NGC 6001 = NGC 6002: = UGC 10036 = MCG +05-37-027 = CGCG 166-058 = PGC 56056
15 47 45.9 +28 38 31; CrB
V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 162”
17.5" (6/15/91): fairly faint, fairly small, round, very weak concentration. Located 10' N of mag 7.5 SAO 84005. The very faint companion to the southwest was not seen.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6001 = H. III-371 on 11 Apr 1785 (sweep 397). He recorded "very faint, small, round. 240x showed it very distinctly." His position is accurate to within 1'. This was last of 72 objects discovered on 11 Apr 1785, his most productive night!
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NGC 6002
15 47 44.4 +28 36 35; CrB
= *?, Gottlieb, = NGC 6001, RNGC. = "Not found", Carlson.
Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 6002 on Apr 20 1873 while observing NGC 6001. He noted "Nova Pos 197.3” [SSW], distance 97.6Ó [~1.6']." A mag 16.7 star is fairly close to his offset at PA 190” and separation 116" [~1.9'].
MCG and PGC identify MCG +05-37-026 = PGC 56051 as NGC 6002. This dim edge-on is situated 57" southwest of NGC 6001 in PA 225”, a poor match with Parsons' position and likely too faint to have been picked up, even in the 72". Harold Corwin suggests the faint star is more likely NGC 6002, thought it too is quite faint. So perhaps Parsons made some type of error such as misidentifying NGC 6001.
Karl Reinmuth reported "no neb 100" S of NGC 6001" based on his photographic survey at Heidelberg (repeated by Dorothy Carlson) and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent with the comment NGC 6002 = NGC 6001.
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NGC 6003 = UGC 10048 = MCG +03-40-048 = CGCG 107-043 = PGC 56130
15 49 25.6 +19 01 55; Ser
V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (5/14/88): faint, very small, round, small bright core. NGC 6004 lies 15' ESE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6003 = St. 10-28 on 27 May 1875. His rough position was 3' too far SE. His published position (list 10, #28) was made on 19 Jun 1879.
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NGC 6004 = UGC 10056 = MCG +03-40-051 = CGCG 107-046 = PGC 56166
15 50 22.7 +18 56 21; Ser
V = 12.3; Size 1.9'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 105”
17.5" (5/14/88): moderately bright, moderately large, round, broad concentration. NGC 6003 lies 15' WNW.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6004 = St. 10-29 on 29 May 1869. On 12 Jun 1872 he measured an accurate position. His reduced published position (list 10, #29) was made on 14 Jun 1879 with description "very faint, pretty large, little elongated, little brighter in the middle."
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NGC 6005 = Cr 294 = ESO 178-003
15 55 49 -57 26 12; Nor
V = 10.7; Size 4'
14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): ~40 stars mag 13 and fainter in a small group, roughly 4' in diameter. Stands out well in the field. A wide pair of mag 10.5 stars [~27" separation] is off the southwest side. The cluster is pretty rich, with many stars arranged in two intersecting strings. A thin, winding chain of stars extends N-S through the center. A second strip of stars bisects this chain, angling WNW to ESE. The central 45" of the cluster is fairly dense, with ~15 stars packed into this region.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6005 = D 334 = h3615 on 8 May 1826. His summary description (based on 3 observations) is "a faint round nebula, about 1.5' diameter, very slightly bright towards the centre. A small star is south, rather preceding the nebula [mag 10.9 star 2' SSW], and Iota Normae is south following."
John Herschel first observed the cluster on 9 Jul 1834 (sweep 469) and recorded "a milky way cluster; but so densely concentrated as to merit as a fine cluster VI class; irregularly round, gradually brighter in the middle, stars 11..15th mag." In Apr 1836 (sweep 694) he noted "cluster, small, irregularly round, gradually brighter in the middle, a group or rather a small oval pretty much compressed cluster of stars 16..17th mag. A few = 15th mag."
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NGC 6006 = CGCG 078-093 = Mrk 862 = PGC 56295
15 53 02.5 +12 00 19; Ser
V = 14.7; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 157”
17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated. In a trio with brighter NGC 6007 6' ESE and NGC 6009 NE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6006 = m 294, along with NGC 6007 and 6009, on 2 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, S." His position is accurate (to within 1' of polar distance).
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NGC 6007 = UGC 10079 = MCG +02-40-018 = CGCG 078-095 = PGC 56309
15 53 23.3 +11 57 33; Ser
V = 13.2; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 65”
17.5" (5/13/88): faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, weak concentration. Brightest of three with NGC 6008 5.8' WNW and NGC 6009 6' N.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6007 = m 295, along with NGC 6006 and 6009, on 2 Jun 1864 and noted "F, pL." His position is accurate. Stephan made observations (unpublished) on 16 May 1869, 23 May 1871 and 12 Jun 1877. Only Marth was credited in the NGC.
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NGC 6008 = UGC 10076 = MCG +04-37-052 = CGCG 136-110 = Holm 726a = LGG 403-006 = PGC 56289
15 52 56.0 +21 06 02; Ser
V = 13.0; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (5/14/88): faint, fairly small, round, small bright core. There is possibly an extremely faint knot or star at the east end (there is a slightly brighter "arc" in the eastern arm on the POSS). Forms a pair with NGC 6008B = PGC 56301 3.3' ESE. Located 25' ENE of Rho Serpentis (V = 4.8).
NGC 6008B appeared very faint, very small, round. Collinear with two mag 14/15 stars close SE (the mag 14 star is 1.3' SE).
13.1" (6/29/84): faint, small, round, diffuse.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6008 = St. 11-39 on 14 Jun 1871. He measured a poor position 11' to the N with description "very faint, round, pretty large, small brighter core.". Stephan's published micrometric position (list XI, #39) was made 9 years later on 10 Jun 1880.
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NGC 6009 = CGCG 078-096 = PGC 56312
15 53 24.2 +12 03 30; Ser
V = 15.0; Size 0.65'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 168”
17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, very small, round. A mag 15 star is close east. Located 6' N of NGC 6007 in a tight trio.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6009 = m 296, along with NGC 6006 and 6007, on 2 Jun 1864 and noted "F, vS, stell." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6010 = UGC 10081 = MCG +00-40-013 = CGCG 022-048 = PGC 56337
15 54 19.2 +00 32 34; Ser
V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 105”
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated WNW-ESE, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 14.5 star is 1.9' S and a mag 15 star 40" S of center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6010 = H. II-583 = h1939 on 3 May 1786 (sweep 562). He recorded "very faint, small, extended, resolvable." His position is less than 1' south of UGC 10081. A second observation was made on 28 May 1786 (sweep 568): "pretty bright, small, brighter middle, nearly in the parallel [E-W]." Interestingly, the sweep end 5 minutes later and Caroline added the memorandum: "The time was disturbed by the weight of two gentlemen who occasionally mounted into my [observing] seat." Occasionally, he had guests view through his telescope and even perform short sweeps, but two together is unusual.
John Herschel made an observation on 13 Apr 1828 (sweep 144): "pretty bright; small; little extended in parallel [E-W], gradually brighter middle."
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NGC 6011 = UGC 10047 = MCG +12-15-016 = CGCG 338-017 = PGC 56008
15 46 32.9 +72 10 09; UMi
V = 13.5; Size 2.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 110”
17.5" (5/14/88): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, bright core. A mag 14 star is off the east edge [52" from the center].
William Herschel discovered NGC 6011 = H. III-313 on 16 Mar 1785 (sweep 389) and logged "vF, vS, lE." This was the first night he swept with the telescope pointing north (above the pole), instead of south, and his reduced position is within 3' of UGC 10047. On 6 May 1791 (sweep 1005) he noted "vF, cS, E nearly in the parallel, just preceding a very small star." MCG doesn't label its entry as NGC 6011.
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NGC 6012 = UGC 10083 = MCG +03-40-059 = CGCG 107-054 = CGCG 108-003 = PGC 56334
15 54 13.9 +14 36 04; Ser
V = 12.0; Size 2.1'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 168”
17.5" (5/13/88): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated NNW-SSE, brighter core, mottled appearance. Several bright stars in field and bracketed by mag 9 SAO 101806 2.0' S and a mag 10 star just 1.4' NE of center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6012 = H. II-657 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and recorded "F, bM; between, but a little preceding 2 bright stars."
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NGC 6013 = UGC 10080 = MCG +07-33-004 = CGCG 223-007 = PGC 56287
15 52 53.0 +40 38 48; Her
V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 174”
17.5" (7/2/89): faint, fairly small, very elongated ~N-S, brighter center. Four mag 12-13 stars are within a 5' radius including a pair of mag 13 stars 2.6' NNW with separation 28" which are collinear with NGC 6013" (aligned NNW-SSE).
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6013 = St. 7-1 on 4 Jun 1869 and logged a rough unpublished position 7' too far south. He viewed it again two night later (position 5' S). He published an accurate micrometric position based on an observation on 17 Jun 1876 with description "extremely faint, very small, irregularly round, little brighter middle."
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NGC 6014 = IC 4586 = UGC 10091 = MCG +01-41-002 = CGCG 051-007 = PGC 56413
15 55 57.5 +05 55 56; Ser
V = 12.2; Size 1.7'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.2
17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, even surface brightness. A pair of mag 14/15 stars are at the NE end [the mag 14 star is 32" from center].
John Herschel discovered NGC 6014 = h1940 on 24 Apr 1830 and recorded "pB; pL; E; 30" l, 18" br." douard Stephan observations 12 Jun 1877, 22 May 1878 and on 30 May 1878. On the second night it was the last of at least 32 galaxies that he logged that evening.
Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 19 Aug 1897 and listed it as #13 in his 12th discovery list (later IC 4586). His description reads, "eF, S, R, bet *8 following and curve of stars p[receding" and is a perfect match with NGC 6014. His RA was noted as uncertain and only indicated to the nearest minute of time. It was off by a minute of time and he also made a 5' error in declination. Dorothy Carlson equated NGC 6014 = IC 4586 in her 1940 paper on NGC/IC Corrections.
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NGC 6015 = UGC 10075 = MCG +10-23-003 = CGCG 298-003 = CGCG 319-028 = PGC 56219
15 51 25.2 +62 18 35; Dra
V = 11.1; Size 5.4'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 28”
13.1" (5/14/83): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 4.0'x1.8', diffuse, almost even surface brightness. Located 2.3' E of a mag 11 star. A mag 13.5 star is at the SSW end 1.9' from the center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6015 = H. III-739 on 2 Jun 1788 (sweep 844). He recorded "very faint; round; about 3' diam; very gradually brighter middle; easily resolvable." At the declination of NGC 6015 he was observing with the telescope pointing due north and he used a "Double eye glass", essentially a binocular view.
Dreyer also gives d'Arrest's summary description "bright, much extended" in the NGC as it differs so much from Herschel's. In the IC 1 Notes, Dreyer mentions that William Denning stated that d'Arrest's description was correct and attributed the discrepancy to differences in observing conditions (not variability of the nebula).
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NGC 6016 = UGC 10096 = MCG +05-38-001 = CGCG 167-004 = PGC 56410
15 55 54.9 +26 57 59; CrB
V = 14.3; Size 1.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 26”
17.5" (6/15/91): extremely faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, low even surface brightness. Located 5.4' SSW of mag 8 SAO 84084.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6016 = m 297 on 28 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, S, E." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6017 = UGC 10098 = MCG +01-41-003 = CGCG 051-008 = PGC 56475
15 57 15.5 +05 59 54; Ser
V = 13.1; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 140”
17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, small bright core.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6017 = h1941 on 9 May 1828 and recorded "pF; vS; R; much condensed in the centre. A disc with a burred borders. Almost a planetary nebula." His position is fairly accurate.
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NGC 6018 = UGC 10101 = MCG +03-41-006 = CGCG 108-016 = PGC 56481
15 57 29.8 +15 52 23; Ser
V = 13.4; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 75”
17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, weak concentration. A mag 15 is 1' S. In a trio with NGC 6021 5.1' N and LEDA 214439 2.6' E.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6018 = H. III-646 = h1942 on 19 Mar 1787 (sweep 720) and noted "vF, lE, S." NGC 6021, situated 5' north, was discovered 3 years earlier on 21 Mar 1784. IC 1150, discovered by Stephane Javelle on 10 Jul 1891, might be a duplicate observation, though his RA is off by 49 seconds of time.
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NGC 6019 = CGCG 319-031 = PGC 56265
15 52 09.1 +64 50 26; Dra
V = 15.4; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.3
17.5" (4/15/93): extremely faint, very small, 15" diameter, round, very low surface brightness. Located 2.6' S of a mag 10 star which detracts from viewing. A mag 11 star lies 3.5' ESE. Forms a pair with NGC 6024 8' NE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6019 = Sw. 4-18, along with NGC 6024 on 28 Jun 1886 and recorded "eeeF; S; R; double star points to it; ee difficult." His position is 24 sec east and 1' north of CGCG 319-031 = PGC 56265, but his comment "D * points to it" clinches the identification. The wide pair of stars is 2' north.
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NGC 6020 = IC 1148 = UGC 10100 = MCG +04-38-002 = CGCG 137-005 = LGG 403-009 = PGC 56467
15 57 08.1 +22 24 16; Ser
V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 140”
17.5" (5/14/88): fairly faint, small, round, broad concentration. Situated among a group of stars and at the midpoint of a mag 11 star 1.9' WSW and a 13 star 1.9' ESE of center. Another mag 13 star is 1.7' SSE of center.
douard Stephan found NGC 6020 = St. 7-2 on 17 Jun 1876, with a later observation on 3 Jun 1878. Stephan was credited with the discovery in the NGC.
Truman Safford made the original discovery of NGC 6020 on 9 May 1866 with the 18.5" refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. The discovery list wasn't published until 1887, too late to be included in the main table of the NGC. When Dreyer obtained Safford's list, he apparently missed the equivalence with NGC 6020 and catalogued Sf. 10 as IC 1148. So, NGC 6020 = IC 1148.
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NGC 6021 = UGC 10102 = MCG +03-41-005 = CGCG 108-017 = PGC 56482
15 57 30.7 +15 57 22; Ser
V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 160”
17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core. Brightest of three with NGC 6018 5.1' S and an anonymous galaxy 5.5' SSE. In the foreground of rich cluster AGC 2147.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6021 = H. III-739 = h1943 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 183) and recorded "eF, vS. I suspected it with 157 and 240 showed it very plainly." He observed this galaxy three years later (19 Mar 1787) and also picked up NGC 6018 to the south.
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NGC 6022 = MCG +03-41-009 = CGCG 108-020 = WBL 597-003 = PGC 56495
15 57 47.7 +16 16 56; Ser
V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.5
14.5" (7/27/22): at 158x; extremely faint, very small, required averted vision to occasionally see it pop. Located 1.7' SSW of NGC 6023.
17.5" (5/13/88): extremely faint, small, oval. Located 1.6' SSW of NGC 6023 in AGC 2147.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6022 = St. 12-76 on 19 May 1881. An earlier observation was possibly made on 18 Jun 1876, though Stephan only recorded a single position 1' NW of NGC 6023.
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NGC 6023 = UGC 10106 = MCG +03-41-010 = CGCG 108-021 = WBL 597-002 = PGC 56492
15 57 49.6 +16 18 37; Ser
V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 70”
14.5" (7/27/22): at 158x and 226x; faint, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 30" diameter, very small bright nucleus. Brighter of pair with much fainter NGC 6022 1.7' SSW.
CGCG 108-019, located 5.8' SSW, is an extremely faint (B = 15.5), very small glow just east of a mag 12.3 star that detracts from viewing.
17.5" (5/13/88): faint, small, round, gradually increases to a brighter core. Brightest in AGC 2147 with NGC 6022 1.6' SSW.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6023 = St. 12-77, probably along with NGC 6022, on 18 Jun 1876. His position was 1' to the NW. An accurate micrometric position (list 12, #77) was made on 19 May 1881.
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NGC 6024 = MCG +11-19-026 = CGCG 319-032 = PGC 56294
15 53 07.8 +64 55 05; Dra
V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 130”
17.5" (4/15/93): faint, small, 30" diameter, round. Surrounding the galaxy are several stars: a mag 12.5 star is off the WSW edge 49" from center, a mag 13 star 1.2' ESE and two mag 14 stars are off the north edge 31" from center and 1.2' SE. Also several mag 9-10 stars in field: forms the vertex of a perfect isosceles triangle with mag 9 SAO 16879 6.2' WNW and a mag 10 star 6.3' SW. Brighter of a pair of galaxies with NGC 6019 8' SW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6024 = Sw. 4-19, along with NGC 6019, on 28 Jun 1886 and recorded "pF; pS; R; BM; * close; forms a little right angle with 2 stars." His position is 10 sec east of CGCG 319-032 = PGC 56294 and his description applies to this galaxy. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate micrometric position in 1893 with the 18" refractor at Strasbourg.
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NGC 6025 = Cr 296 = ESO 136-014
16 03 18 -60 25 54; TrA
V = 5.1; Size 12'
18" (7/7/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 76x using a 27mm Panoptic, this cluster was a very pretty sight. It appeared loose but bright and large, ~13' diameter, with 50-60 stars resolved. A couple of dozen stars are mag 11.5 or brighter and seem to form a continuous loop or exaggerated "S" shape with no central concentration! Using 128x, ~80 stars were visible but the cluster was really too large for a good view. Two brighter mag 7 and 8 stars are at the SE end (HD 143448, the northern one, is the brightest in the cluster and a Be type) and mag 8.5 and 9 stars are near the NW edge.
The cluster straddles TrA and Norma and was just visible naked-eye. Abell 3627 (the core of the "Great Attractor"!) lies 1.5 degrees southeast and deep images show a number of very faint galaxies within and around the borders of the cluster that are probably outlying members.
Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 6025 = Lac III 10 = D 304 = h3616 in 1751-1752 using a 1/2" telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. With this small telescope he noted "three faint stars in line in nebulosity."
James Dunlop made 5 observations (first on 8 May 1826) with summary description, "(Lambda Circini, Bode) Lacaille describes this as three small stars in a line with nebula. No particular nebula exists in this place. A group of about twenty stars of mixt magnitudes, forming an irregular figure, about 5' or 6' long, answer to the place of the Lambda. This is in the milky way; and there is no nebula in the group of stars except what is common in the neighbourhood."
John Herschel lists 4 observations in the Cape Catalogue: on 22 Apr 1835 (sweep 575) he logged "VII.; loose; scattered; brilliant; stars large; much more than fills field; 46 stars counted above 12th mag; chief star 7th mag taken."
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NGC 6026 = PK 341+13.1 = ESO 389-7 = PN G341.6+13.7
16 01 20.9 -34 32 39; Lup
V = 13.2; Size 54"x36"
18" (6/7/08): fairly faint, moderately large glow surrounding a mag 13-13.5 central star at 150x. Excellent contrast gain using a NPB filter and the disc appeared moderately bright, crisply defined and slightly elongated.
18" (7/22/06): picked up unfiltered at 160x as a mag 13.5-14 star surrounded by a 40"x30" faint halo elongated SW-NE. A UHC filter increases the contrast so the disc appears fairly faint to moderately bright (easy with direct vision). 325x provided a good view unfiltered and the elongation appeared closer to WSW-ENE. The easy central star was visible steadily and the dimensions roughly 45"x35".
18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, this planetary appeared moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, ~0.8'x0.6'. Dominated by a mag 13.5 central star with an even surface brightness halo. Nice contrast gain using a UHC filter at 228x.
17.5" (6/30/00): at 220x this fairly faint PN appeared slightly elongated SW-NE, ~50"x35". The 14th magnitude central star is easily visible encased by an evenly lit disc. The edges of the halo appear somewhat ragged but the PN is crisp-edged at 280x using a UHC filter.
13.1" (7/6/83): very faint, small, round. A very faint mag 14 central star is visible. The planetary is visible with direct vision using a UHC filter. Located 7.3' NW of mag 7.6 SAO 207243.
8": not found.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6026 = h3617 on 8 Jun 1837 and recorded "F; S; R: 15"; gradually pretty much brighter middle. There are 3 stars forming a triangle about 60”, np the nebula." His position is at the west edge of the planetary.
NGC 6026 was misclassified as an elliptical galaxy in the 1932 Shapley-Ames catalog, with dimensions 1.0'x0.8' and mag(p) = 12.5. In the course of a photographic survey of bright southern galaxies at Mt. Stromlo, Grard de Vaucouleurs noticed the appearance suggested it might be a galactic PN. He notified Nicholas Mayall of Lick Observatory who obtained a spectrogram, which established it was a planetary nebula (announced in 1955PASP...67..418D). de Vaucouleus omitted it from the 1964 Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies as well as Alan Sandage in the 1981 revised Shapley-Ames catalogue.
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NGC 6027 = HCG 79B = VV 115 = VII Zw 631 = UGC 10116 = MCG +04-38-005 = CGCG 137-010 = PGC 56575 = Seyfert's Sextet
15 59 12.5 +20 45 49; Ser
V = 14.3; Size 0.4'x0.2'; Surf Br = 11.7
48" (5/15/12): the brightest components of Seyfert's Sextet were NGC 6027 = HCG 79b and NGC 6027A = HCG 79a. Both were moderately bright at 610x, though NGC 6027 was more elongated at 2:1 E-W, ~20"x10". NGC 6027E, a diffuse plume, was easily visible extending 30" NE and narrowing near the end where it brightens slightly. NGC 6027D = HCG 79e is situated barely off the south side and appeared faint, extremely small, round, 6" diameter. NGC 6027B = HCG 79c (third brightest member) is just 24" W and appeared fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, 18"x12". Finally NGC 6027C = HCG 79d is furthest south (fifth brightest) and appeared faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 N-S, ~25"x7", with a low, nearly even surface brightness.
18" (8/3/05): at 257x, the brightest component of Seyfert's Sextet appeared faint, very small, slightly elongated ~E-W, 15"x10", contains a faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. A mag 14.5 star lies 1' ESE and two additional mag 14.5 stars lie close SE. Just resolved from HCG 79c which lies 22" W of center.
18" (6/20/04): at 320x, a trio of galaxies forming a small equilateral triangle were fairly easily resolved with careful viewing. The brightest of the trio (HCG 79b) is at the NE corner and appeared elongated 3:2 E-W, ~20"x13". The other two members (HCG 79a and HCG 79c) are both extremely small, round, ~10" diameter. Two mag 14.5 stars 1'-1.5' SE are collinear with HCG 79b and a slightly brighter mag 14 star lies 2' W.
17.5" (5/14/88): faint, small, elongated ~E-W.
17.5" (6/6/86): this is Seyfert's Sextet = HCG 79, an extremely compact group! On close inspection, the confused "clump" resolves into three components with the brightest component (HCG 79b) appearing fairly faint, small. Extremely close are HCG 79a = NGC 6027A just 36" SSW and HCG 79c = NGC 6027B 22" W of center. A mag 14.5 star is 1.1' ESE and other faint stars are near. These three galaxies are just resolved at 220x.
13.1" (many dates from 5/26/84 to 4/10/86): faint, very small, irregularly round, weak concentration. The three brightest components were just resolved at 220x.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6027 = St. 12-78 on 17 Jun 1876. His published position was made on 20 Mar 1882 with description "eF, vF* inv, 2 vF st near." Although Stephan recorded only a single entry for this ultra-compact group, his description implies he probably resolved two or three members. Barnard ran across NGC 6027 while sweeping on 29 Jan 1889 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory.
Carl Seyfert's name was attached after his 1951 paper "A Dense Group of Galaxies in Serpens" (PASP...63...72S). Different lettering of the components were introduced by VV, RNGC and Hickson, so there is often confusion on the designations. There are likely only 4 galaxies in the group as NGC 6027D has a discordant redshift over four times the other members and NGC 6027E is considered either a tidal tail of HCG 79b or a partially dissolved remnant. Seyfert's Sextet is probably the densest (most compact) galaxy aggregate in the local Universe with all 4 members fitting within the confines of the Milky Way.
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NGC 6028 = NGC 6046 = UGC 10135 = MCG +03-41-043 = CGCG 108-063 = I Zw 133 = PGC 56716
16 01 28.9 +19 21 34; Her
V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 30”
48" (5/15/12): this Hoag-type ring galaxy contains a bright, very small core, ~18" diameter. A star is right at the south edge of the core. The 1' diameter detached outer ring occasionally popped into view and the galaxy appeared as a slightly elongated Cheerio! NGC 6028 is the nearest and brightest of the Hoag-style rings.
17.5" (5/28/89): faint, very small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. I only recorded the bright, inner core of the ring galaxy. CGCG 108-053, located 7' NW, appeared very faint, very small, round, weak concentration.
Guillaume Bigourdan found NGC 6028 = Big. 76 on 4 May 1886. His position matches this ring galaxy.
William Herschel discovered this galaxy on 14 Mar 1784 and it was catalogued as H. III-33 = NGC 6046 (see notes), but with a 3.5 minute error in RA. NGC 6028 is the primary designation because of Bigourdan's unambiguous position.
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NGC 6029 = CGCG 079-023 = PGC 56756
16 01 58.9 +12 34 27; Ser
V = 15.0; Size 0.55'x0.4'; Surf Br = 9.3
17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, small, elongated ~E-W, bright core, very faint stellar nucleus. This is a double system (not resolved).
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6029 = m 298 on 2 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, vS." His position is 1' north of CGCG 079-023 = PGC 56756.
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NGC 6030 = UGC 10139 = MCG +03-41-044 = CGCG 108-065 = LGG 403-010 = PGC 56750
16 01 51.4 +17 57 27; Her
V = 12.8; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 43”
24" (6/22/17): at 375x; bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 or 3:2 SW-NE. Contains a high surface brightness core with a fainter elongated halo. A mag 12.5 star lies 1' NNW of center. LEDA 214444 lies 2.4' WSW. This (physical) companion appeared extremely or very faint, very small, round, 12"-15" diameter.
NGC 6030 is located 12' NE of 5.1-magnitude 5 Herculi. The core of AGC 2151 (Hercules Galaxy Cluster) lies ~40' ESE, though this galaxy is in the foreground.
17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, small, bright core, elongated SW-NE. Two mag 13 stars are 1.0' NNW and 2.5' N. Located between 5 Herculis (V = 5.1) 12' SW and mag 7.4 SAO 101890 14' NE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6030 = St. 13-84 on 4 Jun 1869 and logged a rough unpublished position 4' too far NNE. On 17 Jun 1884 he measured an accurate micrometric position with description "pretty faint, very small, round, bright middle." William Herschel recorded nearby 5th magnitude 5 Her on several sweeps but missed this galaxy.
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NGC 6031 = Cr 297 = ESO 178-009
16 07 35 -54 00 54; Nor
V = 8.5; Size 2'
18" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): small, fairly rich cluster with 40-50 stars (with careful viewing) packed into a 2.5' region. The cluster is roughly triangular with vertices on the southwest, east and northeast ends. Contains a tight knot of 4-5 stars within 20". A close double star (mag 11 primary, separation <5") is 1' off the north end. Located 50' WNW of NGC 6067.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6031 = D 359 = h3618 on 28 Jul 1826 and described "three very minute stars forming a triangle, with a faint round nebula, about 20 arcseconds diameter in the centre, but none of the stars are involved in the nebula." His position is 5' south of the cluster. John Herschel made a single observation on 19 Jun 1835: "cluster, a small, compact knot of stars 11..14th mag, in a magnificently full field and zone."
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NGC 6032 = UGC 10148 = MCG +04-38-016 = CGCG 137-021 = LGG 403-001 = PGC 56842
16 03 01.1 +20 57 23; Her
V = 13.5; Size 1.6'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 0”
13.1" (4/10/86): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S. Appears as an unconcentrated diffuse glow which requires averted vision. Pair with NGC 6035 6.6' SE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6032 = St. 11-40, along with NGC 6035, on 14 Jun 1871. His single position was 2' SE of NGC 6035 and he noted that NGC 6032 was about 35 seconds of time to the west and 2' N. Stephan's published micrometric position (list XI, #40) was made 9 years later on 9 Jun 1880.
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NGC 6033 = UGC 10159 = MCG +00-41-003 = CGCG 023-011 = PGC 56941
16 04 27.9 -02 07 15; Ser
V = 13.9; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 90”
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, small, round. A close very faint double star is 1' S.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6033 = m 299 on 23 Jul 1864 and noted "vF neb *." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6034 = MCG +03-41-062 = CGCG 108-084 = PGC 56877
16 03 32.1 +17 11 55; Her
V = 13.8; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 64”
17.5" (5/28/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is 0.8' SSE. Member of AGC 2151.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6034 = Sw. 4-20 on 19 Jun 1886 and logged "eeeF; vS; R; eee diff." His position is 1.5' north of CGCG 108-084 = PGC 56877.
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NGC 6035 = UGC 10154 = MCG +04-38-018 = CGCG 137-024 = PGC 56864
16 03 24.2 +20 53 29; Her
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1
13.1" (4/10/86): faint, fairly small, almost round. Slightly brighter of pair with NGC 6032 6.2' NW.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6035 = St. 11-41, along with NGC 6032, on 14 Jun 1871. His single position was 2' SE of NGC 6035 and he noted that NGC 6032 was 35 seconds of time to the west and about 2' N. Stephan's published micrometric position (list XI, #41) was made 9 years later on 9 Jun 1880.
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NGC 6036 = UGC 10163 = MCG +01-41-010 = CGCG 051-032 = PGC 56950
16 04 30.8 +03 52 06; Ser
V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 146”
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, small, elongated NW-SE, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is 0.7' NE and a fainter mag 15 star is just 0.8' NNW of center. Forms a pair with NGC 6037 3.3' S.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6036 = m 300, along with NGC 6037, on 23 Jul 1864 and noted "vF, vS, R, stell." douard Stephan made an observation on 2 May 1878, the last of 30 galaxies recorded that night.
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NGC 6037 = MCG +01-41-009 = CGCG 051-031 = PGC 56947
16 04 29.8 +03 48 54; Ser
V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, round, broad concentration, can just hold steadily with direct vision. Pair with NGC 6036 3.3' N.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6037 = m 301, along with NGC 6036, on 23 Jul 1864 and noted "vF, S."
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NGC 6038 = UGC 10149 = MCG +06-35-026 = CGCG 195-008 = PGC 56812
16 02 40.5 +37 21 34; CrB
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (6/15/91): faint, fairly small, 1' diameter, round, low almost even surface brightness with no discernable core, halo gradually fades into background. A mag 11 star is 40" off the SE edge and 1.3' from center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6038 = H. III-622 = h1944 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 715). He noted "very faint, small, round. I saw it in the field while I was gauging otherwise it would have certainly been overlooked. 300x showed the same plainly." His RA was 22 seconds too large. John Herschel made 3 observations and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 6039 = NGC 6042? = MCG +03-41-079 = CGCG 108-104 = PGC 56972
16 04 39.5 +17 42 03; Her
V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3
See observing notes for NGC 6042. Possibly =*, HC. Incorrect identification in the RNGC; (R)NGC 6039 = NGC 6040B.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6039 = Sw. 4-21 on 27 Jun 1886 on the west side of the Hercules Galaxy Cluster and recorded "eeeF; vS; R; sp of 3 in a line, the other 2 being 2 of Stephan's, 3rd of 10." The three galaxies near his position are NGC 6040, 6041 and 6042, with NGC 6042 (the south-following of 3) 14 sec of RA east of Swift's position. He also added a note that "three of the ten of more nebulae in this interesting group are M. Stephan's, presumably [NGC 6040] and certainly [NGC 6041] and [NGC 6042]. Two or 3 more are suspected. They are very difficult objects to see and especially to measure, atmospheric condition seldom allowing them to be seen at all except Stephan's last two, which are quite interesting objects, but those he describes as faint and small and very small, I call pretty large."
Despite Swift's note, NGC 6039 is mostly likely is a duplicate of NGC 6042, which is the third in a line with NGC 6040 and 6041, though his description should reads "sf of 3." RNGC misidentifies NGC 6040B = MCG +03-41-073 as NGC 6039. This galaxy is attached to the southwest end of NGC 6040.
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NGC 6040 = Arp 122 NED2 = VV 212a = UGC 10165b = MCG +03-41-074 = CGCG 108-096n = PGC 56932
16 04 26.8 +17 45 02; Her
V = 14.2; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 47”
24" (6/4/16): at 322x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, small brighter core. The southwest and northeast extensions are slightly curved or misaligned. NGC 6040B, just 26" S of center, appeared fairly faint, small, round, 12" diameter. Easily visible due to relatively high surface brightness.
17.5" (5/13/88): faint, small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, low even surface brightness. Forms a close interacting system with NGC 6040B 26" S. The companion appeared very faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W.
First of three NGC galaxies with NGC 6041 2.7' SE and NGC 6042 4.3' SE. Also, IC 1170 is just visible 2.0' SSE. Located within the central core of AGC 2151.
17.5" (3/23/85): faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE. First of 3. NGC 6040B was not resolved.
13.1" (5/14/83): very faint, small, diffuse.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6040 = St. 1-1, along with NGC 6041 and NGC 6042, on 4 Jun 1869. His single rough unpublished position was 4' NNE of NGC 6041 (same offset as NGC 6030) and he mentioned 3 nebulae. His published position in list 1 (#1) was reduced on 27 Jun 1870 and matches the brighter northern component of this pair (Arp 71). Many sources label the northern component as NGC 6040A with the southern galaxy NGC 6040B. MCG misidentifies this galaxy as IC 1170.
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NGC 6041 = VV 213a = NGC 6041A = UGC 10170ne = MCG +03-41-078 = CGCG 108-101ne = PGC 56960
16 04 35.8 +17 43 18; Her
V = 13.8; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 46”
24" (6/4/16): at 322x; fairly faint/moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 25"x20", well concentrated with a small bright core. Forms a double system with NGC 6041B at the SW end [19" between centers] with the companion faint, extremely small, round, 6". IC 1170, a small faint edge-on, is 1' due west.
17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, very small, oval SW-NE. Forms a double system with NGC 6041B attached at the southwest end. The fainter companion appeared extremely faint and small or stellar. In a quadruple subgroup with NGC 6040 2.7' NW (another double system!), NGC 6042 1.5' SE and IC 1170 0.9' W ("extremely faint and small, elongated E-W, requires averted vision"). A mag 11 star lies 1.5' S. Located on the west side of the rich central region of AGC 2151.
17.5" (3/23/85): faint, irregularly round or slightly elongated SW-NE. Suspected to be double.
13.1" (5/14/83): very faint, very small, round, similar to NGC 6040 3' NW.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6041 = St. 1-2, along with NGC 6040 and 6042, on 4 Jun 1869. His single rough unpublished position was 4' too far NNE (same offset as NGC 6030). On 27 Jun 1870 he measured an accurate micrometric position (along with nearby NGC 6040 and NGC 6042) that matches the galaxy often called NGC 6041A.
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NGC 6042 = NGC 6039? = MCG +03-41-079 = CGCG 108-104 = PGC 56972
16 04 39.6 +17 42 03; Her
V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 60”
17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, very small, round. Third of three NGC galaxies on a line with NGC 6041 1.5' NW and NGC 6040 4.3' NW in the core of AGC 2151. Also extremely faint IC 1170 lies 2.3' NW. Located 1.7' NE of a mag 11 star.
17.5" (3/23/85): faint, very small, roundish. Faintest in trio on a line in AGC 2151.
13.1" (6/30/84): extremely faint, at visual threshold, very small, round.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6042 = St. 1-3, along with NGC 6040 and 6042, on 4 Jun 1869. His single rough unpublished position was 4' NNE of NGC 6041 (same offset as NGC 6030), though he noted 3 nebulae. On 27 Jun 1870 he measured an accurate micrometric positions for the trio.
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NGC 6043 = MCG +03-41-086 = CGCG 108-109 = PGC 57019
16 05 01.4 +17 46 32; Her
V = 14.3; Size 0.65'x0.5'; PA = 35”
24" (6/4/16): at 322x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 20"x16", strong bright core. NGC 6045 is 1.9' SE. A mag 15 star is 0.8' SSW and a mag 13 star is 1.8' S. NGC 6045 is 1.9' SE.
48" (4/5/13): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.3'x0.2', small bright core. Located 1.9' NW of NGC 6045. I didn't look for the faint companion attached at the SW edge, but it should be visible.
17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~E-W, collinear with two stars to the south including a mag 13.5 star 1.8' S. First of three NGC galaxies on a line with NGC 6045 1.9' SE and NGC 6047 3.3' SSE. Also nearby are NGC 6050 5.3' ESE and NGC 6044 5.6' N. This is a double system (not resolved) in the central region of AGC 2151.
17.5" (3/23/85): first of three galaxies aligned NW to SE with NGC 6045 and NGC 6047 in the core of the Hercules Galaxy Cluster. Faint, very small, round, faint star off the south side (45").
13.1" (5/14/83): extremely faint, small, round. First of four in a subgroup of AGC 2151. A mag 15 star is off the south side.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6043 = Sw. 4-22 on 27 Jun 1886, along with several other members of the Hercules Galaxy Cluster. He recorded "eeF; lE; pS; 4th of 10." There is nothing at his exact position, but 13 seconds of time east is CGCG 108-109 = PGC 57019. Guillaume Bigourdan measured an accurate position in Jun 1888 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 6044 = IC 1172 = MCG +03-41-084 = CGCG 108-110 = PGC 57015
16 04 59.7 +17 52 13; Her
V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0
24" (8/1/19): at 322x; faint, small, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1.4' WSW. PGC 57020 lies 2.4' S, LEDA 84714 is 5.6' WSW and PGC 57055 is 5.5' ESE.
17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, very small, round. A mag 14 star lies 1.4' WSW. Located 5.6' N of NGC 6043 in the core of AGC 2151.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6044 = Sw. 4-23 on 27 Jun 1886, along with several other members of the Hercules Galaxy Cluster. His description reads "eeF; vS; R; vf * nr p[receding]; 5th of 10." and his position is 10 seconds west of CGCG 108-110 = PGC 57015.
Bigourdan found the galaxy on 8 Jun 1888, assumed it was new and recorded Big. 199 = IC 1172 with an accurate position. CGCG labels the galaxy as IC 1172, though MCG uses NGC 6044. In any case, NGC 6044 = IC 1172.
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NGC 6045 = Arp 71 = UGC 10177 = MCG +03-41-088 = CGCG 108-112 = PGC 57031
16 05 07.9 +17 45 28; Her
V = 13.9; Size 1.3'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 82”
48" (5/15/12): fairly faint to moderately bright, edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.2', slightly brighter core. A very small companion is attached at the east end, dangling to the south perpendicular to the major axis. It appeared faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 12"x6".
24" (6/4/16): at 322x; faint to fairly faint, very elongated 7:2 WSW-ENE, 45"x 12", slightly brighter elongated core. NGC 6045B was occasionally glimpsed at or just off the east end.
17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, small, very elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE. Located in the core of AGC 2151 between the NGC 6040/6041/6042 trio to the west and NGC 6050 3.8' E. The companion attached at the east end was not seen.
17.5" (3/23/85): second of a faint collinear trio. Very faint though slightly brighter than NGC 6043 1.9' NW and NGC 6047 1.7' S, though the nearby stars to these two galaxies was more eye catching.
13.1" (5/14/83): very faint, elongated. Second of four in subgroup of AGC 2151.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6045 = Sw. 4-24 on 27 Jun 1886, along with several other members of the Hercules Galaxy Cluster. He logged "eeF; vS; R; v diff; 6th of 10." and his position is 13 seconds of RA preceding UGC 10177 (a similar offset as NGC 6043). Bigourdan measured an accurate position in June 1888 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 6046 = NGC 6028 = UGC 10135 = MCG +03-41-043 = I Zw 133 = PGC 56716
16 01 28.9 +19 21 34; Her
V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 30”
See observing notes for NGC 6028.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6046 = H. III-33 on 14 Mar 1784 (sweep 171) and recorded "A nebula suspected by 157x and the suspicion strengthened by 240x; but the latter power does not remove all doubt. It follows 3 pB stars making an arch [concave towards np or nnp direction by a diagram], south of which arch there is a still brighter star."
There is nothing near Herschel's offset, but based on his description of the nearby stars, Harold Corwin identifies NGC 6046 as NGC 6028 (discovered by Bigourdan in 1886 and placed correctly). NGC 6028 is nearly 3.5 minutes of RA west of Herschel's position but his description and sketch (shown in Steinicke's book on Herschel) is an excellent match. The "still brighter star" is mag 9.0 HD 143614. RNGC classifies NGC 6046 as nonexistent (Type 7). Herschel's number should apply to this ring galaxy, but due to late identification, it is known as NGC 6028.
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NGC 6047 = MCG +03-41-087 = CGCG 108-111 = 4C 17.66 = PGC 57033
16 05 09.0 +17 43 47; Her
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4
24" (6/4/16): at 322x; fairly faint, small, round, very small bright core. A mag 13 star is just off the northwest side, 25" from the center. NGC 6045 lies 1.7' N.
48" (4/5/13): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 24" diameter, bright core. A mag 13.5 star is just off the northwest edge. Located 1.7' S of NGC 6045.
17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, very small, round. A mag 13.5 star is just 26" NW of the center. This galaxy is the third of three in a the central region of AGC 2151 with NGC 6043 3.3' NNW and NGC 6045 1.7' NNW. Also nearby is NGC 6050 4.0' NW.
17.5" (3/23/85): third of trio in a line. Appears very faint, small, a faint star is close preceding.
13.1" (5/14/83): very faint, very small. Third of four in a subgroup of AGC 2151 and located 2' SSE of NGC 6045. A mag 13.5 star is very close west.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6047 = Sw. 4-25 on 27 Jun 1886, along with several other members of the Hercules Galaxy Cluster. He logged "eF; R; pS; F * close north; 7th of 10." His position is 9 seconds of RA too small (a similar offset in RA as NGC 6043 and 6045) and the comment about the faint star applies.
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NGC 6048 = UGC 10124 = MCG +12-15-038 = CGCG 338-032 = PGC 56484
15 57 30.2 +70 41 21; UMi
V = 12.3; Size 2.2'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 140”
17.5" (7/9/88): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Located 13' SSW of mag 7.3 SAO 8382. NGC 6071 lies 18' ESE.
17.5" (4/18/87): fairly faint, small, oval, brighter core. Forms a pair with 2MASX J15575417+7039470 2.5' SE.
17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, brighter center, faint stellar nucleus.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6048 = H. II-873 on 6 May 1791 (sweep 1005) and noted "F, R, bM, about 1' dia." Caroline's reduced position is 37 sec of RA following UGC 10124.
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NGC 6049 = SAO 121361 = HD 144426
16 05 37.9 +08 05 46; Ser
= *6.3 SAO 121361, Gottlieb. "Not found", Carlson. No nebulosity surrounds mag 6.3 star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6049 = h1945 on 24 Apr 1830 and recorded "a * 7m which I strongly incline to think has a nebulous atmosphere about 2' dia." On 14 May 1855, R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, noted the "star looked quite sharp and well defined in the finding eyepiece". But, twenty years later (26 May 1875) Dreyer reobserved the star and commented "*7-8m with vF surrounded atmosphere which could be traced about 1' from the star." Two days later, Henry Chamberlain Russell of Sydney Observatory visited Birr Castle and was also shown the star. The entry reads "Mr. H.C. Russell from Sydney was not sure of the reality of the atmosphere, but I had no doubt of it." Reinmuth wasn't sure: "BD +8 3134; *6.8 with halo?" All of these observations are spurious as there is no halo around the star.
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NGC 6050 = Arp 272 = VV 220a = IC 1179A = UGC 10186 = MCG +03-41-092 = CGCG 108-118 = PGC 57058 = PGC 57053
16 05 23.4 +17 45 32; Her
V = 14.7; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 132”
48" (5/15/12): this is an interconnected pair of galaxies with the brighter component (NGC 6050A) on the northeast side. The pair appeared as a moderately bright, irregular glow, slightly elongated SW-NE, and roughly 60"x45". They were not individually separated at 375x although NGC 6050A has a slightly brighter nucleus and NGC 6050B (often called IC 1179) is a faint, diffuse glow attached to its southwest side. NGC 6050B displayed a very weak central brightening and a very faint nucleus. This double system is centered in an amazingly rich field of galaxies, the closest being PGC 1540468, just 45" S.
17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, small, round, diffuse. This member of AGC 2151 forms a close pair with NGC 6054 1.9' ENE. Follows the trio of NGC 6047 4.0' SW, NGC 6045 3.8' W and NGC 6043 5.3' WNW. This is an interacting pair with IC 1179 20" SW (not individually resolved).
17.5" (3/23/85): faint but easily visible, small, roundish. This is a double system, but IC 1179 was not seen.
13.1" (5/14/83): very faint, small, round. Fourth of 4 in a subgroup of AGC 2151.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6050 = Sw. 4-26 on 27 Jun 1886, along with several additional members of the Hercules Galaxy Cluster. He logged "eeeF; S; R; e diff.; 8th of 10." and his position is 13 seconds west of UGC 10186 (a similar offset in RA as NGC 6043, 6045 and 6047). Bigourdan measured an accurate RA on 1 Jun 1888 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
Swift "discovered" the galaxy again on 3 Jun 1888 and reported it in his 7th discovery list, #71 (later IC 1179). Most modern sources including PGC, HyperLeda and SIMBAD misidentify the southwest component (NGC 6050B) as IC 1179. It's extremely unlikely that IC 1179 refers to the southwest galaxy in list VII, as Swift described NGC 6050 as "eeeF" and NGC 6050B is much fainter and he makes no mention of the nebula being double!
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NGC 6051 = UGC 10178 = MCG +04-38-021 = CGCG 137-030 = AWM 4-1 = PGC 57006
16 04 56.6 +23 55 57; Ser
V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 165”
24" (7/23/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 N-S, 0.6'x0.45', weak concentration. A mag 11.2 star is 0.7' SSE of center and a mag 16.7 star is 0.7' W of center. Brightest in a faint compact cluster (AWM 4) with 5 members within 3'!
IC 4588 = PGC 57025 lies 2' SE and is very faint (B = 16.3), round, 10" diameter. PGC 57003, 2.9' NNW, is very faint (B = 16.4), round, 12" diameter. PGC 57010, 2' N, is extremely faint (B = 16.9), round, 10" diameter. PGC 57014, 2.3' NNE, is very faint (B = 16.2), elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 25"x8". PGC 140564, 1.2' WNW, is extremely difficult (B = 17.3), slightly elongated NW-SE, 12"x8".
17.5" (6/15/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, weak concentration. A mag 11 star is just off the SSE edge 44" from center.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6051 = St. 12-79 on 23 May 1871 and measured an initial position 3' to the SSE. His published micrometric position was made 10 years later on 20 Jun 1881 with description "faint, small, round, gradually brighter middle, bright nucleus, *10 close SE."
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NGC 6052 = Arp 209 = VV 86a/b = NGC 6064 = UGC 10182 = MCG +04-38-022 = CGCG 137-032 = Mrk 297 = LGG 403-008 = PGC 57039
16 05 13.2 +20 32 33; Her
V = 13.0; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 171”
48" (4/5/13): the main glow of this disrupted system or merger appeared fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, irregular or mottled. The glow brightens along the eastern side and very thin, faint extensions protrude along the eastern side to the north and south (more prominent on the south end). The appearance is similar to an edge-on galaxy attached to the larger, mottled western component.
48" (5/15/12): at 488x, the disrupted system NGC 6052 = Arp 209 had a very strange appearance. Attached on the southeast side is a faint, elongated glow, ~22"x6", extending out from the main portion of the system and giving the strong impression that an edge-on galaxy was involved in this merger. Also on the northeast side, a fainter and broader extension or plume was visible oriented N-S. Although these two features seemed detached, they may be part of the same partially merged galaxy. To the west of these extended features is the most prominent region or core of the galaxy, which appeared bright, irregular round and mottled. The halo was very irregular in shape and brightness, particularly on the west side which had a mottled, tattered appearance.
24" (7/23/14): using 375x, moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, ~25"x18". Contains an extremely small nucleus that appears offset to the north side. The eastern component is merged, except for a small, thin extension that juts out to the south on the southeastern side. A mag 15 star lies 0.8' W.
24" (6/28/14): at 375x, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 30"x20", contains a quasi-stellar nucleus and mottled core that is slightly displaced to the north side. The two components were not clearly resolved.
18" (7/12/10): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.9'x0.3', fairly even surface brightness except at 285x and 335x there was a very faint, slightly brighter "bulge" or knot on the west side (VV 86a) in the direction of a faint star 45" W. On the SDSS, this is a highly disrupted system with jets or knots of material appearing to shoot out on the west side.
17.5" (5/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval ~N-S, bright core. Appears asymmetric as the galaxy is brighter on the west side. The POSS reveals this is an attached contact system (Arp 209). A mag 14.5 star is 1' W.
13.1" (7/5/83): faint, small, round, even surface brightness. In line with two mag 12/13 stars equally spaced.
8" (7/5/83): extremely faint, very small, at visual threshold.
Albert Marth found NGC 6052 = m302 on 2 Jul 1864 and recorded "F, about 1' diameter, irr R, ??III. 140 [NGC 6064]."
William Herschel discovered H. III-140 = NGC 6064 on 11 Jun 1784 (sweep 225), but his position was 1 min 47 sec of RA too large, so Marth was uncertain if H. III-140 was the same nebula. douard Stephan observed this galaxy on at least 5 nights (first on 14 Jun 1871) likely aware of Marth's and Herschel's discovery. Dreyer concluded in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" that this number "is no doubt = NGC 6052 (Marth 302). Herschel did not observe the neb in the centre of the field but applies a correction of -0.7m, which appears to have been too small."
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NGC 6053 = NGC 6057 = MCG +03-41-106 = CGCG 108-130 = PGC 57090
16 05 32.5 +18 09 34; Her
V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 40”
See observing notes for NGC 6057. RNGC misidentifies CGCG 108-129 as NGC 6053.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6053 = Sw. 3-86, along with NGC 6055, on 8 Jun 1886 and recorded "eeeF, S, R, ee diff; 1st of 4". His position is 8 seconds of RA west and 1.5' south of UGC 10191, which is a similar offset from his position for NGC 6055 and CGCG 108-130. Swift likely discovered NGC 6053 just 2 nights earlier, and it was also catalogued as NGC 6057. So, NGC 6053 = NGC 6057 = UGC 10191. See notes on NGC 6057.
Most modern catalogues ignore the number NGC 6053, assigning NGC 6055 to UGC 10191 and NGC 6057 to CGCG 108-130. RNGC misidentifies CGCG 108-129 as NGC 6053. This galaxy is roughly 6' south of the pair.
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NGC 6054 = IC 1183 = MCG +03-41-103 = CGCG 108-128 = PGC 57086
16 05 38.1 +17 46 04; Her
V = 14.5; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 70”
48" (5/15/12): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, oval 4:3 WSW-ENE, 20"x15". Located 1.0' NE of a mag 12.6 star with a mag 16 star 1' S. Brighter IC 1182 lies 2.1' NNW, fainter PGC 1541356 is 40" NE and MCG +03-41-099 (often identified as NGC 6054) is 1.8' W. NGC 6054 is identified as IC 1183 in most sources
17.5" (5/13/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated. Located 1.0' NE of a mag 12.5 star. An extremely faint galaxy (MCG +03-41-099) is 1.5' W with IC 1182 2.1' NNW. Member of AGC 2151.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6054 = Sw. 4-27 on 27 Jun 1886, along with several other members of the Hercules Galaxy Cluster. His description reads "eeeF; pS; lE; f * v nr sp; 9th of 10." His position is 13 seconds west of CGCG 108-128 = PGC 57073 (similar offset as NGC 6043, 6045, 6047, 6050) and his comment "faint star very near south-preceding" applies (the star is 1' southwest).
His position, though, happens to fall closer to fainter CGCG 108-121, and MCG, PGC and RNGC misidentify CGCG 108-121 as NGC 6054. But if this was the case, the star would be southeast and he would have picked up brighter CGCG 108-121 in any case. NGC 6054 was independently found and measured by Bigourdan on 1 Jun 1888 and again by Stephane Javelle on 11 Aug 1892. Dreyer combined these two observations as IC 1183. So, NGC 6054 = IC 1183 = PGC 57073.
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NGC 6055 = MCG +03-41-106 = CGCG 108-130 = PGC 57090
16 05 39.6 +18 09 52; Her
V = 14.7; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4
18" (7/13/07): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, very small or stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with brighter NGC 6057 just 1.7' WSW in the northern part of the Hercules Galaxy Cluster.
17.5" (6/14/96): extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, low even surface brightness. Situated in the northeast portion of AGC 2151 1.7' ENE of brighter NGC 6057. Several faint galaxies lie northeast.
17.5" (5/28/89): extremely faint and small, round. Forms a close pair with NGC 6057 1.7' WSW in the northern region of AGC 2151.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6055 = Sw. 3-87 on 8 Jun 1886 and logged "eeeF; S; R; ee diff; 2nd of 4 [with N6053, N6056 and N6057]. Although his description is not of much help, his position is 5 seconds of time east of NGC 6053, also discovered the same night. Assuming NGC 6053 refers to UGC 10191, this implies NGC 6055 = CGCG 108-130. This contradicts modern sources, which apply NGC 6055 to UGC 10191 and NGC 6057 to CGCG 108-130. It also places NGC 6057 and NGC 6053 out of order in RA, but agrees with the historical record. See notes on NGC 6057 for more on these numbers.
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NGC 6056 = IC 1176 = MCG +03-41-100 = CGCG 108-122 = PGC 57075
16 05 31.3 +17 57 49; Her
V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 56”
24" (8/1/19): at 324x; moderately bright, fairly small, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, 0.9'x0.6', bright core. PGC 57070 is 2' S and MCG +03-41-096 is 3.4' SSW.
PGC 57070: extremely faint (V = 15.5), very small, slightly elongated, 18"x12".
MCG +03-41-096: very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 24"x12". A very faint mag 16.1 star is 28" SE of center.
18" (7/13/07): faint, small, round, 25" diameter, broad and very weak concentration.
17.5" (5/13/88): faint, small, round, broad concentration. Forms a pair with MCG +03-41-096 3' SSW. This is one of the brighter galaxies in AGC 2151.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6056 = Sw. 3-88 on 8 Jun 1886 and recorded "eeeF; pS; R; ee diff; 3rd of 4 [with NGC 6053, 6055 and 6061 in the Hercules Cluster]. His position is 1.5' south of CGCG 108-122 = PGC 57075. Swift "discovered" this galaxy again exactly two years later and recorded Sw. 7-69 = IC 1176 as "eeF; pS; iR; pB star near south." The positions for Swift's two observations are nearly identical and his description of VII-69 clearly applies to CGCG 108-122. So, NGC 6056 = IC 1176.
CGCG and MCG label this galaxy as IC 1176, though the NGC designation should apply by prior discovery.
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NGC 6057 = NGC 6053 = UGC 10191 = MCG +03-41-101 = CGCG 108-123 = PGC 57076
16 05 32.6 +18 09 34; Her
V = 13.9; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 40”
18" (7/13/07): faint, small, irregularly round, 30"x25". Brighter of a pair with NGC 6055 1.7' ENE in the northeast section of the Hercules Galaxy Cluster.
17.5" (6/14/96): very faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 45"x30". Situated in the NE corner of AGC 2151 with NGC 6055 1.7' ENE, IC 1189 7' ENE, MCG +03-41-115 6' ENE, UGC 10195 6' NE and NGC 6061 12' NE.
17.5" (5/28/89): very faint, very small, almost round, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is 40" WSW. Forms a pair with NGC 6055 1.7' ENE in AGC 2151.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6057 = Sw. 3-89 on 6 Jun 1886 and recorded "eeeF; eS; R." His position is 2' south of the pair UGC 10191 and CGCG 108-130. Two nights later he found Sw. 3-86 = NGC 6053 and Sw. 3-87 = NGC 6055 nearby and assumed they were different. But there are only two reasonably bright galaxies, UGC 10191 and CGCG 108-130, close to his three positions. Assuming he picked up the brighter of these two galaxies on the first night, then NGC 6057 = UGC 10191. Two nights later he logged both galaxies and placed them 5 seconds apart in RA (the actual separation is 7 seconds). This implies NGC 6053 = NGC 6057 = UGC 10191 (observed both nights) and NGC 6055 = CGCG 108-130 (observed only on the 8th of June). After an email exchange in Nov 2014 with Harold Corwin, he concurs with these identifications.
This changes the standard identification in modern catalogues (UGC, MCG, CGCG, RNGC) that NGC 6055 = UGC 10191 and NGC 6057 = CGCG 108-130! It also places NGC 6057 to the west of NGC 6055, an unfortunate result if we preserve the historical record.
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NGC 6058 = PK 64+48.1 = PN G064.6+48.2
16 04 26.4 +40 40 59; Her
V = 12.9; Size 24"x21"
24" (7/14/18): at 375x; bright mag 13.5 central star encased in a well defined 0.4' halo. At 500x the halo was clearly elongated N-S, ~25"x20", and slightly fainter at north and south end. A very faint mag 15.9 star is close off the north edge.
18" (7/20/06): picked up at 115x as a mag ~13.5 star surrounded by a small 20" halo. Adding an OIII filter the halo brightened significantly and increased slightly in size. Nice view at 225x as the central star and halo were both prominently displayed. At this magnification, the halo was slightly elongated NNW-SSE, roughly 25"x20" in size. At 325x, the planetary was beautifully framed within an isosceles triangle that just fits within the high power field of view. Adding a UHC filter the halo appeared irregular in surface brightness and dimmed around the periphery, perhaps extending to 30".
17.5" (5/27/00): fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 25"x20". Contains an easy mag 13.5 central star, which stands out well at all powers. At 380x, the halo appears to brighten surrounding the central star. Nicely framed within a triangle of mag 9-10 stars.
17.5" (5/30/92): fairly bright, small, 20" diameter. A bright mag 13.5 central star is easily visible. Located within a bright isosceles triangle consisting of mag 8.8 SAO 45874 4.8' NW, mag 8.7 SAO 45881 6.3' NE and a mag 10 star 3.5' S.
13.1" (7/5/83): fairly faint, small. Fairly easy central star at 166x, two stars to the north form an equilateral triangle. Can take 333x.
8" (7/5/83): at 100x, faint, very small, round, even surface brightness. At 200x, an extremely faint mag 13.5-14 central star is visible surrounded by a small faint halo. Two mag 9 stars to the north form an rough isosceles triangle.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6058 = H. III-637 = h1946 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718). He recorded "very faint, extremely small, 300x showed two very close stars affected with nebulosity, a very small star in the field with it was perfectly free from that nebulosity." John Herschel made two observations on consecutive sweeps, calling it "pB, vS, R, almost stellar or pretty suddenly brighter middle; diam 10"."
Lord Rosse assistant George Johnstone Stoney observed it on 5 May 1850 and wrote, "strongly suspect to be an annular neb with a star near the center. On 5 Apr 1851, either George Johnstone or his brother Bindon Blood wrote, "like [NGC 2392], dark ring plainer seen on preceding part of neb; vS * north, about 3/4' diam of neb off. The following part of dark ring a little broader than the preceding part." Samuel Hunter made a sketch on 9 May 1861 that was included at the last minute in the 1861 publication (Plate 28, Fig. 31].
The PN spectrum was recognized by Campbell and Moore. Based on a Crossley photograph at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported "an irregular oval fading out at ends of major axis, brightest at north and south edges; 25"x20" in pa 77”."
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NGC 6059
16 06 48 -06 23 36; Oph
= Not found, Corwin and RNGC. =**?, Gottlieb.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6059 = Sw. 3-91 on 6 May 1886 and recorded "vF; S; R." There is nothing near his position. Bigourdan claimed he found NGC 6059 12 seconds of RA after the NGC position (20 Apr 1891 Comptes Rendus), but there is nothing at his position except 3 stars 1.5' north. Jeff Corder suggested NGC 6059 might apply to the faint double star about 25 seconds further west (and 1' north). In any case, there are no nearby galaxies Swift might have seen. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6060 = UGC 10196 = MCG +04-38-025 = CGCG 137-036 = LGG 403-002 = PGC 57110
16 05 52.0 +21 29 05; Her
V = 13.1; Size 2.0'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 105”
17.5" (5/28/89): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated WNW-ESE, large brighter core, fainter extensions.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6060 = St. 7-3 on 31 May 1869 and logged a rough unpublished position (3.5' too far north). He measured another position on 23 May 1871, which was 2' to the S. On 18 Jun 1876 he recorded an accurate micrometric position with description "extremely faint, elongated, small bright core."
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NGC 6061 = UGC 10199 = MCG +03-41-118 = CGCG 108-145 = PGC 57137
16 06 16.0 +18 15 00; Her
V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 95”
24" (8/1/19): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 35" diameter, small bright core, occasional faint stellar nucleus. Forms a near equilateral triangle with two mag 10.5 star 2.8' S and 3.1' SW.
24" (6/14/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 36" diameter, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms the northern vertex of a near perfect rhombus (sides 3') with three mag 10.5-11 stars to the south. Several galaxies are nearby including IC 1189 4' due south, IC 1191 3' ENE and UGC 10195 6' WSW.
18" (7/13/07): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 36" diameter, weak concentration. Collinear with two mag 10.5-11 stars 2.8' and 6' S. Two additional mag 10.5 and 11.5 stars form a striking "Y" asterism to the south of NGC 6061.
17.5" (6/14/96): faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, 0.8' diameter, very weak concentration. Forms the north vertex of a near perfect rhombus (of sides 3') with three mag 10-11 stars in the NE corner of AGC 2151. IC 1189 lies 4.0' S
17.5" (5/28/89): faint, small, round, small bright core. Four bright stars form an upside down "Y" asterism just south including a mag 11 star 2.9' SE and two mag 10 stars 3.1' SW and 2.8' S. Located in the northern region of AGC 2151 with IC 1190: = UGC 10195 6' WSW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6061 = Sw. 3-90 on 8 Jun 1886 and recorded "eeeF; S; R; ee diff; 4th of 4 [with NGC 6053, 6055 and 6056]; 4 B stars south with the nebula form a cross like cross in Cygnus. Neb. placed as is Deneb Cygni." His position is just 4 seconds west of UGC 10199 and his description matches (three brighter stars just south form a parallelogram).
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NGC 6062 = UGC 10202 = MCG +03-41-125 = CGCG 108-148 = Holm 728a = PGC 57145
16 06 22.7 +19 46 40; Her
V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 10”
24" (6/13/15): at 260x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, ~36"x27", broad weak concentration but no distinct nucleus. Four brighter stars are in the field including mag 9.8 SAO 101926 4' NW and mag 9.0 HD 144621 5' SW.
Forms a close (physical) pair with NGC 6062B = MCG +03-41-122 just 1.2' SW. At 375x the companion appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 12"-15" diameter, only visible occasionally. It is situated directly on a line with HD 144621 to the southwest.
17.5" (5/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, weak concentration, fairly diffuse.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6062 = St. 13-84 on 23 May 1871 and logged an initial position 3' to the S. A second position on 19 Jun 1876 was accurate to within 1'. His published position was made 13 years later on 20 Jun 1884 with description "extremely faint, round, very little condensation, seems resolvable."
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NGC 6063 = UGC 10210 = MCG +01-41-012 = CGCG 051-045 = PGC 57205
16 07 13.1 +07 58 44; Ser
V = 13.1; Size 1.7'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 159”
17.5" (5/13/88): fairly faint, moderately large, diffuse, even surface brightness, elongated NW-SE. Bracketed by a mag 14 star 1.8' NNE and a mag 14.5 star 2.3' SW.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6063 = St. 12-80 on 3 May 1870. His unpublished position was less than 1' S of center. His accurate published position was made 12 years later on 10 Jun 1882 with description "faint, round, about 1' diameter, very little concentration."
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NGC 6064 = NGC 6052 = UGC 10182 = MCG +04-38-022 = CGCG 137-032 = VV 86 = Mrk 297 = Arp 209 = PGC 57039
16 05 13.2 +20 32 33; Her
V = 13.0; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 171”
See observing notes for NGC 6052.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6064 = H. III-140 on 11 Jun 1784 (sweep 225). He recorded "vF, vS, r, 240 verified it; np a pB star, with another equally B st in the field sp the former; also several eS stars in the field." There is nothing near his position and Bigourdan failed to find H. III-140. But 1 min 47 sec of RA preceding his position is NGC 6052, which was discovered by Marth and also observed by douard Stephan on at least 5 occasions. Dreyer concludes in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" that this number "is no doubt = NGC 6052 (Marth 302). H[erschel] did not observe the neb in the centre of the field but applies a correction of -0.7m, which appears to have been too small." Karl Reinmuth, Dorothy Carlson and Harold Corwin concur that NGC 6052 = NGC 6064.
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NGC 6065 = MCG +02-41-008 = CGCG 079-051 = PGC 57215
16 07 22.9 +13 53 16; Ser
V = 13.9; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2
17.5" (5/13/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core. Collinear with two unequal double stars due east; an unequal mag 10/14 double at 21" is 2' E and a mag 10/13 double at 29" is 4' E. Forms a pair with NGC 6066 4.5' NNE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6065 = Sw. 9-53, along with NGC 6066, on 19 Jun 1887 and recorded "eeF; vS; R; D * follows point to it; sp of 2 [with NGC 6066]." The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer (indicated as list 6 in the NGC), but Swift didn't publish the discovery until 1890 in his 9th discovery list. The NGC positions (communicated directly to Dreyer) are good but Swift's published declinations for NGC 6065 and 6066 are reversed. See Harold Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 6066 = CGCG 079-054 = PGC 57230
16 07 35.3 +13 56 37; Ser
V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3
17.5" (5/13/88): faint, small, round, small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 6065 4.5' SSW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6066 = Sw. 9-54, along with NGC 6065, on 19 Jun 1887 and recorded "eeF; vS; R; 2 pB stars near south both double; nf of 2 [with NGC 6065]." The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer (indicated as list 6 in the NGC) in 1887, but wasn't published until 1890 in his 9th list, where he accidentally switched the declinations.
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NGC 6067 = Cr 298 = ESO 178-012
16 13 11 -54 13 06; Nor
V = 5.6; Size 13'
25" (10/27/22 - OzSky): at 244x; spectacular view with hundreds of stars nearly filling the 25' field from edge to edge. The cluster contains numerous pairs and curving strings including a fairly bright double star (HJ 4835 = 8.6/9.1 at 10") a bit south of center with yellow or orange-hued components. A much fainter third component (not in WDS) is ~10" S of the secondary. A denser central "core" is ~15' in diameter with many brighter stars forming a "halo".
22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): this stunning cluster was partially resolved in my 15x50 IS binoculars. At 110x a few hundred stars were resolved and formed a gorgeous group. A striking 11" pair (HJ 4835 = 8.6/9.1) is in the center. The western star is the classical Cepheid V340 Nor (8.3-8.6) and displays a noticeable orange color . Just south of the eastern star is a fainter, third close companion. Several other pairs are in the vicinity including a 12" pair of 10th mag stars 1' E (C/D components). The cluster is compressed in the center with a number of curving chains and loops of stars that appear to spiral out into the periphery. Located 25' N of mag 5 Kappa Normae.
18" (7/6/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 76x (27 Panoptic), this cluster was a stunning sight with a few hundred stars sparkling in a 20' region. NGC 6067 appeared comparable to one of the richer Messier clusters. The cluster is compressed towards the center and thins out in the periphery, blending in with the rich, surrounding Milky Way. The cluster includes a few striking pairs with a bright mag 8.6/9.1 pair at 10" nearly in the center. The duo is collinear with a much closer and fainter equal mag pair. At 228x, the cluster appeared much more irregular and most of the stars seemed to be arranged in elegant loops and chains that enclosed starless holes in the cluster.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): At 83x, in excess of 100 stars mag 8-12 in a 20' diameter. Very bright, large, very rich, compressed towards the core, which includes a striking double star at center (HJ 4835 = 8.8/9.4 at 10"). Many stars are arranged in spirals and arcs, rich in faint stars. The brightest mag 7.8 star is located at the south edge with a mag 8 star off the east edge. This is a beautiful open cluster in the rich Norma starcloud!
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6067 = D 360 = h3619 on 8 May 1826. His description (based on 5 observations) reads, "a pretty large cluster of small stars of mixed magnitudes, about 12' diameter; the stars are considerably congregated towards the centre, extended south preceding and north following."
John Herschel made 3 observations: On 9 Jul 1834 (sweep 469) he recorded "the chief star in middle of a most superbly rich and large cluster, 20' at least in diameter, as it much more than fills field; not much compressed in the middle, stars 10..12th mag." In Apr 1836 (sweep 694) he wrote, "place of a neat double star in centre of a superb cluster; very large and rich; composed of equal stars 12th mag, a fine object, Much more than fills field."
In 1962, Andrew David Thackeray studied the cluster with the 64-inch at Pretoria, South Africa, and reported "The contrast in colours of blue and red stars can be readily perceived [visually] with the Radcliffe 64-inch reflector, and the cluster perhaps deserves the desigmation "jewel-box" even more than k Crucis which contains only one bright red star.""
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NGC 6068 = UGC 10126 = MCG +13-11-019 = CGCG 354-031 = CGCG 355-005 = Holm 727a = PGC 56388
15 55 26.5 +78 59 48; UMi
V = 12.8; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 155”
17.5" (5/14/88): moderately bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, small bright core. Follows a triangle of mag 13-14 stars 0.8' SSW, 1.3' NW and 2.5' WSW.
Forms a close pair with NGC 6068A 2.0' WSW. The companion appeared faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, brighter core. Can hold steadily with direct vision. Located along the south side of a small triangle of mag 13-14 stars.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6068 = H. III-973 on 6 Dec 1801 (sweep 1104). He recorded "very faint, small, little extended in the meridian [N-S], resolvable." Herschel's position is 2.3' SSE of UGC 10126 (within is typical errors), though he missed NGC 6068A.
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NGC 6069 = MCG +07-33-043 = CGCG 223-042 = PGC 57237
16 07 41.7 +38 55 51; CrB
V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (6/24/95): very faint, very small, round. Shows a weak concentration to a slightly brighter core and faint stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is 40" SW of center. There are two bright stars in the field; mag 8.9 SAO 65098 9' S and mag 7.7 SAO 65093 7' SW.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6069 = St. 12-81 on 21 Jun 1871. His initial position was 2' too far E. His published micrometric position was made exactly 11 years later (21 Jun 1882) with description "vF stellar nucleus surrounded by faint nebulosity; very small; round."
