGC 2634 8.2' S.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2633 = T VI-5 = T IX-6 on 11 Aug 1882, along with NGC 2634. His position (corrected in list IX) matches UGC 4574 = Arp 80 = PGC 24723.

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NGC 2634 = UGC 4581 = MCG +12-09-015 = CGCG 331-066 = CGCG 332-013 = PGC 24749

08 48 24.9 +73 58 01

V = 12.0; Size 1.7'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/20/93): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, prominent small bright core, bright stellar nucleus. Forms a close pair with NGC 2634A 2' SSE. The companion is faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE. NGC 2633 is in the field 8.2' N. NGC 2636 lies 18' S.

13" (1/11/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core, slightly fainter and smaller than NGC 2633 8' N.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2634 = T VI-4 = T IX-7 on 11 Aug 1882, along with NGC 2633 = T VI-5. His position (corrected in list IX) is an excellent match with UGC 4581= PGC 24749. Harold Corwin suggests NGC 2630 (listed as "not found") might be a duplicate observation.

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NGC 2635 = ESO 371-SC1 = Cr 190 = Mel 89

08 38 26 -34 46 18

V = 11.2; Size 3'

13.1" (2/25/84): small, very mottled cluster at 166x but only a few stars are resolved on the west side. Located 38' NW of Beta Pyxis (V = 4.0).

JH discovered NGC 2635 = h3133 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "a pretty compressed cluster of st; irregular triangular fig; much more compressed than milky way around it; stars 13 mag." His position is north of the most richest section of the cluster.

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NGC 2636 = UGC 4583 = CGCG 331-067 = CGCG 332-014 = PGC 24747

08 48 24.5 +73 40 16

V = 13.8; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (3/20/93): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, well-defined halo. Located 5' W of a pair of mag 10/11 with a separation 1.2'. Also located 12' SW of mag 7.7 SAO 6661. The NGC 2634/NGC 2634A pair lies 17' N, NGC 2646 15' SE and IC 2389 8' SSW.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2636 = T IX-8 on 27 Jul 1883, along with NGC 2646, with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory near Florence. His description reads "small, followed by two stars 11-12m close to the same parallel." Tempel's position is 1 degree north of UGC 4583 = PGC 24747 and the two stars are ~5' following. This misprint was corrected by Dreyer in the NGC notes section.

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NGC 2637 = CGCG 089-065 = PGC 24409

08 41 13.5 +19 41 28

V = 15.4; Size 0.5'x0.4'; PA = 51d

18" (1/13/07): extremely faint, small, round, 24" diameter, very low surface brightness and only visible with averted vision. Located 7' E of mag 6.8 42 Cancri within the Beehive cluster. Also mag 6.8 HD 73819 is in the field to the south.

17.5" (2/8/97): extremely faint and small, round. Appears as 10" nebulous star which required averted vision to glimpse at moments. Appears fainter than 15.4z. Located 7' ESE of mag 6.7 SAO 98030 within M44. The identification of NGC 2637 with CGCG 089-065 is not certain due to a poor position by Marth.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2637 = m 130 on 30 Oct 1864 (along with NGC 2643 = m 131) and simply noted "eeF, vS." There is nothing at his position except brighter stars, but 8' N and 6 sec of RA west is CGCG 089-065 = PGC 24409, which is identified as NGC 2637 in RNGC, but not CGCG. Although Marth's declination is poor, this is a similar declination offset as nearby NGC 2643, probably discovered at the same time, so this identification is reasonably secure. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 2638 = UGC 4534 = MCG +06-19-016 = CGCG 179-018 = PGC 24453

08 42 25.8 +37 13 15

V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 72d

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, small bright core, faint extensions. The major axis is almost collinear with a mag 12 star 1.6' ENE of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2638 = St XIII-42 on 21 Jan 1885. His position matches UGC 4534.

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NGC 2639 = UGC 4544 = MCG +08-16-024 = CGCG 237-014 = PGC 24506

08 43 38.0 +50 12 20

V = 11.6; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 140d

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.6'x0.9', halo gradually increases to a small brighter core. A mag 13 star is 2.5' SE. There are several fairly bright stars in the field including two mag 10.5 stars 4.6' E and 5.2' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2639 = H I-204 = h518 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and remarked "cB, vS, lE, milky." His position (Caroline Herschel's reduction) is 2' NW of UGC 4544. JH observed this galaxy on 4 sweeps and it was logged 13 times with LdR's 72". A "F appendage" was suspected on the 12 Mar 1850 observation and a "F twist starting from sf end and turning p and np" was suspected in 1863.

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NGC 2640 = ESO 165-002 = PGC 24229

08 37 24.6 -55 07 26

V = 11.1; Size 2.2'x1.9'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 104d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright 40" core. A group of 5 faint stars is snuggled up against the west side of the galaxy in two N-S parallel rows. Another very faint star is just off the SE side. Located 4.8' NW mag 9.3 HD 73851 and 2.2' SW of a mag 10.5 star

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): this Carina galaxy has an unusual appearance. At 166x, it appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 1.2'x0.9'. A trio of mag 14 stars is superimposed on the west side of the halo (4 total). The galaxy appears to have a brighter knot or star on the following end. Situated between a mag 10 star 2.2' NW of center and mag 9.3 HD 73851 4.8' SE. Starhopped over from mag 1.9 Delta Velorum located 67' ENE. Also, the galaxy is 2.2° SSW of the naked-eye cluster IC 2391 (surrounding Omicron Velorum).

JH discovered NGC 2640 = h3134 on 26 Feb 1835 and recorded "pF; S; R; has 3 or 4 vS stars near it, preceding. Observation taken by Mr. Maclear." His position and description matches ESO 165-002 = PGC 24229. RNGC classified this galaxy as an "unverified southern object" and it was not included in the first edition of Uranometria Deep Sky Field Guide or the Uranometria 2000 Atlas.

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NGC 2641 = UGC 4577 = MCG +12-09-012 = CGCG 331-065 = CGCG 332-012 = PGC 24722

08 47 57.5 +72 53 45

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 5d

17.5" (2/1/92): faint, small, round, broad mild concentration, almost stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 2629 6.3' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 2641 = H III-983, along with NGC 2629, on 30 Sep 1802 (his last sweep 1112). He recorded "Two [NGC 2629 & NGC 2641], the place is that of the last [NGC 2641]. That of which the place is taken [NGC 2641] is vF, S. The other [NGC 2629] precedes it RA = 42 seconds and is 6' more north. The preceding one stellar. It is within 1' of a small star which follows it, and which is free from the burs which affect the stellar."

This nebula was not included in WH's third catalogue as it was discovered after his 500 discovery limit was reached on 26 Sept 1802. It was added as one of the 8 "HON" objects ("William Herschel omitted nebulae") by JH in the Appendix to his Cape Observations and then included in the GC as III 983. Caroline Herschel's reduced position (for 1800) is 6' due south of UGC 4577, a similar offset as NGC 264, so the identifications are certain. The NGC position (adopted by Dreyer from d'Arrest) is 1.0 min of RA too far east. Dreyer notes in his 1912 correction list that WH was correct.

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NGC 2642 = MCG -01-22-033 = PGC 24395

08 40 44.4 -04 07 18

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.9

24" (2/16/15): fairly bright, fairly large, dominated by an elongated bar oriented NW-SE with a mag 14 star superimposed at the southeast end of the bar. Two additional stars are superimposed nearly in a string to the north [mag 15 star 24" N and a mag 14 star 42" N]. Surrounding the bar is a low surface brightness glow encompassing these stars, perhaps 1.25' diameter. The spiral arms were not evident. Located just north of a bright, equilateral triangle of stars (mag 8.3/9.2/9.5) with sides ~4'.

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, moderately large, almost round, diffuse, even surface brightness. Unusual appearance as a two mag 13/14 stars are superimposed at the north and SE ends of the halo. Three bright stars form an equilateral triangle just south; mag 8.9 SAO 136172 4.2' SE, mag 8.5 SAO 136168 6.0' S and mag 9.1 SAO 136160 2.8' SSW.

JH discovered NGC 2642 = h519 on 19 Feb 1830 and noted "A vF cl or r neb". His position is 36 sec of RA east of MCG -01-22-033 = PGC 24395. The NGC position (from d'Arrest) is 5 sec of RA too far east and 1' south. J.L.E. Dreyer, observing with the 72" on 7 Mar 1877, recorded "Neby very distinct, though vF. I strongly suspect an eF branch foll the 4 [involved] stars, involving some vF stars." The "eF branch" probably refers to the southern spiral arm.

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NGC 2643 = CGCG 089-067 = IC 2390 = PGC 24434

08 41 51.7 +19 42 08

V = 14.9; Size 0.7'x0.4'; PA = 21d

18" (1/13/07): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Forms the western vertex of a small triangle with a mag 11.5 star 1' SE and a mag 14.5 star 1' NE. Located 10' S of a mag 7 star on the east side of the Beehive cluster with several bright stars in the field including a wide pair of mag 8.5/9.5 stars 4' SW.

17.5" (2/8/97): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Located 1.2' NW of a mag 11.5 star on the eastern side of M44. Several brighter stars in the 22' field at 220x.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2643 = m 131 on 30 Oct 1864 (along with NGC 2637 = m 130) and simply noted "eF neb*". There is nothing at his position, but 11' N and 18 sec of RA west is CGCG 089-067 = PGC 24434. Although Marth's declination is quite poor, nearby NGC 2637 which was discovered on the same night probably has a similar declination error (9'), so this identification seems reasonable.

This galaxy was independently discovered by E.E. Barnard (discovery communicated directly to Dreyer), placed accurately, and catalogued again as IC 2390. So, NGC 2643 = IC 2390. Karl Reinmuth suggested the equivalence between NGC 2643 and IC 2390 and it is mentioned in the RNGC. CGCG labels this galaxy IC 2390 and does not use the NGC desingation.

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NGC 2644 = UGC 4533 = MCG +01-22-016 = CGCG 032-052 = PGC 24425

08 41 31.9 +04 58 50

V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 14d

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval ~N-S, weak concentration. A pretty double star mag 13.5/14 at 17" separation lies 3.0' S of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2644 = St IX-16 on 6 Feb 1877 and recorded "eF, pL, irr oval, several small points [involved]." His position matches UGC 4533. The same night he discovered NGC 2174, a large, bright emission nebula in Orion.

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NGC 2645 = ESO 259-SC14 = Pismis 6 = OCL-754 = Lund 467

08 39 03 -46 13 36

V = 7.0; Size 1.5'

14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 184x): bright compact group with a dozen stars packed into a 2' region. Contains 4 very bright stars forming a right angle, including a striking pair of mag 9 stars (HJ 4122) at 11" separation. A third mag 9 star is 1' W of the pair and another mag 9.5 star is 1' SSE. The latter star is also a double with a mag 10.5 companion at 16" separation. This knot of bright stars is situated 15' ENE of mag 6.9 HD 73658.

JH discovered NGC 2645 = h3136 on 29 Dec 1834 and described a "close group or small cluster of 12 or 13 large and small stars; place of a double star, the chief one." This cluster is equivalent to Pismis 6 (identification from Brian Skiff) with the nearly central pair HD 73919/CoD-45 4352 at 08 39 04 -46 13.6 (2000). This position is identical to Herschel's, so he must have used the same star.

RNGC classifies NGC 2645 as nonexistent (Type 7) and Lynga labels the cluster Pismis 6 without reference to NGC 2645.

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NGC 2646 = UGC 4604 = MCG +12-09-019 = CGCG 331-069 = CGCG 332-019 = LGG 162-003 = PGC 24838

08 50 22.0 +73 27 46

V = 12.1; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (1/12/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.6'. Weak, even concentration to center. Located 2.5' NNW of a wide 40" pair of mag 11/12.5 stars. In a group with IC 2389 11' NW, IC 520 14' ENE and NGC 2636 15' NW.

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, small, round, faint star close south.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2646 = T IX-9 on 27 Jul 1883, along with NGC 2636, with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory near Florence. His description reads "small, 2.5' south-following are two stars 12-13m." Tempel's position is 1 degree north of UGC 4604 = PGC 24838 and two mag 11-12 stars are ~2.5' SSE, so the identification is certain. The misprint in declination was corrected by Dreyer in the NGC notes section. I'm surprised Tempel missed nearby IC 520, which is a brighter galaxy.

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NGC 2647 = CGCG 089-068 = PGC 24463

08 42 43.1 +19 39 01

V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2

18" (1/13/07): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter core. Located at the eastern edge of the Beehive Cluster and 1' NW of a mag 13 star. An elongated 6' string of stars heads to the south and includes two mag 10 stars 4' S and 6.5' S.

17.5" (2/8/97): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, even surface brightness. Located 0.9' NW of a mag 13 star at the east edge of M44!

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2647 = m 132 on 30 Oct 1864 and simply noted a "neb *". His position is 1' south of CGCG 089-068, at the east edge of M44.

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NGC 2648 = Arp 89 = UGC 4541 = MCG +02-22-005 = CGCG 060-035 = PGC 24464

08 42 39.9 +14 17 09

V = 11.8; Size 3.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 148d

48" (2/21/12): very bright large spiral, elongated ~5:2 NNW-SSE, ~2.4'x0.9'. Contains a large, very bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus. Forms an interacting pair (Arp 89) with MCG +02-22-006 2.4' SE of center. NGC 2648 has an asymmetric appearance with the south-southeast arm stretched into a faint tidal tail. The brighter portion of the arm extends south-southeast of the core (in the direction of the major axis), but a faint thinner extension curves and sweeps east, fading out just before connecting with MCG +02-22-006. A mag 11 star is 1.9' E. The companion appeared moderately bright, edge-on 5:1 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.2', sharply concentrated with a very small, bright nucleus. The system was classified by Arp under "spiral with a large high surface-brightness companion on arms".

24" (4/28/14): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, sharply concentrated with a very bright core, 1.5'x0.6'. A mag 11 star lies 1.9' E of center. Forms a pair (Arp 89) with edge-on MCG +02-22-006 2.4' SE. The companion appeared very faint, small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, ~25"x10", low even surface brightness.

17.5" (2/1/92): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, small very bright core. Located 1.9' W of a mag 10.5 star.

WH discovered NGC 2648 = H III-49 = h521 = h3135 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and recorded "F, S, with a nucleus. I had some doubts but 240 confirmed the reality." On 18 Mar 1786 (sweep 538) he logged "F, lE from np to sf, cS. Almost like two joined together." JH made two observations at Slough and from the Cape of Good Hope noted "pB; lE; psmbM; precedes a star 10m."

R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 23 Feb 1857, described NGC 2648 as "E np sf, mbM." In addition he noted and sketched a second nebula, "I think Alpha is a very faint ray though likely to be taken at first for a star." The diagram clearly reveals that Alpha -- drawn as a small nebula extending WNW-ESE -- is CGCG 060-036 = PGC 24469. The full description and sketch was not included in LdR's 1861 monograph, so JH was unaware when he compiled the GC and Dreyer skipped CGCG 060-036 when compiling the NGC.

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NGC 2649 = UGC 4555 = MCG +06-19-018 = CGCG 179-022 = PGC 24531

08 44 08.3 +34 43 02

V = 12.3; Size 1.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, almost even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is at the north edge 30" from center. MCG +06-19-020 lies 24' SE.

WH discovered NGC 2649 = H II-727 = h522 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 807) and called "pF, pL, iR, resolvable." His position is 2' NW of UGC 4555 = PGC 24531. The 9 Mar 1852 observation with LdR's 72" reads "Almost planetary, star in north edge, second star much smaller preceding it."

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NGC 2650 = UGC 4603 = MCG +12-09-020 = CGCG 332-018 = LGG 163-002 = PGC 24817

08 49 58.4 +70 17 58

V = 13.3; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 82d

17.5" (2/2/02): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.6'x0.4', even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is at the east end [23" from center] and a fainter mag 14.5 star is just off the north edge [33" from center]. Located 7.6' W of mag 7.3 SAO 6667.

WH discovered NGC 2650 = H II-908 on 30 Sep 1802 (his last sweep 1112) and recorded "pB, pL, easily resolvable. I believe I see some of the stars. Irregular figure." His position (Caroline's reduction) and description matches UGC 4603. This galaxy was not included in WH's third catalogue as it was discovered after his 500 discovery threshold was reached on 26 Sep 1802. JH added it in the appendix to his CGH catalogue as one of 8 "HON" (Herschel omitted Nebulae) and he included it in the GC as H II-908 = GC 1690.

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NGC 2651 = CGCG 061-001 = PGC 24521

08 43 55.2 +11 46 16

V = 15.2; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.7

18" (3/11/07): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very low even surface brightness and requires averted vision. Located 48' SW of 5.9-magnitude 50 Cancri.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2651 = m 133 on 10 Mar 1864 and noted "eF, S, E." His position is 1' south of CGCG 61-001.

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NGC 2652 = NGC 2974 = MCG +00-25-008 = CGCG 007-022 = UGCA 172 = PGC 27762

09 42 33.0 -03 41 59

V = 10.9; Size 3.5'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 42d

See observing notes for NGC 2974.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2652 = LM II-406 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 12.0, 0.7'x0.3', E 50°, gbM, stellar ncl, *9 at 0.8' in PA 240°." There is nothing near his published position. But Harold Corwin uncovered that Stone made a 1 hour clerical error in RA. Once corrected, the position is a reasonable math with NGC 2974 and his detailed description is a perfect match. So, NGC 2652 = NGC 2974 with NGC 2974 the primary designation (WH discovery).

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NGC 2653

08 54 55.6 +78 23 37

Size 17"

=**, Corwin. =group of stars (N of galaxy NGC 2655), Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2653 = T VI-7 on 18 Aug 1882 and reported a tiny nebula 12' north of NGC 2655 = H I-288. At this position is a 16" pair of mag 13/14 stars that fits Tempel's description ("together with 2 brighter stars forms an obtuse triangle").

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NGC 2654 = UGC 4605 = MCG +10-13-017 = CGCG 288-006 = PGC 24784

08 49 11.9 +60 13 16

V = 11.8; Size 4.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 63d

13.1" (1/11/86): fairly faint, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, bright elongated core. A mag 11 star is 4.5' N.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2654 = T VI-6 on 18 Aug 1882 and recorded "S, B, II-III class; stellar ncl; a star 10m is 4'-5' north." His position is 0.9 min of RA west and 3' north of UGC 4605, but their are no other nearby candidates and the description fits perfectly (a mag 11 star is 4.4' NNE).

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NGC 2655 = Arp 225 = UGC 4637 = MCG +13-07-010 = CGCG 349-033 = CGCG 350-007 = PGC 25069

08 55 38.5 +78 13 25

V = 10.1; Size 4.9'x4.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 85d

17.5" (2/1/92): very bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 E-W, 3'x2', even concentration to an unusually bright core and almost stellar nucleus. There appears to be a sharper light cut-off along the north side. Forms an equilateral triangle with mag 9.2 SAO 6687 10' NE and mag 7.4 SAO 6692 11' SE.

WH discovered NGC 2655 = H I-288 = h520 on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, his second to last sweep) and recorded "vB, cL, lE, suddenly mbM. I suspect it to be a cl of star." CH's reduced position is 5' north of UGC 5152. JH logged this galaxy as "vB; lE; in parallel; psmbM, to a nucl = a * 12m; 30". Has a L * p and another f, at a considerable distance." Horace Tuttle independently found the galaxy on 8 Apr 1850 with the 15-inch Merz refractor at the Harvard College Observatory and it was reported as HC 12 in the AN #1453 discovery list. The HCO position is accurate.

According to Michael Hoskin's "Unfinished Business: William Herschel’s Sweeps for Nebulae", NGC 2655 = H I-288, NGC 2908 = H III-977 and NGC 3057 = H III-978 were the last three entries in his third catalogue to officially bring the total to 500 -- added after Herschel's third catalogue had been sent to the Royal Society for publication in 1802.  A month after submission, Caroline discovered that only 497 objects were included and on 26 Sep 1802, Herschel found 6 new nebulae.  Three of these (including NGC 2655) were added by Caroline to the catalogue, and three were saved for a possible additional catalogue.  A few nights later (30 Sep 1802) WH discovered 4 more nebulae but these along with 3 from earlier years that were overlooked were added at the last minute to the proofs to bring the actual total to 510, as WH was finished with his sweeps.

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NGC 2656 = MCG +09-15-025 = CGCG 264-015 = VV 703 = PGC 24707

08 47 53.1 +53 52 34

V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (1/12/02): faint, small, round, 35" diameter, even surface brightness. A mag 12 star lies 3.5' W. This is a double system with a compact companion (not seen) at the west edge. Forms a pair with much fainter CGCG 264-014 3.4' NW.

JH discovered NGC 2656 = h523 on 10 Feb 1831 and simply noted "eF; psbM." His position from this single observation matches CGCG 264-015 = PGC 24707.

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NGC 2657 = UGC 4573 = MCG +02-23-002 = CGCG 061-006 = PGC 24595

08 45 15.8 +09 38 43

V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration. Forms the vertex of a right triangle with a mag 12 star 2' SSW and a mag 13 star 3' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2657 = St XIII-43 on 7 Mar 1885. His position matches UGC 4573. This is one of the last few galaxies discovered by Stephan, along with NGC 2657 and NGC 3007 9 days later.

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NGC 2658 = ESO 432-SC4 = Cr 195 = Mel 90

08 43 27 -32 39 24

Size 12'

13.1" (2/25/84): 10 stars mag 11-14 resolved over haze in a 7' diameter. A knot or double star is at the north edge. Three mag 11 stars are off the south, southeast and east side but the remaining stars are mag 13-14. Alpha Pyxidis (V = 3.7) lies 35' SSE.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2658 = D 609 = h4017 on 28 May 1826 and described a "small round faint nebula. North of L. Pyxidis". His position is just 3.3' southwest of center (relatively accurate for his positions), so the identication is fairly secure. JH recorded the cluster on 16 Feb 1836 and noted a "Cl class 8; not m comp; not v rich; v irreg fig; 5' diam; st 12.13m." He added the cluster in a supplementary list at the end of the Cape catalogue (h4016 to h4021). Dreyer identified these objects as "h o n" (John Herschel Omitted Object) in the NGC.

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NGC 2659 = ESO 260-SC3 = Cr 194 = Mel 91

08 42 39 -44 57 30

V = 8.6; Size 12'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): bright, compact group with 15-20 stars in a 4' group including five mag 10-10.5 stars and a distinctive brighter pair. This cluster is in the same field as the Vela Supernova Remnant, though I didn't search for filaments in this region.

JH discovered NGC 2659 = h3137 on 3 Feb 1835. His second more detailed description reads "Cluster VII class; p rich, pL, 12' l, 8' br; fig irreg; rather branching stars 11..14th mag, not compressed in middle." Both descriptions give a much larger size than I noted in my observation.

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NGC 2660 = ESO 260-SC4 = Cr 193 = Mel 92

08 42 38 -47 12 02

V = 8.8; Size 4'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): this distant cluster appeared relatively faint, small, and was only partially resolved. It appeared ~2' in diameter and comparable to a faint globular cluster. A few faint stars were resolved on the west side and an unresolved brighter knot of stars resides on the south side. The cluster is wedged between a yellow/orange mag 8.4 star 2.5' S and a mag 10 star to the north. Located 16' ENE of mag 4.7 HD 74272.

JH discovered NGC 2660 = h3138 on 29 Dec 1834 and recorded a "Cl VI cluster; irreg R; gbM; 4'; resolved into distinct stars 14m." His position (measured on 2 sweeps) is accurate.

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NGC 2661 = UGC 4584 = MCG +02-23-004 = CGCG 061-008 = PGC 24632

08 45 59.5 +12 37 15

V = 12.8; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (3/29/89): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration. A mag 11 star 1.0' W of center and 30" of the edge of the halo detracts from viewing.

WH discovered NGC 2661 = H III-50 = Big 38 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and logged "eF, near a pB star, I had only a distant suspicion of its existence, but 240 confirmed it beyond a doubt and showed it of some considerable extent. It is circular and without a nucleus." There is nothing at his position, but 28 sec of RA west and 1' north is UGC 4584. The "pB star" is 1' west.

In the GC, JH remarked "I find a memorandum to the effect that this neb is lost and was probably a comet, but I cannot recover my authority for the statement. It is described by H. as "of the last degree of faintness," and it is therefore no way surprising that it should not have been again pereceived without some time and trouple bestowed, and in clear weather." Biguordan found this galaxy on 8 Mar 1886 and measured an accurate position. In the remarks section of his second Comptes Rendus list, Bigourdan noted B. 38 was identical to GC 1696 [NGC 2661], which has an error of 28 seconds in RA. Dreyer repeated in the 1912 revision of WH's catalogues that the "RA is 28s too great (Ann. Harv. Coll., xiii, and Bigourdan.)"

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NGC 2662 = MCG -02-23-002 = PGC 24612

08 45 32.0 -15 07 17

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, very small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, sharp concentration with a very small high surface brightness core surrounded by a very faint halo. A mag 14 star is 43" WNW of center.

JH discovered NGC 2662 = h3139 on 16 Mar 1836 and remarked "vF; vS; R; bM; near a * 15m." His position is exactly 10' S of M-02-23-002 = NPM1G -14.0271. Herbert Howe recovered the galaxy after 3 failed attempts at JH's position and finally measured an accurate position in 1898 using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver.

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NGC 2663 = ESO 371-014 = MCG -06-20-001 = PGC 24590

08 45 08.1 -33 47 41

V = 10.9; Size 3.5'x2.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 110d

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 2.2'x1.5', contains a prominent core which is evenly concentrated down to a non-stellar nucleus. Located in rich star field. Several stars are within 5' including a mag 14 star 1.2' N of center and a mag 11.5 star 3.8' NW of center. Located 5.7' NE of a mag 10.5 star.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2663 = Sw III-40 on 8 Feb 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory in New York. His position is 2.6' south of ESO 371-014. This is probably the brightest galaxy (V = 10.9) discovered by Swift and the most southerly!

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NGC 2664

08 47 07 +12 36 24

Size 5'

17.5" (2/8/97): poor scattered asterism of 10 stars in a 5' region dominated by four mag 10-11 stars in a "kite" asterism with pairs of sides 2' and 3'. Only noticeable at low power and does not resemble a cluster, although the fainter stars are nicely spaced around the bright stars. A fainter group with 4-5 mag 13 stars lies 5' NW. Listed as a nonexistent cluster in RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2664 = h524 on 20 Mar 1830 and recorded "A neat cl of stars 9 and 10m regularly arranged about a central one (N.B. This is nearly the place of III 50, but no neb was noticed.)" At JH's position are four mag 10/11 stars with several mag 13/14 stars nearby (his position nearly coincides with a mag 10 star at 08 47 13.8 +12 36 14).

Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey based on Heidelberg plates, adds "pS Cl of a few st 10...15." Harold Corwin notes that Villanova (2004, A&A, 428, 67) concludes this is a random enhancement of field stars and not a cluster. The position given here corresponds with the center of this asterism.

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NGC 2665 = ESO 563-019 = MCG -03-23-004 = UGCA 144 = PGC 24634

08 46 00.9 -19 18 11

V = 12.2; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 144d

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, small bright core contains a faint stellar nucleus. A very faint star is superimposed. Two mag 11 stars lie 3.5' N and 3.7' ESE.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2665 = LM II-407 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 11.0, 0.6' dia, R, gbMN." His position matched ESO 563-019 = PGC 24634.

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NGC 2666

08 49 49 +44 42 12

Size 11'

18" (2/14/10): The HD 751354 group consists of nearly two dozen stars scattered around a mag 8 star. Three collinear stars (length 3') oriented SW to NE are 2' E of HD 75135. Another group of ~10 stars is scattered over a 5' region to the NW of the bright star. This group was visually uninspiring and appears to be an asterism.

18" (2/23/06): the only possible candidate near John Herschel's original position is a mag 11.7 star and a group of five mag 13.5-14.5 stars close south. Four of the stars are strung along a 5' gently curving arc. To the northeast is a much brighter 10' string of a half dozen stars that extends towards the northeast. Neither of these asterisms, though, are probably eye-catching enough to be mentioned as a "course cluster". Note: Based on more recent historical investigation, this identification is incorrect.

JH discovered NGC 2666 = h525 on 19 Mar 1828 and simply noted "The chief * of a coarse cluster." There is no indication of the size of his cluster, but there is no object matching his description nearby. Karl Reinmuth remarked "nothing like a cluster" in his NGC photographic survey based on Heidelberg plates.

In Jun 2016 Harold Corwin checked JH's sweep record again and found "JH accidentally copied the reduced NPD of the preceding object in the sweep (a double star) into the column for the reduced NPD of this cluster. The difference in the NPD index between the two objects is 2d 21' 18", leading to a corrected position for JH's "chief *" of 08 38 14.8, 44 40 27 (NPD, 1830) or 08 49 49, +44 42.3 (J2000), very close to the position of the SAO star. The identity of JH's object with the sparce group is no longer in any doubt."

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NGC 2667 = MCG +03-23-007 = CGCG 090-016 = Holm 98a = IC 2410 = WBL 196-003 = PGC 24741

08 48 27.3 +19 01 09

V = 13.9; Size 0.8'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 80d

24" (2/16/15): at 322x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, 35"x14", low even surface brightness. Forms a pair with IC 2411 1.6' NNE. This close companion (similar redshift) appeared very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 25"x12", very low surface brightness. In a group with NGC 2762/2763 13' ENE and IC 2399 11' SW.

17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, small, elongated E-W.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2667 on 18 Feb 1862 while observing and measuring NGC 2672. His single position is not very accurate, but 7 seconds of time east is CGCG 090-016, the brighter of pair of galaxies. Max Wolf found NGC 2667, as well as the companion 1.6' NNE on Heildelberg plates, and catalogued both galaxies (IC 2410 and 2411) without reference to NGC 2667. So, NGC 2667 = IC 2410 and NGC 2667B = IC 2411. NGC 2667 is labeled IC 2410 in CGCG (090-016) and MCG (+03-23-007).

Interestingly, Ralph Copeland, observing NGC 2667 with the 72" on 26 Dec 1873 noted "cF, pS, lE p f, was thought to have an eF companion about 2' nf." The companion is clearly IC 2411. Dreyer later reobserved the field in 1876 and apparently was not convinced: "eF; I think it is only a *16 m +/- nf." Probably due to Dreyer's uncertainty, IC 2411 missed receiving a NGC designation.

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NGC 2668 = UGC 4616 = MCG +06-20-007 = CGCG 180-013 = PGC 24791

08 49 22.5 +36 42 37

V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 155d

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, low even surface brightness.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2668 = St IX-17 on 7 Feb 1877. His position (Esmiol's reduction) matches UGC 4616.

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NGC 2669 = ESO 165-SC5 = Cr 202 = Harvard 3 = vdB-Ha 52

08 46 22 -52 56 54

V = 6.1; Size 12'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 184x): fairly rich group of ~60 stars in a 6' or 7' region, elongated N-S. Includes a mix of brighter mag 9.5-11 stars, along with a number of faint mag 14-15 stars. A mag 9.5 star and five mag 11-12 in a 1.5' N-S string, is on the northeast side. The cluster is bounded by a striking number of very bright stars including mag 7.6 HD 75105 off the southwest side, mag 8.2 HD 75227 and mag 7.7 HD 75202 off the north side, and mag 8.6 HD 75167 off the south side (20" pair with a mag 11 star). The group spans at least 12' to 14' if you include these bright stars. Located ~55' E of IC 2391 (surrounding mag 3.6 Omicron Velorum).

JH discovered NGC 2669 = h3140 on 11 Apr 1834 and recorded "Cluster VIII class. A L, poor, loose cl of stars, 10...13m." The position was noted as very uncertain, with the RA to the nearest (+/-) minute. There is nothing resembling even a poor cluster near his position. Dreyer credited Persian astronomer Al-Sûfi with the discovery of NGC 2669, but Al-Sûfi mentioned IC 2391 instead.

According to Archinal and Hynes in "Star Clusters", in 1930 Robert Trumpler found the most likely candidate for Herschel's missing cluster. He noted "NGC 2669 - Declination of NGC corrected by +1°.", which corresponds with ESO 165-SC5. This cluster fits JH's description though Archinal comments that several of the stars are brighter than mag 10...13. He also mentions that Harvard 3 (from Shapley's 1930 Monograph on star clusters) refers to a part of NGC 2669.

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NGC 2670 = ESO 210-SC5 = Cr 200 = Mel 93 = Lund 484

08 45 30 -48 47 30

V = 7.8; Size 7'

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): at 166x, this fairly bright open cluster has an unusual appearance. Roughly two dozen stars mag 10-12 are arranged in a "wishbone" arrangement with a distinctive string of stars running SW-NE with the brightest mag 9 star on the SW end, with another string running E-W and a third side running N-S. The group is ~6' in diameter.

JH discovered NGC 2670 = h3142 on 18 Feb 1836 and recorded "a cluster 8th class, not rich, nor much compressed; 8' in diameter, irr round, stars 13 mag." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2671 = ESO 313-SC14 = Cr 201

08 46 12 -41 52 36

Size 4'

17.5" (12/19/87): faint, small cluster. Between 15-20 stars mag 11-13 are resolved over haze. This cluster is far south for viewing from Northern California.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2671 = D 489 = h3141 on 1 May 1826 and recorded "a very faint nebula, about 6' diameter, with small stars scattered in it - in the milky way." Dunlop made 2 observations and his position is just 2' SSE of center. JH made a single observation on 2 Mar 1835 and logged "a pretty rich, irregularly round cluster, not mbM, stars 12..13th mag, place that of the general middle." JH noted D 489 and D 490 as possible equivalences, though D 490 appears to describe Tr 10 = Cr 203: "very large cluster of pretty bright stars, coarsely scattered, about 1° diameter, following a star 5th magnitude, 396 Argus (Bode)."

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NGC 2672 = Arp 167 NED1 = UGC 4619 = MCG +03-23-010 = CGCG 090-019w = Holm 99a = PGC 24790

08 49 21.9 +19 04 29

V = 11.7; Size 3.0'x2.8'; Surf Br = 14.0

24" (2/16/15): bright, fairly large, sharply concentrated with a very bright core. The large halo (~1.6' dia) has a low surface brightness and appears to encompass NGC 2673 (just 35" between center). A mag 14 star lies 1.2' SE and a mag 13.7 star is 1.6' NE. A mag 15 star is embedded on the west edge of the halo [34" from center]. At 450x, the core gradually brightens to a quasi-stellar nucleus.

17.5" (1/28/89): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, sharp concentration. Forms a contact pair with NGC 2673 at the east edge 40" separation between centers. A mag 13.5 star is 1.5' NNE and a fainter mag 14 star is 1.1' SE.

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, slightly elongated ~E-W, bright core.

13.1" (1/28/84): fairly faint, small, round.

WH discovered NGC 2672 = H II-48 = H II-80 = h526 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 169) and recorded "a nebula r[esolvable], pL, lbM then towards the extremes and contains one star following the brightness and very near to it." His position is off by nearly 15' (the reference star was a large distance away) and the nearby star he mentions is the close companion NGC 2673. Dreyer noted in his 1912 publication of WH's catalogues, that "there was some doubt about the contraction of the rope in Sw. 169, hence in the error in the P.D. of II.48." One week later he recorded II-80 on sweep 181 as "pB, pL, E, r. I can see 2 or 3 stars in it." In this sweep his position was accurate to within 2', so the identification is certain. Another observation of II-80 was on 13 Feb 1787 (sweep 698): "pB, E from a few degrees sp to nf. The greatest brightness lays to the preceding side, it resembles a small one with another much smaller close to it nf [NGC 2673] with resolvable nebulosity around it." In this sweep he mentioned he looked for II-48, but couldn't find it.

Coincidentally, JH discovered a very faint galaxy (h527 = NGC 2677 = CGCG 090-021) on 17 Mar 1831 near Caroline Herschel's reduced position for H II-48 that he assumed was his father's II-48. On 19 Dec 1848, George Stoney discovered NGC 2673, a close companion to NGC 2672 -- noted as a star by both Herschels -- with LdR's 72", but he thought it was h527. In the GC, JH still listed H II-48 under the entry for NGC 2677 (GC 1707). Finally, in the GC Supplement, Dreyer suggested II-48 = II-80 and they were equated in the NGC.

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NGC 2673 = Arp 167 NED2 = UGC 4620 = MCG +03-23-011 = CGCG 090-019e = Holm 99b = PGC 24792

08 49 24.1 +19 04 27

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x1.2'

24" (2/16/15): at 322x; fairly faint, small, round, ~18" diameter. Easily visible glow just 35" E of the center of NGC 2672 and embedded in its low surface brightness halo. At 450x, the tiny nucleus occasionally brightens to a stellar point. A mag 14 star is just 50" SE.

17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, extremely small, round. Appears as a small "knot" attached at the east end of NGC 2672 40" between centers. A mag 14 star is 1.0' SE and a mag 13.5 star lies 1.0' NNE.

13" (1/18/85): very faint, appears as an extremely small "knot" 20" diameter in the halo of NGC 2672 just 0.6' E of the core. Two stars are near NNE and SE.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2673, the eastern component of the double system with NGC 2672, on 19 Dec 1849 and noted a "close double nebula, small star preceding." On 9 Feb 1855, R.J. Mitchell gave a more detailed description but incorrectly assumed NGC 2673 was h527 = NGC 2677: "very close, almost touching; h526 [NGC 2672] is mbM, h527 is smaller and lbM." Dreyer later added the note "the latter is not h527, but the close companion to [NGC 2673], viz [GC] 1705." Interestingly, it's possible that both Herschels noted NGC 2673 in their observations, but thought it was a very faint star.

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NGC 2674 = PGC 24785

08 49 13.2 -14 17 39

V = 14.9; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 65d

24" (1/25/14): very faint, small, slightly elongated, 15"x12", weak concentration. A number of mag 12-13 stars are in the field including a mag 12.5 star 1.3' NW.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2674 = LM I-152 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 16.0, 0.4' dia, neb?" There is nothing at or near his rough position (nearest min of RA) and Herbert Howe was unable to find it on two nights at Stone's position using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory around 1900.

Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 2674 probably refers to PGC 24785, a faint galaxy located 1.2 min of RA due east of Stone's position. As the Leander McCormick positions in the first list are often off in RA, this identification is fairly certain. RNGC classifes NGC 2674 as nonexistent and NGC 2674 was not included in the first edition of the "Deep Sky Field Guide" to the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas.

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NGC 2675 = UGC 4629 = MCG +09-15-037 = CGCG 264-021 = PGC 24909

08 52 05.0 +53 37 02

V = 13.3; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 80d

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.7', just a weak broad concentration with no well-defined core. A small trio of mag 14 stars precedes by 2'-3'.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2675 on 2 Dec 1861 with the 11" refractor at the Copenhagen Observatory. This object is #81 in AN 1500, but was added to a short appendix of omitted observations in his Siderum Nebulosorum. His position is poor -- 7 sec of RA east and 7' south of UGC 4629. But a mag 14 star is 13 sec of RA preceding, matching his comment "mag 15 star precedes 12.4 seconds [of time]." MCG gives the NGC designation as uncertain.

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NGC 2676 = UGC 4627 = MCG +08-16-032 = CGCG 237-022 = PGC 24881

08 51 35.6 +47 33 27

V = 13.1; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (2/9/02): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star lies 1.5' NE. A distinctive rectangle of stars is ~4' NE including mag 8.2 SAO 42578 and mag 9.9 SAO 42574.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2676 = Sw VI-33 on 24 Nov 1886 and described "eeF; pS; R; trapezoid of 4 pB stars near nf." His position is 7 tsec E and 1' N of UGC 4627 and his description of the nearby 4 stars matches perfectly.

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NGC 2677 = MCG +03-23-012 = CGCG 090-021 = PGC 24821

08 50 01.3 +19 00 35

V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.3'; PA = 175d

17.5" (1/28/89): extremely faint and small, round, low even surface brightness. In a group with NGC 2667, NGC 2672, NGC 2673.

JH discovered NGC 2677 = h527 on 17 Mar 1831 and noted "The faintest object imaginable, and discerned with the utmost difficulty. Sky perfectly clear." His position is an excellent match with CGCG 090-021 = PGC 24821 although the RA is marked uncertain. He listed his father's H II-48 as a synonym although Dreyer notes in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" that H II-48 = H II-80 = NGC 2672 and H II-48 is not NGC 2677.

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NGC 2678

08 50 03 +11 20 18

Size 10'

18" (3/5/05): this asterism contains two groupings of stars to the south of M67 which is partly in the field of the 31 Nagler at the north side. The northern subgroup contains two mag 8.8 and 9.3 stars separated by 3' with a fainter double star between. About 9' SW is a nice group of 5 stars surrounding mag 8.4 HD 75373. Several mag 10-11 stars are to the SW including a NW-SE string.

WH discovered NGC 2678 = H VIII-10 = h528 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 172), noting a "a cluster of very coarse scattered stars, not rich." JH made four observations and reported on one sweep "A poor cluster of 4 or 5 large and a few scattered small stars." Both of the Herschel's positions point to 4 or 5 mag 9/10 stars with a few fainter stars -- an unimpressive asterism. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 2679 = UGC 4632a = MCG +05-21-014a = CGCG 150-041a = PGC 24884

08 51 32.8 +30 51 52

V = 13.3; Size 1.8'x1.8'; Surf Br = 14.4

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, very small, round, compact appearance. Has a fairly high surface brightness with a very small bright core. A nice mag 12/13 double star at 12" separation lies 7' W. Forms a double system with NGC 2680 attached at the east side within a common halo, just 0.2' between centers.

WH discovered NGC 2679 = H III-294 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and recorded "vF, vS, R, bM, large stellar neb." His position is 1.6' south of UGC 4632 = PGC 24884. JH observed this galaxy on 27 Jan 1827 and logged "pB, R, vgmbM, 15"." He measured an accurate position. Lord Rosse and his assistants described this a very close double nebula, with the following nucleus catalogued by Dreyer as NGC 2680. The SDSS reveals there are only two stars on the following side of NGC 2679. See notes on NGC 2680.

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NGC 2680 = UGC 4632b = MCG +05-21-014b = CGCG 150-041b = PGC 24884

08 51 33.6 +30 51 57

V = 15.1/16.2; Size 5"

17.5" (3/25/95): appears as a very faint quasi-stellar object attached on the following side of NGC 2679 within a common halo. This object (a 5" pair of mag 15.1/16.2 stars) is smaller and fainter than NGC 2679 and appears nearly stellar with just 0.2' separation between the pair and the center of NGC 2679.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2680 on 26 Feb 1851 using Lord Rosse's 72" and recorded an "exceeding close double nebula [with NGC 2679]." A total of 9 observations were made at Birr Castle, generally describing a very close double nebula within a common envelope or a nebula with a double nucleus. For example, Sir Robert Ball's description on 12 Jan 1867 reads "Double nebula in Pos 85.5°, preceding on cB, R, mbM, following one F, R, perhaps with a * in the middle."

UGC (4632) calls this a double system (NGC 2679 + 2680) with a "companion superimposed at 0.2' following center, 0.20'x0.15'." The DSS reveals two, very close stellar objects (northern component brighter) at the east edge of NGC 2679. These are individually catalogued in NED as NGC 2680 NED01 ("Southern of two compacts (or stars?) superposed on NGC 2679") and NGC 2680 NED02 ("Northern of two compacts (or stars?) superposed on NGC 2679"). NED also has a single entry for NGC 2680 = KPG 176B (from the Karachentsev Isolated Pairs of Galaxies catalogue) at their mean position. LEDA has a single entry for NGC 2679 = NGC 2680, but no individual entry(s) for NGC 2680. On the SDSS DR8, two stellar objects just east of the nucleus of NGC 2679 are superimposed. The northern "star" is classified as a galaxy and the southern component as a star.

After a query from Ivan Maly, I sent an email to Brian Skiff on 3/10/14 asking about the classification of these two objects and he quickly responded, "These are both stars. I just examined numerous available images using the Goddard SkyView utility (GALEX, DSS, SDSS DR7 and DR8, 2MASS; no UKIDSS coverage unfortunately). Simply doing a blink-comparison of the POSS-I and -II blue plates (POSS-I red has less-good resolution), it is obvious that the northern star of the pair has modest proper motion, while the southern one is essentially fixed. (I used 'SAOimage ds9' for this.) Large-scale cut-outs of the Sloan images show no indication that they are other than stars, and the relative motion shows they are unrelated to each other. Using the SDSS DR7 catalogue, I get V magnitudes 15.1 and 16.2, and separation of 4".66 in pa 192.2 deg for the two stars (epoch 2003.967).  At the epoch of POSS-I the position-angle is close to 180 deg, so presumably in Lord Rosse's time the fainter star would have been to the southeast."

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NGC 2681 = UGC 4645 = MCG +09-15-041 = CGCG 264-026 = PGC 24961

08 53 32.8 +51 18 50

V = 10.3; Size 3.6'x3.3'; Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (4/6/91): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, about 2' diameter. Contains a small unusually bright core and stellar nucleus. A pair of mag 12 stars are 2.1' W with separation 30" oriented NW-SE. NGC 2693 lies 32' E.

WH discovered NGC 2681 = H I-242 = h530 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and recorded "vB, large bright resolvable nucleus with vF chevelure." JH gave a similar description: "B; L; vsmbM to a * 10-11m, but sharply defined. It is a nebulous star with a vF extensive nebulosity." Eleven observations were made at Birr Castle, though no additional details were clearly recorded.

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NGC 2682 = M67 = Cr 204

08 51 24 +11 49

V = 6.9; Size 30'

17.5": at 140x about 200 stars mag 10-14 in a 15' diameter. Includes several rich subgroups including one on the south edge near three brighter mag 10 stars. The brightest star mag 7.8 SAO 98178 is just off the NE edge.

13" (12/22/84): about 100 stars mag 10-15 in 15' diameter, very rich and impressive cluster.

13" (3/24/84): beautiful at 88x with over 75 stars resolved at this magnification.

Johann Gottfried Koehler (discoverer of M50 and M60) discovered M67 = NGC 2682 = h531 before 1779 and recorded "A rather conspicuous nebula in elongated figure, near Alpha of Cancer." It was independently discovered by Messier on 6 Apr 1780 and reported as "Cluster of small stars with nebulosity, below the southern claw of Cancer. The position determined from the star Alpha [Cancri]." WH first observed the cluster on 26 Mar 1783 using his 6-inch and simply noted a "cluster of stars." With his 18-inch in 1784 he described "a most beautiful cluster of stars; not less than 200 in view."

This is an old open cluster with age 3-4 billion years (Sue French states 2.6 billion years in March 2009 S&T while Astronomy mentions 3.2 billion in the Apr 2012 issue. The position given in Lynga #5, Sky Catalogue 2000, NGC 2000 and Deep Sky Field Guide (first version) is about 1.0 min of RA too far west.

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NGC 2683 = UGC 4641 = MCG +06-20-011 = CGCG 180-017 = PGC 24930

08 52 41.4 +33 25 14

V = 9.8; Size 9.3'x2.2'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 44d

18" (3/13/10): gorgeous view at 280x! This detailed, edge-on spiral extends 9'x1.5' SW-NE. The central region is well concentrated with a very bright, elongated core, roughly 3'x1.5' and noticeably mottled or dusty with brighter knots or spots near the core. The southwest extension is more prominent and is easily traced to the outer tip. This extensions grow broadly to the core. In contrast, the northeast extension fades rapidly after the core, so there is a sharper concentration to the core on the northeast side of the core. The northeast arm has a low surface brightness as it extends past a mag 13 star (close double) off the north flank. The galaxy has an unusual warped appearance with the southwest and northeast portions not aligned due to asymmetric extensions from the core.

13.1" (1/18/85): very bright, very large, nearly edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 8.0'x2.0', halo is broadly concentrated. Mottled or dusty near the core but no distinct nucleus.

16x80 (1/18/85): visible in finder as a faint, edge-on steak

13.1" (2/25/84): bright and impressive, brigter core, thin fainter extensions oriented SW-NE.

WH discovered NGC 2683 = H I-200 = h532 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 807) and reported "very brilliant, mE from sp to nf but nearer the meridian, about 7 or 8' l and 2 1/2 or 3' br. The brightness also much elongated and going off pretty suddently; a beautiful object." JH made three observations.

A total of 16 observations were made at Birr Castle and several times it was described as slightly concave and sharper on the preceding side. On 2 Jan 1868, "vF streaks and lanes on each side parallel to ray [were suspected]."

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NGC 2684 = UGC 4662 = MCG +08-16-035 = CGCG 237-024 = PGC 25024

08 54 54.1 +49 09 38

V = 12.9; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 40d

18" (4/26/08): at 220x, NGC 2684 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 SW-NE. This is the brightest in a compact group (similar to a HCG) with four additional nearby NGC galaxies: NGC 2686 (double galaxy) 1.4' SE, NGC 2687 1.9' E, NGC 2688 3.7' SE (confirmed, though extremely faint), and NGC 2689 5.8' SE (marignal observation).

17.5" (3/8/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.7', just a broad weak concentration. Two mag 12-13 stars lie 2' N and 1.5' ESE. Brightest of three in a close group. The faintest members NGC 2688 and NGC 2689 were not visible.

17.5" (3/16/96): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.8', weak concetration. A mag 13 star is 1.5' ESE and a mag 12.5 star lies 1.9' N. Brightest in a group of extremely faint galaxies including NGC 2687 and NGC 2686 close following.

WH discovered NGC 2684 = H III-712 = h533 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and reported "eF, cS, resolvable, preceding some faint stars." His position is just 1' too far northwest. JH made two observations and recorded on 8 Mar 1831, "vF; pL; R; 30"; a *12 m s f and on 13 m, n p." The two stars are 1.4' ESE and 1.9' N. Three extremely faint companions to NGC 2684 were discovered by LdR.

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NGC 2685 = Arp 336 = Helix galaxy = UGC 4666 = MCG +10-13-039 = CGCG 288-012 = PGC 25065

08 55 34.6 +58 44 03

V = 11.3; Size 4.5'x2.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 38d

48" (4/6/13): this famous polar-ring galaxy (nearest and brightest) was viewed at 488x. It appeared very bright, large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.5', slightly bulging center (spindle shape), high surface brightness and brighter along the central axis. Well concentrated with an intense core and surrounded by a much larger, low surface brightness halo that increases the size to 2.5'x1.2'. The polar-ring was seen on the northwest side as a faint, low surface brightness outer loop attached to the spindle and bulging out ~20". Periodically the outer edge of the loop popped as a distinct arc and appeared as a semi-ring. A mag 11 star lies 2.4' N.

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, fairly small edge-on 4:1 SW-NE. Contains an elongated bright core. A mag 11 star is 2.4' N of center. The well-known polar ring was not seen.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2685 = T VI-8 on 18 Aug 1882 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory. His position is ~30 sec of RA too far east and 3' too far north, but the identification is certain.

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NGC 2686 = MCG +08-16-036/-037 = VV 765 = PGC 25026

08 54 59.8 +49 08 33

V = 14.8; Size 0.8'x0.45'; Surf Br = 12.6

18" (4/26/08): this member of the compact NGC 2684 group appeared very faint, very small, either elongated or double oriented E-W. I had a strong impression this was a very close pair, as sometimes a single round galaxy was visible and at other times it was elongated E-W or the fainter companion momentarily popped into view. The DSS reveals a double galaxy (eastern component is fainter) just 16" between centers. Located 1.4' SE of NGC 2684 and 0.9' SW of a mag 12.5 star. NGC 2687 is just 1.4' NE

17.5" (3/8/97): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Located 1' SW of a mag 12.5 star and 1.5' SE of NGC 2684. Second brightest of three in NGC 2684 group.

17.5" (3/16/96): picked up while viewing NGC 2684. Extremely faint, very small, appears elongated 2:1 E-W. Located 1.3' SE of NGC 2684 and requires concentration to view. The mag 13 star mentioned in the observation of NGC 2684 is 0.9' NE. This is an (unresolved) double system with the components oriented E-W. The fainter eastern member is designated NGC 2686B. Member of a group of faint galaxies along with NGC 2687.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2686 on 11 Mar 1858 using Lord Rosse's 72" (along with NGC 2687, 2688 and 2689), while observing the field of NGC 2684. He described it as "double or is a neb with hazy * close f" and labeled it on the sketch as Beta. MCG +08-16-036/037 is a double galaxy and the orientation on the sketch (E-W) is correct, so this identification is certain. RNGC and MCG have separate listings for NGC 2686A and B.

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NGC 2687 = NGC 2687B = MCG +08-16-038+039 = VV 765 = PGC 25030+31

08 55 06.0 +49 09 22

V = 14.8; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 28d

18" (4/26/08): this member of the NGC 2684 compact group appeared very faint, very small, slightly elongated, low surface brightness, 15"x12". Located 1.9' E of NGC 2684 and just 35" E of a mag 12.5 star. NGC 2686 lies 1.4' SW.

17.5" (3/8/97): faintest of close trio with NGC 2684 and NGC 2686. Appears extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W with concentration. Requires averted vision to clearly view. Located just 30" following a mag 12.5 star and 2' E of NGC 2684. Looked for NGC 2688 and NGC 2689 unsuccessfully.

17.5" (3/16/96): picked up 1.9' E of NGC 2684 and 30" E of a mag 13 star. Extremely faint, very small, requires averted vision but repeatedly glimpsed. This unresolved double system appeared elongated WNW-ESE in the orientation of the members.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2687 on 11 Mar 1858 using Lord Rosse's 72" (along with NGC 2686, 2688 and 2689), while observing the field of NGC 2684. There was no description given (or approximate offsets from NGC 2684), so JH gave a single position in the GC for NGC 2686, 2687 and 2688. The sketch, though, shows NGC 2687 east or slightly ESE of NGC 2684, with a star just preceding NGC 2687. The SDSS reveals this a very close pair of galaxies (MCG +08-16-038 and -039) with the following component much brighter.

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NGC 2688 = MCG +08-16-040 = PGC 25048

08 55 11.7 +49 07 21

V = 15.8; Size 0.3'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.7

18" (4/26/08): this very difficult member of the NGC 2684 group appeared extremely faint and small, ~5" diameter (quasi-stellar). Only popped into view with averted vision and concentration but sketched in the correct position on a line between a mag 10.7 star 2.8' SSE and NGC 2687.

17.5" (3/8/97): not found

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2688 on 11 Mar 1858 using Lord Rosse's 72" (along with NGC 2686, 2687 and 2689), while observing the field of NGC 2684. He simply noted "vvF" but the sketch can be matched up well with MCG +08-16-040 = PGC 25048. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2689 = PGC 2333935

08 55 25.4 +49 06 55

V = 16.3; Size 0.35'x0.25'

18" (4/26/08): this is the faintest of 6 galaxies viewed in the compact NGC 2684 group. It was a marginal observation (barely glimpsed several times) with averted vision 2.7' NE of a mag 10.7 star. It was necessary to keep this distracting star out of the field. Slightly easier NGC 2688 lies 2.3' WNW

17.5" (3/8/97): not found.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2689 on 11 Mar 1858 at Birr Castle. It was indicated on the sketch of the NGC 2684 field published in the 1880 Monograph, along with NGC 2686, NGC 2687 and NGC 2688.  Dreyer reobserved the field in 1878, but he noted the "sky is very bad" and the novae were not seen.

JH only included three of the four novae in the GC (1715/1716/1717), so one was left out but Dreyer assigned NGC 2689 to the 4th nebula in the NGC. Based on the sketch, NGC 2689 can be matched with LEDA 2333935.  This is the faintest known galaxy (V = 16.3-16.4) discovered at Birr Castle, according to Wolfgang Steinicke.

RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 25042 (at 08 55 15.5 +49 09 04) as NGC 2689.  NED and HyperLEDA equate NGC 2689 with PGC 2333935. The identifications of NGC 2688 and NGC 2689 are discussed by Malcolm Thomson in his Catalogue Corrections.

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NGC 2690 = UGC 4647 = MCG +00-23-008 = CGCG 005-020 = PGC 24926

08 52 38.0 -02 36 12

V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 19d

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, small, very elongated ~N-S, weak concentration.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2690 = Sw III-41 on 10 Mar 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His position is 20 sec of RA west of UGC 4647. Herbert Howe corrected the sloppy RA around the turn of the 20th century with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory and Kobold also measured an accurate position at Strassburg in 1897.

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NGC 2691 = UGC 4664 = MCG +07-18-064 = CGCG 209-006 = Mrk 391 = PGC 25020

08 54 46.3 +39 32 19

V = 13.1; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 165d

17.5" (2/9/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~3:2 N-S, 0.7'x0.4', weak concentration to a very small brighter core. Bracketed by a mag 13 star 0.9' N and a mag 12 star 2.5' SW. NGC 2704 lies 25' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 2691 = H II-658 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 721) and noted "pF, vS, mbM." His position (Caroline Herschel's reduction) is about 2' NW of UGC 4664 and the only nearby candidate. MCG does not label the entry +07-18-064 as NGC 2691.

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NGC 2692 = UGC 4675 = MCG +09-15-057 = CGCG 264-036 = PGC 25142

08 56 58.0 +52 03 57

V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 165d

17.5" (2/8/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S. A mag 13 star is 2.1' NW of center. Forms a pair with UGC 4671 3.4' NW. NGC 2693 lies 43' S.

WH discovered NGC 2692 = H III-831 = h534 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and simply noted as "vF, vS." His position is less than 2' southeast of UGC 4675. JH called the galaxy "vF; S; R; psbM" and measured a more accurate position.

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NGC 2693 = UGC 4674 = MCG +09-15-055 = CGCG 264-035 = PGC 25144

08 56 59.3 +51 20 51

V = 11.9; Size 2.6'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 160d

17.5" (2/8/86): fairly bright, fairly small, bright core encased in much fainter halo, slightly elongated ~N-S. Forms a close pair with NGC 2694 1' S.

WH discovered NGC 2693 = H II-823 = h535 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and recorded "pB, S, R, mbM." His position is within the northwest side of the halo. JH called the galaxy "pB; mE nearly in meridian [north-south]; psbM." This double system was resolved with the 72" at Birr Castle. The CGCG declination is 30' too far south.

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NGC 2694 = MCG +09-15-056 = CGCG 264-034 = PGC 25143

08 56 59.3 +51 19 55

V = 14.5; Size 0.3'x0.3'

17.5" (2/8/86): faint, very small, almost round. Forms a close double system with brighter and larger NGC 2693 1' N.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2694 (double system with NGC 2693) on 9 Mar 1850 with LdR's 72". Multiple observations were made in the next couple of years (13 total) but JH didn't include this nebula in the GC as no details were given in the 1861 monograph. So, Dreyer added it in the GC supplement (GC 5435).

The CGCG declination is 30' too far south (same error with NGC 2693). RC3 gives the dimensions as 1.2x1.2, but this much too large.

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NGC 2695 = MCG +00-23-010 = CGCG 005-025 = PGC 25003

08 54 27.0 -03 04 01

V = 11.9; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 175d

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, small, round, bright core. Situated between a mag 13 star 0.8' W of center and a mag 14 star at the east edge 0.4' from center. Brightest in a group along with NGC 2708 30' SE. NGC 2697 lies 9.4' NE, NGC 2698 19' SE and NGC 2699 21' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 2695 = H II-280 = h536 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 353) and logged "F, vS, lE, just following an obscure star, verified with 240 power." JH gave a more complete description: "pB; S; E nearly in parallel between 2 st of 12 and 15m, each half the length of the neb from the adjacent extremity."

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NGC 2696 = MCG -01-23-004 = PGC 24851

08 50 42.0 -05 00 35

Size 1.2'x1.1'

17.5" (2/1/03): faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, weak even concentration to center. Located 6' SSW of mag 8.7 SAO 136330. Due to a very poor position by Stone, this galaxy is not generally identified as NGC 2696 (4 tmin error in RA) is not plotted on U2000 (version 2) atlas. Listed at mag 16pg in the MCG, but does not appear that faint.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2696 = LM I-153 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded as "mag 15.8, 0.2' dia, stellar nucleus." There is nothing near his rough position (nearest min of RA). Harold Corwin suggests this may be MCG -01-23-004, in which case Stone's RA would be 4 minutes too large (as often the case with L M observations, the dec is fairly accurate but the RA is very poor). So, this is an uncertain but very plausible identification. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 2697 = MCG +00-23-011 = CGCG 005-027 = PGC 25029

08 54 59.2 -02 59 14

V = 12.3; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 120d

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, weak concentration. Located 9.4' NE of brighter NGC 2695 in the same field.

Lord Rosse and Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2697 on 24 Jan 1851 with the 72", while observing NGC 2695. They noted "another neb, S, oval, about 10' following and 4' north." d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 22 Feb 1865.

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NGC 2698 = MCG +00-23-012 = CGCG 005-030 = PGC 25067

08 55 36.4 -03 11 02

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 96d

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, small, oval ~E-W, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 4.0' SE of mag 7.1 SAO 136405. Forms a pair with NGC 2699 4.7' NE. Brightest in a group with NGC 2695.

JH discovered NGC 2698 = h538 on 11 Mar 1826 and recorded "vF; R; resolvable; 30"; stars suspected in it. A *9 m precedes. This may possibly be II 281[NGC 2708] with an error of 10' in PD, but I have no reason for believing my obs erroneous." His position and description matches CGCG 005-030 = PGC 25067.

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NGC 2699 = MCG +00-23-014 = CGCG 005-033 = PGC 25075

08 55 48.7 -03 07 39

V = 12.6; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core. A mag 14.5-15.0 star is 0.9' NE of center (NGC 2700). Forms a pair with NGC 2698 4.7' SW in the NGC 2695/NGC 2698 group.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2699 on 27 Jan 1852, in one of the 11 observations of the NGC 2695/2708 field. He noted "about 20' sf [of NGC 2695] are 2 B, S neb, about 5' asunder." At the position of these two nebulae is NGC 2698 (discovered earlier by JH) and NGC 2699. Heinrich d'Arrest found NGC 2699 on 4 Jan 1862 and his position (measured on 3 nights) matches CGCG 005-033 = PGC 25075. He noted he had no doubt it was one of LdR's "6 knots", but was credited with the discovery in the GC and NGC.

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NGC 2700

08 55 50.6 -03 06 59

17.5" (2/13/88): this is a mag 14.5-15.0 star situated just 0.9' NE of the center of NGC 2699 (see observation).

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2700 around 1876 (communicated directly to Dreyer), along with NGC 2702/2703/2705/2707. All of these numbers probably apply to faint stars he found while observing the NGC 2695-2698 Group! The North Polar Distance in the NGC is two degrees too far south since NGC 2700 was placed just 1' N of NGC 2699. There is only a mag 14.5-15 star at his position, recorded in my observation of NGC 2699.

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NGC 2701 = UGC 4695 = MCG +09-15-063 = CGCG 264-043 = PGC 25237

08 59 05.4 +53 46 13

V = 12.3; Size 2.2'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 23d

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly faint, almost even surface brightness. A mag 12 star on the northwest edge interferes with viewing the halo.

WH discovered NGC 2701 = H IV-66 = h537 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and recorded "a small star with a fan-shaped nebula. The star is on the preceding side of the diverging chevelure, and seems to be connected with it." His position (Auwers' reduction) is 4' S of UGC 4695. JH called it "A *11-12m with a pB fan-shaped neb appendage in which there seems to one vF*. A curious object. See fig 65." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2702

08 55 54.6 -03 03 55

=*?, Corwin. Misidentified in the RNGC with 2MASX J08553714-0303149.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2702 around 1876, along with NGC 2700/2703/2705/2707. All of these numbers probably apply to faint stars he found while observing the NGC 2695-2698 Group! He placed this object 4' NE of NGC 2699 and a mag ~15.5 star is at this position. Interestingly, Dreyer, observing with the 72" on 4 Mar 1877, described this nova as "an eF, vS, neb nf GC 1727 [NGC 2699] in PA 18.0° and dist. 238.8". But this offset points exactly to the mag 15.5 star.

RNGC and PGC (as well as other sources based on these catalogues such as Megastar) misidentify PGC 25072 as NGC 2702. This galaxy is 4.4' N of NGC 2699 but 11 tsec preceding. If Tempel confused the E-W orientations of the two galaxies, then PGC 25072 is a possible candidate though it may be too faint to have been seen in the 11-inch Amici I refractor.

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NGC 2703

08 55 47.1 -03 18 25

=**, Corwin. NF, Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2703 around 1876 in the N2695/2698 group and described (in the NGC) as "eF,lE,doubtful". There is no nebula near his position, but 2' SW is a double star. Dreyer looked for Tempel's "nova" on 4 Mar 1877 at Birr Castle and reported "looked carefully for a nova Tempel [NGC 2703] between [[NGC 2698] and [NGC 2708], saw none, only about midways vF double star, which I first mistook for a nebula." Ironicallly, this probably was Tempel's "nova"! Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel" also found a "? Neb *14, *14.5 sp vnr." Harold Corwin also identifies this double star as NGC 2703.

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NGC 2704 = UGC 4678 = MCG +07-19-005 = CGCG 209-009 = IC 2424 = Holm 103a = PGC 25134

08 56 47.7 +39 22 56

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3

24" (2/16/15): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 0.9' diameter, broad weak concentration.

UGC 4689 lies 12' NE, UGC 4699 (overlapping double system) is 24' ENE and UGC 4704 is 28' SE. UGC 4689 is very faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 24"x18" (central region). UGC 4699 is fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, weak concentration. A very distinctive group of four brighter stars ("T" or "Y" shape) is 3' to 5' preceding. Finally, UGC 4704 (viewed at 200x) is extremely faint, thin edge-on roughly 10:1 WNW-ESE, 1.2'x0.2', can only glimpse due to very low even surface brightness. A mag 11 star is just south of the east end [2.2' from center].

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, fairly small, round, broad mild concentration. UGC 4699 lies 24' ENE and NGC 2691 is 25' NW.

WH discovered NGC 2704 = H III-625 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and noted "vF, vS. The same with 300 power." There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA west and 2' north is UGC 4678. This galaxy was independently found by Guillaume Bigourdan, placed accurately, and also catalogued as IC 2424. In Dreyer's 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel", he notes that NGC 2704 is probably equal to IC 2424 and Herschel's position was in error by 1 tmin. Bigourdan also questioned if this galaxy was identical to NGC 2704. So, NGC 2704 = IC 2424. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2705

08 56 00.0 -03 00 54

=*?, Corwin. NF, Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2705 around 1876, along with NGC 2700/2702/2703/2707 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri observatory. All of these numbers probably apply to faint stars he found while observing the NGC 2695-2698 Group! There are no nebulae near his positions, but 1' south is a mag 16 star. Interestingly, Dreyer, observing with the 72" on 7 Mar 1877, described this nova as "eF, eS, is nf GC 1727 [NGC 2699] in PA 22.3° and dist. 440.4", it forms a quadrilateral with 3 st 14m f and nf. Other eF neb susp here." Dreyer's offset and description points exactly to this faint star.

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NGC 2706 = UGC 4680 = MCG +00-23-017 = CGCG 005-036 = PGC 25102

08 56 12.3 -02 33 48

V = 13.0; Size 1.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 167d

17.5" (2/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.25'. A mag 12 star is close following the SSE tip 1.3' from center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2706 = Sw III-42 on 27 Feb 1866 and described "vF; pS; vE; * nr following." His position and description matches UGC 4680.

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NGC 2707

08 56 05.5 -03 04 00

V = 13.1

=*?, Corwin. NF, Carlson.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2707 around 1876, along with NGC 2700/2702/2703/2705 with the 11" refractor at the Arcetri observatory. All of these numbers probably apply to faint stars he found while observing the NGC 2695-2698 Group! A mag 15 star (GSC 4869-855) is close to the NGC position at 08 56 05.5 -03 04 00 (J2000), though this identification is uncertain.

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NGC 2708 = NGC 2727 = MCG +00-23-015 = CGCG 005-034 = PGC 25097

08 56 07.9 -03 21 37

V = 12.0; Size 2.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 20d

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, bright core. A mag 13.5 star is 0.9' NE of center. Forms a pair with NGC 2709 7.1' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 2708 = H II-281 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 353) and noted "vF, vS, irr F." His position is less than 2' south of CGCG 005-034 = PGC 25097. No observations were made by JH but his RA for h546 = NGC 2727 is exactly 5 min greater and Corwin suggests h546 may apply to NGC 2708.

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NGC 2709 = MCG +00-23-016 = CGCG 005-035 = PGC 25103

08 56 12.8 -03 14 36

V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 90d

17.5" (2/13/88): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 2708 7.1' SSW.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2709 on 27 Jan 1852 with LdR's 72" and the sketch shows it 11' SE of NGC 2699 (the actual separation is 9'). On 7 Mar 1877, Dreyer made a more detailed micrometric observation, noting "vF, pL, lE sp nf, north of [NGC 2708]. Pos 9.5°, Dist 434.4"."

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NGC 2710 = UGC 4705 = MCG +09-15-066 = CGCG 264-046 = PGC 25258

08 59 48.4 +55 42 23

V = 12.9; Size 2.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 125d

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE. A mag 14 star is at the NE edge 1.0' from center. A bright wide pair mag 10.5/11 at 37" separation lies 4' SW.

WH discovered NGC 2710 = H III-841 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and called it "vF, S." His position (CH's reduction) is 1' south of UGC 4705.

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NGC 2711 = UGC 4688 = MCG +03-23-020 = CGCG 090-042 = PGC 25164

08 57 23.6 +17 17 17

V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 170d

17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, very small, round. Located between a mag 12 star 1.5' SSW and a mag 11.5 star 1.1' NNE of center.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2711 = m 134 on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "vF, S, R." His position matches UGC 4688.

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NGC 2712 = UGC 4708 = MCG +08-17-003 = CGCG 238-001 = PGC 25248

08 59 30.5 +44 54 50

V = 12.1; Size 2.9'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 178d

13.1" (2/23/85): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 N-S, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus.

JH discovered NGC 2712 = h540 on 19 Mar 1828 and remarked "pB; L; E; vgbM; 2' l; 1.5' br' with attention a central point is seen = a * 18m." His position matches UGC 4708. Romney Robinson observed it with Lord Rosse's 72" on 5 Mar 1848 and described a "fine globular cluster, well resolved, no trace of * in centre." Robinson was adamant that all nebulae could be resolved so this bias certainly affected the observation.

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NGC 2713 = UGC 4691 = MCG +01-23-006 = CGCG 033-028 = PGC 25161

08 57 20.4 +02 55 14

V = 11.8; Size 3.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 107d

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, fairly small, large brighter core. Forms a pair with NGC 2716 11' NNE. Located 4.5' ENE of mag 9 SAO 117289.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2713 = m 135, along with NGC 2716, on 3 Mar 1864 and logged "pB, iR, mbM." Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered the pair on 15 Mar 1866. He noted a mag 10 star (SAO 117289) preceded by 18 sec of time and 46" south and measured an accurate position (2 nights).

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NGC 2714 = ESO 125-007 = PGC 24959

08 53 29.8 -59 13 02

V = 12.9; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1' diameter, moderate even concentration to the center, symmetric appearance. Set in a rich Carina star field 27' W of mag 4.9 HD 77002 (wide 4.9/6.8 pair at 40").

JH discovered NGC 2714 = h3143 on 4 Feb 1835 and recorded "eF; S; R; pslbM; difficult, but certain." His position matches ESO 125-007 = PGC 24959. RNGC classifies the number as an "Unverified southern object" (Type 0). Because of this, NGC 2714 is not in the Deep Sky Field Guide nor plotted on the first edition of Uranometria 2000 Atlas.

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NGC 2715 = UGC 4759 = MCG +13-07-015 = CGCG 350-012 = PGC 25676

09 08 06.4 +78 05 07

V = 11.2; Size 4.9'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 22d

17.5" (2/1/92): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 4'x2', broad weak concentration, fairly low but irregular surface brightness. The major axis is collinear with a mag 11 star 4.0' SSW of center.

Alphonse Borrelly discovered NGC 2715 around 1871 with a 7.2-inch comet-seeker at Marseille Observatory. His micrometric position in AN 1885 matches UGC 4759.

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NGC 2716 = UGC 4692 = MCG +01-23-007 = CGCG 033-029 = Holm 104a = PGC 25172

08 57 35.9 +03 05 25

V = 11.8; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 30d

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, small, round, brighter core. A mag 12 star lies 1.4' ESE of center. Forms a pair with NGC 2713 11' SSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2716 = m 136, along with NGC 2713 on 3 Mar 1864 and recorded "F, S, R, mbM." Heinrich d'Arrest independently found the pair on 15 Mar 1866 and both measured accurate positions.

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NGC 2717 = ESO 496-021 = MCG -04-21-015 = PGC 25146

08 57 01.1 -24 40 26

V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 10d

17.5" (3/25/95): moderately bright, fairly small, 50" diameter, oval SSW-NNE, high surface brightness. Contains a prominent 30" bright core and a stellar nucleus. Difficult to judge extent of outer halo as gradually fades into background. A mag 11 star lies 2.1' ENE of center. Located 13' NW of mag 7.1 SAO 176747.

JH discovered NGC 2717 = h3144 on 20 Mar 1835 and noted "F, S, R, gpmbM, 20"." His mean position (two observations) matches ESO 496-021 = PGC 25146

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NGC 2718 = UGC 4707 = MCG +01-23-015 = Mrk 703 = PGC 25225

08 58 50.4 +06 17 35

V = 11.8; Size 2.1'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (3/29/89): fairly faint, moderately large, oval NW-SE, bright core, stellar nucleus. Surrounded by three mag 14.5 stars 1.6' ENE, 1.4' N and 1.9' W of center.

WH discovered NGC 2718 = H II-557 = h542 on 24 Mar 1786 (sweep 543) and recorded "F, mE, unequally bright, 3' long, 1' broad." JH gave a very rough NPD and noted "F; pL; R." In the GC, included h542 and his father's H II-557 as separate entries with the comment "The descriptions are irreconcileable, and they must be two distinct nebulae..." But, Dreyer "looked carefully for other neb near it, found none." on 18 Mar 1876 with the 72" and combined the two GC entries into NGC 2718.

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NGC 2719 = Arp 202 NED1 = UGC 4718 = MCG +06-20-017 = CGCG 180-025a = Holm 105a = PGC 25281

09 00 15.7 +35 43 39

V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 133d

17.5" (3/20/93): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE. Forms a double system with NGC 2719A, which appears as a small knot at the south end, just 26" between centers. NGC 2724 lies 10' ENE.

WH discovered NGC 2719 = H III-540 = h541 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549) and recorde "vF, S, lE, seems to contain 2 vF stars." His position is 11 sec of RA too far west, but the description is accurate. On a second sweep he apparently added "E 20 degrees np-sf." and this implies the south-following star is certainly NGC 2719A.

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NGC 2720 = UGC 4710 = MCG +02-23-016 = CGCG 061-034 = PGC 25238

08 59 08.0 +11 08 57

V = 12.8; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated ~NW-SE, very small bright core.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2720 = m 137 on 10 Mar 1864 and noted "F, S, R, bM." His position matches UGC 4710. Wilhelm Tempel also measured the position in list I-23 and noted it was certainly equivalent to Marth's nebula.

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NGC 2721 = MCG -01-23-015 = PGC 25231

08 58 56.5 -04 54 07

V = 11.7; Size 2.6'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 160d

17.5" (2/13/88): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, large brighter core. Located 15' E of mag 6.6 SAO 136450. The RNGC declination is 18' too far north.

WH discovered NGC 2721 = H II-529 = h543 on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 520) and simply noted "F, S". His position is 10 sec of RA west of MCG -01-23-015 = PGC 25231. JH also recorded it on two sweeps and corrected the RA.

The RNGC declination is off by 18' too far north. This mistake was noticed while using the Uranometria 2000 Atlas to star hop to this galaxy and later was verified on the DSS. Coincidentally, the MCG declination is also 9' too far N (all the M-01-23-XXX galaxies must be shifted 9' south). I included this error in RNGC Corrections #3 (on the NGC/IC Project site).

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NGC 2722 = NGC 2733 = MCG -01-23-014 = PGC 25221

08 58 46.1 -03 42 37

V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 90d

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.8', brighter along major axis, fairly weak even concentration down to a brighter core, no well-defined nucleus. A mag 12 star lies 2.0' WNW. The NGC position is 10' too far east.

WH discovered NGC 2722 = H III-264 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 353) and noted as "eF, stellar, 240 verified it. I should have overlooked it, but in gaging the field perceived it." His position (Caroline Herschel's reduction) is 36 sec of RA east of MCG -01-23-014. An accurate position was measured on 1 Feb 1786 (sweep 520). The RNGC position is 0.7 min of RA too far east. MCG does not label this galaxy NGC 2722.

See NGC 2733 = h547, which may be a duplicate entry.

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NGC 2723 = UGC 4723 = MCG +01-23-017 = CGCG 033-039 = PGC 25280

09 00 14.3 +03 10 40

V = 13.2; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star just 0.6' ENE of center is brighter than the core. Also an extremely faint 15th mag star is just off the NW edge 20" from center.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2723 = m 138 on 3 Mar 1864 with Lassell's 48" and noted "F, S, R." His position is 1.6' NE of UGC 4723.

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NGC 2724 = UGC 4726 = MCG +06-20-019 = CGCG 180-027 = PGC 25331

09 01 01.8 +35 45 45

V = 13.6; Size 1.8'x1.6'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 2d

17.5" (3/20/93): very faint, moderately large, round, low even surface brightness. Located 2.8' NE of a mag 10 star which detracts from viewing. At the edge of the 220x field is mag 7.7 SAO 61205 10' NE. In a trio with NGC 2719 and NGC 2719A 10' WSW. This galaxy is not identified as NGC 2724 in the UGC, CGCG or MCG.

JH discovered NGC 2724 = h544 on 7 Feb 1832 and noted "eF; S; R." There is nothing at his position, but 0.9 min of RA west and 1' north is UGC 4726. JH gave the RA as uncertain, so this identification is reasonable. Because of this discrepancy, UGC, CGCG and MCG do not label their respective entries as NGC 2724, but RNGC and RC3 both label UGC 4726 as NGC 2724. Harold Corwin mentions NGC 2719 (further west) as another possibility, but this is further out in RA and is quite elongated.

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NGC 2725 = UGC 4732 = MCG +02-23-018 = CGCG 061-038 = PGC 25332

09 01 03.2 +11 05 51

V = 13.4; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.3

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, small, round, weak concentration. A mag 11 star is 2.5' N of center. Forms a pair with NGC 2728 10' E.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2725 = m 139 on 10 Mar 1864 (along with NGC 2728) and noted "F, pL". Marth's position is at the south edge of UGC 4732.

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NGC 2726 = UGC 4750 = MCG +10-13-054 = CGCG 288-018 = PGC 25498

09 04 56.8 +59 55 58

V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 87d

17.5" (4/5/97): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.2'x0.4', bright bulging core. A mag 15 star is just south of the core [23" SSW of center].

WH discovered NGC 2726 = H II-834 = h545 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952) and recorded "pF, pS, iF, easily resolvable." His position is 3' NE of UGC 4750. JH called this galaxy "eF; R; quite certain" and measured an accurate position. MCG misidentifies MCG +10-13-055 as NGC 2726.

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NGC 2727 = NGC 2708 = MCG +00-23-015 = CGCG 005-034 = PGC 25097

08 56 07.9 -03 21 37

See observing notes for NGC 2708.

JH discovered NGC 2727 = h546 on 12 Mar 1826 and recorded "vF; L; R; bM." There is nothing at his position and Bigourdan was unable to find h546. Harold Corwin comments that is JH made a 5 min error in RA too far east, then NGC 2727 would be a duplicate observation of NGC 2708. His description for h546 is "round", while NGC 2708 is very elongated, so this identification is very uncertain, but NGC 2733 = h547 discovered next in the same sweep also has a large error in RA, making the identification more likely. RNGC classifies NGC 2727 as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2728 = UGC 4738 = MCG +02-23-020 = CGCG 061-042 = PGC 25360

09 01 40.9 +11 04 58

V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 60d

17.5" (3/29/89): very faint, fairly small, round, very small bright core, low surface brightness. Located along the south side of a very thin triangle formed by three mag 11-12 stars including a mag 12 star 2' W and pair of mag 11 stars 2' NE. Located 10' E of NGC 2725.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2728 = m 140 on 10 Mar 1864 (along with NGC 2725) and noted "vF, L, R, bM". His position matches UGC 4738 = PGC 25360.

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NGC 2729 = UGC 4737 = MCG +01-23-018 = CGCG 033-046 = Holm 196a = PGC 25352

09 01 28.6 +03 43 14

V = 13.4; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 0d

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, very small, round, initially appeared elongated E-W due to a mag 15 star attached at the east end which is not cleanly resolved (16" ESE of center). Faint halo 30" diameter is weakly concentrated, very small brighter core. A pleasing bright double star mag 9.9/11 at 24" lies 3' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2729 = m 141 on 3 Mar 1864 and noted "vF, vS, R". His position is 6 sec of RA west of UGC 4737, but there's no question of the identity. The mag 15 star at the east edge was described as nebulous by Karl Reinmuth in his photographic survey based on Heidelberg plates.

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NGC 2730 = UGC 4743 = MCG +03-23-028 = CGCG 090-057 = PGC 25384

09 02 15.8 +16 50 18

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 80d

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, moderately large, almost round, low surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is just off the south edge 0.7' from center. Two mag 12.5 stars lie 2.0' SSE and 2.5' S. Forms a wide pair with NGC 2734 12' E.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2730 = m 142 on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "vF, L, R." His position is 1.8' due north of UGC 4743 of U04743 = PGC 25384.

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NGC 2731 = UGC 4741 = MCG +02-23-021 = CGCG 033-048 = CGCG 061-045 = PGC 25376

09 02 08.4 +08 18 05

V = 13.5; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 70d

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, very small, oval WSW-ENE, 0.6'x0.4'. Has an unusual appearance as a mag 13 star is nearly attached at the ENE edge 0.4' from center.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2731 = m 143 on 3 Mar 1864 and noted "F, vS, R." His position is 1.3' NW of UGC 4741 = PGC 25376.

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NGC 2732 = UGC 4818 = MCG +13-07-016 = CGCG 350-013 = PGC 25999

09 13 24.8 +79 11 14

V = 11.9; Size 2.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 67d

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly bright, small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 1.6'x0.7, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star is at the NE tip 0.8' from center. Forms a pair with UGC 4832 4.1' E.

JH discovered NGC 2732 = h539 on 2 Sep 1828 and recorded "pB; S; E from nf to sp. Has a star nf." There is nothing at his position (marked as uncertain), but ~3 min of RA east is UGC 4818 and his description is a perfect fit with this gaalxy. Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position, which was given in the NGC.

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NGC 2733 = NGC 2722 = MCG -01-23-014 = PGC 25221

08 58 46.1 -03 42 37

See observing notes for NGC 2722.

JH discovered NGC 2733 = h547 on 12 Mar 1826 and noted "eF; R. RA between 52m 31s and 54m 41s." There is nothing at his position, but he gave a wide range for the RA, and Harold Corwin notes that 2.8 min of RA west is NGC 2722. So, this identification is reasonable. NGC 2727, the previous object JH found in the sweep, may also have a large error in RA too far east. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.

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NGC 2734 = PGC 25413

09 03 01.6 +16 51 48

Size 0.5'x0.4'

17.5" (1/28/89): extremely faint and small, round, just non-stellar. Three mag 14/15 stars are on a line about 2' NW. Located 12' E of NGC 2730.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2734 = m 144 on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "eF, vS, R." His position is 2' north of PGC 25413, a faint galaxy not catalogued in the CGCG, MCG, UGC or RC3.

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NGC 2735 = Arp 287 NED1 = VV 40a = UGC 4744 = MCG +04-22-002 = CGCG 121-003 = Holm 108a = PGC 25399

09 02 38.7 +25 56 05

V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 94d

24" (3/22/14): moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 0.9'x0.3', contains a bright elongated core. Forms a close pair (VV 40 = Arp 287) with NGC 2735A = PGC 25402 just 45" ENE of center, but detached. At 375x, the companion appeared very faint and small, round, only 10"-12" diameter. Situated 4.9' NNE of mag 7.3 HD 77313, along with three mag 9-10 stars even closer.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W. There are four bright stars to the south. Three of these stars oriented WSW-ENE form a shallow arc; mag 10 star 1.6' S, mag 9.1 SAO 80591 3.2' SW, mag 9.0 SAO 80590 4.6' SW. Also mag 7.2 SAO 80592 lies 5' SSW (2' S of SAO 80591).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2735 = St IX-18 on 26 Feb 1878 using the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory and recorded as "small star enveloped in a vF, vS neby, lE E-W." His position is exactly 1.0 tmin of RA east of UGC 4744 although his offset star is correctly placed. The error was caught and corrected by Esmiol in his re-reduction of Stephan's position.

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NGC 2736 = Herschel's Ray = Pencil Nebula = ESO 260-N14 = RCW 37

09 00 17 -45 56 54

Size 30'x7'; PA = 20d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): Herschel's Ray was a striking, bright filament at 130x and a UHC or OIII filter, extending SSW-NNE for at least 20' in length. Herschel's Ray is brightest along a 5' stretch at the NNE end as it passes to the west of mag 8.3 HD 774433 and continues NNE ending to the west of a mag 9.5 star. Several very faint stars appear to very close to the northern half of the ray, particularly along the eastern edge, though a mag 11.2 star is also at the western edge. The ray weakens or thins to a narrow splinter just the east of this mag 11.2 star. At the NNE tip the filament subtly bends very slightly towards the north and at the SSW end the filament more obviously curves or hooks slightly towards the south as it fades.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): Herschel's Ray was easily picked up at 105x using a UHC filter. It extended well over 1/2 of the 38' field, at least 20'x2', oriented SSW-NNE. This prominent Vela Supernova filament is brightest towards the NNE end near a mag 8.3 star which is just following the NNE edge. It appears like a thin splinter of light through the field with a weak filamentary structure and variations in brightness, similar to one of the fainter filaments in the Veil nebula. Several stars are very close to the edge including a mag 11 star near the middle. I was impressed the appearance was very comparable to the view I had through the 18-inch in Australia.

18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is an isolated bright eastern filament in the Vela Supernova remnant which is centered over 4° to the west. At 128x and UHC filter (38 arcmin field), it appears as a fairly faint, thin, nebulous streak extending SSW-NNE over half the field, ~20'x1'! The surface brightness is roughly uniform, though the northern portion is brighter near a mag 8.3 star off the NE end. The nebulosity continues past this star and ends with a mag 9.5 star due east of the NNE tip. On the SSW end the nebulosity gradually dims out. A few mag 11 stars border the filament, one just off the west edge near the center and a couple further south.

JH discovered NGC 2736 = h3145 on 1 Mar 1835 and recorded "eeF, L, vvmE; an extraordinary long narrow ray of excessively feeble light; position 19 deg±. At least 20' long, extending much beyond the limits of the field...". It was sketched in Plate V, figure 12. His position and sketch agrees perfectly with ESO 260-N14, the brightest piece of the huge Vela SNR, centered ~ 5 degrees WNW.

RNGC and NGC 2000.0 misclassify this filament as a galaxy and I mentioned this error in RNGC Corrections #5. The first reported connection of NGC 2736 with the Vela SNR was in 2000: http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/ApJ/journal/issues/ApJL/v543n2/005648/005648.html, two years after the discovery of the SNR itself in 1998. Estimated age of the supernova is 9-11,000 years.

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NGC 2737 = UGC 4751 = MCG +04-22-005 = CGCG 121-009 = PGC 25453

09 03 59.7 +21 54 23

V = 14.1; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 61d

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated WSW-ENE, small bright core. Forms a close pair with NGC 2738 3.7' N.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2737, along with NGC 2738, on 23 Feb 1863. His micrometric position (measured on 3 nights) matches UGC 4751 = PGC 25453. Engelhardt also measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2738 = UGC 4752 = VV 481 = MCG +04-22-006 = CGCG 121-010 = PGC 25454

09 04 00.5 +21 58 04

V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 55d

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, small, elongated SW-NE, small bright core. Forms a close pair with NGC 2737 3.7' S.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2738, along with NGC 2737, on 23 Feb 1863. His micrometric position (measured on 3 nights) matches UGC 4752 = PGC 25454 and he noted a mag 14 star that precedes by 8 seconds of RA and 30" north.

