HICKSON | NAME | SIZE (M) | MAG (V) | SB |
68a | NGC 5353 | 2.2X1.1 | 11.0 | 11.8 |
68b | NGC 5354 | 1.4X1.3 | 11.4 | 11.9 |
68c | NGC 5350 | 3.2X2.3 | 11.3 | 13.3 |
68d | NGC 5355 | 1.2X0.7 | 13.1 | 12.8 |
68e | NGC 5358 | 1.1X0.3 | 13.6 | 12.3 |
Another target for an 8" is Hickson 68 in Canes Venatici, located 8 degrees southeast of M51, the Whirlpool galaxy. The two brightest members are 11th magnitude NGC 5353 and NGC 5354 and they form a striking 1.2' pair. The largest galaxy in the group, NGC 5350, appears as a diffuse glow about 4' to the north although a 6.5 magnitude star just 3' southwest detracts from viewing. The two remaining members, NGC 5355 and 5358, will probably require a 10-inch to 12-inch aperture. - Steve Gottlieb