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NGC 6070 = UGC 10230 = MCG +00-41-004 = CGCG 023-017 = LGG 404-001 = Holm 729a = PGC 57345
16 09 58.6 +00 42 32; Ser
V = 11.8; Size 3.5'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 62”
48" (5/9/18): at 375x (poor seeing); NGC 6070B is a close double system 4' NE of NGC 6070. The cores were easily resolved at 16" separation N-S. The southern component (NGC 6070B NED2) was larger and appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.4' diameter, small bright core. The northern component (NGC 6070B NED1) was also fairly faint and round, but smaller - about 15" diameter. The pair is located 4.3' NE of NGC 6070.
NGC 6070C, just 1.3' NE [PA 35”], was brighter than either component of NGC 6070B. It appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, 18" diameter, moderately high surface brightness. These three galaxies share a similar redshift of z = .042, which is far in the background of NGC 6070.
24" (6/28/14): fairly bright, large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 2'x1', contains a large brighter core, fades out around the periphery. A very faint "star" seen near the northeast tip is actually a compact HII region labeled as region IV in the 2010 paper. Located 8' SE of mag 6.7 HD 145204.
NGC 6070 is the brightest in a trio with NGC 6070B = CGCG 023-018 (double) 4.2' NE and NGC 60670C = PGC 1175364 5.6' NE. NGC 6070B appeared very faint, small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, low surface brightness. This is a close double system and the noted elongation implies both systems were visible, but not individually resolved. NGC 6070C was extremely faint, very small, round, 12" diameter. The fainter companions are much more distant at ~590 million l.y., compared to NGC 6070 (~100 million l.y.).
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly bright, large, oval 2:1 SW-NE, broad moderate concentration. Brightest of trio with NGC 6070B 4.3' NE and 6070C 5.6' NE. Located 7.9' SW of mag 7 SAO 121396.
13.1" (6/4/83): fairly large, diffuse, elongated ~E-W, almost even surface brightness. A mag 7 star is 7' N.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6070 = H. III-553 = h1947 on 3 May 1786 (sweep 562) and recorded "cF, iF, 4 or 5' long, 2 or 3' broad." John Herschel called this galaxy "F; L; pmE; very gradually brighter middle; 2 1/2' long." douard Stephan made an observation on 3 May 1878, the last 29 galaxies recorded that night, as well as 20 Jun 1878.
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NGC 6071 = MCG +12-15-047 = CGCG 338-041 = PGC 56767
16 02 07.0 +70 25 01; UMi
V = 14.0; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.7
17.5" (3/28/87): faint, small, round, weak concentration. Forms a pair with CGCG 338-039 4' SW. Located 13' SE of NGC 6071. A bright unequal double star 0··143 = 6.7/9.3 at 47" lies 17' SE. This galaxy was identified as NGC 6071 by Harold Corwin, but is not identified as NGC 6071 in any other catalogue except NED. (R)NGC 6071 = UGC 10157 lies 13' NW.
17.5" (4/18/87): faint, small, round, brighter core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6071 = H. III-883 on 6 May 1791 (sweep 1005) and noted "eF, vS, 300 verified it." Caroline's reduced position is 1 tmin east and 1.5' south of CGCG 338-041 = PGC 56767 and Harold Corwin identifies this galaxy with NGC 6071. Corwin also notes that his relative position from NGC 6079 (the next object in the sweep) points to PGC 56767.
UGC, PGC, HyperLeda, etc. misidentify UGC 10157 as NGC 6071.
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NGC 6072 = PK 342+10.1 = PN G342.1+10.8 = ESO 389-15 = Hb 3
16 12 58.1 -36 13 48; Sco
V = 11.3; Size 70"
18" (7/22/06): viewed unfiltered at 225x, 325x and 435x as a moderately bright, round, 1' disc of irregular surface brightness. The disc appeared mottled with slightly darker and brighter regions though I couldn't definitively say it was annular. Inside the rim there appeared to be a darker zone or darker patches that did not extend all the way to the center. In fact, the very center appeared to brighten very slightly.
17.5" (6/30/00): at 280x using a UHC filter this southerly PN appeared fairly bright, round, 60" diameter. The surface brightness was uneven with an irregularly brighter rim and a slightly darker center.
13.1" (4/10/86): moderately bright and large, roundish, 1.0' diameter, fairly prominent with a UHC filter at 166x. No structure at 332x although this planetary is far south for viewing from northern California.
8" (6/19/82): faint, fairly small, round.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6072 = h3620 on 7 Jun 1837 and recorded "pF; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; 60"; with left eye slightly mottled; but not resolved."
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NGC 6073 = UGC 10235 = MCG +03-41-139 = CGCG 108-160 = Holm 731a = LGG 43-011 = PGC 57353
16 10 10.8 +16 41 58; Her
V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 130”
17.5" (5/28/89): faint, fairly small, oval NW-SE, broad weak concentration and has a fairly even surface brightness overall.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6073 = H. III-74 = h1948 on 21 Mar 1784 (sweep 183) and noted "vF, S, r. Pointed out by 157 and verified at 240." His position was 2' to the NNE of UGC 10235. It was looked for once at Birr Castle, but not found.
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NGC 6074 = MCG +02-41-015 = MCG +02-41-016 = CGCG 079-075 = PGC 57418 = PGC 57419
16 11 17.2 +14 15 32; Her
V = 14.3; Size 0.2'x0.2'; Surf Br = 10.7
24" (7/24/14): this contact pair was nearly tangent at 260x and barely resolved at 375x. The brighter component, MCG +02-41-016, is on the N end and appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter. The fainter component, MCG +02-41-015, is attached at the SSW end (just 15" between centers!) and was very faint, round, 9" diameter. Located 1.0' ENE of a mag 11.9 star. NGC 6078, another close double system, lies 12' ESE.
2MFGC 13014, located 3.7' NE, appeared extremely faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 15"x8". At B = 17.3, it required averted vision to glimpse.
17.5" (5/28/89): very faint, very small, round. A mag 12 star is 1.0' WSW. An extremely faint anonymous companion is at south end 15" from the center. NGC 6078 lies 12' ESE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6074 = St. 7-4 on 18 Jun 1876 with a follow up observation the next night. His micrometric position is an exact match with the northern component of this double system.
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NGC 6075 = IC 4594 = MCG +04-38-038 = VV 380 = CGCG 137-055 = PGC 57426
16 11 22.6 +23 57 53; Her
V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 93”
17.5" (5/28/89): faint, very small, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus. Located 8' N of mag 8.8 SAO 84237.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6075 = St. 12-82 on 27 Jun 1881 (date the position was reduced). Stephane Javelle found the galaxy again on 20 Jul 1903, but he reversed the sign on the declination offset from his comparison star so his position for J. III-1393 (later IC 4594) is in error. Once corrected, it is clear that IC 4594 = NGC 6075.
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NGC 6076 = UGC 10253 = MCG +05-38-023 = CGCG 167-034 = PGC 57409
16 11 13.3 +26 52 21; CrB
V = 14.4; Size 1.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 63”
24" (6/14/15): at 225x; this double system appeared faint to fairly faint, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 24"x12". At 375x, the elongated glow occasionally resolved into two extremely small nuclei within a common halo. The fainter eastern component (NGC 6076 NED2) is listed in HyperLeda as LEDA 200331. Located just 1.7' SE of mag 7.5 HD 145676. Slightly brighter NGC 6077 lies 3' N.
17.5" (7/15/93): very faint, very small, round. Forms a pair with NGC 6077 3.5' N. Located 2' SE of mag 7.3 SAO 84233. A mag 14 star is 45" NE. This double system was not resolved.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6076 = m 303, along with NGC 6077, on 24 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, S, E." His position was accurate. Stephan made an observation on 11 Jun 1869, with a rough position 3' to the SE.
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NGC 6077 = UGC 10254 = MCG +05-38-024 = CGCG 167-035 = PGC 57408
16 11 14.1 +26 55 24; CrB
V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5
24" (6/14/15): slightly brighter of a pair with NGC 6076 (double system) 3.0' S. At 260x it appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 24" diameter, small bright core increases to the center. The pair of galaxies flank mag 7.5 HD 145676 with NGC 6077 2.3' NE of the bright star.
17.5" (7/15/93): brighter of a pair with NGC 6076 3.5' S. Faint, small, round, broad concentration. Located 2.5' NE of a mag 7.3 star.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6077 = m 304, along with NGC 6076, on 24 Jun 1864 and noted "F, suddenly brighter middle." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6078 = MCG +02-41-017 = CGCG 079-076 = PGC 57460
16 12 05.4 +14 12 32; Her
V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.9'
24" (7/24/14): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, increases to a very small bright core and down to a stellar nucleus. This is dominant component of a very close pair with MCG +02-41-018 attached to the SSE side, just 25" between centers! The companion appeared faint, very small, round, 12" diameter, occasional stellar nucleus. The pair was just resolved at 260x. NGC 6074, another double system, lies 12' WNW. NGC 6078 is the brightest in the USGC U751 group at z = .032, which includes NGC 6074, NGC 6083, UGC 10287 and CGCG 079-073.
UGC 10287, located 29' ENE, appeared fairly faint, irregular oval ~3:2 SW-NE, ~45"x30", relatively large brighter central region that was brighter along the central axis (this is the bar) and an ill-defined low surface brightness halo that faded out. A mag 13.5 star is 45" E of center.
17.5" (5/28/89): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, substellar nucleus. Two mag 14-15 stars are 1.1' WNW and 1.3' NNW of center. Located 5.9' SE of mag 9.3 SAO 101996. NGC 6074 is 12' WNW.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6078 = St. 7-5 on 17 Jun 1876 with a follow up observation two nights later. His micrometric position was accurate (recorded on 21 Jun).
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NGC 6079 = IC 1200 = UGC 10206 = MCG +12-15-050 = CGCG 338-043 = PGC 56946
16 04 29.0 +69 40 05; UMi
V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 150”
17.5" (3/28/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, brighter core. A mag 14 star is 1.1' SSE. Forms a pair with IC 1201 7.7' SE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6079 = H. III-884 on 6 May 1791 (sweep 1005) and noted "vvF, vS, 300 verified it very plainly, and showed it of a considerable size." His position is 1 min of RA east and 2' south of UGC 10206 (similar offset as H. III 883 = NGC 6071, the previous object in the sweep). Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 18 Jul 1884 (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
Lewis Swift independently found the galaxy on 2 Aug 1888 (and discovered IC 1201 to the southeast) and included it in his 7th discovery list, #77 (later IC 1200). His position is a close match with NGC 6079, as well as his relative offset from IC 1201. Dreyer must have felt Swift's VII-77 was a new object because of the different position for H. III-884.
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NGC 6080 = UGC 10268 = MCG +00-41-007 = CGCG 023-023 = PGC 57509
16 12 58.6 +02 10 38; Ser
V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 90”
24" (6/12/15): at 225x and 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, small, slightly elongated, ~24"x18", very small bright nucleus. Forms a very close double system with PGC 93131 at the northeast edge of the halo, just 18" between centers! The physical companion (identified in NED as NGC 6080 NED02) appeared very faint to faint, extremely small, quasi-stellar (~6" diameter)
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, stellar nucleus. Forms a double system with a faint companion (PGC 93131) attached at the north end. PGC 93131 is extremely faint and small, appears as a mag 15-15.5 "star" attached at the northeast end of NGC 6080.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6080 = Sw. 6-87 on 30 Mar 1887 and recorded "pB; pS; R; mbM." His position is 6 seconds west of UGC 10268. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20-inch refractor in Denver in 1900, commented "this is accompanied by a star of mag 12.5, 20" distant at 45”, which appeared to be nebulous." The "star" is actually the compact companion PGC 93131.
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NGC 6081 = IC 1202 = UGC 10272 = MCG +02-41-019 = CGCG 079-078 = PGC 57506
16 12 56.8 +09 52 02; Her
V = 13.1; Size 1.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 131”
17.5" (5/28/89): faint, fairly small, very elongated WNW-ESE, small brighter core, very faint extensions.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6081 = St. 2-1 on 4 Jun 1869 using the 31-inch silvered glass reflector at Marseilles Observatory. His rough unpublished position was 6' too far north and he made a 1 minute error in time (RA) too large. The next night he corrected the error in RA and made another observation on 5 May 1870. On 26 Jul 1870 he measured an accurate micrometric positions and noted "very faint, small, round, bright middle.". Lewis Swift found the galaxy again on 7 Apr 1888 and reported it as new in his 7th discovery list (#79). Dreyer missed the equivalence and recatalogued the galaxy as IC 1202. So, NGC 6081 = IC 1202. Rudolph Spitaler also observed this galaxy (AN 2993).
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NGC 6082 = ESO 390-1 = IC 4597??
16 15 36 -34 15; Sco
= IC 4597??, Corwin. Not found, Dreyer and ESO. =**?, Gottlieb.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6082 = h3621 on 7 Jun 1837 and recorded "eF, E, little brighter middle, 25." There is nothing at this position and Frost reported it was not found on a plate of 4 hours exposure. A close pair of mag 15 stars at 6" separation is 1' north of his position and another small group is 1' further west. Harold Corwin suggests NGC 6082 may be identical to IC 4597, though that would require a 2 minute error in RA as well as a 7' error in declination.
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NGC 6083 = MCG +02-41-020 = CGCG 079-080 = PGC 57520
16 13 12.6 +14 11 07; Her
V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.55'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 33”
17.5" (5/28/89): extremely faint, very small, round. Surrounded by a triangle consisting of three mag 13-14 stars located 1.5' NNW, 2.4' WSW and 1.5' SE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6083 = St. 7-6 on 19 Jun 1876. His micrometric position was reduced two days later and is accurate.
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NGC 6084 = UGC 10291 = MCG +03-41-143 = CGCG 108-168 = PGC 57575
16 14 16.6 +17 48 27; Her
V = 13.9; Size 1.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 30”
17.5" (5/28/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated SW-NE, small faint nucleus. A mag 14 star is 39" WNW of center. Located just 1.9' NE of a mag 10 star.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6084 = Sw. 3-92 on 6 Jun 1886 and logged "eeeF, pS, R, eee diff." There is nothing at his position, but 1.1 minutes east is UGC 10291 (same declination), the only nearby candidate. Assuming this is Swift's object, it's odd he didn't mention the bright mag 10 star close southwest.
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NGC 6085 = UGC 10269 = MCG +05-38-034 = CGCG 167-044 = PGC 57486
16 12 35.2 +29 21 54; CrB
V = 13.2; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 165”
18" (7/28/03): fairly faint, moderately large, roundish, ~0.9' diameter, well concentrated with a suddenly brighter 20" core. The halo appears elongated or irregular at times, but the orientation is difficult to pin down. An 11th magnitude star lies 1.9' E. This galaxy is the second brightest of 9 galaxies viewed in AGC 2162 and similar NGC 6086 is located 7' N.
17.5" (5/30/92): faint, very small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, almost even surface brightness. Forms a similar pair with NGC 6086 7.2' N. These are the two brightest members of AGC 2162.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6085 = m 305 on 2 Jul 1864 and noted "F, S." His position is 1' north of UGC 10269.
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NGC 6086 = UGC 10270 = MCG +05-38-035 = CGCG 167-045 = PGC 57482
16 12 35.5 +29 29 05; CrB
V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 0”
18" (7/28/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 0.8'x0.5', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core. A mag 12.5 star is just off the NW edge, 40" from center. This galaxy is the brightest of 9 galaxies viewed in AGC 2162 with NGC 6085 7' S slightly fainter. Forms the north vertex of a right triangle with two mag 10.5 stars 3' SW and 3' S.
17.5" (5/30/92): faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, very small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star is just off the NW edge 0.7' from center. Located within a group of several fairly bright stars including three mag 10 stars, the closest being 2.8' SW. Forms a pair with NGC 6085 7.2' S and these two galaxies are the brightest members of the AGC 2162 cluster.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6086 = m 306 on 24 Jun 1864 and noted "F, vS, with stellar nucleus." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6087 = Cr 300 = Mel 141 = Lund 693
16 18 51 -57 56 06; Nor
V = 5.4; Size 12'
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): about three dozen stars mag 7-11 were resolved at 63x. Very bright, large, ~15' diameter. The cluster contains several bright stars, including S Normae (Cepheid that varies from 6.1-6.8 over 10 days) and three mag 8-9 stars just south. Many of the stars in the cluster form an arrowhead outline with the vertex at the north end. Also a bright string of stars is off the SW end of the arrowhead aligned N-S. Impressive cluster although there are no dense spots.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6087 = D 335 = h3622 on 8 May 1826. He made 3 observations and described "a group of very small stars of an irregular branched figure, 15' or 20' diameter. The central part is very thin of stars." His pubished position was 1” too far south (copying error?).
John Herschel made two observations: on 22 Apr 1835 (sweep 575) he logged "Cluster VIII class, large, loose, brilliant, irregular figure, fills field, chief star about 7th mag taken." On 9 Jul 1836 (sweep 717) he called it "Cluster VIII; large, coarse, bright, fills field, stars 7, 8, 9, 10th mag; a star about 7th mag taken."
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NGC 6088 = MCG +10-23-029 = MCG +10-23-030 = CGCG 298-013 = Holm 732a/b = PGC 57383
16 10 42.6 +57 27 59; Dra
V = 14.0; Size 0.7'x0.3'; PA = 138”
24" (6/28/14): at 375x appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, ~25"x15", weak concentration with no defined core or nucleus. Forms a very close double with MCG +10-23-030 = PGC 57384 at the southeast edge [22" between centers]. The companion was seen as an extremely faint glow, very small, ~12" diameter. In moments of good seeing, it was barely detached from NGC 6088. The two components form a physical pair at roughly 245 million l.y.
17.5" (6/15/91): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, weak concentration. Located 6.6' E of mag 8.6 SAO 29827. This is a double system on the POSS, although in the observation the two components were not individually resolved.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6088 = H. III-812 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 928) and noted "vF, vS, lE." His RA (Caroline's reduction) is 30 sec preceding MCG +10-23-029/030 = PGC 57383. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 27 Apr 1886 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
This double system (oriented northwest-southeast) is listed in the RNGC as NGC 6088A and 6088B and the MCG also has two entries.
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NGC 6089 = MCG +06-36-001 = CGCG 196-091 = PGC 57491
16 12 40.5 +33 02 10; CrB
V = 13.9; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0
24" (7/1/19): at 225x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~40"x35", appears to have a brighter core/nucleus that is offset to the SW side. The galaxy forms the northern vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 13.5/14.5 stars 1.7' WSW and SSW.
At 375x; a contact companion occasionally "popped" on the NE end of the galaxy. The centers are separated by 18".
17.5" (6/24/95): faint, round, 40" diameter, weak even concentration to a slightly brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1.7' SW of center. Located 7' ESE of mag 9 SAO 65135.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6089 = H. III-889 = h1949 on 28 May 1791 (sweep 1014) and recorded "vF; S; R; very gradually little brighter middle." John Herschel made a single observation: "vF; S; R: bM".
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NGC 6090 = UGC 10267 = VV 626 = MCG +09-26-064 = CGCG 275-029 = CGCG 276-002 = Mrk 496 = I Zw 135 = WBL 610-003 = PGC 57437
16 11 40.5 +52 27 24; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 1.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8
24" (7/9/13): at 280x appeared moderately bright, fairly small, oval 4:3 SSW-NNE, 24"x18", high surface brightness. Inspection of the SDSS reveals a close double nucleus of a merged pair with very low surface brightness plumes extending SW and NE.
NGC 6090 is the last and brightest in a trio (WBL 610) with CGCG 275-28 3' W and UGC 10261 6' W. CGCG 275-28 was fairly faint, small, round, very small brighter nucleus, 15" diameter and UGC 10261 appeared fairly faint, moderately large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, 40"x30", weak concentration.
17.5" (6/15/91): faint, very small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, even surface brightness. Forms a pair with CGCG 275-028 3' W. Also nearby is UGC 10261 6' W which was not recorded. This is a close double system, though was not resolved.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6090 = Sw. 9-56 on 24 Jun 1887 and recorded "vF; S; R." His position is 8 seconds west of UGC 10267, though he missed the two companions to the west. This galaxy, itself, is a merged, interacting system with tidal tails, etc. similar to the Antenna Galaxies.
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NGC 6091 = MCG +12-15-054 = CGCG 338-047 = PGC 57242
16 07 53.0 +69 54 17; UMi
V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.6'
24" (6/14/15): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, very small bright core, 25" diameter. A mag 12 star is 1.4' NNW. IC 1204 lies 3.6' WNW.
17.5" (4/18/87): faint, small, round, weak concentration.
Edward Swift discovered NGC 6091 = Sw. 2-39 on 8 Jul 1885 and noted "vF; vS; R; * nr north." Lewis Swift's son was 14 years old at the time. Lewis credited his son with the discovery in the errata to his 6th discovery list. MCG missed identifying MCG +12-15-054 as NGC 6091
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NGC 6092
16 14 04.6 +28 07 32; CrB
= **, Harold Corwin. Not found, Malcolm Thomson =UGC 10275, RNGC and RC3
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 6092 = Big. 77 on 11 May 1885. At his Comptes Rendus position is a 10" double star with a third wide companion. Harold Corwin identifies NGC 6092 with this double star.
RNGC, PGC and other sources misidentify UGC 10275 as NGC 6092. This galaxy is 1.2 min west and 8' south of Bigourdan's position.
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NGC 6093 = M80 = ESO 516-11
16 17 02.5 -22 58 30; Sco
V = 7.3; Size 8.9'; Surf Br = 0.6
18" (7/24/06): at 325x appears bright, fairly large, round, pretty symmetrical appearance, contains a blazing 1.5' core in a 5' to 6' halo. At 435x the halo and the periphery of the core are well resolved into roughly 100 stars and additional extremely faint stars pop in and out of visibility. The core itself is overlayed with a number of faint stars. Beautiful view at 565x as the cluster nearly fills the 7' field with 100-150 stars from edge to edge and the core region is well resolved. The cluster appears asymmetric with the halo more extensive to the west (core offset to the east). Mag 8.5 HD 146457 is at the NE edgeo of the halo.
17.5" (6/3/00): fairly bright, round, 5' diameter, well concentrated with a bright 1.5' core and an intense 30" nucleus. At 500x, the nucleus is clearly offset east of center and the outer halo is well resolved into at least 75 stars. A dim galaxy, IC 4596, lies 25' NW.
13.1" (7/5/83): contains a small intense unresolved core surrounded by fairly compact halo 5' diameter. The nucleus is offset to the east within the halo. The outer halo resolves into a few dozen faint stars over haze.
8" (7/5/83): a few faint stars resolved at moderate to high power at edges, very grainy, difficult to resolve.
Charles Messier discovered M80 = NGC 6093 = h3624 on 4 Jan 1781. William Herschel observed the globular on several of his sweeps. First on 11 May 1784 (sweep 212) his description reads "very bright, considerably large, round, brightest in the middle and the brightness diminishing very gradually, about 4' in diameter. No signs of its being resolvable but may be owing to the low situation [the altitude was less than 16']. He reobserved it on 21 May 1784 (sweep 222): "a large cluster of exceedingly small and compressed stars, about 6 or 7' in dia; a great many of the stars are visible, the rest so small as to appear nebulous; those that are visible are of one size and are scattered all over equally. The cluster is of an iR form." William Herschel later commented about M80: "one of the richest and most compressed clusters of small stars I remember to have seen, is situated just on the west border of it ("a performation or Hole in the body of the Scorpion", based on star gauges) and would almost authorize a suspicion that the stars of which it is composed were collected from that place, and had left the vacancy."
John Herschel observed M80 on 24 May 1835 (sweep 588): "Glob. Cl.; very much compressed in the middle; pretty suddenly very much brighter middle; diam 12.0'; st = 14 m; all resolved. Fine object."
Arthur von Auwers discovered a nova (T Sco = Nova Scorpii 1860) in M80 on 21 May 1860 at Konigsberg Observatory. The magnitude was estimated between 6.5 and 7.0, as bright as the entire cluster. It was seen by N.R. Pogson on 28 May, while observing the variables R and S Sco, which share the same field. He reported being startled by the appearance of a mag 7.6 star in the place of the cluster! Pogson assumed it was a new variable precisely along our line of sight to M80. T Sco is probably the first known variable star to be associated with a cluster.
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NGC 6094 = UGC 10228 = MCG +12-15-052 = CGCG 338-045 = PGC 57167
16 06 33.9 +72 29 40; UMi
V = 13.2; Size 1.8'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 120”
17.5" (5/14/88): faint, very small, round, bright core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6094 = H. III-314 on 16 Mar 1785 (sweep 389). This was the first night he swept with the telescope pointing north (above the pole), instead of south. He recorded "eF, vS, lE, may be only a patch of a few eF small stars." His position is 8' SE of UGC 10228, the only nearby galaxy. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 1 May 1886 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 6095 = UGC 10265 = MCG +10-23-033 = CGCG 298-014 = PGC 57411
16 11 11.2 +61 16 04; Dra
V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (6/15/91): faint, fairly small, round, fairly weak even concentration down to a small bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Very symmetrical appearance.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6095 = Sw. 3-93 on 27 May 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; R; in line with 2 stars. His position is 13 seconds west and 1.8' south of UGC 10265 and the two stars in line are equally spaced to the east.
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NGC 6096 = MCG +05-38-044 = CGCG 167-057 = Holm 735a = PGC 57598
16 14 46.7 +26 33 32; CrB
V = 14.3; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 122”
17.5" (7/24/95): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very weak even concentration with a slightly brighter core. Located 2.1' NE of mag 9.4 SAO 84259. A mag 15 star is 1' SW midway between the mag 9 star and the galaxy.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6096 = m 307 on 24 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, vS, R, bM." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6097 = MCG +06-36-007 = CGCG 196-011 = PGC 57583
16 14 26.2 +35 06 33; CrB
V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 156”
17.5" (6/27/87): faint, very small, round, small brighter core. Located 13.6' ESE of mag 7.5 SAO 65158 in Zwicky Cluster 1615.8+3505.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6097 = St. 11-42 on 13 Jun 1871 and measured an initial position 2' to the NNE. His published micrometric position was made 9 years later on 7 Jun 1880 with description "nebulous star of mag 13."
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NGC 6098 = VV 192b = MCG +03-41-145 = CGCG 108-170 = PGC 57634
16 15 34.2 +19 27 42; Her
V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3
24" (7/20/17): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30"-40" diameter, well concentrated with a bright core. An extremely faint 16th magnitude star is close off the east side [24"from center]. A superimposed 15th mag star [just 7" S of center] was suspected but difficult to confirm. NGC 6098 is the northwest component of a similar contact pair of ellipticals with NGC 6099 0.6' SE. The halo of NGC 6098 seems slightly larger.
17.5" (5/28/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated, stellar nucleus. Located 10.2' WSW of mag 7.7 SAO 102051. Forms a close double system with NGC 6099 off the SE edge 36" between centers.
Truman Safford discovered NGC 6098 = Sf. 76 = Sw. 6-88, along with NGC 6099, on 24 Apr 1867. In his 1887 list (too late to be included in the main NGC table) Safford described a "double nebula, pretty faint, dist 40"." His position is off the southeast side of this close pair. Lewis Swift found the pair again on 3 Apr 1887 and recorded "eF; vS; R; B * f 41s and is n of it; F * f 16s; np of 2 [with NGC 6099]." Swift is credited with the discovery in the NGC.
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NGC 6099 = VV 192a = UGC 10299se = MCG +03-41-146 = CGCG 108-170 = PGC 57640
16 15 35.5 +19 27 11; Her
V = 13.9; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 13.9”
24" (7/20/17): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, roundish, ~30" diameter, sharply concentrated with a small very bright core, high surface brightness. NGC 6099 and 6098 form a contact pair of ellipticals with the companion just 36" NW between centers. Situated 10' SW of mag 7.8 HD 146588.
17.5" (5/28/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, stellar nucleus. Forms a very close double system with similar NGC 6098 off the NW edge and just 36" separation!
Truman Safford discovered NGC 6099 = Sf. 76 = Sw. 6-89, along with NGC 6098, on 24 Apr 1867. In his 1887 list (too late to be included in the main NGC table) Safford described a "double nebula, pretty faint, dist 40"." His position is off the southeast side of this close pair. Lewis Swift found the pair again on 3 Apr 1887 and reported it as the 89th object in his 6th discovery list: "eF; vS; R; forms D neb with above." Swift is credited with the discovery in the NGC.
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NGC 6100 = UGC 10307 = MCG +00-41-012 = CGCG 023-032 = PGC 57706
16 16 52.5 +00 50 27; Ser
V = 13.0; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 120”
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is at the east end. A wide unequal double star is 1.5' NW consisting of a mag 9.5/13 pair at 30" separation.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6100 = Sw. 4-28 on 3 Jul 1886 and recorded "eeF; vS; a B and a F * nr np. point to it; an eeF * close p; e diff.". His position is 9 seconds west and 1.7' north of UGC 10307 and his description applies, although the "eeF * close p" should read close following.
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NGC 6101 = ESO 069-004
16 25 48.5 -72 12 05; Aps
V = 9.2; Size 10.7'; Surf Br = 0.1
18" (7/6/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x; fairly large but apparently loose globular with about two dozen stars resolved and little central concentration. At 228x at least three dozen stars mag 14 and fainter stars were resolved including a clump of faint stars near the center. At this power the periphery was quite irregular and ragged with most of the brighter resolved stars hugging close to the edges of the halo. A group of brighter mag 11 field stars are just off the NNE side. A mag 10 star lies 8' NW of center and a similar star is placed 7' SE. Located 28' SE of a mag 6.7 star.
18" (7/5/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x appears moderately bright, fairly large, round, 4'-5' diameter. This globular had an unusual appearance, as there was only a weak concentration except for a very small brighter nucleus. At 228x, many mag 14-15 stars were superimposed over the background glow, while a number of faint stars huddled around the edges of the halo. Several of the faint, resolved stars reside very near the center and togethers they may have formed the "very small brighter nucleus" I noticed at only 128x.
12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): at 140x this moderately faint globular spans ~4' diameter with just a weak concentration. A scattering of mag 14 stars peppered the face of the cluster and at the edges of the irregular halo.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6101 = D 68 = h3623 on 1 Jun 1826 from his backyard observatory in Paramatta NSW. He described "A pretty large rather faint round nebula, about 3.5' or 4' diameter, a little brighter in the middle. There is a very small nebula on the N.p. side joining the margin of the large nebula." The "very small nebula on the N.p. side" is probably a few 12th magnitude stars. Dunlop's position was off by a relatively small 4'.
On 18 Jun 1835 (sweep 598), John Herchel recorded "Globular cluster, large, faint, round, very gradually a little brighter in the middle, all resolved into stars 15..18th mag, 4' diam, with stragglers. A delicate and beautiful object." A week later (sweep 605) he called it "pretty bright, large, irregularly round, gradually brighter in the middle, resolved into stars 13..16th mag; pretty compressed, diam 5' or 6' by estimation, approx. 50 seconds in RA. A fine object."
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NGC 6102 = UGC 10300 = MCG +05-38-047 = CGCG 167-060 = PGC 57639
16 15 37.0 +28 09 30; CrB
V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 70”
17.5" (6/24/95): very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness. A mag 12 star lies 3.1' NNE of center.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6102 = m 308 on 24 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, S, R." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6103 = UGC 10302 = MCG +05-38-049 = CGCG 167-062 = PGC 57648
16 15 44.6 +31 57 50; CrB
V = 14.0; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 80”
17.5" (6/18/93): very faint, small, round, 30" diameter, low even surface brightness. Located on line between a mag 14 star 1.2' WNW and a mag 14.5 star 1.6' ESE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6103 = H. III-888 = h1950 on 27 May 1791 (sweep 1013). He recorded "extremely faint; very small; round; 300x showed it very plainly and of a considerable size." John Herschel described it as "vF; very gradually little brighter middle; 30...40"."
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NGC 6104 = UGC 10309 = MCG +06-36-011 = CGCG 196-020 = PGC 57684
16 16 30.8 +35 42 28; CrB
V = 13.2; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.5
24" (6/12/15): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, broad weak concentration, no nucleus. Forms a physical pair with CGCG 196-022 3.9' E. The companion appeared faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Mag 8.3 HD 146914 lies 8.3' E and mag 8.2 HD 146621 is 10' SW.
17.5" (6/27/87): faint, small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Located 8.4' W of mag 8.3 SAO 65198 in Zwicky Cluster 1615.8+3505.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6104 = H. III-688 = h1951 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 739) and recorded "vF, cS, iR." His RA was 10 seconds too large. John Herschel made two observations and measured a more accurate position.
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NGC 6105 = MCG +06-36-013 = CGCG 196-023 = WBL 612-001 = PGC 57716
16 17 09.3 +34 52 44; CrB
V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8
18" (7/13/07): faint, small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, 0.5'x0.35'. Forms a close pair with LEDA 2056058 just off the NE side. Located 2.6' SW of NGC 6107 in a large group and 2.8' SW of a mag 9 star.
17.5" (5/10/86): faint, very small, slightly elongated, small brighter core. Located 2.6' SW of NGC 6107 in cluster.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6105 = St. 11-43, along with NGC 6107, on 20 Jun 1871 and noted they differed by 12 seconds in RA and 1.5' in declination. His published micrometric position (list XI, #43) was made 9 years later on 1 Jul 1880. Stephan discovered all 7 NGC galaxies on this date though his logbook mentions 8 galaxies.
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NGC 6106 = UGC 10328 = MCG +01-41-016 = CGCG 052-001 = PGC 57799
16 18 47.3 +07 24 40; Her
V = 12.2; Size 2.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 140”
48" (5/10/18): at 375x; bright, large, elongated ~2:1 NW-SE, ~1.6'x0.8', large bright core, faint stellar nucleus. The large halo appeared as two irregular "wings", but there were no distinct spiral arms.
17.5" (5/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, gradually increases to a bright core, mottled appearance. A knot is visible on the west side (there is a brighter extension on the SW side on the POSS). A mag 15 star is 1.1' S of center and an extremely faint mag 16 star is just off the NNW end.
13.1" (7/5/83): fairly faint, fairly small, brighter core.
8" (7/5/83): very faint, small, slightly elongated N-S.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6106 = H. II-151 = h1952 on 13 Apr 1784 (sweep 191) and recorded "not vF, pL, bM, roundish, r." John Herschel's description reads "F; pL; lE; very gradually brighter middle; 50" l, 40" br."
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NGC 6107 = UGC 10311 = MCG +06-36-014 = CGCG 196-024 = WBL 612-002 = PGC 57728
16 17 20.1 +34 54 05; CrB
V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 40”
18" (7/13/07): the largest and possibly brightest of 12 members of a cluster appeared faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, broad concentration and then suddenly increased to a very small brighter nucleus. Situated just 0.9' SE of a mag 9 star that detracted from viewing. NGC 6105 and a near stellar companion lie 2.6' SW.
17.5" (5/10/86): this is the brightest member of the NGC 6107 cluster. Fairly faint, small, almost round, small bright core. A mag 9 star (SAO 65201) lies just 0.9' NNW of center! Forms a pair with NGC 6105 2.6' SW.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6107 = St. 11-44, along with NGC 6105, on 20 Jun 1871 and noted they differed by 12 seconds in RA and 1.5' in declination. His published micrometric position (list XI, #43) was made 9 years later on 1 Jul 1880.
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NGC 6108 = MCG +06-36-015 = CGCG 196-025 = WBL 612-003 = PGC 57734
16 17 25.6 +35 08 09; CrB
V = 14.3; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 124”
18" (7/13/07): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter. A 15th magnitude star is just off the WSW edge, 0.6' from center. PGC 57737 lies 2' E.
17.5" (5/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated. A mag 15 star is at the WSW edge 34" from center. This is one of the largest galaxies in the NGC 6107 cluster. NGC 6110 lies 4.7' SW and PGC 57737 is 2.0' E.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6108 = St. 11-45, along with 7 or 8 other cluster members, on 20 Jun 1871. His published micrometric position (list XI, #45) was made 9 years later on 10 Jul 1880.
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NGC 6109 = UGC 10316 = MCG +06-36-016 = CGCG 196-026 = WBL 612-004 = PGC 57748
16 17 40.5 +35 00 15; CrB
V = 12.7; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.7
18" (7/13/07): faint, small, round, 20" diameter, 20" diameter, weak concentration. Situated between NGC 6107 7.5' SSW and NGC 6110 5' N.
17.5" (5/10/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, brighter core. Member of the NGC 6107 cluster with NGC 6110 5.0' N.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6109 = St. 11-46, along with 7 or 8 other cluster members (shown on a diagram), on 20 Jun 1871. Another observation was made on 3 Jun 1878. His published micrometric position (list 11, #46) was made 9 years later on 7 Jul 1880.
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NGC 6110 = CGCG 196-027 = WBL 612-005 = PGC 57751
16 17 44.0 +35 05 13; CrB
V = 14.6; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 105”
18" (7/13/07): faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration. Slightly fainter than NGC 6112 located 3.7' NE.
17.5" (5/10/86): very faint, small, slightly elongated. In a trio with NGC 6112 3.7' ENE and an anonymous galaxy 1.9' SW, also nearby is NGC 6109 5.0' S. This is the faintest NGC galaxy in the NGC 6107 cluster.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6110 = St. 11-47, along with 7 or 8 other cluster members (shown on a diagram), on 20 Jun 1871. His published micrometric position (list XI, #47) was made 9 years later on 10 Jul 1880.
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NGC 6111 = MCG +11-20-007 = CGCG 320-014 = VII Zw 638 = PGC 57579
16 14 22.4 +63 15 38; Dra
V = 14.1; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 11”
24" (6/30/19): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, round, ~30" diameter, fairly high surface brightness. This is a double (merged) system with a double nucleus and occasionally a faint "knot" was visible on the E or SE edge (directly opposite MCG +11-20-006). Sometimes it sharpened to a small compact glow ~6" diameter. The two nuclei are separated by a mere 9".
Forms a close pair with MCG +11-20-006, just 1.2' WNW. The companion appeared faint, fairly small, round, 20" diameter, diffuse with a very low even surface brightness.
17.5" (6/24/95): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, even surface brightness. Located 4.5' NW of a mag 9.5 star. Collinear with a faint double star 3' S (13/14.5 at 18").
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6111 = Sw. 9-57 on 31 May 1887 and recorded "vF; pS; lE; D * nr south points to it." The NGC position, based on personal correspondence from Swift to Dreyer, is in error. His published position in his 9th discovery list is nearly a degree further north and corresponds with CGCG 320-014 = PGC 57579. His comment "D[ouble] * nr south points to it" clinches this identification, as a faint double star 3' south (mag 13/14.5 at 18") is collinear with the galaxy. Dreyer published a correction to Swift's position in the IC I Notes section. Bigourdan's "corrected" position from 1 May 1897 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) is wrong and corresponds with a star.
MCG and CGCG fail to label CGCG 320-014 as NGC 6111 and the first edition of the Uranometria 2000 Atlas misplots NGC 6111. RNGC misidentifies IC 1210 (10' N of Swift's original position) as NGC 6111. Coincidentally, Swift discovered IC 1210 and placed it correctly in his 9th list. The identification errors were covered in Malcolm Thomson's unpublished "Catalogue Corrections", my RNGC Corrections #5 list and Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6112 = MCG +06-36-017 = CGCG 196-028 = WBL 612-006 = PGC 57762
16 18 00.5 +35 06 37; CrB
V = 13.9; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4
18" (7/13/07): faint, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, weak concentration. This member of the NGC 6107 cluster is slightly brighter than NGC 6110 located 3.7' SW.
17.5" (5/10/86): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Member of the NGC 6107 cluster with NGC 6110 3.7' WSW.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6112 = St. 11-48, along with 7 or 8 other cluster members (shown on a diagram), on 20 Jun 1871. His published micrometric position (list XI, #48) was made 9 years later on 7 Jul 1880.
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NGC 6113 = MCG +02-41-024 = CGCG 080-004 = PGC 57807
16 19 10.5 +14 08 01; Her
V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 147”
17.5" (5/28/89): faint, very small, elongated NNW-SSE, small bright core. This galaxy is not identified as NGC 6113 in the CGCG or MCG.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6113 = Sw. 9-59 on 24 Jun 1878. His uncorrected position was 2' to the west. Stephan never published the discovery, though.
Lewis Swift rediscovered NGC 6113 on 19 Jun 1887 and recorded "eF; S; R." The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer and referenced as list 6 in the NGC, but it was not published until his 9th list (#59) in 1890. His position is 2' northeast of CGCG 080-004 = PGC 57807. Swift was credited with the discovery.
Neither CGCG nor MCG label this galaxy as NGC 6113.
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NGC 6114 = MCG +06-36-019 = CGCG 196-030 = WBL 612-008 = PGC 57784
16 18 23.6 +35 10 27; CrB
V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 100”
18" (7/13/07): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Nestled in a "W" shaped asterism of stars. Located 6' NE of NGC 6112 and 6.4' WNW of NGC 6116 in the NGC 6107 cluster.
17.5" (5/10/86): faint, small, slightly elongated. Member of the NGC 6107 cluster with NGC 6116 6.4' ESE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6114 = St. 11-49 on 20 Jun 1871. His published micrometric position (list XI, #49) was made 9 years later on 10 Jul 1880.
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NGC 6115 = ESO 226-007 = Ru 118
16 24 26 -51 56 54; Nor
V = 9.8; Size 3'
18" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 236x): ~30 stars resolved in a small 3' cluster. The brightest mag 10.8 star is at the west edge and includes a number of mag 11.5-13 stars, mostly on the east side. This cluster is unimpressive, though, as it sits in a glorious rich Norma star field that overwhelms the cluster! Ruprecht 116, a scattered group of bright stars (brightest is mag 8.6 SAO 243732), lies 10' WSW.
James Dunlop probably discovered NGC 6115 = D 379 = h3625 on 26 Jun 1826. He noted "a small faint round nebula, with a bright centre, slightly condensed to the center" and his position is just 5' NE the cluster.
John Herschel independently discovered NGC 6115 on 8 Jul 1834 (sweep 468) and recorded "A part of the milky way, so immensely rich as to be one vast cluster of clusters." His single position matches Ru 118. Sky Catalogue 2000.0 labels the cluster as Ru 118 and RNGC misclassifies the NGC 6115 as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 6116 = UGC 10336 = MCG +06-36-021 = CGCG 196-032 = WBL 612-009 = PGC 57800
16 18 54.6 +35 09 14; CrB
V = 14.3; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 12”
18" (7/13/07): faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.4', low even surface brightness. Last of a dozen galaxies viewed in the NGC 6107 cluster.
17.5" (5/10/86): faint, fairly small, broad concentration, elongated. NGC 6114 lies 6.4' WNW. Located at the east end of the NGC 6107 cluster.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6116 = St. 11-51, along with 7 or 8 other cluster members (shown on a diagram), on 20 Jun 1871. His published micrometric position (list XI, #51) was made 9 years later on 10 Jul 1880.
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NGC 6117 = UGC 10338 = MCG +06-36-022 = CGCG 196-036 = Holm 737a = PGC 57816
16 19 18.2 +37 05 43; CrB
V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8
18" (7/30/08): fairly faint, moderately large, oval N-S, 0.9'x0.65'. There appears to be a very small knot or star on the south side that may be detached. The surface is a bit mottled as if this was a face-on spiral. Located 2.6' S of a mag 9.7 star. Forms a pair with NGC 6117B = MCG +06-36-024 1.7' SSE. The companion appeared very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.
17.5" (6/27/87): very faint, small, round, weak concentration. A mag 14 star is 1.6' W of center. Located just 2.6' S of mag 9.5 SAO 65226.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6117 = m 309 on 5 Jul 1864 and noted "vF, S, R." His declination is 1' too far south.
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NGC 6118 = UGC 10350 = MCG +00-42-002 = CGCG 024-008 = PGC 57924
16 21 48.6 -02 17 03; Ser
V = 11.7; Size 4.7'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 58”
13.1" (6/4/83): moderately large, elongated WSW-ENE. This is a very diffuse object with no concentration and ill-defined edges. Located 17' SW of mag 6.2 SAO 141129 in the SE corner of Serpens Caput.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6118 = H. II-402 = h1953 on 14 Apr 1785 (sweep 400) and recorded "F, cL, E from sp to nf, about 3' l and 2' broad, r." John Herschel made a single observation on 15 Apr 1828 (sweep 146): "eF; vL; oval; 3' l, 2' br; cloudy; 3m preceding nearly in the parallel is a fine double star [STF 2033]." NGC 6118 is often mentioned as one of the most challenging objects on the Herschel 400 list.
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NGC 6119 = MCG +06-36-026 = CGCG 196-040 = PGC 57837
16 19 41.9 +37 48 23; CrB
V = 14.6; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 72”
17.5" (6/27/87): very faint, small, slightly elongated. A mag 15 star is at the south end just 19" from center. Forms a trio with NGC 6120 2.3' SE and NGC 6122 5.5' E.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6119 = h1954 on 27 Apr 1827 while observing nearby NGC 6120 and noted "vF; eS; R." His position falls closer to NGC 6120, but his relative position from NGC 6120 (7 seconds west and 100" north) is accurate.
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NGC 6120 = UGC 10343 = MCG +06-36-029 = CGCG 196-041 = I Zw 141 = Holm 739a = PGC 57842
16 19 48.0 +37 46 27; CrB
V = 13.8; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.2
17.5" (6/27/87): fairly faint, very small, almost round, even surface brightness. Located 2' N of a wide unequal double star mag 10/13 at 44". Brightest of three with NGC 6119 2.3' NW and NGC 6122 4.6' ENE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6120 = H. III-623 = h1955 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 715). He noted "very faint, very small, north of 2 stars. 300x confirmed it." John Herschel made 3 observations (first on 24 Apr 1827) and measured an accurate position. Nearby NGC 6119 and 6122 were discovered by John Herschel and Bigourdan, respectively.
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NGC 6121 = M4 = ESO 517-1
16 23 35.3 -26 31 32; Sco
V = 5.9; Size 26.3'; Surf Br = 1.1
24" (7/21/12 and 8/16/12): M4 displayed several orange/red supergiants, including the brightest star (mag 12) within the central bar. This star is situated at the northern intersection point of the bar and the partial oval ring of stars that extends mostly to the east of the bar. Another orange star is on the southwest side of the core, 4' from center. A bright, orange mag 10 star is on the SSW side of the halo, 6.5' from center. A wide, bright pair of orange stars (10.8/10.9 at 17") is SE of the bar (1.8' from center).
18" (7/12/07): at 225x, the remarkable 10' central region is bounded by a nearly complete ring of stars with a prominent string (bar) of brighter stars oriented SSW-NNE nearly bisecting the central region. The center of this ridge of stars is intersected by a dense, elongated ring of stars with major axis E-W, with the majority of the stars to the east of the bar. A wide, brighter pair of stars (10.8/10.9 at 17") to the SE of the bar has an orange tint. Sprays of stars appear to emanate from the bar in all directions with a beautiful arc of stars curving along the entire north side of the core. The outer halo is relatively sparse but includes a number of brighter stars and appears to extend 15'-18' in diameter.
17.5" (7/4/86): very bright, very large, 15' diameter. Resolved into an extremely dense swarm of several hundred stars with many stars arranged in strings. Appears fully resolved at moderate power including the distinctive bar extending N-S through the center. M4 is possibly the closest GC at a distance of 5600 light-years.
13.1" (6/19/82 and 8/16/82): the core is beautifully resolved including the bar which resolves into a number of faint stars. The halo is fully resolved with many star lanes.
8" (7/3/80): at 100x-125x; superb resolution of mag 11-13 stars. A brighter bar of stars extends N-S in the core. Somewhat straggling halo with some star-poor area.
Philippe Loys de Chseaux discovered M4 = NGC 6121 = Lac I-9 by 1745-46 from Switzerland. Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille independently discovered it in 1751-1752 with a 1/2" telescope at 8x during his observations at the Cape of Good Hope. Messier observed the cluster the 4 May 1764 and called it a "cluster of very small stars; in an inferior telescopeit appears like a nebula." M4 is the only globular that Messier described as a star cluster!
William Herschel made a few observations though didn't include M4 in his three catalogs as he avoided repeating the Messier objects. According to Steinicke, his first view was on 5 May 1783 with his new 10-foot reflector (9" aperture): "all resolved into stars. I can count a great number of them [at 250x], while others escape the eye by their minuteness." M4 was observed on sweep 223 (22 May 1784) with his 18.7". He reported "a rich cluster of considerably compressed small stars surrounded by many straggling ones. It contains a ridge of stars running through the middle from south preceding to north following. The ridge contains 8 or 10 pretty bright stars. All the stars are red." He noted in his 1814 publication that the observed red color was probably owing to the low elevation of M4, though there is one conspicuous red star in the bar. But he described several globular clusters as displaying a faint red color and he described many double stars discoveries as having a red or dusky red coloration. Perhaps this was due to his personal color perception or related to his speculum mirror.
John Herschel has no entry in his Cape of Good Hope catalogue, though he undoubtedly observed this showpiece.
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NGC 6122 = MCG +06-36-032 = PGC 57858
16 20 09.5 +37 47 53; CrB
V = 14.3; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 156”
17.5" (6/27/87): extremely faint, averted only, very small, round. Third and faintest of three in a group and located 4.6' ENE of NGC 6120 and 5.5' E of NGC 6119.
douard Stephan probably discovered NGC 6122 = Big. 78 on 10 Jun 1874 during an observation of NGC 6120, although he didn't record a separate position in his notebook. Guillaume Bigourdan discovered it again on 6 May 1886. Although there is nothing at his Comptes Rendus position for #78 (from 5 Dec 1887), his corrected position is 6' further north (published in the Corrections table of his 1 Jul 1901 Comptes Rendus paper) and matches MCG +06-36-032. The MCG doesn't identify this galaxy as NGC 6122. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6123 = UGC 10333 = MCG +10-23-060 = CGCG 298-028 = PGC 57729
16 17 19.7 +61 56 21; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.0; PA = 4”
17.5" (4/15/93): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, small bright core, thin extensions. A mag 12.5 star is 1.4' SSW of center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6123 = Sw. 2-40 in 1884-85 (exact date unknown) and recorded "pF; vS; E; * nr." His position was 15 seconds of time too far west. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 31 Aug 1888 as well as Hermann Kobold in Mar 1894.
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NGC 6124 = Cr 301 = ESO 331-003
16 25 20 -40 39 12; Sco
V = 5.8; Size 29'
25" (4/5/19 - OzSky): gorgeous open cluster at 102x (31mm Nagler) and 244x (13mm Ethos). with several hundred resolved stars within a 25' field. Contains a very large number (perhaps 30) of 9th and 10th magnitude stars. There is a condensed group of roughly 3 dozen stars in the center, many forming easy but eye-catching pairs. The central stars are distributed irregularly with a nearly vacant lane running roughly NW to SE. The "halo" stars are spread out fairly evenly and a roughly circular outline of ~25'. Two 10" pairs forming a wide "double-double" is close east of the central group.
13.1" (6/18/85): bright, fairly rich, large, roughly 125 stars are resolved.
8" (6/27/81): fairly large but scattered, richer in center.
16x80mm (6/18/85): this bright cluster appears partially resolved even in my 16x80 finder.
Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 6124 = Lac I-8 = D 514 = h3626 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2" telescope at 8x. It described it as "a fairly big tailless comet."
James Dunlop observed the cluster on 5 nights (first on 10 May 1826) with summary description, "a round cluster of small stars of nearly equal magnitudes, about 12' diameter, considerably congregated to the centre, not rich in small stars. This answers to the place of 44 Normae, but there is no nebula."
On 5 Jun 1834 (sweep 456), John Herschel logged "Viewed; a brilliant cluster class VII.; p rich, L, irregularly scattered, fills field, stars 8,9,10,11th mag." On 4 Aug 1834 he recorded the cluster as "cluster, bright, large, loosely scattered, not much compressed in the middle, fills nearly a field, consists of about 50 or 60 stars 9..11th mag."
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NGC 6125 = NGC 6130 = UGC 10347 = MCG +10-23-066 = CGCG 298-030 = PGC 57828
16 19 33.4 +57 36 55; Dra
V = 12.0; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.7
See observing notes for NGC 6127.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6125 = H. II-810 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 928) and noted "pF, pS, lE." His position is close to NGC 6130 = UGC 10347 (independently discovered by Lewis Swift) but Dreyer assumed that WH made a 20' error in dec (partly because Bigourdan was unsuccessful on 4 attempts at WH's position) and that H. II-810 referred to NGC 6127 = NGC 6128 = UGC 10345.
But in an email on 28 Jan 2013, Steinicke wrote, "I've now detected that [UGC 10345] could not be seen by WH: It was well outside (north) of his sweep 928! Moreover, the zone of this 12 mag galaxy was never swept, so he could not find it. His position, based on the 5th mag reference star of Bode's catalogue (SAO 29727), clearly points to NGC 6130 [UGC 10347], located 24' south. His description "pF, pS, lE" matches the elongated object, whereas [UGC 10345] is brighter and round. That he does not mention the 9 mag star 3' west is nothing special. There is no PD error! The position of NGC 6088 (III 812), based on the same star is also pretty good. Another position, relative to Mu Draconis, confirms both nebulae.
This galaxy was also found twice by Swift on 6 Jul 1886 and on 28 Jun 1886, so it received two more NGC numbers, NGC 6127 and NGC 6128, respectively. Swift's positions and description make it clear he saw the same galaxy. Karl Reinmuth equated NGC 6125 = NGC 6130, which coincidentally has the same dec as H's original position but is 50 seconds of RA east of the NGC position for NGC 6125. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6126 = UGC 10353 = MCG +06-36-035 = CGCG 196-055 = I Zw 144 = PGC 57908
16 21 27.9 +36 22 36; CrB
V = 13.6; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5" (6/18/93): faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, broadly concentration halo, slightly brighter core. Located 1.6' S of a mag 10.5 star.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6126 = St. 12-8 on 19 Jun 1871. His initial position was 3' to the NNE. Stephan's accurate micrometric position was made exactly 9 years later on 19 Jun 1880 with description "F, vS, R, bM, small nucleus."
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NGC 6127 = NGC 6128 = UGC 10345 = MCG +10-23-065 = CGCG 298-029 = I Zw 142 = PGC 57812
16 19 11.5 +57 59 03; Dra
V = 12.0; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.7
17.5" (6/15/91): moderately bright, fairly small, 1.5' diameter, round. Sharp concentration with a small very bright core containing a stellar nucleus, faint round halo.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6127 = Sw. 4-29 on 6 Jul 1886 and logged "pF; vS; R." His position matches UGC 10345. He found this galaxy again just 3 weeks later (28 Jul) and recorded it as Sw. 4-30 = NGC 6128. His positions and descriptions are nearly identical, so it seems odd that neither Swift nor Dreyer suggested the equivalence NGC 6127 = NGC 6128.
It's been assumed that William Herschel discovered this galaxy and logged it as H. II- 810 (later NGC 6125) with a 20' error in declination. But Wolfgang Steinicke has shown that William could not have seen this galaxy, as it is too far north in his sweep. Instead, H. II-810 applies to NGC 6130.
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NGC 6128 = NGC 6127 = NGC 6125 = UGC 10345 = MCG +10-23-065 = CGCG 298-029 = I Zw 142 = PGC 57812
16 19 11.5 +57 59 03; Dra
V = 12.0; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.7
See observing notes for NGC 6127.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6128 = Sw. 4-30 on 28 July 1886 and logged "pF, pS, R, bM." His position is less than 1' northeast of the center of UGC 10345. He discovered this galaxy just 3 weeks earlier on 6 July 1886 and included it in the same list as Sw. 4-29 = NGC 6127. Neither Swift nor Dreyer assumed an equivalence, although the positions and descriptions are very similar. So, NGC 6128 = NGC 6127. According to Wolfgang Steinicke, NGC 6125 = H II-180 is not the original observation of this galaxy. See notes on NGC 6125.
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NGC 6129 = MCG +06-36-037 = CGCG 196-048 = Holm 741a = PGC 57920
16 21 43.2 +37 59 45; CrB
V = 13.7; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0
24" (7/22/14): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 24" diameter, weak concentration. Forms a pair (similar redshift) with CGCG 196-047 2.0' NW. The companion appeared faint, small, round, 18" diameter, low surface brightness.
17.5" (6/27/87): faint, very small, slightly elongated, weak concentration.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6129 = H. III-891 on 30 May 1791 (sweep 1015) and recorded "eF, vS, R, little brighter in the middle. 300 confirmed it with great ease." His position was accurate.
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NGC 6130 = UGC 10347 = MCG +10-23-066 = CGCG 298-030 = PGC 57828
16 19 33.4 +57 36 55; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 25”
17.5" (6/15/91): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, almost even surface brightness. Several brighter stars in field including mag 8 SAO 29889 2.7' SW!
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6130 = Sw. 4-31 on 28 Jun 1886 and recorded "pF; pL; R; B * near preceding." His position is just 4 sec of RA east of UGC 10347 and the comment about the bright star applies.
But according to Wolfgang Steinicke, William Herschel discovered this galaxy on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 928) and noted II-810 as "pF, pS, lE." Wolfgang states that WH's offset from SAO 29727 matches UGC 10347. In this case, NGC 6130 = NGC 6125.
Dreyer assumed that WH made a 20' error in dec for II-810 and NGC 6125 = NGC 6127 = NGC 6128. Corwin concurs with Dreyer's identification.
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NGC 6131 = UGC 10356 = MCG +07-34-004 = CGCG 224-004 = Holm 742a = PGC 57927
16 21 52.5 +38 55 56; CrB
V = 13.3; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2
17.5" (6/27/87): very faint, small, round. Located 3.5' E of mag 9 SAO 65250.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6131 = St. 12-84 on 11 Jun 1869 and logged a rough unpublished position 5' too far SSE. On 15 Jun 1882 he measured an accurate micrometric position with description "very faint, pretty large, irregularly round, diffuse."
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NGC 6132 = IC 4602 = UGC 10363 = MCG +02-42-002 = CGCG 080-020 = PGC 58002
16 23 38.8 +11 47 10; Her
V = 13.6; Size 1.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 127”
17.5" (7/2/89): faint, small, elongated WNW-ESE, weak concentration. A mag 15 star is 1' SE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6132 = St. 7-7 on 17 Jun 1876. His micrometric position (recorded on July 16th) is very accurate. Lewis Swift apparently found this galaxy again on 22 Jul 1897 and recorded Sw. 11-183 = IC 4602 as "eeeF; S; lE; F * near following; 2 bright stars south nearly point to it; eee diff." There is nothing near Swift's position, but 1 degree south is NGC 6132 and his description of the nearby stars fits. So NGC 6132 = IC 4602. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more on IC 4602.
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NGC 6133
16 20 17.2 +56 39 08; Dra
= ***??, Corwin. =**?, Gottlieb.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6133 = Sw. 5-69 on 23 Oct 1886 and recorded "eeeF; S; cE; ee diff." There is nothing at his position. One possible candidate is CGCG 276-012, but this galaxy is 2.4 min of RA east and 4' south of Swift's position. A mag 14.7/15.1 double star at 15" separation is close southeast of Swift's position, with a third fainter star forming a triple. Harold Corwin suggests this asterism may have appeared nebulous to Swift, but this identification is very uncertain.
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NGC 6134 = Cr 303 = ESO 226-009
16 27 46 -49 09 06; Nor
V = 7.2; Size 7'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, NGC 6134 is a bright, fairly large open cluster, at least 10' diameter, with roughly 150 stars resolved from mag 10 and fainter. Many of the stars are arranged in chains, loops and rings although there was no central concentration. The brightest mag 9.3 star (HD 148076) is on the SE side of the cluster, about 4' from the center. The Norma Milky Way background is very rich in this region.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6134 = D 412 = h3627 on 10 May 1826. His summary description reads "a pretty large round nebula, about 4' diameter, gradually a little brighter towards the centre. There is a small star on the north, and another on the south side, both involved. This is easily resolved into stars, with slight compression to the centre." He claimed 4 observations, though his notebook reveals he made a total of 7.
On 5 Jul 1834, John Herschel recorded "a pretty rich loose large, roundish cluster of stars 12..14th mag, 7' diameter, not m comp M." On 15 Apr 1836 he called it "VII class, rich, L, gradually a little compressed in the middle, irregularly round, 12', stars 13,14,15th mag, nearly fills field."
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NGC 6135 = MCG +11-20-008 = CGCG 320-015 = PGC 57580
16 14 24.9 +64 58 58; Dra
V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 45”
18" (7/30/08): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated nearly 3:1 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.35', broad concentration. A mag 14 star is just off the west edge [30" from the center]. The identification of this galaxy with NGC 6135 is very uncertain as it differs quite a bit from Swift's position.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6135 = Sw. 4-32 on 9 Jul 1886 and recorded "vF, vS, cE, 2 st nr." There is nothing near his position. Harold Corwin suggests NGC 6135 may apply to CGCG 320-015 = PGC 57580. This galaxy is elongated 3:1 and has a couple of stars nearby, matching Swift's description. But his position is a particularly bad fit -- 5.5 minutes of RA too far east and 5' too far north, so this identification is very uncertain.
RNGC classifies NGC 6135 nonexistent and neither CGCG, MCG or PGC label PGC 57580 as NGC 6135.
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NGC 6136 = MCG +09-27-019 = CGCG 276-010 = PGC 57892
16 20 59.4 +55 58 14; Dra
V = 14.6; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 95”
17.5" (6/15/91): extremely faint, very small, round, very low even surface brightness. A nice row of stars is just north consisting of four mag 11-12 stars oriented WNW-ESE ending at mag 8.5 SAO 29903 at the WNW end. NGC 6136 is located 5.5' SW of SAO 29903.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6136 = Sw. 4-33 on 6 Jul 1886 and recorded "eeeF; S; R; nearly between 5 pB stars in a curve north and 3 F stars in a curve south; ee diff.". His position and description matches CGCG 276-010 = PGC 57892.
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NGC 6137 = UGC 10364 = MCG +06-36-039 = CGCG 196-053 = Holm 744a = PGC 57966
16 23 03.2 +37 55 19; CrB
V = 12.4; Size 1.9'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 175”
24" (7/22/14): at 375x appeared fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 N-S, 0.8'x0.5', broad concentration with a brighter core. Increases in size with averted vision. A mag 14.3 star is 1' E and a mag 14.8 star is 1' NW.
Three galaxies are aligned in a string to the NNW. NGC 6137B = CGCG 196-052, 1.7' NNW, appeared fairly faint (B = 15.8), small, round, 18" diameter. PGC 214491, 3.9' NNW, appeared faint (B = 16.3), very small, round, 12"-15" diameter. PGC 3498453, 7.3' NNW, appeared faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, 18"x15".
17.5" (6/27/87): faint, small, slightly elongated oval. Located between two mag 14 stars 1.0' NW and 1.0' E. Forms a close pair with NGC 6137B 1.7' NW. The companion appeared extremely faint, very small, round. A mag 14.5 star is 0.8' S (same one 1' NW of NGC 6137).
William Herschel discovered NGC 6137 = H. III-624 = h1956 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 715). He recorded "very faint, small, bright middle, bM. Discovered with 300x." The previous two discoveries in the sweep (NGC 6038 and 6120) were found at 157x, but confirmed at 300x, so he swept for the next several minutes at the higher power.
On 9 May 1826 (sweep 73) John Herschel noted, "F; S; R; bM." douard Stephan made observations on 2 Jun 1878 and 20 Jun 1878, though I don't know if he picked up the companion to the north.
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NGC 6138 = NGC 6363 = UGC 10827 = MCG +07-36-005 = CGCG 226-008 = PGC 60164
17 22 40.0 +41 06 06; Her
See observing notes for NGC 6363. PGC 58070 is misidentified as NGC 6138 in the RNGC and PGC. My notes for this galaxy are as follows:
18" (7/29/08): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 25"x12", weak concentration.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6138 = St. 2-2 on 28 Jun 1869. His uncorrected position was within 2' of NGC 6363, but his published position was roughly 25' west of NGC 6145 (within Abell 2197), with only faint stars near nearby. The error in his reduced position was caused by a misidentification in his offset star, and once corrected it matches NGC 6363 (found again by Stephan on 24 July 1879 and assumed to be new). Emmanuel Esmiol mentioned the error in the introduction to his 1916 reduction of Stephan's positions, though NGC 6363 was miswritten as NGC 6263. Despite the earlier discovery of NGC 6138, this galaxy is known as NGC 6363 due to its unambiguous identification.
RNGC and PGC (as well as secondary sources) misidentify MCG +07-34-020 = PGC 58070 as NGC 6138. This is an edge-on galaxy located 7' north of NGC 6145.
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NGC 6139 = ESO 331-004
16 27 40 -38 50 54; Sco
V = 9.0; Size 5.5'; Surf Br = 2.3
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this globular appeared moderately bright and well concentrated to a bright 1' core. The halo spanned ~3.5' and the overall structure was symmetric. A number of very faint stars winked in and out of view with the seeing and the cluster appeared on the verge of extensive resolution at 171x. I didn't examine it, though, at higher power.
8" (6/27/81): faint, small, even concentration to core. Although easily visible, there was no resolution.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6139 = D 536 = h3628 on 13 May 1826. His summary description (based on two observation) reads, "a round nebula, about 1' diameter, bright immediately at the centre, and very faint from the bright nucleus to the margin. Another observation makes the figure rather elliptical, with a bright nucleus." His position was pretty poor -- 23' east of center.
John Herschel acknowledged Dunlop's discovery despite the poor position and observed the globular on 4 nights. On 24 Jun 1834 (sweep 459) he logged "vB, R, pL, pretty gradually much brighter middle, 2.5'. Evidently a globular, but moonlight very bright and near full, and I cannot see the individual stars." Four nights later (sweep 461) he wrote "pB, R, pretty gradually brighter middle, resolvable, with left eye I can barely discern a few of the stars."
Using the Great Melbourne Telescope on 2 Jun 1877, Joseph Turner called it "very finely stippled but too faint for any stars to be seen distinctly" (p. 137 in logbook).
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NGC 6140 = UGC 10359 = MCG +11-20-012 = CGCG 320-025 = PGC 57886
16 20 57.3 +65 23 23; Dra
V = 11.3; Size 6.3'x4.6'; Surf Br = 14.8; PA = 95”
24" (7/22/14): fairly bright, moderately large, oval 3:2 WSW-ENE, broad concentration. Often a thin brighter "bar" oriented WSW-ENE stands out. It appears offset from center as the south portion of the halo is very weak. At 375x, a narrow spiral arm oriented E-W was occasionally visible just south of the bar, and it extends slightly further east than the brighter central region. A mag 11.5 star lies 2.3' NW and several mag 15 stars are nearby.
17.5" (7/9/88): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated ~E-W, broadly concentrated halo, very faint extensions. A mag 12 star lies 2.2' NW. Bracketed by three mag 15 stars 1.4' SE, 1.6' NNE and 1.9' SW of center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6140 = H. III-740 on 3 Jun 1788 (only discovery in sweep 845). He logged "considerably faint, pretty large, little extended." It was discovered using a "Double eye glass", essentially a binocular view, and the derived RA was 95 seconds too small. Dreyer noted this error in his 1912 Scientific Papers.
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NGC 6141 = 2MASX J16230639+4051295 = LEDA 3498497
16 23 06.4 +40 51 30; Her
V = 14.8; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5
17.5" (7/18/01): very faint, very small, slightly elongated 25"x20". With direct vision contains a fairly faint quasi-stellar nucleus. Since this galaxy is not in the MCG or CGCG I expected the observation to be more difficult. A wide pair of mag 11/12 stars lies 3.5' NE and a mag 14.5 star is 1.2' N. The RNGC incorrectly identifies NGC 6147 = MCG +07-34-023 as NGC 6141. Member of AGC 2197.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 6141 = Big. 79 on 27 May 1886. There is nothing at his Comptes Rendus position, but 3.2' due north is PGC 58077, and Harold Corwin associates NGC 6141 with this galaxy.
The RNGC and HyperLEDA misidentifies NGC 6147 = MCG +07-34-023 as NGC 6141. This galaxy is located 2.7 minutes of time east and 4.8' north of Bigourdan's position. See my RNGC Corrections #2 and Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6142 = UGC 10366 = MCG +06-36-041 = CGCG 196-056 = PGC 57984
16 23 21.1 +37 15 29; CrB
V = 13.8; Size 1.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 165”
17.5" (6/24/95): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, broad weak concentration. A mag 15 star is just off the SW edge 55" from center. Located almost at midpoint of two mag 12/12.5 stars 5.6' N and 4.4' S. Two mag 14.5-15 between 2'-3' NW are collinear with the galaxy.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6142 = H. III-892 on 30 May 1791 (sweep 1015) and recorded "eF, S, bM." Recomputing his offset from 25 Her shows his position is less than 1' too far south and exact in RA. UGC does not label UGC 10366 as NGC 6142 but the galaxy is correctly labeled in MCG, CGCG and RC3.
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NGC 6143 = UGC 10358 = MCG +09-27-024 = CGCG 276-011 = PGC 57919
16 21 42.4 +55 05 09; Dra
V = 13.2; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8
17.5" (6/20/87): fairly faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration. Bracketed by two bright stars; a mag 10 star 2.3' ESE and mag 8.7 SAO 29911 4.0' W.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6143 = H. II-811 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 928) and recorded "pB, irregularly round, very gradually very little brighter middle." His position (Caroline's reduction) is 20 sec of RA east of UGC 10358.
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NGC 6144 = ESO 517-6 = IC 4606:
16 27 14.0 -26 01 25; Sco
V = 9.1; Size 9.3'; Surf Br = 1.1
18" (7/26/06): at 325x roughly two dozen stars were resolved over an irregular, scraggly glow. A mag 12 star at the west edge is probably a field star. Very weak central condensation (concentration class XI) so the appearance does not look like a typical globular.
17.5" (6/6/86): about 20 stars mag 12-14 resolved at 286x. The brightest mag 12 star is at the west edge. Located 37' NW of Antares. This globular is about 30,000 light years away or 5 times the distance of nearby M4.