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NGC 2739 = MCG +09-15-085 = CGCG 264-059 = PGC 25530

09 06 02.8 +51 44 41

V = 14.8; Size 0.8'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 95d

17.5" (4/5/97): very faint, small, round, 20" diameter. Forms a close double system with NGC 2740 40" SE. This galaxy is the smaller of the pair but is slightly more noticeable due to a small brighter core and stellar nucleus with direct vision. A mag 12 star lies 51" NNE of center.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2739 on 18 Feb 1855 while observing h549 = NGC 2740 with Lord Rosse's 72". He noted a "Double nebula, vF, south one the larger, both S, R." A sketch clearly shows both galaxies as well as two nearby stars (JH logged "four small stars with a strong suspicion of nebula among them").

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NGC 2740 = MCG +09-15-086 = CGCG 264-060 = PGC 25531

09 06 05.0 +51 44 07

V = 14.0; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (4/5/97): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter. A mag 14 star is 35" SE of center. Forms a double system with NGC 2739 40" NW.

JH discovered NGC 2740 = h549 on 17 Feb 1831 and recorded "four small stars with a strong suspician of nebula among them." This observation probably refers to both NGC 2739 and NGC 2740 (one or two of Herschel's "stars" are probably the nuclei or cores of these galaxies), but LdR is credited with the discovery of one of the galaxies (NGC 2740) in the GC and NGC. His position is 1.3' north of CGCG 264-060 = PGC 25531, and falls very close to a nearby star.

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NGC 2741 = Mrk 1221 = PGC 25425

09 03 16.5 +18 15 40

Size 0.5'x0.2'; PA = 80d

17.5" (4/6/02): very faint, small, slightly elongated 0.5'x0.3', ver weak concentration. Located 3' N of a mag 10 star. A mag 13 star follows by 1'. This galaxy is the westernmost in the NGC 2744 group and lies 30' W of NGC 2744. The NGC identification is uncertain as Marth's catalogued position is 1.0 tmin further east (nothing exists there). Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2741 = m145 on 28 Mar 1864 and simply noted "vF". There is nothing at his position and Bigourdan, Carlson and RNGC all concluded this object doesn't exist. But Harold Corwin notes that 1.0 min of RA west of Marth's position (and matching in declination) is PGC 25425. The NGC description "p[receding] of two [with NGC 2745]" was added by Dreyer based on the positions, but is not accurate.

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NGC 2742 = NGC 2816? = UGC 4779 = MCG +10-13-057 = CGCG 288-019 = PGC 25640

09 07 33.2 +60 28 46

V = 11.4; Size 3.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 87d

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated ~E-W, even moderate surface brightness. Located 4.6' SE of mag 7.7 SAO 14765. A thin isosceles triangle of stars including a mag 13 pair at 24" separation lies 3' SE. NGC 2768 lies 40' SE.

WH discovered NGC 2742 = H I-249 = h550 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952) and described "a considerably bright extended nebula about 4' long and 2' broad; it is easily resolvable, and I suppose with a higher power and longer attention the stars would become visible. It is brighter about the middle." His position is 2.3' northeast of the center of UGC 4779 = PGC 25640. JH made a single observation (no structure noted) and described with the 72" on 12 Mar 1852 as "an amorphous mass of neby of uneven character, elongated p-f." MCG misidenties MCG +10-13-058 as NGC 2742.

NGC 2816 may be a duplicate observation. See that number.

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NGC 2743 = UGC 4760 = MCG +04-22-009 = CGCG 121-013 = PGC 25496

09 04 54.3 +25 00 14

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 105d

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.8', low surface brightness halo, sharp concentration with prominent 15" core and stellar nucleus. Forms the east vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 10.5 star 4.1' NW, a mag 12 star 4.1' WSW and mag 9.0 SAO 80621 9' E.

WH discovered NGC 2743 = H III-608 on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 703) and noted "eF, S, R, vlbM." His position (Auwers' reduction) is within 1' of UGC 4760.

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NGC 2744 = UGC 4757 = MCG +03-23-031 = CGCG 090-065 = VV 612 = LGG 166-001 = PGC 25480

09 04 39.1 +18 27 53

V = 13.5; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 120d

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, fairly small. Elongated 4:3 ~WNW-ESE, although the appearance is asymmetric with an irregular outline and faint extensions visible with averted vision only. Weak concentration to an ill-defined core. A mag 13.5-14 star is at the east edge, 53" from center. Located 13' NW of NGC 2749 in a group. Difficult NGC 2745 lies 12' due south. The DSS image reveals a distorted, (possibly) interacting system with a very faint tidal plume to the north.

13" (12/22/84): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, diffuse, low even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is just 0.9' E of center. NGC 2749 lies 14' SE.

WH discovered NGC 2744 = H III-60 = h551 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and noted "vF, S, r. I saw it better with 240 than 157, very near it is a small star." His position is 8 sec of RA east and 1' north of UGC 4757.

JH made two observations and noted "vF; R; is south of a coarse double star." R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 9 Feb 1855, recorded "Neb is vlbM, perhaps lE np sf. It is closely followed by a small star; a few minutes north are 4 stars."

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NGC 2745 = CGCG 090-064 = PGC 25478

09 04 39.3 +18 15 26

V = 14.6; Size 0.4'x0.2'; PA = 0d

17.5" (4/6/02): extremely faint and small, round, 15" diameter. A similar (in brightness) mag 15 star lies ~30" S and initially drew my attention. Located 4.3' ESE of mag 9.2 SAO 98335 and 10' WSW of NGC 2749 in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2745 = m 146 on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "eF, vS, stellar." His position matches CGCG 090-064 = PGC 25478. Dreyer added the description "f of 2 [with NGC 2741]", but this was based on the erroneous position of NGC 2741.

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NGC 2746 = UGC 4770 = MCG +06-20-023 = CGCG 180-032 = PGC 25533

09 05 59.5 +35 22 38

V = 13.1; Size 1.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (4/5/97): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, very weak even concentration to a slightly brighter core. A mag 12 star is close north [52" from center].

WH discovered NGC 2746 = H III-825 = h552 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 938) and recorded "vF, S, R, bM, south of a small star." His position (Caroline Herschel's reduction) matches UGC 4770.

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NGC 2747 = CGCG 090-070 = PGC 25507

09 05 18.3 +18 26 32

V = 14.5; Size 0.4'x0.2'; PA = 170d

17.5" (4/6/02): very faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter. Low, even surface brightness and even with concentration could not hold steadily. Collinear with a trio of mag 11 stars which trail to the east. Just beyond the south-eastern star in the chain lies NGC 2752 8.5' SE. Located 8' N of NGC 2749 in a small group of a half-dozen galaxies.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2747 = m 147 on 29 Mar 1865 and recorded "vF, vS, stellar." His position matches CGCG 090-070 = PGC 25507.

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NGC 2748 = UGC 4825 = MCG +13-07-019 = CGCG 350-014 = PGC 26018

09 13 42.9 +76 28 33

V = 11.7; Size 3.0'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 38d

17.5" (4/6/91): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3.0'x1.0' SW-NE, broad concentration but no nucleus.

JH discovered NGC 2748 = h548 on 2 Sep 1828 and recorded "pB; pL; E; vglbM; 90" l; 40" br." The position is marked as approximate, but is less than 2' northwest of the center of UGC 4825.

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NGC 2749 = UGC 4763 = MCG +03-23-036 = CGCG 090-069 = LGG 166-005 = PGC 25508

09 05 21.4 +18 18 49

V = 11.8; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 69d

17.5" (4/6/02): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.9'x0.7', small bright core. Brightest in a group with NGC 2741 30' W, NGC 2744 13' NW, NGC 2745 10' WSW, NGC 2751 4' SE and NGC 2752 5.3' ENE.

13" (12/22/84): fairly faint, small, almost round, bright core, small faint nucleus. Brightest in a group with NGC 2751 4' SE and NGC 2752 5' NE. Also NGC 2744 lies 14' NW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2749 on 5 Mar 1862 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen observatory. His position (measured on 6 nights!) matches UGC 4763 = PGC 25508, though he missed nearby NGC 2751 and 2752.

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NGC 2750 = VV 541 = UGC 4769 = MCG +04-22-012 = CGCG 121-017 = KPG 186B = PGC 25525

09 05 48.0 +25 26 13

V = 11.9; Size 2.2'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.3

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, strong concentration with a very small bright core and quasi-stellar nucleus, fairly large slightly elongated halo 1.2'x1.0'. A very faint, elongated brightening was visible at the west edge. This object is catalogued as KPG 186A = PGC 93099, but on the SDSS it appears more likely to be a bright, knotty, star forming region.

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter. Moderately concentrated to a small bright core and a stellar nucleus. Forms the NE vertex of a right triangle with mag 9.7 SAO 80618 4' WSW and a mag 11.5 star 3.5' SSW. A superimposed companion on the west side was not seen.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, fairly small, round, even concentration to a small bright core, halo gradually fades into background. Located 3.9' NE of mag 9.3 SAO 80618.

WH discovered NGC 2750 = H III-291 on 11 Mar 1785 (sweep 384) and remarked "vF, pL, R, bM." Auwer's reduction placed this object 1° too far north, but this error was caught by JH, when he compiled the GC. Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered the nebula and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2751 = MCG +03-23-037 = CGCG 090-071 = PGC 25517

09 05 32.4 +18 15 44

V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 141d

17.5" (4/6/02): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (viewed core only). Located 40" S of a mag 13 star and 4' SE of NGC 2749 in a group of a half-dozen galaxies. Brighter NGC 2752 lies 5' NE.

13" (12/22/84): extremely faint, small, almost round. In a group with brightest member NGC 2749 4.0' NW, also NGC 2752 lies 5.7' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2751 = m 148, along with NGC 2752, on 28 Mar 1864 and noted "eF, eS, stellar." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2752 = UGC 4772 = MCG +03-23-038 = CGCG 090-072 = PGC 25523

09 05 43.0 +18 20 23

V = 13.7; Size 1.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 58d

17.5" (4/6/02): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.3', low surface brightness with no noticeable central brightening. A mag 11 star is 1.0' NW and a close double star (brighter component is 10.5 mag) with a wider third component is 1.9' NE. Located 5.3' ENE of NGC 2749 at the eastern end of a group of 6 galaxies.

13" (12/22/84): extremely faint, small. Three stars are close NE including a fairly bright mag 10/13 double at 20" separation located 2' NE and a mag 10.5 star lies 1.0' NW. Located at the east edge of a galaxy group and 5.3' ENE of NGC 2749.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2752 = m 149, along with NGC 2751, on 28 Mar 1864 and remarked "pF, pL, vmE, gbM." His position matches UGC 4772 = PGC 25523.

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NGC 2753 = MCG +04-22-015 = CGCG 121-020 = PGC 25603

09 07 08.3 +25 20 32

V = 14.4; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 15d

17.5" (4/6/02): faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.5'x0.4', weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is 1.0' NW. NGC 2750 lies 19' WNW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2753 on 21 Feb 1863 with the 11-inch Merz-refractor at the Copenhagen observatory. There is nothing at his position (#87 in AN 1500), though he noted a mag 13-14 star was 40" northwest. Exactly 1 min of time east of his position is CGCG 121-020 = PGC 25603, matching his description. He mentioned that he couldn't find this nebula again on nights #173 and 229, so the first position was clearly a recording or copying error.

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NGC 2754 = ESO 564-016 = PGC 25504

09 05 11.2 -19 05 05

V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 130d

17.5" (2/8/97): very faint, small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, low even surface brightness. Faintest of three in field and located 5.3' SW of NGC 2758 and 9' NW of IC 2437.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2754 = LM II-408 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and noted as "mag 15.0, 0.4' dia, R; 1st of 3 [with NGC 2757 and 2758." His position is 8 sec of RA west of ESO 564-016 = PGC 25504.

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NGC 2755 = UGC 4789 = MCG +07-19-034 = CGCG 209-030 = PGC 25670

09 07 58.3 +41 42 32

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 130d

17.5" (4/5/97): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.8'. Even surface brightness with no discernable core. Collinear with a nice well-matched double 12' ENE [mag 11-12 stars at 21" separation].

WH discovered NGC 2755 = H III-626 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and recorded "vF, S, iF, lbM, resolvable." CH's reduced position is within 1' of UGC 4789.

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NGC 2756 = UGC 4796 = MCG +09-15-098 = CGCG 264-067 = PGC 25757

09 09 01.1 +53 50 58

V = 12.4; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 0d

17.5" (2/9/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated nearly 2:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.6'. Contains a brighter, roundish core. There is an extremely faint clump of stars (triple on the DSS) about 1' SW which was near the limit of visibility and appeared nebulous. CGCG 264-008 lies 2.8' N.

WH discovered NGC 2756 = H II-828 = h553 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and noted "pB, S, vgmbM." His position (Auwers' reduction) is 1.5' south of UGC 4796, within his usual positional accuracy. JH called this galaxy "pB; pL; lE; vglbM." His position matches UGC 4796.

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NGC 2757

09 05 25.7 -19 02 52

17.5" (2/8/97): this is a faint, close triple star (components mag 15) located 1.3' W of NGC 2758. In my observation of NGC 2758, this triple appeared nebulous and I sketched it as a probably nonstellar companion (slightly elongated with a nearly stellar core)! Howe identifies a wider pair close NW as NGC 2757.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2757 = LM II-409 in 1886 with the 26" and recorded "mag 15.0, 2nd of 3 [with NGC 2754 and 2758]; *?". His position is just 0.1 min of RA west of NGC 2758. There is no galaxy near this off and Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor at Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, found only an extremely faint double star, dist 12". Harold Corwin proposes a closer triple star (Muller would have easily resolved the coarser double) at 09 05 25.7 -19 02 52. I also thought this triple was a nonstellar object in my observation of NGC 2758! See Corwin's identifications notes for more.

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NGC 2758 = ESO 564-020 = MCG -03-23-019 = PGC 25515

09 05 31.2 -19 02 33

V = 13.2; Size 1.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 19d

17.5" (2/8/97): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration (viewed core only). A very close trio of mag 15 stars is 1.3' W. This triple is probably NGC 2757, and I mistakenly took it for a small nebulous object also. Situated between two mag 13 stars 2' N and 3' S. Second brightest of three in field with NGC 2754 5.3' SW. On 3/25/95, I picked up brighter IC 2437 10' N but missed the pair of NGC galaxies.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2758 = LM II-410 in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.2, 0.5'x0.4', E 180° [N-S], 3d of 3 [with NGC 2754 and 2757]. His position is just 9 sec of RA east of ESO 564-020.

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NGC 2759 = UGC 4795 = MCG +06-20-033 = CGCG 180-042 = PGC 25718

09 08 37.3 +37 37 17

V = 13.0; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 50d

17.5" (4/5/97): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, moderately high surface brightness, broad concentration. IC 527 lies 13' E.

WH discovered NGC 2759 = H III-647 = h554 on 20 Mar 1787 (sweep 721) and noted "vF, vS, verified 300 power." His position (CH's reduction) is less than 2' northeast of UGC 4795. JH called this galaxy "pF; R; S; but not nearly so F as [NGC 2746], which precedes it in the sweep." His position is 13 sec of RA too far west.

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NGC 2760

09 15 42 +76 23

=Not found, Gottlieb. =Not found, RNGC.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2760 = Sw VI-34 on 26 Mar 1887. There is nothing at his position and Bigourdan came up empty . His description mentions "nearly between an 8 and 9 mag star". About 10' NW of his position is a wide pair of mag 13.6/15.5 stars at 35" separation which are at the midpoint of two mag 9/10 stars matching Swift's description - but the pair seems too wide to be confused as nebulous.

Harold Corwin suggests CGCG 350-021 as a possible candidate, although the flanking stars are mag 11. Also, this galaxy is 8.5 min of RA further east and 9' north of Swift's position. More recently (2014) he suggests CGCG 350-016, which is about a half-degree south of Swift's position and 1 min 30 sec west. Because of the large uncertainties, I'm listing this number as not found. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 2761 = MCG +03-23-041 = CGCG 091-001 = CGCG 090-077 = PGC 25638

09 07 30.9 +18 26 04

V = 13.9; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, weak even concentration but no distinct nucleus. Forms the vertex of an obtuse angle with two mag 13 stars 2.3' WNW and 1.9' S. Located at the east end of a group including NGC 2744, NGC 2745, NGC 2747, NGC 2749, NGC 2751 and NGC 2752 viewed previously with the 13".

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2761 = m 150 on 29 Mar 1865 and simply noted as "vF, S". Marth's position matches CGCG 090-077 = PGC 25638.

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NGC 2762 = MCG +08-17-045 = CGCG 264-072 = PGC 25828

09 09 54.5 +50 25 06

V = 15.1; Size 0.5'x0.35'; PA = 0d

18" (2/14/10): at 280x this difficult galaxy appeared extremely faint, very small, possibly elongated though too faint to determine an orientation, 20" diameter. Required averted and concentration to just briefly glimpse (repeated a few times) this object 2.9' WNW of NGC 2767. First of four in a group with NGC 2767, NGC 2769 and NGC 2771.

17.5" (4/5/97): not found but I appeared to be observing partially in a tree and 5 hrs past the meridian! Located 2.9' NW of NGC 2767.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 2762 on 26 Feb 1851 with LdR's 72" and noted as 3' NW of Gamma [NGC 2767] on the sketch. The sketch is accurate enough to clearly identify NGC 2767, 2769, 2771 (all discovered by JH), as well as NGC 2762 = MCG +08-17-045. The first edition of the Deep Sky Field Guide lists V = 16.9 and the second edition lists V = 14.0 (should refer to NGC 2767). The SDSS derived mag is V = 15.1.

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NGC 2763 = MCG -02-23-010 = PGC 25570

09 06 49.1 -15 30 00

V = 12.0; Size 2.3'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 120d

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, weak concentration, diffuse outer halo. A mag 12.5 star is close off the north edge 1.2' from the center.

WH discovered NGC 2763 = H III-275 = h560 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371) and reported "vF, vS, bM, about 1/2' south of a small star." His position is 3' north of MCG -02-23-010 = PGC 25570. JH called this galaxy "eF; pL; has a small star just north, and four more preceding." His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 2764 = UGC 4794 = MCG +04-22-017 = CGCG 121-024 = PGC 25690

09 08 17.5 +21 26 37

V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 15d

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, weak concentration. Located between a mag 11.5 star 2.2' N and a mag 10.5 star 2.3' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 2764 = H III-236 = h557 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and logged "eF, lE, between 2 pretty bright stars, verified with 240 power." His position is just off the southwest edge of UGC 4794. A faint double star 1' SE was noted by LdR on the single observation of 23 Feb 1857.

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NGC 2765 = UGC 4791 = MCG +01-24-001 = CGCG 033-061 = PGC 25646

09 07 36.6 +03 23 34

V = 12.1; Size 2.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 107d

17.5" (2/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, gradually brighter core but no sharp nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 2765 = H II-520 = h558 on 27 Jan 1786 (sweep 512) and recorded "vF, mE, easily resolvable. May be a patch of stars; the weather being too hazy to observe it well." His position (Auwers' reduction) is 1.7' north of UGC 4791. JH described this galaxy as "vF; pL gbM, but not to a nucleus" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2766 = UGC 4801 = MCG +05-22-009 = CGCG 151-014 = PGC 25735

09 08 47.6 +29 51 53

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 132d

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.4', slightly brighter roundish core. A wide pair of mag 13 stars follows (closer one is 1.6' E of center). Located 16' NE of mag 5.4 Tau Cancri.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2766 = St XIII-44 on 22 Mar 1884. His position matches UGC 4801 = PGC 25735.

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NGC 2767 = UGC 4813 = MCG +08-17-048 = CGCG 264-075 = PGC 25852

09 10 11.9 +50 24 05

V = 13.8; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 11.6; PA = 0d

18" (2/14/10): this galaxy forms the west vertex of a near equilateral triangle with NGC 2769 3.8' NE and NGC 2771 4.6' ESE. At 280x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, well concentrated with a very small bright core. NGC 2762 lies 2.9' WNW.

17.5" (4/5/97): first and smallest of trio with NGC 2769 and NGC 2771. Faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, even surface brightness. NGC 2762 3' NW not seen.

JH discovered NGC 2767 = h556 on 8 Mar 1831 and recorded "eF; sbM to a * 15m; the first of 3 [with NGC 2769 and NGC 2771]." His position is 6 sec of RA east of UGC 4813, a similar offset as his positions for other two.

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NGC 2768 = UGC 4821 = MCG +10-13-065 = CGCG 288-026 = PGC 25915

09 11 37.6 +60 02 15

V = 9.9; Size 8.1'x4.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 95d

17.5" (3/28/92): very bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 E-W, faint halo extends to 3.0'x1.5' with averted. The halo increases to a very bright core with a high surface brightness and a stellar nucleus. Several bright stars are in the field including two mag 10 stars 3.5' WNW and 4.7' N of center.

8": fairly bright, elongated, bright core. Located 15' SE of a wide mag 8/9 pair.

WH discovered NGC 2768 = H I-250 = h555 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952) and logged "vB, cL, lE, large bright nucleus in the middle." His position (Caroline Herschel's reduction) is on the eastern side of the halo of UGC 4821.

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NGC 2769 = UGC 4816 = MCG +08-17-050 = CGCG 264-076 = PGC 25870

09 10 32.2 +50 26 01

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 146d

18" (2/14/10): at 280x, the northern member of a small group with NGC 2771, NGC 2767 and NGC 2762 appeared moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.3'x0.5'. Gradually increases to a bright core and small, brighter nucleus though there are no well defined zones.

17.5" (4/5/97): brightest of small trio with NGC 2771 3.4' SSE and NGC 2767 3.8' SW. Fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.5', brighter core.

JH discovered NGC 2769 = h559 on 7 Mar 1831 (along with NGC 2771) and noted "not vF; lE; S; pslbM; 15"." The next night he added nearby NGC 2767. His mean position from two sweeps is 8 sec of RA east of UGC 4816.

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NGC 2770 = UGC 4806 = MCG +06-20-038 = CGCG 180-047 = Holm 111a = PGC 25806

09 09 33.6 +33 07 26

V = 12.2; Size 3.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 148d

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint but surprisingly large, nearly edge-on 7:2 NW-SE, 3.0'x0.9', weak broad concentration. Fairly low but uneven surface brightness with an impression of mottling. A mag 12 star is 2' N and a mag 13 star 1.7' NE of center.

NGC 2770 hosted three Type 1b supernovae in a 10-year period: SN 1999eh, SN 2007uy and SN 2008D

WH discovered NGC 2770 = H II-490 = h562 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and logged "pF, pmE, resolvable, 3' long, 1.5' broad. South of 2 equals stars nearly in the meridian, and about 2' from each other." His position matches UGC 4801.

Bindon Stoney, observing on 20 Jan 1852 with LdR's 72", noted "F, L ray, 2 stars nearly parallel to it on n f side; suspect a bright streak down the middle." This galaxy has hosted 3 Type Ib supernovae over a 10 year period: SN 1999eh, SN 2007uy and SN 2008D.

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NGC 2771 = UGC 4817 = MCG +08-17-051 = CGCG 264-077 = PGC 25875

09 10 39.8 +50 22 47

V = 12.7; Size 2.2'x1.9'; Surf Br = 14.1

18" (2/14/10): moderately bright, elonated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.6' (this is the brighter bar and I missed the lower surface brightness halo). Contains a well defined, small bright nucleus. This galaxy is slightly fainter than NGC 2769 3.4' NNW with a roughly perpendiclar orientation.

17.5" (4/5/97): the largest member of a small trio with NGC 2767 4.6' WNW and NGC 2769 3.4' NNW appears faint, round, 1.5' diameter with a fairly low surface brightness. Broad concentration with a very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. Located 13' SW of mag 6.6 SAO 27165.

JH discovered NGC 2771 = h561 on 7 Mar 1831 (along with NGC 2769) and logged "vF; S; lE; 10"." The next night he also recorded NGC 2767. His mean position (2 sweeps) is 8 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 4817, but the identification is certain.

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NGC 2772 = ESO 497-014 = MCG -04-22-002 = PGC 25654

09 07 41.9 -23 37 15

V = 13.4; Size 1.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 163d

17.5" (2/8/97): fairly faint, moderately bright, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, broad concentration with a bulging core and much fainter extensions. A mag 11.5 star lies 2.1' NNE.

JH discovered NGC 2772 = h3146 on 23 Jan 1835 and reported "eF, lE, lbM, rather a doubtful object." His position is 1.8' south of ESO 487-014.

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NGC 2773 = UGC 4815 = MCG +01-24-004 = CGCG 034-005 = PGC 25825

09 09 44.2 +07 10 25

V = 14.0; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 83d

17.5" (3/29/89): very faint, very small, elongated E-W. Located just 1.2' W of a shallow arc of three stars mag 12.5/14/14 with 30" separation between the pairs. NGC 2775 lies 13' SE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2773 = m 151 and noted "vF, S, lE." His position matches UGC 4815 = PGC 25825.

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NGC 2774 = MCG +03-24-004 = CGCG 091-015 = PGC 25879

09 10 40.0 +18 41 47

V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, fairly small, appears elongated E-W but probably due to mag 15 star just off the west edge 24" from center, very weak concentration. Collinear with a mag 14 star 2.1' S and a mag 13.5 star 3.8' S.

WH discovered NGC 2774 = H III-61 = h565 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded "suspected a nebula with 157; 240 shewed 5 small stars with a little seeming nebulosity, of which however I still have some doubts; most probably a higher power would have shown them free from it." There is nothing at his position but JH found the nebula (CGCG 091-015 = PGC 25879) one degree north of his father's position. Ralph Copeland, confirmed the northern position with the 72" on 20 Feb 1873 and called it "eF, R, glbM *15m in Pos 266.8°, Dist 25.5". Finally, Stephan independently found the galaxy on 7 Feb 1877 and recorded it in list IX-19. The NGC position from Stephan and d'Arrest is accurate.

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NGC 2775 = UGC 4820 = MCG +01-24-005 = CGCG 034-006 = PGC 25861

09 10 20.2 +07 02 16

V = 10.1; Size 4.3'x3.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 155d

17.5" (3/29/89): bright, very large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, small very bright core, stellar nucleus, large faint halo. Near the edge of the field is NGC 2777 11' NNE and NGC 2773 13' NW.

13" (2/23/85): bright, fairly large, elongated NNW-SSE, bright core, stellar nucleus.

8": fairly bright, bright core, elongated.

WH discovered NGC 2775 = H I-2 = h564 on 19 Dec 1783 (internal discovery #16 in sweep 57). His summary description from 5 sweeps reads "cB, cL, R, vgbM, with nucleus." JH recorded "vB; R; psbM; 2' diam; the hazy border perhaps extends further; resolvable??" Samuel Hunter, observing on LdR's 72" on 28 Mar 1861 also thought he could resolve this galaxy - "R, vgbM like a glob. Cl, I see stars plainly at times."

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NGC 2776 = UGC 4838 = MCG +08-17-056 = CGCG 238-020 = PGC 25946

09 12 14.5 +44 57 19

V = 11.6; Size 3.0'x2.7'; Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (3/16/96): moderately bright, moderately large, 1.5' diameter, round. Fairly even concentration with a large 1' core increasing to a 20" nucleus. A mag 11 star is 4' SSE. Located 9' NE of mag 7.6 SAO 42735.

8": faint, moderately large, 1.5' diameter, slightly elongated ~N-S, weak concentration. Located 8' NE of mag 7.5 SAO 42735.

JH discovered NGC 2776 = h563 on 19 Mar 1828 and described "pB; vL; R; vgbM; resolvable; 3' diam." His position is accurate.

R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 16 Feb 1858, noted "pL, mottled and suspect spiral.".

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NGC 2777 = UGC 4823 = MCG +01-24-006 = CGCG 034-008 = PGC 25876

09 10 41.8 +07 12 23

V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (3/29/89): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus suspected. A mag 12 star is 2.0' NNE. NGC 2775 lies 11.4' SSW.

13" (2/23/85): faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, bright core, 11' NNE of NGC 2775.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2777 = m 152 on 6 Mar 1864 and noted "F, S". His position matches UGC 4823.

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NGC 2778 = UGC 4840 = MCG +06-20-043 = CGCG 180-054 = Holm 112a = PGC 25955

09 12 24.3 +35 01 39

V = 12.4; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 40d

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, very small bright core, stellar nucleus with direct vision. Forms a close pair with NGC 2779 1.7' NNE with NGC 2780 in the field 7.3' SSE. An evenly matched pair of mag 10 stars (at 38" in PA ~90°) is located 5' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 2778 = H II-564 = h566 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549) and noted "pB, S, R, mbM." His position is 6 sec of RA west of UGC 4840, within his usual margin of error. JH made 4 observations with size estimates of 20"-30". Brightest in a group (NGC 2779 discovered with the 72").

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NGC 2779 = MCG +06-20-044 = CGCG 180-055 = Holm 112b = PGC 25958

09 12 28.2 +35 03 12

V = 14.6; Size 0.7'x0.7'

17.5" (3/28/92): extremely faint, very small, round, can almost hold steadily with averted. Forms a close pair with NGC 2778 1.7' SSW. Faintest of three including NGC 2780. A wide evenly matched mag 10 pair at 38" separation is just 3.5' NE.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2779 on 13 Mar 1850 with LdR's 72" and noted "a third neb [with NGC 2778 and NGC 2780], eF, found." The sketch clearly shows the three galaxies correctly positioned and a micrometric offset from NGC 2778 was measured in 1867.

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NGC 2780 = UGC 4843 = MCG +06-20-047 = CGCG 180-057 = PGC 25967

09 12 44.3 +34 55 32

V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 150d

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 ~E-W, even surface brightness. A mag 12/13.5 double star at 15" separation in PA 90° is 1.8' WNW. Appears slightly larger than NGC 2778 7.3' NNW but has an lower surface brightness. This galaxy is the second brightest of three with NGC 2778 and NGC 2779.

WH discovered NGC 2780 = H III-826 = h567 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 938) and called "vF, S, resolvable." His position (Caroline Herschel's reduction) is 2' south of UGC 4843. The previous nebula observed in the sweep was brighter NGC 2778, which had been discovered 28 Mar 1786.

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NGC 2781 = MCG -02-24-002 = PGC 25907

09 11 27.4 -14 49 01

V = 11.6; Size 3.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 75d

17.5" (2/8/97): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 E-W, 2.5'x1.4', sharp concentration with a prominent 40"x20" core. A mag 13 star lies 2' N. Located 8' NNE of mag 8.7 SAO 154982.

8": very faint, small, 1.0' diameter, weak concentration. Located within a group of stars.

WH discovered NGC 2781 = H I-66 = h569 = h3147 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371) and recorded "B, vS, iF, mbM." JH called it "pB; E in parallel; psbM; 60" length." and measured an accurate position. From the Cape of Good Hope, he recorded "B, E, psmbM, 40" l, 30" br."

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NGC 2782 = Arp 215 = UGC 4862 = MCG +07-19-036 = CGCG 209-031 = PGC 26034

09 14 05.2 +40 06 48

V = 11.6; Size 3.5'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.9

18" (2/14/10): at 280x, appears fairly bright and sharply concentrated with a very bright round core, 40" diameter. The core is surrounded by a fairly large 2'-2.5' diameter halo. A faint star is situated 1.6' ENE of the core and an extremely low surface brightness hazy patch is just following. This patch is likely a detached outer section of a spiral arm or plume, caused by a earlier merger event.

17.5": moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, sharp concentration, stellar nucleus, slightly elongated fainter halo. A pair of mag 13 stars are 3' S and mag 9 SAO 42762 is 8.5' NNE.

8": faint, bright core, two mag 13 stars to the S, mag 9 star 5' N.

WH discovered NGC 2782 = H I-167 = h568 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and recorded "cB, R, BN, about 1.5' dia." His position is 1.5' south of UGC 4862 = Arp 215. With the 72", Ralph Copeland described the galaxy as "B, pL, R, irregular, pgsmbMN."

Arp 215 is the result of a very unequal mass merger between two galaxies and contains extremely faint tidal tails.

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NGC 2783 = HCG 37A = UGC 4859 = MCG +05-22-019 = CGCG 151-027 = Holm 113a = PGC 26013

09 13 39.5 +29 59 34

V = 12.6; Size 2.1'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 168d

24" (2/9/13): dominant member of the HCG 37 quintet (3 members observed). At 375x appeared fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 N-S, well concentrated with a bright 25" core and large low surface brightness halo, extending 1.0'x0.6'. HCG 37C (faint, very small, round 12" diameter) is just off the NW edge (0.6' from center) and IC 2449 = HCG 37B is 1.5' NW. Situated 1.4' NE of a mag 9.8 star (1.1' pair with a mag 11 star further south).

17.5" (2/8/97): brightest of three galaxies visible in HCG 37. Fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, bright core. Two mag 9.5-10 stars lie 1.4' SW and 2.2' SSW. IC 2449 = UGC 4856 = HCG 37B is 1.5' WNW and just off the NW side is a marginal member HCG 37C, 36" from center.

17.5" (3/28/92): this is the brightest galaxy in the HCG 37 group. Moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, bright core. Two bright stars are close south; a mag 9.5 star is 1.5' SW and a mag 10 star 2.3' SSW. The multiple system NGC 2783B = UGC 4856 lies 1.5' WNW (not seen). Located 22' NW of NGC 2789.

WH discovered NGC 2783 = H III-295 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and reported "vF, vS, R, just N.f. 2 pB stars." CH's reduced position is 3' north-northeast of UGC 4859 = PGC 26013 and the description of the nearby stars matches. Bigourdan measured an accurate position (first reporting it as Big. 274). Member of the NGC 2789 group and brightest in HCG 37.

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NGC 2784 = ESO 497-023 = MCG -04-22-005 = UGCA 152 = PGC 25950

09 12 19.2 -24 10 18

V = 10.2; Size 5.5'x2.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 73d

17.5" (2/28/87): very bright, moderately large, very bright core with much fainter extensions, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, possibly a sharper edge along the north side. A mag 10.5 star is 3.7' E of center.

WH discovered NGC 2784 = H I-59 = h571 = h3148 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 326) and noted "S, cBM but vF at the side, a very little E; the chevelure of the milky kind." JH recorded the galaxy as "pB; R; gbM; 25"." From the Cape of Good Hope he logged "B, L, mE, pgmbM, 4' l, 90" br, position = 63.7°."

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NGC 2785 = UGC 4876 = MCG +07-19-042 = CGCG 209-035 = PGC 26100

09 15 15.2 +40 55 04

V = 14.2; Size 1.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 120d

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.3'x0.5'. Exhibits a weak, broad concentration and fades at the tips. A mag 14.5 star is close NNE [0.8' from center].

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2785 = St XIII-45 on 16 Mar 1884 and described "quite small, irregularly oval; elongated ESE-WNW; two very distinct points of condensation." His position matches UGC 4876.

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NGC 2786 = UGC 4861 = MCG +02-24-002 = CGCG 062-008 = PGC 26008

09 13 35.6 +12 26 27

V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 77d

17.5" (1/12/02): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated nearly 2:1 WSW-ENE, 0.7'x0.4', very small brighter core. There are a group of mag 11/12 stars at the NW edge of the 220x field.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2786 = m 153 on 5 Apr 1864 and noted "vF, vS, mbM". There is nothing near his position. Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel Nebel" states "in Dreyer's place not found" but he proposes NGC 2786 = UGC 4861, which is located 18' north and 20 sec of RA west of Marth's position. There are no other nearby candidates, but with the large positional discrepancy, this identification is uncertain. Dorothy Carlson simply states "not found" based on Reinmuth's comment and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7). UGC 4861 is not identified as NGC 2786 in the major galaxy catalogues and is plotted as UGC 4861 on U2000.0 version 2.

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NGC 2787 = UGC 4914 = MCG +12-09-039 = CGCG 332-041 = PGC 26341

09 19 18.5 +69 12 11

V = 10.8; Size 3.2'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 117d

17.5" (4/6/91): bright, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 2.0'x1.5', even concentration to a small very bright core. A mag 14 star is at the SE edge of the halo 0.9' from the center.

8": fairly faint, small, bright core. A mag 7 star is 25' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2787 = H I-216 = h570 on 3 Dec 1788 (sweep 890) and recorded "p or cB, pL, iF." On 8 Nov 1801 (sweep 1100) he noted "vB, R, mbB, seems to be resolvable. Towards the sf, within the nebulosity, is a vS star." His position is ~10' southeast of UGC 4914. JH reported "F; E in parallel; psbM; 30"." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2788 = ESO 061-002 = PGC 25761

09 09 03.5 -67 55 57

V = 12.3; Size 1.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.8; PA = 114d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): excellent fairly bright edge-on, fairly large, elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE, 1.4'x0.35', very weak cocnentration. A faint star is just off the south side, 19" from the center. I had the impression there was a sharper light cut-off on the south side, but was not convinced.

JH discovered NGC 2788 = h3150 on 29 Jan 1835 and recorded "vF; vS; mE in pos 105°." His position is 30 sec west of ESO 061-002 but the description matches perfectly.

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NGC 2789 = NGC 3167 = UGC 4875 = MCG +05-22-026 = CGCG 151-035 = PGC 26089

09 14 59.7 +29 43 48

V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x1.9'

17.5" (3/28/92): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration, fairly faint stellar nucleus. Slightly fainter than NGC 2783 22' NW, although the listed magnitude is brighter.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2789 = St XIII-45 on 13 Mar 1883. His position matches UGC 4875. Brightest in a group.

NGC 3167, found by d'Arrest, is probably a duplicate observation. See that number.

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NGC 2790 = MCG +03-24-016 = CGCG 091-034 = Mrk 1228 = PGC 26092

09 15 02.8 +19 41 49

V = 14.4; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.2

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, very small, round, only 15"-20" diameter, weakly concentrated to a very small brighter core. Located 1.3' SE of a mag 10.5 star which forms a wide unequal double with a 14th magnitude companion 24" N.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2790 on 17 Feb 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, S, R, lbM." His position matches CGCG 091-034 = PGC 26092.

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NGC 2791 = CGCG 091-033 = PGC 26088

09 15 02.0 +17 35 32

V = 14.7; Size 0.8'x0.3'; PA = 160d

17.5" (1/28/89): extremely faint and small, round. Forms a close "double" with a mag 15 star just 21" E of center. First in a group with the NGC 2794/NGC 2795 pair 14' E.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2791 on 21 Dec 1863 and noted "F, R". His position matches CGCG 091-033 = PGC 26088.

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NGC 2792 = PK 265+4.1 = ESO 314-PN6 = PN G265.7+04.1

09 12 26.6 -42 25 41

V = 11.8; Size 18"

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 350x this high surface brightness planetary appeared very bright, small, round, 15"-20" in diameter. It appeared annular with a brighter rim, although the the inner edge of the annulus was not well defined. A wide pair of mag 11 stars lies 4' SE.

13.1" (4/10/86): moderately bright planetary, small, round, no central star. A pair of mag 11 stars at 36" separation is located 4' SE. Very far southern object for observation from Northern California.

JH discovered NGC 2792 = h3149 on 2 Mar 1835 and recorded "pF, exactly round, equal to a star 9th mag, but of a dull light. At first I was inclined to think it double, but with 320 it exhibited a uniform round disc; nor did a friend to whom I showed it see any division. Stars to-night perfectly well defined. In a field with leading stars, or which a diagram was made." On a later sweep he noted "Viewed past meridian. It occurs in a field with about 40 stars. Diameter 4" or 5" at the utmost; 10" is too large certainly. Very like that of sweep 771 [NGC 2452]. But now the night is good and it bears magnifying. With 320 power the disc is dilated into a dim hazy round nebula; yet there is a peculiarity in its appearance which completely separates it from all nebulae of the same size. A very remarkable object."

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NGC 2793 = UGC 4894 = MCG +06-21-002 = CGCG 181-006 = PGC 26189

09 16 47.2 +34 25 47

V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3

48" (4/4/11): 375x and 488x provided a fascinating view of NGC 2793, a collisional ring galaxy. It appeared as a fairly faint, moderately large roundish glow, ~0.8' diameter, with a well defined edge. The rim was slightly brighter along the north side, giving a partial annular or ring-like appearance [the SDSS image resolves this brighter rim into a series of small HII knots or star-forming regions. The likely companion galaxy or intruder is visible along the east side of the rim as a fairly bright small glow of high surface brightness, elongated 2:1 N-S, ~15"x8", mottled appearance. The actual nucleus of the ring galaxy is perhaps situated at the north end of the disrupting galaxy. A 15" pair of mag 10 stars (h2491) lies 5' N. NGC 2793 is located 8' WNW of mag 9.7 PPM 74387.

LEDA 82356 = 2MASX J09164092+3426511, a background galaxy, is located just 1.7' NW. It appeared faint, small, round, ~15" diameter, low even surface brightness.

13.1" (1/28/84): very faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, low even surface brightness. Located 53' W of Alpha Lyncis (V = 3.1).

JH discovered NGC 2793 = h572 on 6 Mar 1828 and reported "vF; R; has a double star 5' north; 1 sec preceding." His position and description matches the ring galaxy UGC 4893.

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NGC 2794 = UGC 4885 = MCG +03-24-018 = CGCG 091-037 = PGC 26140

09 16 01.8 +17 35 23

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration. Forms a close pair with NGC 2795 2.4' NNE. NGC 2791 lies 14' W.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2794, along with NGC 2797 and an independent discovery of nearby NGC 2795, on 15 Mar 1866. His position matches UGC 4885 = PGC 26140.

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NGC 2795 = UGC 4887 = MCG +03-24-020 = CGCG 091-039 = PGC 26143

09 16 03.9 +17 37 42

V = 12.8; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 170d

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 2794 2.4' SSW and NGC 2797 lies 6' NNE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2795 = m 156 on 21 Dec 1863 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "F, R". d'Arrest independently found it again on 15 Mar 1866, along with nearby NGC 2794 and 2797.

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NGC 2796 = UGC 4893 = MCG +05-22-029 = CGCG 151-042 = Holm 115a = PGC 26178

09 16 41.8 +30 54 57

V = 13.8; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 80d

17.5" (4/6/02): fairly faint, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.6', slightly brighter core, occasional stellar nucleus. A close pair of mag 15 "stars" are 1' WSW of center - one of these is actually the compact galaxy PGC 3088981. A similar galaxy just off the east side of the galaxy was not noted or assumed to be another faint star.

WH discovered NGC 2796 = H III-296 = h573 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and noted "vF, S, R, lbM." His position is 1' south of UGC 4893. JH commented this nebula was "the faintest conceivable."

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NGC 2797 = UGC 4891 = MCG +03-24-023 = CGCG 091-042 = PGC 26160

09 16 21.7 +17 43 38

V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.4'

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, very small, round, even surface brightness. Forms the east vertex of an isosceles triangle with a pair of mag 12 stars 3' WSW and 3' WNW. Forms a pair with NGC 2795 6' SSW in a group.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2797, along with NGC 2794 and an independent discovery of NGC 2795, on 15 Mar 1866. His single position is 5 seconds of time west of UGC 4891. The noted the nebula formed a quadrilateral with 3 mag 16 stars (the stars are several mags brighter).

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NGC 2798 = Arp 283 NED1 = VV 50a = KTG 22B = UGC 4905 = MCG +07-19-055 = CGCG 209-045 = Holm 117a = PGC 26232

09 17 22.8 +42 00 00

V = 12.3; Size 2.6'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 160d

48" (4/6/13): very bright, large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x1.0'. Sharply concentrated with a very bright, large core increasing to a small, intense nucleus. A very large spiral arm extends to the NNW from the core and curves back sharply at the end counterclockwise to the SSE, fading rapidly to a very low surface brightness and dimmng out before reaching the core. The SSE extension has an extremely low surface brightness and no arm structure was visible. Forms an interacting pair with NGC 2799 1.5' ESE.

24" (3/9/13): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.7'x0.7', fairly sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a small, intense nucleus. The extension (spiral arm) to the northwest is brighter. Forms a striking double system (Arp 283) with NGC 2799 1.5' ESE. UGC 4904 lies 5' S and appears as a fairly faint glow, slightly elongated NW-SE, 25"x20", weak concentration. The trio forms KTG 22.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is 1.6' NNE of center. Forms a double system (interacting) with NGC 2799 1.5' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 2798 = H II-708 on 14 Jan 1788 (sweep 797) and noted "pB, S, stellar." His position is 3.5' too far southeast. Nearby NGC 2799 was first seen at Birr Castle.

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NGC 2799 = Arp 283 NED2 = VV 50b = UGC 4909 = MCG +07-19-056 = CGCG 209-046 = Holm 117b = PGC 26238

09 17 31.0 +41 59 38

V = 13.8; Size 1.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 125d

48" (4/6/13): fairly bright, very thin edge-on, 6:1 NW-SE, 1.4'x0.25'. The disc is slightly warped, bending south slightly near the tips of both extensions. The galaxy is also asymmetric, with the NW end stretched out towards the core of NGC 2798. With careful viewing, an extremely faint tidal tail appears pulled out in the direction of the companion and it fades out just east of the core.

24" (3/9/13): moderately bright and large, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.25', brighter along a very thin streak of the major axis. Forms a 1.5' interacting pair (Arp 283) with brighter and larger NGC 2798.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, small, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness. Forms a very close (interacting) pair with NGC 2798 1.5' WNW.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 2799 on 9 Mar 1874 using LdR's 72", while observing NGC 2798. He recorded "F, cL, vmE 125.9°, pos 102.7°, dist 97.9" from [NGC 2798] or 8.7s f, 21.5" s. The offsets and description are a perfect match with UGC 4909. The NGC position is offset to the southeast as Dreyer used WH's poor position for NGC 2798.

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NGC 2800 = UGC 4920 = MCG +09-15-117 = CGCG 264-094 = PGC 26302

09 18 35.2 +52 30 52

V = 12.8; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 15d

17.5" (3/8/97): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 40"x30". Contains a very small, slightly brighter core. Unusual appearance as a mag 12 star is attached on the NW flank 15" from the center. Located 3.7' NW of mag 9 SAO 27206.

WH discovered NGC 2800 = H III-832 = h574 on 17 Mar 1790 (sweep 945) and noted "vF, S, lE." His position is just 1' NW of UGC 4920. JH described "a star with vF neb attached, in which is involved another star 10" dist." The other "star" is probably the nucleus of NGC 2800 with the superimposed star at the northwest side just 15" separation.

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NGC 2801 = UGC 4899 = MCG +03-24-025 = PGC 26183

09 16 44.1 +19 56 00

V = 14.0; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 14.0

18" (3/4/08): very faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, very low surface brightness glow with little or no concentration. Located 4' SW of a mag 9.9 star in the NGC 2804/2809 group

18" (2/9/08): extremely faint, small, round, 25" diameter, low surface brightness and required averted. Located 4.4' SW of a mag 10 star in the NGC 2804 group.

18" (3/11/07): extremely faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.6'x0.45', low even surface brightness, requires averted to glimpse. Member of the NGC 2809 group and located 4.5' SW of *10 and 9.7' SW of NGC 2809.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2801 = m 157 on 17 Feb 1865 and noted "eF, pL". His position is 1' south of UGC 4899 = PGC 26183.

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NGC 2802 = UGC 4897 = MCG +03-24-026 = CGCG 091-044nw = PGC 26177

09 16 41.4 +18 57 48

V = 14.5; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Almost in contact with NGC 2803 30" ESE.

WH discovered NGC 2802 = H III-62 = h575 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded "Two [with NGC 2803]; vF, pS, R, r, both rather bright middle. 240 shewed them of a considerable diameter; both are nearly in the same meridian." His position is ~30 sec of RA west of this pair. Henrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position that was used in the NGC position.

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NGC 2803 = UGC 4898 = MCG +03-24-027 = CGCG 091-044se = PGC 26181

09 16 43.9 +18 57 16

V = 14.3; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.7

17.5" (1/28/89): very faint, small, round, weak concentration. Slightly larger than NGC 2802 which forms a double system just 30" WNW.

WH discovered NGC 2803 = H III-63 = h575 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded "Two [with NGC 2802]; vF, pS, R, r, both rather bright middle. 240 shewed them of a considerable diameter; both are nearly in the same meridian."

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NGC 2804 = UGC 4901 = MCG +03-24-028 = CGCG 091-047 = IC 2455: = PGC 26196

09 16 50.0 +20 11 55

V = 12.9; Size 2.2'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 60d

18" (3/4/08): moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.9', weak concentration with a very small brighter core. This galaxy and NGC 2809 are the brightest in a group of 6 NGC galaxies and several fainter members (AWM 1).

18" (2/9/08): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 WSW-ENE, bright core, very faint ill-defined halo, 1.2'x0.9'. Brightest in a poor group along with NGC 2804 located 8.7' SE. The additional NGC members are NGC 2790, 2801, 2807, 2809, 2812 and 2813.

17.5" (3/12/94): moderately bright, fairly small, round, halo is weakly concentrated, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. Located between two mag 13 stars 1.6' N and 2.4' S. Brightest in a group with NGC 2809 8.6' SSE.

JH discovered NGC 2804 = h577 on 24 Feb 1827 and recorded "vF; W; R; the np of two [with NGC 2809]. His position matches UGC 4901.

Stephane Javelle catalogued a nebula exactly 5' south of NGC 2804 on 9 Apr 1896 with the 30" refractor at the Nice Observatory. There is nothing at his position and Harold Corwin suggests that Javelle made a recording error and NGC 2804 = IC 2455, despite Javelle mentioning that also saw NGC 2804.

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NGC 2805 = UGC 4936 = MCG +11-12-003 = CGCG 312-002 = Holm 124b = LGG 173-1 = PGC 26410

09 20 20.4 +64 06 10

V = 11.0; Size 6.3'x4.8'; Surf Br = 14.6; PA = 125d

24" (2/22/14): moderately bright, very large, contains a 30" brighter core and a huge halo extending up to 4'x3' NW-SE. The halo has a fairly low surface brightness but is slightly mottled, hinting of HII regions [SDSS shows a string of HII knots along the outer southern arm]. A mag 12.5 star is just off the NW edge of the halo and a mag 14 star is on the NE side. Largest in a group (LGG 173) including the trio NGC 2814, IC 2458 and NGC 2820, roughly 10' NE.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, large, irregularly round, very low surface brightness, weak concentration but no nucleus. Located at the west end of a string of 7 mag 13-14 stars. Several brighter stars are in the field including mag 9 SAO 14844 6.5' NNW and a mag 10 star 4.4' SE. Largest of four in a group including NGC 2814 11' NE, NGC 2820 and IC 2458 13' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2805 = H III-878 on 2 Apr 1791 (sweep 1000) and recorded "vF, cL, R, vF, mbM. I suppose it to be near 5' in diam but is so faint on the outside that it is difficult to determine its extent." His position and description matches UGC 4936 = PGC 26410.

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NGC 2806

09 16 56.7 +20 04 14

18" (3/4/08): this number refers to a single mag 14.5 star 2.4' W of NGC 2809.

18" (2/9/08): this mag 14.5 star was mistakenly thought to be possibly nebulous by Dreyer. At 225x it appeared clearly as a faint star. Located 2.4' W of NGC 2809 and a similar distance NNW of NGC 2807. NGC 2806 is incorrectly identified as MCG +03-24-030 in RNGC, MCG and PGC.

Dreyer discovered NGC 2806 using Lord Rosse's 72" on 22 March 1876 and recorded "A vF * or cS, eF neb p [NGC 2809] (sky bad), forming an equilateral triangle with [2807] and [2809] (susp as neb by d'A, = [NGC 2806])." At his position is a mag 14.5 star at 09 16 56.7 +20 04 14 (2000). This star forms an equilateral triangle with NGC 2807 and NGC 2809 and lies due west of NGC 2809. Since his descriptions and offsets for other objects in the field are exact, there is no mistaking the identity of NGC 2806 as a single star. Dreyer noted that d'Arrest also suspected this star to be nebulous on 17 Feb 1862.

RNGC, MCG, Deep Sky Field Guide and Uranometria 2000 Atlas misidentify MCG +03-24-030 as NGC 2806. MCG +03-24-030 is situated just preceding the south edge of NGC 2806. It was visible in my 18-inch although it was not recorded by Dreyer (he noted the sky was bad). Discussed in my RNGC Corrections #7 and Harold Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2807 = MCG +03-24-031 = CGCG 091-051ne = PGC 26213

09 17 00.6 +20 02 10

V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.55'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 165d

18" (3/4/08): faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 24"x20", weak concentration. Located 2.4' SW of NGC 2809 in a group. Forms a close pair with NGC 2807A = MCG +03-24-030 just 50" WSW. The companion appeared very faint, very small, round, 15".

18" (2/9/08): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 25"x18", weak concentration. Second faintest of a close trio with brighter NGC 2809 2.4' NNE and fainter NGC 2807A 50" SW. Member of the NGC 2804 group.

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, very small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, weakly concentrated. Located 2.5' SSW of NGC 2809 in a group with a mag 10 star 3.3' S. At moments, an extremely faint companion possibly elongated E-W is barely visible just west of the south edge (separation 49"). This fainter component of the double system NGC 2807 is incorrectly identified as NGC 2806 in the RNGC, MCG, U2000.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2807 on 17 Feb 1863 while observing NGC 2809. He noted h578 [NGC 2809] follows by 7 seconds in time and 115" north. His position (measured on 4 nights) and description matches MCG +03-24-031 = PGC 26213. Several sources such as RNGC, MCG, Uranometria 2000.0 and Deep Sky Field Guide misidentify MCG +03-24-030 (just 50" WSW) as NGC 2807. d'Arrest did not mention this galaxy. UGC and CGCG have the correct identification (noted as a double system). Megastar mislabels NGC 2807 as NGC 2806.

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NGC 2808 = ESO 091-SC001 = Mel 95

09 12 02.6 -64 51 46

V = 6.1; Size 13.8'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this was a stunning showpiece globular in the 24"! The central region displays an unusually strong concentration with a super-intense 2' core that was unresolved. A very bright, small halo surrounds the core that is mottled but mostly unresolved. The outer halo resolved into perhaps 150-200 stars mag 14.5 and fainter. The halo gradually thins out in resolved stars out to 10' diameter. The core was smaller but still unresolved at 350x. The overall appearance of the three brightness levels mentioned above is unusually symmetrical.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x, this bright globular (ranked 10th brightest at V = 6.1) is fairly large, ~10' diameter and very compressed with a blazing 2' core. The halo is noticeably elongated, nearly 3:2. A dense swarm of mag 14 and fainter stars are resolved in the halo and around the edges of the core but the inner central core was unresolved. At 228x, there appeared to be some very faint stars lanes streaming into the halo, which were barely unresolved but looked like small tentacles. A mag 10/10.6 double at 16" is outside the cluster ~10' ESE. This is by far the brightest concentration class I globular and the only one easily resolved.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): this very bright globular is large and elongated, ~8'x6' SW-NE increasing to 2' bright core and a blazing 40" nucleus. At 144x, this cluster is mottled but with no obvious resolution. At 166x a large number of extremely faint stars (mag 14-15) pop in and out of view over the entire disc, though the resolved stars could not be held steadily. Located 1.8° NNE of mag 4.0 Alpha Volantis.

Naked-eye (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): faintly visible naked-eye.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2808 = D265 = h3152on 7 May 1826 and recorded "a very bright round nebula, about 3' or 4' diameter, very gradually bright to the centre. This has a fine globular appearance." His position is 20' too far northwest, but the identity is certain.

JH recorded 4 detailed observations from the Cape of Good Hope: On the first sweep (8 Mar 1834) he logged it as a "globular cluster, extremely compressed pretty gradually very much brighter to the middle; up to a perfect blaze; diam. in RA = 26.8 seconds; stars of 16th magnitude." His final observation (9 Feb 1837) notes "a truly beautiful and delicate globular cluster; diameter in RA = 45 seconds, that of the most compressed part 15 seconds; gradually very bright in the middle; all finely resolved into perfectly equal stars like the finest dust, which are seen with the left eye without effort, but the right requires to be somewhat strained to discern them. Runs up to a blaze in the centre."

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NGC 2809 = UGC 4910 = MCG +03-24-033 = CGCG 091-054 = PGC 26220

09 17 06.9 +20 04 11

V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3

18" (3/4/08): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated ~N-S, 0.9'x0.7', gradually increases to a small bright core and faint stellar nucleus. Brightest in a group (AWM 1) containing NGC 2801, NGC 2804, NGC 2807, NGC 2812, NGC 2813 and a few fainter galaxies. The nearest two are NGC 2807 2.4' SW and CGCG 91-055 5' N.

18" (2/9/08): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 0.8'x0.65', weak even concentration to a small brighter core and faint stellar nucleus. NGC 2807 lies 2.4' SW and NGC 2807A is 3.2' SW. Located 4.5' W of a 26" pair of mag 11 stars and 3' SSE of a mag 10.5 star. Brightest in a poor cluster along with NGC 2804.

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1' diameter, even moderate concentration down to very small bright core, faint stellar nucleus at moments. Located 2.9' SSE of a mag 10 star. A wide double star lies 4.5' W (mag 11/12 at 26"). Brightest in a group with NGC 2807 2.5' SSW and NGC 2804 8.6' NNW.

JH discovered NGC 2809 = h578 on 24 Feb 1827, along with NGC 2804, and noted "vF; S; R; the s f of two, distant 8'." His position was marked as uncertain, but is is a good match with UGC 4910. He missed nearby NGC 2807, which was discovered by d'Arrest.

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NGC 2810 = UGC 4954 = MCG +12-09-042 = CGCG 332-045 = PGC 26514

09 22 04.5 +71 50 38

V = 12.2; Size 1.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 2810 = H III-749 on 3 Dec 1788 (sweep 890) and noted as "cF, vS." His position is 2.7' S of UGC 4954, but the identification is certain.

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NGC 2811 = MCG -03-24-003 = UGCA 155 = PGC 26151

09 16 11.1 -16 18 46

V = 11.3; Size 2.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 20d

18" (3/30/05): the first object I took a look at was SN 2005am in NGC 2811 discovered on February 22, 2005. The SN peaked near mag 13.5, but now appears significantly fainter. Coincidentally, the SN makes a very close pair with a brighter mag 14.5 star (less than 10"). Generally only this star was visible, but occasionally I could see a fainter companion close NE.

13.1" (12/22/84): moderately bright, edge-on streak 4:1 SSW-NNE, brighter core, stellar nucleus. A faint mag 14.5 star is embedded in the NE tip 0.6' from center.

WH discovered NGC 2811 = H II-505 = h580 = h3151 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and recorded "pB, S, lE from sp to nf, suddenly mbM." JH called it (from Slough) "pB; E to n f; psbM; 60"." Observing at the Cape, JH wrote "pB; mE; psvmbM; 40" l." In the LdR observations, the star at the northeast edge was mentioned twice.

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NGC 2812 = CGCG 091-060 = PGC 26242

09 17 40.8 +19 55 08

V = 14.9; Size 0.55'x0.15'; Surf Br = 11.5; PA = 154d

18" (3/4/08): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, 0.3'x0.2'. This difficult galaxy is located just 1.3' NW of NGC 2813 in the NGC 2804/2809 group.

18" (2/9/08): very faint, small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.5'x0.15'. Located 2' NNE of mag 9 SAO 80743 and 1.3' NW of brighter NGC 2813 in a galaxy group.

18" (3/11/07): extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.4x0.2. Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 2813 and situated just 1.3' NW. A mag 9 star lies 2' SSW and greatly detracts from viewing.

17.5" (3/12/94): not seen.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2812 = m 158 on 17 Feb 1865, along with NGC 2813, and simply noted "eF". His position is 1' north of CGCG 091-060.

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NGC 2813 = UGC 4916 = MCG +03-24-037 = CGCG 091-061 = PGC 26252

09 17 45.4 +19 54 24

V = 14.0; Size 1.3'x1.1'; PA = 145d

18" (3/4/08): faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration, very small brighter core, faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. Located 2' NE mag 9.2 star that detracts from viewing. Close pair with fainter NGC 2812.

18" (2/9/08): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, very weak concentration to a small brighter core. Located 2' NE of mag 9 SAO 80743 and brighter of a close pair with NGC 2812 1.3' NW. Member of the NGC 2809 Group.

18" (3/11/07): faint, fairly small, round, small bright core, 0.6' diameter. Forms a pair with NGC 2812 just 1.3' NW (see observing notes). Located 2' NE of mag 9.2 that detracts from the observations.

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, round, very low surface brightness halo difficult to view. At first glance, only the core was noticed with a tiny quasi-stellar nucleus. Overpowered by mag 9.0 SAO 80743 2.0' SW. Forms a pair with NGC 2812 at 1.3' NW (not seen). Located 13' SE of NGC 2809 in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2813 = m 159 on 17 Feb 1865, along with NGC 2812, and simply noted "F". His position is 1.5' north of CGCG 091-060.

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NGC 2814 = UGC 4952 = MCG +11-12-004 = CGCG 312-003 = KTG 23A = Holm 124c = LGG 173-2 = PGC 26469

09 21 11.5 +64 15 06

V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 179d

24" (2/22/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, thin edge-on 3:1 or 4:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.25', bright core bulges slightly, tapers at the tips (spindle-shaped). A mag 11.4 star is 1.1' SSW of center, just off the southern tip. Forms a striking pair with edge-on NGC 2820 4' E, along with IC 2458. NGC 2805 lies 10' SW.

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, almost even surface brightness. A mag 11 star is 20" off the south tip and 1.1' SSW of center. This galaxy is smaller but has a higher surface brightness than NGC 2820 4' E. Located 11' NE of NGC 2805 in a group.

WH discovered NGC 2814 = H II-868 = h576 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004) and recorded both as "Two nebulae. The first [NGC 2814] F, S, iF, the second [NGC 2820] F, pL, E. The place is that of the second [NGC 2820], the other precedes it about 30 seconds and is nearly in the same parallel." Dreyer commented in the notes section "Not seen by d'Arrest, and [John Herschel] only observed the following one (II.869)." Dreyer assigned h576 to NGC 2820 but John Herschel's position corresponds with NGC 2814, and h579 = NGC 2816 is identical to H II-869 = NGC 2820 (see notes on NGC 2816).

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NGC 2815 = ESO 497-032 = MCG -04-22-006 = UGCA 156 = PGC 26157

09 16 19.6 -23 38 00

V = 11.9; Size 3.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 10d

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, fairly large, broadly concentrated halo, faint extensions SSW-NNE, fairly low surface brightness.

WH discovered NGC 2815 = H III-242 = h3153 on 20 Nov 1784 (sweep 326) and recorded "vF, lE, S, that is about 1' diameter." From the Cape of Good Hope, JH called it "F, R, or vlE, glbM, 25"." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2816 = NGC 2820 = UGC 4961 = MCG +11-12-006 = CGCG 312-005 = KTG 23C = FGC 877 = Holm 124A = LGG 173-3 = PGC 26498

09 21 45.6 +64 15 29

V = 12.8; Size 4.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 59d

See observing notes for NGC 2820.

JH discovered NGC 2816 = h579 on 30 Mar 1832 and noted, "F, pmE". There is nothing at his position and Bigourdan was unable to find a suitable candidate. Karl Reinmuth reported "not found at Dreyer's place" based on Heidelberg plates and this is repeated by Dorothy Carlson in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections.

Harold Corwin originally suggested this number might be a duplicate observation of NGC 2742 with a 13 min error in RA (identical declination). But Wolfgang Steinicke found (based on my questioning of h576) that JH made a large error (of 3 3/4 degrees) in reducing his declination for h579, and once corrected, h579 = NGC 2816 is a duplicate observation of NGC 2820 (discovered earlier by WH). In addition, h576 refers to nearby NGC 2814 = UGC 4952 (also discovered by WH). See Corwin's note for the full story.

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NGC 2817 = MCG -01-24-006 = PGC 26223

09 17 10.5 -04 45 09

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, moderately large, 1.4' diameter. Low surface brightness with a very weak concentration.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2817 = Sw VI-35 on 26 Mar 1887. His position is 10 tsec of RA east and 1' north of MCG -01-24-006 = PGC 26223.

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NGC 2818 = PK 261+8.1 = ESO 372-PN13 = Hb 2 = PN G261.9+08.5 = AM 0914-362

09 16 01.5 -36 37 37

V = 11.5; Size 85"x47"

17.5" (3/25/00): NGC 2818 refers to both an open cluster and a superimposed planetary nebula (identified as NGC 2818A in the RNGC). The moderately bright PN is nestled on the west side of a faint but fairly rich open cluster. At 220x it appears moderately bright, irregularly shaped, ~1.0'x0.8' and elongated roughly N-S. Excellent view at 280x with a UHC filter and unfiltered at 380x. The rim is irregularly brighter giving a weak annular appearance. Appears brightest at the south and southwest rim. The center is slightly darker but there is no well-defined central hole. The outline is not crisp and seems to change orientation somewhat with averted vision.

13.1" (4/10/86): the cluster appears as a faint group of 25-30 stars mag 12 to 15, over unresolved haze, though good seeing might resolve more. Includes a fairly faint planetary (NGC 2818A) on the west side. At 166x using a Daystar 300 filter, the planetary appeared moderately bright and large, elongated ~N-S. Also responds well to an OIII filter at 79x.

13.1 (1/28/84): the cluster is a faint group of two dozen stars mag 12 and fainter. The planetary on the west side of the cluster is a pretty sight using a UHC filiter at 79x. It appeared fairly faint, moderately large, 1.0'x0.8', elongated N-S or SSW-NNE.

This had been assumed to be the only planetary to be physically associated with a cluster, although recent research firmly places the planetary in the foreground.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2818 = D 564 = h3154 on May 28 1826 and recorded a "pretty large faint nebula [star cluster] of a round figure, 6' or 8' diameter; the nebulosity is faintly diffused to a considerable extent. There is a small nebula [PN] in the north preceding edge, which is probably a condensation of the faint diffused nebulous matter; The large nebula is resolvable into stars with small nebula remaining." His position is 15' southwest of the planetary.

JH recorded on 7 Aug 1837 (sweep 787): "A very curious object which reminds me strongly of M46 and IV. 39 [NGC 2438]. It is a rich cluster of the VI class, stars 12..14m; about 8' dia, gpmbM; all but a sort of vacuity, in which is situated a pB, R, neb; 40" diam; of a character approaching to planetary, having its edges shading off very rapidly, and being but very little brighter in the middle." His sketch is on plate V, figure 8 on the CGH Observations. A second observation on 22 Jan 1838 (sweep 809) describes the planetary first and the NGC summary refers to the planetary (in a large cluster). So the number NGC 2818 could apply to the planetary or the cluster. RNGC refers to the cluster as NGC 2818 and the planetary as NGC 2818A.

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NGC 2819 = UGC 4924 = MCG +03-24-040 = CGCG 091-062 = PGC 26274

09 18 09.3 +16 11 53

V = 12.8; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (3/29/89): very faint, very small, round, small bright core, fairly faint stellar nucleus.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2819 = m160 on 21 Dec 1863 and noted "pB, vS, R." Johann Palisa independently found bthis galaxy on 2 Apr 1886 with the 27-inch Grubb refractor at the Vienna University Observatory. Palisa's micrometric position in AN 2783 is accurate.

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NGC 2820 = NGC 2816 = UGC 4961 = MCG +11-12-006 = CGCG 312-005 = KTG 23C = FGC 877 = Holm 124a = LGG 173-003 = PGC 26498

09 21 45.6 +64 15 29

V = 12.8; Size 4.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 59d

24" (2/22/14): fairly bright, very large, very thin edge-on 7:1 WSW-ENE, ~2.8'x0.4', very weak concentration, mottled appearance though the surface brightness is not high.  NGC 2820A dangles just south of the west-southwest edge.  It appeared faint, small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, 18"x12", occasional stellar nucleus. NGC 2814, a smaller edge-on, lies 3.7' W.

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, very thin edge-on 6:1 SW-NE with tapered ends, fairly low surface brightness, no noticeable core.  Forms a contact pair with NGC 2820A 20" off the southwest tip.  The companion is very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, very small brighter core.  NGC 2820 is in a group with NGC 2814 4' W and NGC 2805 13' SW.

WH discovered NGC 2820 = H II-869 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004) and recorded both as "Two nebulae. The first [NGC 2814] F, S, iF, the second [NGC 2820] F, pL, E. The place is that of the second, the other precedes it about 30 seconds and is nearly in the same parallel." Dreyer equated John Herschel's observation of h576 with H II-869 = NGC 2820, but his sweep data (checked by Wolfgang Steinicke) reveals h 576 = H II-868 = NGC 2814. In addition, h579 = NGC 2816 is identical to NGC 2820, with JH making a 3 3/4 error in reducing the position for h579. IC 2458, found by Guillaume Bigourdan on 14 Mar 1899, refers to the northeastern end of this galaxy and not the close companion NGC 2820A off the southwest end that is generally identified as IC 2458.

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NGC 2821 = ESO 497-034 = MCG -04-22-007 = PGC 26192

09 16 48 -26 49 00

V = 13.0; Size 2.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 100d

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, broad weak concentration. A mag 13 star is attached just NW of the center. A faint very close double star lies 1.8' W and a brighter mag 12 star is 2.0' N.

JH discovered NGC 2821 = h3155 on 26 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF, attached to a star 11th mag; somewhat doubtful." His position and description matches ESO 497-034. Herbert Howe noted the mag 11 star is northwest of the galaxy. MCG does label their catalogue entry (MCG -04-22-007) as NGC 2821.

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NGC 2822 = ESO 061-004 = PGC 26026

09 13 50 -69 38 42

V = 10.7; Size 3.3'x2.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 90d

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this galaxy is located just 5.4' NE of mag 1.7 Beta Carinae (Miaplacidus)! The view is significantly hampered by the overwhelming glare of the bright star in the 24". At 260x it appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE, ~1.0'x0.6', with a fairly high surface brightness. Planetary Nebula IC 2448 lies 39' SW.

JH discovered NGC 2822 = h3156 on 29 Jan 1835 and called "pF, vS, R, glbM." His RA is marked as approximate and is 1.5 min too far west. He may have reversed the offset from nearby Beta as the galaxy is east.

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NGC 2823 = UGC 4935 = MCG +06-21-008 = CGCG 181-016 = PGC 26340

09 19 17.4 +34 00 29

V = 14.4; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 30d

24" (3/9/13): faint to fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 24"x12", weak concentration. Elongated in the direction of a mag 10.4 star 1.2' SSW. Member of AGC 779.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2823 on 13 Mar 1850, though a sketch of the cluster was constructed the following year. NGC 2823 was unlabeled but placed at the north end of the cluster with a star close west, so the identification is certain. The NGC declination is 5' too far north (NGC 2827 and 2828 are also placed 3' too far north).

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NGC 2824 = UGC 4933 = MCG +04-22-031= CGCG 121-057 = Mrk 394 = PGC 26330

09 19 02.3 +26 16 11

V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 160d

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, small, round, very small bright core. Overpowered by mag 6.5 SAO 80757 just 3' ESE! The galaxy is located at the west vertex of a rhombus formed by three stars including the mag 6.5 star, a mag 11 star 2.7' S and a mag 12 star 2.9' NE with sides about 3' length. Described by d'Arrest as a cluster in the NGC.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2824 on 30 Apr 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position matches UGC 4933, although he notes "vF, vS, cluster" and there are no superimposed stars and he made no mention of the nearby bright star.

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NGC 2825 = MCG +06-21-010 = CGCG 181-017 = PGC 26345

09 19 22.4 +33 44 34

V = 14.4; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 88d

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, small, weak concentration. Located in the core of AGC 779 and preceding the triple system; NGC 2830 lies 3.9' E, NGC 2831 4.8' E and NGC 2832 4.9' ENE.

17.5" (1/31/87): very faint, small, slightly brighter core, slightly elongated. Located 5' WSW of NGC 2832

13" (1/28/84): very faint, very small. Located 5' W of NGC 2832 in AGC 779.

JH discovered NGC 2825 = h581 on 3 Apr 1831 and noted "vF: it is the s p of two. The other is I. 113 [NGC 2832]." His mean position (measured on sweep 337) matches CGCG 181-017 = PGC 26345. This is the only galaxy JH discovered in Abell 779. It is labeled Delta in Stoney's sketch made at Birr Castle on 26 Mar 1851

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NGC 2826 = UGC 4939 = MCG +06-21-011 = CGCG 181-018 = PGC 26346

09 19 24.2 +33 37 26

V = 13.7; Size 1.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 143d

17.5" (1/31/87): second brightest in the core of AGC 779 rich cluster. Fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, brighter core. Located 8.9' SW of NGC 2832.

13" (1/28/84): faint, fairly small, very diffuse. Located 9' SW of NGC 2832 in AGC 779.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2826 on 13 Mar 1850 with LdR's 72". On a diagram of 12 nebulae in the cluster constructed the following year, NGC 2826 is shown 9' southwest of Alpha = NGC 2832. Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered the galaxy (#89 in AN 1500) and measured an accurate position (given in the NGC), though he noted it was probably one of LdR's. JH listed separate entries in the GC (1807 and 1809) for LdR and d'Arrest, but Dreyer combined them in the NGC.

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NGC 2827 = MCG +06-21-009 = CGCG 181-015 = IC 2460 = PGC 26342

09 19 19.0 +33 52 51

V = 14.6; Size 0.8'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (3/12/94): extremely faint, small, elongated 3:2 N-S, low surface brightness, no central concentration. A mag 14 star is 1.3' NNW. Forms a pair with NGC 2828 3.3' ENE. Located at the north side of the core of AGC 779.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2827 on 13 Mar 1850 with LdR's 72". It was included on the sketch (showing 12 nebulae) made of 8 Jan 1851, on a line with NGC 2828 and 2833. The NGC position is 8 tsec east and 3' north of CGCG 181-015 = PGC 26342. This galaxy was independently found by Stephane Javelle on 28 Feb 1900, placed 1.6' too far south due to a small error in his reference star, and catalogued again as IC 2640 = J. 1091. MCG (+06-21-009) labels this galaxy as IC 2460 instead of NGC 2827.

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NGC 2828 = CGCG 181-021 = PGC 26365

09 19 34.8 +33 53 17

V = 14.7; Size 0.4'x0.2'; PA = 45d

17.5" (3/12/94): extremely faint, requires averted vision, very small, round. A mag 14.5 star is 1.4' N. Forms a pair with NGC 2827 3.3' WSW. Located at the north edge of AGC 779.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2828 on 13 Mar 1850 with LdR's 72". It was included on the sketch of 8 Jan 1851 on a line between NGC 2827 and NGC 2833. The NGC position is 3' too far north (same offset as nearby NGC 2827) of CGCG 181-021 = PGC 26365.

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NGC 2829 = 2MASX J09195225+3338584 = PGC 2036350

09 19 52.3 +33 38 58

V = 15.3; Size 0.5'x0.5'

24" (1/31/14): at 375x appeared very faint to faint (could hold steadily with averted), extremely small, round, 8" diameter. PGC 3529523, a larger galaxy, lies 3.5' ENE and appeared faint, small, elongated 5:3 WSW-ENE, 20"x12. The identification of this number is uncertain and it may apply to a star 2.9' W. PGC 26356, situated 4.6' W is often taken as NGC 2832, but is fainter and a poor match with the discovery sketch.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2828 on 13 Mar 1850 with LdR's 72" and one of the "15 knots in all". It was included on the sketch of 8 Jan 1851, which showed only a dozen nebulae, east of line connecting NGC 2832 and NGC 2826. The nearest galaxy to the NGC position is PGC 26356, an extremely faint, double galaxy (brighter western component) situated 2' NE of NGC 2826. Karl Reinmuth described this galaxy (based on Heidelberg plates) as "identification doubtful, vF, vS, R, vgvlbM, triangle with 2 st nf and f, NGC 2826 sp 2.1'." RNGC and PGC also identify this galaxy as NGC 2829 (as well as secondary sources based on the PGC). But, PGC 26356 is directly on a line with NGC 2832 and 2826, contradicting Stoney's sketch.

Harold Corwin notes this number more likely applies to PGC 2036350, a brighter galaxy 4.6' due E of PGC 26356. PGC 2036350 is not identified as NGC 2829 in any other source besides Steinicke's Historical NGC. Another possibility is a single mag 14-14.5 star at 09 19 38.4 +33 39 12 (2000), which also fits the sketch. Finally, PGC 3529523, a larger galaxy and slightly more obvious galaxy, lies 3.5' ENE of PGC 2036350, although this one is not a good match with Stoney's sketch either. So, the identification of NGC 2829 is uncertain - it may apply to PGC 2036350 (described here) or a faint star 2.9' west of this galaxy.

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NGC 2830 = Arp 315 "Group" = UGC 4941 = MCG +06-21-014 = CGCG 181-023 = Holm 123b = PGC 26371

09 19 41.4 +33 44 17

V = 14.3; Size 1.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 112d

17.5" (1/31/87): very faint, low surface brightness, edge-on WNW-ESE. First of three in a triple system with NGC 2831 0.9' ENE and NGC 2832 1.4' NE of center in the core of AGC 779. Also nearby is NGC 2825 3.9' W.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2830 on 13 Mar 1850 with LdR's 72" as one of "15 knots in all". A sketch made in March 1851 shows NGC 2831 labeled Gamma and measured at 1.2' southwest (PA = 237°) of NGC 2832. JH incorrectly equated this galaxy with H I-113 = h582 in the GC, and Dreyer repeated the error in the NGC. But the Herschel numbers apply to brighter NGC 2832. The NGC RA is 6 seconds too large.

MCG reverses the identifications of NGC 2830 and NGC 2831. According to the "New Description", RNGC has also reversed these identifications. This error was included in my RNGC Corrections #1 and was discussed in detail by Malcolm Thomson in the Webb Society Quarterly Journal for Jan 1978.

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NGC 2831 = Arp 315 NED1 = UGC 4942sw = Holm 123c = MCG +06-21-013 = CGCG 181-024sw = PGC 26376

09 19 45.5 +33 44 42

V = 13.6; Size 0.5'x0.5'

17.5" (1/31/87): very faint, extremely small. Appears as a round knot at the southwest edge of halo of NGC 2832 just 0.4' from center in the core of AGC 779. Forms a trio with NGC 2830 0.9' WSW.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2831 on 13 Mar 1850 with LdR's 72" as one of "15 knots in all". A sketch made in March 1851 shows NGC 2831 labeled Beta and measured as 25" southwest (PA = 226°) of NGC 2832. The NGC dec is 1' too large.

The identifications of NGC 2830 and NGC 2831 are reversed in MCG and RNGC. This was caused by a mixup in the descriptions in the NGC. See notes for NGC 2830.

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NGC 2832 = Arp 315 NED2 = UGC 4942ne = Holm 123a = MCG +06-21-015 = CGCG 181-024ne = PGC 26377

09 19 46.8 +33 44 59

V = 11.9; Size 2.3'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 160d

17.5" (1/31/87): moderately bright, fairly small, round bright core, slightly elongated halo. This is the brightest galaxy in AGC 779 and forms a double system with NGC 2831 at the SW edge of halo 22" between centers. Also nearby is NGC 2830 1.3' SW. A double star h2493 = 10.1/11.7 is 2.5' SSE and a wide mag 11/12.5 pair is 3.0' ESE.

13" (1/28/84): fairly faint, fairly small, round. This object is the central galaxy in AGC 779.

WH discovered NGC 2832 = H I-113 = h582 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and recorded "cB, much brighter following the middle, pL. North of 3 stars in a row at very unequal distances, iF." His position (Caroline Herschel's reduction) is accurate. JH called the galaxy "B; R; bM." Due to a confusion with the sketch of the cluster made in 1851 at Birr Castle, Dreyer assigned H I-113 to nearby NGC 2830, a much fainter galaxy. See Corwin's notes for full story.

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NGC 2833 = CGCG 181-027 = PGC 26389

09 19 57.9 +33 55 38

V = 14.6; Size 0.7'x0.3'; PA = 165d

17.5" (1/31/87): very faint, small, elongated N-S. A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' E. Located at the north edge of AGC 779 10.9' NNE of NGC 2832.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2831 on 13 Mar 1850 with LdR's 72" as one of the "15 knots in all". A sketch made the following year only showed a dozen nebulae and NGC 2833 is placed 12' north of NGC 2832 (actual separation is 11'). The NGC position is 6 sec of RA west and 1.5' north of CGCG 181-027.

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NGC 2834 = MCG +06-21-021 = CGCG 181-029 = PGC 26400

09 20 02.5 +33 42 37

V = 14.5; Size 0.3'x0.3'

17.5" (1/31/87): extremely faint and small, round. Located 4.1' SE of NGC 2832 in the core of AGC 779. A double star h2493 = 10.1/11.7 is 2.3' W and a mag 11 star is 1.4' N. NGC 2839 lies 8' ESE.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2834 on 13 Mar 1850 with LdR's 72" as one of "15 knots in all". A sketch made in March 1851 shows NGC 2834 labeled Epsilon and measured as 4.2' southeast (PA = 125°) of NGC 2832. The NGC position is 4 sec of RA too large.

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NGC 2835 = ESO 564-035 = MCG -04-22-008 = UGCA 157 = PGC 26259

09 17 52.8 -22 21 17

V = 10.5; Size 6.6'x4.4'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 8d

17.5" (2/28/87): very large, low surface brightness, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Bracketed by two mag 10 stars 2.8' W and 3.4' SE of center.

E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 2835 in early 1885 with the 6-inch refractor at Nashville. After the discovery was announced in The Observatory, Wilhelm Tempel claimed an earlier discovery on 13 Apr 1884 in a note to his "New Nebulae" in AN 2660. Barnard is credited with the discovery in the NGC.

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NGC 2836 = ESO 061-003 = PGC 26017

09 13 45.0 -69 20 00

V = 11.8; Size 2.6'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 118d

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, moderately large, ~1.0'x0.7'. Located 23' N of mag 1.7 Beta Carinae (Miaplacidus) and 18' N of NGC 2822 in a rich Milky Way star field. Unusual appearance with many nearby stars including at least one superimposed mag 16 star.

JH discovered NGC 2836 = h3157 on 29 Jan 1835 and recorded "F, R, glbM, 40". Nearly on meridian with Beta Argus [Carinae]." His position is 2' southwest of ESO 061-003.

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NGC 2837 = Holm 122a/b

09 18 23.3 -16 28 53

Size 14"

=**, Corwin. NF, Carlson.

JH discovered NGC 2837 = h585 on 16 Dec 1827 and recorded "eF, R, bM, precedes a star [by] 8.5 sec". Exactly at this offset from a mag 12 star is a pair of mag 14.7/14.8 stars at 14" separation with a mean position of 09 18 23.3 -16 28 53 (2000). Harold Corwin also identifies this double star as NGC 2837.

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NGC 2838 = MCG +07-19-061 = CGCG 209-055 = PGC 26434

09 20 43.0 +39 18 56

V = 13.6; Size 0.6'x0.6'

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, even concentration down to small bright core and occasional stellar nucleus. Forms the southern vertex of an acute triangle with two mag 14 stars 50" N and 63" NNE. Also located almost at midpoint of a mag 10.5 star 3.2' NE and a mag 11.5 star 2.8' SW. UGC 4950 is at the edge of the 220x field 11' SW.

WH discovered NGC 2838 = H III-627 = h583 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and logged "vF, vS, stellar, 300 power." CH's reduced position is 2' SSW of CGCG 209-055 = PGC 26434.

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NGC 2839 = MCG +06-21-023 = CGCG 181-031 = PGC 26425

09 20 36.3 +33 39 02

V = 14.2; Size 0.5'x0.5'

17.5" (1/31/87): faint, small, round, diffuse. Located in the core of AGC 779 12' SE of NGC 2832. NGC 2834 lies 8' WNW.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 2839 on 13 Mar 1850 with LdR's 72" as one of "15 knots in all". A sketch made in March 1851 shows NGC 2839 labeled Zeta and measured as 8' 8" southeast (PA = 120°) of NGC 2834. The NGC position is 1' too far south.

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NGC 2840 = UGC 4960 = MCG +06-21-025 = CGCG 181-032 = PGC 26445

09 20 52.7 +35 22 06

V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, small, appears elongated in direction of a mag 11 star 1.0' NW although the catalogued dimensions are nearly circular, almost even surface brightness. Located 1° north of Alpha Lyncis.

WH discovered NGC 2840 = H III-827 = h586 on 10 Mar 1790 (sweep 938) and noted "eF, vS, south-following a vS star." His position (CH's reduction) is 3' south of UGC 4960 and the description of the nearby star clinches the identification. JH recorded "vF; not vS; R; 100"-120"; s f a * 10 mag." His position was very accurate.

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NGC 2841 = UGC 4966 = MCG +09-16-005 = CGCG 265-006 = PGC 26512

09 22 02.3 +50 58 35

V = 9.2; Size 8.1'x3.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 147d

13.1" (1/18/85): bright, large, very small very bright nucleus, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 6'x3'. There is a sharp light cut-off on the east side due to dust. A mag 10 star is at the NW edge 2.8' from center and mag 8.6 SAO 27227 lies 4.8' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2841 = H I-205 = h584 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815) and recorded "a very brilliant nebula, 5' or 6' long and 3 or 4' broad; it has a small bright nucleus with a faint chevelure about it, and two opposite very extensive branches." JH described it as "vB; vmE; vsmbM; pos 150.8°; comes up to a nucleus, a star 10-11m; has 2 st not involved 11 & 12 m, and a 3rd 10 m perp to axis of neb."

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NGC 2842 = ESO 091-004 = PGC 26114

09 15 36.3 -63 04 09

V = 12.5; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 120d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.8', sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core. A mag 12 star is at the west edge of the halo and a mag 14 star is at the SE edge. Located 3.7' SSW of a mag 9.7 star. NGC 2887 lies 1.1° SE.

JH discovered NGC 2842 = h3158 on 8 Mar 1836 and reported "F, vS, between two stars, in a field full of milky way stars. No doubt of the nature of the object." His position and description matches ESO 091-004.

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NGC 2843 = PGC 26414

09 20 28.7 +18 55 34

V = 15.5; Size 0.4'x0.2'; Surf Br = 57; PA = 57d

18" (3/17/07): this marginal galaxy was just glimpsed for moments at 323x as an extremely small, hazy spot perhaps 8" diameter situated close south of a mag 12.5 star. Located 2.6' NNW of a mag 10.3 star and 10' SSW of mag 7.2 HD 80495.

18" (3/11/07): not found at 220x.

WH discovered NGC 2843 = H III-64 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded a "suspected neb, but 240 shewed some small stars with suspected nebulosity, probably a deception from want of light and power." CH's reduced position is just 6 sec of RA east of PGC 26414, so despite his uncertainty (RA given to only the nearest minute) the identification seems secure. This galaxy was missed by Bigourdan and it is too faint to be included in the CGCG and MCG. Assuming it was seen by WH, this is certainly one of the two or three faintest galaxies he discovered.

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NGC 2844 = UGC 4971 = MCG +07-19-064 = CGCG 209-057 = PGC 26501

09 21 48.0 +40 09 05

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 13d

13.1" (1/18/85): faint, very small, slightly elongated ~N-S, small brighter core. Located 9' SSW of mag 7.0 SAO 42822 and 8' WSW of mag 7.7 SAO 42826. The NGC 2852 and NGC 2853 pair lies 16' E.

WH discovered NGC 2844 = H III-628 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and called "cF, cS." His position is within 1' of UGC 4971 = PGC 26501.

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NGC 2845 = ESO 314-010 = MCG -06-21-002 = PGC 26306

09 18 36.7 -38 00 36

V = 11.7; Size 2.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 67d

18" (12/30/08): faint, small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 0.4'x0.25', even surface brightness. The galaxy is nestled right against a mag 13 star that is attached on the east side, 20" from the center.