13.1" (6/18/85): a dozen very faint stars are resolved at 220x over haze. Includes a string of stars to the SE.
13.1" (6/19/82): just resolves in steady moments into perhaps 15 very faint stars over haze. Otherwise the globular is very lively and mottled.
8" (6/5/81): faint, small. A mag 12 star is at the SW end but no other resolution. Located 40' NW of Antares.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6144 = H. VI-10 = h3629 on 22 May 1784 (sweep 223). He recorded "a very close, considerably large cluster of the smallest stars imaginable; all the stars are of a dusky red colour. This cluster is the next step to an easily resolvable nebula." Herschel described several globulars, as well as stars as a "dusky red" color in his double star discoveries, though this was a spurious perception. John Herschel called the globular "pL; oval; gradually brighter in the middle; resolved."
David Frew suggested that IC 4606, observed by William Finlay on 8 Sep 1887 at the Cape of Good Hope, is a reobservation of NGC 6144 with a large error in RA [4.3 minutes of time too large]. His description "follows a faint star 4.5 secs., and is 0.5 [arcmin] S." seems to apply to a 12th magnitude star 1.3' WNW of center, so this identification seems plausible.
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NGC 6145 = MCG +07-34-021 = CGCG 224-017 = Holm 747a = PGC 58074
16 25 02.4 +40 56 48; Her
V = 14.1; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 2”
18" (7/29/08): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.7'x0.35', weak concentration. First of 3 in a NNW-SSE line with NGC 6147 1.3' SSE and brighter NGC 6146 3.6' SSE within AGC 2197.
17.5" (7/24/95): faint, fairly small, 1.0' diameter, slightly elongated N-S. Similar size to NGC 6146 but lacks the central concentration. Only a very weak brightening with no core or nucleus. Forms a trio with NGC 6146 3.6' SE and NGC 6147 1.4' SE.
17.5" (7/5/86): faint, weak concentration, elongated ~N-S. Forms a pair with NGC 6146 3.5' SE. Member of AGC 2197.
13.1" (8/5/83): extremely faint, small, elongated N-S.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6145 = h1957 on 12 May 1828, while observing nearby NGC 6146 (discovered by his father). He logged it as "F; R; bM; sky very clear." and his position was less than 1' south of CGCG 224-017 = PGC 58074. Nearby NGC 6147 was discovered at Birr Castle.
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NGC 6146 = UGC 10379 = MCG +07-34-024 = CGCG 224-018 = PGC 58080
16 25 10.4 +40 53 33; Her
V = 12.5; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 75”
18" (7/29/08): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 0.9'x0.6', well concentrated with a very small bright core, bright stellar nucleus. Two mag 13/14 stars 1.2' and 2' E. In a line with NGC 6147 2.3' NNW and NGC 6145 3.6' NNW in AGC 2197.
17.5" (7/24/95): moderately bright, fairly small, 1.0' diameter, slightly elongated E-W. Broad concentration with a fairly high surface brightness core, stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1.2' E of center. Brightest of a collinear trio with NGC 6145 3.6' NNW and NGC 6147 2' NNW in AGC 2197.
17.5" (7/5/86): fairly faint, almost round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 6145 3.5' NW.
13.1" (8/5/83): fairly faint, moderately large. Forms a pair with NGC 6145.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6146 = H. III-638 = h1958 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718) and noted "vF, vS." His RA was 7 seconds too large, but the identification is definite.
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NGC 6147 = MCG +07-34-023 = Holm 747b = PGC 58077
16 25 05.8 +40 55 44; Her
V = 15.1; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0
18" (7/29/08): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Located 2.3' NNW of NGC 6146 and 1.4' SSE of NGC 6145 within AGC 2197. The three galaxies are collinear.
17.5" (7/24/95): extremely faint and small, 15" diameter, round. Only able to glimpse repeatedly <25% of time with averted vision. Faintest of trio and situated 1.4' SE of NGC 6145 and 2' NW of NGC 6146 in AGC 2197. Incorrect identification in the RNGC.
George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 6147 on 26 May 1849. He noted "2 new neb, alpha (on diagram) eF st, Beta small." The diagram clearly shows NGC 6147 = PGC 58077 (labeled as Alpha) on a line between NGC 6146 (not labeled) and NGC 6145 (labeled Beta), with NGC 6147 slightly closer to NGC 6145. The direction of drift is not shown but is presumably down in the diagram. Dreyer later added the parenthetical comment "Query h1957 [NGC 6145] and h1958 [NGC 6146] and one Nova." One faint star (labeled alpha) is shown on the diagram and it appears to correspond with MCG +07-34-022 = PGC 58078. Since Stoney didn't record it as nebulous, it didn't receive a NGC designation.
MCG and UGC (notes section) does not label PGC 58077 as NGC 6147. The RNGC misidentifies PGC 58078 as NGC 6147 and mislabels NGC 6147 as NGC 6141.
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NGC 6148 = 2MASX J16270405+2405357 = PGC 58162
16 27 04.0 +24 05 36; Her
V = 16.1; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 60”
24" (7/7/13): at 282x appeared faint to very faint, very small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 15"x10", low even surface brightness. Can just hold steadily with averted. Located 9' SSE of mag 8.9 HD 148405 within a small trapezoid of mag 13-14.5 stars. This galaxy, found by Marth in 1864, is one of the faintest he discovered with the 48" on Malta and was missed previously in my 17.5".
17.5" (5/28/89): not found.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6148 = m 310 on 10 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, S, with **." There is nothing at his position. RNGC identifies PGC 58162 as NGC 6148. This faint galaxy is 33 seconds of time east and 4.3' south of Marth's position, an unusually poor match, and in RNGC Corrections #4, I listed the RNGC identification as questionable. But PGC 58162 is surrounded by a small group of a half-dozen stars and may match Marth's comment "with **".
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NGC 6149 = UGC 10391 = MCG +03-42-011 = CGCG 109-021 = PGC 58183
16 27 24.3 +19 35 50; Her
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 22”
17.5" (5/28/89): faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Located 3.8' N of mag 8.7 SAO 102184.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6149 = Sw. 6-90 on 3 Apr 1887 and recorded "vF; pS; R; pB * nr south." His position is just 6 seconds west of UGC 10391 and his description applies. UGC does not label this galaxy as NGC 6149.
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NGC 6150 = MCG +07-34-029 = CGCG 224-022 = Holm 748a = PGC 58105
16 25 50.0 +40 29 19; Her
V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.4'; PA = 61”
18" (7/30/08): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 24"x16", gradually increases to the center. Forms a close pair with NGC 6150B = MCG +07-34-027 1.3' SW. The companion appeared very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter. MCG +07-34-033 lies 9.5' E and was noted as faint, fairly small, elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.3'. A mag 12.5 attached at the north end confused the observation.
17.5" (5/23/87): faint, small, elongated SW-NE, weak concentration. MCG +07-34-033 lies 9.5' E. This is a double system (unresolved) on the southwest side of AGC 2197.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6150 = H. III-639 = h1959 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718) and noted "eF, eS." Caroline's reduced position is 10 seconds of RA east of CGCG 224-022 (double system). John Herschel recorded on 28 Apr 1827 (sweep 73), "F; S; R."
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NGC 6151
16 38 25.2 -73 15 09; Aps
Size 0.9'
18" (4/6/16 - Coonabarabran, 139x and 236x): at 139x, this asterism (very small group of faint stars) appeared fairly faint grainy patch, less than 1' in diameter. At 236x, two or three mag 14.5-15 stars were occasionally resolved. Situated 2.5' WSW of a mag 11 star and nearly collinear with a closer mag 13 star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6151 = h3630 on 29 Jun 1835 and recorded "vF and S; is pointed to by 2 small stars 9m and 14m; the * 9m is the only one of that magnitude within 6'." His position corresponds with a 1' group of at least 7 stars. A 10th and 14th magnitude star are collinear to the east-northeast (by ~1.5' and 2.5'), matching his description. Harold Corwin also identifies this group of stars as NGC 6151.
ESO and PGC (and modern sources that follow these sources) misidentify ESO 043-003 = PGC 58689 as NGC 6151. This galaxy is 50 seconds of RA following Herschel's position. RNGC classifies the number as an "Unverified southern object."
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NGC 6152 = Cr 304 = ESO 179-009
16 32 46 -52 38 36; Nor
Size 30'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): At 76x (27mm Panoptic), this is a large 30' cluster in a glorious Milky Way field. A couple of hundred stars generally mag 10 and fainter are resolved including a few dense clumps of stars. Many of the stars are arranged in loops and knots. A wide mag 8/10 pair is on the east side. The surrounding region is rich, so the cluster does no stand out except at low power.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6152 = h3631 on 8 Jul 1834 and logged a large and coarse milky way cluster, tolerably insulated, composed of large stars." His position is near the center of this large cluster.
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NGC 6153 = PK 341+5.1 = ESO 331-6 = PN G341.8+05.4
16 31 30.5 -40 15 13; Sco
V = 10.9; Size 28"x21"
13.1" (6/18/85): fairly bright, fairly small, almost round, picked up at 62x. Striking location as forms the southern vertex of a small "kite" or cruciform asterism (rhombus) with two mag 10 stars 2.6' N and 2.7' NW and a mag 9.5 star 2.5' NE. Although prominent, this planetary is very far south for viewing from northern California.
Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 6153 on 27 May 1883 near Lake Titicaca, using a 6.1" refractor with a direct vision Vogel-spectroscope. The position given in Copernicus III (1884) is just 1' too far north. In 1926, Willem van den Bos at the Cape Observatory, reported "This object is a planetary as seen through the 26 1/2-inch reractor. Major axis 28", Minor axis 22" in PA 7”-187”." The same year, W.S. Finsen called it a ring nebula.
Williamina Fleming found it again in 1894 based on its photographic spectrum on a plate taken at Harvard's Arequipa station and reported it was new (corrected in later Harvard lists).
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NGC 6154 = UGC 10382 = MCG +08-30-012 = CGCG 251-016 = PGC 58095
16 25 30.6 +49 50 24; Her
V = 12.7; Size 2.1'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.1
24" (6/30/19): at 282x and 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, round, ~50" diameter, strong concentration with a very small bright nucleus. Two mag 12.3/14.4 stars close NW are nearly collinear with the galaxy.
17.5" (7/2/89): fairly faint, fairly small. Sharp concentration with an elongated NW-SE core and a faint rounder halo with no distinct edges.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6154 = H. III-680 on 15 May 1787 (sweep 737) and recorded "eF, S, easily resolvable, near some small stars." Caroline Herschel's reduction was 10 sec of RA east and 2' north of UGC 10382. He observed this galaxy again on 13 Apr 1788 (sweep 832) and noted "vF, S, R, little brighter in the middle." Bigourdan measured an accurate RA (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) on 19 Jul 1884.
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NGC 6155 = UGC 10385 = MCG +08-30-013 = CGCG 251-018 = PGC 58115
16 26 08.5 +48 21 59; Her
V = 12.2; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 145”
17.5" (7/2/89): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, broadly concentrated halo. Located equidistant from two double stars; a mag 9.5/12.5 at 30" separation is 3.2' SW and an evenly matched mag 14 pair at 12" separation is 3.3' E.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6155 = H. II-690 on 12 May 1787 (sweep 735) and recorded "F; pL; gradually brighter in the middle; iF." His position is 37 sec of RA too large. He logged this galaxy again on 13 Apr 1788 (sweep 832) and noted "eF, S, iF." His RA on this sweep was 17 sec too large. Bigourdan's measured an accurate position on 29 May 1884 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 6156 = ESO 137-033 = LGG 407-004 = PGC 58536
16 34 52.3 -60 37 06; TrA
V = 11.6; Size 1.6'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 0”
14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated E-W, 0.8'x0.6', high but irregular surface brightness, slightly brighter core. Appears brightest, though, at the west end; either a faint star is superimposed or perhaps a knot in the galaxy. Situated in a very rich star field with a mag 11 star 1.7' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6156 = h3632 on 24 Apr 1835 and logged "pF; lE; gradually little brighter middle; 50" long." A second observation called this galaxy "pF; R; gradually pretty much brighter middle; 45"; in a field full of small stars."
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NGC 6157 = MCG +09-27-039 = CGCG 276-018 = PGC 58101
16 25 48.4 +55 21 38; Dra
V = 14.5; Size 0.6'x0.5'; PA = 19”
17.5" (6/20/87): very faint, very small, almost round, brighter core. A mag 15 star is off the SW edge just 20" from the center. Located 13' ENE of mag 7.0 SAO 29930.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6157 = Sw. 4-34 on 28 Jun 1886 and recorded "eeF; pS; R; v diff." His position is fairly accurate.
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NGC 6158 = MCG +07-34-041 = CGCG 224-031 = Holm 749a = PGC 58198
16 27 40.9 +39 22 59; Her
V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 81”
18" (8/12/10): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, 25"x20", sharply concentrated with a very small bright core. PGC 58195, an extremely faint companion, is just 28" SE.
13.1" (5/26/84): faint, very small, round. Located 2.1' NW of a mag 10 star and 5.3' N of a second mag 10 star. Brighter than the faint companions of NGC 6166. Located 14' SW of NGC 6166 in AGC 2199.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6158 = H. II-647 on 17 Mar 1787 (sweep 715). He recorded "faint, small, irregular figure. Discovered with 300x [which he was sweeping with], but I could see it very well with the [usual] sweeping power [of 157x]. The time inaccurate." His rough RA was one minute too large. NGC 6158 was seen again on 30 May 1791, and less than a minute afterwards he discovered the cD member NGC 6166. Herman Schultz measured an accurate position (used in the NGC) at the Uppsala Observatory.
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NGC 6159 = UGC 10397 = MCG +07-34-038 = CGCG 224-029 = PGC 58185
16 27 25.1 +42 40 47; Her
V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5" (7/2/89): fairly faint, easy with direct vision, small, round, bright core. Collinear with mag 8.8 SAO 46092 5.4' W and a mag 11 star 2.6' W. Pair with CGCG 224-033 3.4' SE. The companion was very faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6159 = St. 10-30 on 2 Jun 1869 and logged a rough unpublished position 10' too far south. On 20 Jul 1879 he measured an accurate micrometric position with description "very faint, small, irregularly round, little brighter middle."
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NGC 6160 = UGC 10400 = MCG +07-34-042 = CGCG 224-032 = PGC 58199
16 27 41.2 +40 55 36; Her
V = 13.2; Size 1.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 65”
18" (7/29/08): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, ~40"x25", very small bright core ~10"x6". Two mag 14 stars are at the NE end. A few times I glimpsed an extremely faint star or stellar galaxy (2MASX J16273992+4054518) just off the SW end. A number of faint galaxies are huddled nearby:
LEDA 214502 (3' S): extremely faint, very small, 15" diameter.
LEDA 214501 (4' NE): extremely faint and small, round, 6" diameter, requires averted.
LEDA 2173685 (7' ENE): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 12"x9".
LEDA 87321 (8' ESE): faint, small, round, 20" diameter, very small slightly brighter core.
2MASX J16282511+4051298 (9' SE): faint, small, round (elongated on DSS), 22" diameter, very small brighter core.
LEDA 2171275 (10' SW): very faint, small, slightly elongated, 20"x15".
17.5" (7/5/86): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WSW-ENE, small brighter core. Two mag 14 stars are just off the NE side 23" and 37" from the center. Member of the galaxy cluster AGC 2197 with NGC 6146 28' WSW.
13.1" (8/5/83): faint, diffuse, moderately large, slightly elongated, extremely faint star at the NE edge. Located 28' E of NGC 6146.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6160 = H. II-652 = h1960 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718) and noted "F, pL, r." His RA was 10 seconds too large. John Herschel made two observations and measured an accurate RA.
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NGC 6161 = MCG +06-36-046 = CGCG 168-013 = HCG 82C = PGC 58235
16 28 20.6 +32 48 38; Her
V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 159”
24" (7/15/15): at 375x; fairly faint, small, elongated nearly 2:1 N-S, 24"x12", very small bright nucleus. A mag 16 star is at the south tip.
24" (6/16/12): at 322x this member of HCG 82 appeared faint to fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 0.4'x0.2,' very small brighter nucleus.
18" (6/7/08): this is the third brightest member of the HCG 82 quarter. At 260x it appeared very faint, small, elongated ~5:2 N-S, 33"x12". Located 2.3' S of NGC 6162. HCG 82D, the faintest member, lies 50" WNW.
18" (8/3/05): the third brightest member of HCG 82 appeared very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, just 0.3'x0.2'. Forms the southwest vertex of a small right triangle with NGC 6162 2.2' N and NGC 6163. The difficult 4th member, PGC 58231 is just 48" west.
17.5" (8/14/96): the third brightest member of HCG 82 appears very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 ~N-S, slightly brighter core. In a compact quartet with HCG 82D 50" WNW and NGC 6162 = HCG 82A 2.3' due north.
17.5" (7/2/89): very faint, very small, low even surface brightness. In a tight trio (HCG 82 group) with NGC 6162 2.3' N and NGC 6163 2.6' NNE. Located 10' NE of mag 7 SAO 65320.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6161 = St. 1-4, along with NGC 6162 and 6163, on 11 Jun 1869. He only mentioned 2 nebulae in his notebook (NGC 6162 and 6163), but reduced the positions of all 3 on 30 Jun 1870, so NGC 6161 was also likely observed.
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NGC 6162 = HCG 82A = UGC 10403 = MCG +06-36-047 = CGCG 168-014 = PGC 58238
16 28 22.3 +32 50 57; Her
V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 30”
24" (7/15/15): at 375x; fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 24"x20", very small bright nucleus.
24" (6/16/12): at 322x appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.3', very small bright core. Slightly smaller and fainter NGC 6263 lies 1.2' E.
18" (6/7/08): faint, small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.4'x0.25'. Forms a similar pair with slightly fainter NGC 6163 just 1.2' E in the HCG 82 quartet. Located 10' NE of mag 6.9 HD 148616 (best to keep out of the field).
18" (8/3/05): the brightest member of HCG 82 appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.3'. Contains a very small slightly brighter core with direct vision. Forms a very close pair with NGC 6163 = HCG 82B just 1.2' E and a right triangle with NGC 6161 2' S.
17.5" (8/14/96): this galaxy is the brightest in the very compact HCG 82. Appears faint, small, slightly elongated, ~30" diameter, slightly brighter core, very faint stellar nucleus. In the quartet are NGC 6163 1.2' E, NGC 6161 2.3' S and HCG 82D 2.5' SW.
17.5" (7/2/89): faint, small, round, bright core. Brightest of HCG 82 with NGC 6163 1.2' E and NGC 6161 2.3' S. Located 10' NE of mag 7 SAO 65320.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6162 = St. 1-5, along with NGC 6163 and 6161, on 11 Jun 1869 and logged a rough unpublished position 4' too far SE. His published position was reduced on 30 Jun 1870. He made a second observation on 5 Jun 1878 and probably discovered NGC 6161.
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NGC 6163 = MCG +06-36-048 = CGCG 168-015 = HCG 82B = PGC 58250
16 28 27.8 +32 50 47; Her
V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.45'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 54”
24" (7/15/15): at 375x; fairly faint, small, elongated N-S, 24"x18", very small bright nucleus.
24" (6/16/12): at 322x this member of HCG 82 appeared faint to fairly faint, small, elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.25' very small brighter nucleus. Forms a very close pair with NGC 6162 1.2' W.
18" (6/7/08): just slightly fainter than similar NGC 6162 1.2' W. At 260x appeared faint, small, elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.25'. NGC 6161 lies 2.7' SW.
18" (8/3/05): second brightest member of HCG 82 appeared faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.3'. Appears pretty similar to NGC 6162 1.2' W, but it slightly fainter with a less concentrated core.
17.5" (8/14/96): second brightest of four in HCG 82 located just 1.2' following NGC 6162. Appears very faint, small, slightly elongated, ~30" diameter. More weakly concentrated and slightly fainter than NGC 6162 but has a similar size.
17.5" (7/2/89): faint, very small, elongated N-S, weak concentration. Second brightest of three in HCG 82 with NGC 6162 1' W and NGC 6161 3' SSW.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6163 = St. 1-6, along with NGC 6162 and 6161, on 11 Jun 1869 and logged a rough unpublished position 4' too far SSE. On 30 Jun 1870 he measured an accurate micrometric position and described the trio (with NGC 6161) as "very small and faint, a little brighter middle. (NGC 6161) and (NGC 6163) are nearly equal. (NGC 6162) a little less faint.
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NGC 6164 = ESO 226-012 = PK 336-0.1 = Ced 135a = Gum 52 = RCW 107
16 33 52.4 -48 06 40; Nor
Size 6'
24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this striking bi-polar nebula was quite impressive at 200x and UHC filter. The two bright loops or arcs are symmetrically placed along the rim, 2.6' NW and 3' SE of center with the southeastern arc brighter. The interior of the rim is filled with a fainter glow and the entire object forms a slightly elongated, 6.2'x5.2' oval. The nebula is dominated by the mag 6.8 central star (rRE magnetic O-type HD 148937). Mag 9 HD 148988 lies 3' NE of center.
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this bipolar emission nebula was a startling sight at 171x and UHC filter! A bright illuminating star (HD 148937 at V = 6.8) is surrounded by two lobes or loops to the NW (NGC 6164) and SE (NGC 6165). Both loops contain brighter arcs symmetrically placed at the opposite ends. This is a large object, ~6' diameter, with the southeastern knot a bit brighter. A mag 9 star is 3' NE, outside the nebulosity. Located near the midpoint of mag 4.5 Epsilon Normae 1.3” NW and NGC 6188/6193, a similar distance SE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6164 = h3633 on 1 Jul 1834, along with NGC 6165, and recorded "Neb violently suspected immediately preceding a double star." His rough position (marked as approximate in RA and Dec (nearest arcmin)) is less than 2' south of the northwest wing of this large emission shell. NGC 6165 refers to the southeast wing.
In 1959, Karl Henize announded this object as "A new planetary nebula NGC 6164-65 (Cederblad 135a, b)." He wrote "This object is clearly a planetary nebula from a morphological viewpoint, but spectroscopic observations of the nebula and central star are required to determine whether or not it fits this description from an evolutionary point of view." As a result Sulentic and Tifft's RNGC misclassified NGC 6164.6165 as a planetary nebula. The illuminating star is a massive, evolved O-star, losing mass from its outer layers through a strong stellar wind.
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NGC 6165 = ESO 226-014 = Gum 52 = RCW 107 = Ced 135b
16 34 03 -48 09 12; Nor
Size 6'
24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this striking bi-polar nebula was quite impressive at 200x and UHC filter. The two bright loops or arcs are symmetrically placed along the rim, 2.6' NW and 3' SE of center with the southeast arc brighter. The interior of the rim is filled with a fainter glow and the entire object forms a slightly elongated, 6.2'x5.2' oval. The nebula is dominated by the mag 6.8 central star (HD 148937). Mag 9 HD 148988 lies 3' NE of center.
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this bipolar emission nebula was a startling sight at 171x and UHC filter! A bright illuminating star (HD 148937 at V = 6.8) is surrounded by two lobes or loops to the northwest (NGC 6164) and southeast (NGC 6165). Both loops contain brighter arcs symmetrically placed at the opposite ends. This is a large object, ~6' diameter, with the southeast knot a bit brighter. A mag 9 star is 3' NE, outside the nebulosity. Located near the midpoint of mag 4.5 Epsilon Normae 1.3” NW and NGC 6188/6193 a similar distance SE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6165 = h3634 on 1 Jul 1834, along with NGC 6164, and recorded "F; S; lE; very gradually little brighter middle; 35"; certain; follows a double star." His position corresponds with the bright arc on the southeast end. Harold Corwin notes the central star is not double on the DSS.
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NGC 6166 = UGC 10409 = VV 364 = MCG +07-34-060 = CGCG 224-039 = 3C 338 = Holm 751a = PGC 58265
16 28 38.4 +39 33 05; Her
V = 11.8; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 35”
18" (7/13/07): moderately bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 SW-NE, clumpy with a brighter core. The major axis is collinear with mag 14 star 2.7' NE. This cD galaxy is surrounded by a swarm of very small, faint galaxies and 10 companions were viewed from Lassen within a 9' circle!
17.5" (8/1/92): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, broad concentration. Brightest and largest of seven galaxies in AGC 2199 within a 5' circle! The following close companions were viewed: NGC 6166A = MCG +07-34-050 2.3' SW, NGC 6166B = MCG +07-34-076 2.9' E, NGC 6166C = MCG +07-34-048 3.1' NW, NGC 6166D = MCG +07-34-056 2.0' S, MCG +07-34-064 4.8' SSE and MCG +07-34-055 just 1.2' SSW.
13.1" (5/26/84): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated. Brightest and largest in AGC 2199. Several faint companions are near.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6166 = H. II-875 = h1961 on 30 May 1791 (sweep 1015). He recorded "pretty bright, small, little extended, very gradually much brighter middle." His position was poor - roughly 20 seconds of RA too far west and 3' too far north. John Herschel made a single observation, "F; S; R." and measured an accurate position.
douard Stephan made several observations, though I don't know which companions he saw as he only gave a single position (though noted 3 new on 16 Jun 1876). See Harold Corwin's identification notes for a discussion of the close companions and the letter suffixes.
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NGC 6167 = ESO 226-16 = Cr 305 = Harvard 11
16 34 35 -49 46 18; Nor
V = 6.7; Size 8'
22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): this bright cluster contains roughly 150 stars in a 10' region. The brightest mag 7.4 star (HD 14919) is on the west edge of the cluster and the richest region is just following this star. At the east edge of this rich group is a nice double star. Several curving strings and sprays of stars crisscross the cluster. NGC 6164/6165 lies 1.7” north.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): about 50 stars within a 10' diameter at 63x. Bright, fairly large, rich and pretty with both bright and faint stars. Includes many faint stars over unresolved haze. Includes curved arcs of stars and a nice string of stars to the south. The brightest mag 7.4 star is at the west side. Located on the Norma-Ara border.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6167 = D 400 = D 401 = h3635 on 26 Jun 1826 with his 9-inch reflector from Parramatta, New South Wales. His description for D 400 reads, "a pretty large faint nebula, about 6' diameter, easily resolvable, round figure, with two rows of small stars following." and his position is 15' too far NE. D 401 (from 26 Jun) was described as "A very faint cluster of small stars, with a branch extended; the head of the cluster is rich in small stars." His position was 16.5' too far ESE.
On 15 Apr 1836 (sweep 693), John Herschel recorded "a large irregular cluster of loose stars 11..14th magnitude which fills field; place that of an 8th magnitude star in the preceding part."
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NGC 6168 = UGC 10434 = MCG +03-42-016 = CGCG 109-028 = PGC 58423
16 31 21.4 +20 11 06; Her
V = 14.3; Size 1.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 111”
17.5" (5/28/89): very faint, fairly small, very elongated WNW-ESE. A mag 14.5 star is attached at the east end 39" from center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6168 = Sw. 1-46 on 21 May 1884 and recorded "eeF; vE; F * at p[receding] end; v diff." There is nothing at his position, and CGCG 109-025, 4' north-northwest of Swift's position, is small and round. When Howe observed the field in 1899-00, he remarked "The "F * at p end" I did not see." His position, though, matches CGCG 109-025.
A more likely candidate, though, is UGC 10434, which is 80 seconds of RA east of Swift's position. This galaxy fits the comment "vE" and has a star at its end, but on the following side. Neither UGC (10434), MCG (+03-42-016) or CGCG (109-028) label this galaxy as NGC 6168, though it is taken as NGC 6168 in the RNGC.
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NGC 6169 = Cr 306 = ESO 276-005 = Mu Normae Cluster
16 34 05 -44 02 42; Nor
Size 7'
18" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 139x and 236x): at low power a number of scattered stars surround mag 4.9 Mu Normae, but these are not eye-catching or cluster-like as the star density is high in this area, especially to the north and west. At 236x, a number of very faint stars surround Mu itself, particularly in a wreath-like shape on the north side and a east-west trending chain of mag 12-13.5 stars about 5' south. A nice triangle of mag 12 stars (sides ~1') lies 4' S of Mu.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6169 = h3636 on 1 Jun 1834 and recorded "Cluster; place of a * Mu Normae in it."
The 1973 study by Vogt and Moffat "Southern Open Star Clusters III." (1973A&AS...10..135M) states "According to the Catalogue of Star Clusters and Associations this cluster has a diameter of 7' and is centered on the bright super-giant mu Nor. However, there is no obvious clustering here. To check this, three stars close to mu Nor were observed which show no genetic relation to one another or to mu Nor." A 2011 study ("A Catalog of 120 NGC Open Star Clusters") also found no CMD could be determined, so this group is an asterism.
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NGC 6170 = NGC 6176 = MCG +10-23-076 = CGCG 298-038 = PGC 58188
16 27 36.4 +59 33 45; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 90”
See observing notes for NGC 6176.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6170 = Sw. 4-35 on 9 Jul 1886 and recorded "eeF; vS; R; in vacancy; many pB stars south; e diff." His position is 39 seconds of RA west of CGCG 298-038 = PGC 58188 and his description is a perfect match. Swift found this galaxy again less than 3 months later and published it in his 5th discovery list (later NGC 6176), with a very similar description.
Jack Sulentic, in the RNGC, equated NGC 6170 = NGC 6176 and Harold Corwin concurs. By prior discovery, this galaxy should be identified as NGC 6170, but it is known as NGC 6176 because of the accurate position.
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NGC 6171 = M107
16 32 31.9 -13 03 13; Oph
V = 8.1; Size 13'; Surf Br = 1.0
18" (7/26/06): beautifully resolved at 325x and framed by three mag 11.5-12.5 stars to the east, west and south. Roughly 35-40 stars were resolved in the halo and the bright 1.5' core was partially resolved into a large number of densely packed stars. The cluster extends roughly to 6'x4.5', reaching the bright stars off the east and west side and elongated E-W at least 4:3.
17.5" (7/10/99): this bright globular was well resolved at 220x, with a ~5'x3' halo elongated in an E-W orientation although the sharply defined core is circular and ~2' in diameter. Enclosing the globular on the west, east and south sides are brighter mag 11.5-12.5 stars. Roughly 30 stars were scattered throughout the outer halo at 280x and a couple of dozen densely packed stars overlay the core of the globular in steady moments.
13.1" (6/19/82): bright core with several faint stars resolved in the halo and a few stars resolved at the edge of the core.
8": bright core, fainter halo, mottled. A few stars are visible at the northwest edge.
15x50 IS binoculars (7/26/06): faint but not difficult.
Pierre Mchain discovered M107 = NGC 6171 = H. VI-40 = h3637 in April 1782. It was discovered after Messier's final catalogue was sent to publication but was included in a letter dated 6 May 1783 to Johann Bernoulli, the editor of the Berliner Astronomisches Jahrbuch and published in the 1786 Jarbuch volume. Mechain wrote "In April 1782 I discovered a small nebula in the left flank of Ophiuchus between the stars Zeta and Phi, the position of which I have not yet observed any closer." This was the last of Mechain's discoveries.
William Herschel independently discovered the globular on 12 May 1793 (sweep 1043), unaware of the earlier discovery. He called it "a very beautiful extremely compressed cluster of stars, extremely rich, round, about 5 or 6' dia, gradually more compressed toward the center." It was found again by Karl Harding around 1823 and reported as new. John Herschel, observing from the Cape of Good Hope on 5 Jun 1836, recorded "Globular; v rich; gradually pretty much brighter middle; diam in RA = 20.0s; that of the most compressed part 4.5s; stars well separated."
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NGC 6172 = IC 1213 = UGC 10352 = MCG +00-42-003 = CGCG 024-009 = PGC 57937
16 22 10.2 -01 30 54; Oph
V = 12.8; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.8
17.5" (7/24/95): fairly faint, small, round, 30" diameter. Moderate concentration with a very small bright core which stands out well surrounded by a small halo. Preceded by three mag 13 and 14 stars within 3'. Located 9' NW of a mag 10 star and 11' NE of a similar star. Incorrectly listed as nonexistent in RNGC. Identified as IC 1213 in UGC, MCG.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6172 = St. 13-86 on 30 Mar 1870 and logged a rough unpublished position 2' too far NW. On 21 Jun 1884 he measured a micrometric position but due to a misprint in Stephan's 13th discovery list, the RA is 10 minutes of time too large. The position for his comparison star (SAO 141069) is 16 16 19.5 -01 38 55 (2000). Once his offsets are applied the recomputed coordinates for NGC 6172 matches UGC 10352. The error was caught and corrected by Esmiol in his 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's position. Esmiol dropped NGC 6172 from the list and added a new (anonymous nebula) at the correct position.
Lewis Swift rediscovered NGC 6172 on 19 Apr 1890, and reported it as new in his 9th discovery list (#61, later IC 1213) although his RA was 9 seconds too small. So, NGC 6172 = IC 1213 with historical priority to the NGC number. But because of the erroneous position in the NGC, the RNGC misclassified NGC 6172 as nonexistent. Furthermore, NGC 6172 was labeled IC 1213 in UGC, MCG and CGCG. RC3 has the correct identification.
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NGC 6173 = UGC 10421 = MCG +07-34-083 = CGCG 224-049 = PGC 58348
16 29 45.0 +40 48 40; Her
V = 12.1; Size 1.9'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 140”
18" (7/29/08): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 0.7'x0.45', contains a large bright core that gradually increases to the center. Nearby companions included PGC 58358 1.6' NE and NGC 6174 3.7' N. Mag 7.9 HD 149025 lies 8.5' SE.
17.5" (7/5/86): moderately bright, moderately large, strong bright core, oval NW-SE. One of the brightest and largest members of AGC 2197. NGC 6174 lies 3.5' N and NGC 6175 11.3' SSE. Located 8.5' NW of mag 7.9 SAO 46127.
13.1" (8/5/83): fairly faint, moderately large, brighter core, slightly elongated. A mag 8 star is 9' SE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6173 = H. III-640 = h1962 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718). He noted "vF, vS."
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NGC 6174 = MCG +07-34-085 = IV Zw 63 = PGC 58351+ 58350
16 29 47.7 +40 52 19; Her
V = 14.5; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4
18" (7/29/08): faint, small, slightly elongated, 20" diameter. Appears to have an extremely faint star involved. This is a double system (IV Zw 63) with a nearly stellar companion on the northwest side, and the "star" I noted is a compact galaxy (PGC 58350).
CGCG 224-047 = PGC 58334 lies 4.5' W. This galaxy was also discovered and sketched in the Birr Castle observation and Harold Corwin favors it as NGC 6174. CGCG 224-047 appeared faint, small, round, 25" diameter, even surface brightness. MCG +07-34-081 = PGC 58321 lies 2.5' further southwest and appeared faint, small, round, 20" diameter, low even surface brightness.
17.5" (7/5/86): very faint, small, slightly elongated, requires averted vision. Located 3.5' N of NGC 6173 in AGC 2197. This is a double system (unresolved).
George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's observing assistant, discovered two new nebulae in the field of NGC 6173, on 26 May 1849. The 1861 LdR publication mentioned "another near" in the entry for NGC 6160, 6173 and 6175. But the 1880 LdR monograph includes a diagram and states, "3 new neb as in diagram, double star suspected in Alpha, Beta faint, Gamma pL & eeF." The three nebulae shown in the diagram are not labeled, but assuming the arrowed direction is west, the configuration fits NGC 6173 (Gamma), the double system IV Zw 63 = PGC 58350 + 58351 (Alpha, shown with two nuclei on the sketch!) to the north, and CGCG 224-047 = PGC 58334 (Beta) due west of the double system. The separations indicated on the sketch are too large -- IV Zw 63 is marked 6' north (actual separation is just under 4') and CGCG 224-047 is marked 8' to its west (actual separation is 4.5'). Two years later (30 May 1851) Bindon Stoney confirmed "Alpha is a double neb, Gamma is vF." Dreyer added the comment "diagram agreeing with the one made in 1849."
John Herschel only included a single LdR nova in the GC based on the note in 1861 publication. In the NGC, Dreyer added a note to NGC 6174, "Second of 3, forming a rectangular triangle, the 2 others being assumed to be h1962 [NGC 6173] and h1963 [NGC 6175], but the identity of the group is doubtful." RNGC and PGC identify the double system IV Zw 63 = PGC 58350 + 58351 as NGC 6174 (as here). Harold Corwin and Wolfgang Steinicke favor CGCG 224-047 = PGC 58334, as Dreyer didn't mention NGC 6174 was double. Both assignments, though, are reasonable. See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 6175 = UGC 10422 = MCG +07-34-087 = CGCG 224-050 = PGC 58362
16 29 57.6 +40 37 50; Her
V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 100”
24" (7/10/18): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 or 3:2 E-W, 0.6'x0.4', slightly brighter core. A mag 15.8 star is just off the west edge. LEDA 200339, an overlapping companion, appeared as a slightly brighter "bulge" or "knot" at the south edge. A mag 13.1 star lies 1.4' ESE and a mag 14.3 star is 1.5' SW.
A number of members of AGC 2197 are nearby including MCG +07-34-092 4' NE, CGCG 224-52 5.4' NE, CGCG 224-51 4' ESE, UGC 10417 4.7' NW.
18" (7/30/08): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 30"x20". The very small brighter core appears offset from the center. A very faint star is just off the WNW edge with a brighter mag 13 star 1.4' ESE. Located 8' SW of mag 7.9 HD 149025.
17.5" (7/5/86): fairly faint, elongated ~E-W, fairly small, brighter core. Bracketed by a mag 15 star at the west edge and a mag 13 star 1.5' E of center. Located 11.3' SSE of NGC 6173 in AGC 2197.
13.1" (8/5/83): faint, diffuse. A star is off the east edge.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6175 = H. III-641 = h1963 on 18 Mar 1787 (sweep 718) and noted "vF, vS." NGC 6175 and 6173 were the only two cluster members that Herschel discovered. douard Stephan made an observation on 19 Jun 1876.
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NGC 6176 = NGC 6170 = MCG +10-23-076 = CGCG 298-038 = PGC 58188
16 27 36.4 +59 33 45; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4
17.5" (6/20/87): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, brighter core, stellar nucleus. Located 30' WSW of NGC 6176.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6176 = Sw. 5-70 on 1 Oct 1886 and recorded "eF; eS; e diff.; in vacancy; 2 others and Comet 1884 I near." His position is a good match with CGCG 298-038 = PGC 58188 (7 seconds east). Perhaps one of the "2 others" nearby is NGC 6189. Swift discovered CGCG 298-038 just 3 months earlier and published it in his 4th list. His position for NGC 6170 was 39 seconds too far west and apparently he didn't catch the equivalence. So, NGC 6176 = NGC 6170. There are several cases where Swift "discovered" a galaxy twice and sometimes published both positions in the same list.
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NGC 6177 = UGC 10428 = MCG +06-36-049 = CGCG 196-072 = PGC 58390
16 30 39.0 +35 03 22; Her
V = 13.6; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 10”
17.5" (7/2/89): faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE, bright core. A mag 12 is 1.1' NE of center. Pair with NGC 6179 3.2' NE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6177 = H. III-890 = h1964 on 28 May 1791 (sweep 409) and recorded "vF; pL; lE; little brighter in the middle." John Herschel logged "F; irr fig; r; 2 or 3 of its stars seen, also on 13m 30" distance nf. RA reduction fluctuating and uncertain in this sweep." Nevertheless, his mean position from two sweeps is accurate. Nearby NGC 6179 was discovered at Birr Castle.
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NGC 6178 = Cr 308 = ESO 276-006
16 35 47 -45 38 36; Sco
V = 7.2; Size 4'
17.5" (7/4/86): about 15 stars in a triangular outline with mag 8 SAO 226939 at the NW vertex and similar star (SAO 226941) at the south vertex. A 10th magnitude star marks the NE vertex. Fainter stars mag 10-14 are inside the triangle. Appears fairly distinctive in the field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6178 = h3638 on 27 Jul 1834 and noted "middle of a small group of pB stars." On a later sweep (20 Apr 1836) he recorded "Chief * 9m of a small, bright clustering group of from 12 to 20 pL stars, with stragglers." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6179 = CGCG 196-073 = PGC 58401
16 30 47.0 +35 06 08; Her
V = 15.3; Size 0.35'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.3
17.5" (7/2/89): extremely faint and small, stellar nucleus, very small halo with averted. Located 3.2' NE of NGC 6177.
R.J. Mitchell, Lord Rosse's assistant, discovered NGC 6179 on 19 Apr 1855. While observing NGC 6177, he noted "another neb 4' nf, vF, S, has a nucl."
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NGC 6180 = MCG +07-34-095 = CGCG 224-058 = PGC 58386
16 30 34.0 +40 32 21; Her
V = 14.1; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 9”
18" (7/30/08): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, elongated 4:3 ~N-S, 30"x22", gradually increases to a very small bright core and faint stellar nucleus. Forms a close 1.7' pair with MCG +07-34-097 to the southeast.
MCG +07-34-097 appeared very faint, very small, round, 20", low even surface brightness. Forms a close 1.7' pair to the SE of brighter NGC 6180.
17.5" (5/23/87): faint, very small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. A pair of mag 11/12 stars oriented E-W are 2.5' WSW and 3.7' WSW, respectively. Located on the east side of the core of AGC 2197.
17.5" (7/5/86): fairly faint, very small, round, stellar nucleus. Two stars preceding.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6180 = St. 7-8, along with NGC 6184, on 18 Jun 1876. His position is accurate.
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NGC 6181 = UGC 10439 = MCG +03-42-020 = CGCG 109-031 = PGC 58470
16 32 21.2 +19 49 32; Her
V = 11.9; Size 2.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 175”
17.5" (5/28/89): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated N-S, gradually increases to a small bright core, mottled appearance, brighter along the major axis. There is a hint of arm structure at the north and south ends.
8" (4/24/82): fairly faint, elongated N-S, bright core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6181 = H. II-753 on 28 Apr 1788 (sweep 835) and recorded "pF, pS, mbM, vlE." There is nothing at his position but 40 seconds of RA west and 3' north is UGC 10439, the only nearby fairly bright galaxy. A second observation on 24 May 1791 (sweep 1007) was accurate. douard Stephan also made observations on 1 Jun 1877 and 5 Jun 1878.
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NGC 6182 = UGC 10424 = MCG +09-27-048 = CGCG 276-024 = PGC 58338
16 29 34.2 +55 31 03; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 146”
17.5" (6/20/87): fairly faint, fairly small, small bright core, thin fainter extensions NW-SE. Located 3.0' SE of mag 9 SAO 29964. Forms a pair with CGCG 276-023 2.1' SSW. The companion appeared very faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, brighter core, visible continuously with averted at 222x.
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, small, small bright core, elongated NW-SE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6182 = H. III-813 on 24 Apr 1789 (sweep 928) and logged "vF, vS, iR." His position (Caroline's reduction) is 25 sec of time following UGC 10424, the only nearby galaxy he might have picked up. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 19 Jul 1884.
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NGC 6183 = ESO 069-008 = PGC 58785
16 41 41.9 -69 22 21; TrA
V = 13.8; Size 1.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 36”
14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x and 230x): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, 1.0'x0.3', contains a small brighter core. A mag 13 star is 1.3' SSW of center and mag 8.5 HD 149556 is 3.8' SW. Located 42' SW of mag 1.9 Alpha TrA (Atria).
ESO 069-009 lies 38' NE, just 7' SSW of orange-tinged Atria. It was a challenging object due to the glare of the bright star, but appeared faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, 0.9'x0.7', low surface brightness, weak concentration. The best view was at 230x with Atria kept outside of the field. A mag 8.5 star is 5' W.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6183 = h3639 on 25 Apr 1835 and noted "vF; eS; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 10"." His single position is accurate.
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NGC 6184 = MCG +07-34-109 = CGCG 224-070 = PGC 58432
16 31 34.5 +40 33 56; Her
V = 14.0; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 128”
18" (7/30/08): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 27"x20", very weak concentration. Located on the SE end of AGC 2197 and 11' ENE of NGC 6180.
17.5" (5/23/87): faint, small, round. Located 11.6' E of NGC 6180 in AGC 2197.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6184 = St. 7-9, along with NGC 6180, on 18 Jun 1876. His positions for both galaxies are accurate.
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NGC 6185 = UGC 10444 = MCG +06-36-052 = CGCG 196-077 = PGC 58493
16 33 17.8 +35 20 32; Her
V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 0”
17.5" (7/2/89): faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE, weak concentration. A mag 12 star is 45" N of center.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6185 = h1965 on 27 Apr 1827 and recorded "F; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; has a * 11m 75” np (by diagram)." His position is just off the east side of UGC 10444 so the identification is certain, although the nearby star is due north.
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NGC 6186 = UGC 10448 = MCG +04-39-015 = CGCG 138-038 = PGC 58523
16 34 25.5 +21 32 26; Her
V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4
17.5" (5/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, small bright core, substellar nucleus, faint extensions SW-NE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6186 = H. III-730 on 28 Apr 1788 (sweep 835) and recorded "eF, vS, E." Eleven minutes later he noted the "moon very bright" and ended a short sweep. John Herschel made no observations although Stephan took a look on 23 May 1871, 13 Jun 1871 and 3 Jun 1878.
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NGC 6187 = MCG +10-23-079 = CGCG 298-042 = PGC 58429
16 31 36.6 +57 42 24; Dra
V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4
17.5" (6/20/87): faint, small, round, bright core. Located 3.4' S of a mag 8 star and 8.2' SSE of mag 7.7 SAO 29975.
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, very small, round, slightly brighter core. Located 3' S of a mag 8 star.
Charles Augustus Young discovered NGC 6187 on 5 Oct 1883 with the 23-inch Clark refractor (erected the previous year) at Princeton University. While observing Comet Pons-Brooks he found a "minute nebula" that was "very faint, slightly brighter in the middle". His discovery position, published in Sidereal Messenger, Vol II, p. 252, is accurate.
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NGC 6188 = Ced 136a = Gum 53 = RCW 108 = ESO 226-019
16 40 06 -48 39 42; Ara
Size 20'x12'
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): With the 27mm Panoptic at 76x and UHC filter, this is an amazing region of bright and dark nebulosity involving open cluster NGC 6193 and extending throughout the entire 51' field in a N-S orientation. The bright nebulosity is split into two large sections by a dark lane that runs N-S. The eastern portion is the most prominent and includes the scattered cluster NGC 6193 and its three brighter stars (5.6/6.8/7). On the southern end of this section the nebulosity tapers down towards the SW corner, 15' to 20' from the core of the cluster. The western rim of the nebula is sharply defined with a locally brighter, crisp edge delineated by the dark river that meanders N-S throughout the field. The eastern and northern ends fade into the rich Milky Way background field.
A nearly perfect ellipse of moderately bright stars is just SW of the main body of the NGC 6193 cluster and beyond the edge of nebulosity into the rift. The center of this ring is within the highest contrast portion of the dark rift, although the eastern side of the ring intersects the bright edge. This 15'x10' loop of stars spans the two sections of nebulosity.
The western portion of the nebulosity extends mostly NW of the elliptical ring and is clearly fainter. The highest contrast is along its eastern rim and runs N-S, roughly parallel to its brighter counterpart on the east side of the rift. The nebulosity fades towards the north and west with no well-defined edge but again is quite extensive. The catalogued dimensions of 20'x12' are too small and covers only the brightest portion of this much more extension HII/dark nebula complex.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): very large faint nebulosity which envelops open cluster NGC 6193, about 20' diameter. Extends roughly E-W through the cluster but also a very long brighter streak oriented N-S extends mainly to the south on the west side of cluster. This streak is well defined with an abrupt edge but there is no contrast gain with a UHC filter.
8" (7/16/82): faint, moderately large, low surface brightness glow on the west side of open cluster NGC 6193. This object is very low on the horizon from Northern California (less than 3 degrees max elevation).
John Herschel discovered NGC 6188 = h3640 on 15 Apr 1836 and recorded "The brightest part of a vL, faint, diffused, branching nebula, which involves in it nf part the star Brisbane 5789, and extends into the cluster D 413 [NGC 6193], which it in part surrounds. No doubt about the nebula, which in the brightest part of it precedes the cluster about 1 min of time. The following stars behind the double star, and quite free of nebula. I presume the neb and cluster to be unconnected." His rough position (nearest minute of RA and nearest minute of dec) was poor; it lands to the southwest of the nebulosity, about 22' SW of NGC 6193, although he states the "brightest part of precedes the cluster about 1 min of time."
Despite many attempts, Joseph Turner (on 2 Jun 1877 and 16 Oct 1878) and Robert Ellery were unable to find this nebula with the Great Melbourne Telescope. This might be due to Herschel's poor position or the GMT's field of view was too small at the lowest power of 234x with a 14' field.
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NGC 6189 = NGC 6191? = UGC 10442 = MCG +10-23-081 = CGCG 298-043 = CGCG 299-003 = PGC 58440
16 31 40.9 +59 37 35; Dra
V = 12.7; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 20”
17.5" (6/20/87): moderately bright, moderately large, oval SSW-NNE, the halo is weakly concentrated but has a sharp stellar nucleus or star is superimposed [a star is superimposed close SSE of center].
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6189 = Sw. 2-41 on 3 Aug 1885 and recorded "vF; pS; lE; v coarse double star nr, forming with it an equilateral triangle." His position and description matches UGC 10442. It's possible that Swift found this galaxy again on 6 Jul 1886 and recorded it in his 4th list, #36 (later NGC 6191), but with a 50' error in declination. Swift mentioned two stars preceding, but the "v coarse double star nr" is following, so this equivalence is not certain. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position in 1895, though he apparently mistook the superimposed star for the nucleus.
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NGC 6190 = UGC 10443 = MCG +10-23-082 = CGCG 298-044 = CGCG 299-004 = PGC 58458
16 32 06.6 +58 26 20; Dra
V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 60”
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6190 = Sw. 2-42 on 30 Oct 1883 and recorded "vF; pS; R; F * nr." His position is at the west edge of UGC 10443 and a mag 14 star is 1' northeast.
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NGC 6191 = NGC 6189? = UGC 10442 = MCG +10-23-081 = CGCG 298-043 = CGCG 299-003 = PGC 58440
16 31 40.9 +59 37 35; Dra
V = 12.7; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 20”
See observing notes for NGC 6189. Identification uncertain.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6191 = Sw. 4-36 on 6 Jul 1886 and recorded "pF; pL; E; 2 stars near preceding." There is nothing near his position. If Swift made a 50' error in declination, then NGC 6191 is a second discovery of NGC 6189, though the two stars near this galaxy are east, not west. Swift discovered this galaxy on 3 Aug 1885 and catalogued it in his second discovery list (#41). As expected, Bigourdan was unable to find NGC 6191 at Swift's position. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. So, possibly NGC 6191 = NGC 6189, with much uncertainty. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for additional candidates.
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NGC 6192 = Cr 309 = Mel 149
16 40 24 -43 22 00; Sco
Size 8'
8" (6/19/82): 20 faint stars mag 11-12.5 over unresolved haze, small, fairly rich with averted. Easy to identify in the field, though very far south for viewing from Northern California.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6192 = D 483 = h3641 on 13 May 1826. His summary description (based on 3 observations) reads "a cluster of very minute stars, of a round figure, about 4' diameter, following v Normae." D 470 is probably another observation but his position was off by 19' to the east.
On 1 Jun 1834 (sweep 454), John Herschel logged "Cluster VII, pretty rich, irr R, gradually brighter in the middle, 10', stars 12..14th mag, a straggling group." Two nights later, he called it "a coarse but rich cluster of stars 11.12th mag, which leaves dark lines unoccupied, forming sections (see fig 4, Plate V)." The central section in his sketch shows 4 circular wedges separated by dark lanes.
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NGC 6193 = Cr 310 = ESO 226-020 = Gum 53 = Ced 136b
16 41 20 -48 45 48; Ara
V = 5.2; Size 15'
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 117x, ~75 stars were visible in a 15' field surrounding the ionizing source DUN 206, a bright 10" double consisting of mag 5.6 O3-type HD 150136 and mag 6.8 O6-type HD 150135. I also saw a couple of very faint mag 15 companions to the bright double. In addition, a 7th mag star (HD 150041) is on the west side of the cluster. These three bright stars are encased in nebulous halos that respond to a UHC filter (part of emission nebula NGC 6188). The cluster itself is scattered with no central concentration and includes a mixture of mostly bright and some very faint stars. A perfect ellipse of moderately bright stars is just southwest of the main portion of the cluster. Interestingly, the center of this ring is mostly free of the nebulosity (RCW 108) that permeates the field (see NGC 6188 for description) . The RCW 108 complex is in the Ara OB1 association, one of the youngest and closest star-forming regions.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): 45 stars in a 15' diameter at 63x. Includes a bright mag 5.6/6.8 double star at 10" separation and mag 7 SAO 227038 6' W. A circular group of seven fairly bright stars is just east of the double star with a fainter curved string of stars in the center. There are several brighter stragglers on the east side. The cluster is generally spread out with no rich regions. Extensive nebulosity is involved (see NGC 6188).
8" (7/17/82): three bright stars including DUN 206 (6.0/7.0 at 10"). Many faint stars are visible with averted vision. Includes emission/reflection nebula NGC 6188. This star-forming region is extremely far south for viewing from the Sierra foothills (only 2.5” above the horizon)!
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6193 = D 413 = h3640 with his 9-inch f/12 reflector on 14 May 1826. He made 3 observations and recorded on 5 June, "A cluster of small stars, with a bright star in the preceding side. A very considerable branch or tail proceeds from the north side, which joins a very large cluster." He didn't mention any nebulosity.
On 15 Apr 1836 (sweep 693), John Herschel described a "cluster VIII; consists of about a dozen stars 10..11m, and perhaps as many less, with stragglers, which fill field. In its preceding part is a fine double star [HJ 4876] and yet more preceding is a vL, faint nebula [NGC 6188], in which the preceding part of the cl is involved."
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NGC 6194 = MCG +06-36-054 = CGCG 196-082 = PGC 58598
16 36 37.1 +36 12 01; Her
V = 13.6; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.1
18" (6/7/08): fairly faint, small, sharply concentrated with a very small bright core surrounded by a 24" halo with averted.
17.5" (6/6/86): fairly faint, small, round, bright core. Member of the NGC 6196 group with UGC 10473 13' NNE. Located 10' N of mag 7 SAO 65430.
13.1" (8/5/83): faint, extremely small, visible without averted.
13.1" (7/5/83): faint, very small, requires averted.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6194 = h1967 on 27 Apr 1827 and recorded "vF; vS; suddenly much brighter middle to a * 12m; 12"." There is nothing at his single position, but 44 sec of RA west is CGCG 196-082 = PGC 58598. Herman Schultz measured an accurate micrometric position at the Uppsala observatory. Stephan made an observation on 19 Jun 1871, though his position was 13' too far NNE and falls very close to UGC 10473. So perhaps he unknowingly discovered the UGC galaxy.
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NGC 6195 = UGC 10469 = MCG +07-34-118 = CGCG 224-075 = PGC 58596
16 36 32.6 +39 01 41; Her
V = 13.0; Size 1.5'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 45”
17.5" (7/2/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright core. Located midway between a mag 12 star 1.0' WSW and a mag 13 star 1.1' E.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6195 = H. III-893 = h1966 on 30 May 1791 (sweep 1015) and recorded "eF, vS, iF. 300 confirmed it with some difficulty, but left no doubt." His position is good. John Herschel made 3 observations, first logging "vF; S; between 2 stars."
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NGC 6196 = IC 4615 = UGC 10482 = MCG +06-36-058 = CGCG 196-088 = PGC 58644
16 37 53.9 +36 04 22; Her
V = 12.9; Size 2.0'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 140”
18" (6/7/08): middle and brightest of three on a line. At 260x it appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, sharply concentrated with a bright, 20" core that increases to a stellar nucleus with direct vision and a 35"x25" halo. IC 4614 lies 3' NNW and NGC 6197 is 5' SSE.
17.5" (6/6/86): brightest in the NGC 6196 group. Fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, bright core, fairly faint stellar nucleus. A pair of mag 15 stars are 1.3' S and 1.3' SSE. NGC 6196 is the middle of a linear trio with IC 4614 3.0' NNW and NGC 6197 = IC 4616 4.8' SSE. An extremely faint galaxy (2MASX J16374842+3603393) lies 1.3' SW.
13.1" (8/5/83): fairly faint, bright core.
13.1" (7/5/83): faint, small, round, small bright core. Brightest in group located 45' W and 24' S of M13!
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6196 = m 311, along with NGC 6197 and 6199, on 9 Jul 1864 and noted "vF, vs, stellar." There is nothing at his position, but 39 seconds of RA east and 1.6' south is UGC 10482. The same offset applies to NGC 6197 = CGCG 196-089. douard Stephan made another observation on 27 May 1875 (approximate position 3' SE), but didn't follow up with a precise position of the trio to include in his discovery lists. Because of Marth's poor position, Bigourdan found NGC 6196 again on 28 Aug 1886, reported it as new (B. 325) and Dreyer catalogued it as IC 4615. So, NGC 6196 = IC 4615.
MCG and CGCG label this galaxy as IC 4615 and UGC does not use either the NGC or IC designation. See Harold Corwin's notes for more on this field.
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NGC 6197 = IC 4616 = MCG +06-36-059 = CGCG 196-089 = PGC 58655
16 37 59.8 +35 59 43; Her
V = 14.5; Size 0.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 38”
18" (6/7/08): faint, small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 20"x14". Located 5' SSE of NGC 6196 and second brightest in chain of three galaxies.
17.5" (6/6/86): faint, very small, almost round. A mag 12.5 star lies 1.5' SE. This is the second brightest and furthest south in a trio with NGC 6196 4.8' NNW and IC 4614 7.6' NNW. This galaxy is identified as IC 4616 in the CGCG and MCG and RNGC misidentifies NGC 6197 with an extremely faint companion a 1.3' SW of NGC 6196.
13.1" (8/5/83): very faint, very small, near visual threshold.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6197 = m 312, along with NGC 6196 and 6199, on 9 Jul 1864 and noted "eF, E, stellar." There is nothing at his position, but 39 sec of RA east and 1.4' south is CGCG 196-089 = PGC 58655. This is the same offset as NGC 6196 = UGC 10482, so the identification is certain. Because of Marth's poor position, Bigourdan found NGC 6197 again on 28 Aug 1886, reported it as new (B. 426) and Dreyer recatalogued it as IC 4616. So, NGC 6197 = IC 4616.
CGCG, MCG and UGC label this galaxy as IC 4616, though NGC 6197 technically should apply by historical precedence. RNGC misidentifies PGC 214518 as NGC 6197. This extremely compact galaxy is situated 1.3' southwest of NGC 6196. Also, the data listed under RNGC 6199 applies to NGC 6197. See my RNGC Corrections #1, Malcolm Thomson's article in WSQJ July 1982, and Harold Corwin's identification notes under NGC 6196.
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NGC 6198 = UGC 10467 = MCG +10-24-003 = CGCG 299-007 = PGC 58554
16 35 30.6 +57 29 12; Dra
V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 90”
17.5" (6/20/87): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core surrounded by a diffuse halo. Located 16' S of mag 7.4 SAO 30011.
17.5" (6/18/88): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6198 = Sw. 4-37 on 28 Jun 1886 and recorded "vF; vS; R; forms right angle with 2 stars following." His position is 12 second east and 1' north of UGC 10467 = PGC 58554 and his description applies to this galaxy.
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NGC 6199
16 39 29.0 +36 03 32; Her
= *, Corwin. Incorrect identification in the RNGC. (R)NGC 6199 = NGC 6197.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6199 = m 313, along with NGC 6196 and 6197, on 9 Jul 1864 and simply noted "eF". Marth's positions for both NGC 6196 and NGC 6197 are off by 39 seconds in RA and 1.5' in declination. Assuming NGC 6199 suffers from the same systematic error, his recomputed position falls very close to a wide pair of mag 12.5 and 15.5 stars. Harold Corwin suggests the fainter star applies to NGC 6199, though this is not certain.
RNGC misidentifies NGC 6197 as NGC 6199 and then reassigns NGC 6197 to PGC 214518, located 1.3' southwest of NGC 6196. See Malcolm Thomson's article on the identifications here in Webb Society Quarterly Journal, July 1982 and in my RNGC Corrections #1.
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NGC 6200 = Cr 311 = ESO 277-008
16 44 07 -47 27 48; Ara
V = 7.4; Size 12'
22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): at 110x this large, rich open cluster resolves into roughly 200 stars, extending over one-half the 22mm Panoptic field (~20'x15'). A very close triple star is near the center (one component fainter) and a wider pair lies 3.5' NE.
11" (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): at 80x perhaps 150 stars were visible in a roughly 20' cluster (the catalogued dimension of 12' appears significantly too small). Includes roughly 30 brighter mag 9.5-11.5 stars over a rich background of mag 12-14 stars. No distinct boundary to the cluster. A mag 7 star is off the SE side.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): about 75 stars in a 20' diameter at 63x. Bright, large, rich, many stars mag 9-11 over a carpet of faint stars. Mag 7.1 SAO 227144 is off the SE edge 13' from the center of the cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6200 = h3643 on 1 Jul 1834 and recorded "a great space full of milky way stars, so thickly sown as to merit being called a cluster." His position and description matches this large cluster.
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NGC 6201 = CGCG 138-053 = PGC 58727
16 40 14.4 +23 45 55; Her
V = 14.7; Size 0.35'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.0
17.5" (5/28/89): extremely faint, very small, round. A mag 14.5 star is at the NE edge 26" from center. Forms a pair with NGC 6203 about 3' NE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6201 = m 314, along with NGC 6203, on 6 Jun 1864 and noted "eF, vS." His position matches CGCG 138-053 = PGC 58727.
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NGC 6202 = NGC 6226?
16 36 12 +61 57; Dra
= Not found, RNGC. =NGC 6226?, Corwin
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6202 = Sw. 4-38 on 9 Jul 1886 and recorded "eeF, pS, * nr following". There are no candidates near his position and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (not found by Sulentic).
Harold Corwin suggests NGC 6202 may be a duplicate of NGC 6226 as this galaxy has a mag 11.5 star 2' east and the declination is within a couple of arc minutes. But this implies his RA was 7 minutes too small, perhaps a typo or copyilng error. I've left this number as lost.
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NGC 6203 = MCG +04-39-019 = CGCG 138-055 = PGC 58729
16 40 27.4 +23 46 29; Her
V = 14.0; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4
17.5" (5/28/89): very faint, very small, round. A mag 14.5 star is just 27" NNE of center. Forms a pair with NGC 6201 about 3' SW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6203 = m 315, along with NGC 6201, on 6 Jun 1864 and noted "eF, vS." His position is fairly accurate. Bigourdan measured a very accurate micrometric position on 14 May 1887.
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NGC 6204 = Cr 312 = ESO 277-010 = OCl 982 = vdB-Ha 196 = Lund 723
16 46 09 -47 01 00; Ara
V = 8.2; Size 2.3'
22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): ~100 stars mag 10-14 in an 8' group. A number of the stars are arranged in interesting chains and loops. A north-south star chain on the east side leads to a knot of bright stars including mag 7.5 HD 150958 and a mag 8.5 star. This detached group is catalogued as Hogg 22 and it may be a separate cluster. Another long curving string of stars (extended N-S) is located in the NE edge of the cluster. But the richest clustering is a 3' circular group including a nice trio of mag 13 stars with separations of ~10".
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x, this is a bright cluster with roughly 80 stars in a 7' circle. Near the center is knot of four stars with additional very faint stars huddled around at 228x. Many of the stars in the cluster are arranged in a few loops and chains. Most of the brighter stars in the cluster are situated around the edges including a line of four stars at the east edge. Four bright stars are off the SE side including mag 7.3 SAO 227189 (catalogued as Hogg 22).
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): about 40 stars in 8' diameter at 63x. Rich appearance over an unresolved haze. A close triple star is in the center with four bright mag 8-9 stars in a tight group off the SE edge (this is a separate cluster Hogg 22).
8" (7/16/82): only a few faint stars are visible over unresolved haze but appears to be rich. This is one of the southernmost clusters I've viewed from Northern California latitude.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6204 = D 442 = h3644 on 13 May 1826. Based on two observations he described "seven or eight small stars in a group, about 1' diameter, with a minute line of stars on the north side." His position was 15' too far NE (typical of his rough positions), but the identification is not in doubt.
John Herschel first recorded NGC 6204 on 1 Jul 1834 (sweep 463) as a "cluster moderately compressed class VIII; stars 11.12th mag; S.f. is a brilliant knot of stars, one of which is 8th mag, and the others 9th magnitude." On 20 Apr 1836 (sweep 695) he noted a "singular shaped cluster, irregularly round, compressed VII class, set as it were in a nearly rectangular frame of stars detached from cluster." He included a sketch of the unusual star chains in Plate V, figure 6 and the "brilliant knot of stars" south following is Hogg 22.
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NGC 6205 = M13 = Hercules Cluster
16 41 41.6 +36 27 27; Her
V = 5.8; Size 16.6'; Surf Br = 0.1
17.5" (7/9/94): several hundred stars in a 10'-12' diameter with a bright central core of 6' diameter. Many stars are arranged in strings and loops including a distinctive streamer attached on the SE side which heads south and curves west forming a semicircle and another string is attached on the west side of the core and precedes the cluster. Several chains of stars are also resolved over the 6' core. Running along the north edge of the core is a starless strip or a long dark lane which separates the central region from the northern outer halo members. A dark "lane" protrudes into the core on the SE side - this is one of three dark lanes that converge forming a "Y" and referred to as the "Propeller" (first described by Lord Rosse). NGC 6207 lies 28' NE and extremely faint IC 4617 lies 14' NNE. HD 150998, a mag 6.8 orange K2 star, lies 17' ENE of center.
8" (many dates starting July 1980): very bright, very large, round, highly resolved into several hundred stars mag 11.5-13.5 over the entire disc. Includes several star chains and streamers.
Naked-eye: fairly easy object in a dark sky, appearing as a dim bloated star.
Edmond Halley discovered M13 = NGC 6205 = h1968 in 1714 with a 24-foot (focal length) refractor. He noted "This is but a little Patch, but it shews itself to the naked eye, when the sky is serene and the Moon absent." Charles Messier independently found the cluster on 1 Jun 1764 and reported (first Messier catalogue), "I have discovered a nebula in the girdle of Hercules, of which I am sure it doesn't contain any star; having examined it with a Newtonian telescope of four feet and a half [FL], which magnified 60 times, it is round, beautiful & brilliant, the center brighter than the borders.."
M13 was probably the second deep-sky object that William Herschel observed (after the Orion Nebula) during his Second Star Review. Using a 4-inch reflector (7-ft focal length) on 22 Aug 1779 he noted M13 was "without stars" at 222x. Herschel made several observations before beginning his sweeps for nebulae. With his 18.7" on 16 May 1787 (sweep 739) he recorded, "a most beautiful cluster of stars, exceedingly compressed in the middle and very rich, the scattered stars which belong to it extend to 8 or 9' diam. The most compressed part about 2' or 2 1/2'; the later is R. The former more irregular." Just over a minute after this observation, he discovered NGC 6207.
William Parsons (LdR), in his 1850 monograph, noted "an unquestionable curvilinear sweep in the disposition of the exterior stars." Bond later "confirmed" this spiral structure (seems a case of imagining spiral arrangements in deep sky objects, which was common at the time) in 1860. Bindon Blood Stoney's sketch on 26 May 1851 (Plate 28, Fig. 33 in the 1861 Monograph) clearly showed three dark "lanes"in a "Y" configuration. The dark lanes, sometimes referred to as the "propeller" nowadays, were mentioned in numerous observations with the 72". Mark Harrington, director of the Detroit Observatory in Ann Arbor, made a study of the dark rifts for a month in 1887 with the 6" and 12.5" refractors. Comparing Stoney's sketch with his observations and a drawing made with the aid of H.C. Markham, Harrington mistakenly concluded the rifts "have shifted their position slightly" since Stoney's drawing.
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NGC 6206 = IC 1227 = UGC 10506 = MCG +10-24-018 = CGCG 299-009 = PGC 58723
16 40 08.1 +58 37 02; Dra
V = 13.6; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.7
17.5" (6/20/87): fairly faint, small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus.
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, very small, round, stellar nucleus.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6206 = Sw. 5-71 on 23 Oct 1886 and recorded "pF; eS; R; stellar; 3 vF stars near north point to it." His position is 22 seconds west of UGC 10506, and his comment about the 3 stars clinches this identification. Guillaume Bigourdan found the galaxy on 13 Aug 1888 while searching for NGC 6206 at Swift's position and reported it as new (Big. 210). Dreyer recatalogued the galaxy as IC 1227, though Bigourdan later realized his object was equivalent to NGC 6206 (corrected in Comptes Rendus, 1 Jul 1901). Dreyer repeated that NGC 6206 = IC 2227 in the IC 2 Notes. See Corwin's notes on IC 2227 for the full story.
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NGC 6207 = UGC 10521 = MCG +06-37-007 = CGCG 197-007 = PGC 58827
16 43 03.9 +36 49 57; Her
V = 11.6; Size 3.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 15”
24" (6/16/12): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, sharply concentrated with a very small bright core. A blazing stellar nucleus is apparently a superimposed star. The outer extensions clearly have an irregular surface brightness and an asymmetric appearance.
17.5" (6/6/86): fairly bright, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, bright stellar nucleus, possible asymmetric appearance. Located 28' NE of M13. The noted stellar nucleus is likely a superimposed 13th magnitude foreground star.
13.1" (8/5/83): moderately bright and large, elongated SSW-NNE.
8" (8/11/80): faint, fairly small, elongated
William Herschel discovered NGC 6207 = H. II-701 = h1969 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 739). His description reads, "pretty bright, pretty small, elongated from sp to nf, very gradually much brighter middle." The galaxy was discovered just after making his first observation of M13 while sweeping with the 18.7".
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NGC 6208 = Cr 313 = ESO 179-014
16 49 28 -53 43 42; Ara
V = 7.2; Size 16'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): best at 76x with 27mm Panoptic. Appeared as a 10' cloud of mostly fainter stars which blends into the surrounding field with many stars arranged in an elongated, curving shape. Includes a mag 10 star on the south side, though the majority are 12-13th magnitude.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6208 = h3648 on 8 Jul 1834 from the Cape of Good Hope. He recorded, "A pretty insulated milky way cluster, class VII of large stars; 8' diameter; stars 9...12th magnitude." On a second sweep he called it a "cluster class VII; rich; not much compressed in the middle; more than fills field; stars 11...14th mag but chiefly small."