JH discovered NGC 2845 = h3159 on 1 Feb 1835 and recorded "vF, S, R, attached to a star 12th mag, south following." His position and description matches ESO 314-010 = PGC 26306.

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NGC 2846

09 19 40.4 -14 40 35

=**, Corwin. NF, RNGC.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2846 on 4 Apr 1874 and described as a "*11 in a vS, pB, R neby." Several micrometric offsets were also made to nearby stars. At his position is a pair of mag 14 stars at ~10" separation -- in fact, one of the measured stars is the fainter companion. Dreyer reobserved the star(s) on 25 Mar 1878 and noted "I think it only a vS cluster. I do not see any star as bright as 11m in it." So, this is either a single or double star at this position. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.

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NGC 2847 = Holm 128c

09 20 08.6 -16 31 06

Size 0.3'

48" (2/20/12): at 375x, a mag 16.5 star is superimposed on the northwest side (0.6' from center) of spiral NGC 2848 and attached to this star is an extremely faint HII knot. The combination of the mag 16.5 star + knot was likely recorded by Lord Rosse's assistant R.J. Mitchell as a "faint knot north-preceding" and it received the designation NGC 2847. The RNGC misclassified the number as nonexistent.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2847 one 15 Mar 1855 with LdR's 72", and noted a "F knot np [NGC 2848]". Harold Corwin identifies NGC 2847 as a star and HII region 0.6' NW of the nucleus of NGC 2848. This is the most southerly deep sky object discovered at Birr Castle.

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NGC 2848 = MCG -03-24-007 = UGCA 160 = Holm 128a = PGC 26404

09 20 09.8 -16 31 34

V = 11.8; Size 2.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 30d

48" (2/20/12): bright, large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, contains a relatively large, bright core that increases to the center. A spiral arm is attached on the west side of the core and it sweeps around the galaxy clockwise, heading south and then sharply bending east before dimming out on the southeast side of the halo. But an apparently detached section of the arm reappears on the east side heading north towards two mag 14/15 star at the NE edge. A mag 16.5 star is superimposed on the NW side (0.6' from center) and attached to this star is an extremely faint HII knot. The combination of star + knot was likely recorded by Mitchell using Rosse's 72" as a "faint knot north-preceding" and it received the designation NGC 2847. A mag 12 star lies 2.7' NE and NGC 2851 is 5' NE.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly bright, moderately large, bright core, faint halo 3:2 SW-NE. A mag 12 star lies 2.8' NE of center. Forms a pair with NGC 2851 5.5' ENE.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly faint, moderately large, very diffuse, slightly elongated SW-NE, very weak concentration.

WH discovered NGC 2848 = H III-488 = h587 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and logged "vF, cL, gvlbM, near 3' long and above 2' broad, preceding a pB star." His position (CH's reduction) is 16 tsec too far west and 1' north. JH called it "vF; L; E nf to sp; lbM. It is 9.5 sec preceding a * 11m and south of the star."

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NGC 2849 = ESO 314-SC13 = OCL-756 = Cr 207

09 19 23 -40 31 12

Size 2'

24" (2/22/14): at 200x appeared as a mottled 2' glow with only a few stars resolved. At 260x, roughly 20 stars pop in and out of view, some in small knots, in only a 2.5' region. Several resolved stars are along an E-W string on the north side. A number of bright stars are in the field including mag 9.3 HD 80623 3' SE and a similar star 3' NE. A striking 25" linear triple of mag 10.5-11 stars lies 3' W.

JH discovered NGC 2849 = h3160 on 22 Jan 1838 (his last sweep at the Cape of Good Hope) and noted a "globular cluster, eF, R, vglbM; resolved into vS, but not very numerous stars; 2.5' diameter. It is rather a cluster of the 6th class than a globular cluster."  His position is just off the southwest side of the small cluster.  NGC 2849 and NGC 3120 were the last two southern objects that JH discovered.

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NGC 2850 = PGC 26452

09 20 57.0 -04 56 24

V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 30d

17.5" (2/1/03): faint, small, slightly elongated, 20" diameter, nearly even surface brightness with a well-defined halo.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2850 = St XII-36 on 22 Mar 1882. His position matches PGC 26452.

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NGC 2851 = MCG -03-24-008 = PGC 26422

09 20 30.2 -16 29 43

V = 13.6; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 5d

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE. Forms a pair with NGC 2848 5.5' WSW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2851 =Sw III-43 on 27 Feb 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; vE; 1829 [NGC 2848], R. nova [NGC 2846] and 1828 [NGC 2847] in field west. Did not see 1819 [NGC 2837] east of 1829." His position is 1' south of MCG -03-24-008 = PGC 26422.

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NGC 2852 = UGC 4986 = MCG +07-19-065 = CGCG 209-059 = PGC 26571

09 23 14.6 +40 09 49

V = 13.2; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6

13.1" (1/18/85): extremely small, appears as a barely non-stellar "knot" forming a close pair with NGC 2853 2.5' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 2852 = H III-629 = h588, along with NGC 2853, on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716), and described both as "Two, both vF, vS, 300 shewed them both very well, nearly in the same meridian, and about 3' distance." His position is between the two galaxies, but close to NGC 2852. JH recorded "vF; S; R: has a * 10m 2' dist preceding. The first of 2."

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NGC 2853 = UGC 4987 = MCG +07-19-066 = CGCG 209-060 = PGC 26580

09 23 17.3 +40 12 00

V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 25d

13.1" (1/18/85: faint, elongated ~N-S, fairly small. Forms a close pair with NGC 2852 2' SSW.

WH discovered NGC 2853 = H III-630 = h590, along with NGC 2852, on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and described both as "Two, both vF, vS, 300 shewed them both very well, nearly in the same meridian, and about 3' distance." His position is between the two galaxies, but closer to NGC 2852. JH recorded "eF; pL; vgbM; the following of 2."

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NGC 2854 = Arp 285 NED1 = UGC 4995 = MCG +08-17-092 = CGCG 238-046 = WBL 221-001 = PGC 26631

09 24 03.1 +49 12 15

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 50d

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, weak broad concentration. Located 2.1' SSE of a mag 10 star. Forms a pair with NGC 2856 3.5' NE and NGC 2857 is also in the field 10.8' ENE. Forms an unusual pair with NGC 2856 as the major axes of these similar galaxies are exactly perpendicular.

WH discovered NGC 2854 = H III-714 = h589 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815), along with NGC 2856, and recorded "cF, cS, lE." His position is 1.4' NE of UGC 4995 = PGC 26631. JH noted "pF; R; pslbM; 20". The sp of 2, making an isosceles triangle with a * 9m."

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NGC 2855 = MCG -02-24-015 = UGCA 161 = PGC 26483

09 21 27.5 -11 54 37

V = 11.6; Size 2.5'x2.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 130d

13.1" (4/10/86): moderately large, diffuse halo rising to a sharp, bright core with a brighter nucleus.

13.1" (12/22/84): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, small bright core. Located 4' S of mag 8.8 SAO 155121.

WH discovered NGC 2855 = H I-132 = h592 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 541) and logged "F, S, vgbM, R, 1.5' dia." On 23 Feb 1791 (sweep 995), he noted "pB, R, mbM like a nucleus, about 1' dia." JH recorded "pB; R; 45"; pgmbM; almost to nucleus."

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NGC 2856 = Arp 285 NED2 = UGC 4997 = MCG +08-17-093 = CGCG 238-047 = WBL 221-002 = PGC 26648

09 24 16.0 +49 14 57

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 134d

17.5" (3/12/94): forms an interesting similar pair of elongated systems with NGC 2854 3.5' SW. Fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.6', broadly concentrated. Located 3.5' E of a mag 10 star. NGC 2857 lies 7.3' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 2856 = H III-713 = h591 on 9 Mar 1788 (sweep 815), along with NGC 2854, and recorded "cF, cS, lE." His position is 2' NNE of UGC 4997 = PGC 26648. JH noted (first of two sweeps) "Not vF; R; psbM; 20"; the nf of 2, making an isosceles triangle with a * 9m."

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NGC 2857 = Arp 1 = UGC 5000 = MCG +08-17-095 = CGCG 238-049 = PGC 26666

09 24 37.8 +49 21 25

V = 12.3; Size 2.2'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (3/12/94): very faint, round, very diffuse, 2.0' diameter. This face-on spiral appears as a low surface brightness glow with no concentration. The appearance is unusual, though, as four stars cradle the galaxy on the west side including a mag 13 star 1.6' NW, a mag 12 star 1.8' W and two mag 14 stars close SW. In the same field with NGC 2856 7.3' SSW and NGC 2854 10.8' SSW (Arp 285). CGCG 238-051 lies 3.9' ENE, but was not recorded.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2857 on 9 Jan 1856 with LdR's 72" and recorded "Both oval [NGC 2854 and 2856], their larger axes at right angles to one another, p one [NGC 2854] susp patchy." About 7' nf the n one is another, pL, slightly oval, follows 4 small stars, mottled, * susp in centre. Is there about 5' f this latter another vS knot with 2 st p and n?" The last object noted is CGCG 238-051, which Dreyer failed to assign an NGC designation. Although Mitchell's offset from NGC 2856 is accurate, the NGC position is off a bit.

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NGC 2858 = UGC 4989 = MCG +01-24-017 = CGCG 034-040 = PGC 26556

09 22 55.0 +03 09 25

V = 12.6; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 117d

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 0.5' diameter. Sharp concentration with a fairly bright stellar nucleus surrounded by a small faint halo.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2858 = m 161 on 3 Mar 1864 and noted "vF, S, mbM." His position matches UGC 4989 = PGC 26556.

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NGC 2859 = UGC 5001 = MCG +06-21-030 = CGCG 181-040 = PGC 26649

09 24 18.6 +34 30 48

V = 10.9; Size 4.3'x3.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 85d

13.1" (1/28/84): moderately bright, moderately large, strong concentration to a bright core, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, fainter halo. Located 40' ENE of Alpha Lyncis (V = 3.1).

8" (12/6/80): faint, fairly small, round, bright core.

WH discovered NGC 2859 = H I-137 = h593 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549) and logged "vB, R, vsmbM, chevelure extending to about 3' diameter". JH made 3 observations, recording on sweep 336 "vB; R; vsmbM to a star; follows a * 7m and is 3' S of it." A total of 11 observations were made by LdR and assistants and a couple of superimposed stars were noted in the outer halo [on the north side]. On 28 Mar 1861, Sir Robert Ball wrote, "Dull Nucl, I susp a dark ring around it [there is!]. A vF neb nf. I strongly suspect st in h593 [=NGC 2859]." The "vF neb nf" is probably UGC 5004.

Originally classified as a SBa by Hubble. de Vaucouleurs (1975) lists it as one of the 5 brightest galaxies in the NGC 2964 group, which includes NGC 2859, 2964, 3003, 3032 and 3067.

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NGC 2860 = UGC 5007 = MCG +07-20-003 = CGCG 210-005 = CGCG 209-065 = PGC 26685

09 24 53.2 +41 03 36

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 108d

17.5" (4/5/97): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.6'. Exhibits just a weak concentration and brightens gently to center but no noticeable core. Located 5.9' SSW of mag 8.5 SAO 428431.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2860 = St XIII-47 on 17 Mar 1884. His position matches UGC 5007 = PGC 26685.

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NGC 2861 = UGC 4999 = MCG +00-24-010 = CGCG 006-038 = KTG 24A = PGC 26607

09 23 36.5 +02 08 12

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x1.4'

24" (2/22/14): moderately bright, moderately large, small bright core, irregular surface brightness, ~1' diameter. Seems to have a brighter knot of region just SSE of the core. [On the DSS, this is the brightest portion of the southern spiral arm]. Increases in size as well as orientation with averted vision, as my eye catches faint portions of the halo. Strong impression of viewing a face-on spiral. A mag 13.6 star is 1' E of center. Brightest in a trio (KTG 24) with CGCG 6-40 3.2' SE and CGCG 6-41 7' ESE.

17.5" (3/7/92): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, halo brightens gradually. A mag 13.5 star is at the east edge 1.1' from center and several other faint stars are near. Forms the east vertex of a right triangle with a wide mag 10/12 double star at 28" separation located 4' W and a wide mag 10/11 double star at 43" separation which lies 6' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2861 = m 162 on 28 Mar 1864 using Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "pB, R." His position is 1' north of UGC 4999 = PGC 26607. d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 8 Feb 1866. His single position, copied into the NGC, is 3' too far south (accurate in RA), though he mentioned a mag 14 star follows by 43" separation, so the identification is certain. The NGC description ("pF, S, irR, *14 following") is also from d'Arrest. Kobold measured an accurate postion at Strassburg in 1895.

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NGC 2862 = UGC 5010 = MCG +05-22-045 = CGCG 151-076 = PGC 26690

09 24 55.0 +26 46 30

V = 12.8; Size 2.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 114d

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 5:1 WNW-ESE, 2.0'x0.4', brighter core, faint stellar nucleus. Located 6' NNE of mag 8.4 SAO 80808 which has two 12th magnitude companions at 21" and 29".

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2862 on 21 Feb 1863 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 2 nights) matches UGC 5010 = PGC 26690.

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NGC 2863 = NGC 2869 = MCG -02-24-018 = PGC 26609

09 23 36.5 -10 26 00

V = 12.7; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S (appears roundish on the POSS). A mag 12 star is at the NW tip and a very faint mag 15 star is just beyond the south edge. Contains an offset very small brighter core or a bright knot is on the north side just south of the mag 12 star. Forms a close pair with difficult NGC 2868 2.3' W.

WH discovered NGC 2863 = H III-520 = h594 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 544) and logged "vF, S, E." JH called it "F; extended between 2 stars 12 and 16 m."

Frank Muller independently found this galaxy (and discovered nearby NGC 2868) in 1886 at Leander-McCormick Observatory, and recorded LM 412 as "mag 14.5, 1.2'x0.6', E 170°, gbM, bet 2 st 12 and 14." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is about 1 min too far east. Dreyer assumed this was new object and catalogued it again as NGC 2869. Howe examined the field in 1899-00 and reported the new numbers are identical. So, NGC 2863 = NGC 2869, with NGC 2863 the primary designation. Because of Muller's poor position, NGC 2868 precedes NGC 2863 in the sky.

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NGC 2864 = MCG +01-24-020 = CGCG 034-044 = PGC 26644

09 24 15.4 +05 56 28

V = 14.6; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 12d

17.5" (2/1/03): very faint, small, slightly elongated 0.6'x0.5'. Low, even surface brightness and requires averted vision for a positive identification. Situated near the Hydra-Leo-Cancer border.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2864 = m 163 on 6 Mar 1864 and recorded "vF, pL, lE." His position matches CGCG 034-044 = PGC 26644.

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NGC 2865 = ESO 498-001 = MCG -04-22-011 = PGC 26601

09 23 30.2 -23 09 40

V = 11.7; Size 2.5'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 146d

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, small, very bright core, stellar nucleus, slightly elongated halo.

JH discovered NGC 2865 = h3161 on 23 Jan 1835 and logged "pB; S; R; vlbM; 15"." His position (2 sweeps) matches JH's position (h3161) matches ESO 498-001 = PGC 26601.

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NGC 2866 = ESO 212-SC3 = Pismis 13 = OCL 774 = Lund 504

09 22 06 -51 06 12

V = 10.2; Size 1.5'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 184x): the central region (Pismis 13) contains a dozen stars mag 12-15 over a glowing 1.5' circular patch. Includes a close double at the east side. The brightest mag 12 star (also a double) is at the north end of the cluster. The surrounding field is rich and includes several mag 10 stars. Specifically, a bright scattered 10' field centered 10' SSW stands out at low power.

JH discovered NGC 2866 = h3162 on 31 Mar 1835 and noted a "Cluster class VIII. Place of a small compact knot of st". His position is an exact match with the small group of stars ESO 212-SC3 = Pismis 13, though because he placed it in class VIII he meant to include the scattered stars (bright) in the larger field. Pismis noted 40 stars in a 2' region.

The RNGC description incorrectly states "NOCL" and Lynga 5 and Sky Catalogue 2000 identify the cluster as Pismis 13 only. ESO gives the correct identification with a question mark.

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NGC 2867 = PK 278-5.1 = ESO 126-PN8 = PN G278.1-05.9

09 21 25.4 -58 18 41

V = 9.7; Size 18"x16"

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): beautiful, very high surface brightness blue planetary at 200x, set in a rich star field. Stunning view at 520x. The thick, oval rim is clearly brighter with a relatively small darker hole in the center! I didn't notice this structure in the 18" several years back from Australia.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x (unfiltered) this striking planetary is bright (V = 9.7), small, very high surface brightness oval with a pale blue color. With a UHC filter, it appeared ~15"x10" and appeared like a cosmic easter egg set in a beautiful star field! Located 1.1° NE of mag 2.3 Iota Carinae (SE star in the "False Cross").

Discovered by John Herschel on April 1, 1834, and described as the "finest planetary nebula I ever remember to have seen for sharpness of termination". Apparently he initially hoped this object might be a new planet as a nearby 15th magnitude star was carefully measured to check for relative movement, though none was found on the next night.

JH discovered NGC 2867 = h3163 on 1 Apr 1834 and recorded "The finest planetary nebula I ever remember to have seen for sharpness of termination; 3" diameter; exactly R; no more haziness about them than would be about a star of the same magnitude to-night (which is a favourable one) Light, a pale white = * of 9th +/- mag. Position of companion star = 58.6° (mean) ; * = 15th mag. A very remarkable object. Showed to Stone, who distinctly perceived the total difference of appearance between it and a star 9th mag very near it. A second companion * suspected (at about half the distance of the 1st by diagram, and at an estimated position of 330°) among multitude of large and small stars." The next night he observed it again with Mr. Maclear, out of the meridian, to check if it might be a planet. But he noted it had "not moved perceptibly, and is therefore not a planet."

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NGC 2868 = PGC 26598

09 23 27.2 -10 25 46

V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 65d

17.5" (2/1/03): extremely faint, very small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 0.4'x0.25, low even surface brightness. Located just 2.3' W of much brighter NGC 2863!

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2868 = LM II-411 = Big. 39 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. He recorded "mag 15.3, 0.4' dia, R, 10s preceding [NGC 2869 = NGC 2863]." According to Harold Corwin, Guillaume Bigourdan independently discovered NGC 2868 on 15 Jan 1887, but was not credited in the NGC. Herbert Howe measured an accurate RA with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in 1899-00 and the correction was repeated by Dreyer in the IC 2. RNGC misclassifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2869 = NGC 2863 = MCG -02-24-018 = PGC 26609

09 23 36.5 -10 26 00

See observing notes for NGC 2863.

Frank Muller found NGC 2869 = LM II-412 in 1886 and recorded ""mag 14.5, 1.2'x0.6', E 170°, gbM, bet 2 st 12 and 14." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is about 1 min too far east, but the note on the nearby stars clinches the identification. Dreyer assumed this was new object and catalogued it again as NGC 2869. The equivalence was first noted by Howe in his list of NGC observations and corrections in 1900. So, NGC 2863 = NGC 2869, with NGC 2863 the primary designation.

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NGC 2870 = UGC 5034 = MCG +10-14-013 = CGCG 289-008 = PGC 26856

09 27 53.5 +57 22 33

V = 13.0; Size 2.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 123d

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE, 2.0'x0.5', brighter core. Located 4.5' NE of a mag 10 star.

WH discovered NGC 2870 = H III-846 = h595 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952) and logged "cF, S, mE, very narrow." His position matches UGC 5034 = PGC 26856. JH described this galaxy as "vF; pL; lE; vglbM; 35" l, 30" br."

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NGC 2871 = Holm 130c

09 25 39.5 +11 26 40

V = 15.9

48" (2/21/12): mag 15.9 star situated 1.1' NW of NGC 2872.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2871 on 7 Mar 1874 with the 72" and labeled Epsilon on the field sketch. The micrometric offset of 65.3" in PA 315.7° from NGC 2872 = Delta points directly to a mag 16 star 1' NW of NGC 2872. Spitaler reported "not seen" with the 27" refractor at Vienna (mentioned in the IC 1 notes).

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NGC 2872 = Arp 307 NED1 = UGC 5018 = MCG +02-24-008 = CGCG 062-033 = Holm 130a = PGC 26733

09 25 42.5 +11 25 55

V = 11.9; Size 2.1'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 22d

48" (2/21/12): very bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.2'x1.0', sharply concentrated with an intensely bright 20" core. A mag 15.8 star = NGC 2871 is 1.1' NW. Forms a striking trio with NGC 2874 and 2873.

17.5" (2/20/88): moderately bright, small, round, sharp concentration with a very bright core. Brightest of three with NGC 2874 1.3' ESE and NGC 2873 2.0' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2872 = H II-57 = H II-546 = h597 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 172) and recorded "Two neb. [with NGC 2874 = H II-58] about 3/4' or a little more from each other; Of the resolvable kind. The position of the first [NGC 2872] is about 15° or 20° np the second; they are pS and rather brighter towards the middle, but not much. The neby of the f one is rather more diluted than than of the p one, and it also somewhat larger." His position is exactly 1.0 min of RA too far west and 11' too far north. WH recorded the pair again two years later (II-546 and II-547) on sweep 534, this time at the correct position, but assumed they were new. JH included separate H-designations in the GC, but Dreyer realized the equivalence and combined them in the NGC.

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NGC 2873 = Arp 307 "Companion" = MCG +02-24-009 = Holm 130d = PGC 26742

09 25 48.5 +11 27 15

V = 15.8; Size 0.7'x0.2'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 125d

48" (2/21/12): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 5:2 or 3:1 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.2', very small slightly brighter nucleus. Faintest member of a striking trio with NGC 2874 and NGC 2872 (Arp 307) to the south and SW, respectively.

17.5" (2/20/88): extremely faint, very small, round. Faintest in a tight trio situated 2.0' NE of NGC 2872 and 1.8' N of NGC 2874.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2873 on 22 Feb 1857 with LdR's 72", while observing NGC 2872 and 2874. He sketched a trio and noted "Is Beta a vF neb?" A month later, NGC 2873 = Beta was confirmed. In the 1874 observation, Copeland measured an exact micrometric offset from NGC 2872. This galaxy is not included in CGCG, UGC or RC3 but appears to be mentioned as an anonymous galaxy in the UGC notes.

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NGC 2874 = Arp 307 NED2 = UGC 5021 = MCG +02-24-010 = CGCG 062-034 = Holm 130b = PGC 26740

09 25 47.3 +11 25 28

V = 12.5; Size 2.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 43d

48" (2/21/12): at 375x, the largest member of this striking trio appeared very bright, large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 1.8'x0.5', sharply concentrated with an intense core. The NE extension is slightly brighter, particularly along the eastern side (knotty spiral arm = NGC 2875). NGC 2872 is 1.3' WNW and NGC 2873 is 1.7' NNE.

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, halo gradually increases to a bright core. A mag 15 star is 1.3' S of center. In a close trio with NGC 2872 1.3' WNW and NGC 2873 1.8' N.

WH discovered NGC 2874 = H II-58 = H II-547 = h598 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 172). See NGC 2872 for the story on the duplicate entries.

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NGC 2875 = northeastern arm of NGC 2874

09 25 48.8 +11 25 54

48" (2/21/12): at 375x, the northeast extension (arm) of NGC 2874 is slightly brighter, particularly along the eastern side.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2875 on 7 Mar 1874 and labeled it as Gamma on the same sketch with NGC 2871, 2872, and 2873. His offset from NGC 2874 (42" in PA 37°) falls on a slightly brighter section of the northeastern spiral arm of NGC 2874. RNGC equates the number with NGC 2874, though a more appropriate classification would be part of NGC 2874.

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NGC 2876 = MCG -01-24-016 = PGC 26710

09 25 13.8 -06 43 00

V = 13.7; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 95d

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, very small, slightly elongated, small bright core. Pair with IC 2471 7' S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2876 = St X-20 on 5 Mar 1880 with the 31" reflector at Marseille and recorded "F, S, halo contains sev vF *." His position matches MCG -01-24-016 = PGC 26710. Dreyer incorrectly references list IX in the NGC. Ormond Stone independently discovered NGC 2876 in 1886 at the Leander-McCormick Observatory and his position in list II-413 is fairly accurate.

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NGC 2877 = MCG +00-24-015 = CGCG 006-043 = PGC 26738

09 25 47.0 +02 13 45

V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (3/8/97): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, very weak concentration. Located 6' following a group of four mag 13 stars in a small "kite" asterism. Forms a pair with NGC 2878 8.5' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2877 = m 164 on 28 Mar 1864 (along with NGC 2878 = m 165) and recorded "vF, S, vlE." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2878 = UGC 5022 = MCG +00-24-014 = CGCG 006-042 = PGC 26739

09 25 47.4 +02 05 22

V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 174d

17.5" (3/8/97): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, unconcentrated. Slightly lower surface brightness than NGC 2877 located 8.5' N.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2878 = m 165 on 28 Mar 1864 (along with NGC 2877 = m 164) and recorded "vF, S, vlE." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2879

09 25 22.2 -11 39 03

=***, Corwin. =NF, Carlson.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2879 on 27 Feb 1865. He noted "neb with some vF *" and measured a mag 14-15 star as preceding by 11 seconds of time. At his position is a triple star with the mag 14 star at this exact offset. The two brighter components are mag 14.4/14.5 at 10" separation.

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NGC 2880 = UGC 5051 = MCG +10-14-015 = CGCG 312-011 = PGC 26939

09 29 34.5 +62 29 27

V = 11.5; Size 2.0'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 140d

17.5" (4/6/91): moderately bright, round, 1' diameter, strong concentration, very small bright core. A mag 11.5 star is 1.9' ENE. Nearby to the north is a string of mag 13-14 stars including a mag 13 star 2.1' N. Forms a pair with CGCG 312-012 3.2' N. The companion is very faint, extremely small, round. Two mag 14 stars are 1.7' NE and 1.2' E.

8": faint, small, bright core. Located 40' SW of a mag 4 star.

WH discovered NGC 2880 = H I-260 = h596 on 2 Apr 1791 (sweep 1000) and logged "vB, vL, mbM; iR." His position matches UGC 5051 = PGC 26939. On sweep 404, JH recorded "pF; R; S; vgbM; 40", a *12 m follows."

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NGC 2881 = Arp 275 = VV 293 = MCG -02-24-021 = PGC 26747

09 25 54.4 -11 59 40

V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (4/4/92): very faint, small, round, very low even surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is at the northeast edge 0.7' from center. An easy mag 10/11 double star at 26" separation lies 4.5' ESE. This is a double system (not resolved).

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2881 = Sw III-44 on 9 Feb 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; preceding a coarse double star 17 sec; in field with 1854 [NGC 2889]." His position is just 5 sec of RA west of Arp 275 = PGC 26747. In his extensive MN notes, Herbert Howe stated the two stars mentioned by Swift are south-following, 9.5 & 10.5 mag.

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NGC 2882 = UGC 5030 = MCG +01-24-021 = CGCG 034-046 = PGC 26781

09 26 36.2 +07 57 15

V = 12.6; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 80d

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, almost even surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is 2.0' SE. Located 16' N of mag 8.4 SAO 117694.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2882 = m 166 on 6 Mar 1864 and noted "F, pL, E." His position and description matches UGC 5030.

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NGC 2883 = ESO 372-024 = MCG -06-21-005 + 006 = VV 768 = PGC 26713

09 25 17.5 -34 06 12

V = 13.1; Size 2.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 176d

18" (3/11/07): faint, moderately large, elongated at least 2:1 ~N-S, 1.1'x0.5'. Unusual appearance as the galaxy has an irregular, mottled appearance and perhaps three faint stars are superimposed (with several others nearby).

JH discovered NGC 2883 = h3164 on 7 Apr 1837 and recorded "a vF, S, cluster, class VI; vglbM; resolved so as to see the stars which are 15th mag; almost to be called a vF, large nebula." His position matches ESO 372-024 = PGC 26713. MCG misidentifies MCG -06-21-006 as NGC 2883 instead of MCG -06-21-005.

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NGC 2884 = MCG -02-24-022 = PGC 26773

09 26 24.4 -11 33 20

V = 12.4; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 175d

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, possible faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is 1.3' W of center. NGC 2889 lies 13' ESE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2884 on 27 Feb 1865. His position (measured on 5 nights) matches MCG -02-24-022 = PGC 26773 and he noted the mag 13.5 star (called mag 15 or 16) that precedes by 5 seconds of time in the parallel. His AN #1537 list has a 1 min typo in RA.

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NGC 2885 = UGC 5037 = MCG +04-22-058 = CGCG 121-098 = IC 538 = PGC 26943

09 27 18.5 +23 01 12

V = 14.0; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 80d

17.5" (4/13/91): faint, very small, round, stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is 40" E of center and a mag 14 star is 2' NW. Located 8' NW of mag 8.5 SAO 80841. Brightest in a trio with CGCG 121-099 1.8' ENE and IC 2474 1.8' NW. Incorrect identification in RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2885 = h599 on 24 Feb 1827 and recorded "eF; vS; E in parallel; RA very uncertain." There is nothing at his position (1.7' NNW of a mag 8 star not mentioned in his description), but 25 sec of RA west is UGC 5037, which fits the description (roughly elongated east-west). Bigourdan independently discovered the galaxy on 21 Mar 1890, measured an accurate position (#154) and noted "does not seem to be NGC 2885." So Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 538, though he noted the possible equivalence with NGC 2885.

Sir Robert Ball, an observing assistant on LdR's 72", recorded on 10 Jan 1867, "3 objects seen close together, of which one is probably a nebula, the other possibly also, and third a star? All these are eF, and would perhaps not be seen unless on so good a night as this is." From the description, Ball picked up NGC 2885 and probably nearby IC 2474 and CGCG 121-99.

RNGC misidentifies CGCG 122-006 as NGC 2885. CGCG and UGC misidentify IC 2474 as NGC 2885. Finally, MCG labels this gaalxy as IC 538. Discussed by Malcolm Thomson in a Webb Society Quarterly Journal article, July 1990.

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NGC 2886 = ESO 565-?005

09 26 38.7 -21 44 16

=***, Corwin. =NF, RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2886 = h3165 on 1 Feb 1837 and simply noted "eeF; 50"." There is nothing at his position, but four faint stars about 1.5' ENE of his position are likely Herschel's object (the separation is ~25"). Corwin also identifies this multiple star as NGC 2886.

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NGC 2887 = ESO 091-009 = PGC 26592

09 23 24.2 -63 48 45

V = 11.7; Size 2.1'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 78d

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): bright, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 1.2'x1.0', sharply concentrated with a very bright 25" core. Forms the SE vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 12/12.5 stars 1.3' WNW and 1.4' NNW. A couple of arc minutes SE is a short string of very faint stars. NGC 2842 lies 1.1° NW.

JH discovered NGC 2887 = h3168 on 8 Mar 1834 and logged "F; S; R; gbM; near a bright star." This is the first deep sky object he discovered at the Cape. His position from 3 sweeps matches ESO 091-009.

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NGC 2888 = ESO 434-002 = MCG -05-23-001 = PGC 26768

09 26 19.5 -28 02 08

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 158d

17.5" (2/28/87): faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, brighter core.

JH discovered NGC 2888 = h3166 on 30 Mar 1835 and logged "pF R; smbM; very dilute at edges; 30"." His position (on 2 sweeps) matches ESO 434-002 = PGC 26768.

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NGC 2889 = MCG -02-24-026 = PGC 26806

09 27 12.5 -11 38 37

V = 11.7; Size 2.2'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 65d

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, diffuse halo, irregular bright core. A mag 11.5 star is off the south edge 1.4' from the center. NGC 2884 lies 13' WNW and NGC 2881 is 28' SW.

WH discovered NGC 2889 = H II-555 = h600 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 541) and recorded "vF; pL; R; bM." JH called it "pB; pL; R; vglbM; 80"." Both measured fairly accurate positions. On 30 Jan 1856, R.J. Mitchell using LdR's 72", noted a very faint star at the east edge and "darkness all round the nucleus."

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NGC 2890 = MCG -02-24-024 = PGC 26778

09 26 29.8 -14 31 44

V = 14.3; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 55d

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Overpowered by mag 7.8 SAO 155191 which lies 3.9' NE!

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 2890 = LM I-154 on 11 Jan 1886 and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.3' dia, R, bMN, envelope 15.5." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 45 sec of RA east of MCG -02-24-024 = PGC 26778. Howe published an accurate position in his 1900 MN observations and Dreyer repeated it in the IC 2 notes.

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NGC 2891 = ESO 498-008 = MCG -04-23-003 = PGC 26794

09 26 56.6 -24 46 59

V = 12.6; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (3/7/92): fairly faint, small, round, sharp concentration with very small prominent core, stellar nucleus. Located in rich Milky Way field close to the Antlia and Hydra border.

JH discovered NGC 2891 = h3167 on 23 Jan 1835 and recorded "F; S; R; bM; 15"." His position is 1' south of ESO 498-008 = PGC 26794.

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NGC 2892 = UGC 5073 = MCG +11-12-015 = CGCG 312-015 = PGC 27111

09 32 53.0 +67 37 02

V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, gradually brighter halo, faint stellar nucleus. A wide bright double star ∑1349 = 7.5/8.7 at 24" is 11' WSW at the edge of the 220x field. Brightest in a group with UGC 5061 7.5' W.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2892 = Sw I-8 on 11 May 1885 and recorded "pF, pS, R, lbM." His position is 0.2 min of RA east of UGC 5073 = PGC 27111.

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NGC 2893 = UGC 5060 = MCG +05-23-005 = CGCG 152-018 = Mrk 401 = PGC 26979

09 30 17.0 +29 32 24

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, very small, round, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 3.2' SW of a mag 9 star.

WH discovered NGC 2893 = H III-297 = h602 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and logged "Suspected eF, eS. 240x showed the same appearance but left a doubt." There is nothing at his position, but 8.5' north is UGC 5060 = PGC 26979. On sweep 115, JH recorded "S; R; sbM; 20", has a * 8m 55° n f dist 3'." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2894 = UGC 5056 = MCG +01-24-024 = CGCG 034-051 = Holm 133a = PGC 26932

09 29 30.4 +07 43 06

V = 12.4; Size 1.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 27d

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, prominent core with faint extensions. Unusual appearance as a mag 13.5 star is at the east end and a mag 14.5 star (Holmberg 133b) at the west end. Located 3.0' NNE of mag 8.6 SAO 117726.

WH discovered NGC 2894 = H III-8 = h603 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 101) and recorded "Nebula. I see 3 stars in it, & I believe it may all be resolved; yet my 240 power does not clear it quite of nebulosity. [Higher] power gives me 3 very obscure nebulous stars, but leaves it undetermined whether there are more stars in it or whether these are only nebulous for want of light." JH simply noted "2 or 3 st and nebulosity" and measured a pretty accurate position.

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NGC 2895 = MCG +10-14-018 = CGCG 289-009 = PGC 27092

09 32 25.1 +57 28 58

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (4/4/92): faint, small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, broad concentration in halo to brighter core. Collinear with a wide double star 6' SSW (10.5/12.5 at 50" oriented SSW-NNE).

JH discovered NGC 2895 = h601 on 9 Feb 1831 and logged "vF; R; vgbM; 15"; has a coarse double star 7' south." His position and description matches CGCG 289-009 = PGC 27092.

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NGC 2896 = MCG +04-23-007 = CGCG 122-009 = PGC 26985

09 30 16.9 +23 39 47

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (4/13/91): very faint, extremely small, round, small bright core. A mag 15 star is attached at the west end.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2896 on 1 May 1864 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and recorded "F, S, R, *17m very near, *13 follows by 24.3 seconds of time and 30" north." His position and description matches CGCG 122-009 = PGC 26985, with the star (closer to 15th mag) on the west edge.

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NGC 2897 = PGC 26949

09 29 45.7 +02 12 25

V = 15.1; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 170d

17.5" (3/7/92): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, low surface brightness. Located just 1.8' WNW of mag 8.0 SAO 117736 which detracts from viewing. Forms a pair with NGC 2898 8' S. Not listed in the CGCG, UGC, MCG or RC3 although 15th magnitude.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2897 = m 167 on 6 Feb 1864 (along with NGC 2898) and simply noted "eF, S." His position matches PGC 26949. It's odd that Marth did not mention the mag 9 star just 2' E as it interfered with my viewing, although his notes are very sparse.

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NGC 2898 = MCG +00-24-018 = CGCG 006-048 = PGC 26950

09 29 46.3 +02 03 51

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 125d

17.5" (3/7/92): faint, very small, round, faint substellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 2897 8' N.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2898 = m 168 on 6 Feb 1864 and noted "vF, vS, lE." His position is 6 sec of RA east of CGCG 006-048 = PGC 26950.

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NGC 2899 = PK 277-3.1 = ESO 166-PN13 = PN G277.1-03.8 = Gum 27 = RCW 43

09 27 03.0 -56 06 22

V = 12.2; Size 120"x68"

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fascinating bipolar planetary at 260x using a UHC filter. A very bright knot is situated on the SW end with fainter extensions along the rim to the SE. A matching knot with a lower surface brightness is on the north side. This knot is also elongated, making another short arc. Overall, NGC 2899 is noticeably elongated with dimensions of ~1.6'x1.0', oriented NW-SE. At 520x both knots or arcs gradually increase in brightness to their centers and occasionally show very faint stellar nuclei. The overall surface is noticeably mottled at this power, though darker in the center. The open cluster, IC 2488, lies 50' S.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x this interesting Vela planetary appeared fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated ~E-W, 1.3'x1.0'. Good contrast gain with a UHC filter. The surface brightness appears very irregular or mottled with a brighter knot on the SW end that is nearly detached and an irregular darker center. Also a less-defined knot appears to be situated on the north end. Four mag 7.5-9 stars are in the field to the west and north and the PN is situated 9' E of mag 7.3 SAO 236965. The faint planetary Wray 17-31 = VBRC 2 lies 38' ESE

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x, this moderately bright planetary is fairly large, ~1.5'x1.0', with an irregular shape and surface brightness. Adding a UHC filter improved the contrast and the PN is clearly elongated with an annular or bi-polar appearance with a darker, irregular center. There are two brighter knots or arcs on on the SW and NE sides of the central section (minor axis?) with the SW knot more obvious. Situated in a fairly rich star field with four mag 7-9 stars including a mag 7.3 star 9' W.

JH discovered NGC 2899 = h3169 on 27 Feb 1835 and recorded "F; pL; R; glbM; 80". At least 80 stars in field." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2900 = UGC 5065 = MCG +01-24-026 = CGCG 034-055 = PGC 26974

09 30 15.1 +04 08 39

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (3/25/95): very faint, moderately large, 1.5' diameter, very low surface brightness, very weak concentration, ill-defined halo. A mag 14.5 star is 1.0' SW of center.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2900 = Sw III-45 on 10 Mar 1886 and logged "eeF, pL, R, in vacancy." His position is 5 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 5065.

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NGC 2901

09 32 24 +31 07

=Not found, RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2901 = LM I-155 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory "while looking for Winnecke's comet [7P/Pons-Winnecke]." No additional notes are given and the position is marked as very rough (approximate even to the nearest min of RA).

This number is not listed in any modern catalogue (even the RNGC didn't pick a candidate). Brian Skiff identifies this object as a double star with brightest component GSC 2494-0616 at 09 32 19 +31 07.1 (2000). Harold Corwin suggest this number may refer to one of the galaxies (UGC 5070/5074/5087) just over a degree south of Stone's position. Without more information, this number is lost.

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NGC 2902 = MCG -02-24-030 = PGC 27004

09 30 52.8 -14 44 07

V = 12.2; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 35d

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, very small, 30" diameter, stellar nucleus. A faint star is off the NW edge.

WH discovered NGC 2902 = H III-276 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371) and logged "vF; vS; stellar; with 240 the same." CH's reduction is less than 2' northwest of MCG -02-24-030 = PGC 27004. MCG equates NGC 2902 with Bigourdan's IC 543 but Corwin notes that Bigourdan observed both objects so he was not confusing them.

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NGC 2903 = UGC 5079 = MCG +04-23-009 = CGCG 122-014 = PGC 27077

09 32 10.0 +21 30 02

V = 9.0; Size 12.6'x6.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 17d

48" (4/18/15): this superb spiral was observed at 375x. Several luminous patches are along the central bar including a patch (NGC 2905) at the northeast end near the beginning of the western spiral arm. Another patch is at the south end of the core with a third near the southern end of the bar where the eastern arm(s) emanate. The outer western arm extends south for a length of ~4', roughly as far as the southern edge of the main body. The outer eastern arm emerges from the south end of the galaxy, curls east and shoots north. Although the surface brightness becomes quite low, the arm extends well beyond the main body for a total length of ~7'! At the northern end is a low surface brightness larger patch about 5.5' NE of center. The tips of the spiral arms are over 9' apart.

24" (2/22/14): excellent view at 200x and 375x. This beautiful barred spiral is sharply concentrated with an extremely bright, mottled core. A prominent central bar runs along the major axis, extending ~2'x0.4' SSW-NNE. The central bar is the brightest portion of an more oval, brighter central region, ~2.0'x1.0'. Just beyond the northeast end of the central bar is a bright, irregular "knot" (NGC 2905) where the northern spiral arm attaches. This arm bends sharply to the west (clockwise), but only curves for ~1' and quickly fades, as if it was angled towards us. A prominent arm (more cleanly separated from the central region) is attached at the south-southwest end of the bar where there is another brighter, irregular "knot". The southern arm bends east and then north, paralleling the orientation of the bar and extending as far north as the core, perhaps just beyond a mag 13.7 star 2' ESE of center. A darker dust lane separates this arm from the central region.

18" (2/14/10): beautiful view of this barred spiral at 175x. The galaxy extends 2:1 SSW-NNE, roughly 8'x4', with a slightly brighter bar running through the major axis. The center is sharply concentrated with a very bright clumpy core. At the SSW end of the main body a faint arm emerges and sweeps around to the east. Near the NNE end of the central bar is a brighter knot (NGC 2905) and beyond the knot is a fainter and less defined arm that curves around a short distance to the west.

17.5" (1/31/87): this is one of the brightest non-Messier galaxies. Very bright and large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 10'x4'. A very faint knot is involved on the NNE side 1.2' from center = NGC 2905. An extremely faint knot is also symmetrically placed opposite the core on the SW end 1.2' from center. The galaxy has a dusty, mottled appearance with knots and arcs easily visible with averted vision.

17.5" (3/23/85): a second knotty region is definitely visible on the SW edge. Lord Rosse mentions these two knots as "thickened regions".

13.1" (12/22/84): very bright, elongated bright core. Contains a very faint knot at the north end = NGC 2905.

8": bright, large, elongated, bright mottled core.

WH discovered NGC 2903 = H I-56 = h604.I on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and recorded "cB, cL, a small bright spot in the middle; at first sight appears very much elongated, but by careful attention it appears to consist of two; the nf of which less bright than the sp, though nearly of the same size and shape with the former, it has also a brightish spot in the middle but not nearly so brilliant as the other; dist of the center about a minute." JH recorded on sweep 244, "I. 56 is vB; E; gbM; r[esolvable]. Long attentions shows a vF, L, R, neb attached n f." NGC 2905 = h604.II is the "neb attached n f" and refers to the northeast spiral arm (or a brighter region in the spiral arm).

LdR first observed this galaxy on 24 Mar 1846 and noted "a tendency to an annular or spiral arrangement discovered." On 9 Mar 1848 Romney Robinson, director of Armagh Observatory and a regular observer at Rosse's Birr Castle, commented "Night excellent, a spiral seen in an oblique direction, resolved well, particularly towards the vB centre." LdR was a bit more conservative in his assessment of spiral structure and didn't include this galaxy in his table of 16 spirals in the 1850 Philosophical Transactions paper. A published sketch from 5 Mar 1848 shows multiple spiral arms with a knot embedded (NGC 2905), though a note was added later by Dreyer that "the engraving does not agree with the numerous sketches taken later..."

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NGC 2904 = ESO 434-006 = MCG -05-23-003 = PGC 26981

09 30 17.0 -30 23 05

V = 12.4; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 90d

17.5" (2/1/03): fairly faint, fairly small, 3:2 oval E-W, 0.8'x0.5'. Contains a brighter core with a very thin outer envelope. Located 4' W of mag 8.8 SAO 200441 and 15' S of mag 7.7 SAO 177562. There are several ESO galaxies within 20' which I didn't search for.

JH discovered NGC 2904 = h3170 on 11 Apr 1834 and logged "F; S; vlE; psbM; 15". Very dilute at the edges." His position matches ESO 434-006.

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NGC 2905 = NGC 2903

09 32 11.9 +21 31 10

48" (4/18/15): NGC 2905 is the brightest of several luminous patches along the central bar. This irregular knot is located very near the north-northeast end of the central bar at the point where two spiral arms (extending west) emerge from the arm.

24" (2/22/14): just beyond the northeast end of the central bar is a fairly bright, irregular "knot" (NGC 2905) where the northern spiral arm attaches to the bar. This arm bends sharply to the west (clockwise), but only curves for ~1' and quickly fades.

17.5" (5/10/86): very large knot or arc at the NNE edge of a spiral arm in NGC 2903. Easily visible with averted vision.

13.1" (12/22/84): very faint knot or arc at NE edge of arm of NGC 2903.

WH discovered NGC 2905 = H I-57 = h604.II on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and recorded (together with NGC 2903) "cB, cL, a small bright spot in the middle; at first sight appears very much elongated, but by careful attention it appears to consist of two; the nf of which less bright than the sp, though nearly of the same size and shape with the former, it has also a brightish spot in the middle but not nearly so brilliant as the other; dist of the center about a minute."

JH recorded on sweep 244, "I. 56 is vB; E; gbM; r[esolvable]. Long attentions shows a vF, L, R, neb attached n f." NGC 2905 is the "neb attached n f" and refers to the northeast spiral arm (with a brighter starcloud or HII region). George Stoney's sketch at Birr Castle on 5 Mar 1848 shows multiple spiral arms, along with an embedded knot on the northeast side. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent (Type 7), although Type 35 = nebulous region in a galaxy, would probably be more appropriate.

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NGC 2906 = UGC 5081 = MCG +02-25-001 = CGCG 063-001 = PGC 27074

09 32 06.3 +08 26 30

V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 75d

17.5" (4/13/91): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, broadly concentrated halo, brighter along the major axis. A mag 12 star is 2.9' SW and a mag 11 star 3.6' SSW.

WH discovered NGC 2906 = H II-495 = h606 on 28 Dec 1785 (sweep 497) and logged "F, pL, E, iF." His position is 1' northwest of UGC 5081 = PGC 27074 and the identification is certain. JH made two observations and recorded "F; not vS; R; glbM."

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NGC 2907 = MCG -03-25-002 = PGC 27048

09 31 36.6 -16 44 07

V = 11.6; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 115d

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, 1.4'x0.7, bright core, stellar nucleus. A small group of four mag 11-13 stars lies roughly 4' SW.

WH discovered NGC 2907 = H II-506 = h607 on 31 Dec 1785 (sweep 503) and logged "pB, S, lE, mb towards the sf side." JH recorded "F; bM; lE s f; 30" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2908 = UGC 5152 = MCG +13-07-034 = CGCG 350-029 = PGC 27831

09 43 31.6 +79 42 05

V = 14.1; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/6/02): faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, low but uneven surface brightness. A mag 10 star is 6' ENE. Located 35' NNW of a mag 6.1 star.

WH discovered NGC 2908 = H III-977 on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, his second to last sweep) and logged "eF, vS, iF. I also saw it with 300x." Caroline Herschel's reduced position is 3' north of UGC 5152. This was one of 6 galaxies found by Herschel that evening after Caroline discovered that the third list of nebulae submitted to the Royal Society included only 497 nebulae, instead of the intended 500. A few nights later (30 Sep 1802) he made his last sweep for new nebulae and the last three nebulae were found. Not observed by JH or LdR.

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NGC 2909

09 36 59.9 +65 56 26

=**?, Gottlieb. =NF, Thomson.

JH discovered NGC 2909 = h605 on 12 Mar 1828 and logged "eF; S; psbM; 12"." There is nothing near his position and this object was not recorded on any other sweeps to verify the position. RNGC and CGCG misidentify CGCG 312-021 as NGC 2909 although JH's position is more than 40' west of this galaxy. A 13" pair of mag 14-15 star is close to JH's position, and the only plausible candidate, though perhaps he made some large error in recording the position.

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NGC 2910 = ESO 166-SC017 = Cr 209

09 30 29 -52 54 48

V = 7.2; Size 5'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): ~50 stars are resolved in an oval or "racetrack" outline oriented NW-SE, perhaps 6'x4', with outliers making the group rounder. Includes a half-dozen stars brighter than mag 11. The SE end of the oval has a rich subgroup over unresolved haze. No concentration, in fact the center of the "racetrack" is nearly devoid of stars!

JH discovered NGC 2910 = h3171 on 10 Apr 1834 and recorded "Cluster of loose stars; p rich; stars 11...15m; has rather a vacancy in the middle; fills about 2/3 of field." On a later sweep (763) he measured an accurate position on a bright star at the southeast side of the cluster.

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NGC 2911 = Arp 232 = UGC 5092 = MCG +02-25-003 = CGCG 063-007 = PGC 27159

09 33 46.1 +10 09 09

V = 11.5; Size 4.1'x3.2'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 140d

17.5" (2/20/88): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Brightest in a group with NGC 2914 4.8' SE and UGC 5093 8.1' SSE. Forms a close pair with PGC 27167 1.3' ENE (misidentified as NGC 2912 in RNGC, PGC and Megastar). In Lowrey's 48", PGC 27167 appeared faint, small, round, low even surface brightness, 15"-18" diameter. A mag 16.1 star is 26" E.

13.1" (4/29/84): fairly bright, fairly small, round, distinctive small bright nucleus.

8" (4/24/82) : faint, small, diffuse.

WH discovered NGC 2911 = H II-40 = h608 on 11 Mar 178 (sweep 163) and recorded "A nebula between two pretty considerable stars. Brightest in the middle, but not cometic. Faint and perhaps 30" dia, almost R and the extremities of it lose themselves gradually." He swept the field again on 3 Mar 1786 and discovered nearby NGC 2914.

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NGC 2912

09 33 56.9 +10 11 33

V = 16.1

17.5" (2/20/88): mag 14.3 star situated 3.6' NE of NGC 2911. Misidentified as a "nova" by Schultz.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 2912 on 3 Apr 1870 with the 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala Observatory and recorded "eF; follows h608 [NGC 2911] some seconds about 2' N; but not observable". I'm not sure of the meaning of his last comment but 1.3' ENE of NGC 2911 is PGC 27167, an extremely faint and small, low surface brightness galaxy, which the RNGC identifies as NGC 2912.

But this galaxy is too faint to be included in the CGCG and MCG and is extremely unlikely to have been seen by Schultz with a 9.6" scope. I missed detecting this galaxy in my 17.5" and it was not found by Bigourdan, though of course it was not difficult in Lowrey's 48". Instead, Corwin suggests NGC 2912 more likely refers to a mag 14.3 star 3.6' NE of NGC 2911.

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NGC 2913 = UGC 5095 = MCG +02-25-005 = CGCG 063-009 = PGC 27184

09 34 02.7 +09 28 45

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 140d

17.5" (2/20/88): extremely faint, fairly small, even surface brightness.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2913 on 10 Mar 1864 with Lassell's 48" and recorded "vF, pL, iR." His position matches UGC 5095 = PGC 27184.

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NGC 2914 = Arp 137 = UGC 5096 = MCG +02-25-006= CGCG 063-010 = PGC 27185

09 34 02.8 +10 06 31

V = 13.2; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 15d

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated. A mag 15 star is off the east edge 36" from the center. A mag 11 star lies 1.6' NW. Forms a trio with NGC 2911 4.8' NW and UGC 5093 4.8' S.

13.1" (4/29/84): faint, very small, faint stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 2914 = H III-513 = h609 on 3 Mar 1786 (sweep 534) and recorded "eF; vS; stellar; 240 verified it." His position is 1.4' NW of UGC 5096 = PGC 27185. He has a similar offset error for nearby NGC 2911, the previous object is the sweep. Dreyer recorded from Birr Castle "F, S, R, bM, vF star 3/4' following."

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NGC 2915 = ESO 037-003 = PGC 26761

09 26 13.0 -76 37 37

V = 12.7; Size 1.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 129d

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears moderately bright and large, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, ~1.0'x0.6'. Appears slightly brighter at the NW end. An easy pair of mag 12-13 stars (25" separation) lies 4.5' NW. Located 8.4' NE of a mag 8 star. A very faint globular, E3, lies 43' SSW.

This galaxy is classified as an unusual Blue Compact Dwarf. A significant percentage of its mass is within an extended neutral hydrogen halo that extends to nearly 20'x12' and within a massive halo of dark matter.

JH discovered NGC 2915 = h3174 on 31 Mar 1837 and logged "pF; pL; R; gbM; 45"." His position matches ESO 037-003 = PGC 26761.

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NGC 2916 = UGC 5103 = MCG +04-23-011 = CGCG 122-021 = PGC 27244

09 34 57.7 +21 42 19

V = 12.1; Size 2.5'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 20d

17.5" (1/31/87): fairly bright, moderately large, bright core, elongated SSW-NNE. A mag 12.5 star is 1.7' SSW of center.

WH discovered NGC 2916 = H II-260 = h610 on 16 Nov 1784 (sweep 318) and recorded "F, pS, lE." His position (Caroline Herschel's reduction) is just off the south side of UGC 5103. George Stoney, using LdR's 72" on 9 Mar 1850, logged "D Nucl or D * in it, light unequal, another * susp. preceding the brighter of the D one." His description matches a (single) star superimposed just north of the nucleus.

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NGC 2917 = UGC 5098 = MCG +00-25-002 = CGCG 007-003 = PGC 27207

09 34 26.9 -02 30 16

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 169d

17.5" (2/13/88): faint, small, elongated NNW-SSE, brighter core.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2917 = m 170 on 6 Feb 1864 and logged "pF, S, mbM." His position matches UGC 5098 = PGC 27207.

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NGC 2918 = UGC 5112 = MCG +05-23-019 = CGCG 152-032 = PGC 27282

09 35 44.1 +31 42 20

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 65d

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.8', bright core has a slight even concentration down to an occasional faint stellar nucleus. Located at midpoint of two mag 13.5 stars 2.5' S and 2.5' N.

WH discovered NGC 2918 = H III-298 = h611 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and logged "vF, vS, iR, lbM." JH recorded "F; R; vsbM almost to a *." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 2919 = UGC 5102 = MCG +02-25-007 = CGCG 152-032 = PGC 27232

09 34 47.5 +10 17 01

V = 12.9; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 159d

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE, halo gradually brightens. Flanked by two mag 13.5 stars 2.0' E and 2.0' N of center. Two mag 9.5 stars are about 5' SE. NGC 2911 lies 18' WSW.

13.1" (4/29/84): faint, very elongated NNW-SSE. Located 17' ENE of NGC 2911.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2919 = T I-24 on 1 Feb 1877 and a micrometric position, matching UGC 5102 = PGC 27232, was given in list V-4. The NGC position is 21 sec of RA too far east.

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NGC 2920 = ESO 565-015 = PGC 27197

09 34 12.1 -20 51 33

V = 13.0; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 129d

17.5" (3/8/97): faint, small, slightly elongated, 30"x25" (NW-SE?). A mag 15 star is just off the following end about 20" from the center. Forms a pair with NGC 2921 5.8' SE.

JH discovered NGC 2920 = h3172 on 1 Feb 1837 and logged "eF; S; R: the preceding of two [with NGC 2921]." His position is ~1' E of ESO 565-015.

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NGC 2921 = ESO 565-017 = MCG -03-25-006 = PGC 27214

09 34 31.3 -20 55 13

V = 12.0; Size 2.8'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 83d

17.5" (3/8/97): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, 1.4'x0.8', broad concentration to a 15" core. A mag 14 star is just off the NW side [53" from the center]. Forms a pair with NGC 2920 5.8' NW. Located 33' NW of NGC 2935.

WH discovered NGC 2921 = H III-597 = h3173 on 24 Dec 1786 (sweep 663) and logged "vF, S, R, vglbM. His position is within 1' of ESO 565-017 = PGC 27214. JH made two observations and on sweep 770 discovered NGC 2920.

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NGC 2922 = UGC 5118 = MCG +06-21-057 = CGCG 181-066 = PGC 27361

09 36 52.4 +37 41 41

V = 14.1; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 103d

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.4', appears brighter on the western half. A string of mag 11.5-13.5 stars runs E-W through the 20' field including a mag 13.5 star 39" SW of center. The western end of this unusual string begins at a mag 11.5 star which is 2.7' W of NGC 2922 and ends at an 11th magnitude star which is 18' E of NGC 2922. IC 2493 lies 21' SSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2922 = St XIII-48 on 18 Mar 1884. His position matches UGC 5118 = PGC 27361.

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NGC 2923 = CGCG 092-008 = PGC 27306

09 36 03.8 +16 45 37

V = 14.2; Size 0.3'x0.3'

17.5" (4/6/02): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Required averted to glimpse intermittently once exact position identified. Surprisingly faint and small for a mag 15.2z galaxy. Located at the western edge of a faint group of galaxies (brightest member NGC 2943).

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2923 = m 171 on 1 Apr 1864 and simply noted "vF". His position is 2' north of Marth's position is 2' N of CGCG 092-008 = PGC 27306.

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NGC 2924 = MCG -03-25-008 = VV 808 = PGC 27253

09 35 10.8 -16 23 54

V = 12.0; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 150d

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, very small, round, faint stellar nucleus. A faint mag 14 star (similar in brightness to the nucleus) is off the SE edge, 1.0' from center.

JH discovered NGC 2924 = h3175 on 12 Feb 1836 and logged "pB; R; 20"." His position matches MCG -03-25-008 = PGC 27253.

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NGC 2925 = ESO 166-SC022 = Cr 210

09 33 11 -53 23 48

V = 8.3; Size 12'

14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 184x): scattered cluster with 60+ stars mag 8.5 and fainter in a 10' region. The brightest stars roughly define the outline, including mag 8.5 HD 82812 at the west end. On the south side is HJ 4221, a 9.4/9.9 pair at 15" and three mag 9-10 stars are on the east side. Mag 7.7 HD 82737 lies 13' SW.

JH discovered NGC 2925 = h3177 on 5 Jan 1837 and recorded "a pretty rich cluster, 8th class; a double star (one of the chief) taken." His position is at the southeast edge of the cluster and the double is HJ 4221.

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NGC 2926 = UGC 5125 = MCG +06-21-060 = CGCG 181-071 = PGC 27400

09 37 31.0 +32 50 30

V = 13.4; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 120d

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, unconcentrated. A mag 14.7 star is 1.5' SW. Located 4.3' S of mag 9.2 SAO 61602.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 2926 on 27 Mar 1886 with the 12-inch refractor at the Vienna University Observatory. His micrometric position in AN 2782 matches UGC 5125. The same night he discovered NGC 2944 and Oppenheim found NGC 2981.

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NGC 2927 = UGC 5122 = MCG +04-23-016 = CGCG 122-032 = PGC 27385

09 37 15.2 +23 35 26

V = 12.9; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 155d

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.8', even concentration in halo down to a very small brighter core, halo fades into background. Located 14' WNW of mag 8.0 SAO 80939.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2927, along with NGC 2929, 2930 and 2931, on 21 Feb 1863 and roughly recorded "F, pL, R, 25"-35"." His position (measured on 4 nights) matches UGC 5122.

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NGC 2928 = MCG +03-25-005 = CGCG 092-011 = PGC 27380

09 37 10.1 +16 58 38

V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.6'; PA = 40d

24" (2/22/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration. Located 3.7' NW of a mag 10.4 star. On a line with NGC 2933 11' ENE and NGC 2943 (brightest in the group) 20' ENE.

17.5" (2/1/03): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.5', low surface brightness, weak concentration. Located 3.7' NW of a mag 10.4 star. First in the NGC 2943 group which extends about 40' to the east.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2928 = m 172 on 1 Apr 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "vF, S, R, bM." His position is 1' NW of CGCG 092-011 = PGC 27380. This is the 2nd of 7 galaxies discovered that night in the NGC 2943 group.

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NGC 2929 = UGC 5126 = MCG +04-23-017 = CGCG 122-034 = Holm 134b = PGC 27398

09 37 29.9 +23 09 39

V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 144d

17.5" (4/15/93): first and largest of a close trio in a line. Faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.3'. A mag 13 star is 1.7' NW. Located 10' NE of mag 7.1 SAO 80931 at the edge of the field. NGC 2930 lies 2.8' NNE and similar brightness to NGC 2931 5' NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2929, along with NGC 2930 and 2931, on 21 Feb 1863. His position, measured on 3 nights, matches UGC 5126 = PGC 27398.

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NGC 2930 = MCG +04-23-018 = CGCG 122-035 = Holm 134a = PGC 27404

09 37 32.7 +23 12 12

V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 135d

17.5" (4/15/93): second and faintest of three. Very faint, small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE. A mag 13 star is 1.7' SW. In a tight trio with NGC 2929 2.8' SSW and NGC 2931 2.5' NNE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2930, along with NGC 2929 and 2931, on 21 Feb 1863. His position, measured on 3 nights, matches CGCG 122-035 = PGC 27404.

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NGC 2931 = MCG +04-23-019 = CGCG 122-036 = Holm 134c = PGC 27415

09 37 37.7 +23 14 26

V = 13.9; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 70d

17.5" (4/15/93): third of three with NGC 2930 2.5' SSW and NGC 2929 5' SSW. Faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, weak concentration. A mag 12 star is 2.6' E.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 2931, along with NGC 2929 and 2930 on 21 Feb 1863. His position, measured on 3 nights, matches CGCG 122-036 = PGC 27415. He noted a mag 14-15 star (mag 12 in my observation) follows by 11 seconds of time.

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NGC 2932 = ESO 261-**10

09 35 54 -46 55

Size 60'

Southern object (not observed). Detached section of Milky Way.

JH discovered NGC 2932 = h3179 on 3 Mar 1837 and recorded "This is about the middle of an enormous cluster of 1 deg or 1.5 deg, very rich in stars of all magnitudes, from 8m downwards, which merits registry as a sort of telescope Praesape. It may be regarded as a detached portion of the milky way." RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2933 = UGC 5132 = MCG +03-25-008 = CGCG 092-015 = VV 808 = WBL 229-001 = PGC 27436

09 37 55.0 +17 00 52

V = 14.5; Size 0.9'x0.3'; PA = 30d

24" (2/22/14): at 375x appeared faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 24"x8", even surface brightness. Situated 1.6' NNE of a mag 10 star and 9' W of NGC 2943, the brightest member of the group (WBL 229). NGC 2934 (faintest member) lies 2.4' N.

17.5" (3/29/89): extremely faint, small, round, very diffuse. A mag 11 star is 1.5' SSW. Located 11' N of mag 7.9 SAO 98681. Forms a pair with NGC 2943 9' E.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2933 = m 173 on 1 Apr 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "F, vS, lE, sp of 2 [with NGC 2943]." His position is 1' N of UGC 5132 = PGC 27436. This is the 3rd of 7 galaxies discovered that night in the NGC 2943 group. A very faint edge-on is at the NE tip and RNGC, UGC, MCG and PGC identify the system as NGC 2933/2934, but NGC 2934 is more likely a separate galaxy 2.4' N. See that listing.

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NGC 2934 = PGC 1523531

09 37 55.2 +17 03 16

V = 15.8; Size 0.4'x0.3'

24" (2/22/14): at 375x appeared extremely to very faint, extremely small, round, just 6" diameter. It took some effort to initially identify and is comparable to a mag 15.9 star just 0.8' E. Situated 2.4' N of NGC 2933. This is the faintest of 7 NGC galaxies in the NGC 2943 group (WBL 229).

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2934 = m 174 on 2 Apr 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and only noted "eF". Dreyer added "nf of 2 [with m173 = NGC 2933], but NGC 2933 was discovered a year earlier. His position is 3 tsec of RA east and 2' N of NGC 2933. An extremely faint edge-on is at the NE tip of NGC 2933 and UGC misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 2934. Assuming Marth went back to verify the group in 1865 and picked a nebula near NGC 2933, the most likely candidate is PGC 1523531, situated 2.4' due north of NGC 2933. Karl Reinmuth misidentifies NGC 2934 with a faint star 0.8' east: "neb*14, vS, R; eeeF neb or * p 0.8' [this refers to NGC 2934], *12.5 nnf 1.2', 2 cF S neb np 7.2' and nnp 3.8'." This was the last nebula that Marth discovered on Malta and one of the faintest!

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NGC 2935 = ESO 565-023 = MCG -03-25-011 = UGCA 169 = PGC 27351

09 36 44.8 -21 07 41

V = 11.4; Size 3.6'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 165d

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, high surface brightness. A couple of mag 14 stars are superimposed and a mag 12.5 star is just off the SE end 2.1' from center. Appears brighter at the SW end. NGC 2921 lies 33' NW.

WH discovered NGC 2935 = H II-556 = h3178 on 20 Mar 1786 (sweep 542) and logged "pB; cL; iR; vgbM." On 24 Dec 1786 (sweep 663) he noted "pB; vS; R; mbM." JH made two observations, recording on sweep 561: "pB; vS; gmbM; lE; 25" l, 20" br."

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NGC 2936 = Arp 142 NED2 = VV 316a = Holm 135a = UGC 5130 = MCG +01-25-006 = CGCG 035-015n = PGC 27422

09 37 44.2 +02 45 39

V = 13.1; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 35d

48" (2/20/12): bright disrupted galaxy with a highly irregular surface brightness and a curving shape with a faint tail. At 375x and 488x, the central region is extended E-W, roughly 30"x20", with a very small bright nucleus. A low surface brightness "tail" is attached on the west side of the bright central region. The relatively broad tail sweeps south-southwest for ~45", gradually dimming out due west of the center of NGC 2937. The tail significantly increases the overall dimensions of the galaxy to at least 1.2'x0.6'.

Forms a close pair with NGC 2937 to the south with the cores of the galaxies separated by less than 1'. A mag 13 star is 1' NW and extending NNW of this star is PGC 1237172, a very low surface brightness streak extending ~18"x5" NW-SE. Arp describes PGC 1237172 as a "shred" or "jet" of NGC 2936.

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, 0.8'x0.6'. A mag 13/14 double star at 18" separation is 1' NNW and two mag 13.5/14 stars at 36" separation are 2' NNE. Forms a very close pair with NGC 2937 0.8' S.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2936 = m 175 on 3 Mar 1864, along with NGC 2927, and simply noted "vF, iR." His position is 1' S of UGC 5130. The dimensions of NGC 2936 and 2937 appear reversed in the RC3 and MCG.

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NGC 2937 = Arp 142 NED3 = Arp 142:C1 = VV 316b = Holm 135b = UGC 5131 = MCG +01-25-007 = CGCG 035-015s = PGC 27423

09 37 45.0 +02 44 50

V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.4'; PA = 15d

48" (2/20/12): bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.5'x0.25', high surface brightness, very small intense nucleus. Forms a close pair with highly disrupted NGC 2936 with the cores of the galaxies separated by less than 1'.

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, very small, round. Appears as a fairly high surface brightness "knot" located just off the south edge of NGC 2936. No outer halo visible.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2937 = m 176 on 3 Mar 1864, along with NGC 2926, and noted "F, S, like a neb*." His position matches UGC 5131. The dimensions of NGC 2936 and 2937 appear reversed in the RC3 and MCG.

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NGC 2938 = UGC 5115 = MCG +13-07-032 = CGCG 350-027 = PGC 27473

09 38 24.0 +76 19 10

V = 13.5; Size 1.7'x1.0'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 105d

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.

WH discovered NGC 2938 = H III-963 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and logged "eF, S, iF." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors. The corrected position using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509, 1911), matches UGC 5115 and Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 edition of WH's catalogues.

By examining the original sweep records, Wolfgang Steinicke found that the irregular errors were a result of the northern sweep not being aligned with the meridian (off in azimuth by 7°). The reduced positions found by Caroline Herschel, were made of course, assuming a meridian sweep. Once corrected the identifications of these 15 galaxies is revealed.

JH observed what he assumed was his father's III-963, and recorded h612 as "eF; has a coarse double star 3' following." His position and description is very close to a mag 15 star. He used his father's description and added "D * f 3'." in the GC description. The MN article equates h612 with a faint star preceding the double star. So, NGC 2938 = UGC 5115 is only equated with III-963, and not h612.

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NGC 2939 = UGC 5134 = MCG +02-25-011 = CGCG 063-022 = PGC 27451

09 38 08.1 +09 31 23

V = 12.5; Size 2.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 154d

17.5" (2/20/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 2940 5.6' N. IC 548 lies 5.4' SSE (not seen).

WH discovered NGC 2939 = H III-4 = h614 on 18 Jan 1784 (sweep 82) and recorded (full text) "A nebula. About 2/3 degree prec. & about 10' foll of 14 Leonis, a very faint nebula or cl of suspected stars. A triangle is situated just north of it, but the nebula is so faint that is best to be seen when the stars are drawn out of the field. These 3 or 4 stars are visible in the finder in the shape of a small nebula." His position (from sweep 534 on 3 Mar 1786) is 3' northwest of UGC 5134 = PGC 27451.

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NGC 2940 = MCG +02-25-012 = CGCG 063-023 = PGC 27448

09 38 05.2 +09 37 00

V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (2/20/88): faint, small, irregularly round, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 2939 5' S.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 2940 = T 1-25 in 1877 with the 11" refractor at Arcetri and placed 5' N of NGC 2939 (the actual separation is 5.6'). He mentioned that d'Arrest missed this object.

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NGC 2941 = MCG +03-25-009 = CGCG 092-017 = Holm 136b = WBL 229-002 = PGC 27470

09 38 24.2 +17 02 40

V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 167d

24" (2/22/14): fairly faint, small, elongated ~2:1 N-S, 20"x12", a mag 15 star is 1' NW. NGC 2943 (brightest in the group WBL 229) is 2.2' ESE.

17.5" (3/29/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated. A mag 14 star is 1.2' NW. Located 2.2' WNW of NGC 2943 in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2941 = m 177 on 1 Apr 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "eF, vS, lE." Dreyer added "p of 2 [with NGC 2943]" in the NGC description. His position is close north of CGCG 092-017 = PGC 27470. This is the 3rd of 6 members of the NGC 2943 group he discovered that night.

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NGC 2942 = UGC 5140 = MCG +06-21-065 = CGCG 181-076 = PGC 27527

09 39 08.0 +34 00 23

V = 12.6; Size 2.2'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 165d

17.5" (3/12/94): faint, round, moderately large, 2.0' diameter, very weakly concentrated, halo reaches 2/3 of the way to a mag 14 star just 1.4' W of center. A mag 11.5 star is 3.0' ESE and a mag 12 star lies 4.6' WNW.

JH discovered NGC 2942 = h613 on 6 Mar 1828 and logged "vF; vL; lE parallel to meridian; vgbM; has a * 10m following." His position and description matches UGC 5140.

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NGC 2943 = UGC 5136 = MCG +03-25-011 = CGCG 092-019 = Holm 136a = WBL 229-003 = PGC 27482

09 38 32.9 +17 01 52

V = 12.5; Size 2.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 130d

24" (2/22/14): at 375x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~40"x27", very weak concentration in then halo the increases suddenly to a small bright core. A mag 15 star is 0.9' SE of center and a mag 15.5 star is 0.7' SW of center. Brightest in a group (WBL 229) with NGC 2941 2.2' WNW.

17.5" (3/29/89): brightest in a group with NGC 2941 2.2' WNW and a faint companion (MCG +03-25-012) 2.7' NE. Faint, small, oval NW-SE, weak concentration. A mag 15 star is 1' SSE. The group extends one degree E-W and includes NGC 2923, NGC 2928, NGC 2933, NGC 2934 (not seen), NGC 2941, NGC 2943, NGC 2946 and NGC 2949.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2943 = m 178 on 1 Apr 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "F, S ,iR, bM." Dreyer added "f of 2 [with NGC 2941]" in the NGC description. His position is accurate. This is the 4th of 6 galaxies discovered in the cluster on this night (NGC 2944 was picked up a year later).

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NGC 2944 = Arp 63 = VV 82a = UGC 5144 = MCG +06-21-067 = CGCG 181-078 = PGC 27533

09 39 18.0 +32 18 38

V = 14.0; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 95d

48" (4/18/15): At 697x, this double (or possibly triple) system appeared moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 E-W, ~36"x12", weak concentration. A small roundish knot (SDSS J093916.79+321837.7 ) attached at the west end has a moderately high surface brightness and a diameter of 8"-10". On the SDSS this "knot" appears to be the core of a merged interacting companion! VV 82b is another interacting companion, just 27" SE of center. It appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 10" diameter. It was only visible with averted for short periods. PGC lists a photographic mag of 18.6.

The double system Arp 129 = VV 83 = UGC 5146 is 3.5' NNE. At 697x; the eastern component appeared moderately to fairly bright, small, round, high surface brightness, ~20" diameter. A mag 12 star, superimposed on the western component VV 83a = MCG +06-21-071 is just 30" WSW. The western component of Arp 129 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, nearly even surface brightness? Although easily visible, the view is significantly impaired by the 12th magnitude star and the galaxy was only visible on the east side of the star.

18" (4/14/12): faint to fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 E-W, ~30"x18", slightly brighter core. Arp 63 is a merged double system with a third very faint companion 30" SE, which was not seen.

The double system Arp 129 lies just 3.8' NE. The eastern component (MCG +06-21-072) appeared faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. There is a relatively bright star superimposed on the western component (MCG +06-21-072), making confirmation difficult.

17.5" (4/25/98): extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, slightly brighter core but overall low surface brightness. Collinear with two mag 13 stars 3.4' and 4.4' NE. This double system was not resolved under noticeably hazy sky conditions and soft seeing. UGC 5146 = Arp 129, another double system, lies 3.7' NE.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 2944 on 27 Mar 1886 with the 12-inch refractor at the Vienna University Observatory. His micrometric position in AN 2782 matches UGC 5144. This is a disrupted double system in contact. The listed dimensions (from UGC) are for the combined system. The same night Palisa discovered NGC 2926, Samuel Oppenheim, using the refractor, discovered NGC 2981. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.

In the Arp category of Spiral Galaxies with small, high surface-brightness companions on arms. Vorontsov-Velyaminov also considered a pair of galaxies, although the main member appears to be double itself.

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NGC 2945 = ESO 565-028 = MCG -04-23-010 = PGC 27418

09 37 41.1 -22 02 06

V = 12.2; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 168d

17.5" (3/8/97): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, broad concentration with no nucleus. A mag 14 star follows 1.1' E of center and a mag 15 star is off the west end 0.8' from center.

JH discovered NGC 2945 = h3180 on 23 Jan 1835 and recorded "F, S; R; glbM; 2 or 3 small stars near." His position and description (two observations) matches ESO 565-028 = PGC 27418.

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NGC 2946 = UGC 5143 = MCG +03-25-013 = CGCG 092-020 = WBL 229-004 = PGC 27521

09 39 01.6 +17 01 31

V = 14.0; Size 1.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 13d

24" (2/22/14): at 375x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 25"x10", weak concentration. Located 6.9' due east of NGC 2943 (brightest in the group WBL 229-004).

17.5" (3/29/89): extremely faint, very small, elongated N-S. Located 6.7' E of NGC 2943 in a group. On a line with three mag 14 stars just SE oriented NNW-SSE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2946 = m 179 on 1 Apr 1864 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and reported "vF, S, E." His position matches UGC 5143 = PGC 27521. This is the 5th of 6 galaxies discovered that night in the NGC 2943 group.

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NGC 2947 = MCG -02-25-004 = IC 547 = IC 2494 = PGC 27309

09 36 05.8 -12 26 13

V = 12.4; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 25d

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, round, 1.2' diameter, almost even surface brightness, well-defined outer edge to halo. Two mag 11 stars are off the SE edge 1.6' and 2.1' from the center. Incorrectly listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 2947 = LM I-156 on 6 May 1886 and reported "mag 15.0, 1.1' dia, iR, gbM." There is nothing at his rough position (nearest min of RA), but 2.2 tmin west is MCG -02-25-004 = PGC 27309. Since this galaxy matches in declination, and the LM positions are generally poor in RA (too far east), this identification is very likely.

Stephane Javelle independently discovered NGC 2947 on 20 Apr 1892 with the 30-inch refractor at Nice and measured an accurate micrometric position. Dreyer assumed J. 1-165 was new and it was catalogued as IC 547. Finally, NGC 2947 was independently found by Lewis Swift on 20 Feb 1898, listed as XI-95, and catalogued a third time as IC 2494. Swift's position is 10 sec of RA too far west and 3' too far north, but Howe measured an accurate position that was adopted in the IC. So, NGC 2947 = IC 547 = IC 2494. MCG labels the galaxy using the IC designation.

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NGC 2948 = UGC 5141 = MCG +01-25-007 = CGCG 035-020 = PGC 27518

09 38 59.2 +06 57 19

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 7d

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.7', weak concentration. A mag 14.5 star is just off the east edge of the south extension 0.9' from center. Located between a mag 9.5 star 4.0' SW and wide pair of mag 11/13 stars 3' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2948 = H III-519 = h615 on 24 Mar 1786 (sweep 543) and logged "vF, pL, vgvlbM; between two groups of stars in a directions from np to sf." His position matches UGC 5141.

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NGC 2949 = CGCG 092-025 = PGC 27579

09 39 56.2 +16 47 15

V = 14.7; Size 0.8'x0.45'

17.5" (3/29/89): extremely faint, very small, very low surface brightness, visible with averted only. Located at the east end of the NGC 2943 group. This observation may refer to PGC 27573 (8' S of NGC 2949), which MCG and PGC misidentify as NGC 2949.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2949 = m 180 on 1 Apr 1864 and recorded "vF, query: double?" His position maches the double system CGCG 092-025 = PGC 27579, so both components could have received an NGC designation. MCG and PGC (as well as secondary sources such as Megastar) misidentify CGCG 092-024 = MCG +03-25-017 = PGC 27573 as NGC 2949. This galaxy is 8' N of NGC 2949. The identification is correct in CGCG and RNGC.

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NGC 2950 = UGC 5176 = MCG +10-14-032 = CGCG 289-016 = PGC 27765

09 42 35.1 +58 51 04

V = 10.9; Size 2.7'x1.8'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 145d

17.5" (3/12/88): bright, very small, almost round, sharp concentration with a very small and very bright core surrounded by a small faint halo. A mag 14.5 star is 0.8' WSW of center.

WH discovered NGC 2950 = H IV-68 = h616 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952) and recorded "vB, S, exactly R, BMN, vF cheveulure very gradually joining to the north. Possibly in a lower situation the chevelure might be invisible, and this nebula put on the appearance of a a very ill defined planetary, one of 6-8 or 10" diam." CH's reduced position is 2' south of UGC 5176. On sweep 404, JH logged "pB; R; smbM; almost to a star. Has a * 11m 20s p and 15" or 20" N."

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NGC 2951 = MCG +00-25-006 = CGCG 007-017 = PGC 27562

09 39 40.4 -00 14 07

V = 14.1; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.1

17.5" (2/13/88): very faint, very small, round. Located 2' S of the line joining two mag 9.5 stars 3.1' NE (SAO 117834) and 4.6' NW. This double system was not resolved.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2951 = m 181 on 6 Feb 1864 and recorded "pF, S, E." His position matches CGCG 007-017 = PGC 27562. This is a merged double system (the dimensions refer to the combined system) oriented east-west.

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NGC 2952 = PGC 27411

09 37 37.0 -10 11 00

V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 9d

18" (4/14/12): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Just visible continuously with averted at 283x. Located 40' NW of mag 6.3 HD 83650.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2952 = LM II-414 in 1886 with the 26-inch refractor at the Leander McCormick observatory and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.6' dia, iR, sbM, *9.5 f 30s." There is nothing at his position but 2.0 tmin west and 3' south is PGC 27411. A mag 11 star follows by 30 sec of RA so despite the poor position, this identification is very likely. RNGC classified NGC 2952 as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2953

09 40 27.7 +14 50 37

=*? Corwin, =NF, RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 2953 = h3182 on 18 Mar 1836 (along with NGC 2954 = h3181) and noted as a "suspected nebula". A note was added "These suspicions have been so constantly verified on re-observations, that I have little hesitation in registering it as an object in the catalogue." Only a rough position was given, but the offset is 6' south of NGC 2954, which was measured on the same sweep and whose position is pretty accurate. There are nothing non-stellar near his position, but within 1' of this offset is a mag 14.5 star (isolated, so there are no other good candidates) and Harold Corwin suggests this is probably the "suspected nebula." RNGC classifies the number nonexistent.

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NGC 2954 = UGC 5155 = MCG +03-25-019 = CGCG 092-026 = PGC 27600

09 40 24.1 +14 55 22

V = 12.4; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 160d

17.5" (4/15/93): moderately bright, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, bright core, fairly high surface brightness. Located on a line with two mag 12 stars 1.8' NNW and 2.5' NNW.

JH discovered NGC 2954 = h3181 on 18 Mar 1836 and recorded "vF; R; 20". Another suspected [NGC 2953] 6' south, nearly on the same parallel. His position is at the north edge of UGC 5155. There is nothing near his position for NGC 2953, and it likely refers to a faint star.

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NGC 2955 = UGC 5166 = MCG +06-21-073 = CGCG 181-082 = PGC 27666

09 41 16.6 +35 52 56

V = 12.9; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 162d

17.5" (4/18/98): fairly faint, elongated 5:3 NNW-SSE, broad concentration to a slightly brighter core. The core contains a slightly brighter nucleus with direct vision. A mag 15 star is at the west edge 32" from the center. Located 2.2' N of a mag 12 star. There is a faint "star" 2' N which seemed slightly nebulous in appearance, but the DSS reveals this to be a close pair of mag 15 stars.

WH discovered NGC 2955 = H III-541 = h620 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549) and recorded "cF; S; iF; resolvable." CH's reduced position is 2' north of UGC 5166. JH described h620 as "F; pL' R' vglbM; 30"; has a *18 mag 30" p." The star is just where he placed it, though close to 15th-magnitude.

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NGC 2956 = ESO 565-034 = PGC 27531

09 39 17.0 -19 06 04

V = 14.4; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 55d

18" (2/23/06): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Forms the western vertex of an equilateral triangle with sides of length 3' with a mag 10 star to the ENE and a mag 11 star to the SE. I couldn't hold this galaxy steadily using averted vision. The DSS reveals faint extensions to the SW and NE that were not visible.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 2956 = LM II-415 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 12.0, 0.4' dia, R, *9.5 at 3.8' in PA 130° [SE]." His position is 3.8' south of ESO 565-034 = PGC 27531 and the description of the nearby star matches.

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NGC 2957 = MCG +12-10-001+2 = CGCG 332-064 = CGCG 33-002 = Mrk 121 = PGC 28119

09 47 18.2 +72 59 02

V = 14.5; Size 1.0'x0.4'

17.5" (4/4/92): faint, very small, round, broad concentration. A mag 14 star is 25" off the SW edge and 40" from the center. Forms a pair with NGC 2963 2.8' ESE. The RNGC incorrectly equates NGC 2957 with NGC 2963 so both are plotted as one object on the U2000.

JH discovered NGC 2957 = h617 on 4 Nov 1831 and simply recorded "eF; has a *13m near." There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1 min of RA east is CGCG 332-064 (double system) and a mag 13 star is off the SW edge, matching the description. Also, his position of nearby NGC 2963 (discovered by his father) carries the same offset.

Looking over the RNGC data, it is clear that the entry for NGC 2957 is simply a duplicate of NGC 2963. This error was included in my RNGC Corrections #4.

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NGC 2958 = UGC 5160 = MCG +02-25-015 = CGCG 063-033 = PGC 27620

09 40 41.7 +11 53 18

V = 13.2; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 10d

17.5" (4/13/96): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE. Broad and weak concentration with a fairly low surface brightness. A mag 12.5 star lies 4' WSW. "Frosty Leo" nebula lies 13' NW. Observation made through thin clouds.

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, fairly small, 40" diameter, round, very weak concentration. A mag 12 star lies 4.3' WSW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2958 = St IX-20 on 7 Mar 1877 with the 31" reflector at the Marseille Observatory. His position matches UGC 5160 = PGC 27620.

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NGC 2959 = UGC 5202 = MCG +12-09-062 = CGCG 332-061 = PGC 27939

09 45 08.9 +68 35 41

V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, halo brightens to a small bright core. A mag 14 star is 1.3' W of center. Forms a close pair with NGC 2961 1.5' ENE.

JH discovered NGC 2959 = h618 on 28 Oct 1831 and logged "F; R; pL; vglbM; 40"; is south of a small group of stars." His position matches UGC 5202 = PGC 27939.

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NGC 2960 = UGC 5159 = MCG +01-25-009 = CGCG 035-026 = Mrk 1419 = PGC 27619

09 40 36.4 +03 34 37

V = 12.4; Size 1.8'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 40d

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 2.7' WNW of a mag 10.5 star.

JH discovered NGC 2960 = h621 on 4 Mar 1826 and logged "vF; R; gbM." His position is 6 sec of RA east and 1.4' north of UGC 5159 = PGC 27619.

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NGC 2961 = (R)NGC 2959A = MCG +12-09-063 = CGCG 332-063 =PGC 27958

09 45 22.4 +68 36 30

V = 14.7; Size 1.1'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 136d

17.5" (4/4/92): extremely faint, very small, round, brighter core, averted only. Forms a close pair with NGC 2959 1.5' WSW.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 2961 on 26 Dec 1873 during the observation of GC 1893 = NGC 2959. He noted it as "cF, S, lE 152.6°, gbM. Several stars near." His micrometric offset is 77.3" in PA 57.4° from NGC 2959. This is a good match with CGCG 332-063 although CGCG does not label this entry as NGC 2961.

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NGC 2962 = UGC 5167 = MCG +01-25-011 = CGCG 035-028 = PGC 27635

09 40 53.9 +05 09 57

V = 11.9; Size 2.6'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 3d

17.5" (1/31/87): fairly faint, small, oval N-S, small bright core. Collinear with a mag 11.5/14 double star at 24" separation just 1.5' NNE. A line of three mag 11/12 stars of 1.0' length lies 5' SSE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 2962 = m 182 on 10 Dec 1864 and noted "F, vS, vlE, psbM." His position matches UGC 05167. Hosted SN 1995D discovered on 10 Feb 1995, 11 sec of RA east and 90" south of the nucleus.

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NGC 2963 = UGC 5222 = MCG +12-10-003 = CGCG 332-065 = CGCG 333-003 = Mrk 122 = PGC 28155

09 47 50.4 +72 57 52

V = 13.5; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 165d

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, broadly concentrated halo, faint extensions. A wide double star mag 11/13 is 1.8' S of center (30" separation in PA 45°). Forms a pair with NGC 2957 3' WNW.

WH discovered NGC 2963 = H III-315 = h619 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "eF, vS, 240x confirmed it." CH's reduced position is 2.4' northwest of UGC 5222. He missed nearby NGC 2957, which was found by JH.

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NGC 2964 = UGC 5183 = MCG +05-23-027 = CGCG 152-056 = Mrk 404 = KTG 25A = PGC 27777

09 42 54.2 +31 50 50

V = 11.3; Size 2.9'x1.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 97d

24" (2/22/14): at 260x appeared bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 E-W, 1.8'x1.1'. Sharply concentrated with a very bright, very small nucleus. Slightly brighter through the major axis like a bar. Outside the nucleus the surface brightness is irregular, with a slight dip in brightness just north and south of the nucleus [dust or dust lanes]. A brighter arm extends E-W along the south side of the halo and a weak arm runs parallel along the north side. Brightest in a linear trio (KTG 25) with NGC 2968 6' NE and NGC 2970 11' NE.

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 E-W, brighter core. Brightest in a group with NGC 2968 5.8' NE and NGC 2970 11' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2964 = H I-114 = h622, along with NGC 2968, on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and recorded "cB, cL, iF, mbM."

This galaxy was observed 14 times at Birr Castle and interesting structure was noted. On 1 Feb 1856, R.J. Mitchell described "h622 [NGC 2968] has nucleus and is mE, its light is very unequal, and I suspect one dark lane running throughout its length south of nucleus; * in preceding edge?" The dark lane probably refers to a dip in brightness between the nucleus and the southern spiral arm.

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NGC 2965 = UGC 5191 = MCG +06-22-003 = CGCG 181-086 = CGCG 182-004 = PGC 27813

09 43 19.1 +36 14 52

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 85d

17.5" (4/18/98): fairly faint, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 1.2'x0.8', gradually increases to a brighter and nucleus with direct vision. Located 3.5' NNE of a mag 11.5 star. Brightest in a group including CGCG 181-084 5.5' WSW and NGC 2971 6.8' SE (see descriptions), although fainter companions off the south side were not seen.

WH discovered NGC 2965 = H III-751 = h623 on 31 Dec 1788 (sweep 902) and logged "eF, S, doubtful, not having been out long enough." On a second sweep in Feb 1789 he recorded "eF, vS, 300x confirmed it." JH has an unusual description, "vF, R, bM, filamentous (i.e. as if filaments hung round it; an effect probably of diverging lines of small stars, as in M13...)." There are some faint companions on the south side which he may have glimpsed. Both WH and JH missed nearby NGC 2971, which was discovered by Stephan with the 31" at Marseilles.

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NGC 2966 = UGC 5181 = MCG +01-25-013 = CGCG 035-033 = Mrk 708 = PGC 27734

09 42 11.5 +04 40 23

V = 12.6; Size 2.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 72d

17.5" 1/31/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated WSW-ENE, unusual appearance. A mag 13 star is attached at the NW end 30" from center and a faint star is west of the core.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2966 = St XIII-49 on 16 Mar 1884 and recorded "vF* in vF, lE neby east-west, F* precedes 2 sec of RA" His position and description matches UGC 5181.

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NGC 2967 = UGC 5180 = MCG +00-25-007 = CGCG 007-020 = PGC 27723

09 42 03.3 +00 20 11

V = 11.6; Size 3.0'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 65d

17.5" (1/31/87): fairly faint, moderately large, almost round, very gradual central brightening.

WH discovered NGC 2967 = H II-275 = h626 on 20 Dec 1784 (sweep 348) and recorded "pF, S, R, bM, near 1' dia." On a later sweep he logged "pB, cL, iR." His position (2nd sweep) is ~2.5' west of UGC 5180. JH called it "pB; L; R; vglbM; 75"; r; well observed (and correctly reduced)." His position is accurate.

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NGC 2968 = UGC 5190 = MCG +05-23-029 = CGCG 152-058 = KTG 25B = PGC 27800

09 43 12.0 +31 55 43

V = 11.7; Size 2.3'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 45d

24" (2/22/14): at 260x appeared fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.7', sharply concentrated with a very bright, small elongated core. There appears to be a mottled or knotty section just northeast of the core.

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, weak concentration. Second of three on a line with NGC 2970 5.1' NE and NGC 2964 5.8' NW.

WH discovered NGC 2968 = H II-491 = h624, along with NGC 2964, on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and logged "pB, pL, iF, lbM." JH observed this galaxy on 4 sweeps and 14 observations were made at Birr Castle.

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NGC 2969 = MCG -01-25-021 = Mrk 1235 = PGC 27714

09 41 54.5 -08 36 11

V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4

18" (3/11/07): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, very weak concentration.

WH discovered NGC 2969 = H III-527 = h628 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 547) and logged "cF, pL, iR, vgbM." His position (CH's reduction) is 1.2' NW of MCG -01-25-021 = PGC 27714 and two later measures were taken as well.

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NGC 2970 = MCG +05-23-030 = CGCG 152-059 = Mrk 405 = KTG 25C = PGC 27827

09 43 31.0 +31 58 37

V = 13.6; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4

24" (2/22/14): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, ~24"x20", sharp concentration with a very small bright nucleus. Faintest in a nearly collinear triplet with NGC 2968 5' SW and NGC 2964 11' SW.

13.1" (2/23/85): very faint, very small, even surface brightness. Third and faintest of three on a line with NGC 2968 5.1' SW.

JH discovered NGC 2970 = h627 on 6 Mar 1828 and reported "F; the foll and most northern of 3 [with NGC 2964 and 2968]." His position is 2.4' NNW of CGCG 152-059 = PGC 27827 but the NGC position is accurate. On 18 Mar 1857, R.J. Mitchell (observing with the 72") called it "F, R?, bM, * in centre." Dreyer added the comment in the NGC, "Not seen by d'Arrest, but often observed at Birr Castle."

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NGC 2971 = UGC 5197 = MCG +06-22-005 = CGCG 181-087 = CGCG 182-005 = PGC 27843

09 43 46.1 +36 10 46

V = 14.0; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 135d

17.5" (4/18/98): very faint, small, irregularly round, 30" diameter, weakly concentrated. A mag 11 star lies 7' W. Located 6.8' SE of NGC 2965 in a group.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2971 = St XIII-50 on 26 Mar 1884. His position matches UGC 5197. Dorothy Carlson mistakenly calls NGC 2971 nonexistent in her 1940 NGC correction paper.

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NGC 2972 = NGC 2999 = ESO 212-SC11 = Cr 211

09 40 13 -50 19 18

V = 9.9; Size 4'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, three dozen stars are resolved in a 4' group. Most of the stars are arranged in two intersecting rows forming an "X" shape. One part of the "X" is a 2' E-W string through the center of the group. A few brighter stars are south of this string and these form another string that intersects and continues to the NW. Also a 15" pair is less than 2' N of the E-W string. Located about 2.5' W of a brighter mag 9.4 star.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2972 = D 397 = h3183 on 9 May 1826 and recorded "a very small faint round nebula, about 15 arcseconds diameter, with two or three exceedingly small stars slightly involved in it, and another small star about 1' south of it." His position is 6.6' too far ESE, within his usual errors. On the sweep of 18 Feb 1836, JH measured an accurate position and described "a small pretty compressed cluster; irregular figure; 4' in extent. Not rich stars, 13th mag." NGC 2999 is likely a duplicate observation.

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NGC 2973

09 41 32.4 -30 05 22

=** or ***, Corwin

JH discovered NGC 2973 = h4018 on 5 Feb 1837 and recorded "eF, pS, *8 f"." It was included in a "supplementary nebulae" list at the end of the Cape catalogue (h4016 to h4021) which Dreyer identified as "h o n" (John Herschel Omitted Object) in the NGC. There is no nebula at his position, but nearby is a double star at 09 41 32.4 -30 05 22 (J2000). In addition, an 8th magnitude star is 4' due east, matching JH's description. There is also a wider triple star at 09 41 34.7 -30 02 54, which is another candidate.

RNGC and ESO misidentify ESO 434-016 as NGC 2973, although this galaxy is 3.5 minutes of RA preceding and 6' south of JH's position. Furthermore there is not matching bright star. The Uranometria 2000.0 atlas (first edition) plots NGC 2973 at the position of ESO 434-016. Listed in my RNGC Corrections #5.

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NGC 2974 = NGC 2652 = MCG +00-25-008 = CGCG 007-022 = UGCA 172 = PGC 27762

09 42 33.0 -03 41 59

V = 10.9; Size 3.5'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 42d

13.1" (4/29/84): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.4'x0.7', diffuse, even surface brightness. A mag 10 star is superimposed at the SW end 0.7' from the center.

WH discovered NGC 2974 = H I-61 on 6 Jan 1785 (sweep 353) and logged "pB, vS, just following a star of about 9m." His position (5 sec of RA too large) and description matches CGCG 007-022 = PGC 27762. Dreyer measured an accurate micrometric position using the 72" on 4 Mar 1877.

Ormond Stone found the galaxy in 1886 at Leander McCormick Observatory (LM II-406) but made a 1 hour mistake in RA and Dreyer catalogued it as NGC 2652 , so NGC 2652 = NGC 2974 with the latter the primary designation.

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NGC 2975 = PGC 27664

09 41 16.1 -16 40 28

V = 14.6; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5

18" (4/14/12): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter. Required averted vision and could only hold for brief periods. There is a mag 15.5 star 35" NE that also occasionally popped and it was a bit confusing to disguish the two objects at 250x as they were about the same magnitude. A couple of times, both the galaxy and star popped simultaneously.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 2975 = LM I-157 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.0 tmin following and 1' north of PGC 27664, a typical error, so this identification is very likely.

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NGC 2976 = UGC 5221 = MCG +11-12-025 = CGCG 312-023 = PGC 28120

09 47 15.3 +67 55 00

V = 10.2; Size 5.9'x2.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 143d

17.5" (2/8/91): bright, large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 4.5'x2.0', large brighter center but no core, mottled with an irregular patchy surface brightness. A mag 13 star is at the west edge 1.0' from the center and a mag 14 star is just off the NW edge 2.6' from center.

8": moderately bright, fairly large, elongated, even surface brightness.

WH discovered NGC 2976 = H I-285 = h625 on 8 Nov 1801 (sweep 1100) and recorded "vB, vL, E from np to sf, about 6' l and 2' br." JH made a single observation (sweep 411) and noted "B; vL; mE in pos = 332.4°; vgvlbM, 3' l, 1' br; has several S stars in in, and one 12m nearly at right angles to the axis of extension." Several involved stars or nearby stars were micrometrically measured at Birr Castle.

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NGC 2977 = UGC 5175 = MCG +13-07-035 = CGCG 350-030 = PGC 27845

09 43 46.7 +74 51 35

V = 12.5; Size 1.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 145d

17.5" (1/28/89): moderately bright, fairly small, oval NW-SE, large bright core.

WH discovered NGC 2977 = H I-282 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and logged "cB, pL, iF." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors. The corrected position using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509, 1911) matches UGC 5175 and Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 edition of WH's catalogues. MCG does not label MCG +13-07-035 as NGC 2977. See NGC 2938 for more on sweep 1096 or Harold Corwin's full story in his notes for NGC 3752.

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NGC 2978 = MCG -01-25-029 = PGC 27808

09 43 16.8 -09 44 45

V = 12.7; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 85d

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, round, even surface brightness. Situated among a group of 10 mag 13-14 stars and just west of a line connecting a mag 12.5 star 1.2' SSE and a mag 13 star 1.4' NE which have a separation of 2.1' N-S. Forms a pair with NGC 2980 8' N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 2978 = Sw III-46 on 10 Mar 1886 to the south of NGC 2980. His position is 16 sec of RA west and 1' south of MCG -01-25-029 = PGC 27808. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1898 (repeated in the IC 2 notes). It seems odd that both WH and JH missed this galaxy while observing NGC 2980.

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NGC 2979 = NGC 3050 = MCG -02-25-012 = PGC 27795

09 43 08.6 -10 23 01

V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 30d

17.5" (4/15/93): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.8', weak concentration. Located 5.5' SSW of a mag 10.5 star.

WH discovered NGC 2979 = H III-521 = h631 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 544) and recorded "cF, pS, lE." His position (CH's reductin) is just off the northwest edge of MCG -02-25-012 = PGC 27795.

Frank Muller independently found this galaxy in 1886 and recorded in list II-418, "mag 14.0, 0.6' dia, vlE 200°, gbMN." Dreyer assumed this was a new object and catalogued it again as NGC 3050. His position is 9 min of RA too large, but the description (specifically the position angle) matches. So, NGC 2979 = NGC 3050.

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NGC 2980 = MCG -01-25-028 = PGC 27799

09 43 12.0 -09 36 47

V = 13.0; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 160d

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, broad weak concentration. Pair with NGC 2978 8' S.

WH discovered NGC 2980 = H III-528 = h632 on 27 Mar 1786 (sweep 547) and logged "vF; L; E nearly in the meridian." His position is 6 sec of RA east of MCG -01-25-028 = PGC 27799. JH made two observations, though only one good position.

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NGC 2981 = UGC 5208 = MCG +05-23-032 = CGCG 152-062 = PGC 27925

09 44 56.6 +31 05 52

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 95d

17.5" (4/18/98): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration. A mag 12 star lies 1.0' SE of center. Observation through thin clouds.

Samuel Oppenheim discovered NGC 2981 on 27 Mar 1886 with the 12" refractor at Wien University Observatory. His micrometric position is 1.3' north of UGC 5208 (probably an error in the offset star). Dreyer credited Palisa in the NGC, but Steinicke notes that Oppenheim is mentioned in the discovery note by Weiss in 1887 (AN 2782). This is Oppenheim's only NGC discovery. The same night, though, Palisa discovered NGC 2926 and NGC 2944.

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NGC 2982 = ESO 262-SC1 = OCL-770 = Ru 80? = Lund 516?

09 42 00 -44 00 30

Size 12'x6'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 184x): bright, distinctive group of stars, roughly 10' x 6' E-W. About three dozen stars are resolved with many of the brighter mag 10.5-11.5 stars in a zig-zag pattern extending west to east. The brightest mag 10 star on the southeast end forms a wide 30" pair with an 11th mag companion. Another mag 12.5/13.5 pair at 15" is less than 2' NE. A 4' line of four mag 11-11.5 stars oriented NW-SE passes through the center and the remaining brighter stars are scattered within the outline.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 2982 = D 468 = h3184 on 24 Jun 1826 and recorded "a very faint easily resolvable nebula, extended about 10' long, and 4' or 5' broad: no central condensation." His position is 8.5' west of the center of the cluster.

JH probably found the cluster on 28 Feb 1837 and logged "a cluster of about 20* 11m, and 2 of 10m, forming an oblong nearly in parallel; place of preceding *10m". But no bright star is near his position. He modified the declination 30' further north when he recorded this object as GC 1910 (repeated by Dreyer in NGC) but this position does not correspond with a cluster either. But an additional 10' north of the GC/NGC position is this group of brighter stars and his RA matches the southwest member of a wide pair of mag 10 stars at the southeast side of the group. JH did not list an equivalence with D 468, so he may have felt it was a different object due to the discrepancy in position.

Lynga does not list NGC 2982. MCG misidentifies MCG+05-28-059 as NGC 2982. RNGC classifies the number nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 2983 = ESO 566-003 = MCG -03-25-017 = UGCA 176A = PGC 27840

09 43 41.1 -20 28 38

V = 11.8; Size 2.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 95d

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, bright substellar nucleus, faint halo 3:2 WSW-ENE. A very faint anonymous galaxy is 5.0' SSW. Located 7.1 SSE of mag 6.7 SAO 177893.

WH discovered NGC 2983 = H III-289 = h3185 on 10 Mar 1785 (sweep 382) and logged "vF; S; lbM. The (offset) star being at such a distance the PD is marked uncertain." Still, his position on this sweep was just 2' southeast of ESO 566-003. On 20 Mar 1786, he logged "F; vS; large stellar." JH called this galaxy "pB; R; bM; r." and measured a more accurate position.

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NGC 2984 = UGC 5200 = MCG +02-25-025 = CGCG 063-053 = IC 556 = PGC 27838

09 43 40.4 +11 03 39

V = 13.4; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (4/1/00): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration. The halo, which fades at the edges, increases to ~0.6' with averted vision. A mag 14.5 star is close SSW (33" from center) and a slightly brighter star lies 0.9' NE.

NGC 2984 forms a pair with IC 557 7' SE. The companion appeared faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 30"x15", weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus at moments. The elongation was not always evident, so often I was just viewing the slightly brighter core.

WH discovered NGC 2984 = H III-34 = h633 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 172) and recorded "vS, the faintest imaginable. I was a great while before I could verify its being a nebula; however after having convinced myself with 240x, I saw it also very well with 157. The evening is uncommonly beautiful." There is nothing at his position (except stars), but 1 min 19 sec of RA west and 3.5' south is UGC 5200. This is an unusually poor position (observed on only this one sweep), This galaxy was observed twice by JH, but he never measured the RA, so it shares the same offset and even his PD was noted as very rough. Dreyer carried over this poor position into the NGC.

Stephane Javelle independently found the galaxy on 22 Apr 1892, placed it correctly, and it was recatalogued as IC 556. Karl Reinmuth mentioned that he couldn't find NGC 2984 in Dreyer's place using Heidelberg plates and questioned if it was equal to IC 556. Probably as there are no other reasonable candidates for NGC 2984 in the vicinity. UGC, CGCG and MCG label this galaxy as IC 556 and RNGC calls it NGC 2984. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 2985 = UGC 5253 = MCG +12-10-006 = CGCG 332-067 = CGCG 333-004 = PGC 28316

09 50 22.1 +72 16 44

V = 10.4; Size 4.6'x3.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 0d

17.5" (4/4/92): bright, moderately large, irregularly round, gradually increases to a very bright well-defined core, stellar nucleus. The faint outer halo extends to 2.0' diameter reaching a mag 12.5 star at the east edge of the halo 1.0' from center. NGC 3027 lies 25' ESE.

8": moderately bright, bright core, fairly large.

WH discovered NGC 2985 = H I-78 = h629 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and recorded "vB, cL, mbM and the brightness confined to a pretty small space." His position is 35 sec of RA too far east (equivalent to 2.7'). JH logged "vB; R; pgmbM; 50"; has a *13 m following 1' distant, exactly in the parallel." His position is 50 sec of RA too far west (only 4' at this declination).

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NGC 2986 = ESO 566-005 = MCG -03-25-019 = UGCA 178 = PGC 27885

09 44 15.9 -21 16 41

V = 10.8; Size 3.2'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 105d

17.5" (2/28/87): bright, small, round, bright core, faint halo. A mag 14 star is 2.0' WSW. Forms a pair with ESO 566-004 2.3' WSW (just preceding the mag 14 star). The companion appeared very faint, small, diffuse.

WH discovered NGC 2986 = H II-311 on 10 Mar 1785 (sweep 382) and logged "F, pL, mbM. I partly suspect a very small, faint one preceding it about a minute or two, but it may be only a few close very small stars." The comment about a "faint one preceding it about a minute or two" appears to refer to ESO 566-004 (Steinicke concurs), which was also picked up in my 17.5". WH observed NGC 2986 again during sweeps 542 ("cB; S; mbM; irr R") and 660, but did not mention the companion, so it did not receive a H-designation of NGC number. Engelhardt measured an accurate micrometric position.

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NGC 2987 = UGC 5220 = MCG +01-25-017 = CGCG 035-047 = PGC 27981

09 45 41.4 +04 56 30

V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 160d

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, weak even concentration to a small brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is 1.4' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 2987 = St XIII-51 on 25 Mar 1884. His position matches UGC 5220.

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NGC 2988 = MCG +04-23-032 = CGCG 122-078w = PGC 28078

09 46 47.8 +22 00 42

V = 14.8; Size 0.9'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 35d

17.5" (4/15/93): extremely faint, very small, round, cannot hold with averted but definitely seen, possibly elongated ~N-S. Located just off the west side of NGC 2991.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 2988 on 19 Feb 1855 with LdR's 72" and recorded "The preceding one [NGC 2991] is double, its companion [NGC 2988] being close preceding; lE sp nf?"

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NGC 2989 = ESO 566-009 = MCG -03-25-020 = PGC 27962

09 45 25.3 -18 22 27

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 38d

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, small, round, weak concentration. Collinear with a wide pair of mag 10/11 stars 3' SE with a separation of 56".

JH discovered NGC 2989 = h3186 on 12 Feb 1836 and logged "F; R; gbM; precedes a coarse D star." His position is just off the southeast side of ESO 566-009 and the coarse double star is ~3' southeast.

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NGC 2990 = UGC 5229 = MCG +01-25-021 = CGCG 035-051 = PGC 28026

09 46 17.2 +05 42 31

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 85d

17.5" (1/31/87): fairly faint, oval 3:2 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.7', weak concentration to a brighter core.

WH discovered NGC 2990 = H II-624 on 29 Dec 1786 (sweep 672) and recorded "F, lE, about 1.5' l, not far from the parallel." His position is 15 sec of RA too far west and 2.5' too far south. Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position on 3 nights and noted the difference with WH's position.

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NGC 2991 = UGC 5233 = MCG +04-23-033 = CGCG 122-078 = PGC 28079

09 46 50.1 +22 00 50

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, even concentration to a small bright core. A mag 12.5 star is 1.1' SSE. Forms a contact pair with NGC 2988 (discovered by Rosse) just off the west edge. NGC 2994 lies 7.5' NE.

JH discovered NGC 2991 = h634 on 24 Feb 1827 and recorded "F; vS; bM. The s p of two [with NGC 2994]." His position is less than 30" north of the center of UGC 5233, though he missed NGC 2988 (found in 1855 with the 72"), which is attached on the west side.

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NGC 2992 = Arp 245 NED1 = MCG -02-25-014 = PGC 27982

09 45 41.9 -14 19 37

V = 12.2; Size 3.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 15d

48" (2/19/12): this disrupted galaxy is sharply concentrated with a very bright central region that is elongated ~5:2 SSW-NNE, ~1.0'x0.4'. The central region is well concentrated with an intense core that brightens to a brilliant nucleus.

I initially noted a faint arm extending 30" SSW of the central region but on a second eyepiece look I noticed this arm is twice that length though the surface brightness is quite low in the outer portion. A long, brighter tidal arm stretches 2' NNE, placing the central region off-center along the 3.5' major axis. This arm or tail has a low surface brightness though brightens in a patch at the NNE end (2.2' NNE of center). A 2000 multi-wavelength study in AJ,120, 1238 concludes this patch (identified as Arp 245N in NED) is a tidal dwarf galaxy still in the process of formation. The western edge of the arm has a subtle curvature. With averted vision, extremely low surface brightness haze forms a bridge extending southeast from the core of NGC 2992 towards NGC 2993 (3' between centers).

13.1" (3/24/84): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, bright core. Forms an interacting pair with NGC 2993 2.9' SE.

13.1" (3/3/84): fairly faint, small, roundish, small brighter core.

WH discovered NGC 2992 = H III-277 = h635 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371) and recorded "Two [along with NGC 2993], vF, stellar, the most north and preceding [NGC 2992] is the largest. 240x showed the same. Distance 3 or 4'. The place is that of the preceding." His position is ~45 sec of RA too large (perhaps only recorded to the nearest min). JH measured an accurate position and noted NGC 2992 as "Not vF; R; bM; 30"." Bindon Stoney noted a mottled appearance with LdR's 72" in 1852.

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NGC 2993 = Arp 245 NED 2 = MCG -02-25-015 = PGC 27991

09 45 48.3 -14 22 07

V = 12.6; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 95d

48" (2/19/12): this is the smaller member of an excellent interacting pair (Arp 245) with NGC 2992 3' NW. At 488x it appeared very bright, moderately large, sharply concentrated with an intense central core that brightens to a very small brilliant nucleus. A single spiral arm is attached on the north side of the core and just begins to sweep east, but fades out after a length of ~0.6'. There is no counterpart on the south side, but extremely faint haze or a bridge can be seen with averted to the northwest of the core, extending towards NGC 2992. FGC 938, an extremely faint superthin, was glimpsed 3.9' SW.

13.1" (3/3/84): moderately bright, very small, round, weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is 2' SSE. Forms an interacting pair with NGC 2993 2.9' NW.

WH discovered NGC 2993 = H III-278 = h637, along with NGC 2992, on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371) and recorded both as "Two, vF, stellar, the most north and preceding [NGC 2992] is the largest..." His position is poor in RA, but JH measured a very accurate one.

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NGC 2994 = UGC 5239 = MCG +04-23-035 = CGCG 122-082 = PGC 28122

09 47 16.1 +22 05 23

V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 125d

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, weak concentration. Forms the western vertex of an isosceles triangle with a mag 12.5 star 2.9' ENE and a mag 12 star 3.1' SE. In a trio with NGC 2991 and NGC 2988 7.5' SW.

JH discovered NGC 2994 = h636 on 24 Feb 1827 and recorded "F; vS; R; bM. The n f of two [with NGC 2991]; pos 40° n f." His position is 1' southwest of UGC 5239.

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NGC 2995 = ESO 167-?004

09 44 03 -54 36 18

=Not found, ESO.

JH discovered NGC 2995 = h3189 on 5 Apr 1837 and noted a "Cluster VIII class; at least 20* 11m and upwards, and many smaller." There is no clustering at his position and the ESO and RNGC list the number as "not found" and "nonexistent", respectively. Harold Corwin suggests NGC 2995 may refer to a "clump of stars roughly 20-25 min across centered about 10' north of JH's position." This scattered group (likely not a cluster) seems to fit JH's description, though its been low on my priority to confirm from the southern hemisphere.

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NGC 2996 = ESO 566-012 = MCG -03-25-022 = PGC 28049

09 46 30.1 -21 34 17

V = 12.5; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 115d

17.5" (4/1/00): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter. Gradually increases to a brighter core and occasional faint stellar nucleus. View hampered somewhat by a mag 10.5 star just 1.1' NE of center.

JH discovered NGC 2996 = h3187 on 23 Mar 1835 and logged "vF; S; has a * 20 m 1' following. There is nothing at his position but 33 sec of RA east is ESO 566-012. Herbert Howe corrected the RA in his Nov 1900 list of NGC corrections (repeated in the IC 2 notes). He also noted that JH's description of a mag 20 star 1' following is in error, although a mag 10 star follows by 4 sec of RA and 0.3' north.

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NGC 2997 = ESO 434-035 = MCG -05-23-012 = UGCA 181 = PGC 27978

09 45 38.6 -31 11 25

V = 9.4; Size 8.9'x6.8'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 110d

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 215x, this beautiful, asymmetric face-on spiral extended ~7'x4.5' and was sharply concentrated with a very bright 40" core. The spiral structure is unusual with a very long, relatively thick arm that curves from west to east on the north side of the core. This arm then bends south on the east side and contains a very faint 20" HII knot situated northeast of the core [1.6' from center] and symmetrically placed opposite a mag 12 star in the outer halo on the SW side. This HII region is identified in NED as NGC 2997:[MM 81] 306, from the 1981 paper "Morphology and Kinematics of the Ionized Gas in NGC 2997" by Milliard and Marcelin in A&A, 95, 59. A mag 14.5 star is near the end of this arm and due east of the core. To the west of the end of this arm the light level noticeably dips (this is a gap between the arms) as well as on the southeast side of the halo, giving an asymmetric appearance.

A second fainter outer arm running roughly SW to NE also wraps around the galaxy on the west and north side but at further distance from the core. This outer arm nearly reaches a mag 12 star on the southwest side (the one opposite the knot mentioned above) and then can be followed with more difficulty to the east where it attaches on the south side of the core.

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly bright, very large, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 4.5'x3.0', sharply concentrated with a bright core, no nucleus. A mag 13 star is at the SW edge of the halo 2.0' from center.

WH discovered NGC 2997 = H V-50 = h3188 on 4 Mar 1793 (sweep 1033) and recorded "vF, vS, lbM, lE about 8' long and 5 or 6' broad, a little from sp to nf about 10 or 15°." This galaxy is the 5th most southerly object WH discovered.

James Dunlop observed the galaxy on 7 May 1826 and recorded D 622 as "a faint elliptical nebula, 2.5' long and 1.5' broad, with a small star involved in the western margin. His position is 15' too far NE, but the star involved on the southwest side seems to confirm the equivalence.

JH made two detailed observations (h3188): on 28 Jan 1835 he logged "pB, vL, R, very suddenly a little brighter in the middle, to a pretty distinct round nucleus 4" in diameter. Diameter of nebula = 15 sec of time. The nebulous atmosphere extremely dilute. A very remarkable object." On a later sweep he recorded "F, vL, first very gradually then very suddenly much brighter in the middle, to a nucleus (exactly like Halley's comet) as now (Feb. 16, 1836) seen in the equatorial; round; diam. in RA = 24 seconds. Has a 11th mag star S.p. just at the edge."

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NGC 2998 = UGC 5250 = MCG +07-20-051 = CGCG 210-036 = Holm 144a = PGC 28196

09 48 43.6 +44 04 52

V = 12.5; Size 2.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 53d

48" (5/14/12): at 488x appeared bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~2.4'x1.2', well concentrated with a large bright core that gradually increases to the center. Weak spiral structure is evident at the SW and NE ends. Brightest in a quartet with NGCs 3005, 3006 and 3008. In addition, MCG +07-20-052 (misidentified as NGC 3002) lies 4.6' ESE.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, weak even concentration. A mag 11 star is 3.0' SW and a mag 13 star 1.9' NNW of center. Brightest in a group including NGC 3006 7' SE, NGC 3008 9.2' E and NGC 3005 6.4' NE.

WH discovered NGC 2998 = H II-717 = h638 on 15 Jan 1788 (sweep 800) and logged "F, pL, iF, lbM." JH recorded "pB; irreg R; bM; resolvable." His position is 12 sec of RA too far east and 1' north of UGC 5250. Brightest in a group of faint galaxies which were later discovered with the 72".

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NGC 2999 = NGC 2972 = ESO 212-SC15

09 40 13 -50 19 18

V = 9.9; Size 4'

See observing notes for NGC 2972.

JH discovered NGC 2999 = h3192 on 13 Apr 1834 and described "a small irreg cl of a long triangular diverging figure; contains perhaps 50 stars 12...15m. Observed for ∆397, and place only rough. Possibly the same object with sweep 680, No. 27, which see above (No. 3183 [= NGC 2972])." There is nothing near his position. Brent Archinal suggests NGC 2972 = NGC 2999 (the description applies), although JH's "rough" position is 5 tmin too large and Harold Corwin concurs.

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NGC 3000 = Holm 144e

09 48 51.3 +44 07 49

=**, Carlson.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 3000 on 25 Jan 1851 with LdR's 72" and labeled it Beta in the sketch of the NGC 2998 group. The offset given in the 1 Apr 1878 observation (203.1" in PA 23.6° from NGC 2998) points precisely to a 9" pair of very faint stars (mag 16-16.5). Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel Nebel" described a "D neb not cont, dist 0.1' 35°; sp one eF, eS, R, bM; nf one perhaps *16." This refers to the double star above. Dorothy Carlson calls this a double star in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections.

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NGC 3001 = ESO 434-038 = MCG -05-23-014 = UGCA 183 = PGC 28027

09 46 18.6 -30 26 12

V = 11.9; Size 2.9'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 6d

13.1" (1/18/85): fairly faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration, diffuse. An 11th magnitude star at the NW edge interferes with viewing.

JH discovered NGC 3001 = h3190 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; R; 30"; attached or contiguous to a * 12; pos = 320° +/- by estimation from diagram." His position and description is accurate.

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NGC 3002

09 48 57.4 +44 03 26

V = 16.5

48" (5/14/12): near the position of NGC 3002 is a faint trio of stars, mag 16.5/16.5/16.9 as well as MCG +07-20-052, an extremely faint interacting pair of galaxies. One of the two brighter stars is likely the object sketched by Bindon Stoney at Birr Castle in 1851. At 488x, the two brighter stars were very comparable in magnitude. The star identified by Corwin (southwest vertex of the triangle) was possibly marginally brighter, though the other mag 16.5 star at the east vertex of the triangle (09 49 01.4 +44 03 37) is a better match with Stoney's sketch. MCG +07-20-052, the galaxy misidentified in most catalogues as NGC 3002, is just visible as a very low surface brightness patch ~1.5' SE of the trio of stars.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 3002 on 25 Jan 1851 with LdR's 72" and labeled it Epsilon in the sketch of the NGC 2998 group. The MCG, along with the RNGC, PGC, HyperLeda and other sources, misidentify MCG +07-20-052 = PGC 28208 as NGC 3002. Although this galaxy (double) is close to the position on the sketch, the surface brightness is probably too low to have been picked up by Stoney. In fact, Dreyer reported not seeing Epsilon in his 1 Apr 1878 observation.

More likely, Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 3002 applies to one of two nearby mag 16.5 stars (the third is mag 17.0) with the more likely star at 09 48 57.3 +44 03 26 (2000).

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NGC 3003 = UGC 5251 = MCG +06-22-013 = CGCG 182-021 = KTG 26A = PGC 28186

09 48 36.0 +33 25 17

V = 11.9; Size 5.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 79d

24" (4/20/14): bright, large, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, 4.0'x1.0', mottled appearance, slightly bulging brighter core and nucleus, brighter and patchy along the major axis with a couple of very small knots. Nearly detached at the west end is a very low surface brightness patch that seems angled or extends beyond the major axis. A mag 15.7 star is ~1' N of center.

13.1" (3/3/84): moderately bright, very elongated 7:2 WSW-ENE, 3.5'x1.0', almost even surface brightness.

WH discovered NGC 3003 = H V-26 = h639 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and recorded "cB, mE nearly in the parallel, 8' long, 3' broad." His position is accurate. JH described "a singular curved wisp of nebula, It curls up and tapers off at the s p side, and is clubbed at the n f extremity."

A total of 13 observations were made at Birr Castle. On 8 Mar 1858, R.J. Mitchell commented "of unequal brightness throughout its length, p part is F but contains a B patch with a star in it; the foll part is comparatively much brighter and is mottled."

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NGC 3004

09 49 02.4 +44 06 40

V = 16.7

=*, Corwin.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 3004 on 25 Jan 1851 with LdR's 72", though he just noted "Alpha suspected". It was placed on the diagram of the field about midway between NGC 2998 and NGC 3005 (without a label). Dreyer missed it on his 1 April 1878 observation, though he later added "the place for 1926 [NGC 3004] is evidently wrong, it must be about 9 40 15 +45 14 [based on the sketch]."

The closest object to the position on the sketch is an extremely faint star with SDSS mag(V) = 16.7. Reinmuth calls it nonstellar (based on a Heidelberg plate):"vF, vS, R, bM, N3000 np 2.4', N3005 nf 2.7'." Dorothy Carlson identifies it as a double star (based on Mount Wilson photograph) and this is repeated in RNGC, though it is clearly a single star on the SDSS.

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NGC 3005 = MCG +07-20-054 = Holm 144c = PGC 28232

09 49 14.9 +44 07 53

V = 15.0; Size 1.0'x0.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 150d

48" (5/14/12): moderately bright and large, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, ~0.6'x0.2', broad concentration. Forms the north vertex of a quartet with NGC 2998, 3006 and 3008. Located 3.7' SSE of mag 8.9 HD 84830, so I kept the bright star outside the field. The nearest galaxy is NGC 3008, situated 3.9' SE.

17.5" (2/8/91): extremely faint and small, round. Located 3.7' SSE of mag 8.4 SAO 43053. This member of the NGC 2998 group lies just north of a line connecting NGC 2998 6.4' SW and NGC 3008.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 3005 on 25 Jan 1851 with LdR's 72" (along with NGC 3006 and 3008) and labeled it Gamma in the diagram of the NGC 2998 group. Dreyer gave a more complete description on 1 Apr 1878, "vF, pS, E nnp ssf." His offset from NGC 2998 (388.5" in PA 62.5°) points exactly to MCG +07-20-054 = PGC 28232, although the RA in the NGC is 10 sec too large (error carried over from NGC 2998).

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NGC 3006 = MCG +07-20-055 = CGCG 210-037 = Holm 144d = PGC 28235

09 49 17.3 +44 01 33

V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 82d

48" (5/14/12): moderately bright, very elongated 7:2 E-W, ~40"x12", broad concentration with a brighter core. Forms the south vertex of a quartet with NGC 2998, 3005 and 3008. MCG +07-20-052, a very low surface brightness interacting pair (misidentified as NGC 3002 in most catalogues), lies 2.2' NW.

17.5" (2/8/91): extremely faint, small, edge-on 4:1 E-W, very low surface brightness. Located 6.9' SE of NGC 2298 and 6.3' S of NGC 3005. MCG +07-20-052 (misidentified as NGC 3002) 3' NW was not seen.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 3006 on 25 Jan 1851 with LdR's 72" (along with NGC 3005 and 3008) and labeled it Delta in the diagram of the NGC 2998 group. Dreyer recorded on 1 Apr 1878, "vF, S, stellar." His offset from NGC 2998 (417.9" in PA 117.2°) points exactly to CGCG 210-037 = PGC 28235, although the RA in the NGC is 12 sec too large (error carried over from NGC 2998).

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NGC 3007 = MCG -01-25-038 = PGC 28150

09 47 45.5 -06 26 22

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 90d

17.5" (3/29/97): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.5', just a weak broad central brightening. A mag 13 star lies 1.0' S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3007 = St XIII-52 on 16 Mar 1885 with the 31" reflector at Marseille. This was his last NGC discovery (by date). Francis Leavenworth independently discovered the galaxy on 23 Feb 1886, though his rough position (nearest min of RA) in list I-158 is 11' too far east-southeast.

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NGC 3008 = MCG +07-20-059 = CGCG 210-039 = Holm 144b = PGC 28252

09 49 34.3 +44 06 10

V = 14.5; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 135d

48" (5/14/12): fairly bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 NW-SE, 0.4'x0.3', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core that increases to a bright stellar nucleus. A mag 16.7 star is at the east edge. Forms the east vertex of a quartet with NGC 2998 (brightest), NGC 3005 and NGC 3006.

17.5" (2/8/91): very faint, very small, slightly elongated. A mag 15 star is 45" off the west edge and 1.1' from center. Located 9.2' E of NGC 2998 in a group.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 3008 on 25 Jan 1851 with LdR's 72" (along with NGC 3005 and 3006) and labeled it Eta in the sketch of the NGC 2998 group. Dreyer gave a more complete description on 1 Apr 1878, "pF, S, E, *13-14 1' p[receding]." His offset from NGC 2998 (552" in PA 88°) is close to CGCG 210-039 = PGC 28252, although the RA in the NGC is 12 seconds too large (error carried over from NGC 2998).

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NGC 3009 = UGC 5264 = MCG +07-20-062 = CGCG 239-033 = Holm 146b = PGC 28303

09 50 11.1 +44 17 41

V = 13.5; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, round, even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 3010 5' ENE.

Alternative identification: NGC 3009 = NGC 3010sw = MCG +07-20-065

17.5" (2/8/91): this is the southwest member of the NGC 3010 triple system and noted as very faint, small, round. UGC 5273b = MCG +07-20-066 is just 40" NE.

JH discovered NGC 3009 = h640 on 17 Mar 1828, along with NGC 3010 = h641, and logged "Not vF; R; bM; r. The first of 2 [with NGC 3010]." His position is 17 sec of RA west and 1.5' north of UGC 5264 = PGC 28303, a fairly large error of 3.4'. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position for this galaxy in 1896 but the identification is uncertain and it's possible that NGC 3009 applies to the southwest component of the NGC 3010 triple (NGC 3010B). See Corwin's notes on NGC 3010 for the full story.

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NGC 3010 = UGC 5273 = MCG +07-20-065/066/067 = CGCG 239-035 = Holm 146 = PGC 28330/28335/28340

09 50 35.7 +44 19 23

Size 1.9'x0.6'; PA = 45d

17.5" (2/8/91): triple system consisting of two very faint, small, round "knots" (identified as UGC 5273a and 5273b in the UGC) with a separation of 40" oriented SW-NE. The third component (UGC 5273c) is 1' NE and appeared as a mag 15.5 "star". NGC 3009 lies 5' WSW.

JH discovered NGC 3010 = h641, along with NGC 3009 = h640, on 17 Mar 1828 and logged "F; psbM; r; stars seen. The second of 2 [with NGC 3009]." There is nothing at his position, but 35 sec of RA east and 1.4' south is UGC 5273. His RA for NGC 3009 is also off (to the west), but by only 16 sec, which is strange. Another possibility is that h640 refers to the southwest component of NGC 3010 (MCG +07-20-065 = PGC 28330). If that's the case, the relative offsets would be more in line but still not accurate. Corwin notes that JH's descriptions are generic enough they don’t assist in choosing between these two alternatives.  So, he favors leaving the "traditional" identification as is.

The observations at Birr Castle are interesting. The 1861 publication only includes the note "Several knots near [NGC 3009 and 3010]. The full account is given in the 1880 monograph. On 1 Mar 1854 R.J. Mitchell recorded, "one pB [NGC 3009], 6' f and a little n are two others vF, about 3' apart pf; several others round about". His separations are poor but probably the second part refers to NGC 3010 and one of its companions. Thirty-five years later in 1878, Dreyer made another observation and wrote, "the f one [NGC 3010] is smaller and in a rectangular triangle of 3 stars." At least one of these "stars" is likely a galaxy. Hermann Kobold measured accurate positions of the two southern components of NGC 3010 with the 18-inch refractor at Strassburg.

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NGC 3011 = UGC 5259 = MCG +05-23-038 = CGCG 152-069 = Mrk 409 = PGC 28259

09 49 41.2 +32 13 16

V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (4/15/99): faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration, 0.8' diameter. Located 2.5' WSW of a mag 10 star. A nice 10' string of 8 mag 10-12 stars oriented N-S is just a few arcminutes preceding. Picked up at 100x and observation at 220x.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3011 = Sw III-47 on 21 Apr 1886 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and remarked "eeF; eS; stel; a row of 8 or 10 pB stars nr preceding." His position is 9 sec of RA west and 1' south of UGC 5259 and the row of stars is just as he described (north-south).

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NGC 3012 = UGC 5262 = MCG +06-22-017 = CGCG 182-023 = PGC 28270

09 49 52.1 +34 42 51

V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (4/15/99): faint, small, round, weak concentration, 0.6' diameter. A mag 15 star is 1.5' W and a mag 12 star 3.5' SSE. Picked up at 100x and views at 220x and 280x.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3012 on 30 Apr 1862 and described "vF, pL, R, Cometary. A mag 11 star is 3 1/2' south-southeast." His single position and description matches UGC 5262.

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NGC 3013 = MCG +06-22-018 = CGCG 182-024 = PGC 28300

09 50 09.4 +33 34 09

V = 14.6; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5

24" (4/20/14): faint, small, slightly elongated, 18"x15". Situated 2.7' SE of mag 7.9 HD 85030. A mag 15 star is 0.6' NE. Located 10' WNW of NGC 3021.

17.5" (4/6/02): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter. Located 3' SE of mag 7.9 SAO 61706 which detracts from viewing. Also a mag 14.5-15 star is 38" NE of center and confuses the observation. Situated between fairly bright galaxies NGC 3021 10' E and NGC 3003 21' WSW.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 3013 on 18 Mar 1874 while viewing the field of NGC 3021. He noted a nebula at 164.8" in PA 137.2° from a mag 8 star. His offsets point directly to CGCG 182-024 = PGC 28300. Due to a misprint in the NGC the declination is 40' too far north (the GC Supplement has the correct position) and the galaxy was discovered again by Stephane Javelle on (J. 1127) on 12 May 1896. Dreyer realized the error and corrected the misprint in the IC 2 notes. MCG does label this galaxy as NGC 3013.

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NGC 3014 = MCG -01-25-043 = PGC 28222

09 49 07.7 -04 44 35

V = 14.0; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (3/29/97): very faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.8' diameter, low even surface brightness. A mag 15 star is very close WSW [38" from the center]. A pair of mag 14 stars [19" separation] lie 3' N.

JH discovered NGC 3014 = h644 on 19 Feb 1830 and noted "eF; L; 60". The preceding of two [with h647 = NGC 3022]. There is nothing at his position (the dec is marked as uncertain or approximate). But the NGC position is 30' further north (no reason given in the notes) and 2' south of this corrected position is MCG -01-25-043 = PGC 28222.

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NGC 3015 = UGC 5261 = MCG +00-25-020 = CGCG 007-041 = PGC 28240

09 49 22.9 +01 08 43

V = 13.9; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 95d

17.5" (3/29/97): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. No brighter stars in field.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3015 = m 183 on 23 Apr 1864. His position is just 1' north of UGC 5261 = PGC 28240.

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NGC 3016 = UGC 5266 = MCG +02-25-040 = CGCG 063-077 = Holm 147c = KTG 27A = PGC 28269

09 49 50.6 +12 41 43

V = 13.0; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 70d

24" (4/20/14): moderately to fairly bright, oval 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.6', contains a relatively large, very bright core that increases to the center. NGC 3019 lies 5.0' NE and CGCG 063-075 is 3.2' SW. The latter galaxy appeared very faint and small, round, 12", low even surface brightness.

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Second brightest of five in the NGC 3020 group. NGC 3019 lies 5.4' NE and NGC 3020 is 8.2' NNE.

13.1" (4/29/84): fairly faint, small, round, almost even surface brightness.

R.J. Mitchell, LdR's assistant, discovered NGC 3016, along with NGC 3019, on 21 Mar 1854. There was no sketch made but the description reads "4 neb. Two p and f [NGC 3016 and 3019] about 4' apart; the 3rd is north about 3' [NGC 3024] forming the vertex of an obtuse triangle, the 4th is about 4' further north and lenticular [NGC 3020]." No positions were measured and only NGC 3019, NGC 3020 and NGC 3024 received GC numbers as JH incorrectly assumed that h642 referred to the 4th galaxy (see NGC 3020 for the story).

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 31 Dec 1864 with the 11" refractor at Copenhangen. His position, measured on 4 nights, matches UGC 5266. Dryer included it in the GC Supplement and credited d'Arrest. Finally, Dreyer realized the equivalence and both LdR and d'Arrest are credited in the NGC

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NGC 3017 = MCG +00-25-019 = CGCG 007-040 = PGC 28220

09 49 03.0 -02 49 19

V = 13.1; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, very weak concentration. Forms the east vertex of a near equilateral triangle with two mag 12.5 and 14.5 stars 2.4' NW and 2.7' SW, respectively.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3017 = LM II-416 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His position is 20 sec of RA east and 2' south of MCG +00-25-019 and his note of "*11 at 3' in PA 300°" clinches this identification.

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NGC 3018 = UGC 5265 = MCG +00-25-021 = CGCG 007-042 = PGC 28258

09 49 41.5 +00 37 20

V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 27d

48" (4/7/13): bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 0.9'x0.3', small bright core. A mag 9.7 star is just 0.8' NW of center. Forms a striking pair with NGC 3023 2.7' E.

48" (4/2/11): bright, edge-on 4:1 SSW-NNE, fairly large, ~60"x15", very small bright core. Located just 50" SE of mag 9.7 HD 85095 and 2.8' W of the fascinating galaxy NGC 3023 and Mrk 1236.

17.5" (2/8/91): faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE. Dominated by a mag 10 star 48" NW of center. Forms a close pair with NGC 3023 3' E.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3018 = St X-21 on 10 Mar 1880, along with NGC 3023 = St X-22. His position is accurate. Lewis Swift independently discovered the galaxy exactly 6 years later, but his position in list III-48 is 0.4 min too far west. His comment "* near north, preceding of 2 [with NGC 3023]" clinches the equivalence.

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NGC 3019 = MCG +02-25-044 = CGCG 063-081 = Holm 147d = PGC 28295

09 50 07.2 +12 44 46

V = 15.0; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 30d

24" (4/20/14): at 280x appeared faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.4'x0.2'. A mag 14.5 star is 0.8' NE.

17.5" (3/23/85): very faint, small, almost round. A mag 14 star is off the NE edge 48" from the center. Fourth brightest of five in the NGC 3020. Located 3.0' S of NGC 3020.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3019 on 21 Mar 1854 with Lord Rosse's 72", along with NGC 3016. There is no published sketch but the description reads "4 neb. Two p and f [NGC 3016 and 3019] about 4' apart; the 3rd is north about 3' [NGC 3024] forming the vertex of an obtuse triangle, the 4th is about 4' further north and lenticular [NGC 3020]." The described orientations are poor and no positions were given, but they certainly refer to the four brightest galaxies. Only a rough position is given in the GC and the NGC position is 3' south of CGCG 063-081 = PGC 28295.

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NGC 3020 = UGC 5271 = MCG +02-25-045 = CGCG 063-082 = Holm 147a = KTG 27B = PGC 28296

09 50 06.6 +12 48 49

V = 11.9; Size 3.2'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 105d

24" (4/20/14): at 280x appeared fairly bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 WNW-ESE, 1.7'x1.0', large elongated core appears to be a bar, mottled appearance. Spiral structure was highly suspected in the halo. Largest and brightest in a quintet with NGC 3019 4' S, NGC 3024 5.5' SE, NGC 3016 8' SSW and CGCG 063-075 11' SW. NGC 3020 and 3024 are a physical pair (z = .004), while the other three galaxies are in the backgroud at z = .03.

17.5" (3/23/85): brightest and largest in the NGC 3020 group, elongated WNW-ESE, brighter core but no nucleus, diffuse halo. Nearby are NGC 3019 4.0' S, NGC 3024 5.4' SE.

13.1" (4/29/84): fairly faint, moderately large, diffuse, elongated ~E-W.

WH discovered NGC 3020 = H III-51 = h646 = h642 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and recorded "Two [along with NGC 3024], both resolvable and eF. The preceding is the largest and they are about 6 or 7' distant from each other. Position about 20° np-sf 6 or 7' distant. I saw them better with 240 than 157. They require some attention before they are well seen." His single position is ~1.0 min of RA too far east.

JH made three observations under h646 and measured an accurate position, but in his 4th sweep he made an error recording the RA 1.0 min too far west and claimed a "nova" under h642. Dreyer correctly equated all three Herschel designations in the NGC.

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NGC 3021 = UGC 5280 = MCG +06-22-019 = CGCG 182-025 = KTG 26B = PGC 28357

09 50 57.1 +33 33 13

V = 12.1; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 110d

24" (4/20/14): bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.9'x0.6', small bright core, stellar nucleus, the halo has an irregular surface brightness. A mag 11 star is 1' SE and a mag 14 star is at the north edge. NGC 3013 lies 10' W.

13.1" (3/3/84): fairly bright, elongated WNW-ESE. A mag 10 star is 1.1' SE of center. Located 30' NE of NGC 3003.

WH discovered NGC 3021 = H I-115 = h645 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and recorded "cB, pL, lE, iF, mbM." JH called this galaxy "pB; R; bM; has a * 10m 20° sf, dist 30"."

A sketch made with LdR's 72" in 1863 shows a spiral arm of the east side, curling around towards the west.

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NGC 3022 = MCG -01-25-046 = PGC 28257

09 49 39.2 -05 09 59

V = 12.2; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, small, round, gradually increases to a small bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 5.2' SW of a mag 10 star. Forms a pair with MCG -01-25-044 3' WSW. The companion appeared extremely faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low surface brightness.

JH discovered NGC 3022 = h647 on 19 Feb 1830 and recorded "F; R; vglbM; r. The following of 2 [with NGC 3014]." His position matches MCG -01-25-046 = PGC 28257.

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NGC 3023 = UGC 5269 = MCG +00-25-022 = CGCG 007-043 = VV 620 = LGG 182-006 = PGC 28272

09 49 52.5 +00 37 07

V = 13.0; Size 2.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 70d

48" (4/7/13): at 375x appeared very bright, large, irregular, asymmetric with a bright, slightly elongated central region, ~40"x30". Extending to the west of the core is large, faint halo or loop, most evident on the north side of the loop, which is brighter and more sharply defined as it sweeps to the west towards companion NGC 3018. The loop extends the diameter to ~1.7'. Mrk 1236, is a very small, but very high surface brightness companion attached on the east side of the core. PGC 1170217 = MAC 0950+0035 was picked up in the field, 4.4' ESE.

48" (4/2/11): at 375x this bright, interacting galaxy has a very unusual, asymmetric appearance. The central region is bright, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, 40"x30", increases evenly to a very small, very bright nucleus. A larger, outer halo extends mainly to the west. The halo extends from the central region ~1' in a loop and is brightest along the rim, particularly looping from the north side of the core counterclockwise to the west [the DSS reveals this feature is a spiral arm]. This arm gives the visual impression of a partial ring extending the west of the core.

A bright companion, Mrk 1236, is attached within the small halo on the east side of the core, just 25" ESE of center. This Wolf-Rayet galaxy appeared moderately bright, very small, elongated 2:1 E-W, ~16"x8", very high surface brightness. On the SDSS image this object is resolved into several clumps or knots. NGC 3018 lies 2.8' W of center. Located 3.4' ESE of mag 9.7 HD 85095.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3, broad concentration in halo but no nucleus. A faint star or knot is visible on the east end. Forms a pair with NGC 3018 3' W and also 3.4' ESE of a mag 10 star. This is a double system which was probably resolved in the observation as a faint star or knot on the east end (Mrk 1236)!

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3023 = St X-22 on 10 Mar 1880, along with NGC 3018 = St X-21, and measured an accurate position. Lewis Swift independently discovered the galaxy exactly 6 years later with the 16" refractor, but his position in list III-49 is 0.4 min too far west (similar offset as Sw III-48 = NGC 3018).

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NGC 3024 = UGC 5275 = MCG +02-25-046 = CGCG 063-084 = Holm 147b = KTG 27C = PGC 28324

09 50 27.4 +12 45 56

V = 13.1; Size 2.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 125d

24" (4/20/14): moderately bright and large, thin edge-on 4:1 NW-SE, bright very elongated core, 1.3'x0.3'. A mag 14 star is off the SE end (aligned with the major axis).

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, thin edge-on NW-SE, 1.4'x0.3', brighter core. A mag 13.5 star is off the SE edge 1.4' from center. This galaxy is the third brightest of five in the NGC 3020 group. NGC 3020 lies 5.7' NW and NGC 3019 is 5' ESE.

13.1" (4/29/84): faint, fairly small, edge-on NW-SE. A mag 13.5 star is off the east edge.

WH discovered NGC 3024 = H III-52 = h648 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and recorded "Two [along with NGC 3020], both resolvable and eF. The preceding [NGC 3020] is the largest and they are about 6 or 7' distant from each other. Position about 20° np-sf 6 or 7' distant. I saw them better with 240 than 157. They require some attention before they are well seen." His single position is ~1.0 min of RA too far east. JH made a single observation, "vF; pL; E. PD estimated from III.51 [NGC 3020] which precedes." His "estimated dec" is 1.2' too far south.

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NGC 3025 = ESO 566-015 = MCG -04-23-018 = PGC 28249

09 49 29.1 -21 44 32

V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 110d

17.5" (4/1/00): fairly faint, roundish, 0.8' diameter, weak concentration, halo fades into background. With averted vision, the halo increases to over 1' in diameter. Located 2.6' NW of mag 9.3 SAO 178051. A distinctive grouping of four mag 13-14 stars lies ~4' NW. ESO 566-018 lies 14' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 3025 = h3192 on 21 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF, vS, R, north of a * 9 m." His position and description is an exact match with ESO 566-015.

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NGC 3026 = UGC 5279 = MCG +05-23-043 = CGCG 152-074 = PGC 28351

09 50 55.4 +28 33 05

V = 13.0; Size 2.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 82d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, even fairly low surface brightness.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3026 = Sw III-50 on 22 May 1886 and recorded "eeF; pS; lE; e diff; in vacancy, found searching for Winnecke's comet [7P/Pons-Winnecke]." His position is 10 sec of RA east and 1' south of UGC 5279 = PGC 28351.

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NGC 3027 = UGC 5316 = VV 358 = MCG +12-10-009 = CGCG 332-068 = CGCG 333-006 = PGC 28636

09 55 40.5 +72 12 13

V = 11.8; Size 4.3'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 130d

17.5" (4/4/92): faint, fairly large, elongated NW-SE, 3'x2', weak concentration, low surface brightness. Two mag 15 stars are superimposed at the NW end of the major axis and at the south edge. NGC 2985 lies 25' WNW.

WH discovered NGC 3027 = H V-23 = h643 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and logged "F, L, lE, resolvable, 6' or 7' l, 5' or 6' br." His position is just off the east side of UGC 5316. JH recorded "eF; vL; vglbM; 3' l; 2.5' br." and measured a very accurate position.

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NGC 3028 = ESO 566-016 = PGC 28276

09 49 54.1 -19 11 05

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 48d

17.5" (3/16/96): fairly faint, small, round, 35" diameter, weak concentration. A mag 12 star lies 3.2' SE.

JH discovered NGC 3028 = h3193 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; S; R; lbM; 15"." His position is an exact match with ESO 566-016 = PGC 28276.

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NGC 3029 = MCG -01-25-047 = PGC 28206

09 48 54.0 -08 03 04

V = 14.0; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 46d

17.5" (2/1/03): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.7'x0.5', very low surface brightness. Located 4.5' E of a mag 11 star. Collinear with two mag 13 star to the NE.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3029 = Sw III-51 on 8 Feb 1886 with the 16" refractor at the Warner Observatory. His description simply reads "pF; pS; R." His position is 1.5 tmin E and 6.5' N of MCG -01-25-047, so this identification seems very uncertain. RNGC and RC3 identify this object as MCG -01-25-047 (not MCG, though). The MCG RA is +1 tmin too far E.

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NGC 3030 = MCG -02-25-021 = PGC 28302

09 50 10.5 -12 13 35

V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, small, round, broad concentration. A mag 12 star is 1' NNW. Located 2.5' NNW of mag 8.5 SAO 155521.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3030 = LM II-417 in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.7, 0.2' dia, R, gbsbMN." His position is only 10 sec of RA east and 1' south of MCG -02-25-021 = PGC 28302. Herbert Howe's corrected position made with the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory (published in Monthly Notices 1899) is accurate.

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NGC 3031 = M81 = UGC 5318 = MCG +12-10-010 = CGCG 333-007 = Bode's Nebula = PGC 28630

09 55 33.2 +69 03 55

V = 6.9; Size 26.9'x14.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 157d

48" (4/15/10): dazzling view of M81 at 267x (21mm Ethos) and 330x (17mm Nagler). The galaxy is elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE and extends at least 20'x10'. The brightness level increases gradually to the center from the large, very bright oval core but is punctuated at the center by an extremely bright, quasi-stellar nucleus. A bright spiral arm attaches to the galaxy on the northwest end and bends abruptly to the south, passing across a mag 12 star located 5' NW of center. As it heads southeast, the arm separates from the main glow of the galaxy and can be traced as it passes just north of ∑1387 (10.8/10.8 at 9"), ending to the northeast of the striking double star ∑1386 = 9.3/9.3 at 2.1". The total length of this arm is ~15'. The second main arm is more prominent, attaching to the main body on the south end. This arm is much brighter in a narrow arc as it curves around at its south end. This arm is still relatively narrow with a very well defined edge as it sweeps NNW and gradually separates from the main body. Holmberg IX was visible 10.5' E of the center of M81.

17.5" (3/23/85): very bright, very large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, about 16'x8', large oval bright middle, bright core, nearly stellar nucleus. Two mag 11.5 and 11.9 stars are superimposed in the halo at the south edge of the core. An easily visible spiral arm is attached near these two stars at the south end of the core. This arm curves due north along the east side and is well separated from the main body. A second arm was suspected on 10/12/85 as a short extension curving around the NNW end towards a mag 12 star at the WNW edge of the halo and was described as "shorter and much less prominent, though definitely seen" on 1/31/87. Mag 8.7 SAO 15020 (∑1386 = 9.3/9.3 at 2") lies 10' SSW and the striking double star ∑1387 = 10.7/10.7 at 9" is 8' SSW. Forms a very striking pair at low power with M82 37' N. The bright supernova 1993j was located 3' SSW of the core and formed a right triangle with the two mag 11.5/11.9 stars south of the core.

13" (1/18/85): extremely faint arm attached at the southeast end near two stars and curves to the east.

8": very bright, bright core, large oval halo, elongated NW-SE, two faint stars involved.

Johann Bode discovered M81 = NGC 3031 = h649 on 31 Dec 1774, along with M82. Pierre Méchain independently discovered M81 in Aug 1779. On 30 Sep 1802, WH recorded "vB, eL; it very nearly fills all the field, it loses itself imperceptibly, mE np sf; I can trace it nearly 1/2° in extent beyond the brightest part." JH logged "eB; eL; E, pos = 156°, gb and svmbM, with faint rays of light nearly to extremities of field (15'). The most condensed part is 4' l and 3' br." He mistakenly referred to M81 as M82 in the Slough Catalogue.

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NGC 3032 = UGC 5292 = MCG +05-23-046 = CGCG 152-077 = PGC 28424

09 52 08.2 +29 14 10

V = 12.5; Size 2.0'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 95d

17.5" (2/8/91): moderately bright, very small, almost round, very small bright core, bright stellar nucleus, surrounded by small very faint halo. Located midway between mag 8.6 SAO 81056 1.7' N and a mag 10 star 1.9' S.

JH discovered NGC 3032 = h650 on 24 Dec 1827 and logged "a *12 with an eF atmos about 10-12". It is between a *8-9m n p and one = 10m, s f, neither of which are so affected. A curious object." His position and description applies, although the two stars are more nearly north and south.

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NGC 3033 = Cr 212 = ESO 167-SC006

09 48 39 -56 24 42

V = 8.8; Size 5'

24" (4/10/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this is a small 4' group of ~30 stars situated just SW of mag 6.1 HD 85250. Many of the stars are arranged in a loop or oval on the SW side of the star, so the combination with the bright star appears similar to a diamond ring. The cluster members are fairly uniform in brightness with a number of mag 11 stars. A wide double star 5' SE (9.5/11.5 at 26") is collinear with HD 85250.

JH discovered NGC 3033 = h3194 on 27 Feb 1835 and logged "irregularly round cluster, 8' diameter, of 50 or 60 stars, 11 and 12 mag. In the milky way, but sufficiently rich and distinct to be registered as a cluster."

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NGC 3034 = M82 = Arp 337 = UGC 5322 = MCG +12-10-011 = CGCG 333-008 = UMa A = PGC 28655

09 55 52.7 +69 40 46

V = 8.4; Size 11.2'x4.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 65d

48" (4/15/10): stunning view at 330x with numerous irregular dark rifts slicing up the mottled, clumpy surface. Several very small, bright knots or condensations (Super Star Clusters - SSCs) are just west of a dark wedge that pierces the galaxy on the south side and tapers as it cuts across the center at an oblique angle. The very bright section of the galaxy to the northeast of the dark absorption wedge also displays mottled structure. Another prominent dark inclusion cuts into the galaxy from the north on the northeast side of the galaxy. A very faint extension of low surface brightness haze (the superwind outflow) bulges out from the main portion of the galaxy on the south side. This glow is west of the dark wedge and east of a mag 10.5 star located 5.8' SW of center. On images this large bulge appears to explode out from the galaxy with filamentary structure. Overall, there was too much visible structure to describe from a couple of minutes at the eyepiece.

17.5" (10/12/85): very bright, large, edge-on 4:1 WSW-ENE, 10' x 2.5', large bright irregular core. Very mottled with an unusually high surface brightness. Unique appearance with several dark cuts oblique to the major axis including a prominent wedge or cut nearly through the center. A mag 10 star is just south of the SW end 5.8' from the center

13" (11/5/83): two obvious dark lanes.

8": bright, spindle, mottled. A dark wedge cuts into the galaxy near the center from the south side.

10x50 binoculars: faintly visible though easier in 15x50's.

Johann Bode discovered M82 = NGC 3034 = H IV-79 on 31 Dec 1774, along with M81. Pierre Méchain independently discovered M82 in Aug 1779.

M82 is not in WH's published catalogues, though on 8 Nov 1801 (sweep 1100) he noted "eB, mE sp-nf, about 10' long" and on 30 Sep 1802 (sweep 1112) he logged "a vB, beautiful ray of light, brightest in the middle of all the length, about 8' long and 2 or 3' broad." JH added it as one of the 8 "HON" objects ("Herschel omitted nebulae") in the Appendix to his Cape Observations (and in the GC as IV-79), as WH assumed it was a new discovery on his last sweep on 30 Sep 1802!

The first published comment about dark lanes was made by Ralph Copeland at Birr Castle on 21 May 1871. He noted "A most extraordinary object, at least 10' in length, and crossed by several dark bands."

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NGC 3035 = MCG -01-25-052 = PGC 28415

09 51 55.0 -06 49 23

V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 25d

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, fairly small, round, gradually brighter core, faint stellar nucleus.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3035 = St X-23 on 5 Mar 1880. His position is an exact match with MCG -01-25-052.

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NGC 3036 = ESO 126-SC027

09 49 20 -62 40 30

Size 10'

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 123x and 160x): nice cluster consisting of two main groups with offshoots. Overall fairly rich with roughly 30 stars in the southern group and 15 in the northern. The larger southern group forms an elongated looping chain and extends ~6'x1.5'. It includes a mag 9.9 star near the west end and a 11.5/12.5 pair at 15" on the southwest end. Two mag 10 stars are at the east end. The distinct northern chain also includes a 14" pair. This cluster is situated 12' WNW of mag 5.6 HD 85656.

JH discovered NGC 3036 = h3197 on 7 Mar and recorded "The chief star 10m of a cluster class VIII of sc st 10' dia. It is one the borders of the milky way." His position corresponds with a mag 10 star on the west side of a scattered group that is well-defined on the DSS. JH's original Cape position was 20' too far north but he corrected it on the errata page, so the GC and NGC position is accurate. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).

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NGC 3037 = ESO 499-010 = MCG -04-24-002 = PGC 28381

09 51 24.2 -27 00 40

V = 13.1; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (4/1/00): fairly faint, roundish, 1.0' diameter, very little concentration. A 30" pair of mag 14 stars close SE (~1.5') is collinear with the center of the galaxy. Located 5.4' SSW of mag 9.7 SAO 178100.

JH discovered NGC 3037 = h3195 on 26 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; R; lbM; 30"." His position is an exact match with ESO 499-010 = PGC 28381.

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NGC 3038 = ESO 374-002 = MCG -05-24-001 = LGG 184-002 = PGC 28376

09 51 15.4 -32 45 09

V = 11.6; Size 2.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 130d

18" (3/17/07): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 NW-SE, ~1.8'x1.2', large bright core, very faint halo, brighter quasi-stellar nucleus. Three IC galaxies lie to the west with IC 2513 the closest at 17' SW.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, slightly elongated oval WSW-ENE, fairly small, bright core.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3038 = Sw III-52 on 27 Feb 1886 and noted "pB; pS; R." His position is just 40" north of ESO 374-002.

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NGC 3039 = UGC 5297 = MCG +00-25-027 = CGCG 007-051 = PGC 28452

09 52 29.6 +02 09 15

V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 12d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 3.9' WSW and two mag 12.5 stars lie 3.0' W and 1.5' N.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3039 = m 184 on 22 Jan 1865 and logged "vF, S, iR." His position matches UGC 5297.

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NGC 3040 = UGC 5300 = MCG +03-25-037 = CGCG 092-067 = Holm 148a = PGC 28479

09 53 05.1 +19 25 56

V = 13.2; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 170d

17.5" (4/9/99): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.8'x0.4'. Fairly well concentrated with a bright, round 20" core and faint extensions. A mag 14 star lies 1.8' SSE. Brightest in a triple system, including Ho 148b at the northeast edge (companions not seen).

CGCG 92-065, located 12' N, appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Contained a stellar nucleus in moments of steady seeing.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3040 = St XIII-53 on 25 Mar 1884. His position is accurate.

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NGC 3041 = UGC 5303 = MCG +03-25-039 = CGCG 092-068 = PGC 28485

09 53 07.2 +16 40 40

V = 11.5; Size 3.7'x2.4'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 95d

17.5" (3/29/89): fairly faint, large, diffuse, slightly elongated. A mag 13 is just off the SW end 1.5' from the center and two mag 14.5 stars are at the NW edge 1.2' from center and at the north edge 1' from the center.

WH discovered NGC 3041 = H II-98 = h3196 on 23 Mar 1784 (sweep 184) and recorded "L, not vF, resolvable, R, not much bM. North following the most south of 2 bright stars and not far from it; the nebulosity reaches up the bright star." Interestingly, JH called this galaxy a globular cluster and noted "F; L; R; vglbm; 2.5' dia; resolved with left eye." Dreyer noted it was not a globular in 1876 observation at Birr Castle.

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NGC 3042 = UGC 5307 = MCG +00-25-030 = CGCG 007-054 = PGC 28498

09 53 20.1 +00 41 51

V = 12.9; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 111d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, very small, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, very small bright core, very faint extensions from core. A mag 13 star is 1.3' SW of core.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3042 = m 185 on 30 Apr 1864 and recorded "pB, S, vlE, gbM." His position is accurate.

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NGC 3043 = UGC 5327 = MCG +10-14-052 = CGCG 289-023 = PGC 28672

09 56 14.6 +59 18 25

V = 12.6; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 84d

17.5" (3/12/88): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.5', small bright core. Located 8' S of mag 7.9 SAO 27433.

WH discovered NGC 3043 = H II-835 = h651 on 19 Mar 1790 (sweep 952) and noted "cF; S; E." His position is within 1' of UGC 5327. JH called it (sweep 323) "eF; pL; 35"; vgbM; has a *10 m 7' n."

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NGC 3044 = UGC 5311 = MCG +00-25-031 = CGCG 007-056 = FGC 965 = PGC 28517

09 53 40.8 +01 34 46

V = 11.9; Size 4.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 113d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly bright, large, edge-on 6:1 WNW-ESE, dimensions 3.5'x0.5', broadly concentration but does not contain a well-defined core.

13.1" (4/10/86): very pretty, very thin edge-on streak at 166x-214x, moderately large, brighter middle.

WH discovered NGC 3044 = H III-254 = h652 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 342) and recorded "eF, mE, 3 or 5' long and near 1' br from np to sf; but not far from the parallel." One week later (sweep 348) he logged "vF; about 5' long but extremely narrow, less than 1/4' broad; from np to sf." JH measured an accurate position and recorded "vF; mE, pos = 111.5°; 80" l, 15" br. Aurora in sky, even at this polar distance." The UGC, RC3 list the PA = 13°, but it should read 113°.

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NGC 3045 = ESO 566-G22 = MCG -03-25-028 = PGC 28492

09 53 17.7 -18 38 43

V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 110d

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, small, round, no details. Located 17' W of NGC 3052.

JH discovered NGC 3045 = h3198 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; R; lbM; 30"." His position is accurate.

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NGC 3046 = ESO 499-?015

09 53 22.0 -27 19 19

=*?, RNGC and ESO.

JH discovered NGC 3046 = h3199 on 24 Mar 1835 and noted "pF; R. RA precarious; a hurried observation." His position is 30" south of a mag 14.6 star and RNGC and ESO identify NGC 3046 as a star. I would think it likely this was a duplicate observation of NGC 3051 except that both were recorded on the same sweep! Still, Harold Corwin suggests this may be a case (there are two others) where he accidentally recorded the same object twice in the sweep.

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NGC 3047 = UGC 5323se = MCG +00-25-033 = (CGCG 007-059) = PGC 28577

09 54 32.0 -01 17 27

V = 13.7; Size 0.5'x0.5'

17.5" (3/25/95): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, faint stellar nucleus. Located 1.3' SSE of mag 8.6 SAO 137215. Forms a double system with a very faint stellar companion = NGC 3047A just 40" WNW of center.

George Hough discovered NGC 3047 on 24 Apr 1883 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and described as "small and round, very faint." Both Hough and Sherburne Burnham reobserved the galaxy on 5 May and Dreyer credited the pair. The discovery position in AN 2524 is 8 tsec W (only given to the nearest tenth of a tmin) of UGC 5323.

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NGC 3048 = CGCG 092-071 = PGC 28595

09 54 56.5 +16 27 23

V = 14.2; Size 0.6'x0.3'

17.5" (3/29/89): extremely faint, very small, round. A mag 14 star is 1.3' SE. Forms a pair with NGC 3053 8.7' ESE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3048 = m186 on 27 Apr 1864 and simply noted "eF". His position matches CGCG 092-071. Two extremely faint galaxies are close to the east (slightly larger redshifts).

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NGC 3049 = UGC 5325 = MCG +02-25-055 = CGCG 063-103 = Mrk 710 = PGC 28590

09 54 49.6 +09 16 17

V = 12.1; Size 2.2'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 25d

17.5" (4/15/93): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, weak concentration. A mag 11 star is 3.4' NE of center and a mag 14 star lies 1.9' SW of center.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3049 = St XII-37 on 20 Mar 1882. His position is accurate.

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NGC 3050 = NGC 2979 = MCG -02-25-012

09 43 08.6 -10 23 01

See observing notes for NGC 2979.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 3050 = LM II-418 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. His notes inlcude "mag 14.0, 0.6' dia, vlE 200°, gbMN." There is nothing near his rough position (nearest min of time).

Harold Corwin suggests, NGC 3050 is a duplicate of NGC 2979 (discovered by WH), which is located is over 11 tmin of RA west of Muller's position! But the declination matches and the description and position angle is a good fit, so if a 10 min recording error in RA was made, this identification is likely.

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NGC 3051 = NGC 3046: = ESO 499-016 = MCG -04-24-004 = PGC 28536

09 53 58.6 -27 17 11

V = 11.8; Size 2.1'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (3/25/00): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter. Broadly concentrated halo containing a very small bright core. Located 14' ENE of mag 6.4 SAO 178130. NGC 3037 lies 38' NW.

JH discovered NGC 3051 = h3201 on 24 Mar 1835 and recorded ""pF, S, R, gbM; 20 arcseconds." His position matches ESO 499-016. NGC 3046 may be a duplicate observation. See notes on that number.

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NGC 3052 = ESO 566-026 = MCG -03-25-030 = PGC 28570

09 54 28.0 -18 38 21

V = 12.2; Size 2.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 102d

13.1" (4/10/86): moderately bright, slightly elongated, diffuse, weak concentration. Located 23' NNW of mag 4.9 SAO 155588. NGC 3045 lies 17' W.

WH discovered NGC 3052 = H III-272 = h3202 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368) and noted "vF, pS, irr. A lttle brighter towards the middle." CH's reduced position is 1.5' southeast of ESO 566-026 = PGC 28570. JH logged "pF; L; R; gbM; 50" and measured an accurate position (in the NGC).

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NGC 3053 = UGC 5329 = MCG +03-25-040 = CGCG 092-074 = CGCG 093-001 = PGC 28631

09 55 33.6 +16 25 58

V = 12.7; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 140d

17.5" (3/29/89): fairly faint, oval NW-SE, bright core. A mag 14.5 star is 0.9' NE. Forms a pair with NGC 3048 8.7' WNW.

WH discovered NGC 3053 = H III-600 = h3200 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 690) and noted "vF, S, iR." CH's reduced position is 1.5' north of UGC 5329. JH called it "vF; lE; gbM; 25"."

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NGC 3054 = ESO 499-018 = MCG -04-24-005 = UGCA 187 = PGC 28571

09 54 28.6 -25 42 13

V = 11.8; Size 3.8'x2.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 123d

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, bright core, diffuse halo, elongated WNW-ESE.

C.H.F. Peters discovered NGC 3054 on 3 Apr 1859 with the 13.5-inch refractor at Hamilton College Observatory. The NGC RA (from Peters) is just 6 sec west of ESO 499-018.

Ormond Stone found the galaxy again on 14 Jan 1886 at the Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded it again in list I-160. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is ~1.5 tmin too far east but his description (PA = 120°, 2.7'x0.8') matches this galaxy.

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NGC 3055 = UGC 5328 = MCG +01-25-034 = CGCG 035-087 = PGC 28617

09 55 18.1 +04 16 11

V = 12.1; Size 2.1'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 63d

13.1" (4/10/86): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, moderately large. There is a sharper light cut-off on the east side due to dust. Located 5.7' SSE of a mag 10.5 star.

WH discovered NGC 3055 = H VI-4 = h656 on 24 Jan 1784 (sweep 116) and noted "a nebula or cluster of very close and small stars." His position is 38 sec of RA east of UGC 5328 (not an uncommon error in his early sweeps). He included this galaxy in class VI (Very condensed and rich clusters of stars). JH made 3 observations and noted "pB, gbM; r; lE; 60" l, 40" br; twilight. No other cluster or neb near." The NGC position is accurate.

R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 15 Mar 1855, recorded the following detail: "E sp nf, has a B nucl and a knot in sp end, or rather a twist towards then." The following Jan he remarked "I see it as last year with appendage or curved branch at sp end."

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NGC 3056 = ESO 435-007 = MCG -05-24-003 = PGC 28576

09 54 32.8 -28 17 53

V = 11.7; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 16d

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, very small, bright core, very slightly elongated halo N-S. A mag 12.5 star is off the NE end.

JH discovered NGC 3056 = h3203 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "pB; S; R; vsmbM; has a * 10m almost contiguous; pos from neb = 203.8°. His position and description matches ESO 435-007, though the position angle of the bright star is off by 180°.

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NGC 3057 = UGC 5404 = MCG +14-05-010 = PGC 29296

10 05 39.5 +80 17 09

V = 13.0; Size 2.2'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 5d

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, moderately large, elongated. Two mag 13-14 stars are off the south edge.

WH discovered NGC 3057 = H III-978 on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, his second to last sweep) and recorded "eF, pL vlbM. Just north of 2 small stars are are hearly in parallel [E-W]." CH's reduced position is within 1' of UGC 5404. This object is the 500th discovery listed in Herschel's third catalogue although he left three additional ones out which exceeded the 500 limit. NGC 3057 was not found by Bigourdan.

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NGC 3058 = MCG -02-25-026 = VV 741 = IC 573 = PGC 28513

09 53 35.7 -12 28 55

V = 12.5; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 35d

17.5" (4/15/93): faint, fairly small, round, low even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is 1.0' W. A wide mag 12/13 pair at 45" separation lies 2' SSW and a mag 12/13.5 pair at 30" separation E-W lies 3.5' W.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3058 = LM I-159 on 6 May 1886. His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is about 2 min of RA east of MCG -02-25-026. Using the 20" refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver, Herbert Howe described NGC 3058 as a multiple galaxy "p.a. 210 deg, dist 20", nf galaxy brighter". His corrected RA given in the IC 2 notes is accurate.

Stephane Javelle independently discovered this galaxy on 20 Apr 1892, placed it accurately in list I-171, and Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 573. So NGC 3058 = IC 573.

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NGC 3059 = ESO 037-007 = PGC 28298

09 50 08.5 -73 55 18

V = 11.0; Size 3.6'x3.2'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 71d

24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x appears fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated. Appears to have a central bar or an elongated core (barred spiral). At moments I caught a glimpse of a faint stellar nucleus. The halo is large, ~2.5'x2.0' and seems mottled. Surrounded by a number of stars in a rich star field and situated 5' ESE of a mag 9 star. I accidentally forgot to check this object off from the previous night so it was still on my observing list, though I suspected it had been seen earlier.

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appears fairly bright, large, slightly elongated, ~3.0'x2.5', weak concentration except for a small elongated core or bar (this is a face-on barred spiral). Overall the surface brightness is fairly low, but fairly impressive due to its large size and central bar. The galaxy is surrounded by a number of mag 13 stars. A mag 8.9 star (HD 85642) lies 5' WNW.

JH discovered NGC 3059 = h3205 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; L; irreg R; glbM; 3'; many vS stars near and in it." His position (corrected in a list of errata at the end of the CGH) matches ESO 037-007.

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NGC 3060 = UGC 5338 = MCG +03-26-002 = CGCG 093-003 = PGC 28680

09 56 19.2 +16 49 52

V = 13.0; Size 2.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 78d

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, bright core, no well-defined nucleus, faint extensions taper to points.

WH discovered NGC 3060 = H III-601 = h3204 on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 690) and recorded "vF, cS, lE, easily resolvable." CH's reduced position is just off the north side of UGC 5338.

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NGC 3061 = UGC 5319 = MCG +13-07-040 = CGCG 350-036 = PGC 28670

09 56 11.9 +75 51 59

V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, fairly large, slightly elongated, low surface brightness. There are two faint stars at the edges; a mag 14.5 star 1.8' NW of center and a faint 15 star 0.9' SSE of center.

WH discovered NGC 3061 = H II-903 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and logged "F, pL, r." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors. The corrected position using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509, 1911), matches UGC 5319 and Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 edition of WH's catalogues. See NGC 2938 for more on sweep 1096 or Harold Corwin's full story in his notes for NGC 3752..

JH observed what he assumed was his father's II-903, and recorded h653 as "very doubtful. Moonlight and haze." There is nothing at or near his poisition (noted in the MN paper). JH used his position, though, and basically his father's description (changing "F" to "vF") in the GC and Dreyer repeated this in the NGC. So, NGC 3061 = H II-903 and not h653.

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NGC 3062 = CGCG 008-002 = PGC 28699

09 56 35.7 +01 25 43

V = 14.7; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 65d

17.5" (4/15/99): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Weak concentration to a slightly brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus. Not noticed at 100x but easy at 220x. Based on description, I probably viewed the brighter core only and missed the fainter extensions. Located 45' ESE of NGC 3044.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3062 = m 187 with Lassell's 48" and noted "vF, vS, alm stellar." His position matches Marth's position matches PGC 28699.

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NGC 3063

10 01 41.6 +72 07 05

=**, Carlson.

WH discovered NGC 3063 = H II-909 on 30 Sep 1802 (his last sweep 1112) in the field of II-333 = NGC 3065 and II-334 = NGC 3066, "The sp one eF, vS, about 1' more south and 20 sec preceding." This probably refers to a pair of mag 14.9 stars at 11" separation that was also found by d'Arrest (GCS 5512) when he observed the pair of galaxies and d'Arrest's position was used in the NGC.

WH didn't include this object in his third catalogue as he had already reached his 500 object threshold, but JH added it in an appendix to the Cape Catalogue (HON = [William] Herschel omitted nebulae") and in the GC as II-909 = GC 1972. There was confusion, though, which objects were the two nebulae previously discovered, and JH noted it was the third of three, instead of the the first of three. This confusion carried into the NGC and even Dreyer's 1912 notes on WH's third catalogue. See Corwin's notes for the full history.

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NGC 3064 = MCG -01-26-001 = PGC 28638

09 55 41.5 -06 21 50

V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 35d

17.5" (3/25/00): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, low even surface brightness. A distinctive group of mag 11-13 stars is roughly 5' NE. The brighter mag 11 stars form a rectangle with a 13th magnitude star in the center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3064 = LM I-161 on 6 May 1886 and noted "mag 16.0, vS, E45°." A second listing I-162 (probably from a different date). The second entry mentions "same as 161?", so Dreyer combined them into NGC 3058. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is essentially correct - just 0.2 tmin east of MCG -01-26-001.

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NGC 3065 = UGC 5375 = MCG +12-10-014 = CGCG 333-010 = VII Zw 303 = PGC 29046

10 01 55.3 +72 10 13

V = 12.5; Size 1.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/4/92): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, bright core, stellar nucleus, fairly high surface brightness. A mag 11 star is 1.4' NW. Forms a close striking pair with slightly fainter NGC 3066 3.1' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 3065 = H II-333 = h654 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and recorded "Two [along with II-334 = NGC 3066], pF, S, bM. The most north [NGC 3065] a little larger and brighter than the southern one; otherwise much alike; not far from being in the same meridian." CH's reduced position is ~30 sec of RA east of UGC 5375 and UGC 5379.

This pair was also the very last object WH observed on his last sweep 1112 on 30 Sep 1802 and he also noted a third object (II-909), which turns out to be a double star. JH made a single observation, noting "vF; S; R; 10"; near a * 11-12m." The NGC position (from d'Arrest) matches UGC 5375.

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NGC 3066 = UGC 5379 = MCG +12-10-015 = CGCG 333-011 = Mrk 133 = PGC 29059

10 02 11.0 +72 07 31

V = 12.9; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/4/92): moderately bright, fairly small, round, gradual moderate concentration but no sharp core. Only slightly fainter than NGC 3065 3' NNW but has a smoother surface brightness.

WH discovered NGC 3066 = H II-334 = h655 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and recorded "Two [along with II-333 = NGC 3065], pF, S, bM. The most north a little larger and brighter than the southern one; otherwise much alike; not far from being in the same merian." CH's reduced position is 30 sec of RA east of UGC 5375 and UGC 5379.

This pair was also the very last objects WH observed on his last sweep 1112 on 30 Sep 1802 and he also noted a third object (II-909), which turns out to be a double star. JH made a single observation, noting "F; R; 20"; vglbM." The NGC position (from d'Arrest) matches UGC 5379.

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NGC 3067 = UGC 5351 = MCG +06-22-046 = CGCG 182-051 = KTG 26C = PGC 28805

09 58 21.1 +32 22 12

V = 12.1; Size 2.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 105d

24" (4/20/14): fairly bright, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.3'x0.5', contains a large bright core that is very mottled with several very small knots (HII regions on the SDSS). The southeast side of the halo is weaker with an irregular surface brightness. A mag 9.8 star is 3.9' ENE.

17.5" (4/13/91): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, brighter core bulges but no nucleus, extensions taper towards ends. Located 3.8' WSW of a mag 9.5 star.

8": faint, very elongated ~E-W. A mag 9 star is 4' E.

WH discovered NGC 3067 = H II-492 = h657 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and noted "pB, pL, lE nearly in the parallel." JH made 3 observations and described on sweep 128 "pB; pL; E in parallel; gbM; 60" l, 40" br; has a * 10th mag n f."

A total of 15 observations were made at Birr Castle. On 13 Mar 1850, LdR (or assistant George Stoney) noted the following detail: "Longitudinal split visible occasionally, at least in following 2/3. A bright streak seemed to run transversely across neb."

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NGC 3068 = Arp 174 NED2 = UGC 5353b = MCG +05-24-006 NED2 = CGCG 153-006 = PGC 28815

09 58 40.1 +28 52 39

V = 14.3; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.1

17.5" (4/18/98): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (much smaller than listed dimensions). A mag 12.5 star is 2.8' N. No details were visible (viewed through thin clouds) and the fainter companion 35" SW was not seen.

WH discovered NGC 3068 = H III-293 on 12 Mar 1785 (sweep 385) and recorded"suspected, eF, eS, stellar. 240 left it doubtful, but showed the same suspicious nebulous which other stars of equal size were free from." His position is 6' N of UGC 5353. Dreyer has a note in the NGC that Auwers' reduction was incorrect due to a error in the identification of the offset star in Philosophical Transactions.

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NGC 3069 = IC 580 = MCG +02-26-005 = CGCG 064-010 = PGC 28788

09 57 56.7 +10 25 57

V = 14.1; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6

13.1" (4/10/86): very faint, very small. Located on a line with NGC 3070 5.0' SSE and 30" pair of mag 13/14.5 stars 2' NNW.

J.L.E. Dreyer discovered NGC 3069 on 15 Mar 1877, while an observing assistant of LdR's 72". While observing NGC 3070 he noted "5' nnp is an object which I have little doubt is a vF, vS, neb, perhaps lE. Clouds." At his separation and direction is CGCG 064-010 = PGC 28788.

Stephane Javelle independently discovered this galaxy on 22 Mar 1892 and recorded "pF, vS, iF" in list I-175. His position is very close north of NGC 3069. CGCG labels this galaxy IC 580, but it is clear NGC 3069 = IC 580. See Harold Corwin's notes on this number for more.

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NGC 3070 = UGC 5350 = MCG +02-26-006 = CGCG 064-011 = PGC 28796

09 58 06.9 +10 21 35

V = 12.3; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.1

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, small, round, prominent core, stellar nucleus. Located 13' WSW of mag 7.7 SAO 98881. Forms a pair with NGC 3069 5.0' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 3070 = H II-59 = h659 on 15 Mar 1784 (sweep 172) and recorded "vS, cometic; There is a vB star in the fiedl with it and the nebula is the 4th in a row from the bright star both included; the two stars between are small." JH noted "pB; pL; R; gbM; 40"." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3071 = CGCG 153-008 = PGC 28825

09 58 53.1 +31 37 12

V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 176d

18" (3/11/07): very faint, extremely small, round, 0.2' diameter (core region?), very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. Located 33' SW of 5.4-magnitude 20 Leonis Majoris. Forms a pair with very compact CGCG 153-009 6.8' NE.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 3071 on 10 Mar 1886 with the 12-inch refractor at Vienna University Observatory. His micrometric position in AN 2782 matches CGCG 153-008 = PGC 28825.

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NGC 3072 = ESO 566-033 = MCG -03-26-001 = PGC 28749

09 57 23.9 -19 21 18

V = 12.7; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 71d

17.5" (3/16/96): faint, very elongated WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.4', very small brighter core.

WH discovered NGC 3072 = H III-273 = h3206 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368) and noted "eF, vS, irr." His position is within 1' of ESO 566-033 = PGC 28749. JH made two observations at the Cape, logging on sweep 561 "vF; E; glbM; 60" l; 50" br."