James Dunlop's D 364 may be an earlier discovery on 28 Jul 1826. He found a"A round, faint nebula, about 1' diameter, with three small stars in it; a bright star south of the nebula." His position is 8' SSW of the center of the cluster, but the size estimate is much too small. He also possibly made an observation on 26 June: "a large faint nebula with a small star near the center, about 20' long and 10' or 12' broad, slight condensation, easily resolvable." The description is a much better fit and the position matches, but he crossed out the declination in his notebook and changed it to 10” further north.
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NGC 6209 = ESO 043-008 = AM 1649-723 = PGC 59252
16 54 57.7 -72 35 12; Aps
V = 11.8; Size 2.0'x1.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 10”
24" (4/4/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE. I noticed a faint star or knot at the south end. A mag 11.5 star is located 4' and a couple of fainter stars are at the SW and SE ends.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6209 = h3645 on 28 Jun 1835 and recorded "eF; pL; very gradually very little brighter middle; 2' dia; quite hopeless, except in the clearest and finest night, and with the mirror bright.". The next night he confirmed the observation: "Found in the place, and viewed. It is very visible, and PD is right per index." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6210 = PK 43+37.1 = PN G043.1+37.7 = ·5 = Turtle Nebula
16 44 29.4 +23 48 00; Her
V = 8.8; Size 20"x13"
48" (5/5/16): at 488x; extremely bright, high surface brightness planetary, oval 5:4 WSW-ENE, somewhat rectangular main body. The central star was continuously visible and situated slightly east of center. A small darker region surrounds the central star. On close inspection the main body has an irregular outline; it is slightly brighter along the north side and bulges out on the southwest end. A thin fainter "strip" or shell with a much lower surface brightness and a pinkish color encases the main body. Two or three broad "jets" or wings (broadest at the base) extend out of the halo on the north and south ends (images show the central part is NNW and SSE) with the northern wing more obvious. A third wing was sometimes visible on the west side.
24" (6/12/15): at 375x and 500x; slightly elongated oval disc E-W or WSW-ENE. The very high surface brightness central region is encased in a small, but obvious lower surface brightness shell. Extremely faint "wings" appear to extend to the north and south, though the northern extension is more definite. These are roughly in the direction of the minor axis.
28" (7/8/13): viewed at 375x with an "inverse OIII" or central star filter, which dramatically dimmed this extremely high surface brightness green planetary. Without the filter the central star was not seen at this magnification (the planetary had a strong green color), but with the filter the central star was easily visible!
18" (7/20/06 and 7/22/06): appears as a beautiful light blue cosmic egg at 225x with an extremely high surface brightness. Appears slightly elongated ~E-W, ~25"x20" with a very faint thin outer envelope. At 325x and 435x the faint outer halo is obvious, increasing the size ~35"x28" with the elongation possibly WSW-ENE. Viewed in fairly poor seeing on 7/20 but on 7/22 in good seeing I was able to use as much as 807x. With these better conditions the surface brightness was irregular and the faint outer shell fairly prominent. The bright inner disc was oval but not symmetric.
17.5" (5/27/00): beautiful bluish oval at 220x, elongated 4:3 E-W, roughly 24"x18". At 380x, there appears to be a very small fainter halo. At 500x, the narrow outer envelope is more evident and is elongated in the direction of the major axis, increasing the size to ~30"x20".
17.5" (7/4/86): very bright, small blue oval 20"x15" with an unusually high surface brightness. At 572x, a fainter outer envelope is suspected. An evenly matched close double star STF 2094 = 7.4/7.7 at 1.3" lies 17' SSW.
13.1" (7/5/83): very bright, extremely high surface brightness, blue, takes very high power. The mag 12.6 central star was not seen.
Wilhelm Struve discovered NGC 6210 = · 5 = h1970 in 1825 while searching for double stars with the 9.6" Fraunhofer refractor at the Dorpat Observatory in Estonia. It was included as #5 in a list of 9 "Nebulae dectae" that was added as an appendix in his 1827 catalogue of double stars. He described a "bright planetary nebula, diameter 6", like a star of mag 7". The planetary was earlier catalogued as a star in Lalande's catalogue of 1801 (LL 30510).
John Herschel observed the nebula on 25 May 1830 and recorded, "Struve's fifth nebula, very bright, equal to a star of 8 to 9m, 6" diameter and of uniform light, but with the edges boiling and ragged. A fine object like a star out of focus". Vogel observed and sketched the central star with the 27" Grubb refractor at the Vienna observatory on 4 Jun 1883. He noted a "Bright planetary nebula of elliptical shape. A delicate star is in the nebula, nearly at the centre. The nebula is surrounded by a faint elliptical shell."
On 5 May 1850, George Johnstone Stoney, Lord Rosse's assistant, recorded, "intense blue centre fading off to some distance all around. Small star nf to which neb nearly extends. Fancied a projection from the bright centre towards np, but I think it was only fancy." It is possible, though, that Rosse detected the wing or extension to the northwest! Sir William Huggins observed the emission line spectrum in 1865-66 and resolved three bright lines. James Keeler clearly sketched the wings using the Lick 36-inch refractor on 15 May 1890.
Sherburne Burnham observed the planetary in 1891 while at Lick Observatory, but did not notice the central star. Later at Yerkes (1908) he commented, "At the present time it could not be overlooked with any moderate aperture. It is nearly 12th magnitude, and appears with favorable atmospheric conditions as a sharp, brilliant point. Doubtless this has been seen by others. If it is not variable, I cannount account for my failure to see and measure it with the 36-inch at Mt. Hamilton.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported, "Central star about mag 11, surrounded by bright matter in the form of an oblong 8" in length. Outside of this is an oblong of somewhat fainter matter 20" X 13", from the ends of which extend two fainter ansae in p.a. 97-277”. From the north and south sides of the central oblong extend two longer ansae in p.a. 167-347”, showing a ring formation, making the nebula 43" long in this direction."
Wolfgang Steinicke explained why William Herschel missed NGC 6210 in his sweeps: "On 15 May 1784 he swept the region (sweep 217). However he stopped for about 30 minutes for star counts, i.e. the sky passed horizontally through the eyepiece. Unfortunately the strip runs about 1” below the nebula, starting 25 tmin west and ending 6 tmin east of it. Thus the object could not enter his field of view (15'). On 10 April 1785 he inspected the field again (sweep 395), but saw only some Flamsteed stars in the morning twilight."
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NGC 6211 = UGC 10516 = MCG +10-24-027 = CGCG 299-014 = VII Zw 655 = PGC 58775
16 41 27.6 +57 47 01; Dra
V = 12.6; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 105”
18" (6/23/09): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:4 SW-NE, 1.2'x1.0', well concentrated. First of four in a string of galaxies to the NE (identical redshifts) with NGC 6213 2.2' NE.
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, small, round, bright compact core.
17.5" (6/20/87): moderately bright, moderately large, almost round, strong bright core, stellar nucleus. Brightest in chain of four with NGC 6213 2.2' NE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6211 = Sw. 9-63, along with NGC 6213, on 25 Jun 1887 and recorded "vF; pS; lE; D * nr south points to it." His position is 3' too far west-northwest, a similar offset as NGC 6213. Swift's original discovery was sent directly to Dreyer and noted as list 6 in the NGC, but it wasn't published until his 9th list in 1890. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 27 Aug 1888 and Dreyer published the correct position in the IC 2 Notes.
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NGC 6212 = MCG +07-34-142 = CGCG 224-096 = PGC 58840
16 43 23.2 +39 48 23; Her
V = 14.1; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.6
17.5" (7/8/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, gradually brightens but no well-defined core.
douard Stephan probably discovered NGC 6212 = St. 2-3 on 7 Jun or 8 Jun 1869, though his uncorrected position was poor. In any case, on 26 Jul 1870 he measured a micrometric position matching brighter CGCG 224-096.
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NGC 6213 = MCG +10-24-030 = CGCG 299-017 = PGC 58778
16 41 37.2 +57 48 54; Dra
V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 57”
18" (6/23/09): faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 0.5'x0.25'. Second of four galaxies in a SW-NE string with NGC 6211 2.2' SW, CGCG 299-018 2.3' NE and CGCG 299-019 6' NE.
CGCG 299-018 is very faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.4'x0.2'. Situated between two stars 1' NW and 1' ESE. CGCG 299-019 appeared very faint to extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter. Located 1.3' N of a mag 14.5 star. Faintest of 4 on a line and furthest NE with similar CGCG 299-018 3.9' SW.
17.5" (6/18/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, low even surface brightness.
17.5" (6/20/87): faint, small, elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration, fairly low surface brightness. Second of four with NGC 6211 2.2' SW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6213 = Sw. 9-64, along with NGC 6211 on 25 Jun 1887 and recorded "eF; vS; R; nf of 2." His position is 2' too far west-northwest, a similar offset as NGC 6213. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 27 Aug 1888 and Dreyer published the correct position in the IC 2 Notes. Swift's original discovery was sent directly to Dreyer and noted as list 6 in the NGC, but wasn't published until his 9th list in 1890.
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NGC 6214 = UGC 10507 = MCG +11-20-024 = CGCG 320-036 = PGC 58709
16 39 31.9 +66 02 22; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 150”
17.5" (7/9/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6214 = Sw. 1-47 = Sw. 4-39 on 2 Aug 1884 and recorded "vF; S; R: coarse double star in field north." His position is an excellent match with UGC 10507. He found this galaxy again on 3 Aug 1886 and recorded (IV-39) "eF; vS; R; forms a L equilateral triangle with 2 pB stars." His position was 12 seconds of RA too small (only 1.3') and the description matches. Dreyer combined both entries into NGC 6214.
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NGC 6215 = ESO 137-046 = PGC 59112
16 51 06.9 -58 59 32; Ara
V = 11.5; Size 2.1'x1.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 78”
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright and large, round, 1.3' diameter, weak concentration. A mag 12.5 star is superimposed on the north edge ~25" from the center and a couple of additional faint stars are very near or involved. This spiral is situated in a rich star field 11' ENE of mag 3.8 Eta Arae. Brightest in a group along with NGC 6221 19' SE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6215 = h3647 on 9 Jul 1836 and recorded "pF; R; very gradually little brighter middle; has a yellow * 5m preceding it [Eta Ara], 1min 19s +/- Delta RA, and 3' or 4' south." His single position is on the south side of the galaxy. First resolved as a "spiral nebula" on a plate taken at Harvard's Arequipa station with the 24-inch Bruce refractor around 1900.
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NGC 6216 = NGC 6222 = ESO 277-14 = OCL-989 = Mel 152
16 49 25 -44 43 36; Sco
Size 4'
17.5" (7/4/86): faint, fairly small, ~3' diameter, roundish. About a dozen faint stars are visible over haze at low power.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6216 = D 454 = h3648 on 13 May 1826. Based on 6 observations his summary reads, "a faint nebula, about 4' or 5' diameter, irregular round figure, easily resolvable into stars; with stars of larger magnitudes scattered in the preceding side of it."
On 1 Jun 1834 (sweep 454), John Herschel logged the cluster as "a p rich cl of small stars, 11m and under, broken up into 2 or 3 groups; fill 2/3 of field." Exactly a month later (sweep 463), he recorded "a round cl of stars 13m; gradually brighter in the middle; 4'; with two appendages of stars, n and s, making together a long cluster." Just two nights after his first observation (3 Jun 1834), he found the cluster again, but his position was 1.4 minutes too far east and he assumed it was new! He recorded h3650 = NGC 6222 as "a vL, v rich cl; not brilliant; not materially comp M; full 20' diameter; stars 12...13m." His descriptions appear to describe the same object, so NGC 6216 = NGC 6222.
RNGC labels the cluster NGC 6222, Lynga as NGC 6216 and ESO as NGC 6216 = NGC 6222.
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NGC 6217 = Arp 185 = UGC 10470 = MCG +13-12-008 = CGCG 355-014 = Kaz 73 = PGC 58477
16 32 39.3 +78 11 54; UMi
V = 11.2; Size 3.0'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.2
48" (10/22/11 and 4/27/22): at 375x and 488x; beautiful, two-armed barred spiral, spanning ~2.3'x1.5' NNW-SSE. A bright central bar is well-defined, mottled and sharply concentrated with an intensely bright, very small nucleus. A mag 15 star is superimposed just SE of the nucleus [14" separation]. The bar contains a brighter, mottled patch at its NNW end. A long spiral arm is attached at this patch and wraps counterclockwise around the N and NW side. A thinner second arm is rooted near the E side of the nucleus. It curls counterclockwise from east to south and contains a slightly brighter knot where the bar intersects the arm at the SSE end. The arm extends west of the bar for ~0.6'.
18" (7/5/08 and 9/3/08): this fascinating barred spiral displays subtle spiral structure. At 280x, the main portion appears to be a large central bar, 1.5'x1.0', oriented NNW-SSE. The bar is punctuated by an unusually bright stellar nucleus. An extremely faint star is close SSE along the central bar. Off the north end of the bar is a faint appendage or arm that gently curves to the SE and increases the overall dimensions to 2'x1.5' . Off the SSE end of the bar, some very weak haze extends to the southwest (beginning of an arm).
17.5" (7/22/01): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, ~2.5'x1.5', small bright core. Contains a bright stellar nucleus. A very faint star is just off the NW edge. At the NW end a faint spiral arm is attached to the main body, winding north and then trailing back nearly halfway along the NE flank (this increases the dimensions to ~2.5'x2.0'). With concentration a dark gap is visible between the arm and the main body (bar) of the galaxy. A very short extension is strongly suggested at the SE end, bending towards the west. All of these features were sketched and later verified on the DSS.
17.5" (5/14/88): bright, fairly large, bright stellar nucleus, elongated. Irregular appearance; either darker or an indentation on one side (this is probably a gap between the spiral arms).
13.1" (8/24/84): fairly bright, slightly elongated, stellar nucleus, fairly diffuse outer halo.
8" (8/24/84): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6217 = H. I-280 on 12 Dec 1797 (sweep 1071 under the pole). He logged "considerably bright, considerably large, elongated, little brighter in the middle. The extent points almost to 2 north-preceding pretty bright stars, or rather a little on the following side of them." This is one of the later galaxies he discovered while searching in the far north to finish up his third catalogue. He observed it again on 20 Dec 1797 (sweep 1075) and called it "very bright, considerably large, little extended. The two stars mentioned in 1071 sweep are about 7 to 9' distance [NW] from the nebula." A last observation was made on 6 Dec 1801 (sweep 1104). Hermann Kobold measured a precise micrometric position in 1892 with the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg Observatory
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NGC 6218 = M12
16 47 14.5 -01 56 52; Oph
V = 6.8; Size 14.5'; Surf Br = 0.6
18" (7/11/07): at 325x this globular nearly fills the field and extends roughly 11' in diameter. Contains a very bright 3.5'x2.5' oval core, extended WNW-ESE. A mag 10 star with an orange tint is just south of the core, 2' from the center. Two other mag 10-11 stars lie 4' N and 5' ENE of center in the halo. The core is plastered with an immense number of mag 12.5-13.5 stars and in the central 2' is an incredibly dense mat of mag 13.5 and fainter stars. Very irregular sprays of stars emanate from the central region and form part of the very scraggly outer halo.
17.5" (7/15/99): at 220x this bright cluster was highly resolved over the entire disc. Appears smaller than M10, perhaps 11'-12' diameter with a fairly well-defined 3.5' core. Two bright field stars are embedded in the north edge of the halo and a third bright star is off the following end. A mag 10 star is also superimposed just off the SE edge of the core. A number of brighter resolved mag 12 stars appear to be grouped into pairs and trios. There are a couple of hundred fainter stars in the central 8' over unresolved haze. The outline is very irregular and there are distinctive star-poor areas in the outer halo.
13.1" (many dates 6/19/82 to 6/30/84) : bright, large, round, very intense core with faint stars scattered over the core. The outer halo is highly resolved into scores of stars. Slightly inferior to M10 in faint stars.
8" (7/3/80 to 6/19/82): the outer halo is well resolved and partial resolution of the core. There are two or three brighter stars in the outer halo.
Charles Messier discovered M12 = NGC 6218 = h1971 on 30 May 1764. He noted it "doesn't contain any star; it is round, its diameter can be 3 minutes of arc, its light is faint; on sees it very well with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet [focal length]." Johann Bode independently found M12, along with M10, on 14 Aug 1774.
William Herschel first observed the globular on 21 May 1783, along with several other clusters, using his 9-inch (10-ft focal length) reflector and noted a "cluster of close stars of different sizes. All resolved into stars without nebulosity." He observed it again during his sweeps on 14 Apr (1785), noting "a brilliant cluster of stars visible, very much condensed in the center, the straggling stars that seem to belong to it extend to 7, 8 or 9' diameter." Another observation was made on 3 May 1786 (sweep 562): "a beautiful cluster of very compressed and vS stars; they are however of various magnitudes. The most compressed part takes up about 2'; the whole not less than 7 or 8'. Very gradually most compressed in the middle."
John Herschel's first observation was on 30 May 1821, while being instructed on sweeping (2nd night) by his 82 year old father. His Aunt Caroline recorded the observation. On 15 Apr 1828 (sweep 146), he described a "v rich globular cluster. The stars 10...16m; very gradually much brighter middle, but has stragglers in lines and branches extending some distance from the condensed part, which is 3' diam. Comes almost to a blaze in the middle, and has a * 10-11m in the centre."
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NGC 6219 = MCG +02-43-001 = CGCG 081-004 = PGC 58944
16 46 22.5 +09 02 16; Her
V = 14.0; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 157”
17.5" (7/2/89): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6219 = m 316 on 10 Jun 1863 and noted" F, S." There is nothing at his position (marked as verified) but 28 seconds of time preceding is CGCG 081-004 = PGC 58944. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position with the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg Observatory in May or June 1890.
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NGC 6220 = UGC 10541 = CGCG 25-004 = PGC 58979
16 47 13.2 -00 16 32; Oph
V = 13.6; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 135”
17.5" (7/14/93): very faint, very small, slightly elongated NW-SE, broad concentration, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is at the SSW edge of the halo [30" from center] and a mag 16 star was highly suspected at the south edge of the halo [25" from center].
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6220 = Sw. 9-65 and recorded "eeF; pS; iR; 3 F stars south point to it." His position is 1.5' northeast of UGC 10541 and his description clinches the identification. The discovery was sent directly to Dreyer, reported as list 6 in the NGC, but the discovery wasn't published until his 9th list in 1890.
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NGC 6221 = ESO 138-003 = AM 1648-590 = PGC 59175
16 52 46.1 -59 13 07; Ara
V = 9.9; Size 3.5'x2.5'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 5”
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated N-S, ~2.5'x2.0', broad concentration to a small brighter core. I was surprised there was a strong impression of a spiral arm along the west side of the halo extending to the north. A very small knot was seen at the northern end, probably within this spiral arm. Brightest in a group with NGC 6215 19' NW. Located 25' SE of mag 3.8 Eta Arae in a rich Milky Way field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6221 = h3649 on 3 May 1835 and recorded "pF; L; R; gradually little brighter middle; 80"." On a second sweep (5 Jul 1836), he logged it as a "Globular cluster; pB; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 2 1/2' dia; barely resolvable." First resolved as a "spiral nebula" on a plate taken at Harvard's Arequipa station around 1900.
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NGC 6222 = NGC 6259 = Cr 322 = Mel 158
17 00 45 -44 39 18; Sco
V = 8.0; Size 10'
See observing notes for NGC 6259.
John Herschel found NGC 6222 = h3650 on 3 Jun 1834 and recorded "a vL, v rich cl; not brilliant; not materially comp M; full 20' diameter; stars 12..13m." There is nothing at his position, but Harold Corwin checked the sweep record and found that JH made a transcription error of 10 minutes in RA. Once this correction is made, his position lands on the southeast of side of open cluster NGC 6259. Interestingly, he first observed this cluster just two nights previously and placed h3660 = D 456 (later NGC 6259) accurately. So, NGC 6222 = NGC 6259 and not equal to NGC 6216 as previously assumed.
RNGC misidentifies NGC 6216 as NGC 6222 and ESO equates NGC 6222 with NGC 6216.
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NGC 6223 = UGC 10527 = MCG +10-24-040 = CGCG 299-021 = VII Zw 657 = PGC 58828
16 43 04.4 +61 34 44; Dra
V = 11.8; Size 3.5'x2.6'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 88”
18" (6/21/09): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.6'. Contains a large bright core and a fainter envelope. UGC 10517 lies 20' SW.
17.5" (6/18/88): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, very bright core, faint halo. Contains a stellar nucleus with direct vision.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6223 = Sw. 2-43, along with NGC 6226, on 24 Sep 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position (2 measures) is fairly accurate. Lewis Swift rediscovered NGC 6223 on 16 Aug 1885 and reported it as new in his second discovery list (#43) with description "pB, vS, R." His RA was 10 seconds too small.
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NGC 6224 = UGC 10555 = MCG +01-43-002 = CGCG 053-010 = PGC 59017
16 48 18.6 +06 18 43; Her
V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5" (7/2/89): faint, very small, round, small bright core. A mag 11 star is 1.6' N. Forms a pair with NGC 6225 5.4' S.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6224 = Sw. 9-66, along with NGC 6225, on 15 Jun 1887 and recorded "eeeF; vS; lE; pB * nr north both in trap; eee diff; np of 2 [with NGC 6225]." His RA is 9 seconds too large (similar offset as NGC 6224). The discovery was sent directly to Dreyer, reported as list 6 in the NGC, but wasn't published until after the NGC in his 9th list.
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NGC 6225 = UGC 10556 = MCG +01-43-003 = CGCG 053-011 = PGC 59024
16 48 21.7 +06 13 21; Her
V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 156”
17.5" (7/2/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated. A mag 16 star is involved at the east edge just 12" from the center. Pair with NGC 6224 5' N.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6225 = Sw. 9-67, along with NGC 6224, on 15 Jun 1887 and recorded "eF; vS; lE; 2 or 3 vF stars involved; sf of 2 [with NGC 6224]." His RA is 8 seconds too large (same offset as NGC 6224). The discovery was sent directly to Dreyer, reported as list 6 in the NGC, but the discovery wasn't published until 1890 (after the NGC) in his 9th list.
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NGC 6226 = UGC 10532 = MCG +10-24-043 = CGCG 299-022 = PGC 58847
16 43 23.2 +61 59 02; Dra
V = 13.2; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.7; PA = 68”
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval WSW-ENE, weak concentration. A mag 12 star is 1.8' ESE.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6226 on 24 Sep 1862, along with NGC 6223, with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and noted it formed an equilateral triangle with two mag 12/14 stars. His single position is ~40" south of UGC 10532.
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NGC 6227 = ESO 332-005
16 51 33.7 -41 13 50; Sco
18" (6/12/10): this description assumes NGC 6227 refers to the beautifully rich fields to the east and northeast of mag 5.2 HD 151804 (at 16 51 37.7 -41 13 50), extending over a degree. At 108x, Tr 24 is a striking, very large, bright scattered grouping that overfills the 56' field with no distinct borders. A number of the stars appeared to be grouped into long chains with smaller knots and concentrations including vdB-Ha 202 and vdB-Ha 205. On the northern side is IC 4628 (nicknamed the Prawn Nebula), a very large, irregular HII nebula that shows up best with a UHC filter. On the south edge of IC 4628 is mag 7.2 HD 152723 and 5' SW is a distinctive 8' string oriented NW-SE. About 20' S of the mag 7.2 star is a mag 6.2 star (V861 Sco) and to the NW is another 20' string extending WNW. To the south of this string is another 20' string oriented NW-SE that includes vdBH 202.
vdB-Ha 202, situated 10' NNW of mag 6.1-6.4 V861 Sco, is located in a beautifully rich region on the SW side of Tr 24. Within this string is a 15" pair of mag 10 stars and just south of a mag 9 situated 2' NW of the double is vdB-Ha 202, a faint, very rich dusting of stars that is elongated ~N-S. The cluster is dense, just 2' in length and only partially resolved. A group of faint stars spread out E-W off the south end.
vdB-Ha 205, situated 20' NE of vdB-Ha 202, consists of 20 stars mag 7.5 to 13.5 in a distinctive 4' group. The brightest star is on the NW side. The center and south side of the group is devoid of stars. A smaller clump of stars 7' S of vdB-Ha 205 is catalogued as ESO 332-011. Another string of stars 7' NE is listed as ESO 332-013.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6227 = h3651 on 5 Jun 1834 and noted "A star 5m in a great cl, or an immensely rich milky way patch." His position corresponds with mag 5.2 HD 151804 at 16 51 37.7 -41 13 50 (2000). Although the location is definite, the actual size of an "immense" and "great cl" is uncertain. This star is 45' NW of NGC 6231 but I would assume Herschel is referring to the very rich fields to the east and northeast (Cr 316) which includes Tr 24 and specifically, the rich region around vdB-Ha 202 and vdB-Ha 205, which are 44' and 60' northeast of HD 151804.
Burnham's Celestial Handbook mentions this object as a "rich milky way field northwest NGC 6231. Not a true cluster." The ESO description reads "Part of Milky way only." RNGC classifies NGC 6227 as a nonexistent cluster.
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NGC 6228 = UGC 10558 = MCG +04-40-001 = CGCG 139-003 = VV 791 = VV 846 = PGC 59007
16 48 02.9 +26 12 46; Her
V = 13.9; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 130”
17.5" (5/28/89): extremely faint, fairly small, edge-on NW-SE, very low surface brightness.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6228 = m 317 on 28 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, S." His position is just 1' south-southwest of UGC 10558.
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NGC 6229
16 46 58.8 +47 31 40; Her
V = 9.4; Size 4.2'; Surf Br = 0.0
18" (7/23/06): at 225x, appears bright, moderately large, slightly elongated, ~3.5' diameter with a blazing core. Several extremely faint stars popped in and out of view in the halo. At 435x, a number of very faint stars were clearly visible in the halo (roughly two dozen) and the core was quite mottled with several brightness levels towards the center. The globular forms a perfect equilateral triangle with two 8th magnitude stars 6' W and 6' SW. While searching for NGC 6229 I ran into a neat little asterism of 6 stars (Leiter 6) located 27' NNW that I had observed the previously month.
17.5": bright, fairly small, very bright core, faint mottled halo. Roughly 10 extremely faint mag 15-16 stars are resolved around the edges of the halo at 280x. Forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 8 stars 6' W and 6' SW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6229 = H. IV-50 on 12 May 1787 (sweep 735). He recorded "very bright, round, about 4' diameter. The whole of it is almost equally bright with a faint, resolvable margin." It was misplaced in class IV, for planetary nebula and other miscellaneous objects. The globular was less than 5” from the zenith as it crossed the meridian in his field of view.
Giuseppe Bianchi independently found this globular on 11 Jun 1839 and announced the discovery in an Astronomische Nachrichten letter, unaware of Herschel's prior discovery.
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NGC 6230 = UGC 10575 = MCG +01-43-005 = CGCG 053-014 = PGC 59106
16 50 46.7 +04 36 17; Her
V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1
24" (6/12/15): at 375x; faint, small, round, 18" diameter. A mag 14.5 star is at the southeast edge. A wide pair of mag 14.1/14.9 stars is less than 1' NW. Located 5' W of mag 9 HD 152087. Member of a small group with NGC 6234 with light-travel time of ~430 million years.
Forms a close pair with PGC 214543 1' W. The companion (identified in NED as NGC 6104 NED01) appeared very faint to faint, small, round, 15" diameter, low surface brightness but not difficult. The components have a similar redshift though there is no obvious evidence of interaction.
17.5" (7/2/89): very faint, extremely small, round. A mag 15 star is off the south edge. NGC 6234 lies 22' SE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6230 = Sw. 4-40 on 3 Jul 1886 and recorded "eeeF; pS; R; between a distant B * following and a distant F * preceding; ee diff." His position is 4 seconds of RA west and 1' north of UGC 10575 and his description matches the field. Swift apparently missed the small companion 1' west.
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NGC 6231 = BBW 31100 = Gum 55 = RCW 113 = Cr 315 = Mel 153 = False Comet Cluster
16 54 11 -41 49 30; Sco
V = 2.6; Size 240'
11" (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): NGC 6231 is a remarkable naked-eye cluster sits just north of Zeta Scorpii. At 103x this stunning grup contained a half-dozen stars brighter than 7th magnitude and a dozen of mag 8 or brighter. This bright subset is set over a rich carpet of 100-150 fainter stars in a roughly 20' field. Extending to the north following a 1” chain of stars is the sprawling open cluster Tr 24 (60' diameter) that includes IC 4628, a large irregular HII region (see notes below). NGC 6231 is the core of the young Sco OB1 association.
18" (6/12/10): at 108x Tr 24 is a striking, very large, bright scattered group that overfills the 56' field. A number of the stars appeared to be grouped into long chains with smaller knots and concentrations including vdBh 202 and vdBH 205. On the northern side is IC 4628, a very large, irregular HII nebula that shows up best with a UHC filter. On the south edge of IC 4628 is mag 7.2 HD 152723 and 5' SW is a distinctive 8' string oriented NW-SE. About 20' S of the mag 7.2 star is a mag 6.2 star (V861 Sco) and to the NW is another 20' string extending WNW. To the south of this string is another 20' string oriented NW-SE that includes vdBH 202.
IC 4628 is a large, HII region embedded on the northern half of Tr 24. At 108x and UHC filter IC 4628 stood out as a very large, fairly bright glow within Tr 24. The main glow was elongated E-W, roughly 30'x12' with mag 7.2 HD 152723 just off the south side. A number of mag 8-10 stars are embedded along the SW and west end of the nebulosity. A fainter extension begins on the east end and extends NE for ~15', ending in a brighter patch with several stars involved.
11" (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): at 103x the 40' field to the north of NGC 6231is filled with a huge, scattered grouping with no distinct boundaries.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): over 100 stars mag 8-12. Bright, very large, scattered. Divided into two main groups and fills the 40' field. Emission nebula IC 4628 is involved on the north side (seen from Baja) and a trail of stars extends towards NGC 6231.
8" (6/27/81): bright, large, scattered cluster in two main groups.
17.5" (7/4/86): 100 stars at 84x in the main part including 10 bright stars. Impressive cluster at low power.
13.1" (7/6/83): five bright stars are in the cluster with a dozen stars in the central portion and 50 stars in a 20' field. There is a 1” field to the NW and NE consisting of fairly bright stars = NGC 6227 and Tr 24 = H12.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): bright group of stars in center appeared like jewels over rich sprays of stars, excellent low power field. Located 30' N of Zeta Scorpii. Partially resolved in 8x50 finder.
8" (6/27/81): impressive cluster at 100x with a bright group of 8 stars in the center. Partially resolved in the 8x50 finder.
7x50mm binocs (7/6/83): partially resolved, very large region of ~2” with fairly bright stars.
Naked-eye (numerous times): this is an easy naked eye cluster, even from northern California, looking like a comet heading north from Zeta Scorpii. From further south (southern Baja or southern Hemisphere), it is a very prominent naked-eye cluster.
Giovanni Hodierna first observed NGC 6231 = Lac II-13 = D 499 = h3652 telescopically by 1646 from Sicily. He mentioned it was "highly remarkable, because of the coordination of 17 stars, and with an adjoining nebulosa..." The "nebulosa" is probably NGC 6231. Edmond Halley independently discovered the cluster in 1677 whle cataloging southern stars from the island of St. Helena.
The discovery credit is often given to Nicholas-Louis de Lacaille, who observed it in 1751-1752 with a 1/2" telescope at 8x during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He noted a "close group of seven or eight close faint stars". James Dunlop made 3 observations in 1826 and described "a cluster of pretty bright stars of mixt small magnitudes, considerably congregated to the centre, about 10' diameter, with a large branch of very small stars extended on the north side; this is 150 Scorpii." John Herschel wrote, "a fine bright, large cluster; pretty rich; class VII; 10'; stars 10...13 mag. Place of a double star 5m, the preceding but one of 7 bright stars in the middle."
Ashworth argues in the "Journal for the History of Astronomy" (1981) that Ptolemy listed NGC 6231 in his catalogue as a star (14 Scopii), though did not observe it as nebulous. It was included as a star or nebula, in every major catalogue and atlas since, but it's position and different labels were so inconsistent that it was not recognized as the same object found by Lacaille in 1752. For example, it was listed as Bayer's southern Mu, and Sharp's Zeta. It was depicted as the southern of a pair of stars in Bayer's atlas and the northern in Hevelius' atlas.
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NGC 6232 = UGC 10537 = MCG +12-16-007 = CGCG 339-016 = PGC 58841
16 43 20.1 +70 37 57; Dra
V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.4
17.5" (7/9/88): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is at the west edge. Located 10.9' SW of NGC 6236 in a group.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6232 = Sw. 1-48, along with NGC 6236, on 28 Jun 1884 and recorded "pF; pL; lE. 1st of 4 [with NGC 6236, 6237, 6245]." His position RA was 15 seconds too small, but at this declination the separation is just 1' west of UGC 10537. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate micrometric position in 1892 with the 18" refractor at Strasbourg. See notes on NGC 6237, which may be a duplicate number.
MCG mislabels NGC 6232 as NGC 6237. The RNGC has the correct identification.
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NGC 6233 = UGC 10573 = MCG +04-40-002 = CGCG 139-007 = PGC 59086
16 50 15.6 +23 34 47; Her
V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 33”
17.5" (5/28/89): faint, small, almost round, gradually increases to a small bright core.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6233 = St. 11-51 on 21 Jun 1871. His initial position was off the NW side. His published micrometric position (list XI, #51) was made 9 years later (12 Jul 1880).
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NGC 6234 = MCG +01-43-007 = CGCG 053-018 = PGC 59144
16 51 57.3 +04 23 01; Oph
V = 14.4; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7
17.5" (6/8/91): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness. Located 9.4' WNW of mag 8.8 SAO 121919. Member of a small group (USGC U779) with NGC 6230, which lies 22' NW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6234 = m 318 on 17 Jun 1863 and noted "F, S, R." His position is 1' too far south.
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NGC 6235 = ESO 586-5
16 53 25.3 -22 10 39; Oph
V = 10.2; Size 5.0'; Surf Br = 1.0
24" (8/29/19): unusual observation of NGC 6235 with Jupiter just 8' of the globular and Callisto superimposed on the outer south portion of the halo of the globular! Using 260x, with Jupiter off the edge of the field and Callisto resolved as an obvious 1.3" disc, the core of NGC 6235 was seen as a small, hazy patch and the halo was occasionally seen as a low surface brightness glow.
18" (7/24/06): at 435x this globular was quite scraggly with a small, irregularly shaped core surrounded by a much fainter low surface brightness halo extending to 3'-3.5' diameter. At least 15 to 20 stars were resolved with 3 or 4 fairly easy brighter stars but most are very faint, in the mag 15-16 range. With extended viewing, several extremely faint stars popped in and out of visibility in the halo, increasing the overall total to 25-30 stars, though a lower number were visible simultaneously.
17.5" (6/8/91): fairly bright, small, 3' diameter, mottled. A few stars are resolved at the edges of the halo including a fairly prominent mag 14 star at the east edge of the halo and another mag 14 star at the west edge of the core. The remaining resolved stars are mag 15 or fainter. The core is elongated N-S. The globular has an irregular scraggly halo due to unresolved star lanes. Located within a triangle of three mag 12-13 stars.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6235 = H. II-584 = h3653 on 26 May 1786 (sweep 566). He described it as "pretty bright, considerably large, gradually brighter in the middle, easily resolvable. No doubt that it consists of stars." John Herschel made a single observation: "pretty compressed; S; 2'; rather triangular than R; mbM; resolved into stars 14...16m."
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NGC 6236 = UGC 10546 = MCG +12-16-008 = CGCG 339-019 = Kaz 88 = PGC 58891
16 44 34.4 +70 46 52; Dra
V = 11.9; Size 2.9'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 15”
17.5" (6/24/95): faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, 2.0'x1.4', almost even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is 3.0' WSW.
17.5" (7/9/88): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, broad concentration. Located 3.7' NW of a mag 10.5 star. Brightest of three with NGC 6232 10.9' SW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6236 = Sw. 1-50, along with NGC 6232, on 28 Jun 1884 and recorded "F; pL; B * nr. 2nd of 4 [with NGC 6232, 6237 and 6245]." His position is 2.5' due west (30 seconds of RA) of UGC 10546 and the identification is certain. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 30 Aug 1888 and it was repeated by Dreyer in the IC 2 Notes section. See identification notes on NGC 6245, which may be a duplicate number.
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NGC 6237
16 44 06 +70 38; Dra
= Not found, Gottlieb and Thomson. =NGC 6232?, Corwin. (R)NGC 6237 = NGC 6248.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6237 = Sw. 1-49 on 28 Jun 1884 and recorded "vvF; E; pL; S. 3rd of 4 [with NGC 6232, 6236, 6245]." There is nothing at his position, just 50 seconds of time due east of NGC 6232 = UGC 10537, which was discovered the same night. Harold Corwin comments that NGC 6237 might refer to a faint star(s), but perhaps Swift was confused and recorded NGC 6232 twice. Interestingly, his position for (nonexistent) NGC 6245 is similar amount off from NGC 6236, suggesting he might have recorded both objects twice. As this is just a theory, Corwin classifies NGC 6237 as lost.
RNGC mislabels NGC 6248 = UGC 10564 as NGC 6237. See my notes for NGC 6248 as well as Corwin's write-up for NGC 6237 for the complete story.
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NGC 6238 = UGC 10563 = MCG +10-24-057 = CGCG 299-031 = KAZ 92 = Holm 756a = PGC 58980
16 47 16.7 +62 08 50; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.6; PA = 17”
17.5" (7/9/88): faint, very small, elongated SSW-NNE, very faint star involved. Second of three with NGC 6244 6' NE and MCG +10-24-052 8.9' NW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6238 = Sw. 4-41, along with NGC 6244, on 28 Jun 1886, and recorded "eeF; eS; eF * very close; e diff; sp of 2 [with NGC 6244]." The faint star is at the north edge.
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NGC 6239 = UGC 10577 = MCG +07-35-001 = CGCG 225-002 = PGC 59083
16 50 05.6 +42 44 22; Her
V = 12.4; Size 2.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 118”
24" (7/2/16): at 375x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, 1.0'x0.6'. The north edge has a sharper light cut-off apparently due to a dust lane and is slightly concave near the center. A small, slightly brighter core is offset from center, just south of the dust lane. The south edge gently bulges out, so overall the galaxy has a weak "banana" shape. A small knot (blue HII region on the SDSS) is just distinguishable at the WNW end of the galaxy.
17.5" (5/28/89): moderately bright, moderately large, oval NW-SE, bright core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6239 = H. III-727 = St. 7-10 on 12 Apr 1788 (sweep 831) and recorded "cF, S, E in the parallel [E-W]." Caroline made a 1” error in declination which was copied by John Herschel into his General Catalogue (#4247). Arthur Auwers reduced the position correctly in his catalog. Stephan found the galaxy on 10 Jun 1874 with follow up observations on 20 Jun 1876, 11 Jun 1877, 5 Jun 1878 and 24 Jun 1878 (was he searching at Auwers' position?). He reported it as new in his 7th discovery list (#10), published in 1876, with an accurate position. Dreyer cataloged St. 7-10 separately in the GC Supplement (#5832), but identified NGC 6239 = GC 4247 = GC 5832.
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NGC 6240 = IC 4625 = UGC 10592 = MCG +00-43-004 = CGCG 025-011 = VV 617 = PGC 59186 = Rumpled Starfish = Lobster
16 52 58.9 +02 24 04; Oph
V = 12.9; Size 2.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 20”
48" (4/6/13): NGC 6240, a highly disrupted merger, appeared fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, ~1.2'x0.8', irregular shape! A prominent, thin extension or spike extends 4:1 or 5:1 to the NNE from the central region. This wing is sharply defined and narrow. A short, bright, broader extension juts out to the SSW, in the opposite direction of the NNE wing. Finally, a faint short wing (~15"x5") extends south from the central region on the east side (on the DSS, this branch curves at the south end). A mag 13.5 star is 30" E, a mag 15.5-16 star is 0.8' SSE and a 12" pair of mag 13.5/15 stars lies 1.5' S.
24" (7/22/14): the Rumpled Starfish appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, irregular but roughly elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, ~60"x40", though it increased in size with averted vision. The surface brightness is irregular, with a mottled texture. The brightest portion had an offset nucleus or knot on the east side. On the northeast side, a faint narrow wing extended to the north. A very short extension was also glimpsed on the southeast side. A mag 13.5 star is 0.6' NE and a mag 15.7 star is 50" SSE of center.
24" (8/15/12): this irregular galaxy appeared fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, ~1.0'x0.5', broad concentration with a slightly brighter core. The shape is unusual as the NNE end is narrow, like an edge-on, while the south-southwest end appears wider. With careful viewing, a very faint extension branches south from the central region, creating a forked appearance with the brighter portion trending SSW. A mag 13.5 star is 0.6' NE and a mag 15.5 star is 0.8' SE of center.
18" (7/22/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.4', weak concentration, appears slightly brighter along the major axis. With extended viewing, there is an impression of an irregular shape with a very faint extension off the main bar near the center.
17.5" (6/8/91): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is at the NE edge 0.6' from center.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6240 = St. 2-4 = Big. 80 on 2 Jun 1869, with an additional observation on 8 Jul 1871. His reduced position in list 2, #4 was made on 12 Jul 1871 and ~6' too far southeast, an unusually large error. A later observation was made on 3 Jun 1878. Guillaume Bigourdan independently found this galaxy on 2 Jul 1886 and measured an accurate position. Dreyer realized the equivalence and added a note in the NGC that "Stephan's comparison star must have been LL 30519. Adopting this star his observation agrees well with Bigourdan's."
E.E. Barnard rediscovered this galaxy on 7 Jul 1888 and noted (in his observing log) "Ran upon a nebula close south-preceding a 10m star. 2 seconds p[receding] the star and 1/4' +/- south." Assuming Barnard's object was probably new, Dreyer recatalogued it as IC 4625 though added the note "? = 6240" Barnard's position was 2' too far north, but IC 4625 = NGC 6240.
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NGC 6241 = MCG +08-31-007 = CGCG 252-005 = PGC 59085
16 50 11.0 +45 25 15; Her
V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2
24" (7/19/12): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, gradually increases to a very small brighter nucleus. UGC 10586 lies 6.7' ESE and Zwicky's Triplet = Arp 103 lies 8' WNW. The UGC appeared faint or fairly faint, fairly small, round, 30" diameter, broad weak concentration (face-on spiral).
17.5" (8/22/98): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 50"x35". Weak, even concentration to a slightly brighter core and very faint quasi-stellar nucleus. Picked up while observing Zwicky's Triplet ~7' WNW.
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, weak concentration. In a group with UGC 10586 6.7' ESE and "Zwicky's Triplet" = Arp 103 6.6' WNW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6241 = H. III-735 on 29 Apr 1788 (sweep 838) and recorded "eF, pS, 300 verified it and shows iF." His position matches CGCG 252-005 = PGC 59085." This is one of the fainter galaxies that WH discovered.
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NGC 6242 = Cr 317 = Mel 155 = Lund 732
16 55 33 -39 27 42; Sco
V = 6.4; Size 9'
22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): bright, rich group of ~100 stars in a 12' region with most of the stars to the north of a mag 7.3 orange luminary (K2-type HD 152524). The group is elongated N-S and highlighted by a N-S string of 8 or 9 brighter mag 9-10 stars on the west side of the cluster.
11" (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): 80-100 stars in a 12' cluster including a mag 7.3 orange star (HD 152524) on the SE side. There is an elongated group (N-S) of ten mag 10 stars to the NW of the bright star. These brighter stars are set over a rich carpet of mag 13-14 stars. A couple of curved chains of stars forms the southern boundary of the cluster.
17.5" (7/16/93): ~100 stars in a 10' region at 220x, rich in faint stars. Includes red mag 7.3 SAO 101654 in the SE corner of cluster and 8 brighter mag 10-11 stars. Includes several curving arcs of stars with a few dozen mag 13 stars and a rich background carpet of mag 14.5-15.5 stars.
8" (6/27/81): two dozen stars mag 8-11, fairly rich, compact, nice at low power. Faint stars are visible with averted vision.
Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 6242 = Lac I-10 = D 520 = h3654 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2" telescope at 8x, during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He simply noted an "elongated faint oval spot."
James Dunlop made 3 observations with his 9-inch f/12 reflector in 1826. His description from 13 May reads, "a cluster or group of small stars, about 4' diameter, with extensive branches extending S.p. and N.f. A pretty bright star south of the center. Considerable compression of the stars towards the centre of the group."
John Herschel first observed the cluster from the Cape on 5 June 1834 (sweep 456) and logged "a p rich brilliant cluster of stars 10...12th mag, with one 7-8th mag near middle." On 28 Jun (sweep 461) he recorded "cluster VI class, B, L, rich, discrete, 12', irregular figure, very little brighter middle, fine object; place of a red star 9th mag, rest 11th mag, white." The next night he logged it as "a fine large rich cluster, class VII, stars 9..12th mag, fills field, place of a red star 8-9th mag in centre."
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NGC 6243 = UGC 10591 = MCG +04-40-004 = CGCG 139-013 = PGC 59161
16 52 26.4 +23 19 57; Her
V = 14.1; Size 1.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 154”
17.5" (5/28/89): very faint, small, elongated NW-SE, weak concentration.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6243 = St. 11-52 on 19 Jun 1871. His initial position was 3' to the ENE, consistent with other errors that night. Stephan's accurate micrometric position (list XI, #52) was made exactly 9 years later on 10 Jun 1880 with description "vF, vS,irregular, diffuse, slightly brighter nucleus.
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NGC 6244 = UGC 10568 = MCG +10-24-059 = CGCG 299-032 = Kaz 96 = PGC 59009
16 48 03.8 +62 12 01; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 140”
17.5" (7/9/88): faint, fairly small, very elongated NW-SE. A mag 12.5 star is 0.9' W. Third of three with NGC 6238 6.4' SW and MCG +10-24-052 13' WNW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6244 = Sw. 4-42, along with NGC 6238, on 28 Jun 1886, and recorded "vF; vS; R; bet 2 stars; nf of 2 [with NGC 6238]."
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NGC 6245
16 45 24 +70 48; Dra
= Not found, Gottlieb or Corwin. =NGC 6236?, Corwin.
PGC 58917 (misidentified as NGC 6245 in the RNGC) was not seen on 3 nights (including 6/24/95 and 7/27/95) using my 17.5".
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6245 = Sw. 1-51 on 28 Jun 1884 and recorded "vF; pL; R. 4th of 4 [with NGC 6232, 6236, 6237]." There is nothing at his position, just 48 seconds of time east of NGC 6236 = UGC 10546, which was discovered the same night. Harold Corwin comments that NGC 6245 might refer to a faint star(s), but perhaps Swift was confused and recorded NGC 6245 twice. Perhaps coincidentally, his position for NGC 6237 is similar amount off from NGC 6232, suggesting he might have recorded both objects twice. Without additional information, Corwin classifies NGC 6245 as lost.
RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 58917 (at 16 45 19.2 +70 49 53) as NGC 6245. HyperLeda still identifies this galaxy as NGC 6245, though with B magnitude of 18.0, it is clearly much too faint to have been seen by Swift.
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NGC 6246 = UGC 10580 = MCG +09-27-098 = CGCG 277-005 = CGCG 276-048 = PGC 59077
16 49 53.4 +55 32 34; Dra
V = 13.6; Size 1.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 43”
17.5" (7/4/86): at 222x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, broad concentration. Forms a pair with UGC 10584 = NGC 6246A 10' SSE. This galaxy is incorrectly identified as NGC 6246A in the RNGC.
17.5" (6/19/88): faint, fairly small, elongated WSW-ENE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6246 = Sw. 4-43 on 28 Jun 1886 and recorded "eF; S; R." His position is just 9 tsec of RA west of UGC 10580, so this identification is certain.
The RNGC has reversed the identifications of NGC 6246 and NGC 6246A = UGC 10584, which is located 10' south-southeast of NGC 6246. Although these galaxies have similar magnitudes, NGC 6246 is more prominent visually due to a higher surface brightness. NGC 6246 is correctly identified in UGC, MCG and RC3. The error was mentioned in my RNGC Corrections #2.
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NGC 6247 = IC 1233 = UGC 10572 = CGCG 320-044 = PGC 59023
16 48 20.2 +62 58 35; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 58”
17.5" (7/9/88): fairly faint, small, very elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6247 on 24 Sep 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted the nearby mag 12 star, which he measured as 15.1 seconds east and 35" north. His position for the galaxy is ~40" south of UGC 10572, the same offset as NGC 6226.
Harold Corwin notes that Lewis Swift found this galaxy again (on 24 Jul 1889) and reported Sw. 9-70 (later IC 1233) as "eF; vS; vE; bet. 2 stars." His position is 10' too far north, but his description is an exact match (Dreyer questioned if IC 1233 = NGC 6247 in the IC description).
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NGC 6248 = UGC 10564 = MCG +12-16-009 = CGCG 339-020 = PGC 58946
16 46 22.8 +70 21 20; Dra
V = 13.1; Size 3.2'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 150”
17.5" (7/9/88): very faint, fairly large, very diffuse, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, weak concentration.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6248 = Sw. 2-44 on 11 Aug 1885 in a group with NGC 6232 and NGC 6236, discovered the previous year. He reported "eeF; pL; R; bet a bright star and 3 stars in a line; v diff." His position is less than 2' west of UGC 10564 and the description is a perfect match. NGC 6248 is an irregular blue barred spiral.
Nevertheless, the RNGC misidentifies UGC 10564 as NGC 6237. In addition, RNGC and CGCG mislabel CGCG 339-036 as NGC 6248. UGC doesn't label 10564 as NGC 6248, but MCG (+12-16-009) has the correct identification. The identifications of these galaxies is covered in my RNGC Correction list #3, Malcolm Thomson's article in the Webb Society Quarterly Journal, July 1989, and Harold Corwin's identification notes for NGC 6237.
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NGC 6249 = Cr 319 = ESO 277-019
16 57 41 -44 48 42; Sco
V = 8.2; Size 6'
14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 145x and 178x): bright, moderately large cluster with ~50 stars mag 10 to 14 scattered over a 7' region. Many of the stars are arranged roughly in a "C" or horseshoe shape open to the east. The most prominent part includes 4 mag 10-11 stars in a small trapezoidal shape (parallel sides N-S). Three additional mag 10-11 stars are spread out south of this trapezoid; the northern one is a 10" pair and several additional pairs caught my eye. NGC 6259, a showpiece cluster, lies 33' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6249 = h3655 on 1 Jun 1834 and recorded "cluster VIII class, coarse, p rich, stars 9...12m." On a second sweep (27 Jul 1834) he logged it as "VII class, p rich, loose irreg fig; large and small stars, 9...15m; 10' long, 7' broad."
James Dunlop *may* have been the first to find this cluster on 31 Jul 1826 with his 9-inch homemade reflector from Parramatta. He described D 455 as "an extremely faint ill-defined nebula, easily resolvable into stars; this is in the milky way." His position, though is just over 40' WSW of the cluster, so the identification is very uncertain.
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NGC 6250 = Cr 320 = ESO 277-020
16 57 56 -45 56 12; Ara
V = 5.9; Size 8'
22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): small group of a dozen stars in a tight 2' cluster including mag 9.2 HD 152822. Surrounding this knot is a larger, 14' scattered group of stars, elongated ~E-W, that appears to be a separate superimposed cluster. Three mag 7.5-8.5 stars are in this larger group to the SW, SE and E of the central clump and a mag 9 star is among a small subgroup at the east edge.
11" (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): at 127x a dozen stars are packed into a tight 2' group. Consists of a knot of 6 stars on the NE side and a looping curve of 5 or 6 stars on the SW side. This "core" is surrounded by a scattered 10' group of perhaps three dozen stars including three mag 7.5-8.5 stars to the SW and SE by 3' and to the east by 6'.
13.1" (4/10/86): tight, rich group of 6-10 stars over an unresolved haze. Set among a larger scattered group of bright stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6250 = h3656 on 1 Jul 1834 and recorded a "cluster VIII class; loose and straggling; place that of a D * [HJ 4899 = 9.8/10.0 at 2"] in central more condensed group; has a * 8m sf, 5' dist, and another 7m more remote. His position is on the close double star.
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NGC 6251 = UGC 10501 = MCG +14-08-010 = CGCG 367-013 = PGC 58472
16 32 32.0 +82 32 16; UMi
V = 12.6; Size 1.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.7
17.5" (8/1/86): fairly faint, fairly small, round. Contains a sharp, bright core which rises to a bright stellar nucleus. Pair with NGC 6252 2.4' NNE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6251 = H. III-974, along with NGC 6252, on 1 Jan 1802 (late sweep 1106, under the pole). He recorded both as "Two, the preceding [NGC 6251] considerably faint, small, brighter middle. The following [NGC 6252] very faint, very small. The place is that of the first. The 2nd is about 3' more north, and only a few seconds of time following, they being nearly in the same meridian." His description is accurate, though the reduced position is 2.8' too far north. The pair are the two most northerly galaxies that Herschel discovered. It wasn't until the later sweeps that the large 20-ft was used to search for nebulae this near the pole as it was mechanically difficult to observe and accurately record positions as no side movement was possible observing above the pole.
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NGC 6252 = MCG +14-08-011 = CGCG 367-014 = PGC 58456
16 32 40.5 +82 34 36; UMi
V = 14.2; Size 0.75'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 62”
17.5" (8/1/86): fairly faint, round, weak concentration, can hold with direct vision. NGC 6252 is slightly smaller and has a much smoother surface brightness than NGC 6251 2.4' S.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6252 = H. III-975, along with NGC 6251 on 1 Jan 1802 (sweep 1106). He recorded both as "Two, the preceding [NGC 6251] considerably faint, small, brighter middle. The following [NGC 6252] very faint, very small. The place is that of the first. The 2nd is about 3' more north, and only a few seconds of time following, they being nearly in the same meridian." This is the most northerly galaxy that Herschel discovered. Previously, he had observed at the pole (+90”, 1800 coordinates) on two unregistered cloudy sweeps in 1787.
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NGC 6253 = ESO 180-2 = Cr 321 = Mel 156
16 59 05 -52 42 30; Ara
V = 10.2; Size 5'
14" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 73x, 178x and 230x): fairly small 5' cluster, but quite rich with 60-70 stars mag 12-14.5 resolved at 230x. Stands out as a bright, partially resolved glow at 73x. Irregular shape but expands E-W on the south side and tapers on the north side. Contains no bright stars but a mag 8.9 star is just off the southwest side. Located 27' NNW of 4th magnitude Epsilon1 Arae. This well-studied cluster is an old, very metal-rich with an age of ~4 billion years.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6253 = D 374 = h3657 on 14 May 1826. His summary description (based on 4 observations) reads "a very faint nebula, of an irregular round figure, about 2' diameter, slightly bright towards the centre, easily resolvable into very minute stars, slightly compressed to the centre; this also precedes Epsilon Arae." His position was off by ~8' (too far southeast).
John Herschel observed it on 8 Jul 1834 (sweep 468) as "a small triangular cl 2' diameter; stars = 13m."
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NGC 6254 = M10
16 57 08.9 -04 05 58; Oph
V = 6.6; Size 15.1'; Surf Br = 0.9
18" (7/14/07): large, gorgeous GC at 225x, extends ~15' in diameter and fills most of the field. The cluster is sharply concentrated with an intense 5' core containing a huge number of resolved mag 13-15 stars over an unresolved background glow and beautiful strings of stars in the halo. At 323x the core is slightly elongated SW-NE, ~5'x4' in size. Strings of stars crisscross the core with a very small triangle of stars at the geometric center. At 393x, one of the 3 stars in this central triangle is a very close double. The core is pretty uniformly rich and evenly resolved and does not compress towards the center.
17.5" (7/15/99): beautifully resolved at 220x. The halo appears to extend to nearly 14' although the star density is very low in the outer edge of the halo. The inner halo is sharply concentrated with a very bright 5'x4' core which is elongated SW-NE. The cluster is highly resolved into mag 12/13 stars from edge to edge (too numerous to count) with the stars very densely packed over the core. A second layer of mag 13/14 stars is superimposed over the core. The halo contains a number of strings including a long string to the south which curves east and a string to the north which curves west. Also two parallel linear strings head north or NNE from the core.
13.1" (many dates 6/19/82 to 6/30/84): very bright, fairly large, intense core richly covered with fairly bright stars. Scores of stars are resolved in the outer halo.
8" (7/3/80 to 6/19/82): bright lively core highly resolved. The outer halo is highly resolved with several long, distinct streamers (strings of stars).
Charles Messier discovered M10 = NGC 6254 = h1972 on 29 May 1764. He called it a "Nebula, without stars, in the belt of Ophiuchus; near the 30th star of that constellation, of sixth magnitude, according to Flamsteed. This nebula is beautiful & round; one can only see it with difficulty in an ordinary telescope of 3-feet [focal length]."
William Herschel first observed the globular in April and May of 1783 (before starting his sweeps). He noted "With 227 I suspected it to consist of stars; with 460 I can see several of them, but they are too small to be counted." In 1784 and 1791 he observed M10 with his 18.7-inch and called it "A beautiful cluster of extremely compressed stars; it resembles the 53d [M53]; and the most compressed part is about 3 or 4 minutes in diameter."
On 1 Jun 1831 (not registered as a sweep), John Herschel logged, "a superb cluster of very compressed stars, gradually brighter in the middle. The stars are 10...15m, and run up to a blaze in the centre, but I see no nucleus. Diam about 6'; a noble object." His first observation was on 30 May 1821, the second night he was learning how to sweep.
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NGC 6255 = UGC 10606 = MCG +06-37-014 = CGCG 197-018 = PGC 59244
16 54 47.1 +36 30 07; Her
V = 12.7; Size 3.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 85”
24" (6/12/15): at 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 E-W, 1.5'x0.6', low but uneven surface brightness. At the east end of the galaxy is either a blue dwarf companion (HS 1653+3634) or more likely an intensely active star forming complex. At 375x a very small, nearly stellar knot was visible just off the east end of the main glow. The knot had a higher surface brightness than the main galaxy.
17.5" (7/8/89): very faint, moderately large, very diffuse, low even surface brightness, elongated 5:2 E-W. A mag 14 star is off the south edge 1.8' from the center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6255 = H. III-689 = h1973 on 16 May 1787 (sweep 739) and recorded "eF, cL, iE nearly in the parallel." John Herschel made the single observation "eF; vL; E in parallel; 2' l, 1' br." On 6 May 1850, LdR (or observing assistant George Stoney) noted "Query is it a double streak with a nucleus or a * at f end." The "star" at the following end is an HII complex seen in my observation.
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NGC 6256 = vdB-Ha 208 = Lund 1104
16 59 32.6 -37 07 17; Sco
V = 11.3; Size 1.5'; Surf Br = 3.4
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a small, faint globular with a small, brighter core. A brighter mag 12 field star is attached at the south edge. At 171x appears just 2' diameter with a few mag 15 stars resolved around the periphery and occasionally over the mottled core.
13.1" (5/30/87): very faint, small, round, requires averted but definite at 62x and 166x. A faint star is visible at the SW end.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6256 = h3658 on 28 Jun 1834 and recorded "globular cluster; eF; vL; very gradually little brighter middle; 4' diam; perceived with the upmost attention to be resolved into vS stars 20th magnitude." The next night he logged "VI. class. A vL neb, or rather vF, R, cl VI class; vF; irreg R; very gradually little brighter middle; 4'." His position is fairly accurate.
Sky Catalogue 2000.0 misidentifies Terzan 12 as NGC 6256.
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NGC 6257 = CGCG 225-012 = PGC 59274
16 56 03.5 +39 38 44; Her
V = 15.1; Size 0.8'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 123”
17.5" (6/24/95): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter (elongated NW-SE on the POSS). Requires averted vision but sighting certain using GSC field chart. A mag 13 star is 1.7' SW (part of collinear string of stars oriented NW-SE). Uncertain RNGC identification.
17.5" (7/8/89): not seen in fairly poor seeing and transparency.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6257 = h1974 on 16 May 1831 (sweep 357) and recorded "a suspicious object. It is pointed to by a faint double star nf. Doubtful whether a nebula or a vF double star, with perhaps a third star near (of course ill seen)." There is nothing at his position. It was looked for once at Birr Castle, but not found.
RNGC, CGCG and PGC identify CGCG 225-012 as NGC 6257, though this galaxy is 70 seconds of RA east of Herschel's position (and 2' north). Furthermore there isn't a reasonably bright "F double* nf" as per his description. Finally it may be too faint for JH to have picked up. So, the standard identification is very unlikely. Karl Reinmuth, in the 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel" was probably the first to equate CGCG 225-012 with NGC 6257, though his position was 2.5' too far southwest. In response to an email I sent, Harold Corwin took a look at the field and was unable to find a good alternate candidate (UGC 10599 doesn't match his description, either).
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NGC 6258 = UGC 10595 = MCG +10-24-073 = CGCG 299-035 = PGC 59165
16 52 29.9 +60 30 51; Dra
V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 70”
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated, small bright core. A mag 15-15.5 star is in contact at the NW end. Located 5' ENE of mag 8.4 SAO 17245.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6258 = Sw. 4-44 on 28 Jun 1886 and recorded "eF; vS; R; a bright star and a double star near preceding." His position is 7 seconds west and 1' north of UGC 10595 and his comments apply. The double star is Espin 1829 = 10.7/11.5 at 8.5".
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NGC 6259 = NGC 6222 = Cr 322 = Mel 158
17 00 45 -44 39 18; Sco
V = 8.0; Size 10'
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this cluster appears as a beautifully rich cloud of stars. A couple of hundred stars are resolved in an 8' diameter. Fairly uniform in density and magnitude and roughly circular (similar to NGC 7789). This very rich cluster would be a showpiece for U.S. observers if further north! NGC 6249 lies 33' SW.
8" (7/16/82): 12 faint stars mag 11-12.5, over unresolved haze, elongated N-S. Appears to be rich but observed at a very low altitude which diminished the view.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6259 = D 456 = h3660 on 13 May 1826. He made two observations and described it as "a very large patch of strong nebula, about 20' long, and 16' broad, rich in small and extremely minute stars." One observation estimates the size as 10' or 12'. His position (only to the nearest minute of time in RA) was 11' too far southeast.
On 1 Jun 1834 (sweep 454), John Herschel called it "a superb, vL, v rich cluster, which fills field; R, very gradually little brighter middle, stars 11..12th mag, thickly sown at intervals from each other from 10" to 20"." On 27 Jul 1834 (sweep 472) he called it "vL, v rich, fills more than a field, has one or two straggling appendages p and s; stars 11 and 12th mag, nearly equal." Herschel also found the cluster on 3 Jun 1834 but made a 10 minute transcription error in RA. As a result, h3650 = NGC 6222 is a duplicate observation.
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NGC 6260 = MCG +11-20-029 = CGCG 320-046 = PGC 59142
16 51 50.6 +63 42 52; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (7/9/88): faint, small, round, even surface brightness.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6260 = Sw. 4-45 on 5 Aug 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; R; near south-following are 4 or 5 stars in form of a curve." His position and description matches CGCG 320-046 = PGC 59142. The closest star in the chain is mag 9.8 and 2.6' southeast. MCG doesn't label this galaxy as NGC 6260.
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NGC 6261 = UGC 10617 = MCG +05-40-006 = CGCG 169-013 = PGC 59286
16 56 30.5 +27 58 39; Her
V = 14.0; Size 1.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 88”
17.5" (7/2/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W. Bracketed by two mag 15 stars. First of eight in the NGC 6269 group.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6261 = St. 11-53 on 20 Jun 1871. His initial position was 3' too far NE. His published micrometric position (list XI, #53) was made on 13 Jul 1880 with description "extremely faint, very small, irregular, brighter nucleus. It is quite distinct from those cataloged in Dreyer from [NGC 6263] to [NGC 6272].
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NGC 6262
16 53 36 +56 56; Dra
= Not found, RNGC and Corwin.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6262 = Sw. 5-72 on 23 Oct 1886 and recorded "eeeF, pS, R, eee diff". His position falls on a blank piece of sky and the number is not associated with a galaxy in any modern catalogue. Harold Corwin suggests two possible (distant) candidates, but these are just guesses as his description is unhelpful and the observation might also apply to a faint star or stars.
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NGC 6263 = UGC 10618 = MCG +05-40-008 = CGCG 169-014 = PGC 59292
16 56 43.1 +27 49 19; Her
V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3
17.5" (7/2/89): very faint, extremely small, round. A mag 13.5 star is just off the south edge 40" from center. Located 2.6' S of a mag 9 star. Second of 8 in the NGC 6269 group (AWM 5) with NGC 6264 and NGC 6265 in the field 7.5' ENE and 10.2' ENE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6263 = m 319 = St. 2-5 on 28 Jun 1864, along with NGC 6264, 6265, 6269, 6270, and noted "eF, vS, R." His position is accurate. douard Stephan observed this galaxy again, along with the other four, on 22 Jul 1871, probably aware of Marth's earlier discovery. He reported it as new in his second discovery list (#5). Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 6264 = MCG +05-40-009 = CGCG 169-015 = Holm 763a = WBL 625-001 = PGC 59306
16 57 16.1 +27 50 59; Her
V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 15”
17.5" (7/27/95): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.5'. Two mag 13.5 and 14.5 stars lie 1' SW and 1' S, respectively. Forms a pair with NGC 6265 2.9' ESE in the NGC 6269 group (AWM 5 = USGC U782).
17.5" (7/2/89): very faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, very low surface brightness. Two faint stars off the south side; a mag 14 star 1.1' SW and a mag 15 star 1.0' S. Third of eight in the NGC 6269 group with NGC 6265 2.9' ESE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6264 = m 320 = Sf. 38 = St. 2-6 on 28 Jun 1864. Truman Safford rediscovered this galaxy, along with NGC 6265 and 6269, on 11 Jul 1866 at the Dearborn Observatory. douard Stephan observed this galaxy again, along with the other four, on 22 Jul 1871, probably aware of Marth's earlier discovery. But he reported it as new in his second discovery list (#6). Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 6265 = UGC 10624 = MCG +05-40-011 = CGCG 169-017 = WBL 625-002 = PGC 59315
16 57 29.0 +27 50 39; Her
V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 35”
17.5" (7/27/95): faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 40"x30", very faint stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 2.4' ENE. Located 6.4' W of NGC 6269 in a group (AWM 5 = USGC U782). Forms a pair with NGC 6264 2.9' WNW.
17.5" (7/2/89): very faint, small, very low surface brightness, elongated SW-NE. Fourth of 8 in NGC 6269 group with NGC 6264 2.9' WNW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6265 = m 321 = Sf. 39 = St. 2-7 on 28 Jun 1864. Truman Safford rediscovered this galaxy, along with NGC 6264 and 6269, on 11 Jul 1866 at the Dearborn Observatory. douard Stephan observed this galaxy again, along with the other four, on 22 Jul 1871, probably aware of Marth's earlier discovery. But he measured an accurate position and reported it as new in his second discovery list (#7). Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 6266 = M62 = ESO 453-14
17 01 12.5 -30 06 44; Oph
V = 6.6; Size 14.1'; Surf Br = 1.4
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x this is a very striking globular set in a fine star field. The halo is very irregular and elongated due to a flattening along the SE side. The halo is easily resolved into several dozen faint stars, many in strings and chains. A long string of stars extends from a mag 10.5 star off the SE side along the east edge of the halo. The center appears offset due to the flattening and is very compressed with a large, blazing core.
13.1" (6/19/82): very bright nucleus, asymmetric appearance with a flattened SE region. The outer halo is very mottled and just resolved into many faint stars at 220x.
8" (6/19/82): bright nucleus, nonsymmetrical appearance, fans out to the west from an off-center core. A few very faint stars are resolved at the west edge.
Charles Messier discovered M62 = NGC 6266 = D 627 = h3661 on 7 June 1771 and described a "very beautiful nebula, discovered in Scorpio, it resembles a little Comet, the centre is brilliant & surrounded by a faint glow."
William Herschel first observed the globular on 28 May 1783 with his 9-inch reflector (10-foot f.l.) and noted "With 250 power, a strong suspicion, amounting almost to a certainty, of its consisting of stars though I can distinguish none." Observing during his sweeps on 11 May 1785 (sweep 410) he wrote, "resolvable or a miniature of the 3d [M3]. I see several of the stars. About 4' diameter, much brighter in the middle and brightness diminishing very gradually all the way."
James Dunlop was next to observe it from Paramatta on 13 May 1824. One observations reads, "a pretty bright round nebula, gradually faint to the margin - suddenly bright at the center and very much condensed at the center, about 2 1/2' diameter, pretty well defined at the margin."
On 8 May 1834 (sweep 451), John Herschel was the first to note its off-center core: "globular, vB, L, R, pretty gradually very much brighter in the middle, perfectly resolved with left eye, hardly with right. The most condensed part is a perfect blaze, but not quite in the centre. The southern part runs out further. A beautiful object (See figure 13, Plate VI). [Semi] Diam = 13.5 seconds in RA."
Observing with the Great Melbourne Telescope on 8 Oct 1874, Joseph Turner called it a "superb object and almost a miniature of Omega Centauri". He noted "this condensed portion is not quite central, but (offset) toward the north-following side, the cluster branching out considerably in the south-preceding direction."
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NGC 6267 = UGC 10628 = MCG +04-40-009 = CGCG 139-025 = PGC 59340
16 58 08.8 +22 59 05; Her
V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 35”
17.5" (8/1/89): faint, moderately large, almost round, low but irregular surface brightness, appears slightly brighter on the north side. An extremely faint mag 15.5 star is involved on the south side.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6267 = H. III-123 on 15 May 1784 (sweep 217) and recorded "vF, pL, R, little brighter in the middle. Following and near a star; with several other stars in the field following." His position was 2' too far NE.