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NGC 3073 = UGC 5374 = MCG +09-17-007 = CGCG 265-054 = CGCG 266-006 = Mrk 131 = Holm 156b =PGC 28974

10 00 52.0 +55 37 07

V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (3/12/88): faint, small, round. Located 10' WSW of NGC 3079.

WH discovered NGC 3073 = H III-853, along with NGC 3079, on 1 Apr 1790 (sweep 955) and logged "vF, S, vglbM." CH's reduced position is 8 tsec west of UGC 5374.

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NGC 3074 = UGC 5366 = MCG +06-22-047 = CGCG 182-054 = PGC 28888

09 59 41.2 +35 23 34

V = 12.7; Size 2.3'x2.1'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 145d

17.5" (4/18/98): faint, moderately large, round. Appears as a diffuse, low surface brightness glow, ~1.5' diameter with only a weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. A mag 14.5 star lies 1.9' NE of center.

WH discovered NGC 3074 = H III-542 = h660 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549) and recorded "cF, L, iF. Part of it 5' long and 4' br." CH's reduced position is 8 sec of RA preceding UGC 5366, although his size estimate is much too large. JH's position (used in NGC) is accurate.

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NGC 3075 = UGC 5360 = MCG +03-26-009 = CGCG 093-012 = PGC 28833

09 58 56.2 +14 25 07

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 135d

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE. A mag 14 star is involved at the NNW end 0.6' from center and a mag 15 star is close off the east side 1.5' ESE of center. Located 2.9' NW of a mag 10 star.

JH discovered NGC 3075 = h3207 on 18 Mar 1836 and recorded "vvF; forms an appendage to a star 14 mag; a star 11 mag follows." His position is accurate. This is one of 3 galaxies he discovered that night in Leo.

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NGC 3076 = ESO 566-034 = MCG -03-26-002 = PGC 28766

09 57 37.6 -18 10 43

V = 13.1; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (3/16/96): faint, small, round, 35" diameter, even surface brightness. Located 50" S of a mag 13 star.

JH discovered NGC 3076 = h3208 on 12 Feb 1836 and logged "eF, S, R, 15"." His RA is 33 tsec too large.

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NGC 3077 = UGC 5398 = MCG +12-10-017 = CGCG 333-01 = KTG 28C = PGC 29146

10 03 19.1 +68 44 02

V = 9.9; Size 5.4'x4.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 45d

24" (4/20/14): at 260x appeared very bright, very large, oval 4:3 SW-NE, large bright core, gradually increases to a small brighter inner core and occasionally a faint stellar nucleus. The outer halo seems brighter or more extensive on the north-following side and gradually fades, so the periphery has a very low surface brightness. Two similar unequal doubles are in the field: ∑1400 = 8.0/9.8 at 3.4" lies 3.8' NW and ∑1398 = 8.1/11.4 at 3.6" lies 10".

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly bright, fairly large outer halo elongated SW-NE, increases to brighter core. Mag 7.9 SAO 15054 (∑1400 = 8.0/9.8 at 3.4") lies off the NW side 3.8' from the center. Located 45' ESE of M81 (member of the M81 group).

WH discovered NGC 3077 = H I-286 = h658 on 8 Nov 1801 (sweep 1100) and remarked "vB, cL, R, vgmbM. On the north-following side there is a faint ray interrupting the roundness." CH's reduced position is 8' too far south. Wilhelm Struve independently found the galaxy in 1825 or 1826 and included in his list of 9 "Nebulae dectae" in an appendix to his main catalogue of double stars (∑ 3). JH's position was accurate in dec, but 1 min of RA too far west. Ralph Copeland, observing with LdR's 72" on 26 Dec 1873, noted "vB, L, R, comet like with 2 streams of neby towards the south."

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NGC 3078 = ESO 499-027 = MCG -04-24-009 = PGC 28806

09 58 24.5 -26 55 36

V = 11.1; Size 2.5'x2.1'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 177d

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, very bright core, slightly elongated halo, stellar nucleus. NGC 3084 is 15' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 3078 = H II-268 = h3209 on 9 Dec 1784 (sweep 676) and recorded "F, S, R, a bright point in the middle or cometic." JH loigged "B, R, gmbM, 30"."

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NGC 3079 = UGC 5387 = MCG +09-17-010 = CGCG 266-008 = Holm 156a = PGC 29050

10 01 57.3 +55 40 54

V = 10.9; Size 7.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 165d

48" (4/18/15): I made another short observation of this remarkable asymmetric edge-on at 375x and 488x before observing the Twin Quasars, which lie 14' NNW. The brightest portions of this 6:1 edge-on NNW-SSE is warped and bowed out towards the east in the very bright central section. An intense nucleus is within this central section, though offset to the east of center. The west side of the central section is irregular in surface brightness due to dust. The northern extention thins and has a slight bend on the north end, beyond a mag 14 star. On the south side is a bright streak, but to the east of this streak and further south the galaxy is dusty and sections of the galaxy appear to be highly obscured. Two mag 14 stars are off the west side of the galaxy and mag 9.6 HD 237858 is 3.5' SE of center.

48" (4/6/13): I only took a quick look at this gorgeous showpiece edge-on at 375x. The entire length of the galaxy appeared very mottled, clumpy and dusty, although there was no distinct dust lane. The shape is irregular and sharply rises to an intense, very elongated 4:1 core that bulges and appears offset from the geometric center. A mag 14 star is superimposed on the north side and SDSS J100200.73+554247.0, an extremely faint galaxy (V = 18.6), was glimpsed 1.2' E.

18" (3/13/10): fascinating view at 280x. NGC 3079 appeared very bright, edge-on 5:1 NNW-SSE, 7'x1.4'. The galaxy extends a little bit beyond a mag 13 star near the north tip of the galaxy and on the south end the galaxy extends beyond a line drawn between mag 9.6 HD 237858 off the SE end and a mag 13.5 star to the west of the southern extension. Contains a bright elongated 4:1 core, which appears clumpy and mottled with a noticeable irregular surface brightness. The NNW extension is tilted further towards the west than the core, so appears misaligned. In addition, the south extension appears warped or has a missing portion on the eastern side probably due to dust, so the entire galaxy has a bent, very striking asymmetric appearance.

17.5" (3/12/88): very bright, large, edge-on 6:1 NNW-SSE, bright core. Forms a trio with NGC 3073 10' WSW and MCG +09-17-009 6' NW (noted as "very faint, very small, round.") To the south is a triangle of bright stars; mag 9.0 SAO 27486 7' SE, mag 8.3 SAO 27476 6' SSW and mag 9.1 SAO 27482 3.3' SE of center.

WH discovered NGC 3079 = H V-47, along with NGC 3073, on 1 Apr 1790 (sweep 955) and recorded "cB or vB, mE from np to sf, about 8' l and 2' br, vgmbM." His position is accurate.

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NGC 3080 = UGC 5372 = MCG +02-26-015 = CGCG 064-025 = Mrk 1243 = PGC 28910

09 59 55.9 +13 02 37

V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (3/29/97): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, weak even concentration to a slightly brighter core. A mag 13.5 star lies 2.1' WSW. IC 585, located 4.4' SSW, appeared faint, small, round, bright core, 40" diameter. IC 585 is very similar in size and magnitude to NGC 3080 and surprisingly, possibly easier visually due a brighter core.

WH discovered NGC 3080 = H III-934 on 1 Apr 1794 while observing Uranus, the "Georgian Planet". It is not recorded in CH's "fair copy" of WH's sweeps and found while the telescope was out of the meridian. His offset from Uranus (I used sky-simulation software for the 1794 position of Uranus) is within 1.5' of UGC 5372. Bigourdan noted the NGC position was 12 seconds of RA too large and measured an accurate position (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).

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NGC 3081 = ESO 499-031 = MCG -04-24-012 = IC 2529 = PGC 28876

09 59 29.5 -22 49 35

V = 12.0; Size 2.1'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 158d

48" (4/18/15): this beautiful resonant ring galaxy was viewed at 488x and 610x. It is very sharply concentrated with a very bright, roundish core (slightly oval at 610x) core that gradually increases to a stellar nucleus. The surface brightness drops significantly in the inner halo, but then brightens at the edge to a well defined oval ring, extending 5:3 WSW-ENE, 1.3'x0.8'. The ring is fairly narrow and brightens slightly at the ends of the major axis (southwest and northeast ends). This is a very distinctive object! The core itself contains a barred spiral ring, but this feature was not seen.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, very bright compact core, possible stellar nucleus. The fainter oval halo is extended E-W.

WH discovered NGC 3081 = H III-596 on 21 Dec 1786 (sweep 660) and recorded "vF, S, lbM. South of a triangle of unequal small stars." CH's reduced position is 7 seconds of time west of ESO 499-031.

Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy on 11 Apr 1898 and recorded it in list XI-103 as "eeF; eS; eF * in contact." His position is just 1' south of ESO 499-031 and Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 2529. So, NGC 3081 = IC 2529.

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NGC 3082 = ESO 435-018 = MCG -05-24-011 = PGC 28829

09 58 53.0 -30 21 27

V = 12.5; Size 1.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 26d

17.5" (3/16/96): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4'. A pleasing pair of mag 13 stars (oriented N-S) is just off the NE end. A thin, faint, edge-on galaxy (ESO 435-019), lies 7' NNE (see notes).

JH discovered NGC 3082 = h3210 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF, S, R, close to a double star. Requires verifying." His position and description matches ESO 435-018.

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NGC 3083 = MCG +00-26-002 = CGCG 008-011 = WBL 248-001 = PGC 28900

09 59 49.6 -02 52 40

V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 50d

17.5" (3/16/96): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.3'. A group of ~10 stars mag 12-14 lies a few arcmin NE. Located at NW end of NGC 3090 group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3083 = m 188 on 22 Jan 1865 and noted "eF, S, E." His position matches CGCG 008-011 = PGC 28900. In a group of galaxies discovered by Marth.

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NGC 3084 = ESO 499-029 = MCG -04-24-010 = IC 2528 = PGC 28841

09 59 06.4 -27 07 44

V = 12.3; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 2d

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. A mag 13 star is off the SE end 25" from center.

JH discovered NGC 3084 = h3211 on 26 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF, S, R, attached to a star 13m sf." His position and description matches ESO 499-029. MCG doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 3084.

Lewis Swift's possibly independently discovered this galaxy on 28 Dec 1897 and recorded in list XI-102 as "eeeF; eeS; R; double star south; 3078 in field; ee diff." His position is 30 sec of RA west and 3.5' south of NGC 3084 and his description doesn't help (only a single star is attached to the galaxy), so the identification of IC 2528 with NGC 3084 is uncertain, though it is suggested by Harold Corwin.

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NGC 3085 = ESO 566-038 = MCG -03-26-003 = PGC 28875

09 59 29.2 -19 29 32

V = 13.0; Size 1.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 119d

13.1" (4/10/86): faint, very small, elongated WNW-ESE. NGC 3091 lies 12' SE. Member of the NGC 3091 Group, of which HCG 42 is the core.

JH discovered NGC 3085 = h3212 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; vS; R. PD liable to some uncertainty." His position is 1.5' south of ESO 566-038. Herbert Howe observed the galaxy in 1899-00 with a 20" refractor and noted "this is called "R" by h, but it seems to be much elongated at 90°."

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NGC 3086 = MCG +00-26-003 = CGCG 008-012 = WBL 248-002 = PGC 28924

10 00 10.9 -02 58 34

V = 13.9; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 145d

17.5" (3/16/96): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness. Located 4.8' WSW of NGC 3090 at the west side of the NGC 3090 group.

17.5" (4/4/92): extremely faint, small, round, averted only. Located 5' WSW of NGC 3090 in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3086 = m 189 on 22 Jan 1865 and recorded "eF, S, iR." His position matches CGCG 008-012 = PGC 28924. Not found by Bigourdan.

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NGC 3087 = ESO 374-015 = MCG -06-22-005 = PGC 28845

09 59 08.7 -34 13 31

V = 11.6; Size 2.5'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 42d

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, very small, small bright core, fainter halo. Bracketed by two mag 12/13 stars.

JH discovered NGC 3087 = h3213 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "pB; S; R; pmbM; between 2 st 13m." His position matches ESO 374-015.

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NGC 3088 = NGC 3088A = UGC 5384 = MCG +04-24-010 = CGCG 123-013 = PGC 28997

10 01 08.4 +22 24 20

V = 13.7; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.0

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, very small, high surface brightness, possibly elongated ~E-W, either a stellar nucleus or a very faint star superimposed. A string of four collinear stars mag 11.5-13.3 is SW; the closest is a mag 12 star 4.8' WSW and the farther two forms a nice wide double (12.4/13.3 at 35"). There is an impression of faint haze off the SE end of galaxy which creates a sense of elongation. On the POSS, this is a double system - the "faint haze" off the SE end is actually an edge-on contact system MCG +04-24-010 = NGC 3088B.

WH discovered NGC 3088 = H III-24 = h661 on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166) and recorded "I suspect a vS nebula. [Higher power] rather confirmed it, but still left a doubt." His position is 8 sec of RA east of this double system. The observation at Birr Castle on 16 Feb 1860 by Samuel Hunter mentioned "I think there are two wings, spp and sff." These probably refer to the two components.

The components have dimensions a) 0.9'x0.8' and b) 0.7'x0.2' and are listed separately as MCG +04-24-010 = NGC 3088a and MCG +04-24-011 = NGC 3088b.

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NGC 3089 = ESO 435-024 = MCG -05-24-014 = PGC 28882

09 59 36.5 -28 19 53

V = 12.4; Size 1.8'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 139d

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, small, round, diffuse. Unusual appearance as four or five faint stars involved, most near the east end. Located 2.2' W of mag 7.9 SAO 178285.

JH's position for h3214 is 1' N of E435-024 = M-05-24-014 and his description is an exact match.

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NGC 3090 = MCG +00-26-005 = CGCG 008-016 = WBL 248-003 = PGC 28945

10 00 30.2 -02 58 06

V = 12.6; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 90d

17.5" (3/16/96): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4' NW-SE, small bright core. Located 34" S of a mag 11 star.

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. A mag 10.5 star is at the north edge 33" from center which detracts from viewing. Brightest in a group of six NGC galaxies (MKW 1) with NGC 3086 5' WSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3090 = m 190 on 22 Jan 1865 and noted "vF, vS." His position matches CGCG 008-016 = PGC 28945. In a group of galaxies discovered by Marth.

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NGC 3091 = HCG 42A = ESO 566-041 = MCG -03-26-007 = PGC 28927

10 00 14.1 -19 38 11

V = 11.1; Size 3.0'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 149d

48" (4/1/11): extremely bright, large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, ~2.2'x1.5', sharply concentrated with a brilliant core that increases to the center. Brightest of four in HCG 42 with two additional fainter galaxies noted in the group (PGC 852084 and PGC 852825). HCG 42C = MCG -03-26-006 is the closest member at 1.25' NW, barely off the edge of the halo.

24" (2/9/13): very bright, fairly large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, sharply concentrated with a very bright core and a very large fainter halo, extending ~2'x1.5'. HCG 42C is just off NW edge of the halo.

17.5" (3/28/87): bright, moderately large, very small bright core, slightly elongated halo NW-SE. A 14th magnitude "star" 1.3' NW is actually the compact galaxy MCG -03-26-006. Brightest in HCG 42 including NGC 3096 4.7' SE.

13.1" (4/10/86): moderately bright, small, round, very bright core, substellar nucleus, very faint star close NW. Brightest in HCG 42.

WH discovered NGC 3091 = H II-293 = h3215 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368) and recorded "pB, S, bM, iR." JH called this galaxy "pB; pS; the preceding of two [with NGC 3096].

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NGC 3092 = MCG +00-26-008 = CGCG 008-019 = WBL 248-005 = PGC 28967

10 00 47.4 -03 00 45

V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 30d

17.5" (3/16/96): extremely faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', very low surface brightness. A mag 13 star lies 1.7' SE and a mag 12 star 2' N. Located 5' SE of NGC 3090 in a group.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3092 = m 191 on 22 Jan 1865 and noted "eF, S". His position is 2.5' south of CGCG 008-019 = PGC 28967. His offset is a bit odd since nearby NGC 3093 was accurate in declination. Not found by Bigourdan.

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NGC 3093 = MCG +00-26-007 = CGCG 008-021 = WBL 248-006 = PGC 28977

10 00 53.5 -02 58 20

V = 14.2; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 50d

17.5" (3/16/96): faint, extremely small, round, 15" diameter with a hint of a small halo. Located in the NGC 3090 group 5.8' due east of NGC 3090 among a small group of stars. A mag 10.5 star is 2.8' NW, a mag 13 star 2' SE and a mag 12 star 2.2' WSW. NGC 3092 lies 2.9' SW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3093 = m 192 on 22 Jan 1865 and noted "eF, vS". His positin matches CGCG 008-021 = PGC 28977 in the NGC 3090 group.

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NGC 3094 = UGC 5390 = MCG +03-26-015 = CGCG 093-023 = PGC 29009

10 01 26.0 +15 46 13

V = 12.3; Size 2.0'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 75d

17.5" (1/23/88): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, brighter core. A mag 10 star is attached at the SE end 0.6' from center. Located 6.2' NNE of mag 7.8 SAO 98897.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 3094 on 31 Dec 1885 with the 12-inch refractor at Vienna University Observatory. His micrometric position in AN 2732 matches UGC 5390.

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NGC 3095 = ESO 435-026 = MCG -05-24-016 = UGCA 192 = PGC 28919

10 00 05.6 -31 33 08

V = 11.7; Size 3.5'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 126d

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE. A mag 12 star is off the preceding side 1.0' from the center. Appears brighter on the west end or an extremely faint star is involved. NGC 3100 lies 11' SE.

JH discovered NGC 3095 = h3216 on 16 Feb 1836, along with NGC 3100 = h3218, and recorded "F; L; E; vglbM; 3' l; 2' br." His position and description applies to ESO 435-026.

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NGC 3096 = HCG 42B = ESO 566-042 = MCG -03-26-008 = PGC 28950

10 00 33.1 -19 39 43

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 170d

48" (4/1/11): this member of HCG 42 appeared fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3, 0.9'x0.7', sharply concentrated with a bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star lies 1.5' NW and a mag 10.6 star is 1.8' NW. Forms a pair with fainter PGC 852084 1.3' SW (not included by Hickson). The mag 12 star, NGC 3096, PGC 852084 and a mag 13.8 star are collinear and nearly equally spaced on a 3.7' line oriented NE to SW.

24" (2/9/13): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 24"x12" (central bar), very small brighter nucleus. The larger, low surface brightness halo was not seen. Located 1.5' SW of a mag 11.5 star and 1.8' SE of a mag 10.6 star.

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, weak concentration, visible with direct vision. Located 4.7' ESE of NGC 3091 in HCG 42.

13" (4/10/86): extremely faint, small, round, requires averted. Located 5' ESE of NGC 3091.

JH discovered NGC 3096 = h3217 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF; R; lbM; follows II 293 [NGC 3091]. (Place somewhat uncertain.)" His position is 7 sec of RA east 1.5' north of ESO 566-042.

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NGC 3097

10 04 18 +60 08

=Not found, Corwin.

Edward P. Austin discovered NGC 3097 = HN 39 in 1870 at the Harvard College Observatory with the 15" f/18 Merz refractor (Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, 177) Austin recorded both NGC 3102 = H III-916 and NGC 3097 on the same date; "[NGC 3102] sf neb; p45 deg, s 2'. Place only approximate." Although his position is 2' northwest of NGC 3102, his position angle is 45 degrees (northeast). In the notes section, Pickering states "perhaps a nebulous star. It is halfway between GC 1998 and a star 11m." In any case there is nothing in either position so this object is probably nonexistent or a star. See Corwin's identification notes.

RNGC misidentifies NGC 3097 as a duplicate of NGC 3102.

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NGC 3098 = UGC 5397 = MCG +04-24-012 = CGCG 123-014 = PGC 29067

10 02 16.7 +24 42 40

V = 12.0; Size 2.3'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 90d

13.1": moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 E-W, brighter core.

8" (4/24/82): faint, small, very elongated E-W.

JH discovered NGC 3098 = h663 on 19 Feb 1827 and logged "pB; S; mE in parallel; 30" l, 10" br; bM to nucleus." His position and description matches UGC 5397.

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NGC 3099 = MCG +06-22-059/058 = CGCG 182-064 = Holm 160a = PGC 29088

10 02 36.5 +32 42 25

V = 14.8; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (4/9/94): very faint, small, round, easily held with direct vision, very weak even concentration down to a slightly brighter nucleus. A mag 15 star is 2.7' N. Located 17' WNW of mag 7.6 SAO 61840. Forms a double system with MCG +06-22-058 = Ho 160b 1.4' NW.

WH discovered NGC 3099 = H III-478 = h664 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and noted "eF, S, left doubtful." His position is accurate. JH's position on sweep 337 matches CGCG 182-064 = PGC 29088. This is a double system at 1.3' separation.

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NGC 3100 = NGC 3103 = ESO 435-030 = MCG -05-24-018 = PGC 28960

10 00 40.8 -31 39 52

V = 11.1; Size 3.2'x1.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 154d

48" (5/12/12): very bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 NNW-SSE, ~2.0'x1.2', sharply concentrated with a very bright oval core that gradually increases to the center. Three stars are close following; two mag 10.5/12 stars 1.3' E and 1.5' SE, with a closer mag 14 star 0.9' SE of center. We took a look at NGC 3100 because an uncatalogued companion (not found in NED or HyperLeda) is just 0.9' SE. At 488x the companion was easily visible and appeared fairly faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, ~21"x7", situated just north of the mag 14 star.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, small, round, bright core. Two mag 10/11.5 stars are 1.3' E and 1.5' SE (30" separation N-S). NGC 3095 lies 11' NW and NGC 3108 23' E.

JH discovered NGC 3100 = h3218, along with NGC 3095 = h3216, on 16 Feb 1836 and recorded "pB, R, 30", gpmbM." His position is accurate.

Lewis Swift probably found NGC 3103 on 27 Feb 1886 and recorded it in list III-53. His position is 50 sec of RA east and 1' south of NGC 3100. See notes on NGC 3103.

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NGC 3101 = MCG +00-26-011 = CGCG 008-024 = WBL 248-007 = PGC 29025

10 01 35.4 -02 59 40

V = 14.4; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 150d

18" (3/11/07): very faint, small, elongated ~2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.5'x0.2', very weak concentration. A small group of 4 NGC galaxies with brightest member NGC 3090 lies 10' to 20' W.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3101 = m 193 on 22 Jan 1865 and noted "eF". His position matches CGCG 008-024. A tight group of four NGC galaxies found by Marth lies 15' west.

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NGC 3102 = UGC 5418 = MCG +10-15-007 = CGCG 289-030 = CGCG 290-004 = PGC 29220

10 04 31.7 +60 06 29

V = 13.3; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, very small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 7.0' S.

WH discovered NGC 3102 = H III-916 = h662 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and recorded "eF, vS, stellar neb. Near a small star. I wished to see it with a higher power, but it was too far advanced." CH's reduced position is 2.4' southwest of UGC 5418. JH reported it as "F; vS; R; bM; a coarse double star nf points to it; has a *11m 30" distance, pos 142.2°." His position is accurate.

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NGC 3103 = NGC 3100 = ESO 435-030 = MCG -05-24-018 = PGC 28960

10 00 40.8 -31 39 52

See observing notes for NGC 3100

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3103 = Sw III-53 on 27 Feb 1886 and recorded "eF; pL; R; coarse D * nr p; [NGC 3103] in field. There is nothing at his position, but 50 seconds of time preceding and 1' north is NGC 3100. The coarse double star he mentions, though, follows the galaxy. Herbert Howe examined the field in 1899-00 and reported that Swift "saw 3100, but did not take its place with sufficient accuracy." So, NGC 3100 = NGC 3103, with NGC 3100 the primary designation.

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NGC 3104 = Arp 264 = VV 119 = UGC 5414 = MCG +07-21-007 = CGCG 211-006 = PGC 29186

10 03 57.3 +40 45 25

V = 13.1; Size 3.3'x2.2'; Surf Br = 15.1; PA = 35d

17.5" (4/18/98): faint, moderately large, ~1.5'-2' diameter although seems irregular in shape. Appears as a low but irregular surface brightness glow with a mag 13 star embedded at the south edge. Unusual appearance and could be mistaken for a reflection nebula around the star. With averted vision a fainter outer halo "grows" at times to 2.5' diameter nearly to a mag 14 star off the NE edge.

WH discovered NGC 3104 = H IV-48 = h665 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and logged "a vF star affected with vF nebulosity. E from sp to nf about 1' long. With 300 the same." CH's reduced position is 14 sec east of Arp 264.

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NGC 3105 = ESO 167-SC014 = Cr 214

10 00 40 -54 47 18

V = 9.7; Size 2'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright compact cluster of just 2.5' diameter with 15 stars resolved at 200x. Using 350x the total increases to ~20 stars in a 2.5' region. A close unequal double is close west of center. A 25" pair of mag 11.5 stars lies 3' NE. Located 3' NW of a mag 9.6 star. Located 36' ESE of mag 3.5 Phi Velorum.

JH discovered NGC 3105 = h3219 on 10 Apr 1834 and recorded "a small close clustering knot of stars 13-16 mag; oval; a great train of stars 12..13 mag on the S.p. side." HIs position is an exact match with this small cluster. Trumpler (Lick Obs Bul, Vol 14, No. 420) gives the diameter as 2.5' and the class as 2 2 p.

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NGC 3106 = UGC 5419 = MCG +05-24-009 = CGCG 153-013 = PGC 29196

10 04 05.2 +31 11 07

V = 12.4; Size 1.8'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.2' diameter, sharply concentrated with faint halo and abrupt bright nucleus. A mag 13.7 star is 2.7' N of center. Situated almost at the midpoint of a mag 11.5 star 5.3' WNW and a mag 12 star 4.9' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 3106 = H II-320 = h666 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and logged "F, pS, R, lbM." JH noted "F; S; R; smbM; is equal to a * 12m." His position matches UGC 5419.

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NGC 3107 = UGC 5425 = MCG +02-26-022 = CGCG 064-048 = PGC 29209

10 04 22.4 +13 37 17

V = 13.4; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 140d

17.5" (1/23/88): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE. Located 1.8' NW of mag 8.1 SAO 98932.

WH discovered NGC 3107 = H II-898 on 22 Mar 1794 (not in CH's fair copy of the sweep records) while observing Uranus, which was used as a reference star. His description in his 3rd catalogue reads "By coarse estimation. F. 3' north of a pL red star. This nebula was seen at 8h 49m, sidereal time, the telescope being out of the meridian [observing Uranus]."

Three observations were made at Birr Castle. The RA is very close in the GC to UGC 5425 (6 tsec too far west), although the dec is ~7' too far south. In the 17 Mar 1876 observation at Birr Castle, the position is discussed and it states the RA is 54 sec too large in the GC (due to a misidentification of a red star close south of the galaxy). So, Dreyer's position in the NGC is 48 tsec too far east!

UGC, CGCG and MCG do not label their entries as NGC 3107. See Corwin's notes for a complete discussion.

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NGC 3108 = ESO 435-032 = MCG -05-24-019 = PGC 29076

10 02 29.1 -31 40 36

V = 11.8; Size 2.5'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 110d

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, weakly concentrated. Located 1.5' NE of a mag 10.5 star. Two mag 14 stars are 0.9' NE and 1.1' NW. NGC 3100 lies 23' W.

JH discovered NGC 3108 = h3220 on 28 Jan 1835 and noted "F; S; R; lbM; 15"." His position (measured on two sweeps) matches ESO 435-032 = PGC 29076.

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NGC 3109 = ESO 499-036 = MCG -04-24-013 = UGCA 194 = PGC 29128

10 03 07 -26 09 30

V = 9.9; Size 19.1'x3.7'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 93d

48" (5/4/16): fairly bright, very large, very elongated 6:1 E-W, ~15'x2.5'. Contains a large brighter irregular core region but no nucleus. A mag 12.5 star is superimposed near the center and a number of fainter stars are superimposed. Overall the surface brightness is fairly low but patchy with several very small knots.

Near the southwest edge of the galaxy, 3.9' WSW of the mag 12.5 star, is a faint 12" knot, identified in SIMBAD as [BCP93] F3 H2 from the 1993 paper "The dwarf galaxy NGC 3109. I - The data". A faint 10" knot, listed as [BCP93] F1 H3, is 1.1' NW of the same star and another quasi-stellar knot (perhaps a faint star) is close northwest of the star. Finally, on the southeast flank of the galaxy is a faint larger patch, perhaps 15"-20", catalogued as [BCP93] F5 H1.

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, very large, very elongated 4:1 E-W, diffuse. Appears as a low surface brightness streak with very weak concentration.

JH discovered NGC 3109 = h3221 on 26 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; vL; 12' l; 2' br; lbM; pos of axis 82.3°. See pl. V. fig 9." His position and description and sketch (Plate V, figure 9) matches this large edge-on.

Although Sidney van den Bergh concluded in his 2000 book "The Galaxies of the Local Group" that NGC 3109 was just outside the local group, recent papers assume this galaxy (along with Sextans A, Sextans B and the Antlia dwarf) is at a distance of 4.2 million light, on the outskirts of the Local Group.

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NGC 3110 = NGC 3122 = NGC 3518 = MCG -01-26-014 = PGC 29192

10 04 02.0 -06 28 29

V = 12.7; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 5d

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 NNW-SSE, broad weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is 40" NW of center and a mag 14 star lies 1.7' S. Forms a close (interacting) pair with MCG -01-26-013 1.8' SW.

Édouard Stephan independently discovered NGC 3110 = St XIII-54 on 17 Mar 1884. His position matches MCG -01-26-014 = PGC 29192 (Esmiol's re-reduced position is within a few arc seconds).

This galaxy was discovered by WH (II-305 = GC 2011 = NGC 3122) on 5 Mar 1785. The GC and NGC positions are incorrect, though, as Herschel's position was reduced using the wrong offset star. When corrected, II-305 is an exact match with NGC 3110. Based on historical precedence, NGC 3122 should be the primary designation, though modern catalogues use NGC 3110 as Stephan's position was accurate.

This galaxy was found again by Ormond Stone (I-182) on 31 Dec 1885 and recorded in list I-182. But Stone made a 1 hour error in RA (confirmed by Corwin on Stone's discovery sketch). Dreyer assumed this was a new object and catalogued it again as NGC 3518. Once Stone's error is corrected, NGC 3122 = NGC 3110 = NGC 3518. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 3111 = UGC 5441 = MCG +08-19-002 = CGCG 240-007 = PGC 29338

10 06 07.4 +47 15 45

V = 13.0; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (4/15/99): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter. Weak concentration to center, very faint stellar nucleus at moments. Forms eastern vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 11/11.5 stars 4.3' SW and 4.0' NW.

JH discovered NGC 3111 = h667 on 17 Mar 1828 and noted "pB; R; smbM; 20"." His mean position from 3 sweeps matches UGC 5441.

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NGC 3112 = ESO 567-011 = PGC 29189

10 03 59.0 -20 46 56

V = 15.1; Size 1.1'x0.2'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 47d

24" (2/22/14): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter. Although only visible part of the time, the observation was confirmed. Confusing the observation is a mag 16 star 40" NW that was slightly easier to view than the galaxy and it was difficult to view both objects simultaneously.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3112 = LM I-163 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is only 2.7' east of ESO 567-011 = PGC 29189.

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NGC 3113 = ESO 435-035 = MCG -05-24-021 = UGCA 158 = PGC 29216

10 04 26.2 -28 26 36

V = 12.7; Size 3.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 87d

17.5" (4/15/99): this galaxy was surprisingly difficult due to clouds low in the south obscuring the view. Appeared extremely faint, small, round, required averted vision. Viewed only the core of this galaxy as appeared no more than 40" in size [described as 3' diameter by John Herschel]. Forms an obtuse angle with mag 7.5 SAO 178366 4.5' NNW and mag 8 SAO 178361 7.5' SW.

JH discovered NGC 3113 = h3222 on 5 Feb 1837 and recorded "eF, L, 3'; makes an obtuse angled triangle, with 2 stars 8 mag; one nearly on the parallel, the other nearly north." His position and description matches ESO 435-035.

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NGC 3114 = Cr 215 = Mel 98

10 02 30 -60 07 48

V = 4.2; Size 35'

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this very bright naked-eye cluster measures some 35'-40' in diameter and is framed beautifully in a 50' field with the 27mm Panoptic. The cluster contains a couple of long curving chains of brighter stars, one forming a huge "U" shaped arc. There are several pretty smaller groupings and star chains including a striking equilateral triangle of nearly equal mag stars just north of center, consisting of mag 9.2/9.4/10 stars at 20"/22"/27". Two mag 6-7 stars (brightest mag 6.2 HD 87436) are involved and in addition there are numerous 8-9th magnitude stars scattered across the face of the cluster. Appears similar to a bright star cloud in Sagittarius or Cygnus and the cluster is just inferior to NGC 3532. Located 5° west of Eta Carina on the opposite side of Eta from NGC 3532. This is a young cluster (160 million years old) projected onto the Carina complex and the cluster is heavily contaminated by field stars at varying distances.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3114 = D 297 = h3224 on 8 May 1826 with his 9-inch f/12 reflector from Parramatta near Sydney. He described "a beautiful cluster of stars, arranged in curvilinear lines intersecting each other, about 40' diameter, extended S.p., and N.f." This is the brightest object Dunlop discovered and his position is within the cluster, though ~10' NW of center. On JH's third sweep (of 3) he noted "an enormous congeries or clustering region of stars 2 or 3 fields in diameter, constituting a decided cluster. Stars 9..14th mag, the larger magnitudes predominating. There must be many hundreds." It's surprising that Lacaille didn't catalogue this bright cluster during his trip to the Cape of Good Hope.

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NGC 3115 = MCG -01-26-018 = UGCA 199 = Spindle Galaxy = PGC 29265

10 05 14.1 -07 43 07

V = 8.9; Size 7.2'x2.5'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 43d

48" (2/19/12): this showpiece galaxy was stunning at 287x and 375x, with a very high surface brightness halo, ~5.5'x2', which is punctuated by a brilliant, nearly stellar nucleus. The nucleus is centered within an extremely bright, very flattened core extending 1'-1.5'. This dazzling streak dims slightly outside this central region but stretches at least 2.5' along the major axis with no breaks or significant drops in surface brightness. The view of this thin, super-luminous central disc bisecting most of the outer, elongated halo was a unique sight. UGCA 200, a faint dwarf galaxy, lies 5.7' SE.

18" (2/23/06): at 257x the Spindle galaxy is a gorgeous high surface brightness edge-on, ~5'x1'. Contains a small, very intense elongated core that increases to a dramatic quasi-stellar nucleus.

17.5" (1/31/87): very bright, fairly large, edge-on spindle 3:1 SW-NE, 5.5'x1.8'. Unusually high surface brightness, bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 12.5 star is 3.2' S of center and a mag 10.5 star is 8' E. MCG -01-26-021 lies 17' SSE.

13" (3/24/84): stunning edge-on, very bright, small very bright core.

8": very bright, high surface brightness, very bright core.

WH discovered NGC 3115 = H I-163 = h668 = h3223 on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 704) and recorded "eB, cL, mE 45° sp to nf. The bright part about 2' long with vF branches extending in all, to 4 or 5'." JH called it "vB; L; mE; vsmbM; almost to a nucl; 3' l, 30" br. With 12-inches aperture, its nucleus is rather speckled; with 6-inch it is barely discernible as a neb." In 1861, LdR questioned if "Is Nucl. resolvable and oblong?"

Distance ~34 million light years. Substantial evidence suggests the core harbors a supermassive black hole about a billion times the mass of the sun. Originally classified by Hubble as the prototype E7 elliptical, but now considered an early type S0 due to the thin disc (clearly visible in the 48-inch).

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NGC 3116 = MCG +05-24-012 = CGCG 153-017 = PGC 29383

10 06 45.1 +31 05 51

V = 14.4; Size 0.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.6

18" (1/20/07): faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, compact appearance with a well-define halo, brightens slightly to a faint stellar nucleus. A triangle of mag 12 stars lies 5' SE (one star is 14" double with a mag 13.5 companion). Located 10' SE of mag 8.2 HD 87512.

Johann Palisa discovered NGC 3116 on 10 Mar 1886 with the 12-inch refractor at Vienna University Observatory and reported it in AN 2782. His micrometric position is accurate.

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NGC 3117 = UGC 5445 = MCG +01-26-014 = CGCG 036-038 = PGC 29340

10 06 10.5 +02 54 46

V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration to a very small brighter core. A pretty mag 9.5/11 double star at 18" separation lies 8' NNW. Located 6' NW of mag 8.8 SAO 118106.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3117 = St IX-21 on 15 Mar 1877 and logged "eF, eS, R, stellar nucleus." His position matches UGC 5445.

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NGC 3118 = UGC 5452 = MCG +06-22-074 = CGCG 182-075 = FGC 118A = PGC 29415

10 07 11.6 +33 01 39

V = 13.5; Size 2.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 41d

17.5" (4/25/92): very faint, fairly small, edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.3', very low almost even surface brightness.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3118 = St XIII-55 on 16 Mar 1884 and noted a "small group of vF st in eF nebulosity." His position matches UGC 5452, though the description is inaccurate.

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NGC 3119 = CGCG 093-045 = PGC 29381

10 06 47.9 +14 18 51

V = 14.2; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 15.1

17.5" (1/23/88): extremely faint, very small, round. Located 4' SSW of NGC 3121. Forms the SE vertex of an equilateral triangle with NGC 3121 3.7' NNE and a mag 13.5 star 3.8' NW.

The identification of NGC 3119 is uncertain and it may be a duplicate observation of brighter NGC 3121 instead.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3119 = m 194 on 14 Dec 1863 and simply noted "vF". His position is 2.3' north of CGCG 093-045 and is actually closer to NGC 3121 = UGC 5450, which was discovered by William Lassell in 1848.

RNGC identifies CGCG 093-045 as NGC 3319 but MCG identifies UGC 5450 as NGC 3319. Corwin feels NGC 3119 is more likely a duplicate of NGC 3121 because of the better positional match. But CGCG 093-045 was visible in my scope so it should have visible to Marth and he may have already known of the earlier discovery of NGC 3121. So, the identification of NGC 3119 is uncertain.

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NGC 3120 = ESO 374-029 = MCG -06-22-017 = PGC 29278

10 05 22.9 -34 13 13

V = 12.8; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 1d

17.5" (4/1/00): fairly faint, moderately large, 1.0' diameter, slightly elongated, weakly concentrated. A 20" pair of mag 12.5/13.5 stars are off the NW side 2' from center. A brighter pair of stars is ~4' SW and the galaxy is nearly collinear with both pairs. A mag 9.5 star (SAO 201047) lies 5.7' NE.

JH discovered NGC 3120 = h3225 on 22 Jan 1838 (his last sweep at the Cape of Good Hope) and noted "F, R, gbM, 40"."  His position is an exact match with ESO 374-029.  NGC 3120 and NGC 2849 were the last two southern objects that JH discovered.

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NGC 3121 = UGC 5450 = MCG +03-26-027 = CGCG 093-046 = PGC 29387

10 06 51.9 +14 22 26

V = 12.6; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 20d

17.5" (1/23/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE. A mag 13.5 star is 3.6' W and a mag 10 star 5.5' NW. Forms a pair with NGC 3119 4' SSW.

William Lassell discovered NGC 3121 on 31 Mar 1848 with his 24" reflector at Starfield Observatory near Liverpool, England. He found this galaxy while observing Comet Mauvais 1847 IV ("almost in the field at the same time as the Comet") and reported the discovery in AN 27 [635], 171 (1848) . Using the 6" Heliometer at Königsberg, Auwers described it as "faint, 1.5' diam, * 9-10m 4' north, 14-15 seconds preceding" and included it as #26 in his 1862 list of new nebulae. MCG labels this galaxy NGC 3119, though that number may also apply to this galaxy.

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NGC 3122 = NGC 3110 = NGC 3518 = MCG -01-26-014 = PGC 29361

10 04 02.0 -06 28 29

V = 12.7; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 5d

See observing notes for NGC 3110.

WH discovered NGC 3122 = H II-305 on 5 Mar 1785 (sweep 379) and logged "F, S, lE, easily resolvable." He failed to find it again on 22 Feb 1787 (sweep 704), but he had confused the offset star on the first observation and the GC and NGC position are incorrect. Dreyer corrected the position in his 1912 revision of WH's catalogues and noted that NGC 3122 = NGC 3110 = MCG -01-26-014.

Édouard Stephan independently found this galaxy on 16 Mar 1884 and placed it 1' too far north in list XIII-54. Dreyer assumed it was new and catalogued it as NGC 3110. Finally, it was found again by by Ormond Stone at Leander McCormick Observatory on 31 Dec 1885 (reported in list LM I-182) and later catalogued as NGC 3518. Harold Corwin discovered that Stone's position was off by 1 hr in RA. So, NGC 3122 = NGC 3110 = NGC 3518. RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 29361 as NGC 3122. Coincidentally, this galaxy is close to WH's original position. See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 3123

10 18 11.9 +00 02 25

=*, Gottlieb. =Not found, Corwin and Carlson.

Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 3123 = HN 15 on 31 Mar 1859 and simply noted as a "nebulous object" by Bond (director of the Harvard Observatory) in AN #1453. There are no nonstellar objects in the vicinity of the listed position, given roughly as 9 59 48 +/- 4s, +0 45' +/- 2' for 1859. That's not unusual as all 8 of Coolidge's other nebulous objects are single or multiple stars. Bigourdan, Reinmuth or Carlson were unable to find his object and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. Harold Corwin lists a few possible candidates (stars) near Coolidge's position.

But in March 2015 I took a look at the Zone Catalogue (volume 6 from HCO, page 4-5) and found the number derived from star #47 (preceding #57 = NGC 3229), in which Coolidge noted "has a perceptible disc?" Furthermore, #47 was measured in Zone 117 but not Zone 118, so the position was not confirmed. The only problem is the dec for entry #47 fits the range given by Bond but not the RA, though perhaps he made a copying mistake. Assuming Coolidge's single position is Zone 117 is accurate, then NGC 3123 refers to a single star at 10 18 11.9 +00 02 25 (J2000).

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NGC 3124 = ESO 567-017 = MCG -03-26-024 = UGCA 202 = PGC 29377

10 06 40.0 -19 13 21

V = 12.1; Size 3.0'x2.5'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 165d

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly large, round, 2.5' diameter, diffuse, very weak broad concentration. A mag 13.5 star is 2.4' N of center. A pleasing double star, South 607 = 8.8/10.0 at 9.5" lies 5' S.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, very large, diffuse, broad concentration, no nucleus.

13" (4/10/86): faint, large, very diffuse, weak concentration, no nucleus, lies 4' N of double star S607 8.5/9.5 at 9".

JH discovered NGC 3124 = h3226 on 23 Mar 1835 and recorded "F, L, R, lbM, has a fine double star exactly south." His description and position clearly apply to ESO 567-017.

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NGC 3125 = ESO 435-041 = MCG -05-24-022 = PGC 29366

10 06 33.1 -29 56 08

V = 13.0; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 114d

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, roundish, brighter core.

JH discovered NGC 3125 = h3227 on 30 Mar 1835 and noted "F; R: gbM; 20"." His mean position from two observations matches ESO 435-041.

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NGC 3126 = UGC 5466 = MCG +05-24-019 = CGCG 155-023 = PGC 29484

10 08 20.8 +31 51 47

V = 12.8; Size 2.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 123d

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 5:1 WNW-ESE, 2.0'x0.4', faint thin arms, fairly well-defined round core. A mag 11 star is 4.7' N of center. Located 15' N of mag 6.2 SAO 61882.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3126 on 30 Apr 1864 and recorded "F, S, not lE, mag 15 nucleus. Confirmation still needed." This was his only observation, but his position matches UGC 5466. Otto Struve independently found the galaxy on 8 Apr 1869 at St Petersburg while searching for Comet Winnecke (7P/Pons-Winnecke). He recorded finding a "Bright elongated nebula with a stellar nucleus, a miniature image of the Andromeda Galaxy. 4.5' north is a mag 10-11 star with the nebula in PA of 168° [SSE]." He immediately added a note that this nebula was discovered by d'Arrest in 1864.

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NGC 3127 = MCG -03-26-022 = KTS 38C = PGC 29357

10 06 24.8 -16 07 34

V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 55d

18" (4/10/04): very faint, very small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 24"x8", weak concentration. The extensions appear to fade at the tips. Situated near the midpoint of a mag 10 star 1.6' SE and a mag 12.5 star 1.1' NW. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3128 5.6' W.

Frances Leavenworth discovered NGC 3127 = LM I-164 (along with NGC 3128) on 1 Jan 1886 and noted "mag 16.0, 1.6'x0.7', vE 45°." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is ~1 tmin east of MCG -03-26-022 and the description matches.

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NGC 3128 = MCG -03-26-020 = KTS 38A = PGC 29330

10 06 01.4 -16 07 19

V = 13.5; Size 1.6'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 174d

18" (4/10/04): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 0.8'x0.5'. The surface brightness appears irregular with a broadly concentrated core. The extensions are more difficult and require averted vision and seem patchy or knotty. Forms a pair with NGC 3127 5.6' E.

Frances Leavenworth discovered NGC 3128 = LM I-165 (along with NGC 3127) on 1 Jan 1886 and noted "mag 16.0, 1.3'x0.7', vE 170°." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.3 tmin east of MCG -03-26-020 and description matches.

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NGC 3129

10 08 19.2 +18 25 51

=**, Corwin

WH discovered NGC 3129 = H III-35 = h669 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded "vS, E, r. 240 showed it better than 157." There is nothing near his position other than stars. JH listed it as h669, although he only give a very rough position (from his working list).

It was not found again at Birr Carlson or by Reinmuth on Heidelberg plate in his photographic survey. There is no listing for NGC 3129 in any modern catalogue. Harold Corwin identifies NGC 3129 as a double star (13" pair of mag 14 stars) at WH's position. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 3130 = UGC 5468 = MCG +02-26-026 = CGCG 064-072 = PGC 29475

10 08 12.3 +09 58 37

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 30d

13.1" (4/10/86): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration. The visibility of this galaxy is hindered by 31 Leonis (V = 4.6) just 4.7' WNW.

JH discovered NGC 3130 = h670 on 19 Jan 1828 and recorded "eF; S; psbM; follows 31 Leonis 16.5s, and is 1' 40" south of it." His position and description clearly applies to UGC 5468.

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NGC 3131 = UGC 5471 = MCG +03-26-033 = CGCG 093-060 = PGC 29499

10 08 36.5 +18 13 52

V = 13.0; Size 2.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 54d

17.5" (3/29/97): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 2.0'x0.6', broad concentration. The major axis is bracketed by two mag 13.5 stars 1.7' SSE and 3.1' N.

JH discovered NGC 3131 = h671 on 17 Mar 1831 and recorded "pB; pmE; gbM; 40" l and 20" br. His position and description matches UGC 5471. R.J. Mitchell, the observing assistant on LdR's 72" on 10 Jan 1856, suspected a knot in the preceding end.

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NGC 3132 = Eight-Burst Nebula = Southern Ring = PK 272+12.1 = PN G272.1+12.3

10 07 01.8 -40 26 11

V = 9.7; Size 62"x43"

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 40° elevation in Costa Rica along the Gulf of Nicoya , NGC 3132 was quite beautiful at 200x and 260x. The 10th magnitude "central star" (an unseen 16th mag companion at 1.65" separation is the real ionizing star) is embedded in the center of a very bright, elongated annulus with a darker center and interesting outer ring elongated NW-SE. The oval ring is relatively narrow with a brighter outer rim. Surrounding the ring is a faint, thin outer shell. The ring is slightly offset in orientation to the major axis of the planetary giving a complex multi-ring appearance.

17.5" (3/28/87): very bright, moderately large, oval. A dark ring surrounds the bright mag 10 central star. Viewed at only 10°-11° elevation.

13" (2/23/85): darker around the central star at high power.

8" (3/28/81): mag 9 central star surrounded by a fairly bright, moderately large disc, striking.

JH discovered NGC 3132 = h3228 on 2 Mar 1835 and recorded "Planetary nebula, very large, very bright, elliptic; has in it a 9th mag star somewhat excentric. Its light is exactly equable, ie. not increasing towards the middle; yet I cannot help imagining it to be closely dotted. It is just like a star out of focus in certain states of the mirror and atmosphere. Three stars near, a = 9th mag; b = 9th mag; c = 14th mag; A very extraordinary object." On a later observation he described a "Planetary nebula with a 10th mag star in centre; very bright; very well defined, and perfectly equable all over in light, there being no condensation up to the centre. The star is sharp, the nebula velvety, or like infinitely fine dust; a star 14th mag at a distance rather more than a radius of neb from edge (by diagram); has its position from centre = 333.8°." Sketch on Plate VI, figure 9.

In "Southern Gems", Stephen O'Meara states that James Dunlop discovered NGC 3132 earlier but did not include it in his 1828 catalogue. In a footnote to the Brisbane Star Catalogue of 1826 he recorded [Brisbane 3085] as "Dusky Yellow - a fine Planetary disk." John Herschel later recognized Dunlop's observation in an 1835 letter to Thomas Maclear.

JH sketched NGC 3132 and other planetary nebulae, commenting: "[these] represent planetary nebulae, a class of special interest, and of which, considering their general rarity, the southern heavens have afforded a rather unexpectedly large harvest. Those only are here delineated which have either accompanying stars, or which are distinguished by some peculiarity, as ... [NGC 3132] which has a star or a small disc near its centre; ..."

A star (HD 87892) is plotted at the position of NGC 3132 in the first edition of the Uranometria 2000 because the BD catalogue (used as a source for the U2000) listed the bright "central" star as an entry. In 1977 Kohoutek and Laustsen announced (1978IAUS...76..207K) that the actual illuminating star is a hot, dim 16th magnitude companion to the mag 10 star at only 1.65" separation. The pair probably forms a true binary

The nickname "Eight Burst Nebula" was coined by H. Shapley and J. S. Paraskevopoulos in "Photographs of Thirty Southern Nebula and Clusters" (1940PNAS...26...31S). Concerning NGC 3132 they say: "A series of photographs of varying exposures would be necessary to bring out the intricate details…. It could well be named the "8-burst" planetary from the number of distinct arcs on the boundary of the main disk or shell".

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NGC 3133 = PGC 29417

10 07 12.8 -11 57 55

V = 14.5; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 25d

18" (4/10/04): extremely faint, small, 0.4'x0.3'. Visible less than 50% of the time with averted vision so orientation difficult to determine but observation certain. Located 5' NE of a mag 10.4 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3133 = LM II-419 in 1886. He noted "mag 16.2, 0.2' dia, R." There is nothing at his position but 1 min 18 sec of RA west is PGC 29417. Also, 45 sec of RA east and 2' north is NGC 3138. But this is the next entry in the LM II list and may have been found the same night.

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NGC 3134 = MCG +02-26-031 = CGCG 064-088 = Todd 21 = PGC 29722

10 12 29.2 +12 22 37

V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.2'; Surf Br = 11.7; PA = 51d

17.5" (3/29/97): faint, very small, consists of a 15" core with a faint very thin extension to the SW. The corresponding arm to the NE was not seen, so the appearance is asymmetric. This galaxy is listed as nonexistent in RNGC and not identified as NGC 3134 in MCG or CGCG. Identification from HC (Todd discovery).

David Todd discovered NGC 3134 = Todd 21 on 6 Feb 1878 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet. Based on Todd's sketch Corwin identified CGCG 064-088 as NGC 3134. This galaxy is about 3 min of RA east of Todd's very rough RA. Todd measured a "bright" star 28.3s following and there is a mag 12 star at his exact separation clinching the identification. Because of his poor position, Bigourdan was unable to recover this object. The RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent. Neither MCG or CGCG label their entries for this galaxy as NGC 3134.

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NGC 3135 = UGC 5486 = MCG +08-19-007 = CGCG 240-015 = PGC 29646

10 10 54.4 +45 57 01

V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 90d

17.5" (4/15/99): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 0.8'x0.5', little or no concentration. Bracketed by two mag 12.5 stars 2.2' E and 2.1' NW.

JH discovered NGC 3135 = h672 on 19 Mar 1828 and noted "F; R: gbM; 25"." His position matches UGC 5486. It was not found at Birr Castle (single attempt), although JH mentions in the GC notes that he checked the sweep and reductions and found all correct.

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NGC 3136 = ESO 092-008 = PGC 29311

10 05 48.0 -67 22 41

V = 10.7; Size 3.1'x2.1'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 30d

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared bright, moderately large, eloongated 3:2 SW-NE. Sharp concentration with a small, intense core that brightens to the center. The fainter extensions from the core appear irregular. IC 2554 and B, a striking interacting pair of galaxies, lies 28' NE.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x this Carina galaxy appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.75'. Sharply concentrated with a small, bright, roundish core increasing to an occasional stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is close north.

JH discovered NGC 3136 = h3229 = h3231 on 30 Jan 1835 and noted "B; R; bM; place only a very rude approximation." In an errata list and the end of the Cape Catalogue, JH corrected the NPD by 2° so it nearly matches h3231, whose position was accurately measured twice and matches ESO 092-008.

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NGC 3137 = ESO 435-047 = MCG -05-24-024 = AM 1006-284 = UGCA 203 = PGC 29530

10 09 07.5 -29 03 52

V = 11.5; Size 6.3'x2.2'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 1d

18" (3/5/05): faint, large, elongated at least 5:2 N-S, 3.0'x1.2', fairly low surface brightness. Broad, weak concentration in poor seeing. A mag 12 star is on the west side (0.3' from the geometric center). Located 7' SE of mag 9.4 SAO 178462.

JH discovered NGC 3137 = h3230 on 5 Feb 1837 NGC 3137 and recorded "vF; lE; 25"." His position is 16 sec of RA west of ESO 435-047.

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NGC 3138 = MCG -02-26-032 = PGC 29532

10 09 16.7 -11 57 24

V = 14.8; Size 1.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 80d

18" (4/14/12): at 225x appeared extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, 15" diameter. Required averted vision to just momentarily pop occasionally but held for a few seconds a couple of times. I did not notice an elongated shape, so probably just viewed the core though the object was well past the meridian. Located 6.4' SW of mag 7.4 HD 88135, 13' NW of i 6.2 HD 88182 and 30' NW of mag 3.6 Lambda Hyd.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3138 = LM II-420 and noted "mag 16.0, 0.1', R, 1st of 2 [with NGC 3139]." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is just 6 sec of RA east of MCG -02-26-032. Not found by Bigourdan.

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NGC 3139 = MCG -02-26-034 = PGC 29583

10 10 05.2 -11 46 42

V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 75d

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2, 0.8'x0.5'. Broad concentration to a small, round 15" core and an occasional faint, stellar nucleus with direct vision.

17.5" (2/22/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.7'x0.5', broadly concentrated. Located 10' NE of mag 7.4 SAO 155773.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3139 = LM II-421 and noted "mag 15.60, 0.1', R, 2nd of 2 [with NGC 3138]." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 0.7 min of RA west of MCG -02-26-034. Not found by Bigourdan.

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NGC 3140 = MCG -03-26-028 = PGC 29548

10 09 27.7 -16 37 41

V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (2/22/03): slightly brighter and larger of a close pair with NGC 3140 2.4' SW. Faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.5'x0.4', stellar nucleus with direct vision. Although following NGC 3141, Leavenworth listed this object first (identical coordinates) and his description indicates it is the brighter of the pair, so the NGC numbers are reversed in right ascension. Located at the east edge of the rich cluster AGC 940.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3140 = LM I-166 (along with I-167 = NGC 3141) on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander-McCormick Observatory. Although he gave a single rough position for both objects, LM 1-166 is mag 15.5 and 0.5', while LM I-167 is mag 16.0 and 0.3' dia. His position falls very close to the pair PGC 29548 and PGC 29544.

According to Harold Corwin, Leavenworth's sketch clearly shows that NGC 3140 = PGC 29548 is the brighter galaxy to the northeast and the fainter galaxy to the southwest is NGC 3141 = PGC 29544. See Corwin's identification summaries for more.

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NGC 3141 = PGC 29544

10 09 19.8 -16 39 12

V = 15.4; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 26d

17.5" (2/22/03): smaller and slightly fainter of a pair of galaxies with NGC 3140 2.4' NE. Very faint, small, slightly elongated 0.4'x0.3', faint stellar nucleus. Incorrectly equated with NGC 3140 in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3140 = LM I-167 (along with I-166 = NGC 3140) on 1 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander-McCormick Observatory. Although he gave a single rough position for both objects, LM 1-166 is mag 15.5 and 0.5', while LM I-167 is mag 16.0 and 0.3' dia. His position falls very close to the pair PGC 29548 and PGC 29544 (separation 2.5' SW to NE).

Based on the discovery sketch (examined by Harold Corwin), Dreyer incorrectly assumed that the brighter galaxy to the northeast was NGC 3140 and added "first of two" (listed first in the discovery paper) so the order of RA was reversed in the NGC. The RNGC erroneously states NGC 3141 = NGC 3140. See Corwin's identification summaries for more.

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NGC 3142 = MCG -01-26-028 = PGC 29586

10 10 06.4 -08 28 48

V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, very small, round, brighter core. Overpowered by 17 Sextantis (V = 5.9) 4.3' N. A second bright star 18 Sextantis (V = 5.6) lies 12.8' ENE.

JH discovered NGC 3142 = h3232 on 5 May 1836 and recorded "F; vsbM to a * 16m; diam 1' or 1 1/2'; sp the star g Sextantis, which occasioned its being taken by mistake for Halley's Comet, and the consequent loss of that comet." His position matches MCG -01-26-028 = PGC 29586.

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NGC 3143 = MCG -02-26-033 = PGC 29579

10 10 04.0 -12 34 53

V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 105d

18" (4/10/04): very faint, very small, irregularly round, 25"x20", weak concentration. Can just hold steadily. Fors the vertex of an obtuse isosceles triangle with two mag 11.5 stars 5.7' N and a similar distance SE. Also situated 9' S of NGC 3145 and nearly midway between mag 5.3 SAO 155780 14' S and mag 3.6 Lambda Lydrae 15' NNE!

Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3143 in 1880 with the 36-inch f/5.9 reflector at Ealing, UK. He noted "S, F, just S of GC 2023 [NGC 3145]. Herbert Howe's corrected position in the IC 2 notes matches MCG -02-26-033, which is located 9' south of NGC 3145.

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NGC 3144 = NGC 3174 = UGC 5519 = MCG +12-10-023 = CGCG 333-020 = CGCG 351-011 = PGC 29949

10 15 32.0 +74 13 14

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 0d

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, very small, oval N-S. A mag 13 star is attached at the east end. Forms a pair with NGC 3155 11.6' NE.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered NGC 3144 on 25 Sep 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 2 nights) is fairly close to UGC 5519 and his description "vF, S, R, *13 appended on the following side." clinches the identification.

WH discovered this galaxy on the problematic sweep of 15 northern galaxies on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096), and recorded as III-964 (later NGC 3174). So, NGC 3144 = NGC 3174. See notes on NGC 3174 and NGC 2938 for more on this sweep.

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NGC 3145 = MCG -02-26-036 = PGC 29591

10 10 10.0 -12 26 02

V = 11.7; Size 3.1'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 20d

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly faint, fairly small, nearly round, weak concentration. Overpowered by the glare of Lambda Hydrae (V = 3.6) 8' NE.

WH discovered NGC 3145 = H III-518 = h673 on 19 Mar 1786 (sweep 541) and noted "vF, S, R, 7 or 8' sp Lamdba Hydra." On sweep 997 (7 Mar 1791) he called it "F, pL, iR, vbmbM, in the field with Lamdba Hyae." His position and description matches MCG -02-26-036 = PGC 29591.

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NGC 3146 = ESO 567-023 = MCG -03-26-029 = PGC 29663

10 11 09.9 -20 52 14

V = 13.1; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 100d

18" (4/10/04): moderately bright, fairy small, round, 0.8' diameter, increases to a 15" bright core and a quasi-stellar nucleus. The edge of the halo is well-defined. Located 3.9' S of mag 8.9 SAO 178507.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3146 = LM I-168 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is coincidentally a near match with ESO 567-023 = PGC 29663.

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NGC 3147 = UGC 5532 = MCG +12-10-025 = CGCG 333-022 = LGG 193-001 = PGC 30019

10 16 53.5 +73 24 02

V = 10.6; Size 3.9'x3.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 155d

17.5" (2/8/91): bright, fairly large, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE. Contains a very bright core with a stellar nucleus. There is an impression of a dust lane to the west of the core.

WH discovered NGC 3147 = H I-79 = h674 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "cB, pL, R, mbM. The brightness decreasing very gradually." JH called this galaxy "vB; L; R; at first vg, then vs, vsbM" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3148 = SAO 27566

10 13 43.8 +50 29 47

V = 6.6

=*6.6 = SAO 27566.

JH discovered NGC 3148 = h675 on 17 Feb 1831 (single sweep) and noted "a star 7m has a photosphere 2 or 3' diam. Sky perfectly clear; glass quite clear; windy. Another star of same magnitude viewed presently after has no photosphere." Herschel's description applies to mag 6.6 SAO 27566 at 10 13 43.8 +50 29 47 which he probably thought was surrounded by faint haze (scattered light or dew). Malcolm Thomson and Harold Corwin agree with this conclusion.

RNGC and MCG misidentify MCG +08-19-011 as NGC 3148.

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NGC 3149 = ESO 019-001 = PGC 29171

10 03 44.5 -80 25 19

V = 12.5; Size 2.0'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.8

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this galaxy is located just 30' NNW of the bright planetary NGC 3195. At 260x it appeared moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~0.9'x0.8', slightly brighter core, irregular surface brightness. John Herschel mentioned a 15th magnitude star was involved, and there is a very faint star at the NE edge.

JH discovered NGC 3149 = h3234 on 24 Feb 1835 (along with planetary nebula NGC 3195) and recorded "F; lE; vlbM; 25"; has a * 15m in it." Although position is an exact match with ESO 019-001, the RNGC classifies this as an "Unverified Southern Object". Because of this, it is not plotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas or included in the first edition of the companion Deep Sky Field Guide.

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NGC 3150 = MCG +07-21-017 = CGCG 211-019 = Holm 170b = WBL 258-001 = PGC 29789

10 13 26.3 +38 39 27

V = 14.6; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.8

18" (2/19/09): very faint, small, round, 24" diameter, low surface brightness, very weak concentration. Located 2.3' NNW of NGC 3151 and 1.9' NW fo a mag 12 star. First of 7 (including NGC 3151/3159/3161/3163) in a small stream of galaxies about 7' N of NGC 3158.

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, slightly lower surface brightness than NGC 3151 2.3' S. A mag 12 star is 2.0' WSW and a mag 14 star is 1.8' NNW. Located within the NGC 3158 group.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3150 = Big. 40, along with NGCs 3151, 3159 and 3161, on 1 Feb 1886 in the NGC 3158 group. His position matches CGCG 211-019.

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NGC 3151 = MCG +07-21-018 = CGCG 211-020 = Holm 170a = WBL 258-003 = PGC 29796

10 13 29.1 +38 37 11

V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 170d

18" (2/19/09): faint, small, slightly elongated, 20"x15", very small brighter core. Located 2' SW of a mag 12 star with four NGC galaxies close north including NGC 3150 2.3' N and NGC 3159 5' NE. Forms a close pair with 2MASX J10133377+3837055.

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, very small, weak concentration. A mag 12 star is 2.0' NE. Forms a pair with NGC 3150 2.3' N. An extremely faint galaxy is 55" E of center (2MASXi J1013337+383705). Member of the NGC 3158 group.

13.1" (2/25/84): very faint, very small. Located just west of a star.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3151 = Big 41, along with nearby NGCs 3150, 3159 and 3161, on 1 Feb 1886 in the NGC 3158 group. His position matches CGCG 211-020 = PGC 29796.

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NGC 3152 = MCG +07-21-018A = CGCG 211-021 = PGC 29805

10 13 34.1 +38 50 35

V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 80d

18" (2/19/09): very faint, small, ~20"-22" diameter, weak concentration. A mag 15 star lies 44" NE. Located 4' W of brighter NGC 3160 and 5.7' NW of NGC 3158 in a small cluster.

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, round. A mag 15 star is off the NE edge 0.8' from center. NGC 3158 lies 5.5' SE and NGC 3160 4.1' E. Member of the NGC 3158 group.

13.1" (2/25/84): extremely faint, very small, round. Located 4' W of NGC 3160 and 5.5' NW of NGC 3158.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3152 (along with NGC 3160) on 27 Mar 1854 using LdR's 72". He noted "3 nebula, preceding one [NGC 3152] vS, about 4' following is a small lenticular ray [NGC 3160], E sp-nf..." Observing on 27 Feb 1876 Dreyer measured an accurate micrometric offset from NGC 3158 at Birr Castle, which matches CGCG 211-021.

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NGC 3153 = UGC 5505 = MCG +02-26-032 = CGCG 064-090 = PGC 29747

10 12 50.5 +12 39 59

V = 12.6; Size 2.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 170d

17.5" (1/23/88): moderately bright, moderately large, oval ~N-S, broad concentration.

WH discovered NGC 3153 = H III-53 = h677 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and noted "vF, not S, r[esolvable]." CH's reduction is 15 sec of RA west of UGC 5505. JH called it "eF; pL; R." His position was 12 sec of RA too far west.

David Todd indenpendently discovered this object on 5 Feb 1878 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet and recorded it as object #20b in his published results. It was found again by C.H.F. Peters around 1880. He was unsure if this was a new object as the RA in the GC was 12 sec off. The NGC position -- from Peters -- matches UGC 5505.

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NGC 3154 = UGC 5507 = MCG +03-26-040 = CGCG 093-071 = PGC 29759

10 13 01.3 +17 02 03

V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 124d

17.5" (1/23/88): faint, very small, elongated NW-SE. A mag 14 star is 1.1' N. Located 2.2' WNW of mag 8.7 SAO 99006.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3154 = St X-24 on 12 Mar 1880 and noted "F, S, R, lbM." His position matches UGC 5507.

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NGC 3155 = NGC 3194 = UGC 5538 = MCG +12-10-026 = CGCG 351-012 = LGG 193-002 = PGC 30064

10 17 39.9 +74 20 51

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 35d

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 3144 11.6' SW.

JH discovered NGC 3155 = h676 on 2 Sep 1828 and recorded "vF; S; R. RA extremely precarious." His rough position is 4' northeast of UGC 5538. The NGC position from d'Arrest is accurate.

This galaxy was discovered by WH on the problematic sweep of 15 northern galaxies on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and recorded as III-965 = NGC 3194. So, NGC 3155 = NGC 3194. The galaxy is known as NGC 3155, despite the earlier discovery by WH. See notes on NGC 2938 for more on this sweep.

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NGC 3156 = UGC 5503 = MCG +01-26-019 = CGCG 036-057 = PGC 29730

10 12 41.2 +03 07 45

V = 12.3; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 47d

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, small, small bright core. A triangle of bright stars follows; mag 9.0 SAO 118165 2.4' SE, mag 8.3 SAO 118168 5' ENE and mag 7.6 SAO 118169 9' SE.

13" (4/16/83): faint, small, elongated.

WH discovered NGC 3156 = H III-255 = h680 on 13 Dec 1784 (sweep 342) and noted "vF, vS, preceding a triangle of bright stars." JH called the galaxy "pB; S; R: psbM; 15"." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3157 = ESO 435-051 = MCG -05-24-026 = IC 2555 = PGC 29691

10 11 42.4 -31 38 34

V = 13.2; Size 2.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 38d

18" (4/10/04): very faint, thin edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.2', low even surface brightness. Requires averted to glimpse once position pinpointed. A mag 14.5-15 star is just off the east side of the center. Located 4.5' N of a mag 9.0 HD 88480.

JH discovered NGC 3157 = h3233 on 28 Jan 1835 and noted "vF; E; 30" has a * 8m sp." His Cape position is an exact match with ESO 435-051, but the declination in GC and NGC is 40' too far north.

DeLisle Stewart later rediscovered this galaxy on plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa station, recorded the correct position and it was catalogued again as IC 2555. RNGC classifies the this number as nonexistent, although ESO and SGC have the correct identification.

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NGC 3158 = UGC 5511 = MCG +07-21-020 = CGCG 211-022 = PGC 29822

10 13 50.5 +38 45 53

V = 11.9; Size 2.0'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 0d

18" (2/19/09): fairly bright, moderately large, irregularly round, well concentrated with a very bright core and relatively large, fainter halo, ~0.8'x0.7'. Brightest of 12 galaxies viewed that are packed into a 14' circle!

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly bright, irregular round or slightly elongated, small bright core. Brightest in the NGC 3158 group with NGC 3159 6.7' SSE, NGC 3160 4.7' N and NGC 3152 5.5' NW.

13.1" (2/25/84): fairly bright, round, weakly concentrated, largest and brightest in a group.

8" (3/28/81): faint, small, requires averted.

WH discovered NGC 3158 = H II-639 = h678, along with NGC 3163, on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 713) and noted "pB, cL, r." JH logged "B; R; psbM; 35"." Brightest in a small, but rich group and a distance of roughly 300 million l.y.

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NGC 3159 = MCG +07-21-021 = CGCG 211-023 = Holm 172c = WBL 258-005 = PGC 29825

10 13 52.8 +38 39 16

V = 13.6; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.8

18" (2/19/09): faint to fairly taint, small, irregulaly round, 25"x20", very small bright core. First of three in a 2.8' E-W string with NGC 3161 and NGC 3163. MCG +07-21-019 lies 1.6' NW. Located 6.5' S of NGC 3158 in a small cluster.

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, small bright core. This member of the NGC 3158 group is the first of three with NGC 3161 1.2' E and NGC 3163 2.7' E. NGC 3158 lies 6.7' NNW.

13.1" (2/25/84): faint, small, round. Third brightest in NGC 3158 group.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3159 = Big 42 on 1 Feb 1886, along with NGC 3150, 3151 and 3161. His position matches CGCG 211-023 = PGC 29825.

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NGC 3160 = UGC 5513 = MCG +07-21-023 = CGCG 211-024 = PGC 29830

10 13 55.1 +38 50 34

V = 14.1; Size 1.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 140d

18" (2/19/09): faint, edge-on 7:2 NW-SE, ~40"x12". Located 4.9' N of NGC 3158 in a rich group and directly between a mag 12.5 star 1.5' SSW and a mag 11.5 star 2.2' NNE. NGC 3152 lies 4' W.

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, edge-on NW-SE. Member of NGC 3158 group with NGC 3158 4.7' S.

13.1" (2/25/84): extremely faint, small. Located 5' N of NGC 3158.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3160 (along with NGC 3152) on 27 Mar 1854 using LdR's 72". He noted "about 4' following [NGC 3152] is a small lenticular ray, elongated sp nf." His offset and description matches UGC 5513.

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NGC 3161 = MCG +07-21-022 = CGCG 211-025 = Holm 172a = WBL 258-007 = PGC 29837

10 13 59.2 +38 39 26

V = 13.5; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 14.8; PA = 10d

18" (2/19/09): very faint, very small, slightly elongated 20"x16", very small or stellar core. Sandwiched between NGC 3159 1.2' W and NGC 3163 1.6' E in the NGC 3158 cluster.

17.5" (3/23/85): this member in the NGC 3158 group is small and the faintest of three with close companions NGC 3159 1.2' W and NGC 3163 1.5' E. Even surface brightness and visible with direct vision.

13.1" (2/25/84): extremely faint, very small, round. Located between NGC 3159 and NGC 3163.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3161 = Big 43 on 1 Feb 1886, along with NGC 3151, 3159 and 3161. His position matches CGCG 211-025 = PGC 29837.

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NGC 3162 = NGC 3575 = UGC 5510 = MCG +04-24-019 = CGCG 123-026 = PGC 29800

10 13 31.6 +22 44 15

V = 11.6; Size 3.0'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (3/23/85): moderately bright, fairly small, pretty diffuse, weak broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' SE, a mag 10.5 star 3.4' W and a mag 11.5 star 3.7' NE. Located 1° SE of Zeta Leonis (V = 3.6).

WH discovered NGC 3162 = H II-43 = h682 on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166) and recorded "vF, pL, r. It seemed to consist of two nebula joined together having two places rather brighter than the ousides of the nebula; but with [higher power] the following of them appeared very plainly to be a star. The star seemed to have no connection with the nebula, for, though within the nebulosity there was no kind of gradation of light from the star to the nebula as there generally is from the brighter to the more faint part of nebula." His position is 20 sec of RA west of UGC 5510.

On 20 Mar 1854, R.J. Mitchell remarked "spiral left-handed, spirality very faintly seen, night bad." In 1857 "suspected a knot in the northwest end." NGC 3575 is a duplicate observation made by d'Arrest in 1863. See that number for more.

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NGC 3163 = UGC 5517 = MCG +07-21-026 = CGCG 211-027 = Holm 172b = WBL 258-008 = PGC 29846

10 14 07.1 +38 39 09

V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5

18" (2/19/09): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, very small bright core. Third of three in a 2.8' string with NGC 3163 1.5' W and NGC 3159 2.8' W. Also MCG +07-21-019 is close NW of the string. Located 7.4' SE of NGC 3158 in a rich group.

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. Brightest and third of three with NGC 3161 1.5' W and NGC 3159 2.7' W.

13.1" (2/25/84): faint, small, round. Third of three in a string and the second brightest in a group.

WH discovered NGC 3163 = H II-640 = h681, along with NGC 3158, on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 713) and logged "F, vS, r. 300x showed the same." CH's reduction is within 30" of the core of this galaxy.

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NGC 3164 = UGC 5527 = MCG +10-15-036 = CGCG 290-018 = PGC 29928

10 15 11.4 +56 40 19

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 0d

18" (4/10/04): very faint, fairly small, elongated ~3:2 N-S, 0.7'x0.5'. Low surface brightness with very little concentration. Located 11' SW of mag 8.5 HD 88828.

WH discovered NGC 3164 = H = h679 on 9 Feb 1831 (sweep 715) and noted "eF; R: vglbM; 15"." His single position matches UGC 5527.

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NGC 3165 = UGC 5512 = MCG +01-26-023 = CGCG 063-063 = Holm 173c = PGC 29798

10 13 31.4 +03 22 32

V = 13.9; Size 1.6'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 177d

17.5" (3/23/85): very faint, elongated 2:1 N-S. Forms the western vertex of a triangle with two mag 12.5 stars 1.9' SE and 1.7' NE. First and faintest of three located 4.6' SW of NGC 3166 and 12' SW of NGC 3169.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3165 on 30 Jan 1856 with LdR's 72", while observing NGC 3166 and 3169 and noted "about 5' sp 684 [NGC 3166] is a vvF ray extending N-S." The NGC RA is 15 sec too small.

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NGC 3166 = UGC 5516 = MCG +01-26-024 = CGCG 063-064 = Holm 173a =LGG 192-003 = PGC 29814

10 13 44.9 +03 25 31

V = 10.4; Size 4.8'x2.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 87d

17.5" (3/23/85): bright, almost round, even concentration to a brighter core and stellar nucleus (large, low surface brightness arms not seen). The core appears brighter than NGC 3169 7.8' ENE but the duo is pretty similar. Second of three with NGC 3165 4.6' SW. Two mag 12.5 stars lie 2.6' NW and 2.8' SW of center.

13" (4/16/83): fairly bright, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 3169.

WH discovered NGC 3166 = H I-3 = h684, along with NGC 3169, on 19 Dec 1783 (early sweep 58). His summary description from 4 sweeps reads "cB, pL, cometic, mbM." JH also made 4 observations and measured an accurate position.

Édouard Stephan's observation on 18 Mar 1884, which was published in list XIII-56, is within a few arcseconds of NGC 3166 though Dreyer and Esmiol (who later re-reduced all of Stephan's positions) misidentify this entry as NGC 3165. Also Stephan's XIII-57 refers to NGC 3169, though he calls it NGC 3166 in the notes section to list XIII.

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NGC 3167 = NGC 2789 = UGC 4875 = MCG +05-22-026 = CGCG 151-035 = PGC 26089

09 14 59.7 +29 43 48

See observing notes for NGC 2789

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3167 on 1 May 1862 and recorded a "Small and faint nebula. * 11 preceding 9.5 sec, a little farther north. Whether it is just a nebula, or perhaps a confused group of faint stars is still undetermined, for this evening the air is turbulent." There is nothing at or near his single position matching his description and RNGC classifies NGC 3167 as nonexistent.

Harold Corwin originally listed this object as lost as there were no candidates nearby, but recently (email from 16 Jun 2014) he found that if d'Arrest made a 1 hr transcription error in his RA (too large), then his position matches NGC 2789 and the mag 11 star is just where he placed it to the northwest of the galaxy! Corwin notes that d'Arrest made a similar 1 hr recording error on a few other discoveries (NGC 3575, 3760 and 5008), so this is not a unique situation.

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NGC 3168 = UGC 5536 = MCG +10-15-052 = CGCG 290-023 = PGC 30001

10 16 23.0 +60 14 06

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core. Located 5.6' NE of mag 6.8 SAO 15131. Brightest of a trio with UGC 5542 4.8' NE (noted as "faint, very small, round, small bright core") and CGCG 290-021 5' NNW (noted as "faint, very small, round. Two mag 9.5/10 stars are near").

JH discovered NGC 3168 = h683 on 25 Mar 1832 and recorded "F; psbM; like a star rubbed out. A * 7-8m in field np - dist 5'." His position matches UGC 5536, although the bright star is south-southwest.

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NGC 3169 = UGC 5525 = MCG +01-26-026 = CGCG 036-066 = Holm 173b = LGG 192-004 = PGC 29855

10 14 14.8 +03 28 00

V = 10.2; Size 4.4'x2.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 45d

17.5" (3/23/85): bright, slightly elongated SW-NE, moderate concentration, pretty faint stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is just off the east side, 1.6' from the center. Third of three with NGC 3166 7.8' WSW and NGC 3165 12' SW.

13" (4/16/83): bright, bright core.

WH discovered NGC 3169 = H I-4 = h684, along with NGC 3166, on 19 Dec 1783 (early sweep 58). His summary description from 4 sweeps reads "cB, pL, cometic, mbM." JH also made 4 observations and measured an accurate position. Édouard Stephan published accurate positions NGC 3166 and 3169 from 18 Mar 1884 in list XIII-56 and -57, though he misidentified the galaxies as NGC 3165 and NGC 3166. R.J. Mitchell observed ths galaxy on 15 Mar 1855 with LdR's 72" and commented "sharp at sf edge [dust lane?] and fades of np, spreading out in that direction." The following January he also noted "perhaps vF neby beyond the well defined sf edge?"

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NGC 3170

10 16 14.5 +46 36 43

=**, Gottlieb and Corwin. =NF, RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 3170 = h686 on 19 Mar 1828 and noted "F; S; R." Just 1' north of his position (single observation) is a 7" pair of mag 13.8/15.2 stars at 10 16 14.5 +46 36 44 (J2000). RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.

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NGC 3171 = ESO 567-031 = MCG -03-26-032 = PGC 29950

10 15 36.7 -20 38 51

V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 176d

17.5" (3/22/96): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, 1.1'x0.8'. Forms the west vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 13.5-14 stars 2.3' NE and 2.5' E. Located 16' W of mag 6.6 SAO 178610.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3171 = LM I-169 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander-McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1.4 tmin west of ESO 567-03 = MCG -03-26-032. MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 3171. The RNGC declination is 9' too far south, so the galaxy was misplotted on the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.

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NGC 3172 = Polarissima Borealis = MCG +15-01-011 = CGCG 370-002 = CGCG 370-018 = PGC 36847

11 47 14.0 +89 05 32

V = 14.1; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 39d

24" (9/15/12): fairly faint, small, round, 25" diameter, well defined halo, broad weak concentration with a very small brighter nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1.5' distant (NW) and a very faint mag 16.5 star is 50" S.

18" (8/1/11): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, brighter core. A mag 13 star lies 1.5' NW. MCG +15-01-010, an extremely faint companion just 1.6' W, was marginally glimpsed though difficult to confirm.

17.5" (7/16/93) : faint, very small, round, 0.5' diameter, very small brighter core, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1.5' NW. This is the closest NGC galaxy to the North Celestial Pole and is known as "Polarissima Borealis".

17.5" (11/14/87): very faint, small, round, brighter core, faint stellar nucleus, can hold steadily with averted. A mag 12.5 star is 1.5' distant.

17.5" (8/1/86): faint, brighter core, fairly small, round. A mag 13 star is within 2'.

JH discovered NGC 3172 = h250 on 4 Oct 1831 and recorded "vF; R; gbM; 25"; has a * 11m 2' S. This nebula is remarkable for its proximity to the pole. Owing to this the RA cannot be determined exactly, and the PD is open to correction." In the synonym column he called it "Polarissima" but later it was called "Polarissima Borealis" to distinguish it from "Polarissima Australis". Heinrich d'Arrest observed it with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen on 12 Aug 1866. He noted the mag 12 star is 75" distant to the north. This galaxy is the closest galaxy to the north celestial pole in any catalogue!

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NGC 3173 = ESO 500-016 = MCG -04-24-022 = PGC 29883

10 14 34.9 -27 41 34

V = 12.8; Size 2.1'x1.7'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 7d

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, moderately large, round. Sharply concentrated with a moderately bright 15" core surrounded by a very faint, low surface brightness halo requiring averted vision. The galaxy is very close preceding mag 10 SAO 178570 (1.3' from center) and 2.4' NNW of mag 10 SAO 178568!

JH discovered NGC 3173 = h3235 on 24 Mar 1835 and noted "F; R: gbM; 40"." His position and description matches ESO 500-016.

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NGC 3174 = NGC 3144 = UGC 5519 = MCG +12-10-023 = CGCG 333-020 = CGCG 351-011 = PGC 29949

10 15 32.0 +74 13 14

V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 0d

See observing notes for NGC 3144

WH discovered NGC 3174 = H III-964 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and noted "vF, vS." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors. The corrected position using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509, 1911) matches UGC 5519 and Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 edition of WH's catalogues. See NGC 2938 for more on this sweep.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 25 Sep 1865, measured a fairly accurate position (within 1' of UGC 5519), and it was catalogued as NGC 3144. By discovery priority, this galaxy should be identified as NGC 3174, though the common identification is NGC 3144.

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NGC 3175 = ESO 436-003 = MCG -05-24-028 = UGCA 207 = VV 796 = PGC 29892

10 14 42.2 -28 52 18

V = 11.2; Size 5.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 56d

17.5" (3/28/87): bright, fairly large, bright core, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 2.5'x0.8'. Located 38' ESE of mag 6.3 HR 2003.

JH discovered NGC 3175 = h3236 on 30 Mar 1835 and recorded "B; L; mE; gvlbM; 2' l; pos 50.3°." His position and description matches ESO 436-003.

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NGC 3176 = ESO 567-?030

10 15 18 -19 01

=Not found, Corwin and Carlson. Possibly = ESO 567-029, Corwin. Possibly = ESO 568-011, Gottlieb

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3176 = LM I-170 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 16.0, 0.8' dia, iR, neb?" There is nothing at his rough position (nearest min of RA) and both Harold Corwin and Dorothy Carlson (in her 1940 NGC correction list) conclude this object is lost. Corwin suggests ESO 567-02 as a possible candidate, but this galaxy is 1 degree south of Stone's position. Another possible candidate which I found is ESO 568-011. This galaxy would require a 10 tmin error in RA (too far E) but matches in Declination.

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NGC 3177 = UGC 5544 = MCG +04-24-023 = CGCG 123-032 = PGC 30010

10 16 34.1 +21 07 23

V = 12.4; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 135d

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, small, increases to a brighter core, stellar nucleus, small faint halo. Member of the NGC 3190 group.

WH discovered NGC 3177 = H III-25 = h687 on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166) and noted "vF, S." CH's reduced position is 43 sec of RA preceding UGC 5544. JH made 3 observations and measured a fairly accurate position.

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NGC 3178 = MCG -03-26-034 = PGC 29980

10 16 09.1 -15 47 28

V = 13.9; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 70d

17.5" (3/22/96): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.9', even surface brightness. A mag 12-13 star lies 2.9' ESE. There are several mag 10-11 stars in the 20' field and mag 9.3 SAO 155864 8.5' SE.

JH discovered NGC 3178 = h3237 on 16 Mar 1836 and noted "pB; pL; gpmbM; seen through haze." His position matches MCG -03-26-034.

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NGC 3179 = UGC 5555 = MCG +07-21-036 = CGCG 211-037 = PGC 30078

10 17 57.2 +41 06 51

V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 48d

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.3', very small bright core appears mottled. Almost collinear with two mag 13.5 stars 1.0' SW and 1.9' SW. NGC 3184 lies 19' NNE.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 3179 on 25 Jan 1851 with LdR's 72" and recorded "25' south and a little preceding [NGC 3184] I found a S, R neb, r, near 2 st almost in a line with it." The following March he more accurately placed it about 20' sp of NGC 3184. The observation was not included in LdR's 1861 publication and did not receive a GC or GCS designation. Bigourdan's corrected position (given in IC 2 notes) matches UGC 5555.

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NGC 3180 = [H69] 44/45/47

10 18 10.8 +41 26 55

48" (4/4/11): A small HII knot with a stellar core was visible 1.8' NW of the nucleus of NGC 3184. This small knot is within a larger, slightly brighter portion of the long, sweeping arm (shown on the sketch at Birr Castle) that wraps around the core of NGC 3184 on the south side before winding north on the west side and ending near NGC 3180.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 3180 on 25 Jan 1851 in his observation of NGC 3184 at Birr Castle. He recorded "is triple, neby perhaps extends round them all as far as the * north." The 1 Feb 1856 description states: "The neby connecting the 3 principal knots is vvF but I have no doubt of its existence." R.J. Mitchell sketched the the spiral structure on 1 Feb 1856 (fig 13, Plate XXVII in the 1861 publication) and highlighted two brighter knots or sections of the western spiral arm.

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NGC 3181 = [H69] 41

10 18 11.5 +41 24 45

48" (4/4/11): NGC 3181 is a bright, 15" knot in one of the spiral arms of NGC 3184. It resides 1.2' SW of the nucleus in a long sweeping arm that wraps around around south side of the core and then heads north on the west side of the galaxy. This is the brightest of a couple of knots resolved in the arms.

Bindon Stoney discovered NGC 3181 on 25 Jan 1851 in his observation of NGC 3184 at Birr Castle . R.J. Mitchell sketched the the spiral structure on 1 Feb 1856 (fig 13, Plate XXVII in the 1861 publication) and highlighted two brighter knots or sections of the western spiral arm. The elongated knot embedded in the spiral arm on the southwest side is NGC 3181. This HII region is catalogued as [H69] 41 in Hodge's "HII Regions in 20 Nearby Galaxies".

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NGC 3182 = UGC 5568 = MCG +10-15-062 = CGCG 290-027 = PGC 30176

10 19 33.0 +58 12 21

V = 12.1; Size 1.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 155d

17.5" (4/29/00): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.7'. Bright core, occasional stellar nucleus. Collinear with two mag 13 stars 2.4' NE and 3.5' NE. NGC 3225 lies 45' E.

17.5" (4/9/94): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, bright core, fairly high surface brightness. A mag 14 star is 1.5' SW followed by a mag 12 star 2.4' NE and a mag 13 star 4' NE on a line.

WH discovered NGC 3182 = H I-265 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and noted "cB, S, vgmbM, iR." CH's reduction matches UGC 5568. The NGC position (copied correctly from the GC) is 19 seconds of RA too small.