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NGC 6268 = Cr 323 = ESO 332-017
17 02 10 -39 43 42; Sco
Size 6'
8" (6/5/81): 30-40 stars mag 10-12.5 in a 10' diameter. A denser group of stars in the center is arranged in a line.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6268 = D 521 = h3662 on 5 Jun 1826. He described "2 rows or lines of pretty bright small stars in the parallel of the equator, with a multitude of minute stars resembling a faint nebula, 5' diameter." He made another observation on 4 August and noted a 5' diameter.
On 3 Jun 1834 (sweep 456), John Herschel recorded a "cluster, rich, pL, brilliant, 8', stars irregularly scattered 10..12th mag, place of a double star in the following angle of a triangular condensed group."
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NGC 6269 = UGC 10629 = MCG +05-40-012 = CGCG 169-019 = WBL 62-003 = PGC 59332
16 57 58.0 +27 51 16; Her
V = 12.2; Size 2.0'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 80”
17.5" (7/27/95): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 1.5' diameter. Even concentration to a bright core and stellar nucleus. A mag 13.5-14 star with an extremely faint companion lies 1.3' S of center. Brightest in a "poor" group of faint galaxies (AWM 5 = USGC U782).
17.5" (7/2/89): fifth and brightest in a string of 8 NGC galaxies with NGC 6264 6.5' W and NGC 6265 9.4' W. Fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, gradually increases to a small bright core.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6269 = m 322 = Sf. 40 = St. 2-8 on 28 Jun 1864 and noted "F, S, R." Truman Safford rediscovered this galaxy (along with NGC 6264 and 6265) on 11 Jul 1866 at the Dearborn Observatory. douard Stephan found it again on 2 June 1869 (probably aware of Marth's earlier discovery). He measured an accurate micrometric position on 22 Jul 1871 and reported it as new in his 2nd discovery list (#8). He made a late observation on 10 Jun 1877. Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 6270 = PGC 95562
16 58 44.0 +27 51 33; Her
Size 0.6'x0.4'; PA = 93”
17.5" (7/27/95): very faint, very small, slightly elongated E-W, 20" diameter. Very weak concentration with an occasional very faint stellar nucleus. Can hold steadily with averted vision although not included in the UGC, MCG or CGCG. Located 10' E of NGC 6269 in the AWM 5 group (6th of 8). Misidentified in the RNGC.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6270 = m 323 = St. 2-9 on 28 Jun 1864. His position was 5' too far north. douard Stephan observed this galaxy again, along with the other four, on 22 Jul 1871, probably aware of Marth's earlier discovery. He reported it as new in his second discovery list (#9). Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
The RNGC and PGC misidentify MCG +05-40-015 = PGC 59362 as NGC 6269. This galaxy is located 16' south of Stephan's position! Because of this error, the NGC 6270 is not included in the original PGC but has a HyperLeda designation (and no NGC label) of 95562. I mentioned this error in RNGC Corrections #4.
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NGC 6271 = MCG +05-40-016 = CGCG 169-021 = PGC 59365
16 58 50.8 +27 57 53; Her
V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5
17.5" (7/2/89): extremely faint, very small, round. Seventh of 8 in the NGC 6269 group and forms a close pair with NGC 6272 3' SSE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6271 = m 32, along with NGC 6270 and 6272, on 28 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, R." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6272 = CGCG 169-022 = PGC 59367
16 58 58.3 +27 55 51; Her
V = 14.4; Size 0.5'x0.2'
17.5" (7/2/89): extremely faint, very small, round. Forms a pair with NGC 6271 3' NNW. Located along a line of faint stars and last of 8 in the NGC 6269 group.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6272 = m 325, along with NGC 6270 and NGC 6271, on 28 Jun 1864 and noted "vF". His position is within 1' of CGCG 169-022 = PGC 59367.
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NGC 6273 = M19 = ESO 518-007
17 02 37.6 -26 16 05; Oph
V = 6.8; Size 13.5'; Surf Br = 1.2
17.5" (6/3/00): bright, moderately large globular, unusual appearance with an extended halo ~6'x4.5' (elongated N-S) and a bright 3.5' core. The cluster breaks up into several dozen stars at 220x and at 500x at least 50 stars are resolved over the entire face of the globular. There are a couple of strings of stars on the SE side of the halo with a dark lane between the strings. The brightest star (foreground?) is on the northeast side.
13.1" (7/27/84): bright, elongated N-S, very mottled, brighter core. The outer edges barely resolves into one or two dozen stars at 220x.
13.1" (7/17/82): a number of faint stars just resolve at 280x, particularly around the south edge.
8" (7/17/82): lively, two or three very faint stars are resolved at the north edge.
Charles Messier discovered M19 = NGC 6273 = h1975 = h3663 on 5 June 1764 and reported a "Nebula without stars, on the parallel of Antares between Scorpius and the right foot of Ophiuchus: this nebula is round; one can see it very well with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot focal length."
William Herschel first resolved the cluster using his 6-inch (10-foot focal length) on 28 May 1783, before his sweeps began. "I can count 5 or 6; & all the rest of the light appears mottled like other nebulas when not sufficiently magnified and illuminated to shew the stars." John Herschel, observing from Slough on 16 Apr 1828, recorded "a fine globular cluster, stars vS, 12...18m, with one = 10m, and one 10-11m; nearly R; vgpmbM, but does not come up to a blaze. Insulated; 3' diam. It forms a link between I. 70 [NGC 5634] and M10 or M12."
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NGC 6274 = UGC 10654 = CGCG 169-027 = PGC 59414
17 00 35.2 +29 43 33; Her
V = 14.4; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 170”
24" (7/15/15): faint to fairly faint, small, slightly elongated N-S, 18"x12", small slightly brighter nucleus. A mag 15 star is just off the southwest side [20" from center]. Forms a pair with NGC 6282 6.2' NNE.
UGC 10643, which is identified as NGC 6274 in the RNGC, PGC, NED and SIMBAD is located 21' NW. At 225x and 375x it appeared faint to fairly faint, small, roundish, ~22"x18", small slightly brighter nucleus. UGC 10643b = MCG +05-40-020 is a very challenging galaxy (B = 16.5) attached on the south end. At 225x; UGC 10643b was occasionally visible as an extremely faint glow (too brief/faint for shape). At 375x I could tell it was elongated to the southeast when it popped.
17.5" (7/8/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, weak concentration. A mag 15 star is off the southwest edge 19" from the center. Located 6' SSW of NGC 6282.
UGC 10643, which is identified as NGC 6274 in the RNGC and PGC, is located 21' NW. It appeared faint, small, possibly elongated E-W, brighter core. Located 2' E of an isosceles triangle consisting of three mag 13-14 stars. The nearest of these stars is a close double.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6274 = m 326 on 28 Jun 1864 and noted "eF, vS." There is nothing close to his position.
RNGC and PGC identify UGC 10643 as NGC 6274. UGC 10643 is a double system (with PGC 59381) situated 11' north and 15 seconds of RA west of Marth's position, so it's a pretty poor match. Karl Reinmuth first gave this identification in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel".
UGC 10654 is a more likely candidate. It is situated 1.0 minute of time east of Marth's position, so is only off in one direction and a digit error would account for the error. Edward Fath suggested this identification in his 1914 paper "A Study of Nebulae", based on plates taken with the 60" at Mt. Wilson. Harold Corwin concurs with my suggestion that NGC 6274 = UGC 10654, particularly as NGC 6274 would be within 6' of NGC 6282, which Marth also discovered the same night.
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NGC 6275 = CGCG 321-007 = Mrk 503 = Mrk 890 = VII Zw 667 = PGC 59262
16 55 33.4 +63 14 32; Dra
V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 120”
48" (4/21/17): at 375x; fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~20"x15", slightly brighter core. With averted vision a very faint tail or "hook" extends east on the south end. On the SDSS, this is the beginning of a knotty loop (tidally deformed tail?) that extends to the north end of this disrupted galaxy.
LEDA 2653385, picked up 9' NW, appeared faint, small, round, 12" diameter. The redshift implies a light-travel time of just over 1 billion years, so it lies far in the background of NGC 6275.
17.5" (7/9/88): extremely faint, very small, round, small slightly brighter core.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6275 = Sw. 4-46 on 5 Aug 1886 and recorded "eeeF; S; lE; eee diff.; nearly in center of a large vacancy." His position is 1' west (10 seconds of RA) of CGCG 321-007 and the identification is certain.
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NGC 6276 = IC 1239 = MCG +04-40-010 = CGCG 139-028 = WBL 629-002 = PGC 59419
17 00 45.0 +23 02 39; Her
V = 14.6; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.2
24" (9/5/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~25"x20" diameter, weak concentration to the center but no distinct nucleus. In a trio with NGC 6278 2.4' SE and UGC 10650 8' NW.
UGC 10650 (misidentified as NGC 6276 in the RNGC) appeared very faint, moderately large, extremely thin edge-on SSW-NNE, ~45"x5", low surface brightness, slightly brighter core. A mag 15.2 star is at the SSW tip.
17.5" (5/28/89): very faint, small, round. Forms a pair with NGC 6278 2.3' SE. Two faint mag 14.5/15 stars are 2' E. The northern of these two stars is NGC 6277.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6276 = m 328 = St. 2-10 on 10 Jun 1864. His position was 1' to the northwest. douard Stephan observed it on 6 June 1869, 20 Jun 1871 and 5 Jun 1878. He reduced an accurate micrometric position on 13 Jul 1871 reported as new in his 2nd discovery list (#10). Was he aware of Marth's earlier discovery? Finally, Bigourdan found this galaxy on 19 Jun 1887, reported it as a "nova" in Comptes Rendus list 5 (#213), and Dreyer catalogued again as IC 1239 with the comment "= NGC 6276?". In the NGC main table, Dreyer mistakenly equates NGC 6277 with m 328 and NGC 6276 with m 327. Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
RNGC misidentified UGC 10650 as NGC 6276. In addition, CGCG and RNGC mislabel NGC 6276 as NGC 6277 and MCG and UGC refer to it as NGC 6276 = NGC 6277. The identifications were sorted out in the Webb Society Quarterly Journal #87, Malcolm Thomson's unpublished Catalogue Corrections, my RNGC Corrections #4 (on the NGC/IC Project site) and Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6277
17 00 48.8 +23 02 22; Her
V = 15.6
17.5" (5/28/89): this number refers to a mag 14 star just under 1' ESE of NGC 6276. It was noted in the observation of NGC 6276, along with a fainter mag 15 star about 15" south.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6277 = St. 2-11 on 20 Jun 1871 while measuring the positions of NGC 6276 and 6278. His micrometric position (reduced on 13 Jul 1871) matches a faint star (northern of a 16" pair). In the main NGC table, Dreyer equated m 328 (from Albert Marth) with NGC 6277, but m 328 refers to NGC 6276 (corrected by Dreyer in his comments section of the NGC).
The RNGC and CGCG misidentify NGC 6276 as NGC 6277. The UGC and MCG incorrectly equate NGC 6276 = NGC 6277. See Harold Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 6278 = UGC 10656 = MCG +04-40-011 = CGCG 139-029 = Holm 765a = WBL 629-003 = PGC 59426
17 00 50.3 +23 00 40; Her
V = 12.4; Size 2.0'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 130”
24" (9/5/18): at 375x; bright, fairly large, oval 5:3 NW-SE, ~1.2'x0.7', sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a sharp stellar nucleus. The halo has a fairly low even surface brightness. Third and brightest in a trio (WBL 629) with NGC 6276 2.4' NW and UGC 10650 10' NW.
17.5" (5/28/89): fairly faint, small, dominated by a very small bright core with stellar nucleus, faint halo elongated NW-SE. Close pair with NGC 6276 2.3' NW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6278 = H. III-124 = St. 2-12 on 15 May 1784 (sweep 217) and logged "vF, stellar, 240 verified it." His RA (copied into the GC) was 25 seconds too large. Stephan observed the galaxy again on 6 Jun 1869, with additional observations on 20 Jun 1871, 16 Jun 1876, 10 Jun 1877 and 5 Jun 1878. He measured an accurate micrometric position on 13 July 1871 and reported it as new in his second discovery list (#12), though commented that it was probably identical to Herschel's object. Stephan's position was used in the NGC.
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NGC 6279 = UGC 10645 = MCG +08-31-017 = CGCG 252-013 = PGC 59370
16 59 01.3 +47 14 14; Her
V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 10”
17.5" (8/1/89): faint, small, round, gradually increases to a small bright core.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6279 = Sw. 5-73 on 23 Oct 1886 and recorded "vF; pS; lE; wide double star near north-following." His position and description (the two stars are mag 11-12) applies to UGC 10645.
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NGC 6280 = MCG +01-43-008 = CGCG 053-026 = PGC 59464
17 01 57.5 +06 39 58; Oph
V = 14.5; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 140”
17.5" (7/20/90): faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, small bright core. Located 4.5' NE of mag 8.7 SAO 122019 in a rich star field.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6280 = m 329 on 8 May 1864 and noted "pB, S, lE." Although his position is within 1' of CGCG 053-026 = PGC 59464, I'm surprised he called this galaxy "pB" (it's small and faint), as most of his discoveries are called F, vF or eF.
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NGC 6281 = Cr 324 = Mel 161
17 04 41 -37 59 06; Sco
V = 5.4; Size 8'
18" (6/12/10): this bright 10' diameter cluster was even resolved in my 80mm finder at 25x. Excellent in my 18" at 175x with roughly 50 resolved stars to mag 14 including two dozen brighter mag 9-10.5 stars in a distinctive, well-defined outline. Several double stars are involved including h4915 = 9/10.8 at 11" on the NE side and a 10" pair of mag 10.5/11.5 stars in the center. Several of the cluster's fainter stars are situated on the south side. A number of the brighter stars are in two strings forming a right angle. The northern line is oriented SW-NE and the southwest line is oriented NW-SE. The vertex is at the west end of these strings (NW edge of the cluster). NGC 6281 is located 2.5 degrees east of Mu1/2 Sco.
8" (6/5/81): two dozen stars mag 9-11 in a distinct fairly bright, rectangular group of ~10' diameter.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6281 = D 556 = h3664 on 5 Jun 1826 and described (summary), "a curiously curved line of pretty bright small stars, with many very small stars mixt." Dunlop made 3 observations but his published position was 20' too far E.
John Herschel made a single observation on 28 Jun 1834 (sweep 461) and recorded "a p rich, L, pB, cluster VII class, of loose stars 9, 10, 11th mag, which fills 2/3 of field." His position is on the double star HJ 4915 on the north side of the main group.
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NGC 6282 = CGCG 169-029 = PGC 59418
17 00 47.2 +29 49 15; Her
V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.5'; PA = 36”
24" (7/15/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, roundish, 25" diameter, even surface brightness. A mag 15 star is at the east edge [0.4' from center]. Forms a pair with UGC 10654 6.2' SSW.
17.5" (7/2/89): faint, very small, irregularly round, no concentration. A mag 15 star is attached at the east end. Forms a pair with UGC 10654 7' SSW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6282 = m 330 on 28 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, S, R." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6283 = UGC 10652 = MCG +08-31-018 = CGCG 252-014 = PGC 59386
16 59 26.4 +49 55 18; Her
V = 12.9; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, moderately large, broad concentration. A double star lies 3.7' SW (mag 12/14 at 20").
William Herschel discovered NGC 6283 = H. III-728 on 13 Apr 1788 (sweep 832) and noted "vF, cS, iR." Caroline's reduction is an excellent match with UGC 10652
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NGC 6284 = ESO 518-009
17 04 28.8 -24 45 53; Oph
V = 9.0; Size 5.6'; Surf Br = 0.9
18" (7/12/07): easily picked up at 25x in the 80mm finder with a very bright core and fainter halo. At 220x, this globular is sharply concentrated with an intense core that increases to the center. The 2' halo is very lively and several very faint stars are just visible. Clouds then interrupted this observation and I wasn't able to use high power.
17.5" (6/3/00): moderately bright, small, round, 2' diameter, bright core, very small intense nucleus. At 500x, ~12-15 stars are resolved, mostly in the outer halo, and the cluster is very clumpy as if on the verge of more extensive resolution.
13.1" (6/19/82): very small intense core, fainter halo with a few faint stars resolved over a mottled haze.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6284 = H. VI-11 = h1976 = h3665 on 22 May 1784 (sweep 223) and recorded "a cluster of stars, in respect of the size of the whole, as well as the distance and magnitude of the stars in it, a good miniature of the preceding. The colour of the stars also preserve a faint red; about 1.5 or 2' in diam. It may be called the next step to an easily resolvable nebula." He later commented "It is a good miniature of the 19th of the Connoiss. not only with respect to the size of the cluster, but also with regard to the mutual distance the reduced magnitude of the stars of which it consists." From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel recorded "globular cluster; B; R: gradually brighter in the middle; diam = 7.0s; resolved into stars 16m."
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NGC 6285 = Arp 293 NED1 = MCG +10-24-081 = CGCG 299-037 = PGC 59344
16 58 24.0 +58 57 22; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 95”
48" (5/15/12): moderately bright to fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 E-W, ~40"x12", well concentrated with a bright core, faint extensions. Very low surface arm structure is just visible at the east and west ends of the bar. Smaller and fainter of a pair (Arp 293) with NGC 6286.
24" (7/2/19): at 282x; fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 E-W, broad and mild concentration. The spiral arms extending north on the west end of the bar and south on the east end were not noticed.
24" (7/20/17): at 322x; moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 5:2 E-W, broad concentration with a relatively large brighter core. I wasn't able to see arm structure coming off the central bar with any confidence. Forms an interacting pair Arp 293 (with low surf. br. tidal bridge and plumes) with NGC 6286 1.5' SE.
24" (6/28/16): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 E-W (central bar), ~30"x10", small bright core. Occasionally, very low surface brightness haze (arms) could be glimpsed on the north side of the west end of the bar and the south side of the east end. Forms an interacting pair (Arp 293) with NGC 6286 1.5' SE.
18" (7/14/07): faint, fairly small, very elongated E-W, 0.6'x0.2, small brighter core. Fainter member of an interacting pair (Arp 293) with NGC 6286 1.5' SE.
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, very small, oval WNW-ESE, weak concentration. Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 6286 1.5' SE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6285 around 1886 and recorded "eeF, S, R, v diffic, np of 2". The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer, who referenced his 6th discovery list, which was under preparation when the NGC was published. But Swift didn't include it in either his 6th or later 9th list, which included several objects Swift discovered prior to the publication of the NGC. His position is just 7 seconds west and 1' north of this galaxy. Nearby NGC 6286 was discovered earlier on 13 Aug 1885.
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NGC 6286 = Arp 293 NED2 = UGC 10647 = MCG +10-24-084 = CGCG 299-040 = PRC C-51 = PGC 59352
16 58 31.8 +58 56 13; Dra
V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.6
48" (5/15/12): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 7:2 SW-NE, ~1.5'x0.4', well concentrated with a slightly bulging core and thin extensions. The outer loop on the southeast side was not seen. Brighter member of an interacting system (Arp 293) with NGC 6285 just 1.5' NW.
24" (7/2/19): at 282x; moderately bright and large, very attractive edge-on 5:1 SW-NE with a bright core. UGC 10641, located 4.5' SW, is an extremely low surface brightness superthin. It only "popped" a few times but confirmed and no more than 15"x6" E-W.
24" (7/20/17): at 322x; moderately bright and large, edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, ~1.2'x0.25', contains a bright bulging core. Slightly brighter of an interacting pair (Arp 293) with NGC 6285 1.5' NW. UGC 10641, an extremely low surface brightness superthin 4.4' SW, was just glimpsed and only the core region, ~15"x5", extending E-W was seen with confidence. Situated 0.4' NW of a mag 13.7 star.
24" (6/28/16): NGC 6286 is the slightly brighter of an interacting pair (Arp 293) with NGC 6285 1.5' NW. At 375x it appeared moderately bright and large, edge-on 5:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.25', well concentrated with a bright core, the extensions taper at the ends.
UGC 10641, an extremely low surface brightness edge-on, lies 4.5' SW. It appeared extremely faint and slender 8:1 E-W, ~40"x5". A mag 13.7 star is 0.4' SW of center. Based on the DSS image and low magnitude (mag 16.2-16.5B) I was surprised to pick up this superthin with certainty. The SQM-L reading at the time was over 21.8.
18" (7/14/07): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 9:2 SW-NE, ~1.5'x0.3', very weak concentration with a small slightly brighter core. A 52" pair of mag 10/11 stars is in the field 7' NE.
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, bright core. Form a close pair with NGC 6285 1.5' NW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6286 = Sw. 2-45, along with NGC 6290 and 6291, on 13 Aug 1885 and recorded "eF; pS; R." His position was just 5 seconds of time too small. He missed nearby NGC 6285 on this observation, but discovered it on a later observation.
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NGC 6287 = ESO 518-010
17 05 09.3 -22 42 29; Oph
V = 9.3; Size 5.1'; Surf Br = 1.9
18" (7/24/06): I was surprised to find this fairly faint 3' cluster was partially resolved at 435x and 565x. At 565x the cluster was very lively and mottled with roughly 20 stars barely resolved over the disc (some popping in and out of visibility). The core was only weakly compressed. The cluster appeared on the verge of being well resolved with a number of extremely faint mag 16 stars sometimes momentarily sparkling and increasing the total to perhaps three dozen stars.
17.5" (6/8/91): fairly bright, irregular, 3' diameter, mottled but not resolved at 280x. The core is elongated SW-NE. Two very faint unresolved star lanes stream to the north and east from the core giving the appearance of a tail.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6287 = H. II-195 = h3666 on 21 May 1784 (sweep 222). He recorded "pretty bright, considerably large, irregularly round, little brighter in the middle." John Herschel made the single observation from the Cape of Good Hope on 24 May 1835 (sweep 588): "globular cluster; irreg R; gpm comp M; 3' diam; barely resolved into stars 16...18m."
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NGC 6288 = MCG +11-21-006 = CGCG 321-008 = PGC 59312
16 57 24.5 +68 27 26; Dra
V = 14.5; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 105”
17.5" (7/9/88): very faint, very small, round, very small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 6289 4' NNE.
Edward Swift discovered NGC 6288 = Sw. 1-52, along with NGC 6289, on 19 Aug 1884. Lewis' son was only 13 years old at the time. The description reads "vvF; vS; R; vF * nr; sp of 2 [with NGC 6289]." The published RA was 12 seconds too large.
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NGC 6289 = MCG +11-21-007 = CGCG 320-056 = PGC 59322
16 57 44.9 +68 30 53; Dra
V = 14.5; Size 0.8'x0.6'; PA = 13”
17.5" (7/9/88): very faint, very small, round. A pair of stars is 1.5' NE and a mag 15.5 star is at the SW edge. Forms a pair with NGC 6288 4' SSW.
Edward Swift discovered NGC 6289 = Sw. 1-53, along with NGC 6288, on 19 Aug 1884 and recorded "eF; eE; pL; 2 B stars nr n; nf of 2 [with NGC 6288]." The RA is ~0.4 minutes too large (small distance at this declination).
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NGC 6290 = UGC 10665 = MCG +10-24-088 = CGCG 299-043 = PGC 59428
17 00 56.4 +58 58 13; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 30”
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Brightest of three in a compact group with NGC 6291 2.0' S and MCG +10-24-085 2' WSW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6290 = Sw. 2-46, along with NGC 6291 and 6286, on 13 Aug 1885 and recorded "eF; pS; R; * nr following; 2 bright stars nearly point to it; n of 2 [with NGC 6291]." The note "2 bright stars nearly point to it" refer to 2 mag 10 stars to the northwest, but there is no star "nr following."
MCG misidentifies NGC 6290 as NGC 6291.
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NGC 6291 = MCG +10-24-086 = CGCG 299-042 = PGC 59435
17 00 55.9 +58 56 16; Dra
V = 13.9; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, small, round, small bright core. Forms a close pair with brighter NGC 6290 2.0' N and part of a group (LDCE 1228) that includes NGC 6285/6286 (Arp 293).
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6291 = Sw. 2-47, along with NGC 6290 and 6286, on 13 Aug 1885 and recorded "eeF; eS; R; s of 2 [with NGC 6290]." MCG fails to label this galaxy as NGC 6291, though the identification is certain.
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NGC 6292 = UGC 10684 = MCG +10-24-093 = CGCG 299-047 = PGC 59498
17 03 03.7 +61 02 37; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 105”
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, weak concentration. Located within a star group with a mag 15 star at the east end.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6292 = Sw. 2-48 on 8 Jul 1885 and recorded "eF; E; several vF stars near; v diff." His position is 30 seconds too far west, but the description confirms the identification with UGC 10684. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 10 Sep 1888, and Dreyer published the correction in the IC 2 Notes.
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NGC 6293 = ESO 519-005
17 10 10.4 -26 34 54; Oph
V = 8.2; Size 7.9'; Surf Br = 1.1
14.5" (7/23/22): fairly bright globular with a very bright core region and a very mottled halo. At 395x; numerous stars flicker on and off, 10 or so are nearly visible continuously and perhaps 15-20 total (difficult to count). NGC 6294 is an 11" pair of mag 13/13.5 on the east side of the halo [1.4' ENE of center]. Another mag 13.5 star is on the west side of the halo [1.2' W of center].
17.5" (6/6/86): small, compact, 10-20 stars resolved at 286x and on the verge of more extensive resolution.
13.1" (7/27/84): fairly bright, high surface brightness, compact core, much fainter mottled halo. Between 6-12 very faint stars are resolved in the halo at 360x.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6293 = H. VI-12 = h1977 = h3667 on 24 May 1784 (sweep 224). He noted "a miniature cluster of stars of the former cluster [M19]; such as described sweep 223 [NGC 6284], but rather coarser." From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel recorded "globular cluster; B; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; diam 7.0s; resolved into stars 16m."
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NGC 6294 = ESO 519-006
17 10 16.2 -26 34 29; Oph
V = 13/13.5; Size 11"
14.5" (7/23/22): NGC 6294 is an 11" pair of mag 13/13.5 on the east side of the halo of globular cluster NGC 6293 [1.4' ENE of center]. It was easily resolved while examining the globular at 264x and 395x.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6294 = h1978 on 16 Apr 1828 and recorded "F; S; very suddenly brighter in the middle; is a companion to the globular cluster VI. 12 [NGC 6293, observed just previously in the sweep]." His position (corrected by a small offset for NGC 6293) corresponds with pair of mag 13 stars at 10" separation. Herbert Howe, was the first to make this identification in 1898, observing with the 20-inch refractor in Denver. He noted "This follows 6293 closely, and appears to be simply a very faint double star of mag 13 and 13.5, with an angle on 315”, and distance of 8"."
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NGC 6295 = UGC 10682 = MCG +10-24-092 = PGC 59510
17 03 15.4 +60 20 16; Dra
V = 14.5; Size 0.9'x0.4'; PA = 77”
24" (7/20/17): at 322x; faint or fairly faint, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, ~40"x16", broad weak concentration but no distinct core. A dust lane bisects the galaxy, but it was not seen. The brighter component of a 25" pair of mag 14/15 stars (oriented SW-NE) lies 45" N of center.
17.5" (6/18/88): extremely faint, very small, elongated WSW-ENE. A mag 14 star is 30" N. The NGC 6306/6307 pair is 40' NE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6295 = Sw. 4-47 on 9 Jun 1886 and recorded "eF; S; cE; F * nr." His position is 10 seconds east and 2.5' north of UGC 10682. There are no other nearby candidates, so this identification is fairly secure. His "F * nr" probably refers to the mag 13.8 star less than 1' north.
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NGC 6296 = UGC 10719 = MCG +01-44-002 = CGCG 054-003 = PGC 59690
17 08 44.6 +03 53 37; Oph
V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 130”
17.5" (7/19/90): faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, broad concentration. On line with mag 7.8 SAO 122127 8.9' SSE and a mag 9 star 4.9' SSE. Pair with IC 1242 9.3' N.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6296 = m 331 on 17 Jun 1863 and noted "pB". His position was 2' too far north.
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NGC 6297 = NGC 6298 = UGC 10690 = CGCG 299-050 = PGC 59525
17 03 36.4 +62 01 32; Dra
V = 13.6; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 90”
17.5" (7/9/88): faint, very small, round, bright core. Located between a mag 12 star 1.8' ESE and a mag 13 star 0.9' WNW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6297 = Sw. 2-49 on 8 Jul 1885 and recorded "pB; pS; R; bet 2 stars; np of 2 [with NGC 6298]." His RA is 20 seconds too small, but the comment "bet 2 stars" clinches this identification. NGC 6298, discovered by Swift three weeks later, he almost certainly a duplicate observation. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 1 Sep 1888.
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NGC 6298 = NGC 6297 = UGC 10690 = CGCG 299-050 = PGC 59525
17 03 36.4 +62 01 32; Dra
See observing notes for NGC 6298. Incorrect identification (and RA typo) in the RNGC.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6298 = Sw. 2-50 on 1 Aug 1885 and recorded "vF; eS; R; between 2 stars, nf of 2 [with NGC 6297]." This observation was made just 3 weeks after discovering NGC 6297 = Sw. 2-49. His two positions are nearly identical and there is only 1 galaxy here "between 2 stars", though on the first observation he described this object as "pretty bright". Swift must have added the comments "sp of 2" and "nf of 2" later, assuming he had observed different nebulae on the two nights. In any case, NGC 6297 = NGC 6298. Bigourdan observed this galaxy and corrected the RA but of course failed to find NGC 6298.
The RNGC misidentifies some "very flat" galaxy as NGC 6298 (possibly 2MASX J17042122+6202573, but the position has an obvious typo (RA listed as 11h) so it is difficult to interpret. I reported this error in my RNGC Corrections #3 list.
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NGC 6299 = MCG +10-24-097 = CGCG 299-051 = PGC 59561
17 05 04.3 +62 27 28; Dra
V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8
17.5" (7/9/88): faint, very small, round, stellar nucleus or faint star superimposed.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6299 on 27 Oct 1861 (first official night of nebula hunting) with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen.
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NGC 6300 = ESO 101-025 = VV 734 = PGC 60001
17 16 59.4 -62 49 14; Ara
V = 10.2; Size 4.5'x3.0'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 118”
18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): NGC 6300 is a very unusual galaxy at a low galactic latitude with an appearance similar to a fairly large emission nebula in a rich Milky Way star field! The shape seemed irregular, but elongated 5:3 NW-SE, ~3.0'x1.8' with a weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. Two brighter stars (mag 12.5) are superimposed on the core and another two mag 13.5 stars are superimposed near the north and south ends of the halo! These stars confuse the observation of this strange looking galaxy (a dusty barred spiral with ring). Located 9.5' SW of mag 7.6 HD 155797.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6300 = h3668 on 30 Jun 1826. He described (handwritten notes) a "faint round nebula, about 1 1/4' diameter, slightly condensed very gradually to the center - not very well defined at the edge. Preceding and forming a triange with two stars of the 7 and 8th mag." He made 4 more observations in July and Aug., but the discovery is missing in his catalogue, which I assume was an oversight (NGC 1947 is a similar case).
John Herschel rediscovered NGC 6300 on 7 Aug 1834 and recorded "F; vL; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; 3'; has several stars, one = 11m; involved but being on a rich ground, there appears no connection." Herschel was credited with the discovery in the NGC.
NGC 6300 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as a large 2-branched spiral with a double nucleus.
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NGC 6301 = IC 4643 = UGC 10723 = MCG +07-35-034 = CGCG 225-049 = PGC 59681
17 08 32.9 +42 20 19; Her
V = 13.4; Size 2.3'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 115”
17.5" (8/1/89): faint, moderately large, oval WNW-ESE. A mag 13.5 star is embedded in the SW portion. Forms a pair with CGCG 225-050 4' SE. The companion was extremely faint and small, round, weak concentration.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6301 = H. IV-57 on 11 Jun 1787 (sweep 746). He recorded "suspected stellar; but too faint to be verified." His position was 5' too far north using M92 as the offset (observed next in the sweep)! He confirmed the discovery on 12 Apr 1788 (sweep 831) and noted "faint, stellar or a very small star involved [mag 13.5] in extremely faint nebulosity. Suspected in sweep 746." He included both descriptions in his 1791 paper on "Nebulous Stars." Obviously the superimposed star led to it being included in a list of descriptions mainly of reflection and planetary nebulae, though he included three other galaxies.
Johann Palisa apparently independently rediscovered this galaxy at Vienna. It was announced in AN 143 (#3412), and later catalogued a second time as IC 4643. As Palisa's position matches NGC 6301, it's surprising Dreyer and Palisa missed the equivalence with NGC 6301.
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NGC 6302 = PK 349+1.1 = Sh 2-6 = Gum 60 = RCW 124 = Ced 139 = PN G349.5+01.0 = Bug Nebula
17 13 44.6 -37 06 12; Sco
V = 9.7; Size 83"x24"
48" (5/3/19): amazing view of the Bug Nebula at 375x! The central section was elongated roughly N-S and displayed an extremely high surface brightness. Four distinct "wings" were attached; two to the west and two to the east. A surprisingly long wing is on the southwest side. It has a noticeable bright section after dimming. The wing tapers and then fades, stretching to the WNW for a total length of near 2'! A mag 12 star is ~30" NW of the end of the wing. The lowest surface brightness wing is on the NW side and extends in the direction of the mag 12 star for about 1' in length, but extends ~1.5' with averted vision. The third extension on the southeast side is the narrowest and tapers at the east end. It appeared fairly uniform in surface brightness. Finally, the 4th and brightest wing is on the northeast side. It extends towards the ENE but curls to the SE forming the shape of a "pincher claw" with the southeast wing.
18" (7/22/06): fascinating view unfiltered at 325x. A very high surface brightness "core" of only 10"-12" in diameter brightens slightly to the center and is encased in a larger, fainter envelope. Two remarkable wings oriented WSW-ENE extend from the central core! The following wing is much shorter but slightly brighter and this extension abruptly shoots towards the southeast near the end. The much longer preceding wing heads WSW and is cut by a darker lane that detaches the western tip.
17.5" (6/30/00): at 280x (unfiltered) the Bug Nebula is a remarkable, high surface brightness object, elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, ~2.0x0.7'. The intensely bright 10" core appears elongated SW-NE and is offset to the east of center. A quasi-stellar nucleus sharpens to a stellar point when the seeing steadies (this is not the central star, though). The western wing is longer and is nearly split at the midpoint by a dark slash oriented N-S with a brighter condensation at the west end. The shorter eastern wing is more pinched and just past its midpoint there is a kink and it angles towards the SE.
13.1" (7/27/84): structure highly suspected with the western extension cut by a dark lane. The eastern extension bends north following the core.
13.1" (7/6/83): bright, fairly small, elongated E-W, very high surface brightness. Subtle structure but the western extension is notably longer, brighter and possibly cut by a dark lane.
8" (6/5/81): fairly bright, small, elongated, bright core and brighter along the western extension.
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 6302 in 1880 with his 5-inch refractor. He wrote, "A small flickering indefinite nebula slightly elongated (east and west) with 5-inch refractor." This was the first nebula that Barnard found, though the discovery was not published until 1884 (AN 108, 369 and Sidereal Messenger, Vol 2, p226). He noted "Prof. Swift, with his 16 inch refractor finds it to be a triple and elongated; its major axis nearly perpendicular to the meridian; a smaller nebula at each end, one of which is exceedingly faint. Its place is from one observation with the meridian circle." In 1892 Barnard made a detailed observation and sketch with the 36-inch refractor at Lick Observatory. As far as the popular nickname, Barnard commented, "from its singular appearance, I have called it the "Bug Nebula".
Dreyer noted "seems to be Dunlop 567 [found on 5 Jun 1826]" in the IC 1 Notes. Dunlop's description reads "a very faint small ill-defined nebula, with a small star in it, with two small stars south of it, but not involved." If this description applies to NGC 6302, his position was particularly bad -- 1.1” NE of the planetary. But Glen Cozens, in a 2010 article in the "Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage" states "D 567 is an asterism, not the planetary nebula NGC 6302, as suggested by Hartung." It's surprising the John Herschel missed this bright planetary during his sweeps.
Williamina Fleming found it again in 1896 based on its emission spectrum and classified it as a new gaseous nebula. The discovery was listed in Harvard College Observatory, Circular 12, in a table of stars having a peculiar spectra.
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NGC 6303 = UGC 10711 = MCG +12-16-017 = CGCG 321-013 = PGC 59573
17 05 02.9 +68 49 40; Dra
V = 13.7; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 60”
17.5" (7/9/88): very faint, small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, weak concentration.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6303 = Sw. 1-54 on 14 Oct 1884 and noted "vvF; cE; pL; nearly bet. 2 stars." There is nothing near his position. Bigourdan's "corrected" position on 15 Sep 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes) refers to a star.
Harold Corwin equates UGC 10711 with NGC 6303. This galaxy is situated 28' north of Swift's position and 30 seconds of time east, but matches his comment "nearly between 2 stars." Malcolm Thomson disagrees (in his CGCG Corrections) due to the discrepancy in RA and Dec. All modern catalogues identify UGC 10711 as NGC 6303.
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NGC 6304 = ESO 454-002
17 14 32.3 -29 27 43; Oph
V = 8.4; Size 6.8'; Surf Br = 1.7
17.5" (8/27/92): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated E-W. The brightest portion is 2' diameter although a very faint halo increases the diameter to 3'-3.5'. Appears flattened on the south or southeast side. There was no significant central condensation although the central region was very mottled and a few faint mag 15-15.5 stars popped in and out of view. Within the faint halo 10-20 very faint mag 15-16 stars are just resolved.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6304 = H. I-147 = h3670 on 30 Apr 1786 (sweep 559) and recorded "vB, R, gradually much brighter middle, between 2 & 3' dia. A very pretty object. A miniature of M62." His position is accurate. John Herschel made two observations from the Cape of Good Hope and described the cluster on sweep 478 as "B; R; at first s, the very gradually very little brighter middle; brighter part 2' diam; but there is a much fainter portion which extends a good deal further; stars 16-17 mag."
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NGC 6305 = ESO 138-019 = PGC 60029
17 18 00.5 -59 10 18; Ara
V = 12.2; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 133”
14" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x and 230x): moderately bright, small, slightly elongated, 20"x15" (probably the core region). Two mag 13.5-14 stars just off the north side are collinear with the galaxy. Located 32' NNW of mag 5.9 HD 156091 in a fairly rich star field.
The Stingray Nebula (He 3-1357), the youngest known planetary nebula, lies 23' SW. It appeared ~13th magnitude and was stellar up to 230x. It was easy to confirm by blinking with an NPB filter at 178x. A mag 10.8 star is 35" W and provided an excellent comparison. This star is noticeably brighter unfiltered, but dimmer after inserting an NPB filter, so there was a very good filter response due to its strong OIII lines.
Up until around 1980, He 3-1357 was an ordinary B1 post-AGB star, but then it suddenly sprouted bright emission lines like a planetary nebula, and soon afterwards the HST discovered a small PN halo around the star, so apparently a star was caught in the act of ionizing a PN.
The brightening of the nebula likely stopped in the early 1990Õs with the turn-off of the fast stellar wind associated with the 1980s ionization event. The fading of the nebula started afterwards in the early 1990s. At this time, the central star underwent fast fading and its illumination of the nebula declined from V = ~10.5 to currently ~12.5.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6305 = h3669 on 5 Jul 1836 and logged "vF; vS; R; gradually little brighter middle; 12"." RNGC classifies this galaxies as an unverified southern object.
Joseph Turner sketched this object on 14 Jul 1876 with the Great Melbourne Telescope. He noted "the nebula has a stellar center as shown above [in sketch] and looks like a star of 14th magnitude surrounded by a slight haze." (page 110 in his logbook and unpublished lithograph plate VII, figure 73)
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NGC 6306 = UGC 10724 = MCG +10-24-098 = CGCG 299-053 = Holm 769b Kaz 5 = PGC 59654
17 07 37.1 +60 43 42; Dra
V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 166”
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated ~N-S, bright core. Forms a close pair with NGC 6307 1.4' NE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6306 = Sw. 2-51 on 8 Jul 1885 and recorded "vF; vS; lE. Close to 4278 [NGC 6310]. South-preceding of 2 [with NGC 6310]. Dreyer assumed the "North-following" of two" referred to NGC 6307, but his position and description of Sw. 2-52 applies to NGC 6310. If that's the case, then his comment "close to 4278", should read "close to 4277 [NGC 6307]."
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NGC 6307 = UGC 10727 = MCG +10-24-099 = CGCG 299-054 = Holm 769a = PGC 59655
17 07 40.6 +60 45 02; Dra
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 145”
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, small, elongated NNW-SSE, bright core. A mag 13.5 star is at the north end 0.5' from center. Forms a close pair with NGC 6306 1.4' SW.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6307, along with NGC 6310, on 27 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen (first night he made discoveries with this telescope). He noted the mag 13 star at the north end (measured at 20") and his position is accurate.
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NGC 6308 = UGC 10747 = MCG +04-40-021 = CGCG 139-043 = PGC 59807
17 11 59.8 +23 22 47; Her
V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 150”
17.5" (5/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, diffuse. A mag 15 star is at the north edge 0.7' from center. First and largest of three with NGC 6314 11.2' SE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6308 = m 332, along with NGC 6314 and 6315, on 6 Jun 1863 and noted "vF, S, R, suddenly brighter middle." These were the first three galaxies he discovered with William Lassell's 48-inch on Malta.
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NGC 6309 = PK 9+14.1 = PN G009.6+14.8 = The Box Nebula
17 14 04.2 -12 54 39; Oph
V = 11.5; Size 52"
24" (8/13/15): this very bright, bipolar, compact planetary was viewed at 375x and 500x. The two lobes are extended at least 3:2 NNW-SSE with an overall size of ~25"x16" and a pear shape. A bright, roundish lobe is on the NNW side, with a 12th magnitude star just off this side in the direction of the major axis [22" from center]. The smaller lobe on the SSE end is slightly fainter and separated by a small darker gap near the center. A mag 15 star is just off the west edge [14" from center]. An extremely faint outer shell or extension was just visible bulging out on the east side perhaps 10", creating an asymmetric appearance.
24" (7/16/15): excellent view at 450x unfiltered. The larger and brighter lobe on the NNW end appeared roughly circular and slightly brighter along the outer rim. The smaller knot on the SSE end is slightly irregular and the nebulosity dims near the center. A mag 12 star is just north of the north-northwest end.
18" (7/22/06): superb view at 807x! This bipolar elongated planetary appears pear-shaped with the brighter, larger lobe on the north-northwest end and a smaller, slightly fainter nodule on the south-southeast end. The nebulosity dims between the lobes but there appears to be a very small bridge of faint haze bridging the knots.
18" (7/20/06): at 325x this bi-lobed planetary is striking with a mag 12 star situated just off the northwest edge. The PN is elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE in the direction of the neighboring star. At the north-northwest end is the larger and brighter lobe with a smaller, fainter condensation forming the south-southeast end. A very faint irregular halo encases the entire structure. In moments of better seeing (overall the seeing was poor), the lobes were nearly resolved.
17.5" (6/30/00): at 280x using a UHC filter, this bright but compact PN was elongated 2:1 in the direction of a 12th magnitude star at the NNW edge, with dimensions of ~25"x12". There is a large, bright lobe or condensation at the north end with a smaller, fainter knot at the SSE end. At moments the lobes appear completely "resolved" with a darker gap in the center. The view at 500x was excellent! The fainter southern lobe appears elongated and slightly offset from the major axis of the PN. The lobes are bisected by a darker lane oriented SW-NE and oblique to the minor axis. The brighter knot at the north end has a mottled appearance and irregular shape.
14.5" (7/27/22): at 660x; bipolar appearance but not symmetric. The brighter, roundish lobe is on the NNW side, adjacent to the mag 12 star. At the SSE end is a very small and faint lobe.
13.1" (7/27/84): moderately bright, small, elongated NNW-SSE. A mag 12 star is at the NNW edge 20" from the center. Appears slightly brighter or a condensation is at the SSE end.
Wilhelm Tempel discovered NGC 6309 = T. 1-46 = T. 5-31 in 1876 (specific date unknown) using the 11" refractor at the Arcetri Observatory in Florence. He only gave a rough position in his first discovery list I (AN 93, p. 59) but measured an accurate position in 1878 that was published in his fifth list. NGC 6309 is the only planetary discovered by Tempel.
Edward Pickering independently found the planetary on 15 Jul 1882 with the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory using a direct-vision spectroscope, though he reported it was the "nebula found by Tempel (GC 4851). Tempel's description 'between 2 stars' does not seem applicable." There is only one close star. In Jun 1888, Baron von Engelhardt noted a "12th mag star and an oval nebula", using his 12-inch Grubb refractor. In 1898 Herbert Howe described NGC 6309 as a close double nebula, using the 20-inch Saegmuller refractor in Denver. Guillaume Bigourdan made 4 observations between 1891 and 1895 with the Paris Observatory's 12.4-inch refractor. Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported "at first sight this nebula appears binuclear, but the southern condensation is not stellar. Quite irregular; about 19"x10" in p.a. 163”. The southern condensation is 7.5" from the central star."
The nickname "Box Nebula" was probably coined by Ron Morales in an August 1984 Sky & Tel article, though both this planetary and NGC 6445 are referred to with this moniker.
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NGC 6310 = UGC 10730 = MCG +10-24-100 = CGCG 299-055 = PGC 59662
17 07 57.6 +60 59 24; Dra
V = 13.1; Size 2.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 69”
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, 1.5'x0.3', small bright core.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6310 = Sw. 2-52, along with NGC 6307, on 27 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen (first night he made discoveries with this telescope). Lewis Swift rediscovered this galaxy on 8 Jul 1885 and reported it as new in his second discovery list (#52). His description reads "pF; vE; 3 stars in line point to it. nf of 2 [with NGC 6306]." Dreyer assumed this observation referred to NGC 6307.
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NGC 6311 = UGC 10741 = MCG +07-35-039 = CGCG 225-059 = PGC 59750
17 10 43.7 +41 39 04; Her
V = 13.2; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.7
17.5" (8/1/89): faint, small, irregularly round, weak concentration. Forms a pair with CGCG 225-056 4.8' SW, which appeared extremely faint and small, round, substellar nucleus, very small halo.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6311 = St. 7-11 on 2 Jun 1869 and recorded a rough position 6' too far south. On 30 Jun 1876 he reduced an accurate micrometric position with description "pretty bright, very small, round." A later observation was made on 20 Jun 1878.
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NGC 6312 = MCG +07-35-040 = CGCG 225-060 = PGC 59751
17 10 48.1 +42 17 15; Her
V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.75'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (8/1/89): very faint, small, round, low even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is 0.7' NW of center.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6312 = St. 10-31 on 5 Jul 1877. His micrometric position (reduced on 25 Jul 1879 and published in 1880) was accurate.
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NGC 6313 = UGC 10742 = MCG +08-31-025 = CGCG 252-022 = PGC 59739
17 10 20.9 +48 19 53; Her
V = 13.8; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 156”
17.5" (8/1/89): faint, fairly small, edge-on NNW-SSE. Bracketed between two mag 14 stars at the north tip and off the south end 0.8' from center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6313 = Sw. 9-74 on 21 Apr 1887 and recorded "eeF; vS; F * on each side in meridian." Both stars are mentioned in my observation. The discovery was relayed directly to Dreyer as he was compiling the NGC and referenced as list 6 in the NGC, though Swift published the discovery in 1890 (after the NGC) in his 9th list.
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NGC 6314 = UGC 10752 = MCG +04-40-022 = CGCG 139-044 = PGC 59838
17 12 38.7 +23 16 12; Her
V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 175”
14.5" (8/31/21): at 264x; fairly faint, elongated ~5:2 N-S, ~45"x20", well concentrated with a small bright nucleus. A wide double star (POU 3263 = 10.2/12.5 at 16") is 3' ENE and NGC 6315 is 3' SSE.
17.5" (5/28/89): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, small bright core, substellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 6315 3.3' SE. NGC 6308 lies 11.2' NW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6314 = m 333, along with NGC 6308 and 6315, on 6 Jun 1863 and noted "F, vS, R, bM." These were the first three galaxies he discovered with William Lassell's 48-inch on Malta and his position is accurate.
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NGC 6315 = MCG +04-40-023 = CGCG 139-045 = PGC 59843
17 12 46.1 +23 13 25; Her
V = 13.2; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.9
14.5" (8/31/21): at 182x and 264x; extremely faint glow (requires averted), very low surface brightness, ~0.4' diameter. A mag 14.2 star is 0.8' NW. Located 3.3' SSE of brighter NGC 6314.
17.5" (5/28/89): very faint, very small, 30" diameter, low surface brightness, slightly elongated. A mag 14 star is off the NW edge 0.8' from center. Last and faintest of three with NGC 6314 3.3' NW and NGC 6308 14' NW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6315 = m 334, along with NGC 6308 and 6314, on 6 Jun 1863 and noted "eF, S." These were the first three galaxies he discovered with William Lassell's 48-inch on Malta and his position is fairly accurate.
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NGC 6316 = ESO 454-004
17 16 37.0 -28 08 24; Oph
V = 9.0; Size 4.9'; Surf Br = 1.7
17.5" (8/27/92): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 2' diameter, broad concentration with no distinct core. This globular was mottled across the disc but only marginally resolved with a few 16th magnitude stars visible. A brighter mag 12 field star is off the SE edge by 1' and a mag 13 field stars is at the SW side and another 2' W of center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6316 = H. I-45 = D 621 = h3671 on 24 May 1784 (sweep 224). His description reads, "B, R, much brighter middle but the brightness decreasing very gradually. A faintish dusky red colour is still perceptible. It is a perfect miniature of the former miniature [NGC 6293, which is itself a miniature cluster of the 19th of the Connoissance des Temps." So, he recognized NGC 6316 as a distant globular. The "faintish dusky red colour" is spurious.
James Dunlop observed the globular on 13 May 1826. He logged "a very small faint round nebula, about 8" or 10" diameter, bright in the centre. There is a very small star south [and following] of the nebula, distant about 10" from it, but it is not involved or connected with the nebula." Although his single position was 36' too far ESE, the description matches.
John Herschel made two observations from the Cape of Good Hope. On 30 Jul 1834 (sweep 475) he recorded "globular, B, R, gradually brighter in the middle, resolvable, 90", has 2 small stars very near." Again on 15 Jul 1836 (sweep 723) he logged "globular, pB, S, R, pretty gradually very much brighter in the middle, 2', resolved into stars 16..17th mag."
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NGC 6317 = MCG +11-21-009 = PGC 59708
17 08 59.5 +62 53 53; Dra
V = 14.5; Size 1.2'x0.4'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 44”
17.5" (7/9/88): extremely faint, small, oval ~E-W, low even surface brightness. A mag 15 star is off the north side 51" from center. Pair with NGC 6319 6.8' NE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6317 = Sw. 1-55 on 2 Jun 1883 and recorded "eeF; S; R; F * nr; sp of 2 [with NGC 6319]." His position is 14 seconds of RA too large and the faint star is ~50" north. This was one of his first discoveries at Warner Observatory, made while still testing and adjusting the telescope. The discovery date for NGC 6319 was nearly two years later, so the comment "south-preceding of 2" was apparently added when his table was prepared. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 7 Sep 1888, which Dreyer repeated in the IC 2 Notes. MCG and UGC (notes section) fail to label this galaxy as NGC 6317.
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NGC 6318 = ESO 333-1 = Cr 325 = Mel 166 = Lund 742 = vdB-Ha 218
17 16 12 -39 25 30; Sco
Size 4'
13.1" (7/27/84): large, fairly rich group of stars mag 11 and fainter, fairly prominent, elongated N-S. The NGC RA is 1.6 tmin too far east and this cluster is misplotted on U2000.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6318 = D 522 = h3672 on 13 May 1826. He made 4 observations, describing it on 31 July as "an exceedingly faint nebula, about 1.5' long and 1' broad, elliptical in the direction of the meridian, with two or three very small stars in it.". His published position was 18' too far east, though one position was off by "only" 8'.
John Herschel observed the cluster on 5 Jun 1834 (sweep 456) and wrote "cluster VII class. Rich, pL, R, gradually brighter in the middle, stars 12...14th mag, not a globular." He gave a very approximate position (nearest minute +/- in RA and arcmin of Dec). In the GC, Herschel improved the position, but it was still 1.5 minutes of time too large. Gsta Lynga (open cluster catalogue) and NGC 2000.0 repeat the erroneous NGC position.
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NGC 6319 = UGC 10744 = MCG +11-21-010 = CGCG 321-015 = PGC 59717
17 09 44.1 +62 58 23; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2
17.5" (7/9/88): faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with difficult NGC 6317 6.8' SW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6319 = Sw. 1-56 on 14 May 1885 and noted "vS; vF; little brighter middle; nf of 2 [with NGC 6317]." His position is 25 seconds of time too small. Bigourdan measured a fairly accurate position on 7 Sep 1888, which Dreyer repeated in the IC 2 Notes. MCG fails to identify this galaxy as NGC 6319.
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NGC 6320 = UGC 10761 = MCG +07-35-044 = CGCG 225-067 = PGC 59852
17 12 55.8 +40 15 58; Her
V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 85”
17.5" (8/2/89): very faint, slightly elongated E-W, 0.8'x0.6', low even surface brightness, very diffuse. A mag 14 star is attached on the south side, 25" from the center.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6320 = St. 4-1 on 2 Jun 1869 and logged a rough unpublished position 4' too far SSE.. On 27 Jul 1872 he measured an accurate micrometric position with description "extremely faint, *13 preceding 0.5 seconds." A later observation was made on 20 Jun 1878, along with NGC 6311, another Stephan discovery on 2 Jun 1869.
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NGC 6321 = UGC 10768 = MCG +03-44-002 = CGCG 111-015 = PGC 59900
17 14 24.3 +20 18 50; Her
V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.4
17.5" (8/2/89): faint, moderately large, round, almost even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is at the west edge 40" from center and a mag 13 star 1.0' SE of center.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6321 = St. 2-13 on 6 Jul 1871. His initial position was nearly 4' too far SE. His published micrometric position (list 2, #13) was made a week later on 14 Jul 1871 and he noted it was about 40" diameter.
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NGC 6322 = Cr 326 = ESO 278-006
17 18 26 -42 56 00; Sco
V = 6.0; Size 10'
14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 73x and 178x): very distinctive, eye-catching cluster outlined by a very bright equilateral triangle (sides, 6', 6', 7') consisting of mag 7.6 HD 156189, mag 7.5 HD 156292 and mag 7.7 HD 156234. In the interior is a 34" pair of mag 9/9.5 stars, along with a 16" pair of mag 10.5 stars (both oriented roughly N-S). Another mag 9.2 star (HD 156271) is at the southeast side of the cluster. Roughly 50 stars total are resolved within a 9' region, including a number of mag 12-14 stars in addition to the prominent ones mentioned.
8" (7/16/82): consists of a near equilateral triangle of mag 7.5, 7.6 and 7.8 stars (sides ~7') with roughly 12 faint stars scattered nearby, moderately large.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6322 = h3673 on 1 Jun 1834 and recorded "vl cl VII. class, of loose st, on a v rich ground of S stars. The chief *, 6m, at the nf edge taken. The next sweep 2 nights later he logged "Coarse B cluster VII mainly included within an equilateral triangle formed by 3 B stars 5 and 6m. The nf of these taken."
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NGC 6323 = UGC 10764 = MCG +07-35-048 = CGCG 225-071 = PGC 59868
17 13 18.1 +43 46 57; Her
V = 13.9; Size 1.1'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 172”
18" (7/27/03): faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 ~N-S, 0.6'x0.15'. Contains a small brighter core. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.9' NW. Second of 8 in the NGC 6329/6332 group. CGCG 225-070 lies 5.4' SSW. Located 10' ENE of mag 7.2 SAO 46565.
17.5" (8/1/89): very faint, small, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, weak concentration. First of five in a group with NGC 6329 12' ESE and NGC 6327 11' SE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6323 = St. 7-12 on 12 Jul 1876 (date the position was reduced). The original discovery was possibly made on 20 Jun 1876.
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NGC 6324 = UGC 10725 = MCG +13-12-016 = CGCG 355-025 = PGC 59583
17 05 25.1 +75 24 26; UMi
V = 12.8; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 11.9; PA = 78”
17.5" (5/14/88): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, diffuse, small brighter core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6324 = H. III-945 on 12 Dec 1797 (sweep 1071 in the north, under the pole). He logged "very faint, small, elongated. I saw it also with 320x. A small star is south of it; a 2nd is preceding and a 3rd following." His description is a perfect match with UGC 10725. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 22 Jul 1884 (repeated in the IC 2 notes).
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NGC 6325 = ESO 519-11
17 17 59.2 -23 45 58; Oph
V = 10.7; Size 4.3'; Surf Br = 2.8
17.5" (5/30/92): fairly faint, small, 2' diameter, slightly mottled but no resolution, weak central concentration. At 412x appears very granular with a brighter core that is offset to the west. A faint star visible off the WSW edge of the halo may be a field star. Located 30' N of the double star 39 (Omicron) Ophiuchi (5.4/6.9 at 10").
8" (6/27/81): very faint, weak concentration, small, no resolution.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6325 = h3676 on 24 May 1835 and logged "pF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; r; 60". No doubt it is a globular cluster." His single position is good.
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NGC 6326 = PK 338-8.1 = PN G338.1-08.3 = ESO 228-1
17 20 46.3 -51 45 16; Ara
V = 11.1; Size 16"x11"
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, small, round compact PN in a dense field of stars. A couple of mag 13-14 stars are just off the north and east sides. At 171x and UHC filter, the crisply defined periphery is slightly elongated and evenly illuminated with no hint of a central star. The diameter appears to be ~15" with a V mag of approximately 10.5. Located 3.5” NE of gc NGC 6397 and a similar distance SSW of gc NGC 6352.
James Dunlop possibly discovered NGC 6326 = D 381 = h3675 on 26 Aug 1826 and described "an extremely faint small nebula, about 12" diameter, with a bright point in the centre." The size certainly fits, though his position was off by 24' (too far east) and this identification is uncertain.
Joihn Herschel gave two very detailed observations. On 19 Jun 1835 he logged "planetary nebula, delicate, F, vS, diam = 6 or 7 arcseconds, exactly round, perfectly uniform (as respects the graduation of the light from the centre to the edges), but the light a very little curdled. Not the slightest haziness, but like a star out of focus. 320x shows rather more fur at the edges than I think it would to a planet of equal size and light. Its light is = a star 10-11th mag. It would be quite useless to look for this object under less favourable circumstances -- of instrument and sky. A night of gloriously perfect definition! It is in a very rich place. There are 40 or 50 small stars in field. Measures of the two companions; 1st pos = 351 degrees, dist = 1 diam from edge, star = 14th mag; 2nd pos = 91.4, dist = 2/3 diam, star = 13th mag. Showed it to my attendant, J. Stone, who saw it well". His sketch in on Plate VI, figure 6.
In a later sweep (6 Jun 1837) the comment was added "Referring to the description of D 381, I see no ground to suppose that this can by possibility have been the object intended by that place and description. At all events the remarkable planetary character has escaped notice by the author of that description."
In 1868, Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, strongly suspected that NGC 6326 was an emission line object in an early spectroscopic investigation of southern nebulae while he was stationed in Bangalore, India.
Joseph Turner sketched the planetary on 16 Aug 1874 using the 48" Great Melbourne Telescope. His sketch (unpublished plate VII, figure 74) shows the two nearby stars and no additional features though he noted a softness at the edges and a slight "curdling" appearance.
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NGC 6327 = CGCG 225-074 = WBL 635-001 = PGC 59889
17 14 02.3 +43 38 58; Her
V = 15.0; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8
18" (7/27/03): very faint, small sliver oriented ~NNW-SSE, 0.5'x0.15'. Squeezed between two mag 13/14 stars 0.8' N and 0.6' S with a 3rd mag 13 star 1.6' E. Third of 8 galaxies in a group and situated 3.2' SW of NGC 6329.
17.5" (8/1/89): extremely faint and small, round. Located between a mag 14.5 star at the southern tip 0.6' from center and a mag 13 star 0.8' N of center. Located 3.2' SW of NGC 6329 and the second of five in a group.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6327 = St. 7-13, possibly during the 20 Jun 1876 observation of NGC 6329. His pubished position in list 7 (#13) was reduced on 18 Jul 1876.
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NGC 6328 = ESO 102-003 = AM 1718-645 = PGC 60198
17 23 41.0 -65 00 37; Ara
V = 12.3; Size 2.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 157”
14" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 178x): fairly faint, fairly small oval NNW-SSE, 0.8'x0.5', broad weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. Mag 8.9 HD 156534 lies 7' NW and a mag 12 star is 1.3' NNW. The latter has a 14.5 companion at 11" separation. Situated within a rich Ara star field with numerous mag 12-14 stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6328 = h3674 on 2 May 1835 and recorded "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15". He logged it again on 20 Jun 1835 and noted, "vF; vS; lE; little brighter middle; 15" l, 12" br." His position matches ESO 102-003 = PGC 60198, nevertheless RNGC classifies this number as a non-existent cluster. The RNGC was probably misled by DeLisle Stewart's comment (based on a Harvard plate at Arequipa between 1898 and 1901) that NGC 6328 was an "eF pair of stars only, one star hazy". Because of the RNGC classification, Brent Archinal includes this object in his monograph on the RNGC nonexistent clusters.
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NGC 6329 = UGC 10771 = MCG +07-35-051 = CGCG 225-077 = WBL 635-002 = PGC 59894
17 14 15.0 +43 41 05; Her
V = 12.8; Size 1.8'x1.8'; Surf Br = 14.1
18" (7/27/03): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 0.7' diameter. Contains a small bright core that increases to a distinct stellar nucleus. Fourth of 8 galaxies and second brightest in the NGC 6332/6339 group (located roughly 50' NW of M92!) with NGC 6327 3.2' SW and NGC 6332 8.1' ESE.
17.5" (8/1/89): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Third of five in a group with NGC 6327 3.2' SW and NGC 6332 8.1' ESE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6329 = St. 7-14 on 20 Jun 1876. His micrometric position (measured on 11 Jul 1876) in his 7th discovery paper was accurate.
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NGC 6330 = UGC 10776 = MCG +05-41-005 = CGCG 170-007 = PGC 59961
17 15 44.6 +29 24 13; Her
V = 14.0; Size 1.4'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 160”
17.5" (8/2/89): very faint, fairly small, edge-on N-S. A mag 15 star is just off the NE end 35" from center. Located 4.8' SSE of mag 8.5 SAO 84956.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6330 = St. 11-54 on 14 Jun 1871 and measured an initial position 3' to the E (similar offset as his other discoveries that night). His published micrometric position on the east side of the galaxy was made 9 years later on 12 Jun 1880.
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NGC 6331 = MCG +13-12-015 = CGCG 355-024 = PGC 59513
17 03 34.1 +78 37 48; UMi
V = 14.2; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 126”
24" (8/7/13): brightest member of Abell Galaxy Cluster 2256 and first in a 6' string to the east containing a total of 6 galaxies. At 375x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, oval 5:3 NW-SE, ~30"x18", broad concentration, brighter core. This is a very close double system (two nuclei on the SDSS) with a companion on the NW side. A mag 13 star lies 1.8' E and this star is attached on the southwest side of CGCG 355-026. PGC 84834, an extremely faint and small galaxy lies 1.1' E, on line with the mag 13 star. Also in the string is UGC 10726 2.7' ENE, MCG +13-12-019 3.7' ENE, PGC 59471 4.4' SW and MCG +13-12-020 6' E. In addition, PGC 59495 lies 2.4' SW.
UGC 10726: faint to fairly faint, irregularly round, ~35" diameter, broad weak concentration. This galaxy and NGC 6331 are the two largest in the cluster.
MCG +13-12-019: faint, fairly small, round, 18" diameter.
PGC 59471: extremely faint and small, only 6" diameter.
MCG +13-12-020: very faint, round, 18" diameter, low even surface brightness. A mag 11.3 star is 1.4' E.
PGC 59495: very faint, extremely small, round, 10" diameter.
18" (7/5/08): at 280x, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE (a very faint companion at the WNW end may contribute to the impression of elongation), 40"x20", even surface brightness. Brightest in the core of distant AGC 2256 (~800 million light years) with 6 faint companions picked up within 6'. NGC 6331 is the first in a 3.7' curving chain of 5 galaxies extending to the east. A mag 13.9 star lies within this chain 1.7' E.
17.5" (5/14/88): faint, small, elongated NW-SE. A mag 13.5 star is 1.8' E. UGC 10726 lies 2.7' E. This is the brightest galaxy in AGC 2256 galaxy cluster and a triple system in a common halo.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6331 = H. III-951 on 20 Dec 1797 (northern sweep 1075, under the pole). He noted "extremely faint, small, better with 320 power." The previous object in the sweep was NGC 6217, logged about a half hour earlier. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 22 Jul 1884.
This galaxy is certainly one of the most distant in the NGC at 800 million light years (z = .059), although it is relatively easy to view, so must be intrinsically extremely bright.
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NGC 6332 = UGC 10773 = MCG +07-35-054 = CGCG 225-082 = WBL 635-003 = PGC 59927
17 15 02.9 +43 39 36; Her
V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 42”
24" (9/5/18): at 225x; moderately bright, fairly large, elongated nearly 3:1 SW-NE, ~1.2'x0.4', bright elongated core, moderate surface brightness. A mag 12.4 star is 2.1' NE of center, while two 14th mag stars lie 1.3' NW and 1.7' WNW. Member of a group (WBL 635) with NGC 6329 9' WNW.
PGC 214598, situated 3.5' ESE, appeared very faint [V = 15.5], round, 10" diameter (core region). A mag 14.8 star is close off the NW side [25" from center].
18" (7/27/03): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 or 4:3 SW-NE, 0.9'x0.7', broad concentration to a slightly brighter core. Two mag 14 stars are 1.3' and 1.7' NW. Appears slightly more prominent than NGC 6329 8.7' WNW and these two galaxies are the brightest in a group of 8 galaxies ~50' NW of M92. Located 6' SW of mag 9.4 SAO 46585.
17.5" (8/1/89): very faint, fairly small, elongated SW-NE, even surface brightness. NGC 6329 lies 8.7' WNW. Fourth of five in a group.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6332 = St. 7-15 on 4 Jun 1869 with a second observation on 20 Jun 1876. On 11 Jul 1878 he measured a micrometric position with description "very faint, oval, little brighter middle", though his declination was slightly off. Emmanuel Esmiol corrected the position in his 1916 re-reduction ("Rduction des Observations de Nbuleuses Dcouvertes par M. Stephan").
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NGC 6333 = M9 = ESO 587-5
17 19 11.7 -18 30 59; Oph
V = 7.6; Size 9.3'; Surf Br = 1.2
17.5" (8/1/92): at 220x, bright, fairly large, 4' diameter. The bright core is elongated N-S somewhat like M4. The outliers or unrelated field stars appear to extend the halo E-W. The halo is fairly well resolved into two dozen mag 13.5-14.5 stars. The core is very mottled and lively and just breaks up into numerous, densely packed mag 14-15 stars. At 420x, the core is easily well-resolved and two very close double stars are at the west and east edges of the halo. The dark nebula B64 lies close SW.
13.1" (6/19/82): the central region is very bright and mottled. A number of faint stars are resolved in the outer region of the core at 150x as well as a number of stragglers.
8" (6/19/82): very mottled, few stars resolved at edges at high power especially on the east side. Dark nebula B64 is close SW. NGC 6356 lies 75' NE and NGC 6342 75' SSE.
Charles Messier discovered M9 = NGC 6333 = h1979 on 28 May 1764 and recorded a "Nebula, without star, in the right leg of Ophiuchus; it is round and its light is faint. Diam. 3 arc-minutes".
William Herschel first observed this globular on 3 May 1783 with a new 9-inch Gregorian reflector (10-foot focal length). He logged it using 250x: "I see several stars in it, and make no doubt a higher power, and more light, will resolve it all into stars. This seems to be a good nebula for the purpose of establishing the connection between nebulae and clusters of stars in general." During sweep 230 with his 18.7-inch on 18 June 1784, he recorded at 157x: "A vL and vB cluster of excessively compressed stars. The stars are but just visible, and are of unequal magnitudes: the large stars are red; and the cluster is a miniature of [M53]. Again on 28 May 1786 (sweep 569): "A cluster of extremely compressed, excessively small stars, with a very few scattered one chiefly to the north of it."
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NGC 6334 = Ced 140 = Sh 1-7 = BBW 31800b = Gum 61/62/63/64 = Sh 2-8 = RCW 127 = ESO 392-9 = Cat's Paw Nebula
17 20 53 -36 04 21; Sco
Size 40'x30'
18" (7/17/07): The "Cat's Paw Nebula" is a fascinating HII complex and molecular cloud (RCW 17) with several distinct sections. At 73x and OIII or UHC filter, the brightest section or toe is on the southeast side (NGC 6334 = Gum 62) and consists of a 4'-5' glow extending mostly north of a mag 8.5 star (HD 156738) at 17 20.9 -36 04 (2000). The nebulosity appears weaker on the SW side of the star and slightly brighter wrapping around the eastern side of the star. John Herschel only recorded this section of the entire RCW 127 complex.
A second large section or toe forming the southwest component (VdBH 86 = Gum 61) lies 13' to the west and consists of a faint, 5' glow involving a 17" pair of mag 10.7 stars (HD 319703). This piece is asymmetric and appears as a broad fan sweeping N to SE from the central stars and appeared very weak or nonexistent to the SW of the stars.
A group of smaller pieces forming the NE toe (Gum 64b) is 12'-15' N of the brighter SE section. An obvious 2' glow surrounds a mag 10 star (HD 319702 at 17 20.8 -35 52. A small, faint knot of nebulosity lies 3' W, no more than 1' in diameter. This knot is also situated 2' SSE of a mag 9.5 star that is free of nebulosity. But to the NW of this star another few arc minutes is a third detached piece of nebulosity (brightest part of Gum 64c), ~2' in diameter. Very weak nebulosity appears to connect the NE section (Gum 64b) with the SE section (Gum 62).
Finally, midway between Gum 64b and Gum 61, a small extremely faint detached glow (Gum 64a) was glimpsed close SE of a mag 11 star at 17 20.1 -35 57.