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NGC 3183 = NGC 3218 = UGC 5582 = MCG +12-10-028 = CGCG 351-018 = CGCG 333-023 = Holm 177a = LGG 193-003 = PGC 30323

10 21 49.4 +74 10 37

V = 11.9; Size 2.3'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 170d

17.5" (4/6/02): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated ~2:1 NNW-SSE, 2.0'x0.8', broad concentration but no well defined core. Several stars are nearby including two mag 13.5 stars at the north edge and a couple more stars within 1'. Very possibly one of these is a stellar companion 1.0' NNE of center (2MASXi J1021541+741135). The faint stars at the edges were a bit startling as it initially looked similar to a partially resolved cluster.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered NGC 3183 on 28 Sep 1865 with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen. His position matches UGC 5582.

This galaxy was first discovered by WH on 2 Apr 1801, the problematic northern sweep 1096 with large systematic errors. His revised position, using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509), reveals H I-283 = NGC 3218 = NGC 3183. The modern designation is NGC 3183, despite the earlier discovery by WH.

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NGC 3184 = NGC 3180 = UGC 5557 = MCG +07-21-037 = CGCG 211-038 = PGC 30087

10 18 17.0 +41 25 27

V = 9.8; Size 7.4'x6.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 135d

48" (4/4/11): NGC 3184 is a beautiful face-on spiral with two main long arms and branches, along with several HII knots (two with NGC designations) in the arms. Contains a relatively small, very bright core, ~1' diameter with a sharp stellar nucleus. A mag 15-16 star is visible about 40" NE of the center near the edge of the core. One arm is attached on the east side of the core and winds counterclockwise around the south side of the core towards the west. The outer halo of the galaxy to the south of this arm has a much lower surface brightness. NGC 3181 is a bright, 15" knot (HII region/massive star cluster) embedded in this arm, 1.2' SW of the nucleus. The arm then continues spiraling outward as it heads north and contains NGC 3180, very small knot with a stellar core at 1.8' NW of the nucleus. This small knot is within a larger, slightly brighter portion of the arm. A second prominent arm is attached on the west side of the core and rotates counterclockwise around the north side towards the east. The surface brightness lowers on the east side and the arm splits into two branches. A mag 11.7 star is superimposed near the outer edge on the north side beyond the arm. Located 11' ESE of mag 6.6 HD 89053.

17.5" (4/4/92): fairly bright, large, slightly elongated ~N-S, large 4' halo has a fairly low surface brightness, very weak concentration, small brighter elongated core. A mag 11.5 star is at the north edge of the halo 1.8' from the center. There is an impression of spiral structure thought it was not distinct. Located 40' W of Mu Ursa Majoris (V = 3.1).

WH discovered NGC 3184 = H I-168 = h688 = h689 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and recorded "cB, R, near 8' dia, vgbM. A considerable star in the northern part of it but unconnected. JH gave two entries for this galaxy, h688 = I-168 and h689, with the second entry a poor position for this face-on spiral.

Bindon Stoney, observing with LdR's 72" on 25 Jan 1851, logged "Is triple, neby perhaps extends round them all as far as the star north. h689 not seen." The following month, he commented "preceding part probably a portion of a ring." R.J. Mitchell sketched the the spiral structure on 1 Feb 1856 (fig 13, Plate XXVII in the 1861 publication). The sketch shows two brighter, elongated knots in the western arm and Dreyer catalogued these as NGC 3180 and 3181.

MCG mislabels the galaxy as NGC 3180.

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NGC 3185 = HCG 44C = UGC 5554 = MCG +04-24-024 = CGCG 123-034 = PGC 30059

10 17 38.5 +21 41 18

V = 12.2; Size 2.3'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 130d

48" (4/18/15): at 610x; very bright, fairly large, oval halo 5:3 NW-SE, ~1.8'x1.1'. Strongly concentrated with a very bright roundish core which increases to a slightly brighter stellar nucleus. The halo has a brighter arcs at the ends of the major axis (northwest and southeast ends) and is slightly weaker inside, creating a weak ring. A very weak bar is highly suspected connecting the ends of the major axis and the core (very subtle barred ring). A mag 14.5 star is just off the west side [42" from center].

17.5" (3/23/85): fairly faint, increases to a brighter core, diffuse halo elongated NW-SE. A mag 14 star is just off the west edge 0.7' from center and a similar star is 1.4' SW of center. Member of the NGC 3190 group = HCG 44.

13.1" (3/24/84): fairly faint, gradually brighter core.

8" (4/24/82): faint, fairly small, elongated.

George Johnstone Stoney discovered NGC 3185, along with NGC 3187, in January of 1850 at Birr Castle and labeled it Delta on the diagram of the group (shown in the 1861 publication).

Heinrich d'Arrest independently found this galaxy on 1 Jan 1862 (measuring the position on 5 nights) as well as Eduard Schönfeld at the Mannhein Observatory on 15 Jan 1861. Schultz referred to it as "Nova Schonfeld", unaware of the Birr Castle observation. JH credited both LdR and d'Arrest in the GC.

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NGC 3186 = MCG +01-26-032 = CGCG 036-085 = Mrk 720 = PGC 30058

10 17 37.9 +06 58 16

V = 15.1; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 14.2

17.5" (3/25/00): very faint, extremely small, round, ~15" diameter (probably viewed core only), faint stellar nucleus. Located 1.2' SE of a mag 12.5 star. This galaxy is identified as NGC 3186 in the RNGC and PGC but the identification is uncertain due to a poor position from Albert Marth.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3186 = m 195 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "pF, vS, gbM." There is nothing at his position, but a couple of candidates are nearby. The RNGC and PGC identify CGCG 036-085 as NGC 3186. This galaxy is located 20 tsec of RA east and 5' south of Marth's position. Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 3186 may be the northeastern component of CGCG 036-074. This galaxy is 1.5 tmin preceding and 6' south of Marth's position.

In my observation of the field, I picked up IC 602 = UGC 5561 (double system with IC 601) which is located exactly 1.0 tmin east of Marth's position and appears brighter visually than CGCG 036-085. Because this galaxy is only off in RA (by a single minute) it seems to me a better choice than the RNGC/PGC candidate. Stephane Javelle independently discovered IC 602 on 10 Apr 1893 and accurately placed it in list 2-673 . UGC 5561 is identified as IC 602 in all modern catalogues. See Corwin's notes for more on the story.

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NGC 3187 = HCG 44D = Arp 316 NED1 = VV 307b = UGC 5556 = MCG +04-24-025 = CGCG 123-036 = PGC 30068

10 17 47.8 +21 52 25

V = 13.4; Size 3.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.7

48" (4/1/11): moderately bright, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.8'x0.6', weak concentration with no well defined core. At both the NW and SE ends of the bar are faint spiral arms. The arm at the NW end bends sharply towards the south in the direction of a mag 13.8 star 1.0' SW of center, though doesn't reach this star. On the SW end of the bar a second faint arm hooks at a right angle to the NE. Both arms extend ~45" and give the galaxy a distinctive zig-zag shape. Located on a line 4.9' NW of the showpiece edge-on NGC 3190.

17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, edge-on NW-SE. A mag 14 star is off the SW side 1.1' from center and a similar star is 1.3' SSE. Unusual as the major axis is exactly collinear with the brighter edge-on NGC 3190 4.9' SE. Located 6.3' SSW of mag 7.8 SAO 81276 and 8.8' WSW of NGC 3193.

13.1" (3/24/84) very faint, elongated NW-SE. Located 5' NW NGC 3190. A mag 8 star 6' NNE detracts.

8" (4/24/82): not seen.

George Johnstone Stoney and LdR discovered NGC 3187 in Jan 1850, while observing NGC 3190 and 3193, and labeled it Gamma on the sketch. The description mentioned "[NGC 3190] and [NGC 3187] proibably connected. In [NGC 3187], several minute stars seen by Lord R." A sketch made by R.J. Mitchell (in the 1861 publication) shows the galaxy tapering at the southeast end and broader at the northwest end.

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NGC 3188 = UGC 5569 = MCG +10-15-065 = CGCG 290-028 = Mrk 31 = PGC 30183

10 19 42.9 +57 25 24

V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3

17.5" (4/9/94): surprisingly faint, small, round, diffuse, unconcentrated except for extremely faint star superimposed at center or a very faint stellar nucleus, appears to have an irregular surface brightness. Two faint stars just off edges; a mag 14.5 star 0.6' NW of center and a mag 15 star 0.6' E of center also confuse the observation. Forms a close double with NGC 3188A 0.7' WSW (not seen).

WH discovered NGC 3188 = H III-910 = h690 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and recorded "vF, pL, r, iF, some of the stars visible." JH called it "eF; pL; 30"." His position is accurate to within 1'.

Ralph Copeland, LdR's observing assistant, logged on 5 Apr 1874 "vF, cL, R, gbM, * 15 m near the middle and several small stars near (within 2 or 3' foll), but does seem resolvable." One of these "stars" may be a very companion (NGC 3188A) just off the southwest side.

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NGC 3189 = part of NGC 3190

10 18 04.3 +21 49 54

48" (4/1/11): this number refers to the thin strip of NGC 3190 that parallels the prominent dust lane on the outer southwest edge of the galaxy. This strip has a well-defined southern edge and dims at the southeast end of the galaxy.

George Johnstone Stoney or LdR discovered NGC 3189 in January 1850 and recorded "F neby probably extended to the right of [NGC 3190]." The sketch produced by R.J. Mitchell (fig 14, Plate XXVII in the 1861 William Parsons' publication) shows NGC 3189 is the strip of NGC 3190 on the southwest side of the dust lane. None of the subsequent observations at Birr Castle mention this feature, although d'Arrest claimed an observation with the 11" refractor at Copenhagen on 23 Mar 1865.

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NGC 3190 = HCG 44A = Arp 316 NED2 = VV 307a = NGC 3189 = UGC 5559 = MCG +04-24-026 = CGCG 123-037 = Holm 175a = LGG 194-003 = PGC 30083

10 18 05.7 +21 49 57

V = 11.1; Size 4.4'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 125d

48" (4/1/11): extremely bright, large, nearly edge-on 7:2 WNW-ESE, 3.7'x1.0', very bright core with a dazzling stellar nucleus embedded. A sharp, contrasty dust lane that is relatively wide runs along the full length of the galaxy, passing just south of the core. A thin strip of the galaxy parallels the dust lane on the outer southwest side of the galaxy. This strip has a well-defined southern edge and dims at the southeast end of the galaxy. Dreyer catalogued the strip as NGC 3189 based on the 1850 sketch using Lord Rosse's 72-inch scope.

17.5" (3/23/85): bright, edge-on NW-SE, stellar nucleus, fairly large. Brightest in HCG 44 with NGC 3187 4.9' NW, NGC 3193 5.8' NE and NGC 3185 11' SW. Two bright stars are in the field; mag 7.8 SAO 81276 8.3' NNW and mag 9.0 SAO 81279 6.5' NE.

13.1" (3/24/84): bright, small bright nucleus, elongated NW-SE, brightest in a group. Two mag 8 stars are in the field.

WH discovered NGC 3190 = H II-44 = h692, along with NGC 3193, on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166) and recorded "Two small nebulae; very like each other; both E and both lbM; than towards the ends, but of the resolvable kind." His single position is closer to NGC 3187, but must refer to the brighter galaxies though NGC 3193 is not noticeably elongated.

R.J. Mitchell sketched the galaxy on 22 Mar 1857 (plate XXVII, fig 14 in LdR's 1861 publication) and clearly showed two strips of the galaxy separated by a dark lane.

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NGC 3191 = NGC 3192 = UGC 5565 = MCG +08-19-018 = CGCG 240-026 = PGC 30136

10 19 05.1 +46 27 15

V = 13.3; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 5d

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, small, round, 0.7' diameter, weak broad concentration. Located 4.1' SSW of a mag 10 star. Pair with MCG +08-19-017 1.3' W.

JH found NGC 3191 = h691 on 19 Mar 1828 and recorded "F; S; R; bM; 15-20". If this be III. 704 [NGC 3192], there must exist a great error in PD on one or other side. His position matches UGC 5565.

WH discovered this galaxy on 5 Feb 1788 and recorded it as III-704 (and later GC 2060 = NGC 3192). His position, though, was 7' too far north. All major catalogues identify this galaxy as NGC 3191, instead of NGC 3192. References: Malcolm Thomson's article in the Webb Society Quarterly Journal Apr 1980 and Betelgeuse Nov 1979.

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NGC 3192 = NGC 3191 = UGC 5565 = MCG +08-19-018 = CGCG 240-026 = PGC 30128

10 19 05.1 +46 27 15

See observing notes for NGC 3191.

WH discovered NGC 3192 = H III-704 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and recorded "eF, vS, may be a patch of small stars." There is nothing at his position, but 8' due south is h691 = NGC 3191. JH recorded this galaxy as h691 (and later NGC 3191), noting "F; S; R; bM; 15-20". If this be III. 704, there must exist a great error in PD on one side or the other." Dreyer also commented "perhaps = h.691" in the notes to his Scientific Papers of WH.

RNGC misidentifies MCG +08-19-017 as NGC 3192. This galaxy is located 1.3' W of NGC 3191. See my RNGC Corrections #1, WSQJ Apr 1980 and Betelgeuse Nov 1979 (by Malcolm Thomson).

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NGC 3193 = HCG 44B = Arp 316 NED3 = UGC 5562 = MCG +04-24-027 = CGCG 123-038 = VV 307 = Holm 175b = WBL 262-003 = PGC 30099

10 18 25.0 +21 53 37

V = 10.9; Size 3.0'x2.7'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/23/85): bright, small, round, stellar nucleus, second brightest in the NGC 3190 group. Located just 1.3' S of mag 9.0 SAO 81279. Third of three with NGC 3190 5.8' SW and NGC 3187 8.8' WSW.

13.1" (3/24/84): bright, small bright nucleus, small, round. A mag 9 star is just 1' N.

WH discovered NGC 3193 = H II-45 = h693, along with NGC 3190, on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166). See notes on NGC 3190. JH made three observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3194 = NGC 3155 = UGC 5538 = MCG +12-10-026 = CGCG 351-012 = PGC 30064

10 17 39.9 +74 20 51

See observing notes for NGC 3155.

WH discovered NGC 3194 = H III-965 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and noted "vF, vS." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors. The corrected position using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509, 1911) matches UGC 5538 and Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 edition of WH's catalogues. See NGC 2938 for more on this sweep.

JH independently discovered this galaxy on 2 Sep 1828 and recorded h676 as "vF; S; R. RA extremely precarious." His rough position is 4' northeast of UGC 5538. Dreyer also assumed this was a new discovery and catalogued it as NGC 3155 (with an accurate position from d'Arrest). So, NGC 3194 = NGC 3155. The primary designation should be NGC 3194, but the common name is NGC 3155.

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NGC 3195 = PK 296-20.1 = ESO 019-PN2 = PN G296.6-20.0

10 09 21.1 -80 51 31

V = 11.5; Size 43"x36"

24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 350x, appeared fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, ~40"x35". The planetary is clearly annular at this magnification with the rim brightest along the east and west sides, giving a bipolar appearance. The southern end of the rim dims, making the rim appear U-shaped, open to the south (though weaker on the north end). The central hole is irregularly shaped with careful viewing. Two mag 12 stars to the west at 45" and 1.6' are collinear with the planetary and a brighter mag 11.5 lies 2' SE. The surrounding field is lacking in bright stars but rich in faint stars. NGC 3149 lies 30' NNW.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is an interesting planetary at 171x with a UHC filter or at 228x. It appears moderately bright and large, ~40"x35", slightly elongated ~N-S. This disc has a noticeably irregular surface brightness with a slightly brighter knot on the following side and a hint of annularity. Good response to UHC and OIII filters. Located in southern Chamaeleon between Zeta and Delta Chamaeleontis.

JH discovered NGC 3195 = h3241 on 24 Feb 1835 and recorded "planetary nebula, pB, not quite uniform in its light, having two brighter patches, lE towards a * (a); slightly hazy; diameter = 15 or 18" (in RA 13 seconds of time). Pos of star a = 265.7 , dist = 0.7 diam from edge, 11th mag.; of star c, pos = 210.7 , dist = 1 3/4 diam from edge." On a later sweep he described "Planetary nebula, R or vlE; a very little hazy at the edges but still pretty well defined with 240 power. Viewed long and with much attention, being a very remarkable object. I am positive of the existence of two brighter portions near the edges." Sketched Plate VI, figure 2.

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NGC 3196 = CGCG 153-035 = CGCG 154-001 = PGC 30121

10 18 49.1 +27 40 08

V = 15.7; Size 0.4'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 115d

18" (2/23/06): extremely faint and small, round, 10" diameter. Located 0.5' W of a mag 15-15.5 star that confuses the observation. This galaxy is unusually faint for a William Herschel discovery. Located 13' NE of striking double star ∑1421 = 8.2/9.3 at 4.5".

WH discovered NGC 3196 = H III-348 = h694 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and remarked "suspected, eF, pS, lE. I do not much doubt it; but there is too much light to verify it." CH's reduction is 30 sec of time following CGCG 153-035 = PGC 30121. JH's position is just 30" south of this galaxy, though he noted "so eF that I remained unsatisfied". Given that comment and the magnitude of this galaxy, it's amazing that WH apparently picked it up during twilight. Sweep 396/397 on 11 Apr 1785 was WH's most productive -- with 72 discoveries -- and this was the first object found in the sweep.

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NGC 3197 = UGC 5500 = MCG +13-08-009 = CGCG 350-045 = CGCG 351-010 = PGC 29870

10 14 27.7 +77 49 13

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 155d

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, small, round, even surface brightness. Located almost at midpoint of two mag 11 stars 3.7' NE and 3.5' SW.

WH discovered NGC 3197 = H III-966 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and logged "F, S, stellar neb. It is very near and preceding a small star. 300 confirmed it." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors. The corrected position using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509, 1911) matches UGC 5500 and Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 edition of WH's catalogues. See NGC 2938 for more on this sweep.

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NGC 3198 = UGC 5572 = MCG +08-19-020 = CGCG 240-030 = PGC 30197

10 19 54.8 +45 32 59

V = 10.3; Size 8.5'x3.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 35d

48" (5/4/16): at 375x; NGC 3198 is a showpiece, large spiral extending 7:2 SW-NE, ~8.0'x2.5'. Contains a bright, elongated central "bar", punctuated by a very small bright core that rises to a stellar nucleus. Slightly brighter patches are visible at the ends of the central region, where the spiral arms emerge. A tight inner arm is attached on the northeast end; it bends back sharply and closely parallels the central region, extending southwest for a length of ~3.5'. An outer low surface brightness arm sweeps clockwise on the southwest end. A symmetric outer arm on the northeast end (of slightly higher surface brightness) curls clockwise towards the west. The outer tip to tip diameter is nearly 8'. An uncatalogued fairly bright double star [separation ~3.7"] is 3.5' NNE of center, just beyond the halo and a mag 14 star is 2.2' SSE of center.

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly bright, large, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 7.0'x2.5', broadly concentrated, brighter core has an indistinct elongated nucleus and an irregular surface brightness. Two mag 14 stars are close south (nearest is 2.0' from the center) and a mag 11 star is just off the NNE edge 3.5' from the center.

WH discovered NGC 3198 = H I-199 = h695 on 15 Jan 1788 (sweep 800) and remarked "cB, mE, gbM, about 5' long and 2' broad from sp to nf." George Stoney, observing with LdR's 72" on 3 Mar 1850, noted "probably a faint spiral." It was included in the list of "Spiral or curvilinear" nebulae in LdR's 1850 PT paper. In later observations, a "dark vacuity ssp Nucl" was noted as well as "dark spaces throughout its length".

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NGC 3199 = ESO 127-EN014 = Gum 28 = Ced 107 = RCW 48

10 17 06 -57 55

Size 22'x22'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x and UHC filter this Wolf-Rayet bubble appeared as an amazing 180° crescent, open on the east side and forming a thick "C" shape. The rim of the bubble is widest on the western portion, although it is slightly brighter on the southwest side. The main portion of the crescent spans ~13' from the north to south end and appears ~3.5' thick in the middle, though fainter nebulosity spreads out to the southeast. A double star (h4302 = 10.4/11.6 at 23") is embedded near the south end. The surface brightness is fairly high overall, though irregular with slightly brighter patches, knots and streaks. A faint 5' linear streak or filament running SSW-NNE is superimposed along the outer western edge, though it separates or resolves from the Crescent at its north and south ends. The illuminating mag 10.6 Wolf-Rayet star (WR 18 = HD 89358) is located about 4' E of the center of the "C", and is asymetrically positioned with respect to the center of the entire shell. This W-R bubble is situated four degrees NW of the Eta Carina nebula in a rich Milky Way star field.

13.1" (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x and UHC filter, this HII region appears as a remarkable, huge crescent, roughly 11'x7' (the main region extends nearly 1/3 of the 39' field). Opens up towards the east in a huge "C" shape. The SW portion of the crescent is brightest, although the overall surface brightness is irregular with a mottled or curdled appearance. A few stars are superimposed even with the filter with the brightest stars at the SW end. Fainter nebulosity sprouts out of the SW end, increasing the total size by several arcminutes.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is an amazing HII region with a 20mm Nagler and UHC filter at 103x. It appears as a fairly bright, thick crescent opening towards the east, roughly 10'x6'! The surface brightness was quite irregular with a UHC filter and the nebulosity was noticeably brighter on the south end where a couple of brighter stars are embedded. Off the bright portion of the south end, much lower surface brightness haze extends the curve further SE for several arcmin and spreads out somewhat increasing the length to ~15'. The main mass has a curdled, mottled appearance and dark lanes appear to intrude into the nebulosity. The illuminating star HD 89358 is a Wolf-Rayet star (WR 18) and this nebulosity is reminiscent of the Crescent Nebula in Cygnus (it could be dubbed the "Southern Crescent").

9x50 finder (2/17/04 - Costa Rica): surprisingly, NGC 3199 was visible in the 50mm finder at just 9x by blinking with the OIII filter. An elongated bar of nebulosity was seen!

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3199 = D 332 = h3239 on 1 Apr 1834 and described a "very faint ray of nebula, about 2' broad, and 6' or 7' long, joining two small stars at the south following extremity, which are very slightly involved, but their lustre is not diminished from that of similar small stars in the field. The north extremity also joins a group of small stars, but they are not involved. Figure 15.". Unfortunately he made a one degree error in reading or copying the declination so Dunlop did not receive credit in the GC or NGC (Glen Cozens recovered the identity of D 332). Because of Dunlop's poor position, this Wolf-Rayet nebula was reported by Herschel as a new discovery on 1 Apr 1834.

Herschel sketched NGC 3199 (plate IV, fig 3) and recorded, "A very large and very remarkable nebula, which is brighter to the S.f. part, and dies off to the N.p., having a curved form and forked tail. In the head of it is a double star. The nebula is pretty bright, very large, figure irregular, 8' long, 4' broad. Among a vast number of milky way stars." On a second occassion he called it "very bright, very large, 10' long, of a concave or crescent form, sharply terminated inwards, fading away outwards. In a field of about 80 stars. The place is that of a 13th mag star, about the middle of the crescent, or rather nearer the head." His next description reads: "pretty bright, very gradually brighter in the middle, of a falcated or smilunar shape, extending over three-quarters of the field. The place is that of a double star in its vertex or southern extremity." His final observation was recorded as "Place that of the double star near the cusp of the great falcated nebula, whose extent in PD is = 1.3 radius of field = 9.75' In a rich field. A clustering group follows." In the IC 2 notes, Dreyer notes that no nebulosity was found on plates at Arequipa, Peru although JH described it quite clearly.

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NGC 3200 = ESO 567-045 = MCG -03-26-037 = UGCA 210 = PGC 30108

10 18 36.5 -17 58 57

V = 12.0; Size 4.2'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 169d

17.5" (1/31/87): moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, moderately large. A mag 14 star is at the north end. Either contains a stellar nucleus or a star is superimposed on the center. A mag 12 star lies 2.0' WNW of center.

Edward Holden discovered NGC 3200 on 10 Apr 1882 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory and noted "pB, E 160, bMN." His position in Publ. of the Washburn Observatory, Vol I, p 73, matches ESO 567-045 = PGC 30108. I find it surprising that this relatively bright galaxy was missed by the Herschels.

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NGC 3201 = ESO 263-SC026

10 17 36.7 -46 24 40

V = 6.7; Size 18.2'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this beautiful, loose globular was well resolved with approximately two hundred mag 12 to 16 stars visible within a 10' region. An unusual feature is the large number of brighter cluster stars that appear to be superimposed right on top of a fainter layer of stars in the central core. The core seems displaced towards the north side as if part of the northern half of the cluster was obscured and flattened. This apparent affect may also be due to a larger number of brighter resolved stars that are superimposed on the northern half of the core. A number of stars in the outer halo are arranged in strings and chains and the outer extent of the halo is irregular.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): beautifully resolved globular at 171x and 228x. The cluster is fairly large, ~8'-10' diameter with more careful viewing. Roughly 150 stars are resolved, though the number grows with magnification and averted vision. A fairly dense layer of brighter mag 11.5-12 stars are resolved right over the bright core. The halo, which has a large number of mag 13 stars, has a scraggly, irregular edge and seems elongated - possibly partially obscured by dust. This concentration class X cluster is 7th in ranking of brightest stars (mag 11.7) and 10th in horizontal-branch mag stars (mag 14.8).

13" (2/23/85): this fairly bright globular cluster appears fairly large and mottled. But only a few stars are resolved due to the view being compromised by the very low elevation (~5° altitude) from northern California.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3201 = D 445 = h3238 on 1 May 1826 with his 9-inch reflector at Parramatta, NSW, and described a "pretty large, pretty bright round nebula, 4' or 5' diameter, very gradually condensed towards the centre, easily resolved into stars; the figure is rather irregular, and the stars are considerably scattered on the south preceding side: the stars are also of slightly mixed magnitudes."

JH first observed it on 20 Apr 1836 and recorded a "globular cluster, irregularly round, gbM, not v m comp, 6', resolved into stars 13...15th mag." On a second sweep he called it "irregularly round, 7' diameter, but the outliers extend to at least 10' or 12'; gpmbM, but not very much compressed; all resolved into stars 13..16th mag."

NGC 3201 is 7th in ranking of brightest member stars (mag 11.7) and 10th in ranking of horizontal-branch mag (mag 14.8). The distance is ~20,000 light years.

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NGC 3202 = UGC 5581 = MCG +07-21-041 = CGCG 211-044 = WBL 264-001 = PGC 30236

10 20 31.7 +43 01 18

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 20d

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.7', only a weak concentration with a small brighter core. A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' W of center. First of three with very similar NGC 3205 4.4' SE and NGC 3207 5.7' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 3202 = H II-720 = h696 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804) and noted "F, vS." CH's reduction is 3.5' southwest of UGC 5581 (similar offset as NGC 3205 = II-721 and NGC 3207 = II-722). JH recorded "vF; R; vgbM; 30"; the preceding of 3 neb in a triangle. Some stars near." He noted the position as very approximate and as a result the NGC position is 2' too far south.

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NGC 3203 = ESO 500-024 = MCG -04-25-002 = PGC 30177

10 19 34.5 -26 41 53

V = 12.1; Size 2.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 58d

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated SW-NE, very small bright core is possibly stellar, very thin extensions.

JH discovered NGC 3203 = h3240 on 24 Mar 1835 and recorded "pB; E; gbM; 25"." His position on the next sweep (563) was 1 min of RA greater, which he mistakenly rejected So the RA in the NGC and NGC is 1.0 min of RA too small. Clearly his observations, though, refer to ESO 500-024.

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NGC 3204 = UGC 5580 = MCG +05-25-001 = CGCG 154-003 = PGC 30214

10 20 11.2 +27 49 02

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 110d

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.5'. Located 4.1' NE of a mag 11 star. A mag 7.7 star (SAO 81305) lies 13' SE at the edge of the field.

JH discovered NGC 3204 = h698 on 24 Dec 1827 and logged "F; L; 40" - 60"; gbM." His position matches UGC 5580.

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NGC 3205 = UGC 5585 = MCG +07-21-042 = CGCG 211-046 = Holm 179a = WBL 264-002 = PGC 30254

10 20 50.0 +42 58 19

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (4/9/94): second of three in a group. Very similar appearance to NGC 3202 4.4' NW. Fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE. A mag 13 star is 1.0' WSW. Appears to have a slightly higher surface brightness than NGC 3202 and brighter along the major axis. A threshold star is superimposed NE of the core (GSC shows a mag 15 star 15" NE of center). NGC 3207 lies 2.1' ENE.

WH discovered NGC 3205 = H II-721 = h699 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804) and noted "F, vS, stellar." JH recorded "vF; R; vgbM; 30"; the second of 3 [with NGC 3202 and 3207] in a triangle."

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NGC 3206 = WBL 265-001 = UGC 5589 = MCG +10-15-069 = CGCG 290-030 = PGC 30322

10 21 47.6 +56 55 50

V = 11.9; Size 3.0'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 0d

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, fairly large, elongated 3:2 N-S, 2.5'x1.5', broad concentration. A mag 13 star is just off the NNE end 2.1' from the center. A pair of galaxies NGC 3214 and NGC 3220 lie 13' NE.

WH discovered NGC 3206 = H I-266 = h697 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and recorded "cB, pL, gbM, iF." His position is just off the east side of UGC 5589. JH called this galaxy "vF; L; E; vglbM; 2' l; 1 1/2' br" and measured a very accurate position.

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NGC 3207 = UGC 5587 = MCG +07-21-043 = CGCG 211-047 = Holm 179b = WBL 264-003 = PGC 30267

10 21 00.6 +42 59 07

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 73d

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, small, almost round, even concentration down to very small core. A mag 13.5 star is 2.0' S. Third of three in a close trio with NGC 3205 2.1' WSW and NGC 3202 5.7' WNW.

WH discovered NGC 3207 = H II-722 = h700 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804) and logged "F, vS, stellar." JH recorded "vF; R; vgbM; 30"; the last of 3 in a triangle [with NGC 3202 and 3205]."

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NGC 3208 = ESO 500-025 = MCG -04-25-003 = PGC 30180

10 19 41.3 -25 48 53

V = 12.7; Size 1.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 20d

18" (4/10/04): faint, moderately large, round. At 220x, appears as a low surface brightness glow with a very weak concentration, ~1.2' diameter. Situated between two mag 10.5 stars - the closer is 1.6' due west and the second star is 3.0' due E! Outlying member of AGC 1060?

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3208 = LM I-171 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is a reasonable match with ESO 500-025 (30 tsec too far west). Herbert Howe measured an accurate RA in 1899-00at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver (mentioned in the IC 2 notes section)

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NGC 3209 = UGC 5584 = MCG +04-25-002 = CGCG 124-003 = PGC 30242

10 20 38.5 +25 30 18

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 80d

17.5" (3/25/95): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter. Sharp concentration with a very small prominent core and stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 3.0' W of center.

Forms a pair with MCG +04-25-004 4.7' ENE (noted as "very faint, very small, round. A mag 14.5 star is 1.2' NNE"). Brightest in a trio with UGC 5588 9.4' SSE (noted as "fairly faint, small, round, 30" diameter, weak concentration. Forms a small isosceles triangle with two mag 12 stars 1.0' SSW and 1.2' E of center. High surface brightness for a UGC galaxy").

JH discovered NGC 3209 = h701 on 19 Feb 1827 and recorded "F; R; 30"; has a star." His position matches UGC 5584.

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NGC 3210

10 27 58.9 +79 49 57

Size 24"

17.5" (1/28/89): NGC 3210 is a pair of mag 13.5/14.5 stars at 24" separation located just 1' WNW of NGC 3212. This double was easily resolved.

WH discovered NGC 3210 = H III-979 on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, his second to last sweep) and recorded "The preceding [with III-980 = NGC 3212 and III-981 = NGC 3215] stellar; they are all in line and about 1' distance from each other. The preceding is the most north, about 2' more than the last." A pair of mag 13.5/14.5 stars at 24" separation is the only object matching his description with respect to the two nearby galaxies.

In the 1912 notes to WH's third catalogue, Dreyer states the RA for NGC 3210 requires a correction of +1.0 tmin in RA (probably based on an observation by Bigourdan) and this would match one or both of the stars. In 1892 William Denning reported "there are two or three faint stars in the place assigned for it [NGC 3210], but, like D'Arrest, I see no nebulosity [in a 10-inch reflector]." Dorothy Carlson identifies this object as a star in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections.

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NGC 3211 = PK 286-4.1 = ESO 127-PN15 = PN G286.3-04.8

10 17 50.3 -62 40 14

V = 10.7; Size 17"

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): Picked up unfiltered at 105x as a moderately bright, 15" disc. Good contrast gain with UHC filter. Appears bright, evenly illuminated with a well-defined bluish halo. Appears to float in a beautifully rich Carina star field and centered within a parallelogram of mag 10.5 stars (sides ~9'x7'). Located 1.3° south of the mag 3.4 q Velorum.

18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x and UHC filter this fine planetary appeared as a very bright, round disc, ~15" diameter, crisp-edged with a bluish hue. Good filter response to UHC. The surface brightness was very high and there was a hint of a slightly brighter rim. Set in a rich Carina star field.

JH discovered NGC 3211 = h3242 on 7 Mar 1837 and recorded "planetary nebula, delicate, exactly round, = * 10 mag, a little dim at edges; white; with 320x considerably hazy. In field with at least 150 stars." The next sweep he recorded "perfectly round; very well defined, with a perfectly uniform light, not at all mottled; = a star 10th mag, of which brightness there are 5 or 6 more in the field, and not less than 150 others less bright. Examined by both Mr Maclear and myself with 240x which shows it proportionally magnified; quite round and planetary; a little hazy at the edges, but not more so than is due to the decidedly bad definition of the night, and the imperfect figure of the mirror, which has been injured by careless polishing on too soft a polisher."

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NGC 3212 = Arp 181 NED1 = VV 319b = UGC 5643 = MCG +13-08-021 = CGCG 351-023 = PGC 30813

10 28 16.1 +79 49 23

V = 13.1; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 107d

17.5" (1/28/89): faint, very small, round. A pair of mag 13.5/14.5 stars at 24" separation is 1' WNW (= NGC 3210). Forms a pair with NGC 3215 1.2' SE.

WH discovered NGC 3212 = H III-980 on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, his second to last sweep) and recorded "Three, the place is that of the last [III-981]. The two last [NGC 3212 and 3215] vF and vS."

None of these 3 objects were included in WH's third catalogue as they were discovered just after his 500 discovery limit was reached on the previous object (NGC 3057). JH added III-980 as one of the 8 "HON" objects ("[William] Herschel omitted nebulae") in the Appendix to his Cape Observations. There are only two galaxies here that were measured accurately by d'Arrest and Bigourdan with III-979 = NGC 3210 a single or double star.

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NGC 3213 = UGC 5590 = MCG +03-27-004 = CGCG 094-008 = PGC 30283

10 21 17.3 +19 39 07

V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 133d

17.5" (4/25/92): very faint, small, round, low almost even surface brightness. Located 10' NE of mag 8.1 SAO 99075 and 21' SE of the striking double star Gamma Leonis (2.2/3.5 at 4.5").

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3213 = St XIII-58 on 13 Mar 1883. His position matches UGC 5590.

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NGC 3214 = MCG +10-15-071 = CGCG 290-032 = Holm 182a = WBL 265-003 = PGC 30419

10 23 08.9 +57 02 20

V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.3'; PA = 30d

17.5" (4/9/94): first of two with NGC 3220 5.0' E. Faint, very small, round, very small brighter core. Bracketed by two mag 13.5 stars 0.8' W and 1.0' E. NGC 3206 lies 13' SW.

Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 3214 on 9 Mar 1874 using LdR's 72" while observing GC 2082 = NGC 3220. He recorded "cB, vS, R, sbMN = * 11m, pos 277.3°, dist 288.7" It is in a line, Pos about 100°, between 2 st, about 11m each, dist about 1.5'." Copeland's offset from NGC 3220 matches CGCG 290-032 = PGC 30419.

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NGC 3215 = Arp 181 NED2 = VV 319a = UGC 5659 = MCG +13-08-022 = CGCG 350-055 = CGCG 351-024 = PGC 30840

10 28 40.4 +79 48 46

V = 13.0; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 130d

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated. Forms a close pair with NGC 3212 1.2' NW. Collinear with NGC 3212 and pair of mag 13.5/14.5 stars 2.2' NW.

WH discovered NGC 3215 = H III-981 on 26 Sep 1802 (sweep 1111, his second to last sweep) and recorded "Three, the place is that of the last [III-981]. The two last [NGC 3212 and 3215] vF and vS." Caroline Herschel's reduced position is ~4' north of Arp 181 = UGC 5643 and UGC 5659.

None of these three objects were included in WH's third catalogue as they were discovered just after his 500 discovery limit was reached on the previous object (NGC 3057). JH added III-981 as one of the 8 "HON" objects ("[William] Herschel omitted nebulae") in the Appendix to his Cape Observations. There are only two galaxies here, that were measured accurately by d'Arrest and Bigourdan and NGC 3210 is either a star or wide double star.

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NGC 3216 = UGC 5593 = MCG +04-25-007 = CGCG 124-008 = PGC 30312

10 21 41.2 +23 55 23

V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 0d

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, 0.9'x0.7', weak concentration. Located 4.7' ENE of a mag 10.5 star. Brightest in a group with UGC 5597 at 4.6' SE (not seen) and an anonymous galaxy 4.1' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 3216 = H III-330 = h702 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, pS, vlbM." JH logged "eF; R; 20"." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3217 = IC 606 = MCG +02-27-006 = CGCG 065-017 = Mrk 721 = VIII Zw 074 = Todd 29 = PGC 30448

10 23 32.6 +10 57 35

V = 14.5; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 30d

18" (3/11/07): faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3', weak concentration. Situated in a small group of mag 13-14 stars and a mag 11.6 star 2.6' SE. Discovered by David Todd in his search for a trans-Neptunian planet and equivalent to IC 606.

David Todd discovered NGC 3217 = Todd 29 on 4 Mar 1878 using the 26-inch Clark refractor at the US Naval Observatory during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet. Todd's RA was only given to the nearest minute but Harold Corwin identifies NGC 3217 = CGCG 065-017 = PGC 30448 at 10 23 32.6 +10 57 35 (2000). This galaxy is 2.1 tmin east of Todd's rough position and 4' north. His sketch shows a nearby star whose position matches a mag 14 star and a closer star on his sketch also matches the DSS.

This galaxy was independently found by Stephane Javelle on 18 Apr 1893 at Nice, placed correctly, and later recatalogued as IC 606. So, NGC 3217 = IC 606. MCG and CGCG label this galaxy IC 606. RNGC erroneously classifies NGC 3217 as nonexistent.

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NGC 3218 = NGC 3183 = UGC 5582 = MCG +12-10-028 = CGCG 351-018 = CGCG 333-023 = PGC 30323

10 21 49.4 +74 10 37

V = 11.9; Size 2.3'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 170d

See observing notes for NGC 3183.

WH discovered NGC 3218 = H I-283 on 2 Apr 180 (sweep 1096) and recorded "cB, cL, er." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors. The corrected position using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509, 1911) matches UGC 5582. See NGC 2938 for more on this sweep.

Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 28 Sep 1865, measured an accurate position, and Dreyer catalogued it as NGC 3183, assuming it was new. The primary designation of this galaxy is NGC 3183, despite the earlier discovery by WH.

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NGC 3219 = MCG +07-21-051 = CGCG 211-049 = Holm 184a = PGC 30383

10 22 37.4 +38 34 45

V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.5'; PA = 60d

18" (4/10/04): very faint, small, slightly elongated 0.5'x0.4', weak concentration. Situated in the middle of a thin triangle of mag 11-12 stars with a 1.6' pair of mag 11.5/12 stars ~2.5' W and a mag 11 star 3' E. Forms a close pair with MCG +07-21-049 1.8' NW, which was not seen with certainty. Located 9.5' NE of mag 8.8 SAO 62000.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3219 = St XII-38 on 11 Apr 1882. His position matches CGCG 211-049 = PGC 30383. This galaxy is not in RC3 and for some reason is not plotted on the new version of the Uranometria 2000 Star Atlas.

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NGC 3220 = UGC 5614 = MCG +10-15-073 = CGCG 290-034 = IC 604 = Holm 182b = WBL 265-004 = PGC 30462

10 23 45.2 +57 01 38

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 97d

17.5" (4/9/94): brighter of a pair with NGC 3214 5.0' W. Fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.5', weak concentration. Forms the west vertex of a near isosceles triangle with a mag 11 star 5.5' NE and a mag 10 star 6.5' ESE. The mag 10 star is an unequal triple with two 14th magnitude companions at 18" and 27".

WH discovered NGC 3220 = H III-911 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and noted "vF, cL, iF." CH's reduction matches UGC 5614.

Ralph Copeland, observing with the 72" on 9 Mar 1874, recorded "pF, L cE 91.5°, *14 Pos 145.6°, Dist 94", *8m Pos 102.1°, Dist 393.3°. The NGC description is based on this observation although the mag 8 star is actually 6.5' in PA 102.

Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 8 Aug 1890, and reported it as new in list IX-22 (later IC 604). Dreyer apparently missed the match in position, so NGC 3220 = IC 604.

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NGC 3221 = UGC 5601 = MCG +04-25-013 = CGCG 124-017 = PGC 30358

10 22 20.2 +21 34 07

V = 13.1; Size 3.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 167d

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 3.0'x0.7', brighter middle but no nucleus. A mag 11 star is 4.6' S of center.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3221 on 1 Jan 1862 and noted "eF, incredibly thin, 90" length, mag 10 star 4' south." His position is just off the north side of UGC 5601.

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NGC 3222 = UGC 5610 = MCG +03-27-011 = CGCG 094-018 = PGC 30377

10 22 34.5 +19 53 13

V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (4/25/92): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, small bright core, faint halo. A mag 14.5 star is just south of the west edge 0.6' from center. A mag 11.5 star lies 2.9' S. FIrst of three with the NGC 3226/3227 duo 13' E in field.

Friedrich August Winnecke discovered NGC 3222 = Au 27 in March 1855 with a 9.6-in Fraunhofer refractor at the Berlin Observatory, "while observing the double nebula [NGC 3226/3227]." He added "it is much fainter than both components, round and slightly brighter to the middle." Using the Heliometer at Konigsberg, Auwers described it as "very faint, ~1' diam; star-like core 12-13m." d'Arrest and Schultz also measure accurate micrometric positions, and Schultz called it "binuclear".

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NGC 3223 = ESO 375-012 = MCG -06-23-023 = LGG 196-005 = IC 2571 = PGC 30308

10 21 35.1 -34 16 01

V = 11.0; Size 4.1'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 135d

18" (4/10/04): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 2.0'x1.2'. Increases to a moderately bright 30" core. A mag 11 star is just off the SE end and one or two faint stars are superimposed in the halo. This was a surprisingly easy galaxy and bright for a low elevation (~15 degrees). Located about 1.5 degrees NW of the center of Antila cluster within the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster. NGC 3224 lies 26' S.

JH discovered NGC 3223 = h3243 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "pB; vL; vlE; pslbM; to a centre; diam 2'." His position is on the northeast side of ESO 375-012.

Lewis Swift found the galaxy on 30 Dec 1897, assumed it was new and logged in list XI-107 "vF; cS; R; mag 9 star close p close following." His position is 28s of RA too far west. Herbert Howe followed up Swift's observation using the 20" refractor in Denver and noted the mag 9 star follows by 9 sec and measured an accurate position. So, NGC 3223 = IC 2571.

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NGC 3224 = ESO 375-013 = MCG -06-23-024 = LGG 196-006 = PGC 30314

10 21 41.2 -34 41 49

V = 12.0; Size 1.9'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 133d

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, failry small, slightly elongated, 0.8'x0.7'. Well-concentrated with a small, bright core. Outlying member of the Antlia Cluster. Found by starhopping from brighter NGC 3324 located 26' N.

JH discovered NGC 3224 = h3244 on 18 Apr 1835 and recorded "vF; R; pgmbM; 40"." His position matches ESO 375-013.

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NGC 3225 = UGC 5631 = MCG +10-15-077 = CGCG 290-037 = PGC 30569

10 25 10.0 +58 09 00

V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 155d

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, very weak concentration. A mag 14 star is 1.2' NNE of center.

WH discovered NGC 3225 = H II-882 = h703 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and noted "pB, pL, lE, bM." His RA (CH's reduction) is 15 sec too small. JH logged "pF; L; E; vgbM; 30" to 40"."

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NGC 3226 = Arp 94 NED1 = VV 209b = Holm 187b = UGC 5617 = MCG +03-27-015 = CGCG 094-026 = LGG 194-008 = PGC 30440

10 23 27.0 +19 53 54

V = 11.4; Size 3.2'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 15d

17.5" (4/25/92): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, smoothly increases from halo to a bright core and an almost stellar nucleus. The halo extends to almost 2' diameter with averted vision and fades into background. Forms a striking pair with NGC 3227 at the south side with 2.3' separation between centers. The outer halo is just in contact with NGC 3227 at the SSE edge. NGC 3222 lies 13' W.

13.1" (4/16/83): fairly faint, broad concentration to a brighter middle.

WH discovered NGC 3226 = H II-28 on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 146) and recorded "Two nebula almost close together. Perhaps 1 1/2 or 2' asunder, they are pretty considerable in size and of a roundish form; but not cometic; they are vF." His position was 17' too far north, but d'Arrest and Schultz measured accurate positions used in the GC and NGC.

Father Secchi made an independent discovery of NGC 3226 and 3227 on 6 Mar 1853 with a 9.5" Merz refractor and announced it in the AN. He mentioned the object is "not listed in Herschel's Observations of nebulae and clusters of stars [Slough catalogue]." Like a number of observers he missed the prior discovery by WH as he probably only checked the Slough catalogue and WH's position was quite poor.

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NGC 3227 = Arp 94 NED2 = VV 209a = Holm 187a = UGC 5620 = MCG +03-27-016 = CGCG 094-028 = LGG 194-009 = PGC 30445

10 23 30.6 +19 51 55

V = 10.3; Size 5.4'x3.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 155d

17.5" (4/25/92): fairly bright, fairly bright, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 2.5'x1.0', prominent very small high surface brightness core, striking stellar nucleus. Just in contact with NGC 3226 at the NW tip 2.3' separation between cores. Brightest of three with NGC 3222 13' W.

13.1" (4/16/83): fairly bright, elongated, bright core, stellar nucleus. This Seyfert galaxy forms a contact system with NGC 3226 2' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 3227 = H II-29 on 15 Feb 1784 (sweep 146), along with NGC 3226. JH did not make an observation. See notes for NGC 3226.

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NGC 3228 = ESO 214-SC001 = Cr 218

10 21 22 -51 43 24

V = 6.0; Size 18'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): bright, 15' open cluster in Vela. Prominent in 9x50 finder and easy in 10x30 IS binoculars. The main portion consists of 9 mag 8-10 stars. Scattered about are a few additional mag 9 and 10 stars in a 15' field. Perhaps 3 dozen stars total are within the boundary, though besides the bright stars the remaining are mostly mag 13-14 and appear to be a random background scattering of stars in a rich Milky Way field.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 3228 = Lac II-7 = D 386 = h3245 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x, during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He described a "group of four or five faint and very close stars." James Dunlop observed the cluster on 9 May 1826 and noted "11 Roboris Caroli. A group of 8 or 10 pretty bright small stars, with very small stars, about 6' diameter." JH recorded (single observation) "a group of 9 L, and a few scattered small stars."

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NGC 3229

10 23 24.3 +00 03 54

=**, Corwin. Incorrect identification in the RNGC.

Sidney Coolidge discovered NGC 3229 = HN 16 on 31 Mar 1850 with the 15-inch refractor of Harvard College Observatory during the Zone Survey of equatorial stars. He simply noted a "faint nebulous object", but at his exact position is a double star at 10 23 24.3 +00 03 54. The RNGC misidentifies CGCG 009-008 as NGC 3229. This galaxy is located 1.6 min of RA west and 12' north of Coolidge's position. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 3230 = UGC 5624 = MCG +02-27-007 = CGCG 065-020 = PGC 30463

10 23 44.0 +12 33 59

V = 12.8; Size 2.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 115d

17.5" (3/22/96): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.7'. Fairly sharp concentration with a small bright core and occasional stellar nucleus. Unusual appearance with a mag 10 star superimposed at the south edge. Forms a pair with UGC 5625 4' NNE.

JH discovered NGC 3230 = h705 on 24 Mar 1830 and recorded (the next sweep) "A very close D* of the first class involved in a nebulous wisp.  A most curious, delicate and interesting object."  His position matches UGC 05624.

In 1885, Herbert Sadler of England claimed to detect a change in the position (proper motion) relative to a nearby double star.  Dreyer replied that there was no evidence of motion.

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NGC 3231

10 26 58 +66 48 42

Size 2.5'

18" (3/5/05): 16 stars are visible in an 8' region. The stars are distributed into two groups oriented NW-SE. The northwest group stands out more distinctly as it is a bit richer and more compact (~2.5' diameter) and contains a mag 11.5/13 pair at 18". The sparser SE group also contains a mag 13 pair at 17". At the SE edge of the 225x field (9' SE of the NW grouping) is mag 7.9 HD 90318. Listed as an asterism in the RNGC.

JH discovered NGC 3231 = h704 on 3 Apr 1832 NGC 3231 and recorded "A cluster of 20 stars more or less, 10,11, and 12m, scattered over a space of 10' dia. A star 7m south." Heinrich d'Arrest noted the principal star was double. This grouip is apparently an asterism although it stands out well on the DSS, being detached from the surrounding field.

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NGC 3232 = MCG +05-25-004 = CGCG 154-008 = PGC 30508

10 24 24.3 +28 01 40

V = 14.2; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1

17.5" (3/25/95): very faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, low even surface brightness. Located 2.5' NE of a mag 10 star. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3235 7.7' E.

This is a superposed (merging?) pair of galaxies, though it was not seen as double.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3232, along with NGC 3235, on 29 Dec 1861. His single position and description (he mentions a mag 11-12 star is 150" southwest) matches ESO 568-001.

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NGC 3233 = ESO 568-001 = MCG -04-25-004 = LGG 195-002 = AM 1019-220 = PGC 30336

10 21 57.5 -22 16 04

V = 12.5; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 140d

17.5" (4/13/02): faint, small, elongated nearly 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.6', irregular surface brightness. There is possibly a very faint envelope surrounding the main bar. Located 16' NNE of mag 6.5 HD 89828.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3233 = LM I-172 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 1 min of time west of ESO 568-001. Herbert Howe's corrected position (given in the IC 2 Notes section) is accurate.

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NGC 3234 = NGC 3235? = UGC 5635 = MCG +05-25-007 = CGCG 154-010 = PGC 30553

10 24 59.3 +28 01 26

See observing notes for NGC 3235.

JH discovered NGC 3234 = h706 on 24 Dec 1827 and noted "pB; R: psbM; 30"." There is nothing at his positin, though his brightness estimate of "pB" implies a duplicate observation (with a bad position) of a reasonably bright galaxy. In the GC, JH mentions it could be a comet.

This object was not found in six attempts at Birr Castle (1852-56), and Reinmuth and Carlson also reported it not found, based on photographic searches. In the NGC Notes section, Dreyer states that NGC 3234 is probably identical to NGC 3235 with a 1 degree error in declination. In the IC 1 notes, though, Dreyer states that ≠ NGC 3235 as both were seen by William Frederick Denning. Nevertheless, Corwin concludes "NGC 3234 is almost certainly = NGC 3235."

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NGC 3235 = NGC 3234? = UGC 5635 = MCG +05-25-007 = CGCG 154-010 = PGC 30553

10 24 59.3 +28 01 26

V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 85d

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, round, 40" diameter, slightly brighter core, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 3.1' NNW. Brightest in a group with NGC 3232 7.7' W and IC 2572 4.7' NNE. IC 2572 appeared extremely faint, small, very elongated ~N-S, although difficult to determine exact orientation as could only glimpse.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3235, along with NGC 3232, on 29 Dec 1861. His position, measured on 3 nights, matches UGC 5635 = PGC 30553 and he noted a mag 15 star precedes by 5.7 seconds of time, at a separation of 195" [SSW]. NGC 3234 is probably a duplicate (earlier) observation by JH with an erroneous position. See notes for NGC 3234.

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NGC 3236 = MCG +10-15-081 = CGCG 290-040 = PGC 30711

10 26 48.5 +61 16 23

V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.4'; PA = 55d

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, very small, round, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is 1.5' ESE and a mag 12 star 2.8' SE. Located 4.0' NE of a mag 10.5 star.

JH discovered NGC 3236 = h707 on 25 Mar 1832 and recorded "eF; S; psbM; 8"; 2 st 11 and 12m follow." His position matches CGCG 290-040 = PGC 30711.

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NGC 3237 = UGC 5640 = MCG +07-22-003 = CGCG 212-007 = PGC 30610

10 25 43.3 +39 38 47

V = 13.0; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (4/13/02): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, brighter core. An uneven mag 12/14 double is 3' N and trailing from this pair is a string of three mag 10.5-11.5 (total length including double of 10').

WH discovered NGC 3237 = H III-631 = h709 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and noted "vF, vS. With 300 the same." CH's reduced position is 6' south-southeast of UGC 5640, but there are no other nearby candidates. JH logged "pF; R; S; pgbM; 10-12" dia." His position is marked as very uncertain, but his dec is just 1' south of UGC 5640.

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NGC 3238 = UGC 5649 = MCG +10-15-080 = CGCG 290-041 = PGC 30686

10 26 43.0 +57 13 35

V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, even concentration with brighter core and faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with MCG +10-15-079 5.4' NW. NGC 3220 lies 27' SW.

WH discovered NGC 3238 = H II-883 = h708 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and noted "F, S, R, bM." His position (CH's reduction) is just 1' NE of UGC 5649. JH logged "Not vF; R; pslbM; 20"."

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NGC 3239 = Arp 263 = VV 95 = UGC 5637 = MCG +03-27-025 = CGCG 094-038 = PGC 30560

10 25 05.5 +17 09 35

V = 11.3; Size 5.0'x3.3'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 80d

48" (5/4/16): NGC 3239 was examined at 488x, specifically looking for the two tidal tails not seen in the previous observation with Lowrey's 48". A very faint curving tail or hook (identified as "Tail A" in Krienke & Hodge's 1990 paper "The structure of the irregular galaxy, NGC 3239") was seen extending from the very bright HII knot (VV 95b) on the southeast side. It curves clockwise to the southeast in the direction of a mag 15.8 star [2' ESE of the mag 10 superimposed star].

Beyond the west end of the main glow is a fairly wide, very low surface brightness glow (the start of "Tail B") in the direction of a mag 12.5 star (2.4' due W of the bright star); it then sweeps broadly towards the south. A narrow extension heading southwest ends at a faint HII knot, perhaps 6" diameter, which is identified in NED as NGC 3239:[HK83] 75 and 80.

48" (2/19/12): NGC 3239 = Arp 263 is a large, disrupted irregular, dominated by numerous HII regions. It was a fascinating sight at 488x. A mag 10 star is superimposed on the southwest side of the galaxy with the patchy, highly irregular surface brightness glow of the galaxy extending mainly north and east of the star.

A very bright, round knot of ~15" diameter is prominent on the southeast side of the galaxy. This HII complex is catalogued as VV 95b in NED and as region #6 and #10 in Hodge-Kennicutt's 1983 "An Atlas of HII Regions in 125 Galaxies". A faint star or knot is attached on the north side. A "star" recorded just off the west side of this knot turns out to be supernova SN 2012A, discovered on 7 Jan 2012, still currently around 14th magnitude (see image at http://skycenter.arizona.edu/gallery/Galaxies/ngc3239). Very faint haze extends southeast of VV 95b, but the "tail" structure was not seen.

Along the north side of the galaxy (elongated east-west) are several additional knots. About 30" due north of VV 95B is HK[83] #3 and #4. This close pair of knots appeared as a faint, small, irregular glow, ~6" diameter. Patchy haze is just west, but with no condensed spots. Further west, and 40" due north of the mag 10 star, is a moderately bright, small, round knot, ~10" diameter that has several HK[83] entries (#28/29/31/34). To the west of this knot, the glow of the galaxy ends near HK[83] #57/58, a faint low surface brightness knot that is elongated N-S.

18" (3/28/09): moderately bright and large, irregular shape and mottled appearance, elongated ~2:1 E-W, ~1.0'x0.5'. A mag 9.5 star is superimposed on the SW side with the brighter portion of the galaxy extending to the east. On the SW end of the galaxy is a bright HII knot (VV 95B = Hodge-Kennicutt #10) of ~20" diameter. The galaxy has a patchy surface brightness with an ill-defined, irregular halo. A number of fainter galaxies are in the field (background cluster) including CGCG 94-42 2.9' SE, CGCG 94-40 4.8' N, CGCG 94-43 6.3' NNE, UGC 5639 8' NE, CGCG 94-39 8.5' N, CGCG 94-46 8.5' SE.

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 E-W, very unusual appearance as a mag 9 star (BD+17 2217) is superimposed on the south side. An unusually bright knot is following the bright star by 51" on the SE side of the galaxy. This is possibly an offset nucleus or more likely an HII knot. The galaxy appears to extend to the west from this knot. The galaxy exhibits an irregular surface brightness with edges difficult to define as it fades into the background. The halo is more extensive to the north with averted vision. About 2' NW and 2' W are two mag 11 and 12 stars.

WH discovered NGC 3239 = H IV-10 = h710 = h3246 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181)and recorded "A pretty considerable star, with a milky vF brush after it. The position of the brush is about 15 or 20° nf. With 240 I saw 2 vF stars towards the confines of the brush; but they seemed to have no connection with it. The bright star is the following one of a triangle, the preceding stars of which are a little smaller. It precedes a large star 3 1/2 min of time and is 2' more north." His description and position applies to Arp 263 = VV 95.

10 observations were made at Birr Castle, with knots in NGC 3239 mentioned several times. On 10 Jan 1856, R.J. Mitchell commented "A knot north of the star and another nff, the space between them and the star is filled with faint mottled nebulosity. A star suspected in np end of the following knot. A very faint nebula suspected following?". The last comment probably refers to CGCG 094-042, which is 3' ESE.

On the POSS, the bright knot on the southeast end seems like it could be an interacting galaxy but on the SDSS it looks like a large, blue HII region. Also the area immediately north seems dusty. Contains unusual asymmetric arcs to the south as if very disturbed. This galaxy has a listed redshift of only 0.0025, while the surrounding galaxies (6 viewed on 3/28/09) have a redshift of z = .044.

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NGC 3240 = ESO 568-003 = MCG -04-25-007 = LGG 195-003 = PGC 30515

10 24 30.6 -21 47 28

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 78d

17.5" (2/22/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 E-W, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration. A mag 14 star is 0.8' SSE of center just outside the halo.

JH's position (h3247) from two observations matches E568-003 = M-04-25-007.

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NGC 3241 = ESO 436-016 = MCG -05-25-002 = PGC 30498

10 24 16.9 -32 28 58

V = 12.2; Size 2.2'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 123d

18" (4/10/04): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 1.3'x1.0'. Weak concentration with no distinguishable core. A mag 11 star is close off the NW edge, 1.4' from center and the galaxy is elongated in the direction of the star. Scattered groups of mag 10 stars lie ~20' E and a similar distance west. Outlying member of the Antlia cluster.

JH's dec (h3249) is exactly 1' N of E436-016 = M-05-25-002.

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NGC 3242 = Eye Nebula = Ghost of Jupiter = PK 261+32.1 = ESO 568-PN5 = PN G261.0+32.0

10 24 46.1 -18 38 32

V = 7.3; Size 40"x35"

48" (4/18/15): In addition to structure previously noted, the sharply defined inner ring clearly has lower surface brightness extensions at the northwest and southeast end, creating an inner lens. The bulge on the northwest end is a bit larger and brighter, though the southeast end of the ring has a slightly brighter knot.

Two galaxies are nearby. PGC 155202, 3.9' SSW of NGC 3242, is fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 20"x15", very weak concentration. A mag 11.2 star lies 1.9' NE. PGC 155215, 3.4' SE of NGC 3242, is faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 15"x12", low surface brightness. A mag 14 star lies 0.6' WNW and a mag 10 star is 2' E.

48" (2/18/12): at 814x, the multiple ring structure was remarkable. The small, dark central hole and bright central star is surrounded by an beautiful inner lens, elongated 3:2 NW-SE. This vivid turquoise lens is brighter at the ends of the major axis and bulges out with an extension on the northwest end. Surrounding the lens is a broader halo or shell with a rounder outline, ~45"x35" NW-SE. This shell has a distinctive light pink or salmon color. Highlighting the very edge of this shell is an extremely thin, slightly brighter greenish ring. A low surface brightness outer halo surrounds the planetary.

48" (4/1/11): stunning view at 488x with a high contrast, high surface brightness double ring structure and an outer third shell. The small inner lens has an electric turquoise color and is elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~25"x15". At the southeast end of the major axis of the inner ring is a well-defined, bright knot. The irregular inner ring is also brighter and thicker along the northwest end, though not as bright or sharply defined as the southeast knot. The dim central portion is punctuated by the bright central star. The outer ring is rounder and extends ~45"x35" NW-SE, with the limb unevenly lit. The greenish color is not as intense in the outer ring. Between the two main rings the nebulosity has a pinkish hue. The main structure was surrounded by a low surface brightness outer halo, at least 1.5' diameter, which significantly increased the total size!

18" (4/9/05): at 435x, the double shell structure was prominent and exhibited filametary structure outside the inner ring.

17.5" (3/25/00): this beautiful PN has a very high surface brightness and a bluish color at 100x. The view at 280x-380x is stunning with a well-defined double shell structure. The bright, narrow inner ring is surrounded by a second fainter oval envelope. Inside the bright lens is a dark, 10" donut-hole with a faint central star marking the center. In moments of steady seeing, the inner ring has a hard-edge and the central star is easier.

17.5" (1/31/87): at 415x appears very bright, fairly small, bluish color, central star is visible. Prominent double lens structure with a bright inner lens surrounded by a second fainter elliptical shell. Stunning at high power with a striking "eye" appearance with a darker center.

13" (3/24/84): very bright, bright inner lens surrounded by a second fainter elliptical shell. At 350x there is a darker center to the inner lens and the central star is visible almost continuously.

WH discovered NGC 3242 = H IV-27 = h3248 on 7 Feb 1785 (sweep 368) and described this bright planetary as "a beautiful, very brilliant globe of light; a little hazy on the edges, but the haziness goes off very suddenly, so as not to exceed the 20th part of the diameter, which I suppose to be from 30 to 40" in diameter. It is round, or perhaps a very little elliptical, and all over of an uniform brightness: I suppose the intensity of its light to be equal to that of a star of the 9th magnitude."  On a second observation he logged "Beautiful, brilliant, planetary disk, ill defined, but uniformly bright, the light of the colour of Jupiter. 40" diameter. Second observation, near 1' diameter by estimation."  Interestingly, this is perhaps the only example where WH referred to a color in a planetary.

The double ring structure was described at Birr Castle, as well as the northwest extension of the inner ring. On 6 Apr 1863 Samuel Hunter noted,"Outer ring is brightest n and s and fainter p, but vF on sf side, it does not appear so blue as the inner and brighter one....The little projection of np end of the bright ring is very marked." E.E. Barnard and Sherburne Burnham observed the planetary with the 36-inch at Lick Observatory on 25 Feb 1889. Barnard described in his logbook "a glowing star in center of dark space, this in in parallelogram or diamond shape  () of beautiful bluish green.  This in an elliptical rose colored disc."

Admiral Smyth noted the planetary "resembles Jupiter" in his "Cycle of Celestial Objects" (1844), following Herschel’s comment.  But the nickname "Ghost of Jupiter" was apparently first used by Captain William Noble.  In the 1882 issue of Knowledge, he wrote "It will be a seen as a pale-blue disc, looking just like the ghost of Jupiter." He repeated this description in "Hours with a Three-Inch Telescope" (London and New York, 1886).  William Tyler Olcott also stated "It will be seen like a pale blue disk, like a ghost of jupiter" in his 1909 book "In Starland with a Three-Inch telescope”.

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NGC 3243 = UGC 5652 = MCG +00-27-012 = CGCG 009-003 = PGC 30655

10 26 21.4 -02 37 20

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 125d

17.5" (3/29/97): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, moderate concentration to a very small brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus (possibly offset from center). Located 1.5' SE of a mag 10.5 star and a similar star is 4' NNE. IC 609 lies 27' NNW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3243 = Sw III-54 on 2 Apr 1886 and noted "vF; S; lE; between a pB and a vF *." His position is 10 tsec west and 1' south of UGC 5652 and the description fits.

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NGC 3244 = ESO 317-024 = MCG -07-22-005 = PGC 30594

10 25 28.9 -39 49 41

V = 12.3; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 170d

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, very diffuse, almost round. A mag 11 star is 1.9' N. Located 14' NW of NGC 3250.

JH discovered NGC 3244 = h4019 on 22 Apr 1835 and recorded "vF; above a * 11m, dist 1.5'." It was included in a "supplementary nebulae" list at the end of the Cape catalogue (h4016 to h4021) which Dreyer identified as "h o n" ([John] Herschel Omitted Object) in the NGC. His position and description matches ESO 317-024.

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NGC 3245 = UGC 5663 = MCG +05-25-013 = CGCG 154-017 = PGC 30744

10 27 18.4 +28 30 26

V = 10.8; Size 3.2'x1.8'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 177d

17.5" (3/29/97): bright, fairly large, elongated ~3:2 N-S, 2.2'x1.3'. Unusually bright 30" core, increases to a very small but nonstellar nucleus. The faint edge-on NGC 3345A = UGC 5662 lies 8.8' NNW.

NGC 3345A appeared extremely faint, thin edge-on 7:1 NNW-SSE, ~2.0'x0.3'. Requires averted vision and concentration to glimpse, no noticeable concentration. Surprisingly low surface brightness and might not have been noticed unless aware of position. The major axis points just north of a mag 11.5 star 2.1' NW of center. Also a mag 12 star is 2.4' N.

WH discovered NGC 3245 = H I-86 = h711 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "cB, pL, mbM, the greatest brightness lE." JH made 4 observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3246 = UGC 5661 = MCG +01-27-009 = CGCG 037-037 = PGC 30684

10 26 41.8 +03 51 43

V = 12.7; Size 2.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 100d

17.5" (3/25/00): faint, moderately large, oval 3:2 E-W, broad weak concentration, 1.5'x1.0'. Forms the northern vertex of an equilateral triangle with two mag 11.5-12.5 stars 2.8' SW and 3.0' SSW of center. Located 9' SW of mag 6.7 SAO 118299.

JH discovered NGC 3246 = h712 on 9 Apr 1828 and recorded "eF; S; R: two stars, 10 and 11m sp, dist 90"." HIs position and description matches UGC 5661.

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NGC 3247 = ESO 127-SC18 = Westerlund 2 = OCL-807 = Gum 29 = RCW 49

10 24 13 -57 45 48

Size 6'x4'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 230x): NGC 3247 consists of a compact cluster (often referred to as Westerlund 2), one of the most massive young star clusters known in the Milky Way and a large, irregular H II region (RCW 49) with star-forming pillars similar to the Eagle Nebula. At 230x, the cluster extends ~1.5', but the richest part is dense, elongated clump only 45" long with a half-dozen tightly packed mag 13.5-14 stars resolved in an WNW-ESE string. Located 12' N of mag 5.8 HD 90289.

At 142x, fairly faint emission haze was easily visible in an irregular 2.5' region just to the east of the knot of stars. A mag 12 star is embedded near the center of the nebula, a mag 11.5 star is just off the north edge and a few additional stars are involved. Adding a NPB filter, RCW 49 is a fairly bright, irregular nebula! The brightest part (centered on the star) is roughly circular with a well-defined northern boundary, but it spreads further south and southwest to a ~4'x3' region.

Cr 220 (often misidentified as NGC 3247) is located ~15' SE of the NGC 3247 complex in the same low power field. Roughly three dozen stars were resolved at 142x in a 6' circle, with the central part slightly condensed. The brightest mag 9.8 star is at the north end with a mag 12 companion [13" separation]. A small quadrilateral of mag 13-13.5 stars [sides 14", 14", 18", 17"] is on the southwest side. No involved nebulosity was seen.

JH discovered NGC 3247 = h3250 on 1 Apr 1834 and described "a curious object. Stars involved in evident nebula." The next sweep he logged, "there is a nebulous appearance, which merits re-examination. Observed much past meridian, and no reliance on the PD [polar distance]." A third observation only has a very approximate polar distance. His rough (mean) position is 10 24.8 -57 51 (2000).

Using a Harvard plate, DeLisle Stewart identified NGC 3247 at 10 23 58 -57 48.5 (2000), and Dreyer repeated this position in the IC 2 notes. Brian Skiff places NGC 3247 more accurately at 10 24 01 -57 45.6, corresponding with ESO 127-SC18 = Westerlund 2. This compact cluster (~1.5' dia) is embedded in the HII region RCW 49 = Gum 29, which spreads out ~10' in size. ESO and Lynga misidentify Cr 220 as NGC 3247. This group of stars is 1.0 tmin following and 5' south of JH's position.

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NGC 3248 = UGC 5669 = MCG +04-25-020 = CGCG 124-024 = PGC 30776

10 27 45.4 +22 50 49

V = 12.4; Size 2.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 135d

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.8x0.4, sharp concentration with a bright prominent core and stellar nucleus. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.7' S of center. Located 6.5' S of mag 9.1 SAO 81359.

WH discovered NGC 3248 = H II-347 = h713 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "pB, S, bM, r." His position is a good match with UGC 5669.

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NGC 3249 = ESO 375-024 = MCG -06-23-028 = LGG 203-001 = PGC 30657

10 26 22.1 -34 57 50

V = 12.9; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 139d

18" (4/10/04): extremely faint, moderately large, round, 1.0' diameter. Requires averted vision and concentration to glimpse a very low surface brightness circular patch with no details. Located 4.3' SE of a mag 10.5 star. Member of the Antlia Cluster.

JH discovered NGC 3249 = h3251 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "eF; pL; R; vgvlbM; 60"." His position matches ESO 375-024 = PGC 30657.

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NGC 3250 = ESO 317-026 = MCG -07-22-007 = PGC 30671

10 26 32.3 -39 56 39

V = 11.1; Size 2.8'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 148d

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core. A mag 12 star is 3.8' NE. Forms a pair with NGC 3244 14' NW.

JH discovered NGC 3250 = h3252 on 1 Feb 1835 and recorded "pB; R; psbM; 30"; has a * 13m nf." His position (measured accurately on 4 other sweeps) and description matches ESO 317-026 = PGC 30671.

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NGC 3251 = UGC 5684 = MCG +04-25-023 = CGCG 124-029 = IC 2579 = Holm 195a = PGC 30892

10 29 16.8 +26 05 57

V = 13.3; Size 2.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 55d

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, weak concentration. Located 7' SW of mag 8.8 SAO 81378. A group of three stars are SW including a mag 10 star 3.4' SW.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3251 on 19 Feb 1862 and recorded "vF, pL, 3 bright star precede to the south." There is nothing at his position, but exactly 1.0 min of time following is UGC 5684, and his comments of the 3 stars pins down the identification.

Stephane Javelle found the galaxy again on 2 Apr 1900, assumed it was new, and recorded the position accurately in list III-1158. Dreyer must have realized the possible equivalence with NGC 3251 as he added the note "?3251" to the description of IC 2579. So, NGC 3251 = IC 2579. UGC labels this galaxy IC 2579.

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NGC 3252 = UGC 5732 = MCG +12-10-049 = CGCG 333-039 = PGC 31278

10 34 22.6 +73 45 51

V = 13.5; Size 2.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 35d

17.5" (1/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE. A double star ∑1437 = 7.6/10.1 at 32" lies 5' N.

WH discovered NGC 3252 = H III-316 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "eF, mE, pL, r." CH's reduced position is 6.5' northwest of UGC 5732, though in the GC, JH noted "CH's reduction of this nebula being affected with a considerable error, Auwer's RA is adopted, after verification." But the GC/NGC position is even forther off in RA (too far west by 2.0 min of time) than CH's reduction.

An accurate position was given in MN, 71, 509 (based on the Greenwich plate to determine positions on the sweep of 2 Apr 1801). UGC does not label its entry (UGC 5732) as NGC 3252. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 3253 = UGC 5674 = MCG +02-27-021 = CGCG 065-043 = PGC 30829

10 28 27.4 +12 42 14

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.8

17.5" (3/25/00): very faint, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, low surface brightness, very weak concentration. Located 3' S of a mag 10.8 star.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3253 = Sw III-55 on 27 Apr 1886 and noted "vF, pS, R." His position is 6 tsec west and 1' south of UGC 5674 = PGC 30829. Spitaler measured an accurate RA in 1891.

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NGC 3254 = UGC 5685 = MCG +05-25-018 = CGCG 154-020 = PGC 30895

10 29 19.9 +29 29 30

V = 11.7; Size 5.0'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 46d

17.5" (4/9/94): moderately bright, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 3.0'x0.8', sharp concentration with small oval core surrounded by faint unconcentrated extensions, occasional very faint stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is 2.9' W and a pair of mag 10 stars at 1.2' separation follows by 6'.

WH discovered NGC 3254 = H I-72 = h714 on 13 Mar 1785 (sweep 386) and recorded "cB, cL, E, mbM. The brightness [core] also extended." His position is just off the west side of UGC 5685. R.J. Mitchell noted "dark spaces suspected" in his 20 Mar 1854 observation at Birr Castle.

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NGC 3255 = ESO 127-SC20 = Cr 221

10 26 31 -60 40 42

V = 11.0; Size 2'

14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 142x and 184x): small, glowing spot only 1' diameter at 142x. A half-dozen stars are resolved over haze at 184x. A mag 12.5-13 star is at the southeast edge and a mag 13.5 star is on the south side of the main clump. Most of the others are mag 14-14.5.

JH discovered NGC 3255 = h3253 on 4 Feb 1835 NGC 3255 and described "a very compressed knot or cluster of milky way stars, 4' in diameter, somewhat insulated from the rest. Stars .. 15th mag." This small cluster shows up fairly well on the DSS.

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NGC 3256 = ESO 263-038 = MCG -07-22-010 = VV 65 = LGG 198-001 = PGC 30785

10 27 51.1 -43 54 19

V = 11.5; Size 3.8'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 100d

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): this disturbed galaxy appeared as a moderately bright and large oval, extended 3:2 NW-SE with dimensions 1.6'x1.2'. It contains a fairly bright 1' round core embedded in a very faint halo. NGC 3256 is the furthest north and the brightest in a group of Vela galaxies stretching south to NGC 3261, located 46' to the SSE.

This group is a member of the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster and possible outlying member of the Antlia Cluster (9 degrees north). This cluster was first catalogued as Klemola 12. On photographs NGC 3256 is a chaotic system that appears to be undergoing a spectacular merger with long tidal tails. This starburst galaxy is a superluminous infrared source with X-ray emission.

JH discovered NGC 3256 = h3254 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded "B, R, gmbM, 25"." His position (measured on two sweeps) matches ESO 263-038.

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NGC 3257 = ESO 375-036 = MCG -06-23-031 = LGG 203-004 = PGC 30849

10 28 47.1 -35 39 29

V = 13.1; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9

18" (3/17/07): faint, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter, weak concentration with no definite core. Faintest of trio with NGC 3258 3.4' NNE and NGC 3260 5.4' NE in the Antlia Cluster.

JH discovered NGC 3257 = h3255 on 2 May 1834 and recorded "vF; vS; R; sbM; 10". The preceding of a group [with NGC 3258 and 3260]." His mean position (3 observations) matches ESO 375-036.

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NGC 3258 = ESO 375-037 = MCG -06-23-032 = LGG 196-008 = PGC 30859

10 28 53.6 -35 36 20

V = 11.5; Size 2.9'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 75d

18" (3/17/07): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, ~1.7'x1.5', sharply concentrated with a very bright core which increases to the center, very faint outer halo. A mag 13 star is at the NW side of the halo (50" from center). Brightest in trio with NGC 3260 2.6' ENE and NGC 3257 3.4' SSW

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. A pair of stars are near north. Forms a pair with NGC 3260 2.6' E in the Antlia Cluster (NGC 3257-3281).

JH discovered NGC 3258 = h3256 on 2 May 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; sbM; 12"." He observed this galaxy (along with NGC 3257 and 3258) on 4 nights.

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NGC 3259 = UGC 5717 = MCG +11-13-027 = CGCG 313-021 = PGC 31145

10 32 34.8 +65 02 28

V = 12.1; Size 2.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 20d

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, oval elongated SSW-NNE, broad moderate concentration. Located 10' WNW of mag 8.4 SAO 15220. NGC 3266 lies 20' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 3259 = H II-870 = h715 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004) and logged "F, S, iR, almost of equal light throughout." JH noted "F; R; gbM; 18 arcseconds" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3260 = ESO 375-040 = MCG -06-23-033 = LGG 200-001 = PGC 30875

10 29 06.4 -35 35 43

V = 12.6; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 2d

18" (3/17/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 N-S, 0.5'x0.3', slightly brighter core. A mag 12.5 star is attached at the south end. In a small triio with NGC 3258 2.6' WSW and NGC 3257 5.4' SW.

17.5" (3/28/87): very faint, small, oval. A mag 12 star is attached at the south end 0.4' from center. Forms a pair with NGC 3258 2.6' W. Member of the Antlia Cluster (NGC 3257-3281).

JH discovered NGC 3260 = h3257 on 2 May 1834 (along with NGC 3257 and 3258) and recorded "eF; vS; R; slbM; 6"." He recorded 4 observations.

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NGC 3261 = ESO 263-040 = MCG -07-22-015 = LGG 198-003 = PGC 30868

10 29 01.4 -44 39 25

V = 11.2; Size 3.7'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 85d

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~WSW-ENE, 1.4'x0.7', weak concentration. Bracketed between two mag 12 stars at the SW and NE ends (separation 2.6'). Located 4' SE of a mag 10 star in a rich Vela starfield. NGC 3261 is in a subgroup of the Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster (brightest member NGC 3256) and is 9° south of the rich Antlia Cluster (but has the same redshift).

JH discovered NGC 3261 = h3258 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded "F; S; R: 15"; entangled among 2 or 3 stars, but is certainly a nebula." His position matches ESO 263-040.

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NGC 3262 = ESO 263-042 = MCG -07-22-017 = LGG 204-001 = PGC 30876

10 29 06.2 -44 09 35

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 108d

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ENE, 30"x25", low even surface brightness. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3263 2.6' NNE in a group (Klemola 12).

JH discovered NGC 3262 = h3260 on 2 Feb 1835 (along with NGC 3263) and recorded "eF; S; R." His position is 2.4' too far south.

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NGC 3263 = ESO 263-043 = MCG -07-22-018 = LGG 204-002 = PGC 30887

10 29 13.4 -44 07 22

V = 11.9; Size 5.1'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 103d

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, broad weak concentration. A faint star is at the WNW tip. Forms an interacting pair (a faint plume extends E) with NGC 3262 2.6' SSW. Brightest member of the Klemola 12 group.

JH discovered NGC 3263 = h3260 on 3 Feb 1835 (along with NGC 3262) and recorded "F; mE in pos = 280° +/- [WNW-ESE]; psbM; 20"."

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NGC 3264 = UGC 5719 = MCG +09-17-069 = CGCG 266-054 = LGG 201-003 = PGC 31125

10 32 19.7 +56 05 00

V = 12.0; Size 2.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 177d

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.6'x1.0'. Appears as a diffuse glow with no concentration. Bracketed by a mag 13.5 star at the SW end 0.8' from the center and a mag 13 star just off the ENE side 1.0' from center. A brighter mag 11 star lies 3.8' N. Located 16' ENE of 36 Ursa Majoris (V = 4.8).

JH discovered NGC 3264 = h716 on 9 Feb 1831 and noted "eF; between 2 small stars." His position and description matches UGC 5719.

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NGC 3265 = UGC 5705 = MCG +05-25-019 = CGCG 154-023 = PGC 31029

10 31 06.8 +28 47 48

V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 73d

17.5" (4/25/92): faint, small, round, weak even concentration, bright core. Forms a close "double" with a mag 14.5 star just off the ESE edge and 0.6' from center.

WH discovered NGC 3265 = H III-349 = h718 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "Suspected, 240 showed a few small stars with seeming nebulosity, and I rather suppose it to be a patch." CH's reduction is 8 sec of time preceding and 2' north of UGC 5663. JH made 4 observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3266 = UGC 5725 = MCG +11-13-030 = CGCG 313-022 = PGC 31198

10 33 17.6 +64 44 57

V = 12.4; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 105d

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated small bright core, stellar nucleus. NGC 3259 lies 20' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 3266 = H II-871 = h717 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004) and noted "F, vS, mbM." His position matches UGC 5725.

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NGC 3267 = ESO 375-042 = MCG -06-23-036 = PGC 30934

10 29 48.5 -35 19 21

V = 12.5; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 148d

17.5" (3/28/87): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, brighter core. Forms a pair with NGC 3268 2.5' E. Also A1027-35B = PGC 30939 lies 3.3' S. First of five in a 10' field in the Antlia Cluster (NGC 3257-3281).

JH discovered NGC 3267 = h3262 on 18 Apr 1835 (along with NGC 3268) and recorded "eF; vS; R. By a diagram made out of the meridian in which 4 nebulae are delineated, two of them being those determined in sweep 446, Nos. 6 and 7." His position is 1.7' south of ESO 375-042.

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NGC 3268 = ESO 375-045 = MCG -06-23-041 = PGC 30949

10 30 00.5 -35 19 32

V = 11.5; Size 3.5'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 71d

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, round, brighter core. Fourth of five in the field within the Antlia Cluster (NGC 3257-3281) with NGC 3267 2' W, NGC 3269 6.0' N, NGC 3271 5.7' ESE.

JH discovered NGC 3268 = h3263 on 18 Apr 1835 (along with NGC 3267) and noted "F; S; R. By a diagram made out of meridian..." His position is 2.7' south of ESO 375-045. The position was corrected by de Vaucouleurs in Mem. Commonwealth Obs., (Mt. Stromlo), No. 13, 1956.

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NGC 3269 = ESO 375-044 = MCG -06-23-040 = PGC 30945

10 29 56.9 -35 13 29

V = 12.2; Size 2.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 8d

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S. Bracketed by a mag 13.5 star at the SE end 0.7' from center and a mag 14.5 star at the NW end 0.5' from center. Located 6' N of NGC 3268. A mag 10.5 star is 2.5' NNW. Third of five in the Antlia Cluster (NGC 3257-3281).

JH discovered NGC 3269 = h3264 on 1 May 1834 and reported "F; S; R: bM; 15"; one of a group of 3 or more. His position matches ESO 375-044.

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NGC 3270 = UGC 5711 = MCG +04-25-029 = CGCG 124-034 = PGC 31059

10 31 30.0 +24 52 10

V = 13.1; Size 3.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 10d

17.5" (4/13/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 N-S, bright core, faint stellar nucleus, extremely faint thin extensions with averted vision.

WH discovered NGC 3270 = H III-331 = h719 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and recorded "vF; vS; vlbM." JH logged "F; E; gbM" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3271 = IC 2585 = ESO 375-048 = MCG -06-23-044 = PGC 30988

10 30 26.3 -35 21 35

V = 11.8; Size 3.1'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 106d

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, moderately large, oval NW-SE, small bright core. Appears similar to NGC 3268 5.7' WNW which is the brightest in the group. Fifth of five in the field in the Antlia Cluster (NGC 3257-3281).

JH discovered NGC 3271 = h3265 on 1 May 1834 and recorded "F; S; lE; bM; 15"; one of a group of 3 or more." His position is 23 sec of RA west of ESO 375-048, but this is one of the brightest galaxies in the cluster, so the identification is certain.

DeLisle Stewart found it on an Arequipa plate and assumed it was new, so it also acquired the designation IC 2585. The numbers are equated in ESO and Corwin's Southern Galaxy Catalogue. The correct position was given by de Vaucouleurs in Mem. Commonwealth Obs., (Mt. Stromlo), No. 13, 1956.

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NGC 3272 = ADS 7827

10 31 48.1 +28 28 07

Size 4"

=**, Gottlieb. Misidentified in RNGC.

Herman Schultz discovered NGC 3272 = Nova VI on 9 Mar 1866 with the 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala Observatory. His micrometric position is a perfect match with a close double star (mag 12.7/13.7 at 4"). In the notes section of his monograph "Micrometrical Observations of 500 Nebulae" Schultz describes "an insignificant object; preceding [NGC 3277] about 68s and 160" s; a * 10m f 0s.2 and 135" n."

A mag 11 star is exactly 135" north of the double star and the offset with NGC 3277 also matches, so there is no doubt of this identification. On the night this double star was found, Schultz recorded the sky conditions as "Aurora. Images dull." This probably contributed to the close double star appearing nebulous, although a number of Schultz' objects are single or double stars. RNGC misidentifies PGC 31115 as NGC 3272 at 10 32 10.4 +28 28 59.

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NGC 3273 = ESO 375-049 = MCG -06-23-045 = LGG 200-002 = PGC 30992

10 30 29.1 -35 36 39

V = 12.5; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 97d

18" (3/17/07): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 E-W, 1.1'x0.5', bright core. Located 15' S of NGC 3271 in the Antlia Cluster.

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, bright core. Member of the Antlia Cluster (NGC 3257-3281) with NGC 3271 15' N. Located 19' E of NGC 3258.

JH discovered NGC 3273 = h3259 on 3 May 1834 and recorded "F; R; pslbM; 12". The 4th and last of a group." He was uncertain of the minute of time, which should be 10 22 48.7 (for 1830).

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NGC 3274 = UGC 5721 = MCG +05-25-020 = CGCG 154-024 = PGC 31122

10 32 17.1 +27 40 07

V = 12.8; Size 2.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 100d

17.5" (4/25/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 E-W, brighter core appears slightly offset. Forms the east vertex of an obtuse isosceles triangle with two mag 12 stars 2' NNW and 2' SW. A double star mag 11.5/13.5 at 13" lies 4' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 3274 = H II-358 = h720 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, pL". His position is a good match with UGC 5721. JH made 4 observations and noted the double star HJ 484 to the southeast.

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NGC 3275 = ESO 375-050 = MCG -06-23-046 = PGC 31014

10 30 51.6 -36 44 14

V = 11.8; Size 2.8'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.6

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, oval ~E-W, bright core. Located 2.9' N of a mag 10 star within the Antlia Cluster (NGC 3257-3281).

JH discovered NGC 3275 = h3266 on 1 Feb 1835 and recorded "F; lE; psbM; 20 arcsec." His position matches ESO 375-050.

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NGC 3276 = ESO 317-040 = PGC 31031

10 31 09.1 -39 56 41

V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 74d

18" (2/19/09): very faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE. A mag 9.3 star (HD 91213) 2.8' N detracts from viewing. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3276 5' E.

JH discovered NGC 3276 = h3267 on 3 Mar 1835 and noted "F; S; has a * 8m, np." His position and description matches ESO 317-040.

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NGC 3277 = UGC 5731 = MCG +05-25-022 = CGCG 154-026 = PGC 31166

10 32 55.4 +28 30 42

V = 11.7; Size 1.9'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.9

17.5" (4/9/94): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 1.2' diameter, even moderate concentration, bright core increases to a faint stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 5.1' WSW and a mag 10 star 6.9' SW.

WH discovered NGC 3277 = H II-359 = h721 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and recorded "pB, pS, almost R, bM." CH's reduction is 2.3' northwest of UGC 5731. JH made three observations and measured a more accurate position. d'Arrest made 5 accurate observations and measured a mag 12 star that precedes by 23 seconds and 1' south.

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NGC 3278 = ESO 317-043 = MCG -07-22-021 = PGC 31068

10 31 35.3 -39 57 20

V = 12.3; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 62d

18" (2/19/09): brighter of a pair with NGC 3276 located 5' W. At 175x it appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.3', contains a slightly brighter core. Located just SW of a wide, bright pair (h4326 = 9.8/10.6 at 39").