13.1" (7/6/83): fairly easy nebulosity surrounds mag 8 star with UHC filter and extends 30' N. This is an unusually large nebulosity, mostly visible surrounding stars and includes a close faint triple star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6334 = h3678 on 7 Jun 1837 and recorded "pB; vL, v irr oval, in which, though eccentric is a *8, whose place is that taken. One side of the neb is brighter than the other." The next night he called this nebula "vF; vL; very gradually little brighter middle; 5'x4', out of middle is a *8.9 or 9 mag, whose place is taken. The densest part of the nebula follows this star 4.5 sec on the same parallel."
Massive HII region/molecular cloud complex with five distinct centers of massive star formation.
The nickname "Cat's Paw" is apparently from astrophotographer Jerry Lodriguss. He writes "I believe that I was also the one who actually gave the "Cat's Paw" nebula its popular name. I started calling it that because of its resemblance to, of all things, a cat's paw (!), and because of its proximity to the "Cat's Eyes", Lambda and Upsilon Scorpii. I think the name was first published in an article I wrote in Sky and Telescope magazine in August of 1998, and documented in Hartmut Frommert's "A Collection of Some Common Names for Deep Sky Objects" on the SEDS web site."
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NGC 6335 = ESO 454-010 = Ced 141
17 19 32 -30 09 54; Sco
24" (7/7/13): at 125x this Milky Way field (roughly 15') includes a mix of faint and moderately bright stars overlaying a bright Milky Way background glow. Includes a 6' string, oriented NW to SE, of mag 11-12 stars as well as a group of a half-dozen stars mag 9.5-12 stars (brightest is HD 156543) about 9' SW. Only some faint stars are visible between these groups over the glowing background, so it is not eye-catching. South of this group the background glow dims due to dust clouds.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6335 = h3679 on 27 Jun 1837 and recorded "The whole lower end of the zone is strongly affected with nebulous patches." There is no distinguishable cluster or nebula at his position, though Harold Corwin notes "the Southern Sky Survey films show a patchy field of star clouds, defined by the dust of dark nebulae. It is apparently these star clouds that JH saw in the summer of 1837, giving him the impression of patchy nebulosity all through his field." Herbert Howe was unable to find NGC 6335, searching on a good night with both the 20-inch refractor and its 5-inch finder in Denver.
JH's original Cape position is 4” too far south, but he made a correction to the declination on his errata page at the end of the CGH. The corrected position was used in his GC and copied by Dreyer from there into the NGC.
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NGC 6336 = UGC 10786 = MCG +07-35-057 = CGCG 225-089 = PGC 59976
17 16 16.6 +43 49 14; Her
V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 170”
24" (9/5/18): at 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, broad weak concentration but no distinct core or nucleus. An extremely faint star (mag 16.5) is at the west edge. A mag 10 star (HD 156583) lies 2.5' S. PGC 2231801, located 5.6' NNW, was easily seen as a faint, round glow (V = 14.8) of 20" diameter. A mag 12 star is 0.6' N. CGCG 225-088 and -090, a 2' pair of 15th mag galaxies, were seen 15' N.
18" (7/27/03): faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S or NNW-SSE, 0.7'x0.5'. The outer halo is ill-defined but contains a slightly brighter, rounder core ~15" diameter. Located 2.5' N of mag 10 SAO 46594. Last of 8 galaxies in the NGC 6329/6332 group (5 NGCs).
17.5" (8/2/89): faint, fairly small, elongated ~N-S, small bright core. Last in a group of five NGC galaxies located roughly 50' NW of M92. Located 2.5' N of mag 10 SAO 46594.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6336 = St. 7-16, possibly as early as 4 Jun 1869 or certainly on the 20 Jun 1876 observation. His published position in list 7 (#16) was reduced on 11 Jul 1876.
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NGC 6337 = PK 349-1.1 = ESO 333-5 = PN G349.3-01.1 = Cheerio Nebula
17 22 15.6 -38 29 01; Sco
V = 12.0; Size 49"x45"
18" (7/16/07): at 220x and UHC filter the "Cheerio Nebula" is a gorgeous annular planetary, ~45" diameter with a large, dark circular hole of 25"-30" diameter. The rim is uneven in surface brightness and perhaps brighter on the northeast side. A mag 12.5 star is inside the northeast rim and a similar mag star is off the southwest side, along with a mag 13.5 companion. An extremely faint star is on the SSW edge of rim. At 323x, the striking rim appears brighter in a 50-60” arc centered on the brighter star on the NE side. The amount of structure was surprising given the low altitude at -38.4” declination.
17.5" (6/30/00): very pretty annular planetary at 280x, ~45" and set in a rich star field. A mag 12 star is superimposed on the inner edge of the NE rim and an extremely faint star is symmetrically placed at the SW edge. The darker hole is 20"-25" diameter and perfectly circular. The outer rim appears irregularly lit.
13.1" (5/30/87): at 166x with a UHC filter appears fairly faint, fairly small, roundish. Slightly darker center (annular) with averted vision although the contrast with the rim is low due to the elevation. No central star seen.
13.1" (7/6/83): at 144x-166x appears fairly small, faint but fairly easy, darker center (annular), somewhat like a smaller and dimmer version of M57.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6337 = h3680 on 28 Jun 1834 and recorded an "Annular Nebula. A delicate, eF, but perfectly well defined annulus 15-20" diameter. The field crowded with stars, two of which are on the nebula (see figure 3, Plate VI.)" A later observation records "A beautiful delicate ring, of a faint ghost-like appearance, about 40" diameter; in a field of about 150 stars, 11 and 12 mag and under. In it is one *12 mag very conspicuous, and one 15 mag much less so. Near it are two stars 14 and 15 mag, and south of it at distance 60" is another."
Using his 48-inch from Malta, William Lassell also sketched a thin, perfectly symmetric ring with a star "perhaps 10.5 or 11 magnitude" on the north side and a faint one embedded on the south rim. Joseph Turner made a similar sketch in 1874 with the 48-inch Great Melbourne Telescope (plate VII, figure 75, unpublished) as well as Pietro Baracchi in Sept. 1884 with the GMT.
The 5 superimposed stars were described in the 1921 Helwan Observatory list (based on photos taken in 1914-16) as follows: "Along a diameter of the ring in p.a. 25” is a line of stars, so straight as to suggest some connection with the nebula rather than a chance superposition. The two brightest stars are at opposite ends of this line, that to the north being just inside the ring and the south one on the ring itself. Between the central star and this south star is first (distant 5" from the former) a star 17-18 mag, and then either a still fainter star or possibly a small piece of nebulosity."
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NGC 6338 = UGC 10784 = MCG +10-24-116 = CGCG 299-066 = WBL 636-002 = PGC 59947
17 15 23.0 +57 24 40; Dra
V = 12.3; Size 1.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 15”
24" (7/21/17): NGC 6338 is the brightest in a compact group of 10 galaxies that was viewed at 375x. It appeared bright, moderately large, slightly elongated ~N-S, 1.25'x1.0'. Moderately concentrated with a bright core that increases to a small brighter nucleus.
The following galaxies lie within 7' distance: CGCG 299-067 = VII Zw 700 is 1.2' N, NGC 6345 is 3.7' S, IC 1252 is 4.6' SE, NGC 6346 is 5.3' S, LEDA 2566799 (V = 15.5) is 5.6' NNE, LEDA 2567181 (V = 15.9) is 6.8' N and IC 1250 is 7.3' W. CGCG 299-067, a merged double system with twin nuclei just 6" separation, appeared faint to fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter. A 20" pair of 13th magnitude stars is less than 1' NNE. The object was suspected to be double but the nuclei were not cleanly resolved.
18" (7/12/07): brightest in a compact group of 7 galaxies (WBL 636 = NGC 6338 Group) viewed within a 10' circle. At 262x, appears fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.4', broad weak concentration. A 22" pair of mag 13 stars lies 2' N.
Forms a close pair with MCG +10-24-117 just 1.2' N (sandwiched between NGC 6338 and the pair of stars). The companion is very faint, small, round, 20" diameter. Other members include NGC 6345 3.6' S, NGC 6346 5.3' S and IC 1252 4.5' SE.
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, broad concentration. Brightest in a group with NGC 6345 4' S and NGC 6346 6' S in field.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6338 = H. II-812 on 24 Apr 1789 (last object in sweep 928). He noted "faint, small, round, very gradually little brighter middle. The increase at a distance from the center." A small sketch was included in his 1811 PT paper (fig. 15) as an example "of nebulae that are gradually a little brighter in the middle."
Bigourdan measured an accurate RA and noted the NGC RA was 16 seconds too small in the 18 Jan 1897 Comptes Rendus paper.
MCG misidentifies CGCG 299-067 (just north) as NGC 6338 and labels NGC 6338 as NGC 6345. This error was noted by Malcolm Thomson.
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NGC 6339 = UGC 10790 = MCG +07-35-059 = CGCG 225-092 = PGC 60003
17 17 06.5 +40 50 41; Her
V = 12.7; Size 2.9'x1.7'; Surf Br = 14.3; PA = 10”
24" (7/16/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, large, overall low surface brightness but contains an easily visible "bar" 3:1 or 4:1 WNW-ESE, ~25"x7". The large, roundish halo is slightly elongated N-S and contained a hint of (spiral) structure.
MCG +07-35-062 = PGC 60007 lies 3' NE. This challenging edge-on (B = 15.9) appeared extremely faint and thin, ~25"x5". It required averted vision and was only occasionally glimpsed. CGCG 225-097 (polar-ring galaxy) lies 10' SE and appeared faint, small, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 18"x12".
13.1" (6/18/85): large, slightly elongated. Very diffuse appearance with a broad concentration. NGC 6343 lies 13' NNE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6339 = Sw. 9-78, along with NGC 6343, on 21 Apr 1887 and recorded "vF; pL; iR; sp of 2 [with NGC 6343]." His position is 6 seconds of time too large and 1.8' north of UGC 10790, a low surface brightness SBd galaxy. The discovery was relayed directly to Dreyer as he was compiling the NGC and referenced as list 6, though Swift published the discovery a couple of years later in his 9th list.
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NGC 6340 = UGC 10762 = MCG +12-16-023 = CGCG 339-031 = PGC 59742
17 10 25.1 +72 18 17; Dra
V = 11.0; Size 3.2'x3.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 120”
17.5" (7/16/93): fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 2.2'x1.8', prominent bright core, stellar nucleus with direct vision. A double star mag 11.5/12.5 is off the NW edge 1.7' from core. Forms a trio with IC 1251 6.4' N and IC 1254 6.8' NE.
IC 1251 was recorded as "faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 ~E-W, fairly low almost even surface brightness. Located in a string of stars which ends at the double star adjacent to NGC 6340 6' SSE." IC 1254 was described as "faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, even surface brightness. Slightly fainter than IC 1251 6' W."
17.5" (7/9/88): fairly bright, moderately large, round, very small bright core. A wide mag 11/12 double star is 2' NW. Brightest of three with IC 1251 and IC 1254 in field.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6340 = H. II-767 = h1980 on 6 Jun 1788 (sweep 847) and recorded "pB, pL, very gradually much brighter middle, R." John Herschel made the single observation "vF; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 25" sf a small double star 2' dist."
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NGC 6341 = M92
17 17 07.2 +43 08 11; Her
V = 6.5; Size 11.2'; Surf Br = 0.1
18" (7/24/06): at 435x the cluster overfilled the 9' field with several hundred stars resolved stars. The 3' to 4' core itself was highly resolved into roughly 100 densely packed stars (including a very compact knot of stars) with long streams of stars appearing to spiral out from the core.
17.5": very bright, large, very high resolution of 150-200 stars many in curving lanes. A tight knot of stars in the core is resolved.
13.1" (many dates 7/16/82 to 6/30/84): highly resolution over entire disc, dozens of stars resolved in bright core. A bright knot in the core is partially resolved at 416x. Overall a couple of hundred stars were resolved.
8" (7/9/80): at 125x-160x; very bright, moderately large. Well resolved into many long streamers from the small bright nucleus and some core resolution. One string heads south from the core and curves north on the east side of the core.
Johann Bode discovered M92 = NGC 6341 on 27 Dec 1777. Charles Messier independently discovered M92 on 18 Mar 1781. He noted "it contains no star; the center is clear & brilliant, surrounded by nebulosity & resembles the nucleus of a large Comet: its brightness, its size, approache much that of the nebula which is in the girdle of Hercules [M13]."
William Herschel made an early observation on 25 Aug 1783 using his 12-inch (small 20-foot), calling it "A most beautiful sight. I can count 50 or 60 stars besides numberless that only distinguish themselves by twinkling..." It was encountered during his sweeps on 11 Jun 1787 (sweep 746) and called "a very brilliant cluster of extremely compressed small stars." Surprisingly, John Herschel recorded no observations in his Slough Catalogue.
Christian Peters reported finding it around 1850 at Capodimonte Observatory in Naples and claimed it did not appear in any catalogue.
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NGC 6342 = ESO 587-6
17 21 10.1 -19 35 15; Oph
V = 9.9; Size 3.0'; Surf Br = 1.4
18" (7/26/06): at 325x this small 2' globular was well concentrated to a fairly bright 40" core. A mag 12.5 star is off the SSW side of the halo [1.2' from center]. Perhaps a half dozen stars are resolved in the halo including three close stars on the NE side. Additional stars are sometimes visible in the WSW side and the north side of the halo. The core is very mottled and there is a strong impression of a couple of star lanes below the threshold of visibility. Located 70' SE of M9. B259, a large dark nebula, is located ~20' NE.
17.5" (7/27/92): moderately bright, fairly small, 2' diameter with an irregular outline, increases to fairly well-defined bright core, mottled. A mag 12 is just off the south tip and a very faint extension or lane extends towards this star. One or two very faint stars mag 14.5-15 are at the NE edge. A less well-defined extension to the SW includes one or two threshold stars. The cluster has a lively appearance but there was no additional resolution.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6342 = H. I-149 on 28 May 1786 (sweep 569) and recorded "cB, lE, pS, easily resolvable." His position is at the northwest edge of the globular.
Pietro Baracchi observed the GC on 3 Sep 1885 with the Melboure telescope and showed a separate small clump or knot on the NE side.
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NGC 6343 = MCG +07-35-060 = CGCG 225-095 = PGC 60010
17 17 16.3 +41 03 10; Her
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.6
13.1" (6/18/85): faint, small, round, compact. Located 12.5' NNE of brighter NGC 6339.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6343 = Sw. 9-79, along with NGC 6339, on 21 Apr 1887. He recorded, "vF; S; lE; nf of 2 [with NGC 6339]." His position is 10 seconds of time too large and 1.4' north of CGCG 225-095 = PGC 60010 (similar offset as NGC 6339). The discovery was relayed directly to Dreyer as he was compiling the NGC and referenced to list 6, though Swift published the discovery a couple of years later in his 9th discovery list (after the publication of the NGC). Kobold later measured an accurate position in 1898 at Strasbourg.
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NGC 6344
17 17 18.2 +42 26 03; Her
V = 12.5/13.5
24" (6/28/19): relatively bright mag 12.5/13.5 pair of stars at ~20" separation. These are situated only 1' S of PGC 60004, which lies at a whopping distance of 2.27 billion light years and is misidentified as NGC 6344 in the RNGC and PGC.
17.5" (8/2/89): this is a pair of mag 12/13 stars just 1' S of PGC 60004 (misidentified as NGC 6344 in the RNGC). PGC 60004 appeared extremely faint and small, round. Located 2.1' SW of mag 8 SAO 046612!
Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 6344 around 1886 with the 15.5-inch refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in England. The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer and never published separately. The NGC description states "F, S, R, *12 nf, nr." At his position is a wide mag 13.5/12.5 pair at 23" that Harold Corwin identifies as NGC 6344. From his description "*12 nf, near", though, it appears the fainter southwest star is NGC 6344. In any case, considering Lohse's poor record of logging double stars as nebulous, this identification is fairly certain. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position for the double star in 1898 (identified as NGC 6344).
RNGC and PGC misidentify PGC 60004 as NGC 6344. This distant galaxy (merging system with a light-travel time of 2.3 billion years!) is only 1' north of Lohse's micrometric position, but Harold Corwin feels it is too faint to have been picked up by Lohse - and there is no nearby mag 12 star north-following. HyperLeda now classifies NGC 6344 as a double star.
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NGC 6345 = MCG +10-24-115 = CGCG 299-065 = WBL 636-005 = PGC 59945
17 15 24.3 +57 21 01; Dra
V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 33”
24" (7/21/17): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, ~30"x10", very small bright core. Lies on a N-S line between NGC6338 3.7' N and NGC 6346 1.7' S. IC 1252 lies 3.6' ENE.
18" (7/12/07): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.2', weak concentration with a slightly brighter core. Located 3.6' S of NGC 6338 in a compact group. Forms a close pair with NGC 6346 1.7' S and IC 1252 lies 3.6' E.
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, very small, elongated SW-NE, small bright core. Member of a close trio with NGC 6346 2' S and NGC 6338 4' N.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6345 = Sw. 6-91, along with NGC 6346, on 13 May 1887 and recorded "eeeF; vS; R; eee diff; middle of 3, one being [GC] 4291 [= NGC 6338]." His position is 2' north of CGCG 299-065 = PGC 59945, and falls closer to NGC 6338. The third galaxy is NGC 6346.
MCG mislabels NGC 6345 as NGC 6346 (error noted by Malcolm Thomson). Swift's position for NGC 6346, given as 2' south of NGC 6345, happens to fall on NGC 6345, causing the confusion.
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NGC 6346 = MCG +10-24-114 = CGCG 299-064 = WBL 636-004 = PGC 59946
17 15 24.5 +57 19 21; Dra
V = 14.2; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 90”
24" (7/21/17): at 375x; fairly faint or moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, ~30"x25", gradually increases to the center. At the south end of a north-south string with NGC 6345 1.7' N and NGC 6338 5.3' N.
IC 1252 lies 4.4' NE and LEDA 2562439 is 3.3' ESE. The latter galaxy (misidentified in NED as IC 4650) appeared faint, very small, round, 15" diameter.
18" (7/12/07): faint, small, oval, 0.5'x0.35', broad weak concentration. Forms a close pair with NGC 6345 1.7' N. Located 5' S of NGC 6338 in a group.
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, very small, slightly elongated ~E-W, gradually brighter halo. Forms a close pair with NGC 6345 2' N in a NGC 6338 group.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6346, along with NGC 6345, on 13 May 1887. Swift communicated the position (2' south of NGC 6345) directly to Dreyer. Dreyer referenced Swift's 6th discovery list, which was still being prepared when the NGC went to press, but Swift only included a separate entry for nearby NGC 6345 and NGC 6346 never appeared in any of his dozen discovery lists.
Malcolm Thomson notes that MCG mislabels NGC 6345 as NGC 6346. Then it misidentifies NGC 6346 as IC 4650.
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NGC 6347 = IC 1253 = UGC 10807 = MCG +03-44-004 = CGCG 111-021 = PGC 60086
17 19 54.7 +16 39 39; Her
V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 100”
17.5" (8/2/89): faint, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, low even surface brightness. Three mag 14 stars in a line SW-NE are just off the NW edge and a mag 15.5 star is involved at the NW end 23" from center.
douard Stephan found NGC 6347 = St. 11-55 on 14 Jun 1871 (probably aware of Safford's discovery) and measured an initial position 3' to the E (similar offset as his other discoveries that night). He measured an accurate micrometric position on 6 Jul 1880 and reported it as new in his 10th discovery list, #55.
Truman Safford made the original discovery of this galaxy on 6 Jun 1866 and his position for Sf. 29 is accurate. Stephan was credited in the NGC as Safford's discovery wasn't published until 1887, too late to be incorporated into the main NGC table. Dreyer made an error of 2” in declination when he precessed Safford's (correct) position and so he missed the equivalence with NGC 6347 and listed Sf. 29 as IC 1253 with credit to Safford. So, NGC 6347 = IC 1253.
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NGC 6348 = MCG +07-35-063 = CGCG 225-098 = PGC 60036
17 18 21.2 +41 38 51; Her
V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4
17.5" (8/2/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated. A mag 15 star is 30" SW. Pair with NGC 6350 located 4.9' NE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6348 = St. 11-56 on 5 Jul 1877 during an observation of NGC 6350. He perhaps observed it earlier on 17 Jun 1876 though only gave a single position (3' NE of NGC 6350) in his notebook. A final reduced position was made on 29 Jun 1880 and reported in his 11th discovery list in 1881.
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NGC 6349 = MCG +06-38-016 = CGCG 198-036 = PGC 60060
17 19 06.5 +36 03 39; Her
V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 81”
17.5" (8/2/89): faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Forms a close pair with NGC 6351 0.9' E and CGCG 198-034 lies 7' SW. Located 16' ESE of mag 7.6 SAO 65925.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6349 = St. 10-32, along with NGC 6351, on 4 Jun 1869. His single rough unpublished position was 14' too far south. On 15 Jul 1879 he measured micrometric positions for the pair with the description "very faint, extremely small, round, vF, eS, R, little brighter middle, preceding of 2."
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NGC 6350 = UGC 10800 = MCG +07-35-064 = CGCG 226-001 = PGC 60046
17 18 42.3 +41 41 39; Her
V = 13.2; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (8/2/89): fairly faint, small, round, bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 6348 4.9' SW. Located 10' S of TX Herculis.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6350 = St. 11-57, probably along with NGC 6348, on 17 Jun 1876. A follow up observation (in which NGC 6348 is specifically mentioned) was made on 5 Jul 1877, as well as 21 Jun 1878. His published reduced position (list 11, #57) was measured on 29 Jun 1880.
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NGC 6351 = MCG +06-38-017 = PGC 60063
17 19 11.1 +36 03 37; Her
V = 15.0; Size 0.5'x0.5'
17.5" (8/2/89): very faint, very small, slightly elongated ~N-S. Two very faint mag 15.5 stars are off the south edge. Forms a close pair with NGC 6349 0.9' W.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6351 = St. 10-33, along with NGC 6349, on 4 Jun 1869. His single rough unpublished position was 14' too far south. On 15 Jul 1879 he measured a micrometric positions for the pair with the description "very faint, very small, fainter than the preceding [NGC 6349]."
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NGC 6352 = ESO 228-003
17 25 29.1 -48 25 22; Ara
V = 8.2; Size 7.1'; Surf Br = 0.7
11" (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): at 127x appears fairly bright, moderately large, ~5' diameter, broadly concentrated to a 2' core. Fairly well-resolved into ~30 stars, particularly along the south and southwest side of the halo. A few faint stars were just resolved directly over the core.
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly bright, fairly large. Even at 128x, the cluster was fairly well-resolved into roughly 75 stars. It displayed a rather loose concentration class with a broad central concentration to a moderately bright 3' core. The irregular halo extended to nearly 8' diameter. Set in a rich Milky Way field.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): moderately bright, fairly large, 5' diameter, fairly low surface brightness, not condensed, brighter core but no sharp nucleus. Partially resolved into 5-10 faint stars mostly on the SW side.
13.1" (7/12/86): faint, small, diffuse, low surface brightness spot. A few faint stars are off the SW edge but there is no resolution. This is the farthest southern globular I've observed from Northern California with an elevation of only a couple of degrees.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6352 = D 411 on 14 May 1826. He described (summary) "A rather faint nebula, of an irregular round figure, 4' diameter, slightly branched; easily resolvable into stars, with slight compression of the stars to the centre." Dunlop made 6 observations and his published position was ~15' too far east. John Herschel didn't observe this globular from the Cape, so it doesn't have a General Catalog designation.
E.E. Barnard independently found it on 7 Jul 1885 (Sidereal Messenger 4, page 223) and assumed it was new since it was missing from the General Catalog, but Lewis Swift informed him of Dunlop's prior discovery. Probably based on E.E. Barnard's recovery, it received a NGC designation.
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NGC 6353
17 21 12.5 +15 41 19; Her
18" (6/7/08): at 63x visible as a small, hazy knot probably less than 15" in diameter. Increasing the magnification to 260x resolved the clump into a trio of mag 14.5 stars packed into a tight 10". A 4th member is just off the south side. Located 0.9' SSW of a mag 9.8 star.
Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 6353 around 1886 with the 15.5-inch refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England. His position (communicated directly to Dreyer) and description "pB, pS, 3 S st inv, * 10 nf 1'." applies to a small clump of stars. RNGC classifies the number nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 6354 = ESO 333-008
17 24 34 -38 32 30; Sco
= 4 stars, Corwin and Dorothy Carlson.
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 6354 in 1884 with the 6-inch refractor at Vanderbilt University. His description in Sidereal Messenger Vol 3, page 184, reads "small, faint object in a 6-inch telescope, the light being of an even tint. There is a faint star a little south, which confuse the light of the nebula". At his position there are three mag 12 and 13 stars in a tight knot, with a 4th fainter star. Both Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 NGC Correction paper and ESO identify NGC 6354 with this group of stars.
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NGC 6355 = ESO 519-15
17 23 58.6 -26 21 12; Oph
V = 9.6; Size 5.0'; Surf Br = 2.4
17.5" (7/27/92): fairly faint, fairly small, 2' diameter, slightly elongated N-S, gradually increases to a 1' core. At 280x, appears granular and three or four very faint mag 15 stars are just visible. The brightest two stars are on north side of core.
8" (5/21/82): faint, small, round, diffuse, no resolution.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6355 = H. I-46 = h3681 on 24 May 1784 (sweep 224) and recorded, cL, rather B, R, r, brighter in the middle and colourless. It was preceded by many vacant fields and I had just been saying that I was upon nebulous ground." From the CGH, John Herschel made the single observation "vF; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 2' diam; resolved into stars 18m." In early catalogues NGC 6355 was described as an open cluster, with designations Cr 330 and OCl-1036 (Alter et al. 1970).
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NGC 6356 = ESO 588-1
17 23 34.9 -17 48 47; Oph
V = 8.3; Size 7.2'; Surf Br = 0.9
17.5" (7/10/99): this fairly bright globular is ~3.5' in diameter and sharply concentrated with a prominent 1.5' core. The core is slightly elongated N-S, although the halo is circular or slightly elongated WSW-ENE. At 220x it was lively and mottled but there was no obvious resolution. At 280x and especially 380x, the edge of the halo was very ragged and the surface extensively mottled. Around the periphery some threshold stars popped in and out of view, particularly on the south side.
13.1" (7/5/83): bright core surrounded by a round, even glow. No resolution evident in poor seeing.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6356 = H. I-48 = h3683 on 18 Jun 1784 (sweep 230). He recorded "a large, bright, round, easily resolvable nebula, brighter in the middle and the brightness diminishing gradually. It is a miniature of the last [M9, which itself a miniature of M53] and I suppose if I had looked enough I might have perceived some of the stars that compose it."
From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel recorded it as a "globular, vB; R; very gradually very much brighter in the middle; 90" resolved into stars barely resolvable with left eye. A beautiful softly shaded object."
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NGC 6357 = Ced 14 = Sh 1-8 = BBW 32100 = Gum 66 = Sh 2-11 = RCW 131 = ESO 392-10 = War and Peace Nebula = Lobster Nebula
17 24 44 -34 12 06; Sco
Size 50'x40'
18" (7/16/07): at 115x a faint elongated hazy glow was visible just north of a nice 15" pair of mag 11/12 stars. Adding an OIII filter dramatically improved this HII region (G353.19+0.91) and showed a bright, elongated nebulosity oriented WSW-ENE, ~5'x2', which appeared brighter in the middle just north of the double star. A faint star is off the north side, oppositely placed from the double. At 174x the nebula was slightly brighter and clumpy in the middle on the south side and a couple of very small slightly brighter knots were occasionally visible. The group of stars to the south (including the double) is catalogued as Pismis 24. Only the brightest portion of this huge HII complex was noticed. NGC 6357 is located 8' WNW of mag 7 HD 157528 and this star is the northernmost of a 27' line of four mag 6-7 stars that extends to the south (nicknamed "Las Cuatro Juanitas" in Chile). NGC 6334, the Cat's Paw Nebula, lies 2” SW.
17.5" (5/30/92): at 82x using an OIII filter, this emission nebula is a bright, distinctive object, elongated 3:1 E-W, 4.0'x1.5'. A close mag 11/12 double star is at the south edge. The whole field appears weakly nebulous and the nebulosity is just very faintly visible without a filter at 220x. Excellent contrast gain with the OIII filter!
Pismis 24 contains ~14 stars in a 4' diameter, including a close double star 11/12 at 4" and a mag 10.4 star (HDE 319718 = Pismis 24-1) at 15". A group of 10-12 very faint stars lies within 4' to the south. The mag 10.7 Wolf-Rayet star HD 157504 (WR93) is located 4' east of the cluster and a likely member. Piscmis 24-1 is an extremely massive binary with each component ~100 solar masses.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6357 = h3682 on 8 Jun 1837 and recorded "F; L; E; very gradually little brighter middle; milky nebulosity; 2' l; 1 1/2' br; close to and almost involves a double star." His position is on the double star mentioned in my observation.
NGC 6357 was photographed in 1920 at the Helwan Observatory near Cairo with the 30" Reynolds reflector and described as "F, 4' long, irr.nebula, mE 90” ±; a line of structureless nebulosity, looped around two small stars at preceding end. There are indications of fainter outlying nebulosity, and possibly absorption to the south."
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NGC 6358 = UGC 10810 = MCG +09-28-033 = CGCG 277-034 = PGC 60054
17 18 53.0 +52 36 55; Dra
V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 110”
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, small, elongated ~E-W, even surface brightness. A double star is 1.8' WNW consisting of two mag 12 stars at 18" separation E-W.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6358 = Sw. 6-92 on 2 May 1887 and recorded "eF; S; R; double star near north-preceding." There is nothing at his position but 2.0 minutes of RA east is UGC 10810, and the double star is less than 2' northwest. However the RA in the NGC is correct, so Swift must have originally notified Dreyer with the correct position before publication of the NGC.
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NGC 6359 = UGC 10804 = MCG +10-25-001 = CGCG 299-072 = CGCG 300-005 = PGC 60025
17 17 53.0 +61 46 50; Dra
V = 12.6; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 145”
24" (6/28/16): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 40"x30", strong concentration, high surface brightness. A mag 10 star is 2.8' N. Located 9' WNW of mag 7.7 HD 157425.
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very bright core, stellar nucleus, faint oval halo NNW-SSE. Located 2.8' S of mag 9.3 SAO 17423. Forms a pair with UGC 10796 11' NW.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6359 = Sw. 2-53 on 27 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen (first night he made discoveries with this telescope). He measured the mag 10 star to the north as 3.4 seconds east and 168.4" north and computed an accurate position. Lewis Swift rediscovered the galaxy on 1 Aug 1885, and included it in his second discovery list as "vF; vS; R; forms arc of a circle with 2 stars; nebula between."
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NGC 6360 = ESO 454-020 = Ced 143
17 24 28 -29 52 18; Oph
17.5" (8/2/97): I'm not certain of the identification but the most noticeable object near Herschel's position in the 100x field is an elongated group of a dozen stars in a 8' string oriented NW-SE, which is just north of mag 7.5 SAO 185358 and ~15' NW of the NGC position. There is a second mag 7.5 star 6' further NW and perhaps the two bright stars draw attention to this weak grouping but the patchy Milky Way background is also locally brighter here and immediate east of the group. There was nothing of note at JH's position. This object is just a Milky Way region as noted in ESO.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6360 = h3685 on 3 Aug 1834 and recorded "A portion of the milky way which is decidedly nebulous, and by no means rich in L stars." There is no distinguishable cluster at his position and ESO says "stars only. In a crowded region of the milky way." Harold Corwin notes the "nebulous" appearance is due to dust in the Milky Way and affects a large region. The brightest patches of stars is about a minute of RA W of Herschel's position and ~7'-8' N. This corresponds with the ESO position.
Herbert Howe reported "on one good night nothing definite was discernible here. However, the general background of the sky in this region was noted as being not so dark as would be expected if no nebulous matter were present."
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NGC 6361 = Arp 124 = UGC 10815 = MCG +10-25-004 = CGCG 300-009 = PGC 60045
17 18 41.1 +60 36 29; Dra
V = 13.1; Size 2.2'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 54”
24" (9/25/19): at 260x; moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 1.6'x0.4', contains a large brighter, elongated central region but no nucleus. The outer extensions are thin and low surface brightness. Located 16' ESE of bright orange VW Draconis.
Forms a close pair (Arp 124) with MCG +10-25-003 1.8' SW. The companion was fairly faint, oval 3:2 ~N-S, ~15"x10", very small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 15.8 star lies 24" NW.
48" (5/15/12): fairly bright, fairly large, nearly edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 1.8'x0.45', sharply concentrated with a bright elongated core. The center bulges slightly and the tips taper. The SW arm has a very faint extension (partial bridge) in the direction of companion MCG +10-25-003, increasing the total length to 2.0'. MCG +10-25-003, 1.8' SW of center, appeared fairly faint, very small, oval 3:2 ~N-S, ~15"x10", very small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 15.9 star lies 24" NW.
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, brighter core. A mag 14.5 star is 1.5' SE and a pair of mag 14 stars at 22" separation lie 1.5' NW. Forms a pair (Arp 124) with extremely faint MCG +10-25-003 1.8' SW. The companion is extremely faint and small, round. A mag 15 star lies 25" NW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6361 = Sw. 4-48 on 18 Aug 1886 and recorded "vF; pS; eE; spindle, nearly bet 2 pB distant stars, nearer the preceding." His position is 1' northwest of the center UGC 10815 and his description "eE, spindle" applies to this edge-on.
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NGC 6362 = ESO 102-008
17 31 54.8 -67 02 52; Ara
V = 7.6; Size 10.7'; Surf Br = 0.3
18" (7/11/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly impressive globular cluster; bright, large, scraggly, with roughly 60 stars resolved over a 7'-8' diameter. A distinctive string of resolved stars passes through the entire cluster in a NNW to SSE orientation. A mag 10 star is near the edge of the halo on the S side, 3.5' from center.
12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): at 186x, this fairly loose globular appeared moderately bright and large and broadly concentrated. It was resolved into 25-30 stars with several arranged in a line bisecting the cluster. The ragged halo was roughly 8' in diameter. Located 1.2” NE of mag 4.7 Zeta Apodis.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6362 = D 225 = h3684 on 25 Jun 1826 and described a " pretty large rather bright round nebula, 3' or 4' in diameter, very moderately condensed to the centre, resolvable into extremely minute stars; the stars are more scattered on the south side." He also mentioned in his handwritten notes that a star of 7th mag was north preceding and the identification is certain.
On 22 Jul 1835, John Herschel recorded "globular cluster, B; L R; very gradually much brighter middle; diam. in RA = 50 second; diam 7' or 8'; stars all seen, 12..16th mag with outliers extending a good way."
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NGC 6363 = NGC 6138 = UGC 10827 = MCG +07-36-005 = CGCG 226-008 = PGC 60164
17 22 40.0 +41 06 06; Her
V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 140”
17.5" (8/2/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, gradually increases to a small bright core.
douard Stephan found NGC 6363 = St. 10-34 on 24 Jul 1879 (date position reduced). Stephan discovered this galaxy nearly 7 years earlier in 1872 and catalogued it as St. 2-2 (later NGC 6138). But he transposed the digits of the offset star and his published position (and the NGC) are in error. I don't know whether NGC 6363 was based on a second observation or he just rereduced the 1879 observation. Emmanuel Esmiol corrected the position of NGC 6138 when he re-reduced Stephan's positions in 1916. So, NGC 6138 = NGC 6363. Nevertheless, modern sources such as the RNGC misidentify NGC 6138, using the erroneous NGC position.
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NGC 6364 = UGC 10835 = MCG +05-41-013 = CGCG 170-027 = PGC 60228
17 24 27.4 +29 23 23; Her
V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 5”
17.5" (8/2/89): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, 0.6' diameter. A mag 13.5 star is just off the north edge 0.5' from the center.
Auguste Voigt discovered NGC 6364 = Voigt 6 = Sf. 49 = St. 10-35 = Sw. 2-54 on 15 Jul 1865. Observing with the 31-inch Silver-on-glass Marseilles reflector, his logbook position was just off the W end of the galaxy. Voigt's own discovery list (with 10 entries) wasn't published until 1987. Truman Safford found this galaxy again on 5 Sep 1866, though his discovery list wasn't published until 1887. Next, douard Stephan observed the galaxy on 13 Jun 1871 and 21 Jun 1871 (perhaps notified of Voigt's or Safford's prior observation?). His published position in list 10 (#35) was reduced on 21 Jul 1879 and is accurate. Finally, Lewis Swift found the galaxy on 11 Sep 1885 and reported it in his second discovery paper as "pF; vS; R; F * close; stellar." His RA was 20 seconds too small. Dreyer credited Stephan in the NGC.
This galaxy was independently "discovered" 4 times before the NGC was published, and is tied for the most independent discoveries, along with NGC 1360 and NGC 7422 (according to Wolfgang Steinicke).
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NGC 6365 = Arp 30 = VV 232a/b = UGC 10832 = UGC 10833 = MCG +10-25-018 = MCG +10-25-019 = CGCG 300-020 = PGC 60171 = PGC 60174
17 22 43.7 +62 10 12; Dra
V = 14.0; Size 1.3'x1.1'+1.1'x0.2'
48" (5/15/12): NGC 6365A is fairly faint, moderately large, round, ~50" diameter, broad concentration with a brighter core. NGC 6365B is attached at the NW edge and appears faint, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.15', low surface brightness, very weak concentration. The pair is 1.6' SW of a mag 10.2 star that detracts somewhat from viewing. A mag 14-15 pair at 6" separation lies just 1' NNE.
24" (7/20/17): at 322x and 375x; NGC 6365A appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, broad concentration but no definite core or nucleus. This face-on spiral forms an overlapping pair (Arp 30) with NGC 6365B, a low surface brightness edge-on at the northwest edge. The companion appeared extremely faint, very small, elongated ~2:1 SSW-NNE, ~20"x10", extremely low surface brightness. The pair is situated ~1.5' WSW of a mag 10 star that interferes somewhat with viewing. A mag 14/15 double star lies 1' NNE.
24" (6/28/16): at 375x; NGC 6365A is the southern and brighter member of Arp 30. At 375x it appeared faint to fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 40"x35", weak concentration. NGC 6365B (perhaps Arp's "heavy arm"), attached at the northwest edge, appeared extremely faint to very faint, edge-on ~3:1 SSW-NNE, ~30"x10", very low surface brightness so difficult to judge size. A distracting mag 10.2 star is ~1.5' NE and a 6" pair of mag 14-15 stars is 1' NE.
17.5" (7/16/88): this is a double galaxy (Arp 30) with a separation of 30" oriented NNW-SSE with the brighter component at the SSE end. NGC 6365A is very faint, small, weak concentration, very diffuse. Bracketed by two mag 14 stars off the SW and NE ends. NGC 6365B is attached at the NW end of NGC 6365A and appears extremely faint, small, very elongated SW-NE [1.1x0.2], requires averted vision.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6365 = Sw. 4-49 on 15 Aug 1884 and recorded "eeeF; pL; iR; sev eF stars involved; B * nr south-following." There is nothing at his position, though 1.1 minutes of RA due east is Arp 30 = UGC 10832/10833 (double system). The bright star in his description is actually north-following. MCG fails to identify either MCG +10-25-018 or -019 as NGC 6365.
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NGC 6366
17 27 44.3 -05 04 36; Oph
V = 9.0; Size 8.3'; Surf Br = 2.2
18" (7/26/06): at 325x, 30-35 stars can be resolved with careful viewing in a 4' region with roughly two dozen of these generally visible and another dozen sparkling in and out of visibility. The resolved stars seemed spread out over the entire disc, which was only weakly concentrated. The outline of the halo was quite irregular and ill-defined and may have extended more than 4'. Several brighter stars, which are clearly not part of the cluster, are around the border. Located just 17' E of mag 4.5 47 Ophiuchi. Faintly visible in 15x50 IS binoculars.
17.5" (7/20/98): at 220x appears as a diffuse irregular glow, ~4' diameter, with only a weak concentration. Two mag 9 and 10 stars are off the west side, the nearest is less than 4' from center and a closer pair of mag 11.5-12 stars [45" separation] is at the south edge. There are perhaps a half dozen faint but obvious stars visible over the ill-defined glow including a couple of mag 14 stars 2' S of center, one a similar distance east of center and an addition pair on the SE side. About a dozen stars are visible with careful viewing. At 280x, the cluster is pretty clumpy and starting to really break up into numerous very faint stars. Roughly two dozen stars can be glimpsed with averted vision, many near the threshold of visibility. The full extent of the cluster is difficult to trace but extends beyond the central 4' region.
13.1" (7/6/83): large, diffuse, very weak concentration. About a dozen faint stars are resolved over a hazy background. Located 17' E of 47 Ophiuchi (V = 4.5).
13.1" (6/19/82): few faint stars resolved over a large, hazy region.
8" (6/5/81 and 5/21/82): large, very diffuse, unresolved. Located 15' E of a mag 4.5 star that detracts from viewing.
Friedrich August Winnecke discovered NGC 6366 = Au 36 on 12 Apr 1860 with his personal 3-inch Merz refractor, while at the Pulkovo Observatory. He described it as "faint, 2 to 3' diam, no significant central brightening." Auwers included this globular cluster in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae.
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NGC 6367 = MCG +06-38-020 = CGCG 198-041 = PGC 60251
17 25 08.9 +37 45 35; Her
V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 161”
17.5" (8/2/89): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration, very faint stellar nucleus or star superimposed. Located 4.3' WSW of mag 7.9 SAO 66035!
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6367 = St. 11-58 on 19 Jun 1871. His initial position was 5' to the NE, consistent with other errors that night. Stephan's accurate micrometric position (list XI, #82) was made exactly 9 years later on 5 Jul 1880 with description "vF star in vf, vS, R nebula."
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NGC 6368 = UGC 10856 = MCG +02-44-004 = CGCG 082-032 = PGC 60315
17 27 11.6 +11 32 33; Oph
V = 12.3; Size 3.8'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 42”
17.5" (6/22/90): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, broadly concentrated halo. A mag 14 star is at the SW end 0.9' from center and a mag 15 star is at the NE end 1.5' from center. The bright double star STF 2166 = 7.1/8.9 at 27" lies 14' SE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6368 = m 335 on 9 Jul 1863 and noted "F, S, E." douard Stephan made observations at Marseilles Observatory on 20 Jun 1876, 6 Jun 1877 and 20 Jun 1878, though did not include it in one of his discovery papers.
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NGC 6369 = PK 2+5.1 = PN G002.4+05.8 = Little Ghost Nebula
17 29 20.4 -23 45 35; Oph
V = 11.5; Size 30"
24" (7/14/18): at 500x; gorgeous annular planetary with a prominent 30" ring and a relatively large, dark central hole. The rim is noticeably brighter along an arc running from the west side counterclockwise to the northeast. The rim's surface brightness is quite irregular with at least a couple of sharp brighter spots, the brightest on the northwest rim.
18" (7/14/07): striking view of this annular planetary at 280x. The 30" halo is punctured by a relatively large 18" hole. The rim is noticeably uneven in surface brightness with a brighter arc along the northern side. Spectacular at 700x and the brighter northern rim has a couple of very small brighter spots.
18" (7/22/06): beautiful view at 435x. The 30" annular ring is brightest along a "C" shaped section from NE moving clockwise to the SW and locally brighter at the NW end. The central hole is round, well-defined and relatively large compared to the rim.
17.5" (6/30/00): at 500x this planetary has a beautiful annular appearance with a 25-30" halo perforated by a 12" dark hole. The northern rim is noticeably brighter with a nearly stellar spot near its center. Located 31' NW of mag 4.8 51 Ophiuchi.
17.5" (6/5/99): bright, beautiful annular planetary at 380x with a well-defined dark central hole. The rim is clearly brighter along the north edge and slightly weaker on the following edge.
17.5" (7/4/86): bright, fairly small, about 30" diameter, green-blue color. Appears as a perfect annular ring at 286x with a 15" central "hole". No central star visible.
13.1" (8/5/83): use at least 220x to clearly resolve the annularity.
13.1" (7/16/82): beautiful ring at 214x and UHC filter, small, slightly elongated. Visible with direct vision as annular. The north edge of the rim appears brighter at 312x.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6369 = H. IV-11 = h1981 = h3686 on 21 May 1784 (sweep 222). He recorded "a curious round, tolerably defined pretty bright nebula 30 or 40" in diameter." The description was included in his 1785 PT paper ("Construction of the Heavens") . On 26 May 1786 (sweep 566), he called it "pretty bright, round, small, of equal brightness throughout." Of Herschel's 35 PNe discoveries, NGC 6369 is the furthest south.
From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel gave a more detailed description: "Annular Nebula. Exactly round; pF; 12" diameter; well terminated; but a very little cottony at the edge, and with a decided darkness in the middle; = a * 10m at the most. Few stars in the field [situated in the bowl of the Pipe Nebula!]; a beautiful specimen of the planetary annular class of nebulae." His published sketch is on Plate VI, figure 4. Joseph Turner also sketched the planetary in Sep 1874 using the Great Melbourne Telescope (unpublished plate VII, figure 76).
Arthur Searle confirmed a gaseous spectrum at Harvard Observatory in 1879. Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) described NGC 6369 as "a regular, nearly round ring, slightly longer in p.a. 120”; much fainter at the eastern end of the major axis and brightest at the north. Diameter 28" center of ring perfectly blank. Quite faint; the ring just shows in 10m on S27. The central star is magn. 16."
John Mallas coined the nickname "Little Ghost" in his Apr/May 1963 article "Visual Atlas of Planetary Nebula-IV", published in the "Review of Popular Astronomy".
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NGC 6370 = UGC 10836 = MCG +10-25-020 = CGCG 300-021 = PGC 60192
17 23 25.4 +56 58 26; Dra
V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.6
24" (6/30/16): at 322x; moderately bright, fairly small, round, 25"-30" diameter, bright core. Situated just 2.2' SSE of mag 6.5 HD 158013. The extremely low surface brightness outer halo was not seen.
NGC 6370 is the brightest member of a cluster (SDSS-C4-DR3 3375). The Ring Galaxy CGCG 277-42 lies 10' SE. At 324x; fairly faint, small, round, 12" diameter, faint stellar nucleus. The detached outer ring was not seen although the halo occasionally increased in size with averted vision. Forms the northwest vertex of a triangle with a mag 11 star 3.6' S and a mag 11.5 star 3.1' ESE. FGC 2132 is 15' SE. This superthin appeared extremely faint, small, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, ~15"x7" (brighter core region). A mag 11.5 star is 3.2' WNW and a mag 13 star is 0.9' NE.
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration. Located 2.2' S of mag 6.6 SAO 30366!
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6370 = Sw. 1-57 on 19 Apr 1885 and recorded "vF; vS; R; B * nr n." His position is just off the west side of UGC 10836 with the mag 6.5 star 2.3' north.
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NGC 6371 = MCG +04-41-012 = CGCG 140-027 = PGC 60322
17 27 20.6 +26 30 18; Her
V = 14.3; Size 0.8'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 162”
17.5" (8/2/89): very faint, small, oval 3:2 N-S, low even surface brightness. Located 3.1' NW of brighter NGC 6372.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6371 = m 336 = Sf. 45 on 24 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, S, R." His position is accurate. Dreyer added the comment "np of 2 [with NGC 6372]" in the NGC. Truman Safford discovered this galaxy again on 1 Aug 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory and listed it as new in the 1887 publication. Stephan made an observation on 23 Jun 1871, probably aware of the prior discovery.
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NGC 6372 = UGC 10861 = MCG +04-41-013 = CGCG 140-028 = PGC 60330
17 27 32.0 +26 28 29; Her
V = 12.9; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 90”
17.5" (8/2/89): faint, moderately large, diffuse halo elongated E-W, small brighter core. Forms a pair with NGC 6371 3' NW.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6372 = H. III-137 on 19 May 1784 (sweep 220) and recorded "vF, not vS, irregular long." Caroline's reduction is 2' northwest of UGC 10861. He noted "daylight very strong" just previously in the sweep, so I'm surprised he could pick up this galaxy. Dreyer has the abbreviation "m" in the Other Observers column of the NGC. Perhaps a typo?
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NGC 6373 = UGC 10850 = MCG +10-25-023 = CGCG 300-022 = PGC 60220
17 24 08.2 +58 59 42; Dra
V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 90”
17.5" (6/18/88): extremely faint, fairly small, very diffuse. Appears very faint for V = 13.6.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6373 = Sw. 1-58 on 13 Jun 1885 and recorded "eeeF; pL; vv diff.; forms a right angle triangle with two stars, preceding star in the same parallel 30 seconds distant." His position is matches UGC 10850, a face-on SBc galaxy with low surface brightness arms. The star that Swift mentions "in the same parallel" is 32 seconds following, not preceding.
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NGC 6374 = NGC 6383 = ESO 393-007
17 34 43 -32 35 00; Sco
See observing notes for NGC 6383.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6374 = h3687 on 27 Jun 1837 and recorded "Cluster VIII class, 3' or 4' in extent, a bright * (= B 6125) taken." But there is no bright star near his single position, and ESO classifies the number as uncertain.
Jenni Kay suggested this number is identical to NGC 6383 with a 2.5 minute error in time. Brian Skiff confirmed that B 6125 (Brisbane Catalogue) is identical to the mag 5.7 star SAO 208977 = HD 159176 which is the central star of NGC 6383. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 6375 = UGC 10875 = MCG +03-44-009 = CGCG 111-042 = PGC 60384
17 29 21.8 +16 12 24; Her
V = 13.6; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0
17.5" (8/2/89): fairly faint, moderately large, even concentration to a small bright core, substellar nucleus. Surrounded by several mag 14-15 stars including a mag 14 star 0.6' NE and a mag 15 star 0.9' E. Forms a pair with UGC 10873 2.8' SW. The companion appeared extremely faint, fairly small, thin edge-on N-S. NGC 6379 lies 18' ENE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6375 = m 337, along with NGC 6379, on 15 May 1864 and noted "F, vS, R." His position is less than 1' too far north. Brightest in a group, though he missed nearby UGC 10873.
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NGC 6376 = UGC 10855w = MCG +10-25-025 = CGCG 300-024 = VII Zw 712 = PGC 60258
17 25 19.2 +58 49 01; Dra
V = 15.1; Size 0.6'x0.3'; PA = 172”
24" (7/20/17): at 375x; fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 15"x10", no core or zones. NGC 6376 is the fainter of an interacting pair with NGC 6377 [0.6' NE of center]. On the SDSS this is a highly distorted galaxy with numerous blue knots of star formation.
LEDA 2582497 (= MAC 1725+5845), situated 3.5' SSW, appeared very faint, very small, round, 12"-15" diameter, low even surface brightness. The bright mag 9.8 star 2' NW interferes a bit with viewing.
17.5" (6/18/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, weak concentration. Forms an interacting pair with NGC 6377 35" NE of center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6376 = Sw. 4-50, along with NGC 6377, on 1 Sep 1886, and recorded "eeF; eS; R; e diff; sf of 2 [with NGC 6377]." His position is fairly close and the relative offsets for the pair are accurate.
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NGC 6377 = UGC 10855e = MCG +10-25-026 = VII Zw 712 = KAZ 136 = PGC 60264
17 25 23.2 +58 49 22; Dra
V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 58”
24" (7/20/17): at 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WSW-ENE, 30"x10". Contains a very small bright core and that increases to a stellar nucleus. Forms an interacting pair with NGC 6376, just 0.6' SW. The major axis of NGC 6377 "points" to the center of the companion, which is highly disturbed. The pair is located 3' NE of a mag 9.8 star and the two galaxies are collinear with the star.
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, very small, round, small bright core, faint halo. Forms a contact pair with NGC 6376 35" SW of center. Located 12' NNW of mag 6.5 SAO 30387.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6377 = Sw. 4-51, along with NGC 6376, on 1 Sep 1886, and recorded "eF; eS; R; little brighter middle; in center of equilateral triangle; np of 2 [with NGC 6376]; verified both with 200x." His position is fairly close and the relative offsets for the pair are accurate. His note "np of 2" should read "nf of 2".
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NGC 6378 = UGC 10884 = MCG +01-44-009 = CGCG 055-001 = PGC 60418
17 30 42.1 +06 16 55; Oph
V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 5”
24" (7/18/20): at 260x and 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 N-S, ~45"x30", brighter elongated core but overall pretty diffuse. Situated in a very rich Ophiuchus star field with two mag 11 stars 1.5' W and 1' S. CGCG 55-2 (similar redshift) is located 6.7' N and UGC 10868, a very dim interacting pair, is 25' W.
CGCG 55-2 appeared faint, small, oval 5:3 SW-NE, 20"x12, just held continuously.
17.5" (7/20/90): faint, fairly small, oval 3:1 N-S, almost even surface brightness. Forms the vertex of a right angle with two mag 11 stars 1.5' W and 1.0' S. Located in a rich star field.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6378 = St. 7-17 on 19 Jun 1876. His published position (list 7, #17) was made on 13 Jul 1876.
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NGC 6379 = UGC 10886 = MCG +03-44-010 = CGCG 111-044 = CGCG 112-002 = PGC 60421
17 30 35.0 +16 17 19; Her
V = 12.9; Size 1.1'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9
17.5" (8/2/89): faint, fairly small, round, very diffuse, broad mild concentration, no distinct core. Located 4.8' E of a mag 10 star. Member of the NGC 6375 group with NGC 6375 18' WSW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6379 = m 338, along with NGC 6375, on 15 May 1864 and noted "vF, pL." His position is 1' too far north.
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NGC 6380 = ESO 333-014 = Ton 1 = Pismis 25
17 34 28.2 -39 04 10; Sco
V = 11.3; Size 3.9'; Surf Br = 3.6
12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): faint but not difficult. Appears as a 2' diffuse glow with no concentration. A mag 10 star at the south-southwest edge hampered the observation. Ton 2 is located 37' NE.
13.1" (5/30/87): extremely faint, small, very low surface brightness, visible only 20% of time with averted. Mag 9.7 HD 159073 is attached 40" SSW of center. Located 36' ESE of Howe 87 = 7.5/8.8 at 3". This globular, along with NGC 6749, are the two most difficult NGC globulars.
13.1" (7/6/83): not found.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6380 = h3688 on 29 Jun 1834 and recorded "A star 9m, with a very evident eF nebulous wisp 90" l, 30" br." A note was added "The wisp by the diagram is fan-shaped and extends in the np direction from the star. See figure 18, Plate VI." Joseph Turner searched for it carefully on two clear nights without success using the 48-inch Great Melbourne Telescope in Sep/Oct 1874, although in the process he discovered the planetary H 1-26. Pietro Baracchi made an accurate sketch in Sep 1885. Paris Pismis reported it as new in her 1959 paper of 24 new clusters and 2 new globular clusters found with the Schmidt camera at the Tonantzila observatory. Some onine sources claim that this cluster was first discovered by James Dunlop and cataloged as Dunlop 538. Although his position is just 23' to the NW (not an unusual discrepancy), I seriously doubt he could have picked up NGC 6380 in his 9-inch speculum reflector and his desription makes no mention of being involved with a bright star.
Herschel's and Pismis' positions were accurate, but the RA was 1.0 minute too far east in Hartung's 1968 "Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes", Sulentic and Tifft's 1974 "Revised New General Catalogue", Sinnott's 1988 NGC 2000.0, the first edition of the Sky Atlas 2000.0, the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 atlas, Sky Catalogue 2000.0, etc.
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NGC 6381 = UGC 10871 = MCG +10-25-038 = CGCG 300-034 = Kaz 460 = WBL 641-002 = PGC 60321
17 27 16.7 +60 00 50; Dra
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 25”
24" (7/2/16): at 225x and 375x; moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.75', irregular surface brightness. A mag 15-15.5 star is at the southwest edge. Forms a close pair with UGC 10870 1.2' SW. The companion appeared faint, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, 0.3'x0.2', low even surface brightness.
24" (7/15/15): moderately bright to fairly bright, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.8', broad concentration. A mag 15 star is at the southwest edge [30" from center]. Located 12' ESE of mag 5.7 SAO 17472 = HD 158460.
Brightest in a group (WBL 641) with UGC 10870 1.3' NW. UGC 10870 appeared faint to fairly faint, elongated 2:1 E-W, 0.4'x0.2', fairly low even surface brightness. NGC 6390 (and two companions in an east-west string) lies 10' NE.
17.5" (6/18/88): fairly faint, fairly large, diffuse oval SW-NE, even surface brightness. A mag 15 star is at the WSW edge 30" from center. Located 12' ESE of mag 5.7 HD 158460.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6381 = Sw. 1-59, along with NGC 6390, on 7 Jul 1885 and recorded "vF; pL; E; DM +60”1754 much interferes with visibility. His position and description matches UGC 10871, though the bright star is 12' distant
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NGC 6382 = MCG +09-29-001 = CGCG 277-044 = PGC 60342
17 27 55.2 +56 52 08; Dra
V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, very small, round. A mag 11.5 star is 1.2' SSE of center.
Edward Swift discovered NGC 6382 = Sw. 1-60 on 2 Jun 1883. The description reads "pF; pS; R; * near." Lewis Swift's son Edward was only 12 years old at the time. This was his first discovery of 25 objects in the NGC (two of these are lost -- NGC 5309 and NGC 6666), made while the telescope was still being tested and adjusted. Lewis credited Edward with the discovery in the errata to his 6th discovery list. Edward made an additional 23 discoveries at Lowe Observatory, which are in the IC.
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NGC 6383 = NGC 6374 = ESO 393-7 = Cr 335 = Gum 67 = Ced 147 = RCW 132
17 34 43 -32 35 00; Sco
V = 5.5; Size 5'
14.5" (7/23/22): at 264x; the central region is dominated by mag 5.7 HD 159176, a multiple star with 5 nearby companions -- two to the west, two to the east (at 6" and 14") and one to the north. A 1' string of 4 stars extends E-W, beginning just SE of the bright star and string extends 1' NW and then bends W. The two strings seem to emanate from HD 159176. In total, roughly 25 stars are in this central region. Tr 28 lies 30' ENE.
17.5" (8/27/92): 20 stars mag 12-14 surround mag 5.7 HD 159176. Elongated WNW-ESE in a 5' string. The bright star has 4 or 5 faint companions within 1' (HJ 4962 = 5.7/10.5/10.5 at 5"/13"). Also just west is 20' scattered string of 20 stars including 8 mag 10-11 stars visible in the 80mm finder. This is a striking cluster.
8" (6/5/81): Includes a mag 5.8 star and 12 faint stars, excellent with averted, brightest star appears triple. Surrounded by very large, very faint nebulosity.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6383 = h3689 on 3 Aug 1834 and recorded "a curious cluster consisting of one large * 6-7m, and some 15 or 20 small ones 13m clustering close to it." His position is on the bright star. On a second sweep he reported "a star 7m with a cl of st 12m assembled about it. The great * occupies the centre. A very remarkable object." NGC 6374 is a duplicate observation, verified by his mention of the bright star.
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NGC 6384 = UGC 10891 = MCG +01-45-001 = CGCG 055-007 = PGC 60459
17 32 24.4 +07 03 37; Oph
V = 10.4; Size 6.2'x4.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 30”
24" (8/14/15): at 260x; fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE. There are three distinct zones. Towards the center is a sharply concentrated, bright, elongated 2:1 nucleus. The nucleus is surrounded by an oval central region, roughly 1.5'x1.0'. The central region is surrounded by a large, very low surface brightness halo, extending ~4.0'x2.5'. Although spiral structure wasn't seen, the outer regions were noted as irregular. A mag 12.5 star is on the northeast side of the halo, 1.8' from center, and a mag 13.3 star is 1.3' SE of center.
17.5" (7/20/90): moderately bright with a large core slightly elongated SSW-NNE, broad moderate concentration, large faint halo. Two mag 12 stars are at the SE and NE ends 1.3' and 1.7' from center, respectively.
8" (6/22/81): faint, diffuse, slightly elongated, brighter core.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6384 = m 339 = St. 2-14 on 10 Jun 1863. He noted "pB, S, vlE" and his position was 4' too far north. NGC 6384 is the brightest of Marth's discoveries. Heinrich d'Arrest rediscovered NGC 6384 on 8 Apr 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. douard Stephan observed it again on 9 Jun 1869, 6 Jul 1871, 17 Jun 1876 and 24 June 1878! Was he aware from Lassell's publication in 1867? He reported it as new in his 2nd discovery list (#14), published in 1871. Dreyer credited all three observers in the NGC, though listed d'Arrest first instead of Marth.
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NGC 6385 = UGC 10877 = MCG +10-25-044 = CGCG 300-035 = PGC 60343
17 28 01.5 +57 31 19; Dra
V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, small, round, brightens gradually. Located 2.9' ENE of mag 8 SAO 30401, which detracts from viewing. Pair with NGC 6387 3.3' ENE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6385 = Sw. 4-52, along with NGC 6387, on 22 Jul 1886, and logged "eF; S; R; B star nr s[outh]; sp of 2 [with NGC 6387]. His position is fairly accurate, though the bright star is 2.9' WSW.
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NGC 6386 = MCG +09-29-004 = CGCG 277-045 = PGC 60367
17 28 51.7 +52 43 24; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, small, round, weak concentration, low surface brightness.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6386 = Sw. 1-61 on 8 Jun 1883 and logged "vF; pS; R; be 2 st." His position is just 10 seconds east of CGCG 277-045 = PGC 60367. This is one of his earliest discoveries at Lowe Observatory, made while still testing and adjusting his new 16-inch Clark refractor.
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NGC 6387 = CGCG 300-037 = I Zw 189 = PGC 60355
17 28 23.8 +57 32 44; Dra
V = 14.4; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.8
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Close pair with brighter NGC 6385 3.3' WSW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6387 = Sw. 4-53, along with NGC 6385, on 22 Jul 1886 and logged "eF; S; R; nf of 2 [with NGC 6385]; this and the preceding point to the bright star about 8th magnitude." His position and description matches CGCG 300-037. This is a compact double system (not resolved in my observation) O.30'x0.22' and 0.25'x0.18'.
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NGC 6388 = ESO 279-002
17 36 17.0 -44 44 06; Sco
V = 6.8; Size 8.7'; Surf Br = 1.1
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x, this bright globular appears moderately large, round and granular but with no definite resolution within the main halo. The appearance was very symmetric and strongly concentrated with a blazing core that ranks as one of the highest surface brightness globular cluster cores. I didn't use higher power to try and resolve.
13.1" (7/12/86): bright at 214x, moderately large, increases to a small very bright core. Has a grainy, lively appearance but no resolution. Elevation at most 7”.
8" (6/19/82): bright, moderately large, intense core, fainter halo, no resolution. Very far south (altitude less than 8”).
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6388 = D 457 = h3690 on 13 May 1826. His summary description based on 7 observations reads, "a beautiful round nebula, about 5' diameter, with a bright round well-defined disk or nucleus, about 15" diameter, exactly in the centre; this has the appearance of a planet surrounded by an extremely faint diluted atmosphere; there is a small star involved in the faint atmosphere: the atmosphere is at least 6' diameter - Figure 18." His position is just 1.5' south of center.
John Herschel, observing on 5 Jun 1834, recorded "globular, vB, R, at first pretty gradually, then pretty suddenly very much brighter middle to an intense almost nuclear light. The right eye does not resolve or barely makes it resolvable; the left resolves it completely into stars 17...20m. A superb object on a rich ground of milky way." On 1 Jul 1834 he logged "globular, vB, R, first pretty gradually, then pretty suddenly very much brighter middle, 4' diam, easily resolved with left eye into stars 17m, more difficulty with right eye into 18m, excessively close and comp; shading off insensibly in borders into the general ground of the heavens."
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NGC 6389 = UGC 10893 = MCG +03-45-001 = CGCG 112-005 = PGC 60466
17 32 39.8 +16 24 06; Her
V = 12.1; Size 2.8'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 130”
17.5" (8/2/89): moderately bright, moderately large, oval NW-SE, sharp small bright core. A mag 16 star is superimposed on the south side. Several mag 11.5-12 stars are near, the closest 2.3' SE. Located 15' WNW of mag 5.7 SAO 102917.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6389 = H. II-901 on 29 Jun 1799 (sweep 1090). He recorded "faint, small, irregular figure, easily resolvable, about 2' long." His RA was 20 seconds too small. Stephan made observations on 23 Jun 1871 and on 20 Jun 1878. Christian Peters measured an accurate position on 7 Jul 1878 while observing Comet 1878a.
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NGC 6390 = UGC 10881 = MCG +10-25-047 = CGCG 300-040 = WBL 641-004 = PGC 60356
17 28 28.1 +60 05 39; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 1.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 8”
24" (7/2/16): at 225x and 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 N-S, 0.8'x0.2', broad weak concentration, no distinct core. Brightest in a linear triplet with CGCG 300-036 4.4' W and CGCG 300-042 4.2' E. Located 20' ENE of mag 5.7 HD 158460.
NGC 6381 is 10' SW (close pair with UGC 10870) and UGC 10888 is 19' NE. At 375x, the latter galaxy appeared fairly faint, slightly elongated NW-SE, contains a small bright nucleus. The halo, initially 0.4' diameter, increases with averted vision to ~40"x30".
24" (7/15/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 or 7:2 N-S, 0.9'x0.3', broad concentration but no sharp zones. Brightest and middle of three in an east-west line with CGCG 300-036 4.5' W and CGCG 300-042 4.2' E. NGC 6381 lies 10' SW.
CGCG 300-036 (V = 14.4) was fairly faint, fairly small, round, 20" diameter, gradually increases to the center. CGCG 300-042 (V = 15.2) appeared faint to fairly faint, fairly small, round, 18" diameter, low even surface brightness.
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, moderately large, edge-on N-S, low even surface brightness. Second of three in a string with CGCG 300-036 4' W and CGCG 300-042 (not seen) 4' E. CGCG 300-036 appeared very faint, extremely small, round, faint stellar nucleus.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6390 = Sw. 1-62, along with NGC 6381, on 7 Jul 1885 and recorded "eeeF; cE; ee diff; one of my minima visible." There is nothing at his position, but 6' south is UGC 10881, a faint edge-on that fits his description. Edward Fath suggested this galaxy was probably NGC 6390 in his 1914 paper "A Study of Nebulae", based on plates taken at Mt. Wilson in 1909-12. MCG gives the NGC designation as uncertain.
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NGC 6391 = MCG +10-25-049 = CGCG 300-041 = PGC 60358
17 28 49.0 +58 51 03; Dra
V = 14.0; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 85”
17.5" (6/18/88): very faint, very small, round, bright core, very faint stellar nucleus.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6391 = Sw. 4-54 on 1 Sep 1886 and logged "eF; vS; R; nearly bet 2 stars." His position is 13 seconds of time too far west. The two stars he mentions are 3.2' south and 3.0' northwest.
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NGC 6392 = ESO 070-012 = PGC 60753
17 43 30.3 -69 47 06; Aps
V = 11.6; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.0
25" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 318x): fairly bright, fairly small, round, 45" diameter, the surface brightness is fairly high and irregular (probably due to a superimposed mag 15.5 star on the southeast side). A mag 13 star is 50" WSW of center and a mag 15 star is at the southwest edge [20" from center]. Situated in a rich Apus star field with a mag 8.8 star 7' ESE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6392 = h3691 on 17 Jun 1835 and logged "pF; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 20"; 50 stars in field." His position (measured on two nights) matches ESO 070-012 = PGC 60753. RNGC classifies the number as an unverified southern object, though the identification is certain.
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NGC 6393 = MCG +10-25-054 = PGC 60405
17 30 08.5 +59 31 55; Dra
V = 15.3; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.6
18" (7/30/08): extremely faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, low even surface brightness. I could just barely hold this galaxy continuously with averted vision once it was identified but it took knowing the exact position to initially pick up. This galaxy is generally identified as NGC 6394. Although Swift's description for NGC 6393 is a better match with this galaxy it's possible that it is too faint for Swift to have picked up.
17.5" (6/18/88): not found
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6393 = Sw. 1-64, along with NGC 6394 and 6399, on 7 Jul 1885. His description for NGC 6393 reads "vvF, pS, R, 2 B st nr north; south of 2" and for NGC 6394, "vvF, pS, R, 2 st point to it, the nearest is D[ouble]; the other and the nebula are equally distant from D star; north of 2." The description of NGC 6394 is a perfect match UGC 10889 and NGC 6393 is possibly MCG +10-25-054. The (unequal) double star is HD 159266, located 3.9' NW of NGC 6393. This star is midway between NGC 6393 and a mag 11 star further NW. Swift found the northern galaxy (NGC 6394) again on 15 Jun 1890 and included it in list IX-81, this time at the correct position. The identification NGC 6393 = MCG +10-25-054 is uncertain as the separation in declination between the pair is 6.5', while Swift's gives just 3.5' and MCG +10-25-054 is perhaps too faint for Swift to have picked up with his 16-inch (see my visual description). Edward Fath first suggested NGC 6393 may be MCG +10-25-054 (No. 789 in Table 1) and NGC 6394 may be UGC 10889 (No. 791 in Table 1) in his 1914 paper "A Study of Nebulae".
Swift's poor declination for NGC 6393 coincidentally matches UGC 10889. As a result, all modern galaxy catalogues misidentify UGC 10889 as NGC 6393. RNGC and PGC reverse the identifications of NGC 6393 and NGC 6394, labeling the fainter southern galaxy as NGC 6394. MCG does not attach a NGC label to MCG +10-25-054. See Harold Corwin's notes for NGC 6394.
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NGC 6394 = UGC 10889 = MCG +10-25-055 = PGC 60410
17 30 21.4 +59 38 23; Dra
V = 14.4; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 42”
18" (7/30/08): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SSW-NNE, 0.6'x0.2', very weak concentration. An extremely faint star is off the NNE tip. Located 3.9' SE of mag 8.0 HD 159266, which detracts from viewing. NGC 6393 = MCG +10-25-054 (identified as NGC 6394 in RNGC, MCG and PGC) is located 6.6' SSW. NGC 6399 lies 11' ESE.
17.5" (6/18/88): very faint, fairly small, very elongated SW-NE. Three mag 14/15 stars are near the north end. Located 3.8' SE of mag 8 SAO 30431. Pair with NGC 6399 11.3' ESE.
Note: This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 6393 in all modern catalogues.
See identification notes for NGC 6393.
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NGC 6395 = UGC 10876 = MCG +12-16-039 = CGCG 339-044 = PGC 60291
17 26 31.1 +71 05 43; Dra
V = 12.3; Size 2.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 15”
24" (6/28/16): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated ~5:2 SSW-NNE, ~1.5'x0.6'. The surface brightness is low but irregular on the northern end and brighter on the southern half. The galaxy is somewhat mottled or knotty, though one knot is probably the core. A mag 15 star is just east of the northern end. IC 1261 (double system) lies 18' NW.
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated SSW-NNE. Two mag 12 stars are at the north end 1.5' and 2.5' NNE of center and a mag 14.5 star is off the south end 2.3' from center.
Edward Swift discovered NGC 6395 = Sw. 1-63 on 18 Sep 1884. Lewis Swift's son was only 13 years old at the time. The description reads "vF; pL; lE; double star north; 2 stars near point to it." The RA was 30 seconds of time too large. Bigourdan's measured an accurate position on 8 Aug 1888 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 6396 = Cr 339 = ESO 393-010
17 37 36 -35 01 36; Sco
V = 8.5; Size 3'
17.5" (6/8/91): consists of a dozen mag 9-13 stars in a small group of 4' diameter. Includes four stars in a distinctive 2' string oriented NNW-SSE and continuing north a pretty double star (h4966 = 9.8/10.8 at 12") which is oriented E-W. The brightest star mag 9 SAO 209043 is just off the WSW edge 4' from the center. Not rich or impressive but stands out well. Also a large scattered group of fairly bright stars is roughly 20' to the north.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6396 = h3693 on 7 Jul 1836 and recorded "Cluster VIII; small, 5', place of chief D star". His position is 35 seconds east of the double star at the northwest side of the cluster, and well outside the confines of the cluster. Herschel's poor RA is used in the RNGC, NGC 2000.0 and the Sky Catalogue 2000.0. The ESO and Uranometria 2000.0 Atlas position is correct.
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NGC 6397 = ESO 181-004
17 40 41.3 -53 40 25; Ara
V = 5.7; Size 25.7'; Surf Br = 0.6
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): The view of this showpiece globular at 171x was amazing at nearly 70” elevation. It extended across 2/3 of the field - perhaps 20' in diameter. The cluster was very highly resolved into hundreds of stars, many surprisingly bright at mag 10-11 and overall noticeably brighter than most globulars (1st in ranking of brightest stars). The globular appeared fully resolved in the halo and even the blazing core was covered wall-to-wall with stars. Many of the stars are arranged in small groups, chains, curves, etc. The concentrated core appeared ~3.5' diameter and at 228x had a 3-dimensional appearance with the mag 10.5-11.5 stars layered over a dense, uneven background carpet of stars. Visible naked-eye.
20" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): I also had a fantastic view in the 20" f/5 at 212x - the stars seemed to radiate out from the core in spiral curves and completely filled the 23' field!
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): very bright, very large, 10' diameter, irregularly round. At least 50 stars mag 10-12 are resolved at 63x. Bright intense core 3' diameter with dozens of stars superimposed and at the edges of the core. The cluster contains a large halo with many faint and brighter stars superimposed over a mottled background. Beautiful globular although observed at only 13” elevation from Baja. This is the nearest globular and first in ranking by brightest stars.
10x30 and naked-eye (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): picked up very easily while sweeping in IS binoculars close to the SSW horizon from Haleakala. Once the position was pinpointed, this mag 5.8 globular was just visible naked-eye less than 1 degree NNE of mag 5.3 Pi Arae.
Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 6397 = Lac III-11 = D 366 = h3692 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2" telescope at 8x, during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He simply noted "faint star in nebulosity." James Dunlop independently found this globular on 28 Jun 1826 with his 9-inch reflector and described "a pretty large nebula, extended nearly in the parallel of the equator, brightest and broadest in the middle; a group of very small stars in the middle give it the appearance of a nucleus, but they are not connected with the nebula, but are similar to other small stars in this place which are arranged in groups. The nebula is resolvable into stars." Dunlop made 4 observations in June and July and his position was 5' east of center.
John Herschel's first observation (8 Jul 1834) reads, "globular cluster; fine; large; bright; round; gradually brighter to the middle; not very compressed; 5' diameter, but stragglers extend a great way. In the middle is a more compact group of much smaller stars. The stars at circumference are larger than in the middle; at N.f. border is a double star."
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NGC 6398 = ESO 139-018 = AM 1738-614 = PGC 60735
17 42 43.9 -61 41 39; Pav
V = 12.5; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 6”
25" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 318x): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated N-S, 45"x35", strongly concentrated with a bright core surrounded by a faint halo. A mag 14.5 star is at the west edge and a mag 15.5 star is at the northeast edge. A mag 12.5 star (close double) is 1.3' NW. Situated in a rich Pavo star field. Forms a pair with NGC 6403 4.7' ENE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6398 = h3694, along with NGC 6403, on 7 Jul 1836 and recorded "eF; S; R; almost certain it is not small double star. Definition much improved. It is certainly a nebula, and with long attention, I see another [NGC 6403], still fainter, exactly on parallel, and 30 seconds following." His position is accurate.
Nevertheless, the RNGC classified both galaxies as nonexistent (Type 7) probably because DeLisle Stewart reported "eF, hazy * only" based on plates taken at Harvard's Boyden Station, in Arequipa, Peru.
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NGC 6399 = UGC 10896 = MCG +10-25-059 = CGCG 300-047 = PGC 60442
17 31 50.4 +59 36 55; Dra
V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 5”
18" (7/30/08): faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, 25"x20", sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus. NGC 6394 (generally listed as NGC 6393) lies 11' WNW. An extremely faint mag 16.7B companion was glimpsed a couple of times 54" NNE.
17.5" (6/18/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core, very faint halo SSW-NNE. Forms a pair with NGC 6393 11.3' WNW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6399 = Sw. 1-66, along with NGC 6393 and 6394, on 7 Jul 1885 and recorded "vvF; vS; R." His position is 1' too far southwest.
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NGC 6400 = Cr 342 = Mel 177 = Lund 767
17 40 13 -36 56 54; Sco
Size 8'
17.5" (6/30/00): ~50 stars are resolved in an 8'x5' region at 220x. The stars are fairly uniform in brightness, though irregular in outline. The cluster is elongated N-S with a nice string extending through the cluster to the SSE and NNE with a slight bend near the center. At the kink in the center of the string is a denser clump of stars. There are circular voids on the NW and SW ends. The two brighter strings (on the following side) and two less distinct rows of stars create a vague "X" shape through the cluster with a loop of stars on the north end.
8" (6/5/81): faint, fairly small, fairly rich. Many stars are aligned in rows.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6400 = D 568 = h3696 on 13 May 1826. His first (of 3) observations reads "a faint nebula of a triangular igure, about 4' or 5' in length - resolvable into small stars nebulae remaining and further resolvable into very minutes stars." John Herschel observed the cluster on 28 Jun 1834 (sweep 461) and recorded "Cluster class VII, p rich; pL, irr R, 8', stars 9..10m."
The RA in Sulentic and Tifft's RNGC is 0.6 minutes too large.
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NGC 6401 = ESO 520-11
17 38 36.9 -23 54 32; Oph
V = 9.5; Size 5.6'; Surf Br = 2.2
17.5" (7/27/92): fairly faint, small, round, 1.5'-2.0' diameter. Unusual appearance as a mag 12 field star is embedded southeast of the core within the halo. No other resolution was seen and the globular has a very weak concentration.
8" (6/27/81): faint, small, round, compact, diffuse. A single bright mag 12-13 star is involved.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6401 = H. I-44 = h1982 = h3697 on 21 May 1784 (sweep 222). He recorded "considerably bright, pretty large, having a kind of nucleus towards the following side." The "nucleus" on the eastern side is certainly the superimposed star mentioned in my observation. On 26 May 1786 (sweep 566), he called it "pretty bright, gradually brighter in the middle, large, resolvable, some of the stars visible." From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel logged "pB; R; very gradually brighter middle; 25"; a * 13m involved, following the centre."
Sven Cederblad catalogued this globular as the nebula Ced 149. This incorrect classification is probably from Julius Scheiner, who gave its spectrum as gaseous (before 1912) at the Potsdam Observatory.
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NGC 6402 = M14
17 37 36.1 -03 14 45; Oph
V = 7.6; Size 11.7'; Surf Br = 1.9
24" (7/30/16): at 432x; very bright, large, nearly fills the 10' field. The outer halo is resolved into dozens of star, perhaps 50 or 60 total. The relatively large core is plastered with tiny resolved stars; roughly 50 additional stars were resolved over a lively background, so overall at least a 100 total though difficult to count due to density and the bright background glow. The outer halo is slightly elongated E-W as well as the core, but the overall appearance is symmetrical. The core only exhibits a broad, weak concentration.
17.5" (7/1/00): this bright, large, fairly symmetric globular appears elongated ~E-W and ~7'x5' in size at 220x. The bright core is relatively large at 4', very lively and granular with a layer of very faint stars. At 280x, ~30 stars are resolved in the small halo and at the edge of the intense core. A rich, even sprinkling of faint stars cover the core. It was difficult to count the resolved stars as numerous dim stars pop out with averted vision over the bright background haze, but perhaps 60-70 stars in total were glimpsed.
17.5" (7/16/88): bright, large, 25-30 very faint stars are resolved mostly at the edges which have a ragged appearance.
13.1" (7/6/83): fairly large, broad concentration. About a dozen very faint stars are resolved across the disk. The outer halo fades out smoothly.
Charles Messier discovered M14 = NGC 6402 = h1983 on 1 June 1764 and noted a "Nebula without star, discovered in the garb which dresses the right arm of Ophiuchus, and situated on the parallel of Zeta Serpentis: This nebula is not large, its light is faint, one can see it nevertheless in an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]; it is round, near it is a small star of 9th magnitude."
William Herschel, observing with his 12-inch (small 20-foot) on 23 Jul 1783, noted "With a power of 200, I see it consists of stars. They are better visible with 300. With 600, they are too obscure to be distinguished, though the appearance of stars is still preserved. This seems to be one of the most difficult objects to be resolved. With me, there is not a doubt remaining; but another person, in order to form a judgment, ought previously to go through all the several gradations of nebulae which I have resolved into stars." Herschel first observed M14 during his sweeps on 21 Jul 1784 but "daylight is yet too strong" to resolve. Later in the sweeps he resolved M2. But on 25 May 1791 (sweep 1010), he recorded M14 as "exteremely bright, round, easily resolvable. With a power of 300 I can see the stars. Resembles the 10th of the Connoiss. which probably would put on the same appearance as this, if it were off half as far again as it is."
On 29 and 30 May 1821, William (now 82) instructed John (at 29) how to sweep and record objects. The last object lobbed on the 30th was M14, which John described (and recorded by Caroline) "a globular cluster of excessively small stars, barely but certainly resolved with the examining power and difficult with the sweeping power, brighter in the middle." The sweep was registered out of order in his Slough Catalogue as sweep 54.
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NGC 6403 = ESO 139-019 = PGC 60750
17 43 23.7 -61 40 56; Pav
V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1
25" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 318x): moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, 30" diameter, broad concentration with a slightly bright nucleus. Situated in a rich Pavo star field with a mag 11.2 star 1.1' SSE. Forms a pair with NGC 6403 4.7' WSW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6403 = h3695, along with NGC 6398, on 7 Jul 1836 and simply noted "eeF. The following of 2." His position, though 10 seconds too small, clearly applies to ESO 139-019 = PGC 60750. DeLisle Stewart recorded NGC 6403 "extremely faint, hazy star only", based on plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa station.
RNGC misclassifies the number as nonexistent. See notes for NGC 6398.
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NGC 6404 = Cr 340 = ESO 393-013
17 39 37 -33 14 48; Sco
Size 5'
13.1" (7/6/83): 20 stars mag 12-14 over unresolved haze. The three brightest stars form a small triangle on the west edge, most other stars are very faint. Located one degree south of M6.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6404 = h4020 on 27 Jun 1837 and recorded "a p rich, L, F, cluster; class VII; nearly fills field; composed of concave flakes; no m comp; stars 13 or 15m." The observation was included in a list of "omitted observations of nebulae and supplementary nebulae" at the end of the Cape Catalogue. Dreyer identified these objects as "h o n" ([John] Herschel Omitted Object) in the NGC. His position is accurate.
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NGC 6405 = M6 = Cr 341 = Butterfly Cluster
17 40 21 -32 15 18; Sco
V = 4.2; Size 25'
18" (7/21/04): at 92x roughly 200 stars are visible in this beautiful naked-eye cluster. There are four bright mag 6-7 stars in the main group which form a perfect parallelogram with longer sides of 7' oriented WSW-ENE and shorter sides of 4' oriented NW-SE. A string of stars connects the two stars on the long southern side of the parallelogram (the star at the SE vertex is orange-tinged BM Sco) with a nice double star embedded in the string. The NW vertex is part of a bright isosceles triangle with two mag 8-9 stars and ~7' further NW of this star is a small, nice asterism consisting of a trio and a double. Also a wedge-shaped group of 7 stars extends between this NW vertex (which also has two additional fainter companions) and the SW vertex (short side of parallelogram) Another distinctive string of stars runs through the center of the parallelogram roughly parallel to the two long sides. A nice mag 9/10 double resides along the long northern side of the parallelogram. An additional mag 7 star is the SW of the parallelogram. Around the main group there are numerous scattered stars and the cluster does not have a distinct border. Over 70 stars in the cluster are brighter than 11th magnitude.
13.1" (7/5/83): very bright, fairly large. Includes a curving rows of stars and a close group of 7 stars near the center. The brightest star BM Scorpii is on the east side. Smaller than M7 but richer. Fairly easy naked-eye cluster.
Giovanni Hodierna discovered M6 = NGC 6405 = Lac III-12 = D 612 = h3699 before 1654 and recorded 18 stars. He didn't report coordinates for the cluster but called it "the second and smallest of the two in the Scopion's stinger, westwards." Philippe Loys de Chseaux independently found the cluster by 1745-46 in Switzerland. Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille found the cluster again in 1752 with his 1/2-inch telescope at 8x, during his star survey at the Cape of Good Hope, and found a "remarkable group of faint stars in parallel lines making a diamond 20-25 minutes diameter filled with nebulosity." Lacaille was credited with the discovery in the NGC. Although a naked-eye cluster, it apparently was not included in any earlier list.
In his Messier survey, William Herschel observed M6 on 30 Jul 1783 and wrote, "I counted about 50 stars; it contains the greatest variety of magnitudes of any nebula I recollect. The compound eye-piece shows more of them variously and intermixed." He viewed it again on 13 Jul 1784 (first object on sweep 237) as "a cluster of stars of 3 or 4 different sizes coarsely scattered. Contains a double star of the 2nd class, my field takes in about 60 stars of the cluster." From his latitude, M6 culminated at an altitude of only 6.4”. He viewed several other horizon hugging clusters in the same sweep, including M69 and M70.
On 13 May 1826 James Dunlop described M6 as "a cluster of pretty bright small stars in irregular curved and bent lines - no very sensible marks of central attraction, 15' diameter."
According to Sue French, the popular nickname "Butterfly Cluster" may come from "Splendour of the Heavens" (1923) by Phillips and Steavenson. In this book, M6 was described as "somewhat irregular in shape, with central rib of stars, and resembles a butterfly with open wings."
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NGC 6406
17 38 19.1 +18 49 58; Her
= **?, Gottlieb. = Not found, RNGC.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 6406 = Big. 81 on 10 Jun 1885 and noted "mag 13.3, 7" or 8" diameter, stellar appearance." Two mag 14 stars with a similar separation are very close to his Comptes Rendus position, so this identification is certain.
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NGC 6407 = ESO 139-022 = LGG 411-004 = PGC 60796
17 44 57.6 -60 44 22; Pav
V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 60”
25" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 318x): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, 50"x40", sharply concentrated with a very bright, relatively large core and a much fainter halo. Mag 9.4 HD 160674 is 1.7' SE, a mag 12 star is 1.2' SE, a mag 13 star is 0.7' NE and a mag 14.5 star is 0.7' SSE. Situated in a fairly rich star field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6407 = h3700 on 7 Aug 1834 and recorded "eF; S; R: little brighter middle; 15"; near 3 stars." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6408 = UGC 10930 = MCG +03-45-007 = PGC 60637
17 38 47.3 +18 52 40; Her
V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4
17.5" (8/2/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, weak concentration, fairly low surface brightness. Located in a rich star field between a mag 13.5 star 1.8' W and a mag 14 star 1.1' SE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6408 = m 340 = St. 2-15 on 2 Jun 1864 and noted "F, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle." His position is 1' too far north. douard Stephan observed the galaxy on 14 Jun and 7 Jul 1871 (probably already aware of Marth's prior discovery). He measured an accurate micrometric position on 16 Jul 1871 and reported it as new in his second discovery list (18 of the 30 objects in the list were discovered earlier by Marth). Dreyer credited both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) in the NGC.
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NGC 6409 = CGCG 253-020 = PGC 60565
17 36 35.4 +50 45 57; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 60”
17.5" (7/19/90): faint, small, round, broad concentration.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6409 = Sw. 1-67 on 18 Jun 1885 and noted "vF; S; R." His position is 30 seconds of RA too far west. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 7 Aug 1888 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 6410
17 35 20.5 +60 47 32; Dra
= **?, Gottlieb. = *, RNGC.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6410 = Sw. 6-93 on 2 May 1887 and recorded "eeF, S, R, nearly between 2 stars, GC 4320 [NGC 6411] nr nf". His position is 3' west of NGC 6411. A close pair of mag 14.7/15.3 stars at 8" separation, located 2' southwest of NGC 6411, matches Swift's description. RNGC identifies NGC 6410 as a star and Harold Corwin specifically tags this double star.
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NGC 6411 = UGC 10916 = MCG +10-25-068 = CGCG 300-052 = PGC 60536
17 35 32.5 +60 48 48; Dra
V = 11.8; Size 2.3'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 70”
17.5" (6/22/90 and 7/21/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, 1.1'x0.8', gradually increases to a very small bright core. A mag 13.5 star is 20" off the SW edge and 57" from the center.
17.5" (7/10/99): viewed the Type Ia SN 1999da, which was discovered on images taken just 4 days earlier. It appeared mag 15.5-16 and is situated 1.2' W of center of NGC 6411.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6411 on 27 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 4 nights) is accurate and noted the mag 12 star 6 seconds preceding and 30" south. The MCG declination is 30' too far south, and NGC 6411 is not referenced.
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NGC 6412 = Arp 38 = UGC 10897 = VV 444 = MCG +13-12-026 = CGCG 355-034 = CGCG 356-004 = KAZ 146 = PGC 60393
17 29 37.0 +75 42 15; Dra
V = 11.8; Size 2.5'x2.2'; Surf Br = 13.4
48" (10/22/11): at 375x appeared bright, large, round, 2' diameter. Broad concentration with a large, brighter 30" core, hint of spiral structure in the halo though it was difficult to trace the arms. An HII knot or companion was easily seen superimposed at the edge of the halo on the north side (37" from center) and appeared faint, small, oval, ~12"x8". A mag 13.5 star lies 1' SW and a mag 16 star is 1.8' SW; both stars are collinear with the core. A bright mag 11.3 star lies 2' SE. Listed by Arp as a spiral with a "low surface brightness companion on arms", but the "companion" may be an HII region.
17.5" (7/9/88): moderately bright, irregularly round, 2.0' diameter, diffuse halo, weak even concentration to a brighter core. A mag 13.5 star is at the SW edge 1.1' from center. A string of three equally spaced stars begins with a mag 11 star 2' SE and includes two bright stars; mag 8.3 SAO 8824 4.1' S and mag 9.3 SAO 8821 7.6' SSW.
8" (8/5/83): very faint, small, diffuse. Located north of two mag 8 stars in field.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6412 = H. VI-41 on 12 Dec 1797 (sweep 1071 in the north, under the pole). Surprisingly, he described this galaxy as a cluster of class VI (very condensed and rich clusters of stars) -- "round, resolvable, about 3' diameter, very gradually brighter middle. I suppose it to be a cluster of stars compressed extremely. 320 power confirms the supposition, and shews a few of the stars; it must be immensely rich." A similar error was made with NGC 3055 (these are the only two cases). His position was off by less than 2' (within usual errors) and Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 24 Jul 1884.
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NGC 6413
17 40 40.7 +12 37 26; Oph
= ***, Gottlieb. = Not found, RNGC.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6413 = St. 2-16 on 28 Jun 1869. His uncorrected position was 4' S of a group of three or four close stars including a 3" double. His published position in list 2 (#16) was reduced on 20 Jul 1870 with description "extremely small and faint, a small star (nucleus) surrounded by a nebulosity". The RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6414 = UGC 10906 = MCG +12-16-041 = CGCG 339-047 = CGCG 340-005 = PGC 60416
17 30 36.7 +74 22 34; Dra
V = 14.6; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 143”
17.5" (7/9/88): very faint, extremely small, round, very small bright core. Bracketed by two faint mag 14.5/15 stars.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6414 = Sw. 3-94 on 30 May 1886 and recorded "eeeF; pS; R; ee diff.; bet 2 stars; 4 F stars near preceding in form of arc of circle". His position is just 1' south of UGC 10906 and his description fits this galaxy. UGC 10906 is the furthest north of any Swift discovery.
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NGC 6415 = ESO 393-18
17 44 40 -35 03; Sco
= Not found, RNGC and ESO.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6415 = h3701' on 26 Aug 1826 and recorded "a great Nebulous projection of the milky way." His RA is given roughly to the nearest minute of time. Herschel didn't assign a number in the Cape Catalogue, but placed it (in RA order) after h3701, so Dreyer called it h3701' in the NGC. This is likely just a rich section of the Milky Way and RNGC and ESO list the number as "Not found". Harold Corwin places the center about 1 minute of time larger than Herschel's position and 3'-4' south.
Wolfgang Steinicke lists James Dunlop with the discovery (numbers D 595 and D 596), but Glen Cozens associates these number with Ruprecht 128. Dunlop described a much smaller object than h3701' -- D 595 is only 1' diameter and D 596 is 5' x 30".
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NGC 6416 = Cr 344 = ESO 455-032
17 44 20 -32 21 42; Sco
V = 5.7; Size 18'
17.5" (8/2/97): best view at 100x as it fills the 220x (9mm Nagler) field. The most detached portion consists of a large cloud of at least 15' diameter and containing roughly 75 stars. There are four brighter stars (including mag 8.6 SAO 209208) but most of the stars are pretty uniform in brightness and fairly evenly distributed at 100x. The cluster may extend further north than the region described above but the star density quickly decreases to the general Milky Way appearance.
8" (6/19/82): almost two dozen faint stars, large, scattered, not impressive as fairly coarse.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6416 = h3702 = D612? on 3 Aug 1834 and recorded "Cl class VIII of stars 11m; fills field; not rich; stars in zig-zag lines." His position is accurate. James Dunlop possibly discovered the cluster earlier on 13 May 1826 and described "a cluster of small stars of mixt magnitudes, about 15' diameter, irregular figure." His position, though, is nearly 40' west of the cluster and actually falls on the east side of M6, 13' from the center. So, his identification is uncertain though seems to describe NGC 6416 better.
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NGC 6417 = UGC 10945 = MCG +04-42-001 = CGCG 141-004 = PGC 60709
17 41 47.9 +23 40 19; Her
V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (8/2/89): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, almost even surface brightness. Located 4.9' S of mag 7.8 SAO 85328!
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6417 = m 341 on 2 Jul 1864 and noted "pF, S, very little brighter middle." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6418 = MCG +10-25-074 = CGCG 300-054 = PGC 60610
17 38 09.3 +58 42 54; Dra
V = 14.4; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3
17.5" (7/19/90): faint, very small, slightly elongated. A mag 15 star is at the east edge 17" from the center. Contains a very faint stellar nucleus or a mag 15 star involved.
Edward Swift, Lewis' 14 year-old son, discovered NGC 6418 = Sw. 1-68 on 4 May 1885 and recorded "eF: pS; R; forms a right angle triangle with 2 stars, one mB." Their position is just 1' north of CGCG 300-054 = PGC 60610 and the two stars might be 1.6' southeast and 2.6' northeast.
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NGC 6419 = UGC 10924 = MCG +11-21-012 = WBL 644-003 = PGC 60543
17 36 06.2 +68 09 20; Dra
V = 14.1; Size 1.0'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 134”
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, elongated NW-SE, bright core. Two mag 15 stars are close north (one is 43" NNW of center). In a group of 6 galaxies (WBL 644) with NGC 6423 4.5' ENE, NGC 6420 6.3' S, NGC 6422 6.2' SSE and CGCG 321-023 = PGC 60529 5.4' SW (see description under NGC 6422).
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6419 = Sw. 2-55, along with NGC 6420, on 17 Aug 1883 and recorded "eeF; eS; R; e diff. n of 2." His position is 14 seconds of RA west of UGC 10924 (distance = 1.4'). Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 6 Sep 1888 (reported in the IC 2 Notes).
Harold Corwin notes it is very possible that NGC 6423 (discovered by Swift 16 days earlier) is an earlier observation of this galaxy and NGC 6422 is an earlier observation of NGC 6420. But Guillaume Bigourdan assigned the numbers to the four brightest galaxies in the field, which are a good match with Swift's declinations (the RAs are 14 to 24 seconds too small). Bigourdan's corrected positions for all 4 galaxies (measured in Sept 1888), were published in the IC 2 Notes.
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NGC 6420 = MCG +11-21-013 = CGCG 321-025 = WBL 644-004 = PGC 60553
17 36 16.2 +68 03 08; Dra
V = 14.4; Size 0.65'x0.2'; PA = 54”
24" (6/16/20): at 260x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 25"x20", small bright nucleus. In a group with brighter NGC 6422 1.4' ENE.
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, round, bright core. In a compact trio with NGC 6422 1.3' ENE and MCG +11-21-014 1.3' NNE. Located 6.3' S of NGC 6419.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6420 = Sw. 2-56, along with NGC 6419, on 17 Aug 1883 and recorded "eeF; eS; R; ee diff. s[outh] of 2 [with NGC 6419]. His description is not of any real help, but his position is 23 seconds of RA west of CGCG 321-025 (off by 2.2'). Bigourdan measured an accurate position (matching the CGCG) on 6 Sep 1888. See notes for NGC 6419.
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NGC 6421 = ESO 393-22
17 45 44 -33 41 36; Sco
24" (7/7/13): large, bright Milky Way cloud at 125x (50' field). Sharply defined by dust clouds on the west edge and along the east side up to the north end. Includes a nice string of a half-dozen stars (mag 9.5-11.5) on the southeast side and a couple of 1' pairs (oriented N-S) of mag 10.5-11.5 stars are at the east end of the cloud.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6421 = h3702' on 3 Aug 1834 and recorded "A most remarkable, well insulated, semi-nebulous milky way patch of a branching rounded figure, within the limits of the field, quite insulated on the p, n and f side, and only connected on the south side by a narrow isthmus with a branch of the milky way, which runs meridionally to a great extent. It forms a VI. class cluster of the utmost tenuity, barely resolvable, no resolved. See [sketch] fig 1, plate V." Herschel listed this observation (and coordinates) after h3702, but didn't assign it a unique h-designation (it's called 3702 1/2 in his list of sketched nebulae), indicating it was just an interesting field and not a discrete object. He included it, though, in the GC as h3702', but Dreyer dropped the prime in the NGC. As a result there are two NGC listings for h3702 (NGC 6416 and NGC 6421).
James Dunlop's D 605 probably applies to this Milky Way field. On 5 Jun 1826 he wrote "The milky way for several degrees in this place is very beautiful. The patches of starry nebulae and alternate(?) black places of the sky - through the telescope very much resembles small cumulus clouds."
Joseph Turner searched unsuccessfully for this object witht the Great Melbourne Telescope on 25 Sep 1875.
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NGC 6422 = MCG +11-21-015 = CGCG 321-026 = WBL 644-005 = PGC 60558
17 36 29.9 +68 03 31; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.75'; PA = 58”
24" (6/16/20): at 260x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~50"x40", contains a bright core and a low surface brightness halo. A mag 8.9 star (SAO 17574) is 3' E. Brightest in a tight trio with NGC 6420 1.4' WSW and PGC 60553 1.0' NW.
PGC 60553 appeared faint, round, 20" diameter, fairly low nearly even surface brightness, faint stellar nucleus.
LEDA 2709666, located 4.6' S, appeared faint, elongated 3:2 E-W, 25"x18", low even surface brightness. A mag 14.6 star is 0.9' ESE.
CGCG 321-28, located 10' ESE, appeared faint, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, low even surface brightness, 30"x10".
CGCG 321-21, located 12' WSW, appeared faint, slightly elongated N-S, 20"x15" (core region).
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, very small, round, bright core. In a compact trio with similar NGC 6420 1.3' WSW and MCG +11-21-014 1' NW. The MCG was the faintest of the trio and appeared extremely faint, very small, round, even surface brightness. Located in a group with NGC 6419 6.3' NNW and CGCG 321-023 = PGC 60529 7' WNW. The CGCG appeared very faint, extremely small, round. A mag 15 star is off the south edge.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6422 = Sw. 2-57, along with NGC 6423, on 1 Aug 1883 and recorded "eF; pS; R; nearly between a F and a B *." His position is 16 seconds west of CGCG 321-025 = PGC 60553, the brightest of four galaxies in a 3' circle. The "B *" in the description probably refers to the mag 8.9 star 3' east. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 6 Sep 1888 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes). MCG doesn't label +11-21-015 as NGC 6422. See notes for NGC 6419.
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NGC 6423 = MCG +11-21-016 = CGCG 321-027 = WBL 644-006 = PGC 60576
17 36 53.3 +68 10 17; Dra
V = 14.7; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 165”
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Forms a pair with NGC 6419 4.5' W. Member of the NGC 6422 group (WBL 644)
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6423 = Sw. 2-58, along with NGC 6422 = Sw. 2-57, on 1 Aug 1885, and recorded "eeF; vS; R; * nr east; v diff." His position is 12 seconds west and 0.8' south of CGCG 321-027 = PGC 60576. Bigourdan's position, measured on 7 Sep 1888, matches PGC 60756. There is no star "nr east", though a mag 12 star is 1.5' north. MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 6423. See notes for NGC 6419.
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NGC 6424 = UGC 10932 = MCG +12-17-001 = CGCG 340-011 = PGC 60552
17 36 11.9 +69 59 20; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.75'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, extremely small, round. Appears as a stellar nucleus with a small, round halo.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6424 = Sw. 2-59 on 5 Aug 1885 and logged "vF; pS; R." His position is less than 1' from UGC 10932, so the identity is certain.
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NGC 6425 = Cr 348 = ESO 455-038
17 47 02 -31 31 48; Sco
V = 7.2; Size 8'
17.5" (8/2/97): roughly three dozen stars in a 16'x7' detached region about 20 of which are mag 11 and the remainder mag 12-13.5. The group stands out well using a 14mm UltraWide, although the stars are fairly scattered with no dense regions. Near the center is a nice 30" equilateral triangle (brightest of the trio is at the SE vertex) of mag 10.5-11.5 stars. Following this triangle is a large "hole" in the cluster devoid of any stars. The brighter stars form an irregular border although there are two noticeable strings of stars in the cluster. Located 1.5 degrees NE of M6.
8" (6/5/81): 15 stars mag 11-13 in a triangular outline.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6425 = h3703 on 3 Aug 1834 and recorded "Small cl VIII class; 8' dia; has 20 or 30 st 10...12, nearly insulated." His position is good.
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NGC 6426
17 44 54.7 +03 10 13; Oph
V = 11.2; Size 3.2'; Surf Br = 1.1
24" (7/30/16): at 260x and 432x; fairly faint, round, moderately large, 2.5' diameter. Contains a very small, slightly brighter core that is elongated N-S and lively. A few faint stars are resolved around at the edges of the halo and several additional stars occasionally sparkle within the halo. A 15-15.5 magnitude star is at the north edge of core. In addition, five slightly brighter stars are arranged N-S along the west side of the halo; a single mag 14 star is near the NW side, two mag 14.5-15 stars on the west side, and two mag 15/15.5 stars on the SW side.
18" (8/23/03): at 160x, appears fairly faint with an irregular triangular outline, 2.5' diameter. There is only a weak concentration though the surface has a patchy, irregular appearance with a few faint stars superimposed. At 435x, the brightest resolved star is at the northwest edge. A few others are collinear in the halo along the western side. The slightly brighter core is offset east of the geometric center and just resolved into several extremely faint stars at moments. A total of up to 10 mag 15/16 stars are barely resolved.
17.5" (5/30/92): fairly faint, 3' diameter, slightly elongated, only a weak central condensation, slightly granular. Two or three faint stars are resolved at the edge of the halo. At 286x, a few additional very faint stars are resolved over the core for a total resolution of just six stars. A striking double ·2202 = 6.2/6.6 at 21" lies 36' S.
8" (6/22/81): faint, small, round, diffuse.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6426 = H. II-587 = St. 7-18 on 3 Jun 1786 (sweep 572) and recorded "faint, considerably large, irregular figure." His position was reasonably accurate. Stephan found the cluster 90 years later on 18 Jun 1876 and reported it as new in his 7th discovery list (#18). As a result, Dreyer catalogued it again in the GC Supplement as #5870, but he combined both GC entries in the NGC.
The position given in Sky Catalogue 2000.0, Deep Sky Field Guide (first version) and NGC 2000.0 is 10' too far south!
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NGC 6427 = NGC 6431 = UGC 10957 = MCG +04-42-003 = CGCG 141-006 = PGC 60758
17 43 38.7 +25 29 38; Her
V = 13.3; Size 1.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 36”
17.5" (8/3/89): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, small bright core, faint extensions. A mag 15 star is just off the SW end 26" from the center and a mag 14.5 star is 36" S of center. Forms a pair with NGC 6429 10.4' SE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6427 = m 342 = Sf. 48, along with NGC 6429, on 2 Jul 1864. His position was 1' to the N. Truman Safford discovered it again on 28 Aug 1866 and recorded Sf. 48 as "pB, pL, very much brighter in the middle." His position was 20' too far north, but matches in RA (he noted "position not certain" in a footnote).
douard Stephan rediscovered this galaxy again on 12 July 1869 with his unpublished position just 2' W (perhaps aware of Marth's discovery?). He measured a micrometric position on 23 Jun 1870 and reported it in his first discovery list (St. 1-7, later NGC 6431), but misidentified his reference star so his position was erroneous. Using the correct star, NGC 6427 = NGC 6431. He made another observation on 17 Jun 1876, which was off by 2' SE. E.E. Barnard found NGC 6427 and 6429 on 29 Jan 1889 and made a field sketch. He correctly identified the galaxies, though mislabeled NGC 6429 as NGC 6428.
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NGC 6428
17 43 52.9 +25 33 23; Her
= *, Corwin. Not found, RNGC. =**?, Gottlieb.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 6428 = Big. 82 on 7 Jul 1885. A 13" double star is near his Comptes Rendus position, though Harold Corwin notes that Bigourdan references the northern star as the intended "object". RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6429 = UGC 10960 = MCG +04-42-004 = CGCG 141-007 = PGC 60770
17 44 05.4 +25 21 01; Her
V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 23”
17.5" (8/3/89): fairly faint, small, elongated SSW-NNE, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A very close faint double star mag 14.5/15.5 is off the south side 33" S of center. Forms a pair with NGC 6427 10' NW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6429 = m 343, along with NGC 6427, on 2 Jul 1864 and noted "F, S, stellar." douard Stephan made observations on 17 Jun 1876 and 4 Jul 1877, probably aware of Marth's discovery, as he didn't list it as new.
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NGC 6430 = UGC 10966 = MCG +03-45-019 = CGCG 112-035 = LGG 414-005 = PGC 60805
17 45 14.3 +18 08 18; Her
V = 13.5; Size 1.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 97”
17.5" (8/7/02): at 220x appeared as a faint, moderately large edge-on oriented E-W, 1.2'x0.3' with a low even surface brightness. A mag 13.7 star is at the following end 50" from the center and the galaxy extends nearly due west.
Albert Marth's position for NGC 6430 was off by 38 tsec in RA and although his description matches, modern catalogues and the U2000 (second edition) identify this galaxy as UGC 10966. Karl Reinmuth identified NGC 6430 as a chain of 4 stars and the RNGC followed suit classifying NGC 6430 as nonexistent.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6430 = m 344 on 2 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, S, mE." There is nothing at his position, but 38 seconds of time east is UGC 10966, and Marth's description is appropriate for this galaxy.
Karl Reinmuth failed to find NGC 6430 in his photographic survey using Heidelberg plates and wrote "no mE neb seen; a chain of 4 st 14-15, 150”, in 17h 38.9m (1860)". Based on Reinmuth, RNGC misclassifies the number as nonexistent with the note "4 stars".
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NGC 6431 = NGC 6427 = UGC 10957 = MCG +04-42-003 = CGCG 141-006 = PGC 60758
17 43 38.7 +25 29 38; Her
V = 13.3; Size 1.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 36”
See observing notes for NGC 6427.
douard Stephan found NGC 6431 = St. 1-7 on 12 July 1869 and recorded an uncorrected position 2' too far W. His published position in list 1 (#7) was reduced on 23 Jun 1870, but Bigourdan (visually) and Reinmuth (on Heidelberg plates) found nothing at his position. However, Harold Corwin found Stephan misidentified his comparison star and once corrected his position matches NGC 6427 = UGC 10957, which Albert Marth discovered earlier on 2 Jul 1864. This is one of Stephan's few errors that were not caught by Emmanuel Esmiol during his re-reduction of Stephan's positions ("Rduction des Observations de Nbuleuses Dcouvertes par M. Stephan", 1916). Stephan made a later observation on 17 Jun 1876 with a rough position 2' SE, but apparently it wasn't carefully reduced.
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NGC 6432 = ESO 520-025
17 47 23 -24 53 12; Sgr
= 4* mag 12-13, Howe.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6432 = h1984 on 1 Jul 1826 and noted "a cl of vs stars. Twilight." A group of 4 stars within 40" is just 1' north of his position. Herbert Howe was the first to make this identification in 1899. Using the 20-inch refractor in Denver, he reported "This 'cluster' contains only four stars, two of mag 12 and two of mag 13."
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NGC 6433 = UGC 10962 = MCG +06-39-015 = CGCG 199-013 = PGC 60766
17 43 56.3 +36 48 01; Her
V = 13.3; Size 2.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 163”
17.5" (8/3/89): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated NNW-SSE, small bright core. Pair with CGCG 199-014 4.3' N.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6433 = m 345 on 9 Jul 1864 and noted "vF, S, pmE, bM." Stephan made an observation on 14 Jun 1871, though did not include it in any of his discovery lists (he was likely using Marth's discovery position).
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NGC 6434 = UGC 10934 = MCG +12-17-002 = CGCG 339-053 = CGCG 340-013 = PGC 60573
17 36 49.0 +72 05 20; Dra
V = 12.4; Size 2.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 100”
17.5" (6/11/88): moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated WNW-ESE, bright core. Located 2.0' N of mag 7.3 SAO 8860, which detracts from viewing.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6434 = H. III-741 = h1987 on 6 Jun 1788 (sweep 847) and recorded "eF, stellar. A few minutes north of a considerable B star, verified by 300, which showed it lE in the parallel [E-W]." John Herschel made the single observation "vF; vS; R; bM; 6"; 90" n of a * 8m."
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NGC 6435 = UGC 10947 = MCG +10-25-080 = CGCG 300-058 = PGC 60667
17 40 11.1 +62 38 29; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 5”
17.5" (7/21/90): faint, very small, slightly elongated, small bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with CGCG 300-059 5.2' ESE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6435 = Sw. 9-86 on 15 Jun 1887 and recorded "eeF; vS; R; vF double star near following." His position is 2' too far northeast, but the double star, which is 2.8' northeast, clinches the identification. Swift relayed the discovery directly to Dreyer, who assigned it to list 6 in the NGC, but the discovery wasn't published until a couple of years later in his 9th list (along with others he didn't include in list 6).
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NGC 6436 = UGC 10951 = MCG +10-25-082 = CGCG 300-060 = PGC 60695
17 41 13.2 +60 26 59; Dra
V = 14.2; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 173”
17.5" (7/19/90): faint, elongated 2:1 N-S, even surface brightness. An extremely faint 16th magnitude star is just west of the core. Almost collinear with three mag 13 stars off the south edge which are aligned E-W.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6436 = Sw. 5-74 on 25 Sep 1884 and recorded "eeF; pS; lE; v close n of the s * of 3 in a line." His position is just 50" north of UGC 10951 and the three stars are close southwest as in my visual description.
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NGC 6437 = ESO 393-28
17 48 45 -35 26 00; Sco
Size 20'x5'
18" (8/19/09): at 73x (31mm Nagler) appeared as a very large group or star cloud of over 100 stars, mostly mag 10-13, in a 30'x15' region elongated NW to SE. The mass of stars is just west of mag 7.3 HD 161855 and is fairly well detached in the Milky Way field except on the NW side where a stream of stars extends to the north and then spreads out into another rich star cloud. The brightest star within NGC 6437 is mag 7.6 HD 161561 on the NW side with a faint companion 25" N. The background glow of the Milky Way surrounding the group is bright, patchy and overall very striking in the entire 67' field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6437 = h3704 on 7 Jun 1837 and recorded "A very decided, tolerably defined semi-nebulous mass in milky way, with abundance of vS st, forming altogether a telescopic magellanic cloud. It fills about a field, and has branches and sinuses and is altogether a remarkable object". On the DSS, this is a rich Milky Way field (Herschel's position is at the southeast side), which is detached on the east end by dust. ESO did not include it as a cluster and RNGC also classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6438 = ESO 010-001 = VV 682 = LGG 417-002 = AM 1806-852 NW = KTS 56B = PGC 61787
18 22 17.7 -85 24 07; Oct
V = 11.4; Size 1.6'x1.3'; PA = 156”
24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x, the appearance of this interacting pair was very strange! NGC 6438 appeared moderately bright, small, round, 0.4' diameter. NGC 6438A (a disrupted peculiar galaxy) is attached on the east side and appeared as a faint, diffuse glow, elongated SW-NE, ~0.8'x0.5'. This system is the second closest NGC galaxy to the south celestial pole and is located 4' NE of a mag 9.5 star (an uncatalogued double star) and 16' NE of mag 8 HD 160820. Mag 6.4 HD 159517 is 28' NW.
NGC 6438A appears highly disrupted on the DSS, with two extensions or arms (perhaps two different interacting galaxies).
John Herschel discovered NGC 6438 = h3701 on 2 Jun 1835 and logged "pB; R; very gradually brighter middle. RA rudely taken, and may be very erroneous." His RA was 3 minutes of time too large, though this translate to only 3.6' in the sky at this far southerly declination.
Pietro Baracchi observed NGC 6438 on 3 Oct 1885 with the Great Melbourne Telescope and described a "Double nebula or a small round pretty bright, [?], pretty much brighter middle almost to a star like nucleus, with faint roundish flat appendage south following about 40" in diameter which might be a close companion to [NGC 6438]." His sketch clearly shows a double galaxy with a bright, small nebula on the NW side (NGC 6438) and a larger, fainter glow (NGC 6438A) attached on the SE edge.
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NGC 6439 = PK 11+5.1 = PN G011.0+05.8
17 48 19.8 -16 28 44; Sgr
V = 12.7; Size 6"x5"
14.5" (7/1/21): confirmed by blinking with an OIII filter at 182x only 1' S of a mag 10.4 star. Excellent contrast gain with the filter and equal to the much brighter star. At 226x a small blue-grey disc was visible, just a few arcseconds in diameter. The best view, though, was unfiltered at 352x and 566x with the disc spanning 4" or 5". Occasionally I had the impression of a brighter central peak (central star?).
18" (7/25/06): easily picked up at 115x as a quasi-stellar light-blue mag 12.5 "star" just 1' S of a mag 10.5 star. Very good response to the OIII filter. A very small disc was visible at 225x, perhaps 3" in size. Adding a UHC filter this compact planetary was similar in brightness to the mag 10.5 star and appeared to increase slightly in diameter. At 435x a small oval, ~4"x3" was resolved of uniform surface brightness except it seemed to fade around the periphery, hinting at a thin faint envelope. Located in the NW corner of Sgr near the border of Ophiuchus and Serpens Cauda.
13.1" (7/12/86): fairly bright stellar planetary at 79x, verified with OIII blinking. At 166x a mag 10.5 star just 1.2' N is perfectly placed for blinking comparison! Appears stellar at 214x. Estimate V = 12.0-12.5.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6439 on 18 Aug 1882 with the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory using a direct-vision spectroscope. He reported the discovery in AN 2459 and Sidereal Messenger, Oct 1882 and noted "mag 13. A star, mag 11, north 1' and follows 1 second." His position and description is accurate. MegaStar software (and probably others) misidentify the mag 13 star that is 1' north as NGC 6439.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) described NGC 6439 as "a minute round disk 5" in diameter, there is a very wind in p.a. 290”. The disk is slightly fainter at the edges."
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NGC 6440 = ESO 589-008
17 48 52.6 -20 21 35; Sgr
V = 9.1; Size 5.4'; Surf Br = 3.3
24" (8/14/15): at 375x; bright, relatively small globular, sharply concentrated with a very bright core and a much fainter, well-defined circular halo, roughly 2' across. The core was mottled and very granular but unresolved. NGC 6440 is collinear with an 11' string of four mag 11-12 stars extending from NW to SE, barely fitting in the field, with the closest star 1.7' NNW of center. At 500x, a few extremely faint stars were resolved in the halo. The bright core contains a handful of resolved stars (mag 16.5 or fainter) that popped in and out of view over the extremely granular background.
NGC 6440 is a highly obscured, metal-rich globular at a low galactic latitude, so resolution is quite difficult.
17.5" (7/14/99): this globular forms an unusual pair with planetary NGC 6445 just 21' NNE and is situated within a string of four mag 11-12 stars oriented NW-SE. It appears fairly faint, round, at least 2' diameter. At 280x the diffuse halo increases to a moderately bright, round core. Although the globular appears granular, there was no resolution in good seeing except for a very faint star that was intermittently visible off the north edge of the core.
13.1" (6/29/84): moderately bright, small, broadly concentrated to a brighter core, no resolution. Forms a striking pair with planetary NGC 6445 20' NNE. Brightest member stars are only V = 17.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6440 = H. I-150 = h1985 on 28 May 1786 (sweep 569) and recorded "cB, R, very gradually much brighter middle, about 1 1/2' diameter."
Based on early Crossley plates of the region, Heber Curtis wrote a note in 1918PASP...30..161C titled "A Spiral Nebula in the Milky Way." He stated "The nebula NGC 6440 appears to form practically the only known exception to this rule [that spiral nebulae are never found in the Milky Way itself]. Although this object is some distance from the center of all available Crossley plates of this region, rendering its details somewhat indistinct, there seems to be no doubt that it is a rather bright, nearly round, very compact, spiral nebula 1.5' in diameter. Its unusual interest lies in the fact that it is less than 2” from the galactic plane." Before this erroneous note was published a footnote was added stating another plate was taken and "the probabilities are that it is a compact star-cluster showing evidences of spiral formation." Based on photographs taken at the Helwan observatory in 1919-20, the description also reads "some indication of the stars being in spiral formation".
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NGC 6441 = ESO 393-034
17 50 12.8 -37 03 04; Sco
V = 7.4; Size 7.8'; Surf Br = 1.4
17.5" (7/14/99): NGC 6441 is situated just 4.5' following mag 3.2 G Scorpii! At 220x it appeared moderately bright, round, ~2.7' diameter, fairly sharp concentration with a prominent 1' core. A mag 11 field star is at the southwest edge of the halo (1.3' SW of center), a mag 13.5 star is just inside the west edge of the halo (1.2' from center), and a mag 12.5-13 star is just off the northwest side. There was no definite resolution into cleanly visible stars, although the globular had a granular appearance. H 1-36, a symbiotic star (mimics a stellar planetary), is located just 1.3' NW of the mag 3.2 star!
13.1" (6/18/85): very bright core, mottled halo but no certain resolution. Located just 4.5' E of G Scorpii (V = 3.2), which hampers viewing.
8" (5/21/82): bright, intense core.
80mm finder (7/14/99): the globular was easily visible at 21x in the finder.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6441 = D 557 = h3705 on 13 May 1826. He made 5 observations and published the description "a small well-defined rather bright nebula, about 20 arcseconds diameter, a very small star precedes it, but it is not involved; following gamma (G) Telescopii."
John Herschel first recorded on 28 Jun 1834 (sweep 461), "globular cluster, B, R, 90", very gradually brighter middle, resolvable (barely so), a very regularly graduating neb or cluster; in field with gamma Telescopii." The next night (sweep 462) he logged "globular, B, R, very gradually brighter middle, up to a blaze. In field with Gamma Telescopii, and nearly on the same parallel; with left eye I barely see it resolved into stars 18 or 20m. The whole ground of the heavens, for an immense extent, is thickly sown with such stars. A beautiful object." Christian Peters claimed he discovered it around 1850, while at the Capodimonte Observatory in Naples (AJ 2, 1856).
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NGC 6442 = UGC 10978 = MCG +03-45-021 = CGCG 112-038 = PGC 60844
17 46 51.3 +20 45 40; Her
V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.8
17.5" (8/3/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, small well-defined core, faint halo. Pair with UGC 10979 7' NE within the NGC 6460 group. UGC 10979 appeared faint, small, round, diffuse, even surface brightness. A mag 10.5 star is at the SW edge.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6442 = m 346 on 2 Jun 1864 and noted "pF, S, irr R, gradually brighter in the middle." His position is 1' too far north. douard Stephan made an observation on 6 Jun 1877. The previous object he recorded was NGC 6368, also a Marth discovery.
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NGC 6443 = UGC 10967 = MCG +08-32-018 = CGCG 253-033 = PGC 60783
17 44 33.9 +48 06 50; Her
V = 13.8; Size 1.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 128”
17.5" (8/3/89): faint, fairly small, very elongated NW-SE, almost even surface brightness. Located along one side of a thin isosceles triangle of three mag 14 stars (two lie 1.6' N and 1.5' S). A mag 11 star is 3.3' E.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6443 = Sw. 5-75 on 22 Oct 1886 and recorded "eeF; pS; lE; e diff." His position is less than 1' north of UGC 10967.
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NGC 6444 = ESO 393-030 = Ru 132 = OCl-1023
17 49 35 -34 49 12; Sco
Size 12'
17.5" (7/8/94): about 50 stars in a 10' string oriented due E-W. Stands out reasonably well in the field at 100x. Very uniform in mag 12-13 stars over some unresolved haze. A more ill defined branch of stars begins at the west end and trails NE. An arc of stars begins at the east end and curls back west on the south side. Located in the same low power field with globular NGC 6453 20' NE and 53' due west of the center of M7.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6444 = h3706 = D 597? on 7 Jun 1837 and recorded "A very fine L, rich sc cl of st 12...13m." His position is 40 seconds of RA too large, but marked the coordinates with a +/-, indicating uncertainty.
James Dunlop possibly discovered the cluster earlier on 28 Jun 1826 and logged Dun 597 as a "pretty large faint nebula, easily resolvable. This precedes a cluster of stars." Dunlop made a single observation and his position is 26' too far east-southeast, but this cluster is due west of M7 by 52', so this identification is certainly reasonable. RNGC misclassifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6445 = PK 8+3.1 = ESO 589-9 = PN G008.0+03.9 = Box Nebula
17 49 15.3 -20 00 34; Sgr
V = 10.9; Size 38"x29"; Surf Br = 9.9
24" (8/14/15): this highly structured planetary was observed using 500x. NGC 6445 has an unusual rectangular shape, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, with dimensions ~45"x30". The planetary is brighter in fairly narrow strips along the four sides, creating an annular appearance. The short northwest facing side is slightly brighter and contains a bright knot or section near the middle. In addition, a faint knot is at the north vertex. Another bright knot is at the east vertex and either a faint knot or very faint star is at the south vertex. The short southeast facing side is sharply defined and quite straight. A very low surface brightness glow can be seen outside (east) of the eastern vertex. In addition, with careful viewing an extremely faint outer shell or loop is outside the long southwest facing side, connected at the two vertices along this side. A mag ~15.5 star is just outside the midpoint of the loop. The outer shell or loop on the northeast side was not seen.
18" (7/22/06): this fascinating planetary was viewed at 435x. The overall shape is rectangular with the longer sides oriented NW to SE. Both ends are noticeably brighter giving an annular appearance. The NW end is slightly brighter and irregular in surface brightness with a brighter spot or two. The rim at the NW end is slightly bowed out and has a well-defined boundary edge in the interior. The rim at the SE end of the planetary is unusually straight and well-defined. With averted vision it appeared to extend slightly beyond the main body of the planetary. The bright lobe at this end is bar-shaped and extended SW to NE in the direction of the minor axis.
17.5" (7/14/99): this bright PN is striking at 280x with a great deal of structure evident. It has a boxy appearance, elongated NW-SE with dimensions ~45"x30". The ends of the major axis are clearly brighter with a bright, shallow arc or crescent-shaped curve on the NW end. This lobe has an irregular surface brightness with a couple of brighter spots. The SE lobe is brighter but has an oddly flat edge. At 380x, the eastern end of the southeast lobe is brighter and has a small extension or nodule that bulges out beyond the rectangular outline to the east. The center is clearly darker and with careful viewing appears as a dark band running SW-NE. A mag 12 star lies ~45" NW of center and the planetary precedes a wide uneven mag 8/10.5 pair by 5'. The planetary forms an unusual pair with GC NGC 6440 20' SSW.
13.1" (8/5/83 and 6/30/84): bright, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, brighter along the NW side. A darker center visible at 288x appears to cut through the minor axis. The NW edge is slightly curved while the other sides and corners are "boxy" giving an irregular rectangular outline. The ends of the minor axis are fainter. A wide double star h2810 = 7.7/10.5 at 41" lies 5.3' E. A mag 12 star is just off the NW end about 40" from the center. Forms a striking pair with globular cluster NGC 6440 20' SSW in the same low power field.
13.1" (7/16/82): dark center at 280x appears to bisect the planetary ~E-W.
8" (6/5/81): fairly bright, elongated, uniform. Located within string of four mag 11/12 stars.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6445 = H II-586 = h1986 on 28 May 1786 (sweep 569). He recorded "pretty bright, small, irregular figure" and it was catalogued in class II of "Faint Nebulae". John Herschel called this planetary "pB; pL; R; r; 40"."
At Birr Castle on 11 Mar 1848, LdR (or assistant William Rambaut) described NGC 6445 as "curious circular-shaped neb with large dark spot at one side [f side in a diagram], around which is a close cluster of well defined vS stars." Edward Pickering apparently found NGC 6445 while searching with a direct-vision spectroscope at Harvard College Observatory (Sidereal Messenger, Oct 1882). In 1887, Frank Muller reported with the 26-inch refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory, "Two nuclei forming an elliptical nebula, elongated 150”, largest diameter 26", northern nucleus brighter. A sketch shows each nucleus to be elongated in the direction 90” +/-, the center being almost devoid of nebulosity. The nuclei are entirely separated from each other except by very faint nebulosity, and are of the 12.5 magnitude."
Based on Crossley photographs, Curtis (1918) reported "..the brighter portion is a very irregular "square-shouldered ring 38"x29"; from this extend very faint ring like ansae in p.a. 50-230”, along which the total length is about 50". Brightest on NW edge..." Based on Helwan photographs in 1919-20, it was reported as "trapezium-shaped object with very sharp corners; the two parallel sides are considerably brighter than the other pair and lie in p.a. 60” and 240”; the NE corner is a right angle; no indication of a central star."
The Sky Catalogue 2000, Volume 2 and the Deep Sky Name Index 2000 incorrectly refer to NGC 6445 as the "Little Gem". The nickname applies to NGC 6818 (from John Mallas). John Mallas coined the nickname "The Crescent" in his Apr/May 1993 article "Visual Atlas of Planetary Nebulae-IV", but that nickname is now used for NGC 6888. NGC 6445 is often called the Box Nebula, but the same nickname is used for NGC 6309!
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NGC 6446 = MCG +06-39-018 = CGCG 199-018 = PGC 60825
17 46 07.5 +35 34 10; Her
V = 14.6; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 29”
17.5" (8/3/89): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. A pair of mag 14 and 15 stars is 0.9' NNE and 1.2' N of center, respectively. Forms a close pair with NGC 6447 1.9' E.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6446 = m 347, along with NGC 6447, on 9 Jul 1864 and noted "eF, vS, irr R." His position is accurate. Rudolph Spitaler rediscovered both galaxies on 26 May 1884 while observing Comet 1858 III (AN 2446).
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NGC 6447 = UGC 10975 = MCG +06-39-019 = CGCG 199-019 = PGC 60829
17 46 17.2 +35 34 20; Her
V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 145”
17.5" (8/3/89): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated N-S, brighter middle with faint extensions. Forms a close pair with NGC 6446 1.9' W.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6447 = m 348, along with NGC 6446, on 9 Jul 1864 and noted "vF, S, R." His position is accurate. Rudolph Spitaler rediscovered both galaxies on 26 May 1884 while observing Comet 1858 III (AN 2601).
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NGC 6448
17 43 42.8 +53 32 44; Dra
18" (8/27/11): At 175x I identified a mag 11.6 star that possibly appeared to have one or more faint companions as there was a slightly hazy glow very near extended E-W. At 393x, three close, very faint companions were resolved; two following and one preceding, with all 4 stars roughly collinear. The two companions to the east are at 17" and 30" from the brighter star, while the companion to the west is at a separation of 19". The brightest of the three faint stars is at the east end, though all three are near V = 15.5. Located 15' S of 5.8-magnitude HD 161693.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6448 = Sw. 2-60 on 16 July 1885 and logged "vF, pS, R, little brighter middle." There are no galaxies near his position, but about 30 seconds of RA preceding is a east-west string of 3 very faint stars and one brighter star that may be Swift's object. According to Harold Corwin's identification notes, Jeff Corder suggested this possible identification. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6449 = UGC 10965 = MCG +09-29-020 = CGCG 278-020 = PGC 60762
17 43 46.3 +56 48 14; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 135”
17.5" (7/19/90): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE. Three faint stars very near; a mag 15.5 star is at the south edge, a mag 15 star is just west of the core and a mag 14 star is off the north edge.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6449 = Sw. 1-69 on 19 Apr 1885 and recorded "vF; pS; R; bM." His position is at the northeast edge of the galaxy.
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NGC 6450
17 47 30 +18 35; Her
= Not found, Dreyer.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6450 = Sw. 2-61 on 1 Jul 1884 and logged "vF; vS; B * f 8 seconds; bet 2 sts." There are only faint stars near his position and the nearest faint galaxies in the CGCG have no nearby bright star, so clearly there is an error in his position. Both Bigourdan and Herbert Howe were unsuccessful in finding NGC 6450. Father Hagen notes in the Vatican Zone Catalogue that there no "B*" in this place.
No modern catalogue has an entry for NGC 6450 and Harold Corwin was also unable to recover this object despite the specific description.
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NGC 6451 = Cr 352 = Mel 181 = Lund 783
17 50 44 -30 12 42; Sco
Size 8'
13.1" (6/18/85): about three dozen stars in a 8' diameter. The brighter stars around the edges form the outline. Includes many very faint stars inside the bright border but unconcentrated towards the center.
8" (6/5/81): faint but rich group.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6451 = H. VI-13 = h3707 on 24 Jun 1784 (sweep 232) and recorded "a cluster of small and pretty compressed stars of several magnitudes; about 5 or 6' in diam, not very rich." The cluster culminated at the altitude of only 8.4” from his location.
On 3 Aug 1834 (sweep 478), John Herschel logged "a remarkable cluster; divided into two by a broad, vacant, straight band; irreg R; 8' diam; st 12...15m. See fig 5, Pl V." His sketch shows two elongated groups of stars separated by a starless lane.
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NGC 6452 = CGCG 112-043 = PGC 60876
17 47 58.5 +20 50 16; Her
V = 14.4; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.7
17.5" (7/1/89): very faint, very small, round, low surface brightness. Situated almost between two mag 14/15 stars aligned E-W. Located about 12' WNW of NGC 6458 in the NGC 6460 group.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6452 = m 349, along with NGC 6458 and 6460, on 2 Jul 1864 and noted "eeF, S." His position is less than 2' north of CGCG 112-043. Karl Reinmuth correctly identified NGC 6452 in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel" and stated "eF, be 2 F st; identification doubtful." The two faint stars are mentioned in my observation.
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NGC 6453 = ESO 393-036
17 50 52 -34 36 00; Sco
V = 9.9; Size 3.5'; Surf Br = 2.0
17.5" (7/4/86): at 220x appears very faint, small, very mottled. A few stars are resolved at the edges (possibly foreground stars). Located beyond the NW edge of M7, about 40' from the center. Open cluster NGC 6444 lies 20' SW.
8": faint, small, diffuse. Located NW of M7 in the field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6453 = h3708 on 8 Jun 1837 and recorded "a highly condensed nebulous mass, 3' diam, or an irreg round nebula; pretty much brighter middle; resolvable." His RA was 28 seconds too large, but it was reported as rounded to the nearest minute (marked as +/-) and the description fits.
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NGC 6454 = MCG +09-29-026 = CGCG 278-024 = PGC 60795
17 44 56.6 +55 42 17; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5" (7/19/90): faint, very small, round, small bright core. A mag 14 star is superimposed or contains a fairly bright stellar nucleus. Located 5.9' SE of mag 8.7 SAO 30546. This is the brighter of a pair with NGC 6459 8' NE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6454 = Sw. 1-70 on 19 Apr 1885 and noted "vF; pS; R; little brighter in the middle." His position is 18 seconds of RA too small. Bigourdan remeasured an accurate RA on 4 Oct 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 6455 = ESO 394-3
17 51 08 -35 20 18; Sco
24" (7/7/13): at 125x (50' field), this position corresponds with a very large, bright Milky Way field just southwest of M7. The field includes a nice mix of mag 7 and fainter stars centered near a bright, very wide pair (mag 7 HD 162145 and mag 8.5 HD 320780). The Milky Way background here is glowing, but the field itself is not special considering the region, and it certainly does not appear cluster-like.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6455 = h3709 on 7 Jun 1837 and recorded "a very extensive nebulous clustering mass of the milky way. The stars of excessive smallness, and infinite in number." His position is marked uncertain, possibly due to the large size of the field but falls close to mag 7.3 HD 162287. Harold Corwin notes this is probably just a random clumping of Milky Way stars near SAO 209348.
RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent and ESO has only a placeholder for the NGC designation.
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NGC 6456 = CGCG 321-034 = CGCG 322-004 = WBL 645-002 = PGC 60729
17 42 31.7 +67 35 33; Dra
V = 14.6; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 45”
24" (8/23/14): at 375x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 20"-24" diameter, slightly brighter middle. A mag 16.6 star is 0.4' N of center.
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. First of 7 and in a trio with NGC 6463 6.0' E and PGC 2701716 6' SE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6456 = Sw. 5-76, along with NGC 6471, 6472 and 6477, on 25 Sep 1886 and recorded "eeeF; eS; R; ee diff; between 2 stars; 1st of 6." His position is 11 sec of RA west and 1' north of PGC 60729, the brightest of several faint galaxies near his position. MCG misidentifies CGCG 321-032 = PGC 60721 as NGC 6456.
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NGC 6457 = UGC 10964 = MCG +11-21-021 = CGCG 321-035 = CGCG 322-005 = PGC 60738
17 42 53.0 +66 28 33; Dra
V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 140”
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, very small, slightly elongated, gradually increases to a small bright core.
Edward Swift, Lewis' 14 year-old son, discovered NGC 6457 = Sw. 1-71 on 8 Jun 1885 and recorded "F; vS; R; bM." The position matches UGC 10964. Lewis noted his son discovered this object in the errata to his 6th discovery list.
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NGC 6458 = UGC 10994 = MCG +03-45-029 = CGCG 112-051 = PGC 60911
17 49 10.9 +20 48 15; Her
V = 13.4; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 155”
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, very small, almost round, weak concentration. Located in a N-S string of three mag 14 stars. Pair with NGC 6460 5.2' ESE in a group.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6458 = m 350, along with NGC 6460, on 2 Jul 1864 and noted "eF, vS, stellar." His position is within 1' of UGC 10994. MCG misidentifies NGC 6460 (5' southeast) as NGC 6458.
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NGC 6459 = MCG +09-29-029 = CGCG 278-025 = PGC 60817
17 45 47.1 +55 46 36; Dra
V = 14.3; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 78”
17.5" (7/19/90): faint, very small, round. Located 1.6' NNE of a mag 9.5 star. Forms a pair with NGC 6454 8' SW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6459 = Sw. 1-72 on 19 Apr 1885 and recorded "eF; vvS; R; vv diff.; stellar. May be a few eF stars." His position is accurate, despite his uncertainty. MCG mislabels this galaxy as NGC 6460.
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NGC 6460 = UGC 10997 = MCG +03-45-031 = CGCG 112-055 = PGC 60925
17 49 30.3 +20 45 49; Her
V = 13.1; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 157”
17.5" (7/1/89): fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, weak concentration. Located between mag 7.6 SAO 85445 7.6' S and mag 7.7 SAO 85452 10' NNE. Brightest in a group with NGC 6458 5' WNW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6460 = m 351, along with NGC 6458, on 2 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, pL, iR." His position matches UGC 10997 = PGC 60925. Stephan made an observation on 14 Jun 1871, though did not include it in any of his discovery lists (he was likely using Marth's discovery position).
CGCG misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 6459 and MCG misidentifies it as NGC 6458.
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NGC 6461 = UGC 10954 = MCG +12-17-004 = CGCG 339-055 = CGCG 340-017 = PGC 60659
17 39 56.7 +74 02 03; Dra
Size 1.0'x0.5'; PA = 20”
18" (8/11/07): faint, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, ~20"x16". Located 1.4' NW of a mag 10.5 star. NGC 6461 is incorrectly identified as CGCG 340-015 in the CGCG and PGC.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6461 = Sw. 5-77 on 18 Sep 1884 and recorded "eF; pS; R; nr terminal * of 5 forming semi-circle." There is nothing near his position. The nearest galaxy is CGCG 339-054 = PGC 60631, which is 1.6 minutes of RA west and 7' north of his position (10' separation). But this galaxy doesn't fit Swift's star field comments. Bigourdan's position for NGC 6461 measured on 13 Aug 1888 applies to a double star. The CGCG, RNGC and PGC (and secondary sources such as Megastar) misidentify PGC 60631 as NGC 6461.
Harold Corwin identifies UGC 10954 as NGC 6461. This galaxy is situated at the northeast end of a loop of 5 stars forming a semi-circle, matching his description. This galaxy is 38' north of Swift's position and 12 seconds of RA west.
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NGC 6462 = MCG +10-25-085 = CGCG 300-063 = Ark 529 = VII Zw 740 = PGC 60790
17 44 48.9 +61 54 38; Dra
V = 14.2; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.8
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, extremely small, round, weak concentration.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6462 = Sw. 1-73 on 5 Jun 1885 and noted "F; vvS; R; planetary." His RA as 15 seconds too large.
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NGC 6463 = MCG +11-21-022 = CGCG 321-037 = CGCG 322-007 = WBL 645-003 = PGC 60755
17 43 34.2 +67 36 13; Dra
V = 14.1; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0
24" (8/23/14): fairly faint, round, 24" diameter, very weak concentration. Near the center of a group of faint galaxies with NGC 6472, 6470, 6471, 6477 and PGC 2701716 all within 5'!
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, round, diffuse. Third of seven in NGC 6456 group with NGC 6472 3.2' ENE, NGC 6470 4.0' E and NGC 6471 3.7' ESE. Located 6.0' E of NGC 6456.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6463 = Sw. 4-55, along with NGC 6470, on 9 June 1886, and logged "eeF; S; R; v diff; p of 2 [with NGC 6470]." His position is less than 1' south of CGCG 321-037 = PGC 60755. Swift also found 4 additional nearby galaxies on 25 Sep 1886 - NGC 6456, 6470, 6471 and 6477. Due to the compact size of the group, there is confusion on several of these identifications.
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NGC 6464 = MCG +10-25-087 = CGCG 300-065 = PGC 60818
17 45 47.6 +60 53 51; Dra
V = 14.6; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2
17.5" (7/27/92): very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness. Preceded by an elongated group of 10 stars mag 14-15. A distinctive trapezoid of four mag 11 stars with bases oriented N-S lies between 2' and 6' N. The galaxy is collinear with the shorter east base and is located 3' further south.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6464 = Sw. 1-74 on 18 Sep 1884 and recorded "eeeF; R; pS; ee diff.; south of 4 stars in form of a square." His position is 1.2' too far north and his description of the four stars to the north matches the sky.
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NGC 6465 = ESO 521-002
17 52 55 -25 23 54; Sgr
= 2 double stars, Howe.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6465 = h1988 on 1 Jul 1826 and noted "suspected; small; twilight." At his position is a small group of 5 stars, including two double stars (an additional star is to the southeast). Herbert Howe, observing in 1888-1889 with a 20-inch refractor, reported "search was made for this on two nights. On the first no nebula could be found. On the second, it was discovered that, instead of a nebula, there are simply two doubles of mag 12. In each pair the distance is 4", and the two pairs are 15" apart." Harold Corwin concurs with this identification.
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NGC 6466 = CGCG 278-030 = MCG +09-29-032 = PGC 60883
17 48 08.1 +51 23 57; Dra
V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 111”
24" (7/15/15): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.4'x0.3', brighter stellar nucleus. Nearby are CGCG 278-028 5' NW, UGC 10984 15' SW and NGC 6478 15' SSE. CGCG 278-028 (V = 15.3) appeared faint, small, round, 15" diameter. UGC 10984 is fairly faint, moderately large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, ~40"x30", broad concentration with a brighter core. A mag 11.6 star is 2.8' SSW.
17.5" (6/22/90): faint, very small, slightly elongated, very small bright core. NGC 6478 lies 16' SSE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6466 = Sw. 1-75 on 18 Sep 188. He recorded, "eF; vS; R; bet 2 stars which with 2 others forms a cross like cross in Cygnus. Neb placed as in Gamma Cygni." His position is 27 seconds of RA west of CGCG 278-030 = PGC 60883, though his description is a perfect match with this galaxy. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position on 27 Oct 1897 with the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg though the correction wasn't published until 1907.