JH discovered NGC 3278 = h3268 on 2 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; S; R; sp a coarse double star." His position and description matches ESO 317-043.

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NGC 3279 = UGC 5741 = MCG +02-27-027 = CGCG 065-059 = FGC 1100 = IC 622 = Todd 30 = Holm 201a = PGC 31302

10 34 42.8 +11 11 50

V = 13.4; Size 2.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 152d

17.5" (4/13/91): faint, moderately large, edge-on 6:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness. UGC 5737 lies 12' W.

David Todd discovered NGC 3279 = Todd 30 on 5 Mar 1878 using the 26-inch Clark refractor at the USNO during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet. His position is roughly 2 min of RA preceding UGC 5741, although this is a typical error in his RA, which was very rough. His discovery sketch shows a very elongated galaxy, exactly matching the surrounding field stars, so this identification is certain.

Lewis Swift found this galaxy on 29 1890, assumed it was a new discovery, and reported it in list IX-23 = IC 622 as "vF; pS; E; *9m s." The bright star is 3.7' north. UGC and MCG label this galaxy as IC 622, though based on the earlier discovery, NGC 3279 should be the primary designation.

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NGC 3280 = NGC 3295 = IC 617 = MCG -02-27-006/007/008 = 2.0323/12.0324 = PGC 31153

10 32 43.7 -12 38 15

V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8

18" (3/29/03): this is a triple system listed as NGC 3280A/3280B/3280C in NED and NGC 3280/3280A/3280B in the second edition of the Uranometria DSFG. At 262x there was a confused glow, ~1' diameter. Within the glow, two small knots (NGC 3280w and NGC 3280e), ~0.4' and 0.3' were resolved, oriented E-W, with the larger component on the west side (separation is 40" between centers). At moments there was a impression of the very small and faint third component squeezed between these two galaxies. In a small group with NGC 3296 4.8' S and NGC 3297 7.1' ESE. Located 4.6' NE of a mag 9.5 star.

Andrew Ainsley Common discovered NGC 3280 in 1880 with a 36-inch silvered glass reflector and described a "F double neb with 2 stellar centres". Common's position is poor, but the description clearly refers to the triple system MCG -02-27-006, -007 and -008 and Common probably noted -006 and -008.

Six years later (26 Feb 1886), Francis Leavenworth made an independent discovery with the 26" refractor at the Leander-McCormick Observatory (LM I-173) though his rough position was off by 2.7 min of RA. Leavenworth noted "D neb or sev st inv in neb", which is very similar to Common's description. Assuming these objects were different, Dreyer also catalogued it as NGC 3295.

Finally, Stephane Javelle independently found this object on 19 Apr 1892 with the 30-inch refractor at Nice, assumed it was new and measured an accurate position. He noted "D or st involved", so again partially resolved the components. Dreyer also assumed this was a new object and catalogued once again as IC 617. So, NGC 3280 = NGC 3295 = IC 1617. See Harold Corwin's identification notes and Malcolm Thomson's IC Research Database.

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NGC 3281 = ESO 375-055 = MCG -06-23-050 = LGG 203-002 = PGC 31090

10 31 52.4 -34 51 19

V = 11.7; Size 3.3'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 140d

18" (4/25/09): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 5:2 or 3:1 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.6', bright core, fainter extensions.

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, large bright core gradually brightens to the center. A mag 13-14 star is off the NW extension and a mag 11.5-12 star is 2.8' S of center.

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated NW-SE, weak concentration. Largest in the Antlia Cluster (NGC 3257-3281).

JH discovered NGC 3281 = h3269 on 2 May 1834 and recorded "eF; E; glbM; 60" l; 40" br." His position and description matches ESO 375-055.

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NGC 3282 = ESO 568-016 = MCG -04-25-013 = PGC 31129

10 32 21.9 -22 18 08

V = 13.0; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 82d

18" (3/13/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 1.2'x0.4', weak concnetration. A mag 13-14 star is at the tip of the eastern extension. Located 9' SE mag 8.2 HD 91261.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3282 = Sw III-56 on 5 Mar 1886 and recorded "eF; vS; middle one of 3 eF stars involved in neby. Two B stars point to it.". His position is 7 sec of RA west of ESO 568-016 and the description applies, thoiugh only 1 star is attached (1 other mentioned by Swift is the nucleus).

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NGC 3283 = ESO 263-048 = PGC 31035

10 31 11.5 -46 15 05

V = 11.5; Size 2.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 168d

18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 N-S, 1.2'x0.8'. Contains a relatively large, bright core surrounded by a low surface brightness halo, elongated N-S. Located 6.9' SE of mag 8.8 HD 91215 and 6' S of a mag 10.1/10.4 pair at 5". Located in a rich star field. ESO 263-047, an extremely low surface brightness galaxy 7' WSW, was highly suspected as a very small patch attached to a faint star.

JH discovered NGC 3283 = h3271 on 3 Mar 1837 and recorded "pF, S, R, gbM, 25". RA coarsely taken by an auxiliary star". The given position (updated to 2000 coordinates) is 10 32 47 (approximate), -46 15 14. JH also made a 10' error in declination (too far north) in the GC, which was copied into NGC.

ESO couldn't find a suitable candidate and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. But assuming the RA was rough, I looked at ESO galaxies and found a likely candidate ESO 263-G48 located at 10 31 11.5 -46 15 05 (J2000). This galaxy is 1.6 tmin preceding JH's rough RA and a nearly perfect match in declination. It is also fairly bright (V = 11.5), so it's unlikely it would have been missed in his sweep. Both NED and HyperLeda use this identification.

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NGC 3284 = NGC 3286: = MCG +10-15-112 = CGCG 290-056

10 36 21.3 +58 37 13

See observing notes for NGC 3286.

WH discovered NGC 3284 = H III-912 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and noted "eF, vS, 300 confirmed it and showed it very plainly." His position is just 2' southwest of NGC 3288 and 5' south of brighter NGC 3286, both observed by WH the following night.

Dreyer comments in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" that "it precedes III-913 (NGC 3408) 16.0 tmin, 5' N, so it is no doubt identical to either III-917 or III-918 [NGC 3286 or NGC 3288] which were observed the following night (sweep 1039) without any mention of III-912. Harold Corwin states the GC/NGC position of NGC 3284 is 10 tsec too small and that NGC 3284 is likely a duplicate observation of NGC 3286. See Corwin's notes.

Karl Reinmuth equated NGC 3284 with a "*14 npp 1.5' of NGC 3288; no neb seen; nothing sp of NGC 3288." This conclusion was repeated by Dorothy Carlson in her NGC correction paper and it is repeated by the RNGC. It's more likely WH picked up one of the nearby galaxies.

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NGC 3285 = ESO 501-015 = MCG -04-25-019 = PGC 31217

10 33 35.8 -27 27 19

V = 12.0; Size 2.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 108d

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, small bright nucleus. Located 7' SSW of mag 7.7 SAO 178978. This member of AGC 1060 forms a trio with NGC 3285A 12' WSW and NGC 3285B 18' SE.

JH discovered NGC 3285 = h3270 on 24 Mar 1835 NGC 3285 and noted "pB; E; gbM." He measured the position four times (including the next two sweeps), so it was well determined.

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NGC 3286 = NGC 3284? = MCG +10-15-112 = CGCG 290-056 = PGC 31433

10 36 21.3 +58 37 13

V = 13.6; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, small, round, moderate even concentration with a bright core and nonstellar nucleus. Located 4.9' NW of a mag 10.5 star. Forms a pair with NGC 3288 3.9' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 3286 = H III-917 = h722 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and recorded "Two [along with III-918 = NGC 3288], both vF, pS, R, lbM." JH noted "vF; pS; R pslbM; 15"." and his position is within 1' of CGCG 290-056 = PGC 31433.

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NGC 3287 = UGC 5742 = MCG +04-25-032 = CGCG 124-038 = PGC 31311

10 34 47.3 +21 38 52

V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 20d

13.1": faint, diffuse, moderately large, elongated N-S, even surface brightness. A bright double star ∑1448 = 7.6/9.0 at 11" is 7' WSW. NGC 3301 lies 30' NE.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3287 on 1 Jan 1862 and made observations on 3 different nights. He noted the bright double star ∑1448 was 24 sec of time preceding and 3 3/4' south.

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NGC 3288 = NGC 3284?? = UGC 5752 = MCG +10-15-114 = CGCG 290-057 = PGC 31446

10 36 25.8 +58 33 23

V = 14.0; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 175d

17.5" (4/9/94): very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness. Located 3.7' WSW of a mag 10.5 star. Forms a pair with NGC 3286 3.9' NNW.

WH discovered NGC 3288 = H III-918 = h723 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and recorded "Two [along with III-917 = NGC 3286], both vF, pS, R, lbM." JH noted "eF; S; R; vglbM; 12"." and his position is within 1' of UGC 5752 = PGC 31446. WH may have observed this galaxy the previous night and recorded it as III-912 = NGC 3284, though that number may apply to brighter NGC 3288, which is 4' north.

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NGC 3289 = ESO 375-065 = MCG -06-23-054 = LGG 196-013 = PGC 31253

10 34 07.4 -35 19 24

V = 12.5; Size 2.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 153d

18" (3/17/07): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.3', weak concentration. A mag 12 star is off the SW side, 50" from the center and two mag 14.5 stars flank the galaxy on the NNW end. Member of the Antlia Cluster and situated at the eastern end of the cluster.

JH discovered NGC 3289 = h3272 on 20 Apr 1835 and noted "eF: R; 15"." His position is 1.6' north of ESO 375-065.

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NGC 3290 = Arp 53 = MCG -03-27-020 = PGC 31346

10 35 17.4 -17 16 36

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 60d

18" (3/29/03): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.6', low surface brightness, very weak concentration. In field with mag 8.4 SAO 156083 7' N and mag 7.8 SAO 156089 9' SW which detract from viewing.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3290 = LM II-422 in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.7, 0.4' dia, lE 180°, gbM, * 7.5 n 6'." His position is 0.5 min west of MCG -03-27-020 = PGC 31346 and a mag 8 staris 5' north, so the identification is certain.

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NGC 3291 = Holm 202b

10 36 06.4 +37 16 28

=* 3.5' SSW of NGC 3294, Carlson and Corwin.

Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 3291 = Big 44 on 5 Apr 1885. His position is 5' southwest of NGC 3294, and falls between two mag 12.6 and 14.9 stars with a separation of 1.3'.

Harold Corwin identifies NGC 3291 with the mag 14.9 star 3.5' SSW of NGC 3294 based on Bigourdan's offsets. Dorothy Carlson also arrived the same conclusion in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections.

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NGC 3292 = MCG -01-27-023 = PGC 31370

10 35 34.4 -06 10 46

V = 14.1; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 175d

18" (3/29/03): at 260x, very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.6'x0.4'. Either has a faint stellar nucleus or there is a faint star superimposed. Forms a close double system with MCG -01-27-022 0.9' WSW which was not noticed.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3292 = Sw VI-36 on 16 Apr 1887 and noted "vF; vS; lE." His position is 27 sec of RA west of MCG -01-27-023 = PGC 31370 and 1.6' north. Herbert Howe provided an accurate position with the 20" refractor in Denver (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).

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NGC 3293 = ESO 128-SC5 = Cr 224 = Gum 30 = Gem Cluster

10 35 49 -58 13 30

V = 4.7; Size 10'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): stunningly rich and bright open cluster, situated 2° northwest of the Eta Carina nebula. At 105x, 60-70 stars are packed into 7' with many of the stars seemingly arranged in concentric circles! Appears compact and well-detached, even in a rich Carina star field. A striking linear trio of mag 6.5-7.5 stars (total length 1.5') runs SW-NE to the center including an orange star (V361 Car) on the SW end, a blue star and a white star at the center. This young cluster is one of the top southern clusters and a worthy rival in beauty to the Jewel Box. Visible naked-eye and resolved in the 9x50 finder. The large HII region/cluster NGC 3324 lies 30' SSE.

12" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): this very rich, young cluster is situated just NW of the Eta Carina complex and is one of the top open clusters in the southern sky. It is bright, compact and very rich with a half-dozen mag 6-8 stars over a rich background of dozens of mag 10-13 star in a 10' diameter. Appears somewhat similar to the Jewel Box including a mag 7 reddish supergiant, but with even a more compact appearance. The listed 40' diameter is much larger than the visual impression.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 3293 = Lac II-8 = D 321 = h3276 in early 1752, using a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He described a "Small heap of 4 small stars forming a lozenge."

James Dunlop observed the cluster 4 times (first on 29 Apr 1826) and described "a very small cluster of very small bright stars; round figure, about 4' diameter; rich in extremely small stars resembling faint nebula". His position is poor -- 17' ESE of the cluster.

JH only has a rough position in the Cape catalogue using his small refractor (no published observations with his 18-inch) and noted "a fine, bright, rich, not very L cluster. (Equatorial zone review)." A corrected RA was given in the IC 2 notes (Harv. Ann., xxvi, p207). Neither Lacaille or Dunlop are listed as discoverers in the Cape catalogue, GC or NGC.

H.C. Russell coined the nickname the "Gem Cluster" in an 1879 paper.

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NGC 3294 = UGC 5753 = MCG +06-23-021 = CGCG 183-030 = Holm 202a = PGC 31428

10 36 16.1 +37 19 30

V = 11.8; Size 3.5'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 122d

17.5" (4/13/91): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, large brighter core but no nucleus. A mag 14 star is 2.5' W and a mag 11 star 4.8' SSW. Located 5.5' WSW of mag 9 SAO 62151. NGC 3304 lies 18' NE.

WH discovered NGC 3294 = H I-164 = h724 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 713) and recorded "cB, E from 30° np to sf, 3 or 4' long and 1 1/2' br, easily resolvable, almost uniformly bright." CH's reduced position is 20 sec of RA east of UGC 5753. JH called this galaxy "pB; mE; blbM; 2' l, 45" br." and measured an accurate position.

On 5 Mar 1851, LdR and Bindon Stoney recorded "an appendage at south side. LdR though at times the nebula extended beyond this." The sketch shows a single spiral arm on the west side, curling clockwise to the south.

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NGC 3295 = NGC 3280 = MCG -02-27-006/007/008 = IC 617 = PGC 31153

10 32 43.7 -12 38 15

See observing notes for NGC 3280 = IC 617.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3295 = LM I-173 on 26 Feb 1886 and described a "D nebula or several stars involved in nebula". His rough position (nearest min of RA) is ~2 1/2 min of RA following NGC 3280 (discovered in 1880 by Andrew Ainslie Common and also a poor position!). Leavenworth's description clearly applies to this triple system. So, NGC 3295 = NGC 3280 and IC 617 is a third identity.

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NGC 3296 = IC 618 = PGC 31155

10 32 45.4 -12 43 03

V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2

18" (3/29/03): faint, very small, round, 0.4' diameter, weak concentration to a starry center. Forms a trio with NGC 3280 5' N and NGC 3297 7' ENE. Located 4.7' ESE of a mag 9.5 star.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3296 = LM I-174, along with I-173 = NGC 3295 and I-175 = NGC 3297, on 26 Feb 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. All 3 were given same rough position to the nearest min of RA. His position is 2.7 min of RA following PGC 31155 (typical error in the first discovey list)).

Stephane Javelle found this galaxy on 19 Apr 1892, assumed it was new, and reported it in list I-180. Herbert Howe measured a corrected position for NGC 3296 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section), which clearly establishes NGC 3296 = IC 618. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 3297 = PGC 31189

10 33 11.8 -12 40 18

V = 14.5; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 160d

18" (3/29/03): very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, 20"x10", situated between two mag 13.5-14 stars SSW and NE (4.3' separation). In a group with NGC 3280 (triple system) 7' WNW and NGC 3296 7' WSW. This galaxy is listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3297 = LM I-175, along with NGC 3295 and NGC 3296. His single rough position (nearest min of RA) is 2.3 min of RA following PGC 31189. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position for NGC 3296 with the 20" refractor in Denver (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) and he added "I could only suspect NGC 3297." RNGC misclassifies NGC 3297 as nonexistent.

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NGC 3298 = MCG +08-19-043 = CGCG 240-065 = CGCG 241-001 = PGC 31529

10 37 12.3 +50 07 15

V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 138d

18" (3/11/07): faint, small, round (core only viewed), 0.4' diameter, contains a very small brighter nucleus. A very faint star lies 1' SW.

WH discovered NGC 3298 = H III-767 = h725 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919) and recorded "vF, pS, iE. May be a patch, or a few stars too small to be perceived. His position is 6' south of MCG +08-19-043 = PGC 31529. JH noted "vF; two distant star nearly on parallel". His position is 1.3' too far southeast. Because of the different positions, he questioned if h725 was identical to his father's III-767.

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NGC 3299 = UGC 5761 = MCG +02-27-029 = CGCG 065-064 = KTG 30A = LGG 217-001 = PGC 31442

10 36 23.8 +12 42 27

V = 12.8; Size 2.2'x1.7'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 3d

24" (4/20/14): faint, fairly large, very low surface brightness, very weak concentration, elongated 4:3 N-S, ~1.6'x1.2'. No noticeable core or zones. First in the KTG 30 trio (not physically related) with NGC 3306 11.8' SE and CGCG 065-069 11' ENE. Redshift-independent distance of 17.6 million l.y and part of the M96 Group.

17.5" (3/1/03): very faint, fairly large, unusually large low surface brightness galaxy with a very weak concentration making detection difficult. Appears at least 1.5' in diameter and roughly circular. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3306 12' ESE. Required averted but once identified I could hold it most of the time with concentration and averted vision.

WH discovered NGC 3299 = H III-54 = h726 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and logged "eF, cL, R, r, without nucleus." There is nothing at his position (Caroline Herschel's reduction), but 42 sec of RA east and 3' south (10' ESE) is UGC 5761 = PGC 31442 and it fits his description. JH called it "pL; so faint as to be barely perceptible, but a sure observation." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3300 = UGC 5766 = MCG +02-27-030 = CGCG 065-066 = PGC 31472

10 36 38.5 +14 10 15

V = 12.1; Size 1.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 173d

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, bright core, stellar nucleus, fairly small diffuse halo slightly elongated ~N-S. Surrounded by several brighter stars including a mag 10 star 4.2' NNW, a mag 9.5 star 6.4' E and mag 8.1 SAO 99207 7.8' SSE.

WH discovered NGC 3300 = H III-55 = h727 = h3273 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and recorded "vS, r, lE and unequally bright. It is surrounded with brilliant stars at the same time in the field with it." His position is 23 sec of RA too far west. JH made observations both at Slough and the Cape of Good Hope and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3301 = NGC 3760 = UGC 5767 = MCG +04-25-035 = CGCG 124-045 = PGC 31497

10 36 56.0 +21 52 55

V = 11.4; Size 3.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 52d

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 3.5'x0.7', good concentration with a small very bright core and bright stellar nucleus, halo is brighter on the ENE side. Off the north side is a thin isosceles triangle of mag 10-11 stars consisting of two mag 10 stars 2.9' N and 5.7' NNW, and a mag 11 star 4.2' N.

8" (4/24/82): fairly faint, very elongated.

WH discovered NGC 3301 = H II-46 = h728 on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166) and recorded "not very faint, small. North of it is a small triangle of pB stars." CH's reduced position is 8' north of UGC 5767, but his description clinches the identification.

JH made three observations under h728, though apparently was uncertain if this was the same as his father's II-46, so assigned two different GC designations. The NGC position is accurate and Dreyer comments in the Notes section that JH's and d'Arrest's positions agree.

Heinrich d'Arrest also found the galaxy on 21 Feb 1863, but made a 1 hour error in RA (uncovered by Harold Corwin). Once corrected, the position of N3760 matches NGC 3301 (the same error was made with NGC 3575).

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NGC 3302 = ESO 437-007 = MCG -05-25-020 = PGC 31391

10 35 47.4 -32 21 31

V = 12.5; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 118d

18" (3/13/04): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration. A mag 14 star is off the NW edge. ESO 437-014 lies 14' E. Outlying member of the Antlia Cluster (Hydra-Centaurus Supercluster).

JH discovered NGC 3302 = h3274 = h3275 on 28 Jan 1835 and reported it again on 16 Feb 1865. His first observation reads "vF; S; R; 15"." and the later observation "eF; S; R." The two positions are very similar (after a typo was corrected for h3274 in his errata list), so I'm surprised he didn't combine the entries in the GC. But Dreyer combined the two GC numbers into NGC 3302.

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NGC 3303 = Arp 192 = VV 71 = UGC 5773 = MCG +03-27-066 = CGCG 094-096 = PGC 31508

10 37 00.0 +18 08 09

V = 13.5; Size 3.5'x2.4'; Surf Br = 15.6

48" (2/19/12): Arp 192 is a highly disturbed double system with a enormous irregular plume to the south and diffuse haze off the east side. At 488x, the main body was ~1.0'x0.7', extended NNW-SSE and split into two components. On the northwest side of the main core is 2MASXJ10365945+1808157, a large knot with a stellar center that is likely the core of an interacting companion. The plume or tail was visible as a diffuse, fairly wide extension attached at the south-southeast end and extending south for ~1.0', roughly doubling the length of the galaxy. A mag 15 star lies 1.6' S.

17.5" (3/1/03): faint, moderately large, elongated 4:3 N-S, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration to a slightly brighter core but no nucleus. Overall fairly low surface brightness.

WH discovered NGC 3303 = H III-66 = h730 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded "vF, S, E, r. 240 showed it no better than 157, though larger." JH made two observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3304 = UGC 5777 = MCG +06-23-026 = CGCG 183-032 = CGCG 184-001 = PGC 31572

10 37 37.9 +37 27 20

V = 13.4; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 158d

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, sharply concentrated with small bright core surrounded by faint extensions. A mag 14 star is 2.1' E. NGC 3294 lies 18' SW.

WH discovered NGC 3304 = H III-615 = h729 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 713) and noted "eF, vS, er." JH made two observations, noting "vF; S; psbM; 12 arcseconds" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3305 = ESO 501-030 = MCG -04-25-031 = PGC 31421

10 36 11.8 -27 09 44

V = 12.8; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0

13.1" (2/23/85): faint, very small, round, no details. Located 15' N of NGC 3308 in AGC 1060.

JH discovered NGC 3305 = h3277 on 24 Mar 1835 and logged "vF; S; R. The 2nd of a group scattered over more than one field." HIs position matches ESO 501-030 = PGC 31421.

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NGC 3306 = UGC 5774 = MCG +02-27-032 = CGCG 065-068 = KTG 30C = LGG 207-005 = PGC 31528

10 37 10.2 +12 39 09

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 141d

24" (4/20/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.4', relatively large brighter core. Brightest in a trio (KTG 30) with CGCG 065-069 7.2' SSE and NGC 3299 11.8' WNW.

17.5" (3/1/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.3, weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. A mag 11 star lies 1.9' NE. NGC 3299, a very low surface brightness galaxy, lies 12' WNW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3306 = Sw III-57 on 27 Apr 1886 and recorded "F; S; R; sf of [NGC 3299]." His position is 1.5' too far south. Rudolph Spitaler measured an accurate micrometric position in 1891.

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NGC 3307 = ESO 501-031 = MCG -04-25-029 = PGC 31430

10 36 17.1 -27 31 46

V = 14.5; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 28d

24" (2/22/14): at 260x, this member of AGC 1060 (Hydra I) appeared faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 24"x12", low even surface brightness. Located in the core of the cluster, ~5' W of the NGC 3309/3311 pair and 9.5' NW of mag 6.6 HD 91964.

JH discovered NGC 3307 = h3278 on 22 Mar 1836 and "eeF. The 3rd of a group [with NGC 3285 and NGC 3270]." His position is 5' south of ESO 501-031 = PGC 31430. He noted he recorded the polar distance as 5' further north, but felt this was in error. Using his original position, the position is accurate. MCG does not label -04-25-029 as NGC 3307.

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NGC 3308 = ESO 501-034 = MCG -04-25-032 = LGG 206-004 = PGC 31438

10 36 22.3 -27 26 17

V = 11.9; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 32d

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration to a brighter core. Furthest NW in the core of AGC 1060 and 11.5' WSW of the mag 5 star in the core.

13.1" (2/23/85): fairly faint, small, round, small weak concentration. First of five in a 20' field in the core of AGC 1060.

JH discovered NGC 3308 = h3279 on 24 Mar 1835 and simply noted "F". Less than a week later he added "One of a grouip; 7 of which were seen and laid down in a careful diagram."

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NGC 3309 = ESO 501-036 = MCG -04-25-034 = LGG 211-005 = PGC 31466

10 36 35.7 -27 31 05

V = 11.6; Size 1.9'x1.6'; Surf Br = 12.8

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, moderately large, well-concentrated with a bright 40" core, halo increases with averted from 1.2'x1.0' to 1.5'x1.2' oriented SW-NE. Forms a pair with NGC 3311 1.7' ESE in the core of AGC 1060.

13.1" (2/23/85): moderately bright, small, round. A mag 13.5 star is at the east edge. Forms a close pair with NGC 3311 1.7' E. Second of five in the core of AGC 1060.

JH discovered NGC 3309 = h3280 on 24 Mar 1835 and noted "B: L; double [with NGC 3311]." Less than a week later he added "A double nebula, or rather two distnct nebulae near together. By diagram, both pL, R, pos about 10° np or sf, and nearly equal."

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NGC 3310 = Arp 217 = VV 356 = VV 406 = UGC 5786 = MCG +09-18-008 = CGCG 267-004 = PGC 31650

10 38 45.8 +53 30 10

V = 10.8; Size 3.1'x2.4'; Surf Br = 12.8

48" (5/16/12): extremely bright, fairly large, sharply concentrated with a large, very bright, slightly elongated N-S core, ~1' diameter. The core appears mottled with a couple of "stellarings" or small knots. The core is surrounded by a larger, much lower surface brightness irregular halo, extending the central portion to nearly 2'. An outer spiral arm is attached on the north side of the halo and was most evident near the halo. Occasionally, a very large, very low surface brightness looping arm was glimpsed, rotating 180° clockwise and ending west of the core, ~1.7' from center.

17.5" (1/19/91): very bright, moderately large. Unusual appearance as contains a very bright, very large central core with uniform high surface brightness with only a very faint, fairly small halo, elongated NW-SE. Located 10.4' SSW of mag 5.5 HR 4165 at the edge of the 220x field. A mag 12 star lies 3.0' N.

WH discovered NGC 3310 = H IV-60 = h731 on 12 Apr 1789 (sweep 919) and recorded "vB, R, planetary, but very ill-defined.  About 1' dia of it is equally bright, and 1/4 of a minute hazy or ill-defined round the margin."  His position is accurate.  JH logged "B; R; vsmbM, so as to for almost a disc 15" diam.  Surrounded by a very feeble atmosphere."

On 5 Mar 1848, Lord Rosse and William Rambaut observed NGC 3310 (the earliest observation in LdR's 1861 monograph) and reported, "See minute points in it at intervals, also spiral arrangement."  Their 11 Mar observation states, "Nebula well resolved into little stellar points.  Saw a broad band across the bottom distinctly and two at the top."  NGC 3310 was included in the list of nebulae exhibiting spiral structure.  Later observations mentioned the possibility of this object being a cluster.  A detailed observation was made on 20 Feb 1868: "Three principal branches f, nf and np towards a * np [probably a HII region].  Dark cavity on nf side.  Mr De la Rue, who was with me, saw it as a bay between 2 horns, and much neby surrounding it, with many stars exterior and involved.”

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NGC 3311 = ESO 501-038 = MCG -04-25-036 = PGC 31478

10 36 43.1 -27 31 36

V = 11.6; Size 3.5'x2.9'; Surf Br = 14.1

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly bright, fairly large, broad concentration, slightly elongated SSW-NNE. Outer halo increases to 2.0'x1.5' but has a slightly lower surface brightness than NGC 3309 as the core is not as concentrated. NGC 3312 is less than 5' SE and NGC 3308 is 7' NW.

13.1" (2/23/85): third of five in the core of AGC 1060 = Hydra I. Fairly faint, small, even surface brightness. Appears larger than NGC 3309 1.7' W but with a lower surface brightness. NGC 3312 lies 4.8' SE. Located 7.7' N of mag 6.8 SAO 179027.

JH discovered NGC 3311 = h3281 on 30 Mar 1835 and noted as "The following neb of a double one [with NGC 3309]." He actually noted both objects in his observation on 24 Mar, but didn't list the objects separately for that sweep.

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NGC 3312 = ESO 501-043 = MCG -04-25-039 = LGG 210-002 = IC 629 = PGC 31513

10 37 02.5 -27 33 55

V = 11.9; Size 3.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 175d

18" (4/9/05): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE. Contains a fairly bright, roundish core ~20" diameter with fainter extensions 1.2'x0.6'. The core steadily increases to a stellar nucleus. A small isosceles triangle of stars is close SE.

13.1" (2/18/04) - Costa Rica: moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 N-W, 1.5'x0.5', weak concentration. Possible a brighter knot is at the north end or a star may be near the edge of the halo. Three stars are close SE including two mag 11/12 stars 2' SE and 3' ESE of center. In the core of AGC 1060 with NGC 3311/3309 5' NW.

13.1" (2/23/85): fourth of five in the core of AGC 1060. Moderately bright, small, stellar nucleus, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE. NGC 3311 lies 4.8' NW. Located 7.0' NE of mag 6.8 SAO 179027.

JH discovered NGC 3312 = h3282 on 26 Mar 1835 and recorded "vF; pmE; the last of 4 in the field at once with two stars 6m near them, one above and one below them (which serves to identify the object beyond doubt)." His dec (noted as only accurate to the nearest min) is 1.3' too far south.

Guillaume Bigourdan found this galaxy on 26 Feb 1887, assumed it was new, and recorded it as Big. 158. Apparently neither Bigourdan nor Dreyer questioned the equivalence of IC 629 with NGC 3312, but there is no doubt.

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NGC 3313 = ESO 501-050 = MCG -04-25-044 = UGCA 213 = LGG 209-004 = PGC 31551

10 37 25.5 -25 19 10

V = 11.4; Size 3.9'x3.2'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 55d

18" (4/10/04): fairly bright, large, round. Sharply concentrated with a small very bright core surrounded by a large, low surface brightness halo, ~1.5'-2' in diameter, which fades into the background. Outlying member of the Hydra I cluster and member of the group LGG 209 along with NGC 3331 and NGC 3335. On photos, this is a beautiful, face-on barred spiral with and inner ring and two main long spiral arms.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3313 = LM I-176 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is a good match with ESO 501-050. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position with the 20" refractor at Denver around the turn of the century and noted the "* 15 n3" is really south of the nebula." (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section). I'm not sure what star either observer was referring to!

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NGC 3314 = ESO 501-IG046A/B = MCG -04-25-041 = LGG 210-003 = PGC 31531

10 37 12.8 -27 41 01

V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 143d

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): moderately bright, moderately large, spindle-shaped, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.5'. A mag 13 star is at the NW tip. Located 7' ESE of a mag 6.7 star which detracts from viewing. Similar to NGC 3312 in the core of AGC 1060, but slightly smaller.

The HST took a remarkable image of NGC 3314, revealing an overlapping pair with a face-on galaxy superimposed on an edge-on galaxy. Dust structures within the foreground galaxy are visible because the face-on is silhouetted against the light from the galaxy behind it.

13.1" (2/23/85): fifth of five in the core of AGC 1060. Fairly faint, small, elongated ~NW-SE. Located 6.8' ESE of mag 6.8 SAO 179027. NGC 3312 lies 7.6' NNW.

JH discovered NGC 3314 = h3283 on 24 Mar 1835 and simply noted "the 8th of a group." His position is an exact match with ESO 501-IG046A/B.

NGC 3314 consists of a face-on galaxy (NGC 3314B) superimposed on an edge-on galaxy. The HST has a remarkable image showing the dust within the foreground galaxy visible because it is silhouetted against the light from the object behind it.

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NGC 3315 = ESO 501-048 = MCG -04-25-042 = LGG 206-018 = PGC 31540

10 37 19.2 -27 11 30

V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3

18" (3/17/07): faint, small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 0.3'x0.2'. Located 40" SE of a mag 11 star and 13' N of mag 4.9 HD 92036. HCG 48 lies 9' NE. This member of AGC 1060 (Hydra I) has a disputed identification due to a poor discovery position.

Edward Austin discovered NGC 3315 = HN 40, along with NGC 3097 and 3317, on 24 Mar 1870 with the 15" Merz refractor at the Harvard College Observatory (Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, #207). There is nothing at his position of 10 34 55 -27 30 (1950).

RNGC identifies ESO 501-047 (situated 3.4' south of mag 4.9 HD 92036) as NGC 3315. While this identication is possible, Austin mentioned a "star 1' NW" which does not apply to this galaxy and no mention is made of the bright star which would have interfered with the observation.

However, 30' N of Austin's position is ESO 501-048 at 10 37 19.2 -27 11 30 (2000) which has a 10th magnitude star 1' NW. Based on Austin's visual description and a probable digit error in declination, this identification appears more likely and is the one used in ESO-Uppsala and RC3. Corwin originally listed this number as a duplicate of NGC 3314 (which Austin observed the same night) but now agrees it was more likely a 30' error in dec by Austin. The RNGC candidate is 17' south of ESO 501-048.

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NGC 3316 = ESO 501-054 = MCG -04-25-046 = LGG 211-006 = PGC 31571

10 37 37.3 -27 35 39

V = 12.6; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.8

18" (4/9/05): faint, small, round, 30" diameter, increases to a small, brighter core. On a line with NGC 3312 8' WNW and a mag 11 star 4.8' WNW.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, weak even concentration, no well-defined core. A mag 11.5 star lies 3' SSE and two mag 13.5 stars are 1.2' S and 1.7' SE of center. Situated in the core of AGC 1060 and forms the eastern vertex of an equilateral triangle with much brighter NGC 3314 7.5' SW and NGC 3312 8' WNW.

JH discovered NGC 3316 = h3284 on 26 Mar 1835 and noted "vF; R." In a later note he mentions "This numerous and very interesting group has been made out by a careful collation of diagrams made in sweep 564 and 689, for the purpose of identificaiton, from which if appears that though in each diagram only 7 were seen and laid down, yet there are in reality at least 9 in the whole group." Harold Corwin notes there are only 7 galaxies he likely picked up, and the remaining two are unknown or may not exist.

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NGC 3317 = ESO 501-**55

10 37 43 -27 31 12

24" (2/22/14): this ~9" pair of stars was difficult to resolve at 260x (partially due to the low elevation) and seems more like a small nebulous glow. It was resolved at 375x, though the (single) companion on the south side was quite faint (mag 15.5-15.8) and sometimes not distinctly seen as a star but as an indistinct glow. The northern component (very close pair) was not resolved.

Edward Austin discovered NGC 3317 = HN 41, along with NGC 3097 and 3315, on 24 Mar 1870 with the 15" f/18 Merz refractor at Harvard College Observatory (Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, #210). The description reads "nebulous star 5' N of [NGC 3316]". Very close to Austin's position is a close double star, with the northern component an overlapping pair on the DSS. Classified as a double star in RNGC (from Dorothy Carlson) and a triple star in ESO/Uppsala (2+1). NGC 2000 misidentifies ESO 501-047 (located just 3.5' S of a mag 4.9 HD 92036) as NGC 3317.

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NGC 3318 = ESO 317-052 = MCG -07-22-026 = LGG 199-008 = PGC 31533

10 37 15.5 -41 37 40

V = 11.6; Size 2.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 78d

18" (2/19/09): faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 30" (probably the core only due to the low elevation), very weak concentration. A very faint star or stellar nucleus was glimpsed. Located 18' S of mag 7.0 HD 92057.

JH discovered NGC 3318 = h3285 on 2 Mar 1835 and noted "vF; pL; pmE; gvlbM; 2'." His mean position (2 observations) matches ESO 317-052.

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NGC 3319 = UGC 5789 = MCG +07-22-036 = CGCG 212-033 = PGC 31671

10 39 09.3 +41 41 14

V = 11.1; Size 6.2'x3.4'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 37d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, very elongated 5:2 SW-NE. The brightest portion is a large bar with a knotty extension attached at the SW end and extending on a right angle to the south. At this position on the POSS are several bright knots.

WH discovered NGC 3319 = H III-700 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804) and recorded "cF, L, irr E, about 4' long and 2 1/2' br, much brighter south of the middle." CH's reduction is just off the southeast side of UGC 5789.

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NGC 3320 = UGC 5794 = MCG +08-20-010 = CGCG 241-005 = PGC 31708

10 39 36.6 +47 23 53

V = 12.3; Size 2.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 20d

17.5" (2/8/91): moderately bright, fairly small, oval 2:1 SSW-NNE, broad concentration. A mag 13.5 star is at the SSW end 40" from center and a mag 11 star is off the NNE end 2.1' from center.

WH discovered NGC 3320 = H II-745 = h732 on 1 Apr 1788 (sweep 822) and recorded "cF, pS, E. Mixed with some stars visible, but probably not belonging to it. A pL star north and a little following the nebula." His position is 5' north of UGC 5794 (similar offset as other nebula in the sweep). JH made two observations, recording on sweep 329 "F; mE; between a *10m and one of 14 m." His mean position is 1' too far north.

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NGC 3321 = NGC 3322 = MCG -02-27-010 = UGCA 214 = PGC 31653

10 38 50.6 -11 38 55

V = 13.0; Size 2.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 36d

18" (3/29/03): faint, fairly small, diffuse, elongated nearly 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.7'x0.5', low surface brightness halo, weak concentration. A mag 13.5 star is at the NW edge. Located 2.9' N of a mag 11 star on the Hydra-Sextans border.

Francis Leavenworth found NGC 3321 = LM II-423 on 3 Jan 1887 and recorded "mag 15.7, 1.0' dia, vE 160°, * np end." His position is ~35 sec of RA preceding MCG -02-27-010 = PGC 31653 and the star is just where he placed it. His PA, though, should read 35°, instead of 160°. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position with the 20" refractor at Denver (given in the IC 2 Notes section).

This galaxy was originally discovered by Andrew Ainslie Common in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered glass reflector, but his position for NGC 3322 was 16' too far north. So, NGC 3322 = NGC 3321.

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NGC 3322 = NGC 3321 = MCG -02-27-010 = UGCA 214 = PGC 31653

10 38 50.7 -11 38 55

See observing notes for NGC 3321, Howe and HC.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3322 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered-glass reflector and recorded "F, irregular shape, f star." There is nothing at his position, but 16' south is MCG -02-27-010. = PGC 31653. The "f star" in his description is at the NW end of this galaxy.

Francis Leavenworth independently discovered the galaxy on 3 Jan 1887 and reported it in list II-423 (and later NGC 3321). Leavenworth's position is off by 35 tsec in RA too far west. Howe was unsuccessful in searching for Common's object on twonights though he notes "Probably = NGC 3321 as their descriptions are fairly similar and their RA's agree fairly." So, NGC 3322 = NGC 3321, with discovery priority to Common. See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 3323 = UGC 5800 = MCG +04-25-036 = CGCG 124-049 = PGC 31712

10 39 39.0 +25 19 21

V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 145d

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, even surface brightness. Located just east of the midpoint of a mag 11 star 2.2' WNW and a close double star 2.3' SE (mag 13/14 at 10" in PA 40°).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3323 = St IX-22 on 15 Mar 1877. His position matches UGC 5800 = PGC 31712.

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NGC 3324 = "Gabriela Mistral" Nebula = ESO 128-EN006 = Gum 31 = Ced 108 = IC 2599 = Cr 225

10 37 19 -58 39 36

V = 6.7; Size 16

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I only took a quick look at the "Gabriela Mistral" Nebula nebula at 200x and a UHC filter, but the brightest portion appeared like a cartoon drawing of a whale with a huge, very bright bulbous "head" forming the northern end of the nebula. The brightest portion is perhaps 15'x6' in size, but quite an extensive amount of fainter nebulosity spreads out the east and southeast of the main body, significantly increasing the size to ~15'x11', elongated N-S. Some faint nebulosity also spreads to the west of the main portion. At the south end is the mag 5.5 star HD 92207.

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): striking HII region and cluster 30' SE of NGC 3293 and 90' NW of the center of the Eta Carina nebula! (this is an outlying piece of the Eta Carina complex) At 105x and UHC filter this huge, elongated, irregular nebula is quite bright, perhaps 15'x6' in size and tapers towards the south end where mag 5.5 HD 92207 is embedded. The nebula widens to a well-defined bulbous mass on the north end. Faint nebulosity hooks off the north end and spreads to the east and northeast. This HII region is ionized by mag 8 HD 92206 = h4338 (an 8.2/9.2 pair at 5") situated near the center of the nebula. Unfiltered, a scattered group of stars is superimposed but this just appears to be a random star grouping in the Carina section of the Milky Way.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3324 = D 322 = h3286 on 1 May 1826 and described a "star of the 7th magnitude, involved in faint nebula." His position was roughly 6' NW of center of the nebula.

JH credited Dunlop with the discovery and reported on 1 Apr 1834 "A double star involved in nebula, which is one of the outliers of the great nebula about Eta Argus. It extends to a star 6.7 mag half a field distant southwards, and almost as far north; pretty bright; irregular figure; fine object."

IC 2599, found by Williamina Fleming on a Harvard College Observatory plate in May 1893, refers to the southern portion of this nebula.

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NGC 3325 = UGC 5795 = MCG +00-27-036 = CGCG 009-093 = PGC 31689

10 39 20.4 -00 12 01

V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 55d

17.5" (3/22/96): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6', brighter core. A mag 13 star is 1.3' W of center. Located 11' WSW of mag 8.6 SAO 118422. IC 633 lies 11' S.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3325 = St X-25 on 19 Mar 1880. His position matches UGC 5795 = PGC 31689.

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NGC 3326 = UGC 5799 = MCG +01-27-025 = CGCG 037-104 = Mrk 1260 = PGC 31701

10 39 31.9 +05 06 27

V = 13.7; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (3/22/96): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is 2.4' W of center. Located 5.5' SSW of a mag 9.5 star.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3326 = m 196 on 22 Mar 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and noted "vF, eS, stellar." His position matches UGC 5799.

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NGC 3327 = UGC 5803 = MCG +04-25-038 = CGCG 124-051 = PGC 31729

10 39 58.1 +24 05 29

V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 85d

17.5" (3/25/95): faint, small, round, 0.6' diameter, moderate even concentration to a very small bright core. A faint star is almost attached at the west side 25" from the center.

WH discovered NGC 3327 = H II-348 = h734 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "F, S, lE." JH made two observations and noted (sweep 58) "vF: S; has either a star which gives it an apparent elongation in parallel, or is a double nebula." The star is at the west edge.

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NGC 3328

10 39 54.2 +09 18 01

=*, Gottlieb. =NF, RNGC.

Christian Peters discovered NGC 3328 on 27 Mar 1880 with the 13.5" refractor at the Litchfield observatory in New York. At his position is a mag 14.8 star with a fainter companion 20" west. Corwin equates NGC 3328 with this pair of stars. Rudolph Spitaler, observing with the 27" refractor at Vienna, identified NGC 3328 with a pair of mag 15 stars 5' south and 14 seconds of RA west of Peters' position.

Wilhelm Tempel (also credited in the NGC) found an object on 21 May 1879 while observing NGC 3332 and reported in list V that it preceded NGC 3332 by ~30 seconds of time. There is nothing near this location (except Spitaler's pair) and it is unlikely his object (whatever he saw) is the same as Peters'.

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NGC 3329 = NGC 3397 = UGC 5837 = MCG +13-08-033 = CGCG 351-034 = PGC 32059

10 44 39.4 +76 48 35

V = 12.2; Size 1.8'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 140d

17.5" (3/28/92): moderately bright, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, broad concentration but no sharp nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1.4' NW.

JH found NGC 3329 = h733 on 3 Sep 1828 and recorded (third sweep 414) "pB; lE; gbM; 25"." His position matches UGC 5837.

This galaxy was discovered by WH on 2 Apr 1801, the problematic northern sweep 1096 with large systematic errors. His revised position, using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509), reveals H I-284 = NGC 3397 = NGC 3329. The modern designation is NGC 3329, despite the earlier discovery of NGC 3397.

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NGC 3330 = ESO 168-SC11 = Cr 226 = Harvard 4

10 38 48 -54 06 54

V = 7.4; Size 7'

13.1" (2/18/04 - Costa Rica): at 105x, ~30 stars mag 10-13 in a 6'x3' group elongated N-S. Three brighter mag 10 stars are on the south side but the main group of stars is on the north side including another mag 10 star. This was an easy object in my 10x30 IS bincoculars and was partially resolved in the 9x50 finder.

James Dunlop discovered NGC 3330 = D 355 = h3287 on 27 Apr 1826 and described "a triangular group of small stars resembling faint nebula, with several stars in it of some considerable magnitude." This was the first object he discovered with his homemade 9-inch speculum reflector after recording a few known objects. JH recorded on 6 Apr 1834 "The chief star (9th mag) of a poor cluster of 20 or 30 stars."

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NGC 3331 = ESO 501-072 = MCG -04-25-056 = PGC 31743

10 40 09.0 -23 49 13

V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 10d

17.5" (4/21/01): faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 0.8'x0.6', weak concentration, no distinct core. The NGC position is 24 tsec too far west and this galaxy follows NGC 3335 situated 10' SW. Member of nearby group LGG 209 (6 galaxies). IC 625 (faint edge-on) 10' NW was not seen.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 3331 = LM II-424 in 1886 and noted "mag 14.0, 0.8' dia, vlE 180°." His position is 0.4 min of RA west of ESO 501-72 = PGC 31743 and his position angle (N-S) is a good match.

A "corrected" position by Ormond Stone (repeated in the IC I Notes section) is 1.1 min of RA too far west! Herbert Howe's measured an accurate position in 1899-00 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).

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NGC 3332 = NGC 3342 = UGC 5807 = MCG +02-27-038 = CGCG 065-080 = Todd 24 = PGC 31768

10 40 28.4 +09 10 57

V = 12.3; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (3/22/96): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter. Even concentration to a brighter core and a nearly stellar nucleus. A mag 11.5-12 star is 1.2' SE of center.

WH discovered NGC 3332 = H I-272 on 4 Mar 1796 while observing the satellites of Uranus (not in CH's fair copy of the sweeps). This discovery was made after he had abandoned his sweeps since 1794, although even by 1790 and married for two years they had become much less frequent. He used Uranus as the reference for the offset and recorded "cB, S, iR, mbM, BN." In the NGC notes, Dreyer states the nebula observed by Schönfeld on 26 Apr 1862 and by Vogel in 1867 differ a good deal in place from H I-272, while the vF neb found by Tempel in Arcetri on 21 May 1879 and by Peters (AN 3328) is nearly in Herschel's place. The NGC position (also measured by Engelardt) matches UGC 5807.

This galaxy was probably first discovered on 18 Jan 1784 (early sweep 83) and catalogued as H III-5 = NGC 3342, but his position was very poor (see notes on this number). Interestingly, this galaxy was also picked up by David Todd on 26 Feb 1878 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet, but his position for object #24 is about 3 tmin too far west! Nevertheless, Todd's sketch is an exact match with the surrounding field stars for this galaxy. Dreyer did not include Todd's object in the NGC. So, it appears this galaxy was independently "discovered" 3 times.

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NGC 3333 = ESO 376-002 = MCG -06-24-001 = PGC 31723

10 39 49.8 -36 02 12

V = 13.2; Size 2.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 160d

18" (3/17/07): faint, thin edge-on NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.15'. A mag 15 star appears to be superimposed at the SSE end. Occasionally, there is a strong impresssion that a second very faint star is superimposed, though the second point is probably a faint stellar nucleus. Member of a group (Klemola 16 = LGG 213) along with NGC 3347, NGC 3354 and NGC 3358. NGC 3347 lies 40' SE.

JH discovered NGC 3333 = h3288 on 2 Feb 1835 and noted "eF; vS; mE; appended like a tail to a * 15m." His position and description matched the edge-on galaxy ESO 376-002.

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NGC 3334 = UGC 5817 = MCG +06-24-004 = CGCG 184-005 = PGC 31845

10 41 31.2 +37 18 46

V = 12.8; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, almost even surface brightness. A nice evenly matched mag 11.5 pair at 28" lies 3' ENE. Situated in an interesting field consisting of several fairly bright stars.

WH discovered NGC 3334 = H II-641 = h735 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 713) and noted "F, vS." CH's reduced position is NGC 3334 is 34 sec of RA following UGC 5817. JH's position on sweep 401 is a good match with this galaxy.

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NGC 3335 = ESO 501-071 = MCG -04-25-055 = PGC 31706

10 39 34.1 -23 55 21

V = 13.0; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 130d

17.5" (4/21/01): fairly faint, round, 1.0' diameter, weak even concentration to a small, brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with slightly fainter and smaller NGC 3331 10' NE. Member of nearby group LGG 209.

Frank Muller discovered NGC 3335 = LM II-425 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory. He noted "mag 13.5, 0.4' dia, iR, gbM" and his position is 0.7 min east of ESO 501-071 = PGC 31706. Ormond Stone's corrected RA (given in the IC 1 Notes section) is accurate.

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NGC 3336 = ESO 437-036 = MCG -05-25-036 = LGG 211-007 = PGC 31754

10 40 17.0 -27 46 36

V = 12.3; Size 1.9'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 123d

18" (3/13/04): faint, moderately large, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.2'x1.0', fairly even surface brightness. This member of AGC 1060 (Hydra I) is located ~45' ESE of the core of the cluster. Observation made through thin clouds.

JH discovered NGC 3336 = h3289 on 24 Mar 1835 and noted "vF; pL; lE; glbM." His position is 1' north of ESO 437-036 = PGC 31754.

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NGC 3337 = CGCG 037-119 = PGC 31860

10 41 47.6 +04 59 18

V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.3'; PA = 45d

17.5" (3/22/96): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter. Two mag 11.5 stars lie 1.8' and 3.1' SW. Located 11.4' WSW of NGC 3341.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3337 = m 197 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS, alm stellar." His position matches CGCG 037-119 = PGC 31860.

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NGC 3338 = UGC 5826 = MCG +02-27-041 = CGCG 065-087 = PGC 31883

10 42 07.5 +13 44 49

V = 11.1; Size 5.9'x3.6'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 100d

18" (4/14/12): at 280x appeared fairly bright, large, elongated E-W, ~2.8'x1.6'. Broad concentration to a round brighter core but no distinct nucleus. The halo fades out gradually (nearly face-on spiral) and there is a hint of mottling, though no clear spiral structure. Mag 8.9 HD 92622 lies 2.7' WNW of center, beyond the western edge of the galaxy. UGC 5832 = Arp 291 lies 20' SE.

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly bright, fairly large, broad concentration to an elongated brighter core with a brighter nucleus embedded, hints of internal structure. The fainter outer halo is elongated 3:2 E-W in the direction of mag 8.7 SAO 99253 which lies 2.7' W of center.

WH discovered NGC 3338 = H II-77 = h737 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and recorded "a considerable, pB, E, resolvable nebula, brightest about the middle." JH called it "F; E; pL; vgbM; follows a * 7m 10s."

R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 22 Mar 1854, noted "B Nucl, R, about 2' dia, light irr, has a second minute Nucl preceding the L one? Spiral?" There is not second nucleus, but he was correct about the spiral structure.

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NGC 3339 = Holm 210b

10 42 10.0 -00 22 08

=* 2.1' WNW of NGC 3340, Corwin. Misidentified in the RNGC as NGC 3340.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3339 = m 198 (along with NGC 3340 = m 199) on 30 Jan 1865 and noted "eF, stellar." Very near his position is a single mag 15.4 star that Marth assumed was nebulous. This star was also measured at Birr Castle on 4 Mar 1877 and called "eF, S."

The data in the RNGC listed under NGC 3339 applies to NGC 3340, MCG misidentifies MCG +00-27-042 as NGC 3339 and UGC mislabels NGC 3340 as NGC 3339 = NGC 3340.

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NGC 3340 = UGC 5827 = MCG +00-27-042 = CGCG 009-101 = Holm 210a = PGC 31892

10 42 18.0 -00 22 37

V = 13.0; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 145d

17.5" (4/29/00): faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, very weak even concentration to a slightly brighter core. The halo fades into the background. Located 12' SW of uneven double ∑1464 = 8.2/10.9 at 5". This galaxy is incorrectly identified as NGC 3339 in the RNGC.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3340 = m 199 on 30 Jan 1865 and noted "F, S, R." His position matches UGC 5827. NGC 3339 is a faint star 2.1' west-northwest. UGC and CGCG label this galaxy as NGC 3339 = NGC 3340, although only NGC 3340 should apply.

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NGC 3341 = UGC 5831 = MCG +01-27-031 = CGCG 037-124 = PGC 31915

10 42 31.5 +05 02 38

V = 14.0; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 24d

17.5" (3/22/96): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 0.7'x0.4', smooth surface brightness. A mag 11.5 star is 1.0' NW and a mag 14 star is at the WSW edge 25" from center. Located 21' NW of mag 5.8 35 Sex. NGC 3337 lies 11.4' WSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3341 = m 200 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, vS." His position corresponds with UGC 5831 = PGC 31915.

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NGC 3342 = NGC 3332: = UGC 5807 = MCG +02-27-038 = CGCG 065-080

10 40 28.4 +09 10 57

See observing notes for NGC 3332.

WH discovered NGC 3342 = H III-5 on 18 Jan 1784 (sweep 83) and gives the following long description: "The faintest and smallest nebula imaginable. I viewed it a long while and with a higher power than the sweeper. Having no person at the clock, I went in to write down the time and found it impossible to recover the nebula. It appeared like a vS nebulous star, and is probably of the cometic sort; there was another vS star south-following (I think, or rather, am pretty sure), and it preceded a pB *. It should have been secured before I went into the light. Its place must be about 2 1/2 deg following rho Leonis and about 10 arcmin more north than that star.''

His position falls on a blank part of the sky, but Harold Corwin notes that WH's description matches NGC 3332 = H I-272, discovered on 4 Mar 1796 while observing the satellites of Uranus (not actively pursuing sweeps). This implies his RA for III-5 was off by over 2 tmin of RA and 15' in dec, not an unusual error for his early sweeps. This galaxy was independently found later by David Todd (#24) on 26 Feb 1878 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet. Because of WH's poor position, this galaxy was not recovered by Spitaler or Bigourdan and Reinmuth equated the number with a mag 15 star.

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NGC 3343 = UGC 5863 = MCG +12-10-073 = CGCG 333-051 = PGC 32143

10 46 10.4 +73 21 10

V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 55d

18" (3/30/05): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.7'x0.5'. Fairly sharp concentration with a very small 15" bright core which increases to a stellar nucleus. Forms the vertex of a right angle with a 23" pair of mag 10.5/11.5 stars situated 4.5' NE and a mag 10.5 star 4' WNW. NGC 3348 lies 30' S and NGC 3403 is 40' NE.

WH discovered NGC 3343 = H III-317 = h736 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "vF, vS, requires attention to be seen." JH logged "not vF; R; gbM." His position matches UGC 5863.

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NGC 3344 = UGC 5840 = MCG +04-25-046 = CGCG 124-060 = PGC 31968

10 43 31.0 +24 55 20

V = 9.9; Size 7.1'x6.5'; Surf Br = 13.9

17.5" (1/19/91): fairly bright, large, about 4'x3' extended ~E-W. Unusual appearance as two bright stars are involved on the east side. Sharply concentrated with a faint outer halo and a well-defined much brighter core. A mag 10.5 star is on the east side 52" from the center and a mag 10 star is at the east edge of the halo 1.6' from the center. Also a mag 13.5 star is superimposed about 30" SSE of the core.

8" (3/28/81): faint, large, low surface brightess. Two mag 10 stars are at the east edge.

WH discovered NGC 3344 = H I-81 = h739 on 6 Apr 1785 (sweep 393) and recorded "cB, cL, milky, very near and preceding 2 stars; a small part of the nebula is considerably brighter than the rest; the 2 stars and the brightest part of the nebula are all within 2' and nearly in one parallel. The greatest part of the milkiness is preceding the bright part, and the termination of it is imperceptible." JH logged "pB; L; gbM; has (?) a star excentric within it and a double star closely following it."

Bindon Stoney, observing on 3 Mar 1851 with LdR's 72", declared it a "spiral, vF, has a branch from p edge round to n and f."

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NGC 3345

10 43 31.9 +11 59 07

=**, Carlson. =M95 = NGC 3351, WS.

JH discovered NGC 3345 = h740 on 24 Mar 1830, while searching for his father's H I-26 (see below). He simply noted "eF, hardly visible." At his position is a pair of mag 14 stars at 18" separation. Peters also reported the same position. Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections, identifies NGC 3345 as a double star. As his description is so disparate from his father's, Dreyer added two question marks to the equivalence of h740 with H I-26.

WH found H I-26 on 19 Mar 1784 and recorded "cB, pL, not R, and much brighter about the middle than towards the ends." There is nothing at his position, but ~10' south is M95, which was not observed in the sweep, and Dreyer notes in his 1912 notes to WH's catalogues that I-26 is probably a duplicate of M95. Wolfgang Steinicke emphasizes the identity with M95, but Harold Corwin feels JH's observation should not be ignored.

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NGC 3346 = UGC 5842 = MCG +03-28-001 = CGCG 094-116 = CGCG 095-003 = PGC 31982

10 43 39.0 +14 52 19

V = 11.7; Size 2.9'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.7

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly large, slightly elongated E-W, 3.0'x2.5', fairly low almost even surface brightness, just a weak broad concentration. A pair of mag 11-12 stars are 2.6' WSW and 3.5' due west.

WH discovered NGC 3346 = H V-7 = h3290 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted "F, vL, almost R, resolvable." From the Cape of Good Hope, JH recorded "vF; L; R; vgvlbM; 3' or 4' diam. A soft globe of light, resolvable with the left eye." His position matches UGC 5842.

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NGC 3347 = ESO 376-013 = MCG -06-24-007 = LGG 213-004 = PGC 31926

10 42 46.6 -36 21 12

V = 11.3; Size 3.6'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 173d

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, bright core, moderately large, elongated ~N-S. First of three with NGC 3354 3.4' E and NGC 3358 10' ESE. Member of the Klemola 16 group.

JH discovered NGC 3347 = h3291 on 1 May 1834 (along with NGC 3354) and recorded "pF; S; R; vsmbM to a * 12m." He observed this group on four nights.

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NGC 3348 = UGC 5875 = MCG +12-10-077 = CGCG 333-054 = PGC 32216

10 47 10.1 +72 50 22

V = 11.1; Size 2.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (3/28/92): moderately bright but small, 1' diameter, slightly elongated E-W. Unusual appearance because at first glance there appears to be a double nucleus. Instead a mag 13.5 star is superimposed at the east side of the halo. The core of the galaxy is close west and a small halo surrounds the star with averted vision. Using direct vision the star is slightly brighter than the core. A mag 11 star lies 1.7' WNW.

WH discovered NGC 3348 = H I-80 = h738 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "cB, S, irregularly elliptical." His position matches UGC 5875. JH mentioned the * 11m 20 sec of RA preceding. Karl Reinmuth noted this was a double galaxy (based on Heidelberg plates).

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NGC 3349 = VV 514 = MCG +01-28-002 = CGCG 038-002 =PGC 31989

10 43 50.6 +06 45 47

V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.7'

17.5" (4/9/94): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness. Located 5.3' W of brighter NGC 3356. An extremely faint mag 15 "star" is just off the SE edge [38" SE of center]. On the POSS this "star" is actually an extremely compact companion galaxy (just nonstellar) which has very faint disrupted arms.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3349 = m 201 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS." His position matches the triple system VV 514.

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NGC 3350 = CGCG 155-002 = CGCG 154-044 = PGC 32035

10 44 22.9 +30 43 29

V = 14.4; Size 0.5'x0.5'

18" (3/11/07): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, occasional very faint stellar nucleus. Located just north of a wide pair of mag 9.5 and 10 stars (SAO 62223 and 62226) and 19' W of 5.4-magnitude 42 Leo Minor.

JH discovered NGC 3350 = h742 on 10 Apr 1831 and recorded "eF; vS; very difficult, but a certain observation; is n of 2 st 9 or 10m." His position matches CGCG 154-044 = PGC 32035.

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NGC 3351 = M95 = UGC 5850 = MCG +02-28-001 = CGCG 066-004 = PGC 32007

10 43 57.8 +11 42 14

V = 9.7; Size 7.4'x5.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 13d

17.5" (2/28/87): very bright, very bright core. The outer halo is 4.5'x3.0' oriented SSW-NNE. A bar is highly suspected extending WNW-ESE of the central core with inner ring structure suspected extending from this bar.

13.1" (2/25/84): very bright, small bright nucleus.

8": bright, fairly large, round.

Pierre Méchain discovered M95 = H I-26 = h743 on 20 Mar 1781. WH observed M95 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and recorded a "fine, bright nebula, much brighter in the middle than at the extremes, of a pretty considerable extent, perhaps 3 or 4' or more. The middle seems to be of the magnitude of 3 or 4 stars joined together, but not exactly round; from the brightest part of it there is a sudden transition to the nebulous part, so that I should call it cometic."

Just a week later (19 Mar 1784) he found H I-26 and wrote, "cB, pL, not R, and much brighter about the middle than towards the ends." There is nothing at his position, but ~20' south and 1 min of RA east is M95, which was not observed in the sweep, and Dreyer concludes in his 1912 revision of H's catalogoues that H I-26 is probably a duplicate of M95.

R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 16 Feb 1858, noted "I sev times thought it had two spiral arms, p and f." Sir Robert Ball commented on 10 Feb 1867, "The central bright section seems rather more complex than usual. It may be divided into two ellipses, the inner one is uniform in light and brighter than the other one." This appears to describe the core and the surrounding inner ring.

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NGC 3352 = UGC 5851 = MCG +04-25-048 = CGCG 124-061 = PGC 32025

10 44 15.0 +22 22 16

V = 12.6; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 0d

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, very small, round, brighter core. A mag 14 star is 1.8' WNW. NGC 3363 lies 21' SE.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3352 = St X-26 on 19 Mar 1880. His position matches UGC 5851 = PGC 32025.

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NGC 3353 = UGC 5860 = MCG +09-18-022 = CGCG 267-009 = Mrk 35 = PGC 32103

10 45 22.4 +55 57 37

V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 45d

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, increases to an irregular brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1.6' S of center.

8": faint, small, round. A mag 13 star is 1' S.

WH discovered NGC 3353 = H III-842 = h741 on 18 Mar 1790 (sweep 949) and noted "vF, vS, R." His RA is 30 sec too large. JH recorded "pB; S; R; pgbM; 15"; a small star 90" S." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3354 = ESO 376-014 = MCG -06-24-008 = LGG 213-005 = PGC 31941

10 43 02.8 -36 21 46

V = 13.2; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.4

17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated ~N-S. Second of three with NGC 3347 3.5' W and NGC 3358 7' ESE. Member of the Klemola 16 group.

JH discovered NGC 3354 = h3292 on 1 May 1834 and recorded (two sweeps later) "vF; S; lbM; 8". The 2nd of 3 [with NGC 3347 and NGC 3358]."

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NGC 3355

10 43 30 -23 12

=Not found, RNGC. =MCG -04-25-058 = ESO 501-G79?, ESO.

Samuel Langley found NGC 3355 = HN 29 on 12 Apr 1866 using the 15-inch Merz Refractor at Harvard Observatory (Annals of Harvard Observatory, Vol 13, #215). He simply noted "found in search for Biela's comet; place approximate." There is nothing near his position (the only NGC credited to Langley). NGC 3355 is not listed in any modern catalogue except ESO, which lists MCG -4-25-58 = ESO 501-G79 as a possible identity. This galaxy is located 2 min of RA west and 11.4' south of Langley's position.

Harold Corwin suggests a more likely candidate is IC 625 = ESO 501-G80, a "normal'' early-type object with a surface brightness two magnitudes brighter than ESO 501-G79, which is located 45' south of Langley's position. Either of these identifications are pretty speculative as they are not close to Langley's position. So, I've listed this number as lost.

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NGC 3356 = UGC 5852 = MCG +01-28-004 = CGCG 038-005 = VV 529 = PGC 32021

10 44 12.3 +06 45 32

V = 13.3; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 102d

17.5" (4/9/94): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE. A mag 11 star is 2.9' S. Forms a pair with NGC 3349 5.3' W. NGC 3362 lies 13.8' SE.

WH discovered NGC 3356 = H III-107 = h744 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 196) and recorded "A suspected, eF, pL. Too much daylight remaining to verify it; but I do much doubt it." There is nothing near his position he might have picked up. But on 12 Apr 1801 (sweep 1098), his position is just 2' northeast of UGC 5852. On sweep 117, JH described this galaxy "eF; R; bM; 30"; a * 9m south dist 2' or 3'."

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NGC 3357 = UGC 5206 = UGC 5854A = MCG +02-28-002 = CGCG 066-006 = PGC 32032

10 44 20.7 +14 05 03

V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 90d

17.5" (3/22/96): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, broad concentration to an ill-defined brighter 15" core. A mag 12 star is 2.3' W of center. A wide pair of evenly matched mag 9.5 stars lies 8.5' NE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3357 = m 202 = T V-5 on 5 Apr 1864 and noted "F, S, mbM." His position is 1' north of UGC 5206. Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered this galaxy on 22 Feb 1865, noted the mag 13-14 star 10 seconds of time due west and measured a very accurate position. Wilhelm Tempel made another independent discovery on 18 Nov 1881 while looking for Denning's Comet.

UGC incorrectly gives the RA as 9h instead of 10h, although identifies this UGC 5206 as NGC 3357. In the UGC addenda, NGC 3357 is listed again as UGC 5854A, as the corrected position falls between UGC 5854 and 5855.

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NGC 3358 = ESO 376-017 = MCG -06-24-009 = LGG 213-006 = PGC 31974

10 43 32.9 -36 24 37

V = 11.4; Size 3.3'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 141d

17.5" (3/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, prominent core, fainter elongated halo. Several stars are near. Third of three with NGC 3354 7' WNW and NGC 3350 10' WNW. Member of the Klemola 16 group.

JH discovered NGC 3358 = h3293 on 2 Feb 1835 and recorded "F; vS; R: close to a vS star; the last of 3 [with NGC 3347 and 3354]."

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NGC 3359 = UGC 5873 = MCG +11-13-037 = CGCG 313-033 = PGC 32183

10 46 36.7 +63 13 28

V = 10.6; Size 7.2'x4.4'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 170d

48" (2/21/12): at 375x, this beautiful barred spiral contains a prominent central bar extending ~1.3' N-S, with a bright, elongated core. A spiral arm is attached at the south end of the bar. It quickly rotates and sweeps northeast (clockwise) for 1.5', dimming out 1' E of center. A longer, beautiful arm is attached on the north end of the bar and sweeps south along the west side of the galaxy. This arm is brightest where it attaches to the bar. The western arm passes well south of the central bar and includes a couple of HII knots towards the end. The brightest is a faint 10" knot, situated 1.4' SW of center. This HII region is catalogued as [H69] 42 in Hodge's 1969 paper "HII Regions in 20 Nearby Galaxies" and as SDSS J104627.95+631220.6 (V = 16.5). It is also referenced in NED as NGC 3359:[RZB2000] #7/9, from the paper "The ionized gas in the spiral galaxy NGC 3359. Part I." in A&A, 354, 823-835 (2000). Just south of this knot the arm fades out, but brightens slightly again at the tip (2' S of center), where there is a very faint, low surface brightness knot, ~12" diameter, listed in the RZB paper as region #12/14.

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly bright, large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE. A brighter bar is visible through the center along the major axis! Has a large, diffuse halo about 5'x3' which fades into the background. The brighter core has an irregular surface brightness. Two mag 14 stars are 3.4' WNW and 2.8' ESE of center.

WH discovered NGC 3359 = H V-52 = h745 on 28 Nov 1801 (sweep 1102) and recorded "cB, L, lE in the meridian, vgbM, about 5' long and 3' broad. The nebulosity seems to be of the milky kind [unresolvable], it loses itself imperceptibly all around. The whole breadth of the sweeps seems to be affected with vF nebulosity." His position is 3.5' too far north. JH logged "pF; L; E in merid; glbM; 2.5' l, 2' br." and measured a more accurate position.

Ralph Copeland, observing on 21 Feb 1874 at Birr Castle, made two sketches showing both a striking "S" shaped spiral and a "figure 8". No description accompanies the diagrams.

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NGC 3360 = MCG -02-28-003 = PGC 32026

10 44 16.1 -11 14 33

V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 55d

17.5" (4/21/01): faint, small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.6'. Low, nearly even surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 3360 3.8' NE.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3360 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered-glass reflector. His description reads "A F[aint] pair, f one brighter." There is nothing at his position, but 10' north is MCG -02-28-003 = PGC 32026, which forms a pair with NGC 3361 = MCG -02-28-004 about 3.8' NE.

Herbert Howe's published position in his series of MN articles matches MCG -02-28-003, although it is incorrect in the IC Notes.

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NGC 3361 = MCG -02-28-004 = PGC 32044

10 44 29.1 -11 12 27

V = 12.8; Size 2.0'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 155d

17.5" (4/21/01): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.8', broad concentration. A mag 15 star is close preceding. Forms a pair with NGC 3360 3.8' SW.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3361 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered-glass reflector. His description reads "A F[aint] pair, f one brighter." There is nothing at his position, but 10' north is MCG -02-28-004 = PGC 32044, which forms a pair with NGC 3360 about 3.8' SW. The position angle 160° given in the NGC description is accurate, though it was not given in Common's list.

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NGC 3362 = UGC 5857 = MCG +01-28-005 = CGCG 038-007 = PGC 32078

10 44 51.8 +06 35 48

V = 12.8; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 90d

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 2.0'x1.0', broad concentration. Located 3.8' WNW of mag 8.7 SAO 118472 3.8' ESE. NGC 3356 lies 13.8' NW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3362 = m 203 on 22 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, S, R." His position is within 1' of UGC 5857. Stephan independently discovered this galaxy on 18 Mar 1882 and reported it in list XII-39, though he questioned if it was equivalent to GC 5534 [NGC 3362] in the notes section.

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NGC 3363 = UGC 5866 = MCG +04-26-002 = CGCG 125-003 = PGC 32089

10 45 09.5 +22 04 42

V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 0d

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.0'x0.7', even surface brightness. A mag 12 star is 1.5' E of center and 1.0' off the edge. NGC 3353 lies 21' NW.

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3363 = St XII-40 on 22 Mar 1882 and recorded "F, pS, iR, lbM, r." His position is accurate.

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NGC 3364 = UGC 5890 = MCG +12-10-082 = CGCG 333-056 = PGC 32314

10 48 29.7 +72 25 30

V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, small, round, low even surface brightness. Collinear with a mag 13/13.5 double star at 29" separation located 4' N.

WH discovered NGC 3364 = H III-318 = h746 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "vF, pL, r." CH's reduction is ~2.5' east of UGC 5890. JH reported "eF; L; R; vgbM; 60"; a coarse double star sf [about 5'] points back directly to it."

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NGC 3365 = UGC 5878 = MCG +00-28-006 = CGCG 010-008 = FGC 1131 = PGC 32153

10 46 12.6 +01 48 48

V = 12.6; Size 4.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 159d

17.5" (4/22/95): very faint, fairly large, edge-on 6:1 NNW-SSE, 4.0'x0.6'. Appears as a low surface brightness streak, very weak concentration with a small slightly brighter core. Surprisingly faint for the listed magnitude.

JH discovered NGC 3365 = h747 on 13 Apr 1828 and recorded "eF; L; 2' long, 20" broad; vgvlbM; a ray nebula." His position is 1.4' south of the edge-on UGC 5878. The NGC has a typo in the RA hour (19).

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NGC 3366 = ESO 264-007 = MCG -07-22-024 = IC 2592 = LGG 204-003 = PGC 31335

10 35 08.4 -43 41 30

V = 11.3; Size 2.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 37d

18" (2/19/09): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, ~0.6'x0.4' (viewed brighter core region). Located just 1.7' S of mag 6.1 HD 91805 and the combination of low elevation and the glare of the bright star severely hampered viewing the galaxy. At 225x I was able to place the star just outside the edge of the field which increased the visibility. This galaxy is located 1.3 degrees ENE of NGC 3256 and is probably part of the southern group Klemola 12 (NGC 3256, 3256B, 3261, 3262 and 3263 were observed from Costa Rica).

JH discovered NGC 3366 = h3294 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded ""F; E; gbM; close to a * 6.7m. The minute of RA is doubtful. The written record makes it 47; but as this is impossible from the context, 37 is assumed." His assumed RA is still 10 tmin too far east. Once corrected it matches ESO 264-007 in position and description so this identification is certain.

DeLisle Stewart found this galaxy on an Arequipa plate around 1899 and Dreyer catalogued it again as IC 2592. So, NGC 3366 = IC 2592. See Harold Corwin's notes.

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NGC 3367 = UGC 5880 = MCG +02-28-005 = CGCG 066-011 = PGC 32178

10 46 34.8 +13 45 02

V = 11.5; Size 2.5'x2.2'; Surf Br = 13.2

13.1" (2/25/84): fairly bright, fairly large, almost even surface brightness, slightly elongated ~E-W. NGC 3377 lies 20' NE.

8" (3/28/81): fairly bright, slightly elongated, slightly brighter core. Located about 25' SSE of 5th magnitude 52 Leonis.

WH discovered NGC 3367 = H II-78 = h748 on 19 Mar 1784 (sweep 177) and simply noted "pB". His position is off by 15' (too far northwest), but he measured a more accurate position on a later sweep. JH noted "pB; vL; irreg R; vgbM; 2' diam" and measured an accurate position in sweep 338. The description under h748 in sweep 242 probably refers NGC 3379.

Bindon Stoney, observing with LdR's 72" on 23 Mar 1851, noted "probably spiral, dark spaces in it and * suspected in preceding edge."

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NGC 3368 = M96 = UGC 5882 = MCG +02-28-006 = CGCG 066-013 = PGC 32192

10 46 45.5 +11 49 18

V = 9.3; Size 7.6'x5.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 5d

17.5" (2/28/87): very bright, fairly large, elongated NW-SE, 5'x3.5', small bright core, stellar nucleus. Brightest in the Leo group (M96 Group) with M95 40' WSW.

13.1" (2/25/84): very bright, small bright nucleus.

8" (3/28/81): bright, fairly large, slightly elongated.

Pierre Méchain discovered M96 = NGC 3368 = h749 on 20 Mar 1781. Four nights later it was confirmed by Messier. WH observed M96 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and recorded "A fine, bright nebula, much like the former [M95], but the brightest part in the middle is more joined to the nebulosity than in the former, and the bright part is rather longer, though not quite so vivid as in the former. It may still be called cometic, though it begins to depart a little from that kind."

Johnstone Stoney, observing with LdR's 72" on 3 Mar 1850, noted "Is, I think, certainly a spiral." In Mar 1851, Bindon Stoney added "vBM, perhaps shaped like an S reversed." A sketch clearly shows a spiral arm curving counterclockwise on the east side towards the south. It also shows a darker strip just west of the central region between the western arm. M96 was included in the list of "Spiral or curvilinear" nebulae in LdR's 1850 PT paper.

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NGC 3369 = ESO 501-095 = MCG -04-26-009 = PGC 32191

10 46 44.6 -25 14 39

V = 13.6; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 117d

18" (3/17/07): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration, 0.5'x0.4'. Outlying member of the Hydra I (Abell 1060) cluster to the NE of the main group.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3369 = LM I-177 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) matches ESO 501-095. Howe's corrected position in 1899-00 (given in the IC 2 Notes section) is accurate.

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NGC 3370 = UGC 5887 = MCG +03-28-008 = CGCG 095-019 = PGC 32207

10 47 04.0 +17 16 24

V = 11.6; Size 3.2'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 148d

13.1" (1/18/85): moderately bright, fairly weak concentration, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE. The nucleus is displaced to the west.

WH discovered NGC 3370 = H II-81 = h750 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and noted "pB, pL, not R, r." JH made two observations and his mean position matches UGC 5887.

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NGC 3371 = NGC 3384 = UGC 5911 = MCG +02-28-012 = CGCG 066-021

10 48 16.9 +12 37 45

See observing notes for NGC 3384.

JH discovered NGC 3371 = h751 on 23 Mar 1830 (single sweep 282) and recorded "F, R. The second of 3 [with h748 and h753 = NGC 3373] in a triangle." There is only the single galaxy NGC 3367 in the vicinty, ~7' WSW of JH's position. But if his 3 positions are offset 73 sec in RA east and 70' south, they match up perfectly with NGC 3379, NGC 3384 and NGC 3389. Possibly while observing NGC 3379, he used the position of NGC 3367 and measured offsets to obtain positions of other two galaxies. So, h748 (sweep 282) = NGC 3379, NGC 3371 = NGC 3384 and NGC 3373 = NGC 3389. His position angles (given under h748) also match these 3 galaxies. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.

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NGC 3372 = ESO 128-EN013 = Gum 33 = 109a = RCW 53 = Eta Carina Nebula = Keyhole Nebula

10 45 09 -59 52 00

V = 4.8; Size 120'x120'

24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this observation of the Homunculus was made at 350x in good seeing with the 24". Eta Car appeared an iridescent electric-orange color surrounded by the bipolar blowouts of the Homunculus. The brighter and larger lobe extends to the southeast and was pretty circular (a bit flattened on the end), but punctured by a small, elongated hole that splits the lobe near Eta, creating a small 6" loop (connected on the SE end). The NW blowout is fainter and smaller with an unusual "fountain" or half-apple core appearance, tapering in and dimming to an extremely narrow bridge at Eta and then spreading out to the NW. The NW edge of this lobe is rounder, giving a "fountain" appearance. The two lobes create empty notches near Eta and extending into the NE notch between the two lobes is a very thin, short spike that was not difficult to view but the SW "spike" was only intermittently visible.

18" (7/4/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): spectacular detail within the Homunculus at 293x. The bright 6" lobe to the SE of Eta is split by a dark lane (forming the two "legs" of the Homunculus). This lane actually consists of two darker "holes" with the outer dark hole more prominent. In moments of good seeing the outer periphery of the lobe has a slightly tattered or scalloped structure and it is flattened on the SE end. Jutting out a few arcseconds to the NE is a small, thin spike that was visible continuously with averted vision. On the opposite SW side, only a small, brighter extension or oval nodule bulges out slightly from the SE lobe. The fainter NW lobe has a more translucent appearance with a pinched "key" or "bust" outline as the nebulosity is very weak or absent in the middle of the sides (this lobe forms the "head" of the Homunculus). At the center of this remarkable sight is the bright, quasi-stellar, reddish-orange Eta Carinae.

13.1" (2/20/04 - Costa Rica): I spent quite a bit of time on the Eta Carina complex, particularly examining the remarkable Homunculus Nebula. This is easily the largest bright emission nebula in the sky and a very prominent naked-eye object within the amazingly rich Carina Milky Way. Bright islands of billowing nebulosity are separated by dark lanes or rifts and the entire complex overfilled the 105x field at the eyepiece.

The surface brightness of the various sections is fairly uniform and pretty high, though it lowers in the outskirts. No section is comparable in intensity to the central heart of the Orion Nebula, but the large wedge that contains Eta Car is quite prominent. A UHC filter enhances the nebulosity without significantly dimming the stars. Just west of Eta (within the central wedge) is the fairly prominent, dark "Keyhole Nebula" that extends ~5' length and elongated N-S (not as contrasty as when John Herschel named it in the 1830's). Eta Carina's orange color and the small bipolar blowouts are quite stunning at high power. Involved with the nebulosity are several clusters, the most prominent being Tr 16 just south of Eta Car.

Tr 14 is a rich group of ~30 stars mag 7 and fainter stars including h4356 (7.2/8.9 at 2.8") within a 4' diameter. There are several additional mag 8/9 stars and a swarm of mag 12 stars! This cluster is just 12' NW of Eta Carinae within the bright, huge triangular section of nebulosity to the NW of Eta. HD 93129A (the brighter component of the pair h4356) is one of the most luminous and massive known stars with ~120 solar masses and 5,000,000 times the sun's luminosity.

Tr 16 is a rich group of stars trailing immediately south of Eta Carinae itself and close southeast of the dark Keyhole Nebula, all within the same bright triangular wedge. At 166x, about three dozen stars mag 9-13 were resolved within 4'. A number of the stars are arranged in chains and groups.

Tr 15 consists of roughly 15 stars crammed into a 2' group including a neat triple h4364 (mag 8/9/11 at 8" and 9" in a string with brightest member HD 93249) on the north side. Situated within a streamer of nebulosity just 20' NNW of Eta Carina itself.

At 200x, the Homunculus Nebula surrounding Eta Carina was remarkable in excellent seeing on the last evening of observing. Both Eta and the nebula were a uniquely vivid color - an amazing fluorescent orange-tangerine. Extending to the SE of Eta is the brighter lobe, perhaps 6" in diameter with a sharp outline that was flattened along the southern edge in a mushroom shape. There appeared to be a partial darker lane in the interior. Extending to the NW was a smaller (4"-5") and much fainter lobe that faded with increased magnification. A tiny spike of nebulosity jutted out along to the NE between the two lobes. A couple of very close and faint companions lie just NE of Eta. This bi-polar reflection nebula resulted from the most recent outburst of supermassive Eta Car in 1841.

20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): Using a 20 Nagler (127x) and UHC filter, the field of Eta Carina was a breathtaking sight. The outer wings and streamers extended well outside the 39' field. The turbulent nebulosity had a curdled, electric appearance with a strong 3-dimensional effect as brighter streaks, wings, fainter masses and dark lanes were mixed together throughout the field.

The best overall view of the nebula in the 20" was at 80x (32 mm) using a UHC filter. Even at this low power, the Eta Carina nebula still overfilled the field with contrasty dark lanes and amazingly structured islands of nebulosity. I stared into the eyepiece quietly, somewhat stunned by its beauty. With this aperture at 282x, the 12"x8" bipolar Homunculus nebula was an astounding sight. The orange central star appeared quasi-stellar with the unequal blowouts fairly prominent. They had an eerie, translucent appearance with the western lobe somewhat smaller, fainter and more pinched with the eastern lobe more circular. A possible dark lane is near the center and punctures the lobes.

Tr 14 rich group of stars mag 7 and fainter in a 5' diameter situated ~12' NW of Eta within one of the sections of nebulosity. Contains the binary h4356 (7.2/8.9 at 2.8"). The brighter star of this pair (HD 93129A) is one of the most massive stars known and rivals Eta Car in mass and luminosity. A triple system h4360 just 2' SE includes a 2" pair. Cr 232 is a small, scattered 4' group of ~20 stars just following Tr 14 in the outer NW section of the Eta Carina nebula. The brightest star is mag 7.7 HD 93250. Tr 16 is a triangular group of stars just south of Eta and includes a chain of a half-dozen brighter stars. Tr 15 is a fairly small group of a couple dozen stars mag 8.5 and fainter less than 30' N of Eta Car.

Cr 228 is a large, scattered cluster ~25' SSW of Eta Carina in the southern part of the complex. Includes two mag 6.5 stars with brightest member 6.2-6.5 QZ Carinae and the Wolf-Rayet star HD 93131. Includes a number of mag 8-9 stars spread over a 15'x10' field. The group is elongated SW-NE.

Bochum 10 is a group of two dozen stars in a ~5'x2' region. It includes 7 mag 9 stars that dominate the group. Fairly scattered and distributed in the two subgroups NW and SE with the SE group containing most of the stars. Located just 5' NW of mag 5.4 HD 92964 and just south of the southern arc of the HD 92809 Wolf-Rayet ring. Situated just north of the huge wedge that extends north of Eta, ~40' NW of the star. Visually the cluster appears much smaller than the listed diameter of 20'.

At 282x, the 12"x8" bipolar Homunculus nebula surrounding Eta Carina was an astounding sight. The orange central star appeared quasi-stellar with the unequal blowouts fairly prominent. They had an eerie, translucent appearance with the NW lobe somewhat smaller, fainter and more pinched with the SE lobe more circular. A possible dark lane is near the center and punctures the lobes.

12" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): My first views of the Eta Carina nebula through Les Dalrymple's 12.5" and Gary's 20" were truly breathtaking and dwarfed the Orion Nebula in size and detail. The nebula is broken into 4 or 5 main separate masses of varying sizes, shapes and surface brightness by three wide, dark obscuring dust lanes. The mottled nebulosity has an amazing 3-dimensional curdled appearance and is riddled with dark bays and rifts. Outer loops and brighter streaks complete an amazing vista.

The brightest section forms a triangular wedge isolated by prominent dark lane which cuts at a striking right angle. This wedge contains the centerpiece Eta Carina which has an amazing orange color. Extending from Eta are the two small lobes (one is brighter), referred to as the "Homunculus nebula" and appearing as an explosive event from the early 19th century in a HST image. Just preceding Eta is an elongated N-S, curving dark lane nicknamed the "Keyhole Nebula" by John Herschel as well as the open cluster Tr 16 just south of Eta.

Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 3372 = Lac III-6 = D 309 = h3295 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2-inch telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He recorded a "Large group of a great number of small stars, little compressed, and filling out the space of a kind of a semi-circle of 15 to 20 minutes in diameter; with a slight nebulosity widespread in space." Of course, the nebula and embedded clusters is a prominent naked-eye object, so was certainly known by southern sky watchers.

James Dunlop observed it at least 13 times and recorded "(Eta Roboris Caroli, Bode) is a bright star of the 3rd magnitude, surrounded by a multitude of small stars, and pretty strong nebulosity; very similar in its nature to that in Orion, but not so bright ... I can count twelve or fourteen extremely minute stars surrounding Eta in the space of about 1'; several of them appear close to the disk: there is a pretty bright small star about the 10th magnitude N.f. the Eta, and distant about 1'. The nebulosity is pretty strongly marked; that on the south side is very unequal in brightness, and the different portions of the nebulosity are completely detached, as represented in the figure. There is much nebulosity in this place, and very much extensive nebulosity throughout the Robur Caroli, which is also very rich in small stars."

During a 5-year period in the 1840's and '50s Eta Car brightened from 1.5 to -1 (chronicled by John Herschel) and was temporarily the second brightest star in the sky, nearly rivaling Sirius. This outburst later created the double-lobed Homunculus Nebula, discovered in 1944. According to Wolfgang Steinicke, in 1863, Francis Abbott, an amateur in Tasmania, claimed a decrease in the size and brightness of the main nebula and displacement relative to Eta Car using a 4-inch refractor, but a number of critical replies followed by Lt. John Herschel (son of JH), Airy and Lassell. Interestingly, the dark "Keyhole Nebula" does appear to have lost contrast based on JH's sketches and descriptions.

As far as the origin of the nickname "Keyhole Nebula" it's generally assumed that JH coined the phrase and his sketch of the elongated dark patch near Eta certainly appears like a perfect classic "keyhole". But a search through his Cape Observations and articles about the brightening of Eta Car and possible variability of the nebula reveals he used the term "lemniscate" to describe the shape (must have been his early mathematical training).

In an 1873 issue of Appletons' Journal, Emma Converse, who reported on astronomical topics for the popular press, summarizes the dispute about changes in the nebula in an article titled "Eta Argus". She mentions "In the middle of the brightest part of the nebulous light there was a dark vacancy, of a form resembling a keyhole, or the geometrical figure called a lemniscate, around which the light of the nebula was not uniform." Later she mentions "The southern loop of Herschel's lemniscate, or keyhole-shaped cavity had bulged out into the vacuity, forming an isthmus that trended north-south." Agnes Mary Clerke refers to the "Key-Hole Nebula" in her "The System of the Stars" (second edition, 1905), plate XVII taken with the Bruce 24-inch at Arequipa in 1896.

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NGC 3373 = NGC 3389 = UGC 5914 = MCG +02-28-013 = CGCG 066-022 = PGC 32306

10 48 27.9 +12 31 59

See observing notes for NGC 3389.

JH discovered NGC 3373 = h753 on 23 Mar 1830 (single sweep 282) and recorded "F, R, the last of 3 [with h748 and h751 = NGC 3371] in a triangle." There is only the single galaxy NGC 3367 in the vicinty, ~7' WSW of JH's position. But if his 3 positions are offset 73 sec in RA east and 70' south, they match up perfectly with NGC 3379, NGC 3384 and NGC 3389. Possibly while observing NGC 3379, he used the position of NGC 3367 and measured offsets to obtain positions for the other two galaxies. So, h748 (sweep 282) = NGC 3379, NGC 3371 = NGC 3384 and NGC 3373 = NGC 3389. His position angles (given under h748) also match these 3 galaxies. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.

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NGC 3374 = UGC 5901 = MCG +07-22-066 = CGCG 212-057 = PGC 32266

10 48 01.1 +43 11 11

V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 142d

18" (3/30/05): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round though difficult to pin down an orientation, 0.7'x0.6'. Broad, weak concentration with no noticeable core. Located 16' NE of mag 7.3 HD 93271 and 18' NW of mag 7.8 HD 93663. Forms a pair with CGCG 212-055 2.3' SSW (not seen).

WH discovered NGC 3374 = H III-701 = h752 on 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804) and recorded "vF, vS, iF." JH called it "vF; S; R; 12"." Both measured fairly accurate positions.

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NGC 3375 = MCG -01-28-008 = PGC 32205

10 47 00.8 -09 56 29

V = 12.6; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 153d

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6', bright 15" core, stellar nucleus. No brighter stars in the 20' field at 220x.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3375 = T I-26 = T V-6 on 21 Feb 1878 and called it class II-III with a stellar nucleus. It was found independently by Stephan on 23 Apr 1881 and included in list XI-9. Both Tempel's and Stephan's micrometric positions match MCG -01-28-008 = PGC 32205, although the MCG doesn't label this galaxy NGC 3375.

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NGC 3376 = UGC 5891 = MCG +01-28-007 = CGCG 038-013 = PGC 32231

10 47 26.5 +06 02 53

V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 167d

17.5" (3/22/96): faint, small, slightly elongated, 25" diameter, moderate surface brightness, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is 1.3' N which has a very faint companion close west.

Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 3376 on 19 Feb 1863. His position, measured on 2 nights, is an exact match with UGC 5891.

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NGC 3377 = UGC 5899 = MCG +02-28-009 = CGCG 066-016 = PGC 32249

10 47 42.3 +13 59 08

V = 10.4; Size 5.2'x3.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 35d

13.1" (2/25/84): bright, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, well concentrated to a small bright nucleus. Member of the Leo Group = M96 Group.

8" (3/28/81): fairly bright, slightly elongated SW-NE.

WH discovered NGC 3377 = H II-99 = h754 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and noted "pB, S, r." JH called it "first Class" and measured an accurate position. Auwers and d'Arrest also measured precise positions.

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NGC 3378 = ESO 318-012 = MCG -07-22-029 = PGC 32189

10 46 43.3 -40 00 59

V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4

18" (3/28/09): faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, very weak concentration.

JH discovered NGC 3378 = h3296 on 1 Feb 1835 and noted "pB; R; bM. Out of limit of sweep. Place rough. He measured a more accurate position on 3 later sweeps.

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NGC 3379 = M105 = UGC 5902 = MCG +02-28-011 = CGCG 066-018 = Holm 212a = KTG 33A = PGC 32256

10 47 49.6 +12 34 54

V = 9.3; Size 5.4'x4.8'; Surf Br = 12.8

24" (4/20/14): very bright, large, slightly elongated ~SW-NE, ~3.0'x2.5'. Sharply concentrated with a large, brilliant core containing to an intense nucleus, which increases towards the center. First in a prominent trio with NGC 3384 7.3' NW and NGC 3389 9.8' ESE. Member of the M96 Group = Leo Group.

13.1" (2/25/84): bright, very small bright core, slightly elongated. First of three bright galaxies in the field with NGC 3384 7.3' NW and NGC 3389 9.7' ESE.

8" (3/28/81): fairly bright, round.

Pierre Méchain discovered M105 = H I-17 = h757 on 24 Mar 1781, four days after he discovered M95 and M96. WH found it on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and recorded "Three nebula in the field together [with NGC 3384 and 3389]. The two preceding ones [M105 NGC 3384] cometic and much like the two former bright ones [M95 and M96], but considerably less." The NGC position is accurate (measured by Auwers and d'Arrest).

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NGC 3380 = UGC 5906 = MCG +05-26-012 = CGCG 155-015 = PGC 32287

10 48 12.2 +28 36 06

V = 12.5; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 1.3'x0.8'. Gradually increases to a brighter core which rises suddenly to a quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star lies 2.1' ESE.

WH discovered NGC 3380 = H II-360 = h755 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, pL, i.". JH made 5 observations and measured a fairly accurate position. Another 4 observations were made a Birr Castle, though other than the elongation, no structural details were mentioned by any observer.

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NGC 3381 = UGC 5909 = MCG +06-24-015 = CGCG 184-016 = PGC 32302

10 48 24.8 +34 42 41

V = 11.7; Size 2.0'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, moderately large, round, 1.6' diameter, broad weak concentration, no distinct core. Located near midpoint of two mag 13 stars 5.5' NNW and 5.2' SSE. Forms a pair with IC 641 6' W (not seen).

WH discovered NGC 3381 = H II-565 = h756 on 28 Mar 1786 (sweep 549) and logged "pB, cL, lbM, iF." CH's reduced position is 10 sec of RA west of UGC 5909. JH made two observations and three were made at Birr Castle. The NGC description is in error stating "1st of 3", which applies to NGC 3379.

R.J. Mitchell, using LdR's 72" on 8 Mar 1858, noted "I think there is a B streak through it." This likely refers to the bar running east-west.

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NGC 3382

10 48 24.9 +36 43 46

=**, Gottlieb. =NF, RNGC.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 3382 on 5 Apr 1874 and described "About 4 min p [NGC 3432]. pF, cL, R, bM, *14 mag in centre. *9 Pos 238.0, Dist 173.7." There is no nebula near his position. A second observation on 24 Mar 1878 reads "4m. p and 6'± n of [NGC 3432]. vF, S, irr R, only a S group of st, *9m Pos 192 deg, Dist 162.9" This second position corresponds with a wide pair of mag 14/15 stars at 38" separation and a mag 10 star to the SSW (not mentioned in the first observation). So this pair of stars might correspond to the second observation only or perhaps the reference galaxies were misidentified. Dreyer didn't include this object in the GS Supplement. See Harold Corwin's notes for further discussion.

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NGC 3383 = ESO 501-097 = MCG -04-26-010 = LGG 223-005 = PGC 32224

10 47 19.2 -24 26 18

V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 24d

18" (3/17/07): fairly faint/moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 1.0'x0.9', weak concentration. A mag 15-15.5 star is at the SW edge of the halo. Located 7' NNE of mag 8 HD 93474.

18" (3/13/04): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 1.0'x0.8'. Low, even surface brightness with just a weak concentration. Observation made through thin clouds.

JH discovered NGC 3383 = h3297 on 20 Mar 1835 and noted "F; pL; irreg R; glbM; 40"; moonlight." He also recorded it on the next sweep and his mean position matches ESO 501-097 = PGC 32224.

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NGC 3384 = NGC 3371 = UGC 5911 = MCG +02-28-012 = CGCG 066-021 = Holm 212b = KTG 33B = PGC 32292

10 48 16.9 +12 37 45

V = 9.9; Size 5.5'x2.5'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 53d

24" (4/20/14): very bright, large, elongated at least 2:1 SW-NE, ~3.2'x1.5' though the outer halo increases in size with averted vision. Sharply concentrated with a large, brilliant, rounder core that gradually increases to the center. Forms a prominent trio with M105 7.4' SW and NGC 3389 6.4' SSE. Member of the Leo Group = M96 Group.

13.1" (2/25/84): bright, bright stellar nucleus, elongated 5:2 SW-NE. Second of three with M105 7.3' SW and NGC 3389 6.4' SSE.

8" (3/28/81): fairly bright, round, moderately large.

WH discovered NGC 3384 = H I-18 = h758, along with NGC 3379 = M105 and NGC 3389, on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and recorded "Three nebula in the field together. The two preceding ones [NGC 3379 and 3384] cometic and much like the two former bright ones [M95 and M96] but considerable less. The following [NGC 3389] r[esolvable] and of a longish form, elongated. These three together form a beautiful sight."

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NGC 3385 = UGC 5908 = MCG +01-28-009 = CGCG 038-015 = PGC 32285

10 48 11.6 +04 55 40

V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 97d

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 E-W, 30"x15", weak concentration, irregular surface brightness. A mag 14.8 star is just off the south side [20" from center]. NGC 3386 lies 4.2' N and CGCG 38-19 is 8.8' SE.

17.5" (3/28/92): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, weak concentration, diffuse ill-defined halo. A mag 10.5 star lies 5' NE. Forms a pair with NGC 3386 4.3' N.

JH discovered NGC 3385 = h760 (along with NGC 3386 = h759) on 9 Apr 1828 and recorded "pB; R; bM; 15"." On a later sweep he called it "eF, E[longated.", so the conditions or transparency were likely worse.

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NGC 3386 = MCG +01-28-010 = CGCG 038-016 = PGC 32284

10 48 11.9 +04 59 55

V = 13.8; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.1

24" (3/22/14): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, 20"x16", weak concentration. NGC 3385 lies 4.3' S. A mag 11 star lies 3.0' SE.

17.5" (3/28/92): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Forms a pair with NGC 3385 4.3' S. This is a double system with NGC 3387 (not seen).

JH discovered NGC 3386 = h759 (along with NGC 3385 = h760) on 9 Apr 1828 and noted "vF; R." His position matches CGCG 038-016 = PGC 32284.

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NGC 3387

10 48 16.5 +04 58 03

V = 14.2/15.7; Size 7"

24" (3/22/14): at 375x a faint unequal double star at 7" separation was resolved. The brighter component on the SW side is mag 14.2 and the fainter component is mag ~15.5. Although sometimes the pair was cleanly resolved into two sharp points, when the seeing was softer the fainter component appeared as a vague, dim spot so I can see how John Herschel might have called this pair a "suspected nebula". Located 2.1' SE of NGC 3386 and 2.7' NNE of NGC 3385.

JH discovered NGC 3387 = h762 on on 15 Mar 1830 and noted a "suspected nebula. Has a bright star near." Just 30" northwest of his position is a 7" pair of mag ~14/15.5 stars and a mag 11 star (probably Herschel's "B* near") is 1.3' ENE. There is a very faint galaxy less than 1' SW of pair, but it's almost certainly too faint to have been picked up by Herschel.

Harold Corwin notes that the NGC position is from Heinrich d'Arrest (single observation), who placed the nebula just off the southeast side of NGC 3386. He noted the observation was uncertain and there is nothing there.

The RNGC has misidentified a mag 17.5 galaxy on the northwest edge of the halo of NGC 3386 as NGC 3387. MCG and CGCG also misclassify NGC 3386/3387 as double nebula. Corwin originally classified this 7" pair as a "star (SE) + compact galaxy (NW)?", but Brian Skiff confirms the northwest component is a star. The brighter star is itself a 4" double with the fainter component 18th mag.

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NGC 3388 = NGC 3425? = UGC 5967 = MCG +02-28-021 = CGCG 066-044

10 51 25.5 +08 34 01

See observing notes for NGC 3425 (possibly equivalent).

Andrew Common discovered NGC 3388 in 1880 with his 36-inch reflector. He mentions his RA was roughly taken (estimate to the nearest minute of RA), and there is nothing near his position. Harold Corwin suggests NGC 3388 may be a duplicate observation of NGC 3425 = III 108, discovered by WH on 17 Apr 1784. This galaxy has a similar declination but located 3 min of RA east.

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NGC 3389 = NGC 3373 = UGC 5914 = MCG +02-28-013 = CGCG 066-022 = Holm 212c = KTG 33C = PGC 32306

10 48 27.9 +12 31 59

V = 11.9; Size 2.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 112d

24" (4/20/14): moderately or fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.6'x0.7', brighter core. The surface brightness is irregular with a very mottled appearance. A knot is embedded on the SW side. A mag 15.8 star is 50" south of center (outside the halo). Faintest in a striking trio with M105 and NGC 3384.

13.1" (2/25/84): fairly faint, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, diffuse. Third and faintest of three with bright galaxies NGC 3384 6.4' NNW and M105 9.7' WNW.

8" (3/28/81): faint, small.

WH discovered NGC 3389 = H II-41 = h761, along with NGC 3379 = M105 and NGC 3384, on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and recorded "Three nebula in the field together. The two preceding ones [NGC 3379 and 3384] cometic and much like the two former bright ones [M95 and M96] but considerable less. The following [NGC 3389] r[esolvable] and of a longish form, elongated. These three together form a beautiful sight."

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NGC 3390 = ESO 437-062 = MCG -05-26-007 = LGG 215-003 = PGC 32271

10 48 04.4 -31 32 00

V = 11.9; Size 3.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 177d

18" (4/9/05): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on, at least 7:2 N-S, ~2'x0.5', broad weak concentration. A faint star is at the north tip and a similar star is just beyond the southern extension. Located 9.4' NNW of mag 5.9 SAO HD 93657. The DSS image is similar to NGC 891 with a thin equatorial dust lane and bulging core.

JH discovered NGC 3390 = h3298 on 29 Apr 1834 and recorded "pF; S; pmE in merdian [N-S]. His description matches the edge-on galaxy ESO 437-062.

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NGC 3391 = UGC 5920 = MCG +02-28-014 = CGCG 066-027 = PGC 32347

10 48 56.4 +14 13 11

V = 12.9; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 35d

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE although appears irregular, broad weak concentration. A mag 14.5 star is at the NE tip (about 15" from center) and an extremely faint mag 15.5+ star is attached at the west end. Lies 2.7' NW of a mag 10 star.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3391 = m 204 on 1 Apr 1864 and noted "triple star in nebulosity." His position matches UGC 5920 = PGC 32347 and the description is accurate as two stars are involved (the third is the nucleus of the galaxy).

Heinrich d'Arrest independently found the galaxy on 1 Apr 1864 with the 11-inch at Copenhagen and noted it was between two stars. His two positions are very accurate. The RNGC questions if a star or knot is involved, but the two superimposed objects are single stars.

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NGC 3392 = MCG +11-13-042 = CGCG 313-037 = PGC 32512

10 51 03.0 +65 46 53

V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 105d

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, very small, round, bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 3394 4' SW.

WH discovered NGC 3392 = H III-88I = h763 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004) and noted "vF, S". His offset from II-872 = NGC 3394, the previous object in the sweep is accurate. JH measured an accurate position for h763 ("eF; S; psbM; near some stars"), but placed h764 = NGC 3394 24 tsec east, instead of 24 tsec west. MCG does not label +11-13-042 as NGC 3392.

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NGC 3393 = ESO 501-100 = MCG -04-26-011 = LGG 223-006 = PGC 32300

10 48 23.5 -25 09 43

V = 12.2; Size 2.2'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.6

18" (3/13/04): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 0.8'x0.4'. Contains a small, round, bright nucleus. The galaxy precedes two mag 9 (HD 93674) and 10.5 stars 2.9' E and 1.6' E (nearly equally spaced with galaxy). This observation (made through thin clouds) refers to the brighter core region and I probably missed the large, low surface brightness halo. Outer member of AGC 1060 (Hydra (1), located 3.5 degrees NE of the core.

JH discovered NGC 3393 = h3299 on 24 Mar 1835 and recorded "F; S; R; precedes two bright stars." His position (3 sweeps) matches ESO 501-100.

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NGC 3394 = UGC 5937 = MCG +11-13-041 = CGCG 313-036 = PGC 32495

10 50 39.9 +65 43 38

V = 12.4; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 35d

17.5" (4/6/91): fairly faint, moderately large, diffuse, slightly elongated, low surface brightness. Forms a pair with NGC 3392 4' NE.

WH discovered NGC 3394 = H II-872 = h764 on 3 Apr 1791 (sweep 1004), along with III-881 = NGC 3392. He recorded "F, cL, iR" and his relative offsets (21 sec in RA and 2' in dec) matches the pair.

JH placed h764 = NGC 3394 24 tsec east of h763 = NGC 3392, instead of 24 tsec west. This caused the NGC RA to be 44 tsec east of the true position of NGC 3394 = UGC 5937.

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NGC 3395 = Arp 270 NED1 = VV 246b = IC 2613 = Holm 215a = UGC 5931 = MCG +06-24-017 = CGCG 184-018 = LGG 218-002 = PGC 32424

10 49 50.1 +32 58 58

V = 12.1; Size 2.1'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 50d

48" (5/4/16): this very bright, two-armed disrupted spiral forms an interacting, contact pair (Arp 270 = VV 246) with NGC 3396. At 375x, it contains a large bright core that increases to the center. On the north side of the core a spiral arm curls counterclockwise towards NGC 3396, nearly merging with the halo of the companion. A brighter, more defined spiral arm is on the south side; it rotates sharply counterclockwise nearly 180°, ending on the east side of the galaxy. A vague outer arm is at the south edge of the halo; it was visible as a low surface brightness extension to the southwest.

17.5" (3/12/94): fairly bright, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.8', fairly high surface brightness, broadly concentrated halo, core appears rounder, no nucleus, mottled texture. This galaxy is slightly larger and brighter of a striking interacting pair, almost in contact with NGC 3396 at the NNE end 1.6' from center.

WH discovered NGC 3395 = H I-116 = h765, along with NGC 3396, on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and recorded "Two, the 1st [NGC 3395] cB, the 2nd [NGC 3396] pB. The 1st cL, the 2nd pL. Both a little and irr E. Their extent makes an angle, the vertex of which is towards the north about 1' from each other at the vertex."

R.J. Mitchell sketched the pair on 9 Feb 1855 and it was included in the LdR 1861 publication. His description reads "[NGC 3395] is, I think, a spiral with a left-handed twist; immediately foll it is [NGC 3396], which is B and well defined, E pf. I suspect F neby extending from 3395 and running up throiugh 3396." The sketch showes a spiral arm wrapping 270° counterclockwise from the north, east and south side, ending west of the core.

Stephane Javelle found the galaxy on 13 May 1896 but made a sign error in the RA offset from his comparison star. So, Dreyer assumed it was new as catalogued it again as IC 2613. IC 2605, discovered by Bigourdan on 11 Apr 1899, apparently refers to the southwest spiral arm.

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NGC 3396 = Arp 270 NED2 = VV 246a = Holm 215b = UGC 5935 = MCG +06-24-018 = CGCG 184-019 = LGG 218-003 = PGC 32434

10 49 55.2 +32 59 27

V = 12.1; Size 3.1'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 100d

48" (5/4/16): NGC 3396 is the eastern member of a striking interacting double system (Arp 270 = VV 246) with NGC 3395 1.2' SW. At 375x, it appeared bright, very elongated ~3:1 E-W, ~1.5'x0.5', contains a very bright small core and quasi-stellar nucleus that's offset to the west side of the galaxy. A much lower surface brightness glow extends east from the main body and appears slightly offset or bent in orientation to the main part of the galaxy. The galaxy is virtually merged with NGC 3395 on the west end.

17.5" (3/12/94): moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.3', brighter along the major axis, sharply concentrated with a high surface brightness core. Forms a prominent double system with NGC 3395 almost attached just south of the west end!

WH discovered NGC 3396 = H I-117 = h766, along with NGC 3395, on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487). See notes on NGC 3395.

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NGC 3397 = NGC 3329 = UGC 5837 = MCG +13-08-033 = CGCG 351-034 = PGC 32059

10 44 39.4 +76 48 35

See observing notes for NGC 3329.

WH discovered NGC 3397 = H I-284 on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and noted "cB, vS, iF." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors. The corrected position using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509, 1911) matches UGC 5837 and Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 edition of WH's catalogues. See NGC 2938 for more on this sweep.

JH independently discovered this galaxy on on 2 Sep 1828 and described h733 as "pB; irreg R; psmbM; 15"." His position (measured 3 times) clearly shows NGC 3397 (H I-284) = NGC 3329 (h733). The primary designation for this galaxy is NGC 3329, despite the earlier discovery by WH.

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NGC 3398 = UGC 5954 = MCG +09-18-038 = CGCG 267-018 = IC 644 = PGC 32564

10 51 31.5 +55 23 27

V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 78d

17.5" (4/22/95): brighter of a pair of galaxies oriented N-S. NGC 3398 is a faint, narrow edge-on streak 4:1 E-W, 1.0'x0.25'. IC 646, 4.6' NNE, is very faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, 0.5'x0.4'. Located 4.7' NW of mag 8.1 SAO 27802.

Some catalogues refer to this galaxy as IC 644. UGC 5976 (identified as NGC 3398 in CGCG and UGC) lies 13' NNE (see observation).

WH discovered NGC 3398 = H III-792 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 922) and logged "vF, S, E 20 deg sp nf, easily resolvable". His re-reduced position with respect to 44 UMa is 10 51 27 +55 25.2 (2000), which is 5 tsec west and 1.5' north of UGC 5954.

Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy on 8 May 1890 and included it in list IX-24. Dreyer assumed it was new and catalogued it again as IC 644. UGC, CGCG and RC3 label this galaxy IC 644.

CGCG and UGC misidentify UGC 5987 as NGC 3398 and the RC3 misidentifies IC 646 = MCG +09-18-039 as NGC 3398. The correct identification is given in MCG. See UGC notes for NGC 3398 and Harold Corwin's identification notes for a complete analysis.

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NGC 3399 = MCG +03-28-012 = CGCG 095-031 = PGC 32395

10 49 27.6 +16 13 06

V = 13.6; Size 1.5'x1.5'

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, small, round, very small bright core. Forms a pair with double system NGC 3405 4.0' ENE. Located near one corner of an asterism of mag 13-14 stars in a rectangular outline with a mag 13 star 50" WNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3399 = m 205 on 1 Apr 1864 and noted "F, vS". There is nothing at his position, but 1.0 min of RA preceding is CGCG 095-031 = PGC 32395. Marth made a similar error with NGC 3405, located 4' ENE.

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NGC 3400 = UGC 5949 = MCG +05-26-020 = CGCG 155-025 = PGC 32499

10 50 45.5 +28 28 09

V = 13.2; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 100d

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.2'x0.7'. Fairly even concentration to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. Located 6.2' WSW of mag 9.1 SAO 81552.

WH discovered NGC 3400 = H II-361 = h768 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and simply noted "F". JH made 3 observations and his mean position matches UGC 5949.

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NGC 3401

10 50 24 +05 48

=Not found, RNGC.

WH discovered NGC 3401 = H III-88 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and noted "Suspected but did not verify it, as I would lose no time in this place." Dreyer commented in the 1912 "Scientific Papers of WH" that this nebula was "only seen in Sw. 191; place in NGC is that of Auwers from 56 Leonis. In the sweep it is 1m 9 sec p, 3' n of II 131 = NGC 3423." See Corwin's identification notes and Jeff Corder's observation.

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NGC 3402 = NGC 3411? = MCG -02-28-012 = PGC 32479

10 50 26.1 -12 50 43

See observing notes for NGC 3411, HC. Misidentified in the RNGC.

Andrew Ainslie Common found NGC 3402 in 1880 with his 36-inch reflector. There is nothing at his position, but 10 sec of RA east and 10' south is NGC 3411. This galaxy was discovered by WH on 25 Mar 1786. RNGC misidentifies PGC 32444 (a much fainter galaxy) as NGC 3402. See Corwin's identification notes.

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NGC 3403 = UGC 5997 = MCG +12-10-089 = CGCG 333-062 = CGCG 334-004 = PGC 32719

10 53 55.1 +73 41 24

V = 12.2; Size 3.0'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 73d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, weakly concentrated. A mag 12.5 star is 3.1' SE of center.

WH discovered NGC 3403 = H II-335 = h767 on 3 Apr 1785 (sweep 390) and noted "pF, cL, iE." JH reported "pF; L; E; vgbM; 60" l, 40" br."

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NGC 3404 = MCG -02-28-011 = IC 2609 = PGC 32466

10 50 17.9 -12 06 30

V = 13.1; Size 2.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 84d

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, edge-on 4:1 ~E-W, 1.4'x0.3', bright core. NGC 3421 lies 23' SW and NGC 3422.

Andrew Common discovered NGC 3404 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered-glass reflector. There is nothing at his position but 15' south is MCG -02-28-011 and his description of "pB, very long, pos 270 deg [E-W]" is a good match with this galaxy.

Guillaume Bigourdan independently found this galaxy on 19 Apr 1898, placed it correctly, and it was catalogued again as IC 2609 = Big. 403. So, NGC 3404 = IC 2609, with discovery to Common. MCG labels the galaxy IC 2609. See Corwin's notes for more.

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NGC 3405 = UGC 5933 = MCG +03-28-014 = CGCG 095-033 = PGC 32414

10 49 43.3 +16 14 19

V = 13.9; Size 1.0'x1.0'

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, fairly small. At first glance appeared elongated 3:2 SW-NE but on closer inspection resolves into a very close pair of small faint galaxies with a 20" separation between centers. The brighter component (NGC 3405) is at the southwest end and is very small and round. The fainter member (MCG +03-28-015) is just barely separated at the northeast side. NGC 3399 lies 4.0' WSW. Forms an perfect equilateral triangle with two mag 13 stars 1.7' SW and 1.7' SSE.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3405 = m 206 on 1 Apr 1864 and noted "F, eS, alm stell, close to S*." Marth's position is 1.0 tmin east of UGC 5933. The same offet error was made with NGCC 3399. This is a double system; 0.7' x 0.7' + 0.2' x 0.2', with a separation of 0.35' SW-NE.

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NGC 3406 = UGC 5970 = MCG +09-18-040 = CGCG 297-020 = Holm 271a = PGC 32580

10 51 44.2 +51 01 26

V = 12.7; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.0

17.5" (4/22/95): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE. Appears to be a double system with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus offset at the southwest end and a faint extension to the northeast of this core (verified on the POSS).

Located in a field with several mag 11 stars and situated between mag 9 SAO 277806 8' NE and mag 8.9 SAO 27796 4.8' SW. Forms a close pair with NGC 3410 1.8' SE.

JH discovered NGC 3406 = h771 on 17 Feb 1831 and recorded "pB; 2nd class; R; pgbM; among many stars. His position matches UGC 5970.

C.E. Burton, LdR's observer on 17 Mar 1868, recorded "Suspected to be triple, principal Nucl being double in direction sp nf, B point in p edge of sp part. Neby susp from this p with a 3rd knot in it." On 1 Apr 1878 Dreyer observed the field again, discovered nearby NGC 3410, and noted "preceding one [NGC 3406] pB, pL irr R gmbM. 2 points of condensation, brighter one sp centre..." The fainter northeast nucleus is the merged companion LEDA 93106, though for some reason Dreyer didn't even note the galaxy as double in the NGC description.

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NGC 3407 = UGC 5978 = MCG +10-16-017 = CGCG 291-007 = PGC 32626

10 52 17.9 +61 22 46

V = 13.6; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 15d

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, small bright core. A mag 14 star just 1.1' NNE is collinear with the major axis of the galaxy.

WH discovered NGC 3407 = H III-919 = h769 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and recorded "vF, vS, near a vS star. JH noted "eF; S; R; 6"." and his position matches UGC 5978.

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NGC 3408 = UGC 5977 = MCG +10-16-016 = CGCG 291-006 = PGC 32616

10 52 11.7 +58 26 18

V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 175d

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, small, round, broad concentration, diffuse, no sharp edges or nucleus. A mag 15 star is 1.6' NE. Located 4.2' NNE of mag 8.8 SAO 27804.

WH discovered NGC 3408 = H III-913 = h770 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and noted "vF, vS." His RA, which I rereduced, is 15 sec too small. JH recorded "vF; S; R: is north of 2 pB stars forming an isosceles triangle." His position is within 1' of UGC 5977.

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NGC 3409 = MCG -03-28-012 = PGC 32470

10 50 20.3 -17 02 37

V = 15.0; Size 1.1'x0.25'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 9d

18" (3/11/07): extremely faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 ~N-S, 0.5'x0.15'. A faint star is just west of the south end of the galaxy. Located 12' NNE of NGC 3420 and 13' WSW of NGC 3431 which are both brighter galaxies.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3409 = LM II-426 (along with NGC 3420 and NGC 3431) in 1886 and recorded "mag 16.0, 0.3' dia, E 200°, 2 vF st inv in eF neb ". His position and PA of 20° matches MCG -03-28-012 = PGC 32470.

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NGC 3410 = MCG +09-18-042 = CGCG 267-021 = Holm 217b = PGC 32594

10 51 53.5 +51 00 23

V = 14.1; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.9

17.5" (4/22/95): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness, no concentration. A mag 14 star is 2' SSE. Located 1.8' SE of double system NGC 3406.

Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 3410 on 1 Apr 1878 while observing GC 2222 = NGC 3406. He reported "2 neb, pos 121.6°, dist 115.2". The actual separation is ~110" and the identification with MCG +09-18-042 is certain.

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NGC 3411 = NGC 3402? = MCG -02-28-012 = PGC 32479

10 50 26.1 -12 50 43

V = 11.9; Size 2.1'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.5

18" (3/29/03): at 257x, moderately bright, moderately large, round, small brighter core, 1.0' diameter. A line of 3 mag 14 stars is close west. Forms a pair with IC 647 2.1' ESE. At 300x this tiny companion appeared very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, required averted vision.

WH discovered NGC 3411 = H III-522 = h776 on 25 Mar 1786 (sweep 545) and recorded "cF, S, lbM, iR." His position matches MCG -02-28-012 = PGC 32479. Andrew Common's NGC 3402 is probably a duplicate observation of this galaxy.

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NGC 3412 = UGC 5952 = MCG +02-28-016 = CGCG 066-038 = PGC 32508

10 50 53.3 +13 24 43

V = 10.5; Size 3.6'x2.0'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 155d

17.5" (4/9/94): bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 3.0'x1.5', smooth halo, sharply concentrated with a striking bright core. The core is evenly concentrated to an almost stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is at the NE edge of the halo 1.4' N of center. Member of the Leo Group = M96 Group.

WH discovered NGC 3412 = H I-27 = h774 on 8 Apr 1784 (sweep 187) and recorded "pB, S, lE. It seems to have a nucleus or very bright place in the middle." JH made two observations, noting (sweep 241), "B; R; vsmbM almost to a *; 30" dia."

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NGC 3413 = UGC 5960 = MCG +06-24-024 = CGCG 184-027 = Holm 218c = PGC 32543

10 51 20.8 +32 45 58

V = 12.1; Size 2.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 178d

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.4'x0.7', broad concentration, no nucleus. First of three in the field with NGC 3424 9.6' NE and NGC 3430 15' NE. The NGC 3395/NGC 3396 pair lies 20' NW. Member of the NGC 3395 group.

WH discovered NGC 3413 = H II-493 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and noted "F, S." CH's reduced position is 20 sec of RA east of UGC 5960. The NGC position from d'Arrest is accurate.

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NGC 3414 = Arp 162 = UGC 5959 = MCG +05-26-021 = CGCG 155-029 = PGC 32533

10 51 16.3 +27 58 30

V = 11.0; Size 3.5'x2.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 20d

13.1" (3/24/84): bright, slightly elongated ~N-S, small bright nucleus, fairly small. Forms a pair with NGC 3418 8.5' NNE. Located 18' E of 44 Leonis (V = 5.6).

8": faint, slightly elongated.

WH discovered NGC 3414 = H II-362 = h773 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and note "pB, pL." JH made four observations (h773) and 8 observations were made at Birr Castle.

Bindon Stoney, using LdR's 72" on 6 Mar 1851, noted "Another neb eF, S. 2' np." Again on 23 Feb 1857 as well as 22 Mar 1857, R.J. Mitchell mentioned "about 1' np is vvF neb? lE." and "about 1.5' np [NGC 3414] there is a vvF patch of neby." These observations clearly refer to 2MASX J10511304+2800221 = PGC 93597, although it was not assigned a GC or NGC designation!

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NGC 3415 = UGC 5969 = MCG +07-22-072 = CGCG 212-062 = CGCG 213-001 = PGC 32579

10 51 42.7 +43 42 44

V = 12.6; Size 2.1'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 10d

17.5" (4/6/91): moderately bright but fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, small bright core, fairly high surface brightness overall. Three mag 12 stars to the south form an equilateral triangle with the nearest star 56" S. Forms a pair with NGC 3416 3' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 3415 = H II-718 = h772 on 15 Jan 1788 (sweep 800) and logged "F, S, stellar; the np corner of a small trapezium." His position and description matches UGC 5969.

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NGC 3416 = MCG +07-22-073 = CGCG 212-063 = CGCG 213-002 = PGC 32588

10 51 48.3 +43 45 51

V = 14.4; Size 0.6'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 30d

17.5" (4/6/91): extremely faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE. Forms a close pair with NGC 3415 3' SSW.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3416 on 30 Mar 1854 using LdR's 72", while observing NGC 3415. He noted "[NGC 3415 is] elongated N-S, another neb [NGC 3416] north of it, about 3' dist." At this position is CGCG 212-063 = PGC 32588. Interestingly, Dreyer's observation on 13 Apr 1876 observation states "[N3416] is about 6' nnf, eF, eS, but is only a star." There is a faint star at this separation, so he may have missed NGC 3416.

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NGC 3417 = CGCG 066-039 = PGC 32520

10 51 01.7 +08 28 25

V = 14.3; Size 0.7'x0.4'; PA = 85d

16" LX200 (4/14/07): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 0.4'x0.25', slightly brighter core. Located 8' SW of NGC 3425.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3417 = m 207 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS, alm stell." His position matches CGCG 066-039 = PGC 32520. Tempel found NGC 3427 to the southeast as well reobserving NGC 3425, but missed this galaxy.

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NGC 3418 = UGC 5963 = MCG +05-26-023 = CGCG 155-030 = PGC 32549

10 51 24.0 +28 06 43

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 75d

13.1" (3/24/84): faint, slightly elongated, diffuse, even surface brightness, held steadily with averted. Located 8.5' NNE of NGC 3414.

WH discovered NGC 3418 = H II-363 = h775 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "F, S." JH made four observations and the LdR assistants recorded this galaxy on 5 nights.

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NGC 3419 = UGC 5964 = MCG +02-28-018 = CGCG 066-041 = PGC 32535

10 51 17.8 +13 56 45

V = 12.5; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 115d

17.5" (4/9/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, brighter core. Forms the southwest vertex of a triangle with two mag 14 stars 1.5' N and 1.3' ESE. Pair with NGC 3419A = UGC 5965 4.7' N (not seen).

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3419 = m 208 on 1 Apr 1864 and recorded "F, vS, R, alm stell, close to a small star." Wilhelm Tempel independently discovered the galaxy on 15 Mar 1876 and noted in list I-27, "F, S, class III, forms an obtuse triangle with the stars." A micrometric position was published in list V-7. The NGC position matches UGC 5964.

The original discovery, though, was made by WH on 14 Jan 1787 (sweep 691) and noted as "vF, vS, most likely a small patch." His position (CH's reduction) is 2.7' southwest of the galaxy. As the observation was uncertain, it was never published and he was not credited in the NGC.

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NGC 3420 = MCG -03-28-011 = PGC 32453

10 50 09.7 -17 14 33

V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 30d

18" (3/11/07): faint, small, round, very low surface brightness halo is difficult. Contains a 15"-20" core that is weakly concentrated surrounded by a hint of an larger halo. NGC 3431 is 21' NE and NGC 3409 lies 12' NNE. This group is located about 0.9 degrees SSE of 3.1-magnitude Nu Hydrae.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3420 = LM II-427 (along with NGC 3409 and NGC 3431) in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.4, 0.2' dia, R, *8.5 6' S.". His position is 30 sec of RA west of MCG -03-28-011 = PGC 32453 and the description matches (a mag 9.8 star is 5' south). Herbert Howe's micrometric position measured in 1899-00 is accurate.

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NGC 3421 = IC 652 = MCG -02-28-013 = PGC 32514

10 50 57.6 -12 26 55

V = 13.7; Size 2.0'x1.6'; Surf Br = 14.8; PA = 175d

18" (3/29/03): faint, small, round, 0.4' diameter. Possibly viewed the core only. Forms a pair with NGC 3422 5.5' NE. NGC 3422 lies 23' NW and NGC 3411/IC 647 is 25' SSW.

Andrew Common discovered NGC 3421 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered glass reflector and noted "Two, F, R". His (rough) position is 13' north of MCG -02-28-013 and this galaxy has a companion (NGC 3422 = MCG -02-28-015) at 5.5' NE. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position (given in the IC 2 Notes section).

Stephane Javelle independently discovered the galaxy on 19 Apr 1892 and recorded it in list I-187. Dreyer didn't catch the equivalence as Javelle's position was also poor and he recatalogued it as IC 652. So, NGC 3421 = IC 652. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 3422 = MCG -02-28-015 = PGC 32534

10 51 17.3 -12 24 09

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 54d

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, very small, round, 20" diameter (viewed core only). A mag 10.3 star is 42" SSW of center, just off the SW end. Forms a pair with NGC 3421 5.5' SW. NGC 3404 lies 23' NW and NGC 3411 29' SSW.

Andrew Common discovered NGC 3422 in 1880 with his 36-inch silvered glass reflector, along with NGC 3421. The pair were simply noted as "Two, F, R". There is nothing at his position, but 13' south is the pair MCG -02-28-013 (NGC 3421) and MCG -02-28-015 (NGC 3422). Herbert Howe, observing with the 20" refractor in Denver around the turn of the century, could not recover NGC 3422, although he viewed brighter NGC 3421.

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NGC 3423 = UGC 5962 = MCG +01-28-012 = CGCG 038-029 = PGC 32529

10 51 14.3 +05 50 24

V = 11.1; Size 3.8'x3.2'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 10d

48" (4/16/15): very bright, large, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~3'x2.5', large bright core. A mag 15.8 star is superimposed on the SSW side, 1.2' from center. Spiral structure is evident at 488x, particularly along a curving outer arm running from clockwise from east to north. This arm contains three HII knots.

An obvious faint knot, 8"-10" diameter, is at the north end 1.1' from center. The brightest knot is at the northeast end of the halo 1.1' from center, and it appeared fairly faint/faint, round, 12" diameter. The faintest knot (SDSS J105118.10+055024.7) is directly east of center by 1.0' and noted as very faint, round, 6" diameter. In addition to these three, a 4th knot is due south of center by 0.6'. This HII region was very faint, round, 8" diameter.

Two additional objects were seen just off the south side of NGC 3423, but these are separate galaxies. 2MASX J10511769+0548323, situated 2.0' SE of the center, is fairly faint to moderately bright (V = 15.7), small, round, moderate surface brightness, 15" diameter. 2MASX J10511769+0548323, 2.0' S of center, is very faint (V = 17.1), very small, ~9"x6" SW-NE. This latter galaxy has a redshift of z = .069 and lies far in the background at a light-travel time of ~920 million years.

17.5" (4/6/91): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 3'x2', fairly low surface brightness, elongated bright core appears offset to the west. Has a faint halo which seems more extensive to the east of the core. Two mag 12/13 stars are off the NE edge with the mag 12 star 2.4' from the center.

WH discovered NGC 3423 = H IV-6 = H II-131 = h777 on 23 Feb 1784 (sweep 157) and recorded IV-6 as "F, L, cometic with a bright point in the center. The nebulous part is eF." His RA (CH's reduction) is 30 sec too large. He found the nebula again on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and logged II-131 as "pB, vL, almost R, lbM, r." The RA on this sweep was 1 min too large and 5' too far south. Another observation was made on 2 Feb 1786 (sweep 521): "pB, vL, R, vgbM, about 5' dia."

JH made 3 observations under h777, measured an accurate position and equated his father's two entries, though mistakenly included III-88 (NGC 3401). While compiling the NGC, Dreyer sorted out the identities IV-6 = II-131 = h777 = NGC 3423.

Bindon Stoney, observing on 7 Mar 1851 at Birr Castle, noted "2 knots [HII regions] on n side." On the 29 Mar 1856 observation, R.J. Mitchell noted a "star in the south edge, another fainter in f edge, 2 knots in n edge. I think it is resolvable."

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NGC 3424 = UGC 5972 = MCG +06-24-025 = CGCG 184-028 = Holm 218a = PGC 32584

10 51 46.7 +32 53 59

V = 12.4; Size 2.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 112d

17.5" (4/9/94): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 2.1'x0.7'. A mag 13.5 is superimposed at the east edge and a brighter mag 11.5 star is 1.4' SE of center. Forms a striking pair with NGC 3430 6.0' ENE.

WH discovered NGC 3424 = H II-494 = h778 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and recorded "pB, pL, iR." CH's reduced position is 8 sec of RA west of UGC 5972. JH noted "B; E in a wisp; the sp of 2 [with NGC 3420]. On a later sweep he called the galaxy "faint".

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NGC 3425 = NGC 3388? = UGC 5967 = MCG +02-28-021 = CGCG 066-044 = PGC 32555

10 51 25.5 +08 34 01

V = 13.1; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly faint, small, round, 0.5' diameter, stellar nucleus. Forms an equilateral triangle with a mag 10 star 2.3' SE and a mag 11 star 2.7' SSW. NGC 3417 lies 8' SW.

17.5" (4/15/99): faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, weak concentration. View hampered by a mag 10 star 2.2' SE. This star is collinear with two mag 11/13 stars to the WSW. A faint companion off the south side was not noticed.

WH discovered NGC 3425 = H III-108 = T I-28 on 17 Apr 1784 (sweep 197) and noted "eF, eS, r." There is nothing at his position, but 30 sec of RA west and 3' north is UGC 5967 = PGC 32555.

Wilhelm Tempel couldn't find H III-108 at H's position in 1877, but instead found two nebulae and assumed one was Herschel's III-108. Dreyer chose the slightly brighter northern nebula as III-108 and catalogued T I-29 as NGC 3427. Andrew Common's NGC 3388 (found in 1880) may be a duplicate observation of NGC 3425 (equivalence suggested by Harold Corwin).

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NGC 3426 = UGC 5975 = MCG +03-28-020 = CGCG 095-046 = PGC 32577

10 51 41.8 +18 28 50

V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 105d

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, small, round, sharply defined 30" halo, well concentrated to a small bright core. A wide pair of mag 11.5-12 stars (1.0' separation) are 2.2' and 2.8' N.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3426 = Sw VI-37 on 23 Mar 1887 and recorded "pF; S; R: coarse double star near north." His position is 7 sec of RA preceding UGC 5975 and his description of a "coarse double star near N" clinches the identification.

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NGC 3427 = UGC 5966 = MCG +02-28-020 = CGCG 066-043 = Todd 4 = PGC 32559

10 51 26.3 +08 17 55

V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 77d

16" LX200 (4/14/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, small brighter core. Situated just south of the line connecting a mag 11.9 star 1.7' ENE and a mag 12.5 star 2.3' W. NGC 3417 lies 12' NW.

17.5" (4/15/99): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 40"x20", slightly brighter core, faint stellar nucleus. With averted vision the halo increases to nearly 1.0'x0.5'. Nestled in a 10' stream of stars oriented NW-SE between a mag 12 star 1.7' NE and a mag 12.5 star 2.3' W. NGC 3425 lies 16' due north.

Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 3427 = T I-29 in 1877, while searching for H III-108 = NGC 3425. He ran across two nebulae, one of which was NGC 3425 and the other was new. His position is 2' too far south.

David Todd independently discovered this galaxy on 11 Nov 1877 and listed it as object #4 in AN 2698 during his search for a trans-Neptunian planet. The surrounding field stars match this galaxy. Tempel didn't give a specific date in list I, so either Tempel or Todd could be the discoverer.

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NGC 3428 = NGC 3429? = UGC 5968 = MCG +02-28-022 = CGCG 066-045 = PGC 32552

10 51 29.5 +09 16 46

V = 13.1; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 170d

18" (3/29/03): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration. Located 5' NE of mag 7.9 SAO 118535.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3428 = m 209 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, S, lE, glbM." His position matches UGC 5968. The MCG declination has a typo, being 20' too far north.

Ainslie Common probably found this galaxy again in 1880 with his 36" reflector. See NGC 3429.

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NGC 3429 = NGC 3428? = UGC 5968 = MCG +02-28-022 = CGCG 066-045 = PGC 32552

10 51 29.5 +09 16 46

See observing notes for NGC 3428. Identification uncertain.

Andrew Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3429 in 1880 using his 36-inch silvered glass reflector. His position is just 3 sec of RA east and 1' south of NGC 3428, which was discoverd by Marth on 25 Mar 1865. So, likely NGC 3429 is a duplicate observation of this galaxy.

RNGC misidentifies PGC 32510 as NGC 3429. This is a much fainter galaxy 8' WSW as NGC 3429. Alister Ling and Harold Corwin feel the RNGC identification is unlikely and Common more likely recorded NGC 3428, the brighter of the pair.

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NGC 3430 = UGC 5982 = MCG +06-24-026 = CGCG 184-029 = Holm 218b = PGC 32614

10 52 11.7 +32 56 59

V = 11.6; Size 4.0'x2.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 30d

17.5" (4/9/94): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 3.0'x1.5', only a weak broad concentration. A mag 14.5 star is off the south side 1.4' SE from the center. Three bright stars are in the field; mag 8.6 SAO 62287 6.0' NNW, mag 7.5 SAO 62291 6.6' ENE and mag 9.1 SAO 62293 7.8' ENE. Forms a striking pair with NGC 3424 6.0' WSW.

WH discovered NGC 3430 = H I-118 = h779 = 782 on 7 Dec 1785 (sweep 487) and recorded "cB, cL, iR, mbB." There was apparently an error of 1 degree with his offset from 46 UMa as NGC 3424 was the previous object in the sweep, so both would have been picked up together.

JH found NGC 3430 = h779 on 6 Mar 1828, logged it as a Nova with description "B; L; E; gbM; the nf of 2 [with NGC 3424]." Still looking for his father's I-118, he recorded it again as h782 on 3 Apr 1831 as a "Nova or I. 118" and described "B; L; the nf of 3 on a line [with NGC 3413 and NGC 3424]. The neb may possibly be I. II8 as none exists in the place indicated by my Father." JH added designations for both of his observations in the GC, as well as one for his Father's I-118. He has a long note in the GC that there was probaby a one degree error in his father's sweep. By the time of the NGC, Dreyer sorted things out and equated NGC 3430 = I-118 with GC 2236 and 2239, though 2233 is also an alias.

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NGC 3431 = MCG -03-28-014 = PGC 32531

10 51 15.0 -17 00 29

V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 130d

18" (3/11/07): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.25', weak concentration. A mag 13 star lies 1' NE and a similar star 2.8' SSW. NGC 3409 lies 13' WSW while NGC 3420 is 21' SW.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3431 = LM II-428 on 5 Jan 1887 with the 26" refractor at the Leander-McCormick Observatory. His position and description (mag 15.0, 0.6'x0.2', E 130°, gbsbMN) matches MCG -03-28-014 = PGC 32531.

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NGC 3432 = Arp 206 = VV 11 = UGC 5986 = MCG +06-24-028 = CGCG 184-030 = PGC 32643

10 52 31.0 +36 37 09

V = 11.3; Size 6.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 38d

17.5" (3/25/95): fairly bright, large, edge-on 6:1 SW-NE, 3'x0.5. Irregular surface brightness and fainter on the southwest end. Appears to have a sharper light cut-off on the north side (due to dust?). A mag 12.5 star is 48" E of center and two mag 12/13 star are very close to the southwest tip 1.4' from center. The galaxy appears asymmetric and brightest just northest of the star near the core although this is not the geometric center. Just west-southwest of this star is a very weak enhancement (this is the core).

WH discovered NGC 3432 = H I-172 = h780 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 719) and recorded "cB, about 2' long and 1/2' broad from sp to nf. In the preceding part a few stars pretty close together, and in the following part one, but unconnected." His position matches UGC 5986.

JH recorded (sweep 331) "pB; vmE; 90" l, 12" br; pos = 44.2° It southern extremity touches the large star of a double star [at the south end]. Can thisnebula have moved?" On sweep 401, he logged "vF; a long ray pos = 40.8°; has a double star class 4 in middle, and one more." But the star at the east edge of the middle is only single. Rudolph Spitaler measured the position of a knot or HII region at the northeast end in an observation at Vienna in 1891.

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NGC 3433 = UGC 5981 = MCG +02-28-023 = CGCG 066-048 = PGC 32605

10 52 03.9 +10 08 54

V = 11.6; Size 3.5'x3.2'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 50d

24" (2/22/14): moderately bright, large, irregularly round, 2.5'x2.0', fairly low surface brightness, weak even concentration to small, slightly bright core and a faint stellar nucleus. Appears to be a face-on spiral, though too faint to resolve the arms. A mag 9.6 star is 8.5' E and 6' further NE of this star is NGC 3444.

17.5" (2/28/87): moderately bright, moderately large, diffuse, weak concentration, slightly elongated. NGC 3438 lies 25' NNE.

WH discovered NGC 3433 = H III-20 = h783 on 11 Mar 1784 (sweep 164) and noted as "vF, r[esolvable]". There is nothing at his position, but 1 min of RA east and 2' N is UGC 5981 = PGC 32605. JH recorded "eF; vL; R; vglbM; 2' diam." and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3434 = UGC 5980 = MCG +01-28-015 = CGCG 038-036 = PGC 32595

10 51 58.1 +03 47 31

V = 12.1; Size 2.1'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 5d

17.5" (3/25/00): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, ~1.3'x1.0'. Located 4.6' NW of mag 9 SAO 118551. Contains a large, brighter, elongated core with a much fainter outer halo which grows with averted vision. A mag 14 star lies 1.3' NNE of center.

Brightest in close trio with CGCG 38-37 2.7' N and CGCG 38-35 2.4' WSW. CGCG 38-37 appeared extremely faint and small, round, required averted to glimpse. Located 2.7' N of NGC 3434 and 1.5' N of a mag 14 star.

WH discovered NGC 3434 = H III-497 = h784 on 27 Jan 1786 (sweep 513) and recorded "cF, S, R, vlbM." His position is at the north edge of UGC 5980. JH logged "pB; R; vglbM; 30"."

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NGC 3435 = UGC 6025 = MCG +10-16-022 = CGCG 291-012 = PGC 32786

10 54 48.4 +61 17 23

V = 13.2; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 35d

17.5" (3/19/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, bright core.

WH discovered NGC 3435 = H II-887 = h781 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and noted "F, pL, bM, iF." His position is 3.8' southwest of UGC 6025 (similar offset as NGC 3407, the previous object in the sweep). JH's position is 1.0 tmin too far west and this error was copied into GC and NGC.

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NGC 3436 = MCG +01-28-016 = CGCG 038-039 = Mrk 1266 = Todd 6 = PGC 32633

10 52 27.5 +08 05 38

V = 13.9; Size 0.8'x0.5'

17.5" (4/15/99): very faint, very small, irregular. Sometimes I had the impression that a very faint star was superimposed. Located 7' S of mag 8.5 SAO 118552.

David Todd discovered NGC 3436 = Todd 6 on 30 Nov 1877 (AN 2698) using the 26-inch Clark refractor at the USNO during his search of a trans-Neptunian planet. There is nothing at his very rough position, but based on Todd's sketch, Corwin was able to identify NGC 3436 as CGCG 038-039. This galaxy is located 2.2 min of RA following Todd's position and 9' north. The offsets with the stars he sketched to the east and west are a perfect match with this galaxy.

RNGC places NGC 3426 at 10 42.4 +07 56 (2000) or 8.9 min west of Todd's position. There is nothing at this location in CGCG, MCG or RC3 and I couldn't identify any object at this position on the DSS! I mentioned this error in RNGC Corrections #6.

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NGC 3437 = UGC 5995 = MCG +04-26-016 = CGCG 125-013 = PGC 32648

10 52 35.7 +22 56 04

V = 12.1; Size 2.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 122d

17.5" (2/8/91): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 2.4'x0.8'. Two mag 14 stars are near the NW end collinear with the major axis and a mag 13.5 star is off the SW side 3.0' from center. Slightly brighter at the SE end and also just west of the weak core. Appears slightly bowed out on the north side and flatter on the south side. There is a sharp light cutoff along the north side with a strong impression of a dust lane.

8" (4/24/82): fairly faint, small, very elongated NW-SE.

WH discovered NGC 3437 = H II-47 = h786 on 12 Mar 1784 (sweep 166) and recorded "pL, E, r." I think I can distinguish 3 or 4 stars in it, towards the middle, and in a row." CH's reduced position is 11 sec of RA east and 1' north of UGC 5995. JH made three observations and measured an accurate RA.

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NGC 3438 = UGC 5988 = MCG +02-28-025 = CGCG 066-052 = PGC 32638

10 52 26.0 +10 32 50

V = 13.3; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7

17.5" (2/28/87): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. A mag 13.5 star is 1.0' SE. NGC 3433 lies 25' SSW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3438 = m 210 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "vF, eS, alm stell." His position corresponds with UGC 5988.

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NGC 3439 = CGCG 066-050 = PGC 32634

10 52 25.7 +08 33 27

V = 14.2; Size 0.4'x0.3'

17.5" (4/15/99): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20" diameter. This galaxy was surprisingly faint and required averted and could not hold steadily. A mag 12 star lies 2.8' S. Located 15' E of NGC 3425.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3439 = m 211 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eeF, vS, alm stell." His position corresponds with CGCG 066-050 = PGC 32634.

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NGC 3440 = UGC 6009 = MCG +10-16-019 = CGCG 291-009 = PGC 32714

10 53 49.6 +57 07 08

V = 13.2; Size 2.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 48d

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly faint, small, very elongated SW-NE, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 3445 10.0' SE.

WH discovered NGC 3440 = H III-914 = h785 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and noted "vF, S, lE." JH gave no description, but his position matches UGC 6009.

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NGC 3441 = UGC 5993 = MCG +01-28-017 = CGCG 038-040 = PGC 32642

10 52 31.1 +07 13 30

V = 13.6; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 5d

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, 0.8'x0.5', very weak concentration. A mag 14 star lies 1.2' NE. Located 4.9' W of mag 8.7 SAO 118560.

Edward Holden discovered NGC 3441 on 6 Apr 1882 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory in Madison, Wisconsin. He simply noted "pB", but his position is fairly accurate (1' south of UGC 5993).

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NGC 3442 = UGC 6001 = CGCG 184-034 = Mrk 418 = PGC 32679

10 53 08.1 +33 54 36

V = 13.4; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 30d

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, small round, 25" diameter, fairly high surface brightness. Even concentration but no well-defined core or nucleus. A mag 14 star is 1.9' SE. Forms a pair with MCG +06-24-034 8.5' NE. A mag 10 star is 7' ESE. Located south and west of several bright stars including 18' S of 46 Leonis Minoris (V = 3.8).

Édouard Stephan discovered NGC 3442 = St XIII-59 on 25 Mar 1884 and noted "F, vS, R, mbM, r?" His position matches UGC 6001.

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NGC 3443 = UGC 6000 = MCG +03-28-025 = CGCG 095-056 = PGC 32671

10 53 00.4 +17 34 30

V = 13.1; Size 2.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 145d

24" (2/22/14): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.5', low surface brightness halo with a small brighter core. A mag 13-13.5 star is 1.6' E. NGC 3454/3455 pair is ~26' SE and NGC 3457 is a similar distance E.

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated 4:3 NW-SE, small very bright core, substellar nucleus.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3443 = Sw VI-38 on 24 Apr 1887 with the 16" refractor at Warner Observatory and noted "eeF; vS; R." His RA is just 8 sec west of UGC 6000 = PGC 32671, but his declination is 8.3' too far south. Furthermore, his description doesn't add any information about the field. But there are no other nearby candidates, so this identification is the most likely.

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NGC 3444 = UGC 6004 = CGCG 066-055 = FGC 1148 = PGC 32670

10 53 00.1 +10 12 32

V = 14.7; Size 1.1'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 19d

24" (2/22/14): at 260x appeared faint, small, edge-on 3:1 SSW-NNE, 21"x7", low even surface brightness, not difficult. Located 6' NE of a mag 9.6 star and 14' ENE of NGC 3433.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3444 = m 212 on 25 Mar 1865 with Lassell's 48" on Malta and commented "eF, vS, pmE". His position is 1' south of UGC 6004 and the description "pmE" applies to this edge-on.

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NGC 3445 = Arp 24 = VV 14a = UGC 6021 = MCG +10-16-023 = CGCG 291-011 = PGC 32772

10 54 35.9 +56 59 24

V = 12.6; Size 1.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.4

48" (5/16/12): bright, moderately large, very irregular shape, roughly 1.2' diameter. The brightest portion of the galaxy is on the north and east side and is very mottled with slightly brighter knots (a couple are on the east end). Attached on the west side and spreading further south is a spiral arm, appearing more like a diffuse extension. This "arm" fades out on the southeast side of the galaxy and just beyond is MCG +10-16-24, 1.2' SE of center. This interacting companion appeared faint to fairly faint, elongated 5:2 E-W, 20"x8". 2MASX J10544552+5659588 lies 1.5' ENE, between the main galaxy and a mag 10.3 star just 2.2' NE of NGC 3445. It appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter. The bright star detracted somewhat from viewing the fainter companions.

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, broad concentration, bright core. Located 2.2' SW of a mag 10 star. Brightest in a group with NGC 3458 13.9' NE.

WH discovered NGC 3445 = H I-267 = h787 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and recorded "cB, pL, iR, about 1 1/4' dia. The greatest part of it almost equally bright." JH described "pB; L; R; vglbM; has a star 10m 2' nf." His position is accurate.

R.J. Mitchell, observing with LdR's 72" on 30 Mar 1856, recorded "[NGC 3445] is very curious, it is round with bright nucleus excentric and a dark curved passage sp this nucleus as in sketch. [See Plate III, fig 6]. The neby outside this dark curve runs up perhaps to a streak sf which is vF, but of the existence of which I have doubt." The "streak south-following", which was displayed on the sketch, is certainly MCG +10-16-024 = PGC 32784. It was mentioned again in the 3 Apr 1858 observation as "a vF, S patch of neby sf."

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NGC 3446 = ESO 264-SC045

10 52 07 -45 08 24

Size 7'

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 123x and 160x): ~30 stars visible in a 6' group with a mag 8.7 star at the northeast corner. The richest part is a 3'x1' group elongated NW-SE on the northeast side of the cluster. This subgroup includes a mag 10.6 star. An unequal mag 10.2/13 pair at 19" is on the south side with another mag 10.5 star ~45" SW. The brightest star in the field is mag 8.4 at ~10' NW.

The galaxy ESO 264-047 is situated just off the east side of the cluster, 2' E of the mag 10.6 star mentioned above. It appeared very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.

24" (2/22/14): viewed on the meridian at an elevation of 8°, but not an optimal view. At 200x, mag 8.7 SAO 222386 is at the NW edge. A group of ~20 stars is south and east including four mag 10-11 stars in a 7' region. The ESO galaxy just off the east edge was not seen. Mag 8.4 HD 94198 is roughly 10' NW. A number of stars are also scattered around this star including a couple of brighter ones, but this seems like an unrelated, random gathering.

JH discovered NGC 3446 = h3301 on 15 Mar 1836 and recorded "The chief * (9m) of a cluster class VIII, 7' dia, not rich or comp. Stars 10...13."

Brian Skiff gives a position of 10 52 07 -45 08.3 centered on CoD-44 6866 (mv 9.0) and suggests a diameter of 15' if a few bright stars to the west are included, though Herschel's "chief *" is part of a 7' group. The galaxy ESO 264-G47 is at the east side, though was missed by Herschel. RNGC classifies this object as non-existent.

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NGC 3447 = VV 252a = UGC 6006 = MCG +03-28-027 = CGCG 095-058 = LGG 225-001 = PGC 32694

10 53 23.9 +16 46 25

V = 12.6; Size 3.7'x2.1'; Surf Br = 14.7; PA = 0d

18" (3/29/03): very faint, fairly large, very diffuse glow. Located 3' NE of mag 9.9 SAO 99342 and nearly collinear with mag 9.1 SAO 99340 8.3' SW. This disturbed gas-rich system form a close pair with NGC 3447B = MCG +03-28-028 1.7' NE. Although highly suspected at 300x, it could not be confirmed with certainty. An extremely distant galaxy PGC 32713 (z = .086) lies 7.8' NE.

17.5" (4/18/87): very faint, moderately large, very diffuse. Three bright stars form an isosceles triangle to the SW; the closest is mag 9.2 SAO 9934 3.1' SW (very wide unequal double with a mag 13 star). Forms a double system with NGC 3447B = MCG +03-28-028 1.7' NE (not observed).

JH discovered NGC 3447 = h3300 on 18 Mar 1836 and recorded "eF; vL; vgvlbM; 3' or 4' diam. Has a bright coarse double star (9m) sp." This galaxy is the most northerly discovery JH made from the Cape of Good Hope (four galaxies in Leo were discovered on that date) His position and description matches UGC 6006.

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NGC 3448 = Arp 205 = UGC 6024 = MCG +09-18-055 = CGCG 267-027 = PGC 32774

10 54 39.0 +54 18 19

V = 12.1; Size 5.6'x1.8'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 65d

48" (5/16/12): this interacting starburst galaxy appeared very bright, large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, high surface brightness, irregular shape, mottled appearance. At the northeast end of the galaxy is large, bright knot, ~25"x12", which is possibly the disrupted core of the galaxy. Occasionally an extremely faint tidal tail could be glimpsed, extending perhaps 1.5' ENE. The beginning of the tail near the bright knot was easily seen. At the very tip was a marginally visible galaxy, perhaps glimpsed a couple of times. The dim tail extends the length from 2.4' to 3.6'.

NGC 3448 is interacting with UGC 6016, a low surface brightness dwarf galaxy, 4.1' WSW. The companion appeared as a faint to fairly faint, low surface brightness patch, elongated SW-NE (in the direction of NGC 3448) , ~1.2'x0.5', no concentration.

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, halo increases to a small bright core. A mag 13.5 star follows 3.1' from center. An extremely faint knot is visible east of the core along the major axis about 35" from the center. Located 19' SE of 44 Ursa Majoris (V = 5.1).

WH discovered NGC 3448 = H I-233 = h788 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 922) and logged "vF, L, E 20° sp to nf, r." JH made a single observation, noting "B; mE; gbM; no nucl; 1 3/4' l, 20" br; pos = 67°."

R.J. Mitchell, observing on 8 Mar 1856 at Birr Castle, recorded "mE, certainly dark spaces on each side of the nucleus, but not well seen; the foll one rather more distinct. A sketch or diagram matches the photographic appearance with brighter knots at each ends of the extensions.

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NGC 3449 = ESO 376-025 = MCG -05-26-010 = KTS 41B = LGG 222-003 = PGC 32666

10 52 53.7 -32 55 39

V = 12.2; Size 3.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 148d

18" (4/9/05): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 0.7'x0.5'. Moderate, even concentration to a stellar nucleus with direct vision. Located 6' NW of mag 8.5 HD 94389.

JH discovered NGC 3449 = h3302 on 29 Apr 1834 and recorded "F; S; R; 15". Has a * 6.7m sf." His position and description matches ESO 376-025.

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NGC 3450 = ESO 569-006 = MCG -03-28-004 = UGCA 218 = LGG 220-001 = PGC 32270

10 48 03.4 -20 50 57

V = 11.9; Size 2.5'x2.2'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 128d

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, moderately large, nearly round, 1.8'x1.5'. Situated between two mag 12/13 stars 3.4' N and 3.4' S. DSS reveals a face-on symmetric barred spiral.

JH discovered NGC 3450 = h3303 on 22 Mar 1835 and logged "vF; L; R; vglbM; r; 90"." There is nothing near his position, though ESO 569-023 is exactly 3.0 min of RA east. RC3, ESO-LV and ESGC identify ESO 569-006 = PGC 32270 as NGC 3450. This galaxy is 5.2 min of RA west of JH's position, but is a much brighter galaxy and a better fit with the description." MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 3450. The other objects observed in the sweep (NGC 3514, 3528 and 3529) show no large errors in RA.

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NGC 3451 = UGC 6023 = MCG +05-26-028 = CGCG 155-035 = PGC 32754

10 54 21.0 +27 14 22

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 50d

17.5" (2/8/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, weakly concentrated but no core. A mag 11.5 star is 4.2' NW of center.

WH discovered NGC 3451 = H II-364 = h789 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 396) and noted "pF, pL, lE, brightest towards the sf part." JH made 4 observations and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3452 = MCG -02-28-019 = PGC 32742

10 54 13.9 -11 24 18

V = 14.0; Size 1.1'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 65d

18" (3/29/03): faint, very small streak, 20"x6", elongated ENE-WSW in the direction of a mag 12.5 star 1' ENE of center.

Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3452 in 1880 with his silvered-glass 36" reflector and logged "eF, R, n of small star". His position is 30 sec of RA west and 3' north of MCG -02-28-019 = PGC 32742. A mag 13 star is close east-northeast, so Common probably confused the orientation.

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NGC 3453 = ESO 569-017 = MCG -04-26-013 = LGG 220-002 = PGC 32707

10 53 40.4 -21 47 35

V = 12.9; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 4d

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, fairly small, 0.9'x0.7', slightly elongated N-S, very weak concentration. A mag 14.5 star lies 1' SSW.

JH discovered NGC 3453 = h3304 on 21 Mar 1835 and logged "F; S; R; bM; 15"." His position matches ESO 569-017 = PGC 32707.

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NGC 3454 = UGC 6026 = MCG +03-28-030 = CGCG 095-060 = FGC 1155 = Holm 221b = LGG 219-004 = PGC 32763

10 54 29.4 +17 20 38

V = 13.5; Size 2.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 116d

24" (2/22/14): moderately bright and large, thin edge-on 5:1 WNW-ESE, 1.4'x0.3', weak concentration, tapers at the tips. Forms a striking pair with NGC 3455 3.6' S, with a mag 10.5-11 star directly between the pair.

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly faint edge-on streak 5:1 WNW-ESE, fairly small, slightly brighter along the major axis. Forms a pair with NGC 3455 3.6' S. Located 1.7' NNW of a mag 10.5 star.

JH discovered NGC 3454 = h790 on 17 Mar 1831 and recorded "pF; lE; the np of two [with NGC 3455]. His position matches UGC 6026 = PGC 32763, although I'm surprised JH didn't describe this galaxy as very elongated.

R.J. Mitchell, observing on 28 Mar 1856 with LdR's 72", called it "the n one is a long narrow ray np-sf."

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NGC 3455 = UGC 6028 = MCG +03-28-031 = CGCG 095-062 = Holm 221a = LGG 219-005 = PGC 32767

10 54 31.0 +17 17 04

V = 12.0; Size 2.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 80d

24" (2/22/14): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 0.9'x0.6', broad concentration, no distinct core but an irregular surface brightness. Forms a striking pair with NGC 3454 3.6' N. A mag 10.5-11 star is directly between the two galaxies.

17.5" (4/18/87): moderately bright, fairly small, broad concentration, oval elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE. A mag 10.5 star is 2.0' N of center. Forms a pair with NGC 3454 3.6' N. The bright star is symmetrically placed between the galaxies.

WH discovered NGC 3455 = H II-82 = h791 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and recorded ""F, S, lE, r. It's situation is south of a pB star." His position matches UGC 6028 = PGC 32767. JH noted "pB; E; gbM; The south-following of 3 [with NGC 3454]; a *9-10m between them."

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NGC 3456 = MCG -03-28-018 = PGC 32730

10 54 03.2 -16 01 39

V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 102d

18" (3/29/03): moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 1.2'x0.9', brighter core. A mag 13 star is at the NE edge. Located just over one degree ENE of mag 3.1 Nu Hydrae.

WH discovered NGC 3456 = H IV-29 = h792 on 8 Feb 1785 (sweep 371) and recorded "a small star with an eF brush towards the preceding side, or a vF nebula close to and preceding the star. I perceived it in stopping to gage, otherwise should certainly have overlooked it. 240 shewed the the same." There is nothing at his position, but 40 sec of RA east and 4' further south is MCG -03-28-018 = PGC 32730, and the description applies.

JH also described "a *12m with an extremely F neb appendage. At first it seemed to envelope the *; but Mr Dunlop, to whom I showed it, considered it be detached." His position is accurate.

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NGC 3457 = NGC 3460 = UGC 6030 = MCG +03-28-032 = CGCG 095-065 = PGC 32787

10 54 48.7 +17 37 16

V = 12.6; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.3

24" (2/22/14): bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a bright stellar nucleus. NGC 3461 lies 5.4' NNE. IC 655, a faint double star (actually a triple plus a dim galaxy), lies 4.4' E. NGC 3454 and 3455, an excellent pair, lies ~20' S. CGCG 095-061 (interacting pair) lies 10' NW and PGC 3090337 is 7.6' NW.

17.5" (4/18/87): fairly bright, small, round, compact, high surface brightness, bright core, stellar nucleus. NGC 3455 lies 20' SSW.

Francis Baily discovered NGC 3457 = h793 on 25 Mar 1827 using John Herschel's 18" reflector and recorded as "Stellar. 2 or 3 stars with a nebulous blur observed by Mr. Bailey." Bailey was a regular guest of JH and the President of the Astronomical Society of London at the time. The position is an excellent match (0.9' SE) with UGC 6030, though the description does match this fairly bright galaxy. It applies well, though, to IC 656, a small clump consisting of three faint stars and a dim galaxy just 4' E, though how could the more prominent galaxy be missed?

R.J. Mitchell also observed UGC 6030 on 27 Mar 1854 using LdR's 72" and noted a "A S neb [NGC 3461] north of a bright one [UGC 6030], distance about 5' or 6'."

Lewis Swift also recorded this galaxy on 24 Aug 1883, though his position in list I-9 is 25 sec of RA too far east. Swift's and LdR's observations were combined by Dreyer into NGC 3460. So, most likely NGC 3457 = NGC 3460, despite the very poor description of NGC 3457 (perhaps Bailey noted the clump, but JH measured the galaxy). See Harold Corwin's discussion.

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NGC 3458 = UGC 6037 = MCG +10-16-026 = CGCG 291-014 = PGC 32854

10 56 01.5 +57 07 01

V = 12.2; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 5d

17.5" (3/12/88): fairly bright, very small, round, very bright stellar nucleus, very faint small halo. Forms a wide galaxy pair with NGC 3445 13.9' SW in the field.

WH discovered NGC 3458 = H I-268 on 8 Apr 1793 (sweep 1038) and recorded a "vB, vS, R, stellar nebula." In his 1811 PT paper, he noted "this may be a former planetary in a higher state of condensation.

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NGC 3459 = MCG -03-28-022 = PGC 32782

10 54 44.2 -17 02 31

V = 13.4; Size 1.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 156d

18" (3/29/03): appeared as a ghostly streak 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.3', slightly brighter center but no well-defined core. Collinear with a mag 14 star 2' NNW of center.

Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 3459 = LM II-429 on 5 Jan 1887 and recorded "mag 14.0, 1.0'x0.3', gbsbMN." His position is ~20 sec of RA west of MCG -03-28-022 = PGC 32782 and the description matches.

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NGC 3460 = NGC 3457 = UGC 6030 = MCG +03-28-032 = CGCG 095-065 = PGC 32787

10 54 48.7 +17 37 16

See observing notes for NGC 3457.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3460 on 27 Mar 1854 using LdR's 72" and recorded "A small neb [NGC 3461 = PGC 32793] north of a bright one [NGC 3460 = PGC 32787]. distance about 5' or 6'." Lewis Swift also recorded this galaxy on 24 Aug 1883 in list I-9, though his position is 25 sec of RA too far east. These two observations were combined into NGC 3460.

Most likely JH or observing guest Francis Baily first discovered this galaxy on 25 Mar 1827, and it was catalogued as h793 = NGC 3457. The Slough Catalogue position is accurate, though the description "Stellar. 2 or 3 stars with a nebulous blur observed by Mr. Bailey", appears to describe IC 656, a small clump consisting of three faint stars and a dim galaxy just 4' east.

Mitchell's observation clearly refers to NGC 3460 = UGC 6030 and NGC 3461. Later, on 22 Mar 1878, Dreyer mentions finding an "eS cl , with a *12 in Pos 175 deg, dist 305 arcsec". It's most likely that this observation is not related to the galaxy but may refer to the 3 faint stars + galaxy 4.5' following NGC 3457 (mentioned above). RNGC has a typo and equates NGC 3557 = NGC 3460. See Corwin's notes for further discussion.

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NGC 3461 = PGC 32793

10 54 55.3 +17 42 29

V = 15.4; Size 0.5'x0.4'

24" (2/22/14): very faint, very small, round, 12" diameter. Can just hold steadily with averted vision at 260x. Located 5.4' NNE of NGC 3457 = NGC 3460.

R.J. Mitchell discovered NGC 3461 on 27 Mar 1854 using LdR's 72" and recorded "A small neb [NGC 3461] north of a bright one [NGC 3460]. distance about 5' or 6'." On 4 Apr 1878, Dreyer also logged this faint galaxy, "..I found a neb [NGC 3457 = NGC 3460] pB, pL, R, gbM with a vF, diffused nebula [NGC 3461] in position 17°, distance 326". At this offset is PGC 32793. Although Mitchell's observation is in the 1861 publication, there was no offsets to compute a position and it was not included in the GC or GC Supplement.

NGC 3461 is not included in the CGCG, MCG or RC3. RNGC misidentifies LEDA 1537008, an extremely faint galaxy very close to 3 stars (IC 656), as NGC 3461.

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NGC 3462 = UGC 6034 = MCG +01-28-019 = CGCG 038-049 = Todd 5 = PGC 32822

10 55 21.1 +07 41 48

V = 12.2; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 60d

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, fairly small, nearly round, 0.8'x0.7', very small bright core, stellar nucleus.

WH discovered NGC 3462 = H II-16 = h794 on 23 Jan 1784 (sweep 102) and recorded "a small cometic nebula. I am not sure whether it is cometic or not." JH logged "vF; S; R: psbM; 12"." and measured an accurate position.

David Todd also picked up this galaxy on 13 Nov 1877 and recorded it as #5 in his search for a trans-Neptunian planet (AN 2698). The surrounding field stars are an exact match.

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NGC 3463 = ESO 502-002 = MCG -04-26-014 = LGG 223-001 = PGC 32813

10 55 13.4 -26 09 26

V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 77d

18" (4/29/06): faint, small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 0.8'x0.4', weakly concentrated. Nearly collinear with a pair of mag 13/14 stars ~5' N (at 17" separation). An identical distance to the south is a mag 10.5 star with the galaxy at the midpoint of these stars. Located ~4.5° ESE of Hydra I cluster.

JH discovered NGC 3463 = h3305 on 26 Mar 1835 and logged "F; R; glbM; 20"." His position matches ESO 502-002 = PGC 32813.

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NGC 3464 = ESO 569-022 = MCG -03-28-021 = UGCA 222 = LGG 220-003 = PGC 32778

10 54 39.9 -21 04 00

V = 12.6; Size 2.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 112d

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint but moderately large, roughly oval, 1.7'x1.2' WNW-ESE, broad concentration with a hint of mottled structure.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3464 = LM I-178 on 14 Jan 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.0, 1.3'x0.4', E 125°." His very rough position (nearest min of RA) is less than 1 min of RA east of ESO 569-022 and the description applies. Herbert Howe measured an accurate micrometric position in 1899-00 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).

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NGC 3465 = UGC 6056 = MCG +13-08-048 = CGCG 351-050 = KTG 34A = PGC 33099

10 59 31.3 +75 11 29

V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 171d

24" (5/25/14): at 375x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 30"x22", contains a very small brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus. A mag 14-14.5 star is just 40" SE. First in the KTG 34 triplet with NGC 3500 9' E and NGC 3523 14.5' ESE.

18" (3/30/05): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~NW-SE, ~0.7'x0.5', contains a small, brighter core. A mag 13.5 star is off the SE side and a 29" pair of mag 12 stars lies 3.5' NE. First in a trio with NGC 3500 9' E.

17.5" (4/25/98): extremely faint, fairly small, round. First of three in trio with NGC 3500 9' E and NGC 3523 14.5' ESE. Appears as a low surface brightness spot of 25" diameter (probably viewed core) with little or no concentration. Observation of the group was severely affected by hazy skies.

WH discovered NGC 3465 = H III-967 = h795, along with H III-968, on 2 Apr 1801 (sweep 1096) and noted "Two, the 1st [NGC 3465] vF, vS. The 2nd eF and smaller than the first. It is a little more north and following, but very near to it." This is one of 15 far northern galaxies with large systematic errors. The corrected position using Greenwich plates (MN, 71, 509, 1911), matches III-967 = UGC 6056 and III-968 = UGC 6090, and Dreyer repeated this position in the notes to his 1912 edition of WH's catalogues. In the NGC, Dreyer assigned both III-967 and III-968 to NGC 3500 (calling it a "D neb, v near"). See NGC 2938 for more on this sweep.

JH independently discovered NGC 3465 on 4 Apr 1832 and logged h795 as "eF; pL; R; vglbM; 30", a double star nf points to it." His position and description clearly applies to UGC 6056. JH is listed as the discoverer in the GC and NGC, though WH should be credited.

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NGC 3466 = UGC 6042 = MCG +02-28-028 = CGCG 066-065 = PGC 32872

10 56 15.5 +09 45 16

V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 55d

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.9'x0.7', weak even concentration. A mag 11 star is 3.0' due west. Forms a pair with NGC 3467 7.0' E.

JH discovered NGC 3466 = h796 on 18 Jan 1828 and recorded "vF; has another [NGC 3467] still fainter following; has also a * 9m preceding the same parallel." His position and description matches UGC 6042. Heinrich d'Arrest measured the difference in RA to the star as 13.3 seconds and the difference in Dec as 15".

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NGC 3467 = UGC 6045 = MCG +02-28-030 = CGCG 066-067 = PGC 32903

10 56 44.1 +09 45 32

V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (4/22/95): fairly faint, small, round, 40" diameter. Appears slightly smaller than NGC 3466 located 7.0' W but has a sharper concentration with a small bright core. A mag 11 star lies 3.5' NW (similar brightness to the mag 11 star preceding NGC 3466).

JH discovered NGC 3467 = h798 on 18 Jan 1828, along with NGC 3466. His position matches UGC 6045.

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NGC 3468 = UGC 6048 = MCG +07-23-006 = CGCG 213-010 = PGC 32940

10 57 31.2 +40 56 46

V = 13.0; Size 1.6'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 8d

17.5" (4/22/95): faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.6' diameter. Sharp concentration with a small bright core and stellar nucleus. A mag 12.5 star is 1.7' ENE of center.

WH discovered NGC 3468 = H III-632 = h797 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 716) and noted "cF, vS, R, gmbM." On 3 Feb 1788 (sweep 804) he added "lE in the meridian [north-south]." JH's mean position (from two observations) is accurate.

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NGC 3469 = MCG -02-28-024 = PGC 32912

10 56 57.7 -14 18 03

V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 115d

18" (3/13/04): faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, weak concentratin with a very small slightly brighter core. Located 6' SSE of a mag 9 star.

JH discovered NGC 3469 = h3306 on 7 May 1836 and simply noted "eeF; S." His position matches MCG -02-28-024 = PGC 32912.

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NGC 3470 = UGC 6060 = MCG +10-16-038 = CGCG 291-016 = PGC 33040

10 58 44.9 +59 30 39

V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 170d

17.5" (3/19/88): faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, weak concentration, diffuse outer halo.

WH discovered NGC 3470 = H II-888 = h799 on 9 Apr 1793 (sweep 1039) and noted "F, S, R, bM." His position is within 1' of UGC 6060.

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NGC 3471 = UGC 6064 = MCG +10-16-039 = CGCG 291-018 = Mrk 158 = PGC 33074

10 59 09.1 +61 31 51

V = 12.5; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 14d

17.5" (3/19/88): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, broad concentration, faint elongated halo. Located 35' WSW of Alpha Ursa Majoris.

WH discovered NGC 3471 = H III-972 on 28 Nov 1801 (sweep 1102) and recorded "vF, vS, R, bM." His position is 4' north of UGC 6064 = PGC 33074, the only nearby galaxy.

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NGC 3472 = ESO 569-?26

10 57 18 -19 38

=Not found, Corwin and RNGC.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3472 = LM I-179 in 1886 and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.4' dia, R, gbM." with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. There is nothing near his rough position (nearest min of RA). Harold Corwin was not able to identify a likely candidate, but lists ESO 572-025 as a possibility. RNGC classifies this number as nonexistent.

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NGC 3473 = UGC 6052 = MCG +03-28-041 = CGCG 095-079 = PGC 32978

10 58 05.2 +17 07 27

V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 40d

17.5" (4/22/95): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.5'. Unusual appearance due to nearby foreground stars. A mag 12.5 star is attached at the NNE tip 0.5' from the center and the galaxy extends to the SW almost to a fainter mag 14 star 45" from center. Appears unconcentrated with a low surface brightness. Forms a close pair with NGC 3474 1.9' SE.

WH discovered NGC 3473 = H III-67 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 181) and noted "a suspected nebulosity reaching from one star to a smaller which is about 2' south of it; 240 confirmed it." He missed nearby NGC 3474. He used III-67 in his 1814 PT paper to argue that this was too unusual to be a pure line of sight arrangement and the stars had formed within the nebula. Heinrich d'Arrest measured an accurate position and noted " bet 2 st 14 and 15m, the brighter one attached to the north limb."

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NGC 3474 = MCG +03-28-042 = CGCG 095-081 = PGC 32989

10 58 08.8 +17 05 44

V = 13.9; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0

17.5" (4/22/95): faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, very small brighter core. Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 3473 1.9' NW.

Lewis Swift discovered NGC 3474 = Sw VI-39 on 24 Apr 1887 and noted "vF; pS; R; 2267 [NGC 3475] near north." His position is 8 sec of RA east of MCG +03-28-042 and the description applies.

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NGC 3475 = UGC 6058 = MCG +04-26-022 = CGCG 125-017 = PGC 33012

10 58 25.3 +24 13 34

V = 13.1; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 65d

17.5" (4/9/99): easily picked up at 100x while scanning the field. Fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~WSW-ENE. Well concentrated with a bright, round core and an ill-defined diffuse halo at least 1' along the major axis. A mag 13 star is 1.4' N. A couple of nearby faint companions were not seen but MCG +04-26-023 located 9' N was observed.

WH discovered NGC 3475 = H III-332 = h800 on 10 Apr 1785 (sweep 394) and noted "vF, about 1' north aof a small star." CH's reduction is nearly 4' south of UGC 6058. JH recorded "vF; R; gbM; 2' s of a * 12m." His position is fairly accurate.

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NGC 3476 = NGC 3480? = MCG +02-28-032 = CGCG 066-073 = PGC 32987

10 58 07.6 +09 16 34

V = 13.8; Size 0.5'x0.5'

17.5" (3/22/96): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. A mag 14 star is 1.2' E of center. Forms a pair with NGC 3477 3.7' SSE. There is faint pair of mag 14.5/15 stars 1.5' SSE at 14" separation which appeared nebulous at first glance.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3476 = m 213, along with NGC 3477, on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eF, vS, alm stell." His position is 4' N of CGCG 066-073 = PGC 32987. This is the same offset as NGC 3477 so this identification appears solid.

NGC 3480, found by Andrew Common in 1880, may be a duplicate observation. See notes on this number.

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NGC 3477 = CGCG 066-074 = PGC 32997

10 58 12.6 +09 13 03

V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.3'; PA = 70d

17.5" (3/22/96): extremely faint, very small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE (difficult to determine PA as requires averted vision to glimpse). A faint pair of mag 15 stars lies 2.3' N. At the SE edge of the 220x field is a matched pair of mag 9.5 stars at 16" separation. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 3476 3.7' NNW.

Albert Marth discovered NGC 3477 = m 214 on 25 Mar 1865 and noted "eeF, eS, stell." His position is 4' north of CGCG 066-074 = PGC 32997, the same offset he made with nearby NGC 3476.

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NGC 3478 = UGC 6069 = MCG +08-20-059 = CGCG 241-051 = PGC 33101

10 59 27.3 +46 07 21

V = 12.9; Size 2.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 132d

17.5" (4/6/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.5'x0.75', large brighter middle but no defined nucleus. A pair of mag 11 stars are 3.9' S and 5.5' SSW with a separation of 2.0'.

WH discovered NGC 3478 = H III-705 = h801 on 5 Feb 1788 (sweep 808) and simply noted "vF". His position is 1.5' too far north (similar offset as NGC 3583, the next discovery in the sweep). JH logged "F; S; R" and measured an accurate position.

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NGC 3479 = NGC 3502: = MCG -02-28-027 = PGC 33053

10 58 55.5 -14 57 41

V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 175d

18" (3/5/05): faint, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, 1.1'x0.8'. Broad, weak concentration to a relatively large, slightly brighter core. NGC 3502 may be a duplicate observation of this galaxy.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3479 = LM I-180 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory. His rough position (nearest min of RA) is about 30 tsec west of MCG -02-28-027 = PGC 33053. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes section).

NGC 3502 = LM I-181, found by Leavenworth, is probably an independent observation with an error of 2.5 minutes in RA.

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NGC 3480 = NGC 3476? = MCG +02-28-032 = CGCG 066-073 = PGC 32987

10 58 07.6 +09 16 34

See observing notes for NGC 3476. Identification uncertain.

Ainslie Common discovered NGC 3480 in 1880 with his 36" silvered glass reflector and simply noted "S, stellar." There is nothing at his position, though 12' southwest is NGC 3476. Bigourdan was unsuccessful in finding NGC 3480. Because of the scant description, the identification NGC 3476 = NGC 3480 is uncertain. See Corwin's notes.

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NGC 3481 = MCG -01-28-016 = PGC 33097

10 59 26.6 -07 32 40

V = 13.0; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 136d

18" (3/29/03): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter, smooth surface brightness. Located 5' NW of mag 8.8 SAO 137930 (wide yellow/blue unequal double). Also nearby is a mag 10.7 star 2' W and a mag 11 star 3.5' N.

Ormond Stone discovered NGC 3481 = LM II-430 in 1886 with the 26" refractor at Leander McCormick Observatory and recorded "mag 15.5, 0.3' dia, rr; prob vF Cl; *9 in PA 120° [east-southeast] at 5'." His position is 0.3 min of RA west and 2' south of MCG -01-28-016 = PGC 33097 and the description clinches the identification.

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NGC 3482 = ESO 264-056 = PGC 33025

10 58 34.3 -46 35 03

V = 12.4; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 14d

14" (4/2/16 - Coonabarabran, 123x and 160x): fairly faint to moderately bright, elongated 5:3 ~N-S, ~50"x30", broad concentration to a small brighter core. Situated in a rich Vela star field 8.8' WNW of mag 8.2 HD 95274.

JH discovered NGC 3482 = h3308 on 1 Mar 1835 and recorded "eF; S; R; gbM; 30"." His position is within 1' of ESO 264-056 = PGC 33025. RNGC calls it an unverified southern object.

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NGC 3483 = ESO 438-001 = MCG -05-26-016 = PGC 33060

10 59 00.2 -28 28 37

V = 12.1; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 105d

18" (3/17/07): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, 1.2'x1.0', fairly high surface brightness. Well concentrated with a small bright core that brightens to the center. Forms the southern vertex of a small triangle with mag 9 HD 95183 1.8' NE and a mag 11.5-12 star 1.3' NNW.

18" (4/29/06): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.6', irregular halo. Increases to a small bright core and stellar nucleus. Located 1.8' SW of mag 9 HD 95183. Completing a triangle with the galaxy is a mag 12 star 1.3' N.

JH discovered NGC 3483 = h3307 on 10 May 1834 and recorded "pF, S, R, bM, 15". Among stars." His position matches ESO 438-001 = PGC 33060.

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NGC 3484

11 03 00 +75 49

=Not found, Carlson.

JH discovered NGC 3484 = h802 on 5 Apr 1832 and noted "A very doubtful object." I assume he was looking for H I