Dorothy Carlson (in her 1940 NGC Correction paper) equated NGC 6466 with NGC 6478 (based on Mt Wilson photographs). RC 1, RC 2 and Sky Catalogue 2000 (first edition) all repeat this misidentification. RNGC and CGCG correctly identify NGC 6478. Both Harold Corwin and Malcolm Thomson (in his unpublished "Catalogue Corrections") report this error.
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NGC 6467 = NGC 6468: = UGC 11004 = MCG +03-45-035 = CGCG 112-058 = Holm 772a = LGG 414-001 = PGC 60972
17 50 40.1 +17 32 16; Her
V = 12.5; Size 2.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 77”
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, fairly small, round, low even surface brightness. Located in a rich star field among a group of stars. Unusual appearance as appears similar to an unresolved clump in an open cluster.
Based on redshift, NGC 6467 is part of the NGC 6500/01 group (LGG 414)
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6467 = m 352, along with NGC 6468, on 2 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, vS, lE." His positions for both objects is a good match with UGC 11004 = PGC 60972, the only galaxy at his position. Perhaps he accidentally recorded the same object twice??
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NGC 6468 = NGC 6467: = UGC 11004 = MCG +03-45-035 = CGCG 112-058 = Holm 772a = LGG 414-001 = PGC 60972
17 50 40.1 +17 32 16; Her
V = 12.5; Size 2.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 77”
See observing notes for NGC 6467.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6468 = m 353, along with NGC 6467, on 2 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, S, R." His position is just 1 second of time east of NGC 6467, but there is only a single galaxy here.
Karl Reinmuth identifies NGC 6468 with three mag 13-14.5 stars east of NGC 6467 (separations of 17", 19" and 24"), but these are wide enough to easily resolve. Alternatively, a single mag 14.5 star is 49" southeast of NGC 6468.
As the descriptions for NGC 6467 and 6468 are similar, perhaps Marth accidentally recorded this galaxy twice. RNGC equates the two NGC designations and Corwin tentatively agrees as there is no other compelling nearby candidate.
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NGC 6469 = Cr 353 = Mel 182 = Lund 788
17 53 12 -22 16 30; Sgr
Size 12'
24" (7/23/20): at 200x; large scattered group of ~125 stars with no distinct borders in a 12' circle. At 375x, the total is easily over 200 stars. The densest region is a 3.5' patch on the SW side. At its west edge is a mag 10.7 star with a 7" pair (ARA 1826) of mag 12.4/12.8 stars just 20" E. Both of these stars are close pairs. On the S edge of the patch is a 13" pair (ARA 1827) of mag 12/13 stars. In addition to a few more brighter stars, the patch contains a large number of very faint stars.
A string of stars oriented WNW-ESE extends out the SE side of the cluster, including two wide pairs (the western one is HJ 4990 = 10/11 at 23"). A few scattered mag 10-12 stars are on the E end of the cluster. A mag 10.3 star is at the NW edge of the cluster, and 1' to its NW is a faint clump of 5 stars.
The planetary M 1-31 is at the SW edge of the cluster, 5' SW of the ARA 1826 pair. At 225x it appeared stellar at mag ~14.5 with a couple of very faint stars close SW. Good contrast gain using a UHC filter. Non-stellar at 375x and 450x, perhaps 5" diameter.
17.5" (8/27/92): 75 stars in a 15'x10' scattered region. Bordered by two brighter rows of stars oriented SSW-NNE and WNW-ESE that intersect at a mag 10 star in the west corner of the cluster. A close faint double star is just east. At the end of the ESE string is a wide double star (HJ 4990 = 9.5/11 at 23"). Between the two strings the cluster extends north forming a triangular outline and consists mainly of mag 13 stars except for three mag 10-11 stars at the east boundary. The planetary nebula M1-31 is located near the west edge of NGC 6469!
At 105x with an OIII filter, M 1-31 appeared as a faint but easy stellar object, estimate V = 14.5-14.8. It was just visible unfiltered and the filter provided an excellent contrast gain.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6469 = h3711 on 27 Jun 1837 and recorded "a pretty rich insulated milky way cluster; place of a coarse double star in it. The milky way hereabouts is very poor."
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NGC 6470 = UGC 10974 = MCG +11-21-025 = CGCG 321-039 = CGCG 322-009 = Kaz 159 = WBL 645-005 = PGC 60778
17 44 14.8 +67 37 10; Dra
V = 14.2; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 159”
24" (8/23/14): at 375x appeared faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 24"x18", small bright core. A mag 14 star is 0.7' NE. Brightest in a rich knot of galaxies with NGC 6471 = UGC 10973 1.6' SSW and NGC 6472 = PGC 2703230 1.3' NW and NGC 6477 = PGC 2702901 1.5' SE.
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, small bright core. A mag 14 star is off the NE edge 0.7' from center. Member of the NGC 6456 group with NGC 6472 1.3' NW, NGC 6471 1.6' S, NGC 6477 1.5' SE and NGC 6463 4.0' W.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6470 = Sw. 4-56, along with NGC 6456, on 9 Jun 1886 and logged "eeeF; vS; R; ee dif; f of 2 [with NGC 6456]. His position is 4 tsec W and 0.4' south (41" southwest) of UGC 10974. Although several other galaxies are very nearby, including UGC 10973 just 1' south of his position, UGC 10974 is the brightest one and the mostly likely to have picked up by Swift. On 25 Sep he went through the cluster again and picked up several fainter galaxies, whose identities are not well determined.
RNGC, UGC, CGCG and MCG misidentify UGC 10973 as NGC 6470. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for NGC 6456.
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NGC 6471 = (R)NGC 6470 = UGC 10973a = MCG +11-21-023 = CGCG 321-038w = CGCG 322-008w = WBL 645-004 = PGC 60773
17 44 13.0 +67 35 35; Dra
V = 14.6; Size 1.3'x0.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 173”
24" (8/23/14): extremely faint or very faint, small, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 20"x6". Located 1.6' S of brighter NGC 6470 and 3.7' ESE of NGC 6463.
17.5" (6/11/88): extremely faint and small, round. Forms a double system with UGC 10973b 30" ESE (possibly seen as a faint mag 15 "star") in the NGC 6456 group. In a tight quartet with NGC 6470 1.6' N and NGC 6472 2.4' NNW. Also nearby is NGC 6463 3.7' W.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6471 = Sw. 5-78, along with NGC 6456, 6472 and 6477, on 25 Sep 1886. His description simply mentions how faint and difficult the observation was and that NGC 6471 was the "4th of 6". His position is very close southeast of UGC 10973, a thin edge-on.
UGC 10973 is misidentified as NGC 6470 in RNGC, UGC, CGCG, MCG. PGC labels it NGC 6470 = NGC 6471, but NGC 6470 is a separate brighter galaxy 1.6' north. The RNGC and CGCG misidentify MCG +11-21-024, a compact galaxy just off the east edge of NGC 6471, as NGC 6471. See Corwin's identification notes for NGC 6456.
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NGC 6472 = (R)NGC 6477 = PGC 2703230
17 44 03.0 +67 37 49; Dra
V = 15.0; Size 0.6'x0.35'; PA = 10”
24" (8/23/14): very faint, very small, round, 12" diameter. A mag 17.0 star (based on SDSS photometry) was occasionally glimpsed 30" E. Located 1.3' NW of NGC 6470.
17.5" (6/11/88): extremely faint and small, round. In a crowded region of NGC 6456 group with NGC 6470 1.3' ESE, NGC 6471 2.4' SSE and NGC 6463 3.2' SW. Misidentified as NGC 6477 in the RNGC.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6472 = Sw. 5-79, along with NGC 6456, 6471 and 6477, on 25 Sept 1886. His description simply comments on how faint and small this galaxy appeared. He notes this is the "5th of 6" in the group, and the declination is the furthest north. His position is 7 sec of RA east and 1' north of PGC 2703230 (the furthest north), though this galaxy precedes both the candidates for NGC 6470 and 6471. Still, the most reasonable assignment is NGC 6472 = PGC 2703230.
NGC 6472 is mislabeled as NGC 6477 in the RNGC. Furthermore, NGC 6470 = UGC 10974 (discovered by Swift earlier on 9 Jun 1886) is misidentified as NGC 6472 in RNGC, UGC, CGCG and MCG. See Corwin's notes to NGC 6456 for more.
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NGC 6473
17 46 54 +57 18.5; Dra
= Not found, Gottlieb. Possibly = UGC 10980, Corwin.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6473 = Sw. 4-57, along with NGC 6474 = Sw. 4-58, on 22 Jul 1886 and recorded "eeF; S; R; s of 2." UGC 10989 is the only galaxy close to his two nearly identical positions. A mag 16.5 star is close north of this galaxy and a mag 17.5 star a bit further south, but these are probably too faint for Swift to have picked up. His very detailed description for NGC 6474 clearly establishes its identity with UGC 10989.
Unless he somehow recorded NGC 6474 twice that evening, Harold Corwin mentions UGC 10980 as a possibility (suggested by Jeff Corder). This galaxy is bright enough to be picked up by Swift, though is located nearly 10' west-southwest. I'm skeptical, though, because of the discrepancy in position and because there is no reference to a mag 13.5 star at its west edge. So, I've listed NGC 6473 as "Not Found" here.
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NGC 6474 = UGC 10989 = MCG +10-25-092 = CGCG 300-068 = PGC 60850
17 47 05.5 +57 18 04; Dra
V = 14.0; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 75”
17.5" (7/19/90): very faint, small, slightly elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, small bright core.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6474 = Sw. 4-58 on 22 Jun 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; R; 3 st. in a line nr and 3 others in a line point to it; e diff; n of 2." His position is 12 seconds of RA west of UGC 10989 = PGC 60850 and his description applies. The "3 st. in a line nr" are probably the three equally spaced stars to the southwest in a 3.7' string. The "3 others in a line point to it" refer to three stars to the northeast. See NGC 6473, recorded the same night as the "s of 2", has a nearly identical position. But, there is only a single galaxy here, so Swift made some error. See that number for more.
UGC identifies UGC 10989 as NGC 6473, MCG labels it NGC 6474, and CGCG labels it NGC 6473 = NGC 6474. Since the description of NGC 6474 is more complete and unambiguous, it makes sense to use it as the primary designation.
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NGC 6475 = M7 = ESO 394-9 = Cr 354 = Ptolemy's Cluster
17 53 51 -34 47 36; Sco
V = 3.3; Size 80'
18" (7/21/04): at 92x at least 300 stars are visible in the cluster, though very difficult to count due to the very large size (overfills the 42' field). The more concentrated part of the cluster spans perhaps 30' and includes a dozen stars of mag 7.5 or brighter in the main body. This cluster is much larger and brighter (very prominent naked-eye), but it is much more scattered than M6 and so is less impressive. There are several bright, distinctive strings in the cluster including a N-S string of ~8 stars on the east side of the central region. An equilateral triangle of mag 6, 7 and 8 stars with sides of 3' is on the NW side of the core of the cluster. A clump of 5 stars is near the center including two mag 6 and 7 stars. On the south side of the center of the cluster is an 11' string of 5 mag 5.6 to 7.8 stars oriented SW-NE with the bright mag 5.6 star (HD 16258) on the SW end a distinctive yellow color.
13.1": very bright, very large, impressive but scattered, overfills 52' field. Open cluster H18 lies 45' SE and globular cluster NGC 6453 40' WNW of center. Prominent naked-eye cluster in dark sky. Includes several blue-white and yellowish stars.
8": overfills 40' field, not many faint stars, scattered.
Giovanni Hodierna made the first telescopic observation of M7 = NGC 6475 = Lac II-14 = h3710 in 1654 and resolved the cluster into at least 30 stars. Edmond Halley made an early observation of M7 in 1677 from St. Helena while cataloging southern stars. Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille "discovered" it again on 15 Jun 1752 from the Cape of Good Hope, as he unaware of Hodierna's earlier observation. At a declination of -34.7”, M7 culminates only 6.5” above the horizon from Paris, so Messier's confirmation on 23 May 1764 is impressive. Halley was credited with the discovery in the NGC.
William Herschel only viewed M7 on 30 Jul 1783, using Caroline's 4.2" f/6.4 Sweeper. He noted "about 20 stars" were resolved, which is nothing special, but the cluster was at less than 4” altitude! It was never viewed again during his sweeps using the 18.7" or with other telescopes.
M7 is often referred to as "Ptolemy's Cluster" as it was possibly included in the Almagest as a "nebula following the sting of Scorpius." (found ~138 AD). But David Frew claims that G Scorpii is the object described as nebulous and Ptolemy may have accidentally precessed the position of G Scorpii in Hipparchus' catalogue.
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NGC 6476 = ESO 456-8
17 54 02 -29 08 39; Sgr
18" (8/19/09): at 73x appeared as a very large, bright Milky Way patch that was very elongated N-S, ~20'x6'. A number of faint stars are superimposed, but the unresolved glow really caught my eye first. Near the NE side is mag 9.4 HD 185916 with a faint companion 28" N. The 1.2 degree field is stunning with a very large, elongated dark lane (B259) roughly 25' to the east. A very prominent stream of Milky Way extends through the field in a N-S direction on the east side of B259.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6476 = h3712 on 15 Jul 1836 and simply noted "Nebula. No description. It is probably only nebulous portion of the Milky Way." His RA and Dec are both given as approximate but correspond with a 10th magnitude star at the west edge of a very rich Milky Way field. RNGC classify the number as nonexistent (Type 7) in the RNGC and ESO only includes a placeholder for the NGC number.
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NGC 6477 = 2MASX J17443006+6736380 = PGC 2702901
17 44 30.1 +67 36 38; Dra
Size 0.5'x0.2'
24" (8/23/14): at 375x, extremely faint and small, round, 6" diameter. At moments it appeared essentially stellar (perhaps only the nucleus seen). Located 1.6' SE of NGC 6470 and 1.9' NE of NGC 6471.
17.5" (8/25/95): extremely difficult, perhaps 10" diameter, round. Only detected for moments using averted vision and knowing the exact location. Located 1.6' SE of NGC 6470 = UGC 10974 (misidentified as NGC 6472 in modern catalogues). A mag 14.5 star is just 30" due north.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6477 = Sw. 5-80, along with NGC 6456, 6471 and 6472, on 25 Sept 1886. His description simply comments on how faint and small this galaxy appeared and notes it as the "6th of 6". There is nothing close to his position except for a mag 16.5 star, which is perhaps too faint to have been picked up.
Corwin proposes NGC 6477 may be LEDA 2702901. This galaxy is 15 seconds of RA west and 1.5' south of Swift's position. But is it too faint? I found this galaxy was very marginal object in my 17.5" and even challenging in my 24". So, I'm not convinced at all of this identification and more likely consider it lost. In any case, the RNGC certainly misidentifies NGC 6472 as NGC 6477. This error was included in my RNGC Corrections #3.
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NGC 6478 = UGC 10998 = MCG +09-29-032 = CGCG 278-033 = PGC 60896
17 48 38.4 +51 09 25; Dra
V = 13.3; Size 1.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 37”
24" (7/15/15): moderately bright and large, very elongated 4:1 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.3', brighter core. Appears mottled (perhaps dust) along the major axis. NGC 6466 lies 15' NNW.
17.5" (6/22/90): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 SW-NE. Appears brighter along the major axis with a bright core. NGC 6466 is 16' NNW. Located 23' N of 30 Draconis (V = 5.0).
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6478 = Sw. 3-95 on 30 May 1886 and recorded "pB; S; eE; spindle." His position is 10 seconds west and 1.5' south of UGC 10998 (off by 2.2') and his description applies so the identification is certain. See notes on NGC 6466, which is not identical to this galaxy.
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NGC 6479 = UGC 10996 = CGCG 278-032 = PGC 60890
17 48 21.7 +54 08 56; Dra
V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4
17.5" (5/10/91): faint, fairly small, round, fairly low almost even surface brightness with a very weak concentration. Observation hampered by mag 6.6 SAO 30593 6.5' NE. Collinear with three stars to NNW including two mag 12 stars at 2.9' and 4.3' and a mag 10 star at 7.7'.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6479 = Sw. 1-76 on 20 Apr 1885 and recorded "pS; eF; R; 3 stars north point to it, the north one the brighter." His position is less than 1' northeast of UGC 10996 and his description applies. I'm surprised, though, he made no mention of the mag 6.6 star 6.5' northeast.
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NGC 6480 = ESO 456-13
17 54 26 -30 27 07; Sco
18" (7/2/11): NGC 6480 is a bright, rich, glowing section of the Milky Way that is sharply cut off by LDN 1795 to the east. The dust cloud creates a distinctive "V" shaped wedge to the Milky Way glow pointing east with the vertex in the middle of the dark cloud. There is no termination to the Milky Way star cloud on the west side and no indication of a true cluster. On the south side of the "V", LDN 1795 cuts off the Milky Way to the south (not as dramatic) creating a "zig-zag" border to the Milky Way. The view may be more impressive in the 80mm finder at 25x as the much larger field displays the full dark cloud (roughly 30') as well as dark "finders" and "pools" of dust that intrude into the Milky Way on the north side.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6480 = h3713' on 27 Jun 1837 and recorded "An extraordinary B nebulous portion of the Milky Way, on a black ground vL; an angle taken where there is a *12m". His position corresponds with a mag 12 star at the east edge of a rich Milky Way field outlined on the east side by dark cloud LDN 1795. His sketch (plate V, figure 2) captures the appearance of this object very well.
NGC 6480 follows h3713 in the CGH catalogue, but was not given a separate designation, though JH used the designation h3713' in the GC and h3713 1/2 in his list of figured nebulae. Dreyer dropped the prime in the NGC, leaving two objects (NGC 6480 and 6483) equivalent to h3713.
Joseph Turner searched unsuccessfully for this object on two nights in the fall of 1874 as well as Pietro Baracchi on 3 and 4 Oct 188 using the Great Melbourne Telescope. Perhaps the 14' field of view in the GMT at 234x was too restricted to encompass this object.
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NGC 6481
17 52 48.9 +04 10 04; Oph
= Asterism. =****, Corwin. =**, Dorothy Carlson.
Christian Peters discovered NGC 6481 on 21 Aug 1859 with the 13.5-inch refractor at Hamilton College Observatory in New York. Close to his micrometric position is a line of four stars oriented east-west. Dorothy Carlson classifies this object as a double star and Harold Corwin calls it four stars.
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NGC 6482 = UGC 11009 = MCG +04-42-008 = CGCG 141-017 = PGC 61009
17 51 48.9 +23 04 19; Her
V = 11.4; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 70”
17.5" (7/1/89): fairly bright, small, very bright stellar nucleus (this is a superimposed star 8" from center!), small halo WSW-ENE. Forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with two mag 10 stars 2.4' NW and 2.5' NE.
13.1" (7/6/83): fairly bright, very small, compact, bright stellar nucleus (superimposed star), surrounded by a faint halo with averted. Located in a rich star field.
NGC 6482 is the nearest "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 ³ 2.0 with next brightest group member).
John Herschel discovered NGC 6482 = h1989 on 12 Jul 1830 and recorded "a S, R, very perceptible disc 1" or 1.5" dia, with a vF nebula surrounding it – among many stars 12 and 14m, none of which are so affect. A curious object." His position is accurate and his description reflects the sharp stellar or quasi-stellar nucleus.
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NGC 6483 = ESO 102-020 = AM 1754-634 = LGG 415-002 = PGC 61233
17 59 30.7 -63 40 07; Pav
V = 11.9; Size 1.5'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 122”
25" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 318x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.5'. Contains a bright, roundish core that increases to the center. Situated in a striking star field with a number of bright stars and on a line between a mag 10.0 star 2.3' SW and a mag 9.7 star 1.5' NE. A mag 9.7 star is 6' S and a similar star is 7' N. A mag 8-9 variable star (OW Pavonis) lies 10' WNW.
NGC 6483 forms a close (physical) pair with ESO 102-02A 2.0' SE. The companion is fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 30"x20" (core), broad concentration with no well-defined nucleus. A mag 10 star is 2.7' W (same one as above). PGC 61288, found 14' SE, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 24"x16", broad weak concentration, no distinct zones.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6483 = h3713 on 8 Jun 1836 and recorded "F; S; E; bM; between 2 stars 10m 45” sp and nf (diagram)." His position and description matches ESO 102-020. He missed fainter ESO 102-020A, just 2' SE.
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NGC 6484 = UGC 11010 = MCG +04-42-007 = CGCG 141-019 = Mrk 1118 = KTG 67A = LGG 413-001 = PGC 61008
17 51 47.0 +24 29 00; Her
V = 12.3; Size 1.9'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.5
24" (7/9/13): at 375x appeared bright, fairly large, slightly elongated E-W. Sharply concentrated with a relatively large, intense oval core ~30"x20", that gradually increases to the center. The core is embedded in a fairly large, low surface brightness halo that increases in size with averted to 1.5'x1.2'. MCG +04-42-010 and -011, a 30" pair of faint galaxies, are situated 5.8' NE. MCG +04-42-010 appeared faint, small, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 24"x12", low even surface brightness. MCG +04-42-011, just 30" SE, was extremely to very faint, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, just 10"x5".
24" (6/8/13): at 282x appeared moderately bright to fairly bright, sharply concentrated with a fairly oval core of high surface brightness, ~24"x18", oriented SW-NE. The core is centered within a very low surface brightness halo, ~1.4'x1.0' E-W. Pou 3316, a mag 11.3/12.5 pair at 14", lies 4.2' SW. MCG +04-42-010 and -011, a close pair of faint edge-ons, lies 5.8' ENE; MCG +04-42-010 appeared very faint, small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 18"x8" and the companion -011 is very faint, very small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 12"x6". NGC 6484 is the brightest member of KTG 67 with UGC 11027 at 21' NE and UGC 11029 at 28' E.
17.5" (7/1/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, small bright core, fairly faint stellar nucleus.
Truman Safford discovered NGC 6484 = Sf. 41 = St. 7-19 on 11 Jul 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. douard Stephan observed this galaxy on several nights: 19 Jun 1871, 8 Jul 1874, 17 Jun 1876, 10 Jul 1877 and 22 Jul 1881 (was he aware of Safford's earlier discovery?). He included it in his 7th discovery list (published in 1876). Safford's discovery list wasn't published until 1887 as the NGC was being prepared for print so Stephan was credited with the discovery in the GC Supplement and the NGC.
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NGC 6485 = UGC 11014 = MCG +05-42-004 = CGCG 171-009 = PGC 61013
17 51 52.7 +31 27 45; Her
V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (8/3/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core, diffuse halo. Situated in a rich star field.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6485 = m 354 = St. 2-17 on 27 Jul 1864 and noted "vF, vS, R." douard Stephan observed this galaxy on 6 Jul 1871 (probably already aware from Lassell's publication in 1867). He measured an accurate position on the 15th and reported it as new in his 2nd discovery list (#20). Stephan made a later observation on 18 Jun 1876. Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 6486 = MCG +05-42-006 = CGCG 171-012 = PGC 61033
17 52 35.2 +29 49 05; Her
V = 13.8; Size 0.8'x0.8'
17.5" (8/3/89): faint, small, round, weak concentration. Two mag 14 stars are 0.7' S and 2.1' SE. Forms a pair with NGC 6487 1.9' NE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6486 = St. 11-59 before 28 Jul 1880 (position reduced on this date). Perhaps he discovered NGC 6486 on 7 Jul 1871 when he discovered NGC 6487 or on 21 Jun 1878, when he made observation
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NGC 6487 = UGC 11022 = MCG +05-42-008 = CGCG 171-014 = PGC 61039
17 52 41.9 +29 50 20; Her
V = 11.9; Size 1.9'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5" (8/3/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 6486 1.9' SW.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6487 = St. 11-60 on 7 Jul 1871, though he apparently missed NGC 6486 on this date. His initial position was nearly 2' too far SE. He made a follow up observation on 21 Jun 1878 and reduced an accurate position on 28 Jul 1880 that was published in list 11, #60.
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NGC 6488 = IC 1270 = MCG +10-25-098 = CGCG 300-076 = PGC 60918
17 49 20.8 +62 13 22; Dra
V = 13.8; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Located within a curving lane of 8 mag 11-14 stars oriented NW-SE including three mag 11 stars roughly 2' NW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6488 = Sw. 4-59 = Sw. 5-81 on 1 Sep 1886 and recorded "pF; pS; E; between a pair of stars and a trio of stars in form of a semi-circle." His position was 21 seconds of RA west of CGCG 300-076 = PGC 60918 and his description applies. He found this galaxy again four weeks later and included it in his 5th discovery list, #81, with comment "eeF; S; R; bet. a * and distant triangle." His second position was quite similar (16 seconds too far west) and he later made a correction (errata to list 8) "for distant triangle, read: little triangle." Dreyer combined the two observations into a single NGC designation. This is one of several cases where Swift included the same object on two lists or even the same list. Kobold measured an accurate position in 1899, though the correction wasn't published until 1907.
Harold Corwin concludes that Swift rediscovered this galaxy a third time on 11 Jun 1888 and reported in his 7th discovery list, #93 (later IC 1270) as "eeeF S R; bet. a * and 3 st. slightly curved; np of 6488; eee diff." There is nothing at his position, but NGC 6488 follows by 1 1/2 minutes of RA (same Dec) and his description applies with the 3 stars to the north west and a star (more than 1) to the southeast. Corwin suggests Swift added the comment "np of 6488" when preparing his table for publication based on his earlier position. So, IC 1270 = NGC 6488.
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NGC 6489 = MCG +10-25-099 = CGCG 300-079 = PGC 60928
17 50 01.3 +60 05 32; Dra
V = 15.0; Size 0.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 24”
17.5" (7/27/92): very faint, very small, round, even surface brightness. Located between two mag 10-11 stars oriented WNW-ESE with separation of 2.5'. Also two mag 13.5 stars are 1' WSW. About 5' SE is a faint double star and the eastern component appears nebulous. CGCG 300-078 lies 17' NNW. On the POSS, the eastern component of the double star has a mag 16 companion very close north.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6489 = Sw. 1-77 on 5 Jun 1885 and recorded "eeeF; pL; lE; between 2 stars; ee diff.; coarse double star south." His position is 30 seconds of RA west and 1' south of CGCG 300-079 = PGC 60928 but the description applies, so the identification is certain.
MCG and PGC misidentify PGC 2597969 as NGC 6489. RNGC and CGCG have the correct identification.
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NGC 6490 = UGC 11033 = MCG +03-45-038 = CGCG 112-068 = CGCG 113-002 = PGC 61079
17 54 30.4 +18 22 33; Her
V = 13.5; Size 1.0'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 115”
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright core. Forms a small triangle with a mag 14 star 40" S and a mag 13 star 52" SE of center. Forms a pair with NGC 6495 5.6' SE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6490 = m 355 = St. 2-18, along with NGC 6495, on 11 May 1864 and noted "vF, vS, stellar." douard Stephan observed the galaxy on 7 Jul 1871 (likely already known from Lassell's publication in 1867), though his position was nearly 8' to the N. He measured an accurate position on the 17th and reported it as new in his 2nd discovery list (#18), published in 1871. He made a later observation on 22 Jul 1881. Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC. Emmanuel Esmiol made a typo of 6 minutes in RA in his re-reduction of Stephan's positions, which was published in 1916.
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NGC 6491 = NGC 6493A = UGC 11008 = MCG +10-25-103 = CGCG 300-080 = PGC 60949
17 50 00.6 +61 31 54; Dra
V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 39”
18" (7/27/03): fairly faint, small, round, sharply concentrated with a very small bright core and stellar nucleus. The outer halo has a very low surface brightness and core may be offset within the halo. Brightest of a close trio with NGC 6493 3.1' NE and UGC 11007 4.6' NNW.
17.5" (8/4/94): fairly faint, fairly small, round, even concentration to a small bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with NGC 6493 3.1' ENE. The identifications of NGC 6491 and NGC 6493 are reversed in the RNGC.
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated. NGC 6493 3.1' NE not visible.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6491 = Sw. 1-78 on 13 Jun 1885 and recorded "pF; vvS; vF* in or just in contact with it, np of 2 [with NGC 6493]." The other galaxy mentioned is NGC 6493 = Sw. 1-79, discovered a week earlier (June 5th) and described as "F; vvS; R; planetary; F* v nr; sf of 2". Swift perhaps observed both galaxies on the 13th and tacked on the comments "np of 2" and "sf of 2". His position for NGC 6491 is just 10 seconds of time preceding UGC 11008, though there is no "vF * in or just in contact with it". I'm guessing he saw the sharp stellar nucleus mentioned in my observing notes.
NGC 6493 = Sw. 1-79 is assumed to refer to UGC 11011, a round, face-on Sc situated 3' northeast of NGC 6491. A mag 14 star less than 1' north may be the "F* v nr". But Swift's position (and description) for NGC 6493 places it southeast of NGC 6491, contradicting the orientation in the sky. As a result of this error, the RNGC reversed the identifications of NGC 6491 and NGC 6493, labeling the southwestern of the pair as NGC 6493. This error is mentioned in my RNGC Corrections #3 and Malcolm Thomson's "Corrections of Some Errors Resulting From Conflicting Catalogue Data".
Another possibility, though, is that Swift observed UGC 11008 on both nights and never saw UGC 11011. Perhaps he later assumed his observations referred to different objects and added the comments "np of 2" and "sf of 2" when he submitted his list for publication. In support of this idea, it's reasonable to assume he picked up the brighter, more obvious galaxy on the first night -- that is UGC 110081, certainly not the low surface brightness face-on UGC 11011 to its northeast, which I found "extremely faint" in my 18". Also, his descriptions are similar enough they could easily apply to the same object.
Philip Keenan found NGC 6491 on a Yerkes Observatory plate. It was included in a list of new nebulae in the 1935 paper "Studies of Extra-Galactic Nebulae, Part I: Determination of Magnitudes" (ApJ, 82, 62). He assumed the galaxy to the NE (UGC 11011) was NGC 6493, so labeled NGC 6491 as NGC 6493A and described it as "1.6'x0.7' in PA 39”; Sb." Gerard de Vaucouleurs repeated the designation NGC 6493A in the 1964 "Reference Catalogue of Bright Galaxies" (RC1).
With two NGC numbers and two galaxies it seems reasonable to assign the NGC numbers to the two galaxies in order or RA, but I think it's more likely that NGC 6491 = NGC 6493 = UGC 11008. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate position for NGC 6491 in 1899 (published in 1907).
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NGC 6492 = ESO 102-022 = AM 1757-662 = PGC 61315
18 02 48.4 -66 25 50; Pav
V = 11.5; Size 2.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 75”
25" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 318x): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, ~1.8'x0.9', brighter along the major axis. Situated in a bright star field, along numerous faint stars. A mag 11.2 star is at the east edge, 50" from center, a mag 13.5 star is 1.2' SW and a mag 14.5 star is 40" SE of center. A mag 6.8 yellow-orange star (HD 163880) lies 8' SE, mag 8.4 HD 163544 is 6.8' SW, and two additional mag 10/11 stars are 5' NW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6492 = h3714 on 22 Jul 1835 and recorded "pF; S; pmE; in direction of the parallel; precedes a * 12m, which is all but involved." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6493 = UGC 11011 = MCG +10-25-105 = CGCG 300-084 = PGC 60961
17 50 22.7 +61 33 34; Dra
V = 14.4; Size 1.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.5
18" (7/27/03): extremely faint, fairly small. Appears as a very low surface brightness glow with averted vision. Two mag 14 stars 1' N and 1.3' NE. Located 3' NE of NGC 6491 in a trio with extremely faint UGC 11007 5' NW.
17.5" (8/4/94): extremely faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, very low even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is about 30" off the north edge. Located 3.0' ENE of NGC 6491. Not found on a previous attempt on 6/11/88.
See notes for N6491.
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NGC 6494 = M23 = ESO 589-22 = Cr 356
17 57 05 -18 59 06; Sgr
V = 5.5; Size 27'
18" (8/12/10): stunning bright, rich cluster at 175x with several hundred stars visible in the 35' field with a large number of mag 9-11 stars sprinkled throughout the cluster. Many of the stars are arranged in long chains and loops with a distinctive chain of 5 stars curving NNW to SSE near the center and a longer curve of stars to the southwest. A string of stars heads NW out of the cluster to mag 6.5 HD 163245 outside the field. The stars are fairly evenly distributed with the density gradually thinning towards the edges. Two catalogued double stars are ARA 718 (10.9/12.3 at 5") near the center and ARA 719 (9.8/13.0 at 15") on the SE side. The Milky Way has a bright background glow just west of the cluster.
13.1" (6/29/84): bright, large, rich, appears fully resolved. Very pretty open cluster.
8" (6/29/84): bright, fairly large with long star lanes to the edge of the field.
Charles Messier discovered M23 = NGC 6494 = h1990 on 20 June 1764.
William Herschel observed M23 on 18 Jun 1784 (sweep 230): "A cluster of beautifully scattered large stars, nearly of equal magnitudes; (visible in my finder) it extends much farther from the field of the telescope will take in, and in the finder seems to be a nebula of a lengthened form extending to about half a degree." Another observation was made on 28 May 1786 (sweep 569): "A cluster of very coarsely scattered small stars above 20' diameter, irregularly round, considerably rich."
John Herschel made 3 observations, logging on sweep 269 ( 15 July 1830) "A star 10m in the centre of a beautiful discrete cluster of 60 or 70 stars 10 and 11m and one of 9-10. They run in lines and arches. It is loose and straggling, and the sky around it has a dotted appearance."
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NGC 6495 = UGC 11034 = MCG +03-45-039 = CGCG 112-070 = CGCG 113-004 = PGC 61091
17 54 50.7 +18 19 37; Her
V = 12.2; Size 2.0'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (7/1/89): fairly faint, fairly small, round, increases to a small very bright core, substellar nucleus. Pair with NGC 6490 5.6' NW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6495 = m 356 = St. 2-19, along with NGC 6490, on 11 May 1864 and noted "F, S, R." douard Stephan observed the galaxy on 7 Jul 1871 (likely already known from Lassell's publication in 1867). He measured an accurate position on the 17th and reported it as new in his 2nd discovery list (#19), published in 1871. Stephan made additional observations on 8 Jul 1874, 13 Jul 1877 and 22 Jul 1881. Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 6496 = ESO 279-013
17 59 03.2 -44 16 02; Sco
V = 9.0; Size 6.9'; Surf Br = 0.5
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, low surface brightness globular of 4'-5' diameter. The globular has a loose concentration class with only a little central condensation. About a dozen stars were resolved over the face although some of these may be superimposed foreground stars as the cluster is set in a very dense Milky Way star field. Three of the stars are 12th magnitude with the remainder mag 14-15. The globular straddles the Scorpius/Corona Australis border, ~25' following mag 4.8 yellow HD 163145.
8" (6/19/82): faint, diffuse, two faint stars at edge. Located 24' ENE of mag 4.9 SAO 228562 on the Scorpius-Corona Australis border. This cluster is very far south from Northern California and the altitude was less than 8”.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6496 = D 460 = h3715 on 28 Jun 1826 and reported 7 observations. His summary description reads, "a very faint nebula, extended about 2 1/4' in length, oblique to the equator, with a bright point in each extremity; the northern, I think, is a very small star; but the southern of the two, or the one at the southern extremity, is a small nucleus or condensation of the nebulous matter. This follows 16 Telescopii - Figure 19." His sketch shows the globular elongated NW-SE, which is probably due to several brighter stars. Dunlop's position for D 461 (dated as 28 Jun) is 3 minutes of RA too far east with the same declination, so this might be another observation.
John Herschel noted a possible equivalence with D 460 and D 461 and observed the cluster on two sweeps. On 1 Jun 1834 he logged "Cluster very rich, irregularly round, including to triangular; very gradually little brighter middle, 4' or 5' diam, with many large and small stars in it. Nebulous." Then 2 nights later he swept the area again and reported "a distinctly nebulous insulted group, mE, 2' long, 1.5' broad, many stars of considerable size, mixed."
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NGC 6497 = NGC 6498: = UGC 11020 = MCG +10-25-109 = CGCG 300-087 = PGC 60999
17 51 18.2 +59 28 14; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 113”
17.5" (7/19/90): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, bright core. A mag 14 star is 37" N of center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6497 = Sw. 1-80 on 16 Sep 1884 and recorded "vvF; pS; lE; diff.; close s of middle * of 3 in a line, middle * the fainter; np of 2." His position is 15 seconds of RA west and 1.3' north (or 2.4' northwest) of UGC 11020. This galaxy is just south of a mag 14 star so the identification is certain. NGC 6498 is apparently a duplicate observation just 10 days later (see that number). So, NGC 6497 = NGC 6498 with historical precedence to NGC 6497.
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NGC 6498 = NGC 6497: = UGC 11020 = MCG +10-25-109 = CGCG 300-087 = PGC 60999
17 51 18.2 +59 28 14; Dra
See observing notes for NGC 6497.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6498 = Sw. 1-81 on 26 Sep 1884 and recorded "pF; pS; R; B * nr; F * v[ery] nr; sf of 2." His position is just 14 seconds of RA west of NGC 6497 = Sw. 1-80, which he discovered just 10 days earlier. UGC 11020 is the only galaxy near his position and his description applies (the "B * nr" is probably the mag 11 star 2.3' east and the "F * v nr" is the 14th mag star off the north side). Swift perhaps thought these were different nebulae as NGC 6497 was logged as "vvF", compared to "pF" for NGC 6498. He later added the qualifiers "np of 2" and "sf of 2" as he prepared his first discovery list. By prior discovery, NGC 6497 should be the primary designation. Hermann Kobold's position (measured in 1899 but published in 1907) for NGC 6498 matches NGC 6497. See NGC 6491 and 6493, which may be another situation where he recorded the same galaxy on different nights and later assumed they were different. See Harold Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6499
17 55 20.0 +18 21 35; Her
= **, Carlson.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6499 = m 357 on 11 May 1864 and noted "small double star in nebulosity." Close to his position is a 4" pair of stars, with a third star 25" west. Karl Reinmuth, using a Heidelberg plate, identified NGC 6499 as a "**14 and 15 pf, ? inv in F vs neb?" Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 list of NGC corrections, identifies NGC 6499 as a double star and Harold Corwin concurs.
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NGC 6500 = UGC 11048 = MCG +03-46-003 = CGCG 113-008 = LGG 414-003 = PGC 61123
17 55 59.8 +18 20 18; Her
V = 12.2; Size 2.2'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 50”
14.5" (8/31/21): at 264x; nearly moderately bright, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, at least 40"x30", good concentration. The bright core rises to a nearly stellar peak. A mag 13.4 star is 1.5' NW. Located in a rich star field 6' W of the excellent 2.6" double star STF 2245. Forms a close pair with NGC 6501 2.3' NNE (similar redshift).
Type Ia SN 2021wuf, discovered just a week ago (8/23/21), may be hosted by either galaxy. It was easily visible this night as a 14th mag star just east of the midpoint between NGC 6500 and 6501. A much fainter mag 14.8 star was seen close SE of the supernova.
24" (7/14/18): at 225x; bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, well concentrated with a prominent core and small intense nucleus, much fainter halo. Forms a very striking pair with similar NGC 6501 2.3' NNE. The star field is rich and highlighted by STF 2245, a gorgeous bright pair of mag 7.4/7.5 stars at 2.6" separation, which is situated 5.6' ESE. The double star forms the vertex angle of a thin isosceles triangle with the two galaxies. An extremely low surface brightness galaxy (uncatalogued) was highly suspected just 0.9' N of the double star.
17.5" (7/1/89): moderately bright, fairly small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a pair with similar NGC 6501 2.3' NNE. Located 6.1' WNW of mag 6.6 SAO 103227!
William Herschel discovered NGC 6500 = H. III-957 = St. 12-85, along with NGC 6501, on 29 Jun 1799 (sweep 1090). He noted "Two, both very faint, very small. The place is that of the following one [NGC 6501], the preceding one is about 4' more south and about 5 or 6 seconds of time preceding." His RA was about 25 seconds of time too small and the dec 3' too far south.
douard Stephan observed the pair on 7 Jul 1871, 8 Jul 1874, 18 Jun 1876, 13 Jul 1877, 20 Jun 1878, 21 Jun 1878 and 22 Jul 1881! He reduced an accurate position on 15 Jul 1880 and included it in his 12th discovery list (#85). He added a note, though, that #85 was probably identical to GC 4348 [NGC 6500], but he was uncertain due to Herschel's poor position.
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NGC 6501 = UGC 11049 = MCG +03-46-004 = CGCG 113-009 = LGG 414-004 = PGC 61128
17 56 03.7 +18 22 23; Her
V = 12.0; Size 2.0'x1.8'; Surf Br = 13.3
14.5" (8/31/21): at 264x; nearly moderately bright, irregular round, ~45" diameter, good concentration with a bright core and a stellar nucleus. Forms the northern member of a 2' pair of 12th magnitude galaxies with NGC 6500. The excellent double star STF 2245 (2.6" separation) is 5.5' SE. A supernova (mag ~14.2 SN 2021wuf) was easily seen between NGC 6501 and 6500.
24" (7/14/18): at 225x; bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 N-S, well concentrated with a prominent core and a small intense nucleus. NGC 6501 is the northern member of an excellent, similar pair with NGC 6500 2.3' SSW. The galaxies form the base of a thin isosceles triangle with STF 2245, a superb equal mag (7.4/7.5) double star at 2.6" separation.
17.5" (7/1/89): moderately bright, fairly small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus. Twin of NGC 6500 2.3' SSW. Located 5.6' NW of mag 6.6 SAO 103227.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6501 = H. III-958 = St. 12-86, along with NGC 6500, on 29 Jun 1799 (sweep 1090). See NGC 6500 for description. Stephan made numerous observations of NGC 6500 and 6501.
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NGC 6502 = ESO 103-002 = AM 1759-652 = PGC 61352
18 04 13.7 -65 24 35; Pav
V = 12.6; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 42”
25" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 318x): moderately bright and large, slightly elongated, roughly 1.0'x0.8', gradually increases to a small brighter core and a faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13.7 star is at the west edge [24" from center] and a small string of very faint stars is just off the southeast edge. Floats in a rich star field with a mag 9.5 star 7' SE and a mag 10 star 9' SE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6502 = h3716 on 20 Jun 1835 and noted "the following star (14m) of a vF double * 11m is nebulous. The nebula is excessively faint, but I am sure of its existence. The preceding star is free." On a second observation he logged "vF; 30"; involves 2 or 3 stars." His mean position is on the east side of the halo.
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NGC 6503 = UGC 11012 = MCG +12-17-009 = CGCG 340-019 = PGC 60921
17 49 26.3 +70 08 42; Dra
V = 10.2; Size 7.1'x2.4'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 123”
17.5" (6/11/88): very bright, large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, large brighter core. The surface has a mottled appearance. A mag 13.5 star lies 2.2' NNE of center. Located 3.9' W of mag 9 SAO 8937.
8" (6/5/81): moderately bright, very elongated, high surface brightness. A mag 9 star is 4' E.
Arthur von Auwers discovered NGC 6503 = Au 37 on 22 Jul 1854 with his 2.6" Fraunhofer refractor while a 15-year old student at Gottingen University. He showed the new nebula to his friend Friedrich Winnecke, who was also a student there at the time. Winnecke, using a 9.6-inch Fraunhofer refractor in 1856 in Berlin, described "..a beautiful object; very bright, slightly brighter in the middle and extraordinarily extended from north preceding to south following, 3-4' long, 50" wide." Auwers observed NGC 6503 again on 19 Feb 1862 with the Konigsberg heliometer and wrote "bright 3'-4' long, at most 1' wide; gradually brighter in the middle. There appears to be a faint star in the northern part, which makes the nebula nearly look like a double nebula." Auwers' description was published in his 1862 list of 50 new nebulae.
William Herschel missed NGC 6503, mainly because of the high northern declination which he only searched in his later sweeps, though he did discover NGC 6434, which is about 3” from NGC 6503.
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NGC 6504 = UGC 11053 = MCG +06-39-027 = CGCG 199-029 = PGC 61129
17 56 05.7 +33 12 31; Her
V = 12.5; Size 2.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 94”
14.5" (8/31/21): at 264x fairly faint, extremely thin edge-on 10:1 ~E-W. Dominated by a small but bulging core and a stellar nucleus. The arms are very thin and extend ~1.5 long. Situated just west of the line connecting mag 11 stars 2' SE and 2' NNW.
24" (6/21/20): at 375x; fairly bright, large, very thin edge-on ~8:1 E-W, ~2.0'x0.25'. Contains a bright very elongated core and a nearly stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 2' SE and a slightly fainter star is 2' N. Located 20' SW of mag 6.9 HD 163948.
UGC 11035, located 28' NE, appeared fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.3'. Unusual bowed or banana shape, concave outwards towards the west. The core seems offset towards the northwest side of the central region. Located in a rich star field with a mag 10.5 star 1.3' W.
17.5" (8/3/89): moderately bright, edge-on E-W, sharp concentration, almost stellar nucleus. Situated between a mag 11 star 1.9' N and a mag 10.5 star 2.1' SE of center.
13.1" (6/18/85): fairly faint, small, pretty edge-on WNW-ESE, bright core, thin faint extensions. Located 22' SW of a mag 7 star.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6504 = m 358 on 27 Jul 1864 and noted "F, vmE, suddenly brighter in the middle, 2' l." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6505 = UGC 11026 = MCG +11-22-007 = CGCG 322-018 = PGC 60995
17 51 07.3 +65 31 51; Dra
V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 149”
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, small, round, weakly concentrated, very diffuse halo.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6505 = Sw. 4-60 on 27 Jun 1884 and recorded "eeF; vS; R; bet. 2 pairs of coarse D[ouble] st." His position is 14 seconds of RA east and 1' north of UGC 11026 (1.6' separation). Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 8 Oct 1890.
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NGC 6506 = ESO 521-6
17 59 53 -24 41 00; Sgr
17.5" (8/3/97): at 100x appears as a weak, circular Milky Way enhancement of approximately two dozen mag 13-14.5 stars over an unresolved glow situated in a rich portion of the Milky Way. At 220x, this group is ~6' diameter, although it is not very well detached so the borders are somewhat arbitrary. As many as 50 stars are now visible as a number of mag 15 and fainter stars are resolved. Some unresolved background haze is still evident. Also noticed at 100x was Ru 136, a smaller circular glowing spot ~8' WSW of NGC 6506. At 220x, Ru 136 appeared ~2.5' diameter with about 10 extremely faint stars are resolved over the background glow. It is situated just NW of two mag 10-11 stars.
John Herschel's description for NGC 6506 probably applies to the entire low power Milky Way field and this object is listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.
17.5" (7/20/96): at 220x, the most noticeable grouping is a small cloud of roughly two dozen mag 13-15 stars in a 5' diameter over unresolved background haze. Situated in a fairly rich Milky Way field of mixed stars, so does not stand out.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6506 = h3717 on 29 Jul 1834 and recorded "A very loose but rich cluster, which fills many fields. Stars small." This is a rich region of the Milky Way, though probably not a true cluster.
The position is given here is from Harold Corwin's NGC positions file and is 2' southeast of Herschel's position. Skiff & Luginbuhl recorded 30 stars 11-14 in a 7-8' area although Herschel's description refers to several fields. ESO (521-SC60) classifies this as a questionable cluster and RNGC as nonexistent.
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NGC 6507 = Cr 358 = Lund 797 = OCL-32
17 59 50 -17 27 00; Sgr
Size 7'
17.5" (6/8/91): about 30 stars mag 13-14 in a 7' diameter elongated N-S. Loose appearance with no dense spots. Stars are fairly uniform in brightness. The brightest member is variable WX Sagittarii (9.6-11.3) just west of center.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6507 = H. VIII-53 on 27 Jun 1786 (sweep 576) and recorded "a cluster of scattered small stars; about 8' diam; not very rich. His position is ~3' too far north. The position in the Gosta Lynga catalogue (and other modern sources such as the RNGC) is ~5' too far northwest.
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NGC 6508 = UGC 11023 = MCG +12-17-010 = CGCG 340-021 = PGC 60938
17 49 46.3 +72 01 16; Dra
V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.3
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, small, round, even concentration to a small bright core.
Ernst Hartwig discovered NGC 6508 = Sw. 1-82 on 19 Sep 1883 with the 18-inch Merz refractor at the Strasbourg Observatory and measured an accurate position (AN 2544). He found this galaxy while searching for "Comet Swift" (later NGC 6654), which Swift had announced on 14 Sep as a new comet. Swift responded on 20 Oct (AN 2561) that Hartwig's nebula was new, though he independently discovered on 1 Oct. He was probably both upset with himself and embarrassed he was deceived by the galaxy, adding the disparaging comments, "It would appear from his (Hartwig's) silence that he missed another about 4 minutes east and 1” 20' north, which I found Oct 3 [1883]."
Swift included NGC 6508 in his first list with a discovery date of 17 Jun 1884 and description "vF; S; forms with 3 stars a square." His position was 40 seconds of RA too far east, but the description of the nearby stars, which lie to the north, clinches the identification. Dreyer credited Swift with the discovery in the NGC, though Hartwig made the first observation.
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NGC 6509 = UGC 11075 = MCG +01-46-002 = CGCG 056-006 = LGG 416-003 = PGC 61230
17 59 25.5 +06 17 12; Oph
V = 12.5; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 105”
17.5" (7/19/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 3:2 E-W, weak concentration. A mag 14.5 star is at the east edge 41" from the center. Located 7.9' S of mag 7.1 SAO 122988.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6509 = St. 10-36 on 21 Jun 1870. His unpublished position was 1' E of center. His accurate published position (list 10, #36) was made 9 years later on 20 Jul 1879 with description "eF, pL, irr R, weak concentration."
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NGC 6510 = NGC 6511 = UGC 11051 = MCG +10-25-114 = CGCG 300-092
17 54 39.4 +60 49 05; Dra
V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 30”
See observing notes for NGC 6511.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6510 = Sw. 4-61 on 30 May 1886 and recorded "eeF; pS; lE; e diff.; in vacancy except one vF * nr." His position is 21 seconds of RA west of NGC 6511 = UGC 11051, the only reasonably bright galaxy near his position and his description applies. Swift discovered this galaxy earlier on 9 Oct 1884. His first position was 19 seconds of RA too large, so perhaps he felt these were different objects. In any case, NGC 6510 = NGC 6511 with NGC 6511 the primary designation (due to earlier discovery). Dreyer himself added the query "? = last one" in the summary description for NGC 6511. Bigourdan measured a position for NGC 6510 on 6 Oct 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes), but his position is well off and probably refers to a faint star.
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NGC 6511 = NGC 6510 = UGC 11051 = MCG +10-25-114 = CGCG 300-092 = PGC 61086
17 54 39.4 +60 49 05; Dra
V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 30”
24" (7/21/17): at 375x and 500x; fairly faint, fairly small, irregular shape and changes shape/orientation with averted, slightly brighter core, ~30" diameter. A mag 14 star is 2.6' W. The spiral arm on the east side was not seen with confidence.
LEDA 214647, a 17th magnitude galaxy, lies 2' W and 0.6' E of the mag 14 star. This extremely challenging galaxy popped 3 times in the same position, so the sighting was fairly confident.
17.5" (7/27/92): at 140x appears faint, small, slightly elongated, broad mild concentration with no well-defined nucleus, overall diffuse. Located between mag 8.8 SAO 17685 10.8' SE and mag 8.0 SAO 17673 15.5' NNW.
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, slightly brighter core, diffuse.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6511 = Sw. 1-83 on 9 Oct 1884 and recorded "F; pL; BM; 2 nearest of 3 st in a curve point to it." His position is 19 seconds of RA east of UGC 11051 but his description applies to three stars to the south. Swift probably found this galaxy again on 30 May 1886, entered it in his 4th list as #60 (later NGC 6510). His position in list IV was 21 seconds of RA too far west. So, NGC 6510 is likely NGC 6511. Bigourdan measured an accurate RA on 6 Oct 1890 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 6512 = MCG +10-25-115 = CGCG 300-093 = WBL 650-001= PGC 61089
17 54 50.2 +62 38 42; Dra
V = 13.9; Size 0.7'x0.5'
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. A mag 15 star is at the south edge just 21" from the center. First of three with NGC 6516 3.4' NE and NGC 6521 6.9' ESE. NGC 6521 is the brightest in a group (WBL 650).
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6512 = Sw. 3-96, along with NGC 6516 and 6521, on 27 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His single position is accurate. Lewis Swift independently discovered all three of these galaxies on 28 May 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; vE; np of 2". Swift's RA was 24 seconds too small and the description should read "sp of 2 [with NGC 6516]."
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NGC 6513 = UGC 11078 = MCG +04-42-018 = CGCG 141-038 = PGC 61235
17 59 34.3 +24 53 14; Her
V = 13.3; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 40”
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, very small, round, small bright core. Several bright mag 9-11 stars are in the field including a mag 9 star 4.3' NW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6513 = m 359 = St. 1-8 on 7 Aug 1864 and noted "vF, vS, stellar." douard Stephan discovered it again on 11 Jun 1869 and recorded an unpublished position 5' to the ESE. On 22 Jun 1870 he measured an accurate micrometric position with the description "very small and very faint nucleus of 15th mag." He reported it as new in his first discovery list (#8). Dreyer credited both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) in the NGC.
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NGC 6514 = M20 = B85 = LBN 27 = Cr 360 = Sh 2-30 = Ced 151 = Gum 76 = RCW 147 = Trifid Nebula
18 02 42 -22 58 18; Sgr
V = 6.3; Size 29'x27'
18" (8/12/10): the emission component of M20 was sketched and observed carefully at 175x. At the intersection of the dark lanes is the multiple central star H N 40 with a mag 7.6/10.4 pair at 6" and a tight mag 8.7/10.5 pair at 2.3", with the two pairs are separated by 11". The brighest and ionizing star (HD 164492A) is a massive O7.5-type.
Four lanes (B85) emanate from the bright central hub. A narrow lane starts NW of the multiple star and heads 2.5' due N, where it stops at a mag 10 star. Near the base of this lane another branch heads west to the edge of the nebula. Another lane heads SSE for ~2.5', tapering at the end. A prominent lane shoots 3.5' NE and has a few short branches, including one just NE of the central stars. This lane is bordered by a couple of mag 10.5-11 stars on its south edge. There is an extension at the NE end that bends to the north and exits the main nebulosity and merges with a dusty region just SE the reflection component to the north. A mag 9.4 star is at the north edge of the main emission component. The blue reflection component surrounds mag 7.3 HD 164514 and extends ~6' with an irregular structure.
13.1" (4/24/82 and 7/16/82): bright, fairly large, contains three inky black dark lanes (B85) with sharp edges. Structure is visible along the dark lanes and in the center. The prominent central star is a quadruple (4th star difficult) consisting of a mag 7.6/10.4 pair at 6" and a mag 8.7/10.5 pair at 2.3", the brighter stars separated by 11". The NW lane is wider and fainter than the other two lanes but easily traced. A round, bluish reflection nebula is separated, but very close north. The view improves using a UHC filter.
8" (many dates from 7/3/80 to 7/16/82): the famous rift structure (3 parts) is fairly prominent with a triple star at the center. The NW rift is more subdued. An easily visible reflection nebula is close north.
15x50 IS binoculars: visible as a small, faint glow surrounding a the central "star".
Charles Messier discovered M20 = NGC 6514 = H. IV-41 = H. V-10/11/12 = h1991 = h3718 on 5 June 1764. Messier only noted it as a cluster of stars.
William Herschel first observed M20 on 3 May 1783 with his 9-inch reflector (10-ft f.l.) at 350x: "Two nebulae close together, both resolvable into stars; the preceding however leaves some doubt, though I suppose a higher power and more light would confirm the conjecture." He observed it again with his 18.7-inch on sweep 236 (12 Jul 1784): "Three nebulae, but they seem to join faintly together, forming a kind of triangle; in the middle of which is less nebulous, or perhaps free from nebulosity is a double star of the 2nd or 3rd class. As I intended to revisit this place very soon I passed on, but think more very faint nebulosities are following." He assigned it three catalogue numbers, V. 10, V. 11 and V. 12, not realizing it was M20. His reference star was misidentified (4 Sgr = SAO 186061 instead of 5 Sgr = SAO 186074), so his position was incorrect. Herschel made another observation of the Trifid on 26 May 1786 (sweep 566), but again didn't recognize it as M20 or the same object from sweep 236. Using a different reference star his position was accurate, but it was included in his second catalogue as IV. 41: "A double star with extensive nebulosity, of different intensity; about the double star is a black opening, resembling the nebula in Orion, on a small scale." He was obviously confused with the identification as he called the next object in the sweep (about 25' NE) M20, but his position falls on a group of random stars. The following object logged was M21, which was correctly identified. John Herschel combined the four Herschel designations (V-10, V-11, V-12, IV-41) into a single GC entry (4355). Harold Corwin notes that Herschel made the same error with NGC 6533.
John Herschel first used the name "Trifid" to describe M20 on 1 Jul 1826 (sweep 30): "vL; trifid, three nebulae with a vacuity in the midst, in which is centrally situated the double star Sh 379, neb = 7' in extent. A most remarkable object." Interestingly neither William or John referred to this object as M20, possibly because of positional confusion or because Messier called it a "star cluster". The equivalence was given in the GC 4355.
In John Herschel's Cape Observations (1847) and "Outlines of Astronomy" (1849) he described "One of the them [several nebulae in Sagittarius] is singularly trifid, consisting of three bright and irregularly formed nebulous masses, graduating away insensibly externally, but coming up to a great intensity of light at their interior edges, where they enclose and surround a sort of three-forked rift, or vacant area, abruptly and uncouthly crooked, and quite void of nebulous light. A bright triple star is situated precisely on the edge of one of these nebulous masses just where the interior vacancy forks out two channels. A fourth nebulous mass spreads like a fan or downy plume from a star at a little distance from the triple nebula."
William Lassell made a detailed study and diagram of the nebula with his 48" reflector at Malta, measuring the positins of numerous superposed stars. He wrote, "Amost remarkable object, consisting of several bright nebulous patches, sprinkled over with many stars of various magnitudes, distinguished by the brightest two forming a conspicuous and unequal double star in the centre of the brightest part of the nebula.
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NGC 6515 = UGC 11071 = MCG +08-33-003 = CGCG 254-004 = PGC 61167
17 57 25.3 +50 43 40; Dra
V = 13.0; Size 1.6'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 10”
17.5" (6/22/90): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, broad concentration, stellar nucleus. Several mag 10-11 stars in field and mag 9.0 SAO 30650 9' W. Located 45' S of Etamin = Gamma Draconis (V = 2.2).
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6515 = Sw. 3-99 on 2 Jul 1884 and recorded "vF; vS; R; 2 B stars near; in finder field with Gamma Draconis." His position is 4 seconds of RA east and 1' N of UGC 11071 (1.1' separation). The "2 B stars near" are two mag 10-10.5 stars 2' and 3' west.
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NGC 6516 = MCG +10-25-118 = CGCG 300-094 = CGCG 301-001 = SBL 650-002 = PGC 61109
17 55 16.8 +62 40 11; Dra
V = 14.8; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 147”
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, extremely small. A mag 15.5 star is at the north edge. Second of three in the NGC 6521 group (WBL 650) with NGC 6512 3.4' SW and NGC 6521 5.0' SE.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6516 = Sw. 3-97, along with NGC 6512 and 6521, on 27 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. Lewis Swift independently discovered all three of these galaxies on 28 May 1886 and recorded NGC 6516 as "eeF; vS; R; pB * nr; sf of 2". Swift's RA is 30 seconds was RA too small and the description should read "nf of 2 [with NGC 6512]."
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NGC 6517
18 01 50.5 -08 57 32; Oph
V = 10.3; Size 4.3'; Surf Br = 3.3
24" (7/30/16): at 260x, moderately bright, round, 2.5'-3' diameter, well concentrated with a brighter, round core that increases to the center. A little lively but no definite resolution. The cluster appeared clumpy at 432x but only a couple of star were at the edge of visibility. At 500x, the nucleus was very clumply several extremely faint stars started to resolve (V tip magnitude = 16.0).
17.5" (6/8/91): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, 2' diameter. The faint halo is slightly elongated SSW-NNE and increases to a small bright core. No resolution at 280x.
8" (5/21/82): faint, small, brighter core, no resolution.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6517 = H. II-199 = h3719 on 16 Jun 1784 (sweep 228) and logged "pB, pL, R, bM, r and the brightness diminishing gradually." John Herschel made two observations, first recording it (sweep 591) as "globular cluster; F; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 90"; r; with left eye I discern the stars in it."
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NGC 6518 = MCG +05-42-024 = CGCG 171-041 = PGC 61238
17 59 43.7 +28 52 00; Her
V = 14.2; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5
17.5" (8/3/89): very faint, extremely small, round. A mag 14 star is just at the west edge. Appears like a close double star with one component "fuzzy". In a rich star field with UGC 11086 and UGC 11090.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6518 = St. 13-87 on 31 Jul 1883. His position was reduced on 18 Jun 1884 with description "2 vF similar stars in vF and vS nebulosity."
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NGC 6519 = ESO 456-41
18 03 20.1 -29 48 15; Sgr
= **. Not found, RNGC and ESO.
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 6519 in Oct 1860 with the 6.2" Plssl refractor at Athens Observatory. The discovery was mentioned in a 1865 paper (AN 65, 261-268) with a micrometric position in AN 70, 343 (1868) that matches a double star.
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NGC 6520 = Cr 361 = Mel 187 = Lund 805
18 03 24 -27 53 12; Sgr
Size 6'
17.5" (7/8/94): striking cluster following the remarkable dark nebula B86. Roughly 75 stars are visible in a 6' diameter. The "Inky" black dark nebula B86 to the east appears to wrap around the cluster like a tentacle along the south side and also appears to wind through a large portion of the cluster. In the cluster's core is a very dense perfectly circular group of about two dozen stars in a 1.5' diameter punctuated with the brightest star at the exact center! Enveloping this core is a dark void except for a few stars that break through to the north. Surrounding this irregular dark annulus is a 6' incomplete oval ring formed by six brighter and several fainter stars.
Located in a rich star field on the northwestern side of the Large Sagittarius Star Cloud, though at a distance of only ~5200 l.y. Globular clusters Djorgovski 2 lies 21' WNW and NGC 6540 is 37' ENE!
William Herschel discovered NGC 6520 = H. VII-7 = h3721 on 24 May 1784 (sweep 224) and recorded "a cluster of stars, chiefly large ones; considerably rich, but rather coarsely scattered; a little more compressed towards the middle. It is visible in my finder." Nearly 4 1/2 minutes earlier, he noted "Daylight very strong", though he continued and observed a few more objects and discovered the globular NGC 6540.. Surprisingly, he missed the nearby prominent dark nebula B86, but certainly the brightening sky would have reduced the contrast.
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NGC 6521 = UGC 11061 = MCG +10-25-119 = CGCG 300-095 = WBL 650-003 = PGC 61121
17 55 48.5 +62 36 44; Dra
V = 12.9; Size 1.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 160”
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, fairly small, large brighter core. Bright wide pair O·· = 7.2/7.7 at 55" is 4' E and detracts from viewing. Brightest in a group (WBL 650 = LDCE 1271) and third of three with NGC 6516 5.0' NW and NGC 6512 6.9' WNW.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6521 = Sw. 3-98, along with NGC 6512 and 6516, on 27 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on 2 nights) is fairly accurate and he measured the bright wide pair of stars are 32.5 and 37.7 seconds following. Lewis Swift independently discovered all three of these galaxies on 28 May 1886 and recorded NGC 6521 as "eF; 2 B st nr foll.". Swift's RA was 30 seconds too far small (same offset as NGC 6516).
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NGC 6522 = ESO 456-043
18 03 35.0 -30 02 05; Sgr
V = 8.5; Size 5.6'; Surf Br = 1.5
17.5" (7/11/99): this globular is the larger and brighter of a fairly faint pair with NGC 6528 in the same field just 16' E. At 220x the halo extended ~2' diameter and contained a very small bright core. A mag 12.5-13 star is embedded in the northeast side. At 280x, the ~25" core appeared offset east of center and the halo was slightly elongated E-W. An unresolved string or bar of stars oriented WNW-ENE (just slightly fainter than the core) appeared to pass through the core . The globular was lively but without distinct resolution. With averted vision the outer haze increased in size to ~3'.
13.1" (6/29/84): moderately bright, mottled. A single brighter 13th mag star is on the ENE side. This is the larger and brighter of a pair of globulars with NGC 6528 15' E in Baade's Window.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6522 = H. I-49 = h3720, along with NGC 6528, on 24 Jun 1784 (sweep 232) and recorded "bright, pretty large, brighter in the middle, resolvable." The clusters culminated at an elevation of only 8.5” from his location.
John Herschel logged this cluster twice from South Africa, first recording on 3 Aug 1834: "Globular cluster; pB; S; R; 80" diameter: resolved into stars 16m." On a later sweep he logged "GC; B; R; gradually very much brighter in the middle; in a nebuloid portion of the milky way; resolved; stars 16...17m."
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NGC 6523 = M8 = NGC 6526 = NGC 6533 = IC 1271= Ced 152a = Sh 2-25 = Gum 72 = RCW 146 = LBN 25 = Lagoon Nebula
18 03 41 -24 22 48; Sgr
V = 5.8; Size 90'x40'
17.5" (numerous dates starting in 1985): extremely bright, detailed nebulosity that nearly fills a 50' field. Extensive fainter nebulosity fills the region to the north and a thin extension is to the east. Cut by a large high contrast dark lane ("Lagoon") oriented SW-NE. The brightest luminary within the nebula is 6th mag 9 Sgr (O-type spectroscopic binary), situated to the west of the dark lane. A mag 7 star is 3' NNE. A very bright 30" nebulous knot ("Hourglass Nebula", ionized by 10th-magnitude Herschel 36 (O7 and O9 components) is situated 3' SW of 9 Sagittarii.
NGC 6530, a bright open cluster, is on the east side of the dark lane. Barnard 89 is a fairly well-defined roundish dark nebula ~6' following NGC 6530. Barnard 88 does not stand out well on the north side of the Lagoon Nebula as the adjacent region also appears to be affected by dust (or weak emission nebulosity) and is not very dark.The Lagoon is a prominent naked-eye object in dark sky. See observing notes for NGC 6530 and IC 1271. The Trifid Nebula (M20) lies 85' NNW.
8" (numerous dates starting 7/3/80): remarkably large and detailed emission nebula and cluster, overfills 100x field. Contains three bright sections with faint extensions to the NE and SE, large northern extension, fluffly texture to fainter outer regions. Structured dust lane ("Lagoon").
John Flamsteed called M8 = Lac III-13 = h3722 a "nebula" around 1680, though Guillaume Le Gentil was perhaps the first to recognize (telescopically) the mix of nebulosity and stars around 1747. Using a small 18- to 20-foot focal length refractor, he noted "a small nebulosity like the tail of a comet with numerous stars." His position was off, though, by more than 1”.
Earlier observers appear to have thought the naked-eye glow resolved into stars in a telescope. When Philippe de Cheseaux reviewed Flamsteed's observation in 1745-46 he concluded the object appeared as a "truly nebulous" star naked-eye but as a star cluster through a telescope. Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille catalogued M8 as a nebulous star (III. 13), based on his observation at the Cape in 1751-52, though with a 1/2-inch telescope he couldn't resolve the object. Messier's 1764 observation mentioned "a cluster of stars that appears to be a nebula when observed with a simple three-foot refractor; with an excellent instrument, however, one sees only a large number of faint stars. Near this cluster there is a fairly bright star [9 Sgr], which is surrounded by a very faint glow."
William Herschel observed M8 on 22 May 1784 (sweep 223) and logged "large, extended, pretty bright, broad. The nebulosity of the milky kind, there are some pB stars in it, but they seem to have no connection with it, being of very different sizes [magnitudes] and colours and resembling the other stars that are everywhere scattered about in this neighborhood. This is probably the star surrounded with nebulosity mentioned by Messier. There is indeed one of the stars which are in the nebula that is somewhat larger [brighter] than the rest and may be the only one he saw." Just 20-25 seconds later he logged another nebula (V-9, later NGC 6526), which refers to the section of M8 southeast of the dust lane, and then the scattered cluster on the east end (NGC 6530), which he assumed was part of M8. To confuse matters further, he observed M8 again two weeks later (12 Jul 1784, sweep 236) but he wasn't able to determine the NPD properly (rough position ~30' too far SSE) and he catalogued M8 again as V-15 (later NGC 6533).
John Herschel produced a beautiful drawing of the nebula with carefully positioned stars (Plate I, fig 1), though Wilhelm Tempel questioned it as differing significantly from his own. Herschel described, "A collection of nebulous folds and matter surrounding and including a number of dark, oval vacancies and, in one place, coming to so great degree of brightness as to offer the appearance of an elongated nucleus. Superimposed upon this nebula and extending in one direction beyond its area, is a fine and rich cluster of scattered stars which seems to have no connection with it as the nebula does not, as in the region of Orion, show any tendency to congregate about the stars."
Agnes M. Clerke first used the nickname "Lagoon Nebula" in her 1890 book "The System of the Stars." Based on John Herschel's description of "a number of oval dark vacancies" in the nebula, she wrote it "might be designated the 'Lagoon' nebula"
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NGC 6524 = UGC 11079 = MCG +08-33-005 = CGCG 254-006 = PGC 61221
17 59 14.9 +45 53 13; Her
V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 155”
17.5" (8/3/89): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, fairly high surface brightness.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6524 = Sw. 5-82 on 22 Oct 1886 and noted "pF; pS; lE." His position was 1.3' too far north. Hermann Kobold measured an accurate micrometric position in 1896 (published in 1907).
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NGC 6525
18 02 04.7 +11 02 17; Oph
Size 10'
17.5" (7/24/95): bright, large, very scattered group. On the west side is the prominent subgroup highlighted by a pair of mag 9.5/10 stars at 32" separation with three other mag 12/13 stars within 1'. There are about two dozen stars total in a 5' rectangular group with the brighter stars scattered around the outline but no dense spots or core. NGC 6525 is likely an asterism and has no distinct borders.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6525 = h1992 on 29 Jul 1829 and recorded "A coarse and poor cluster of L stars." At his position is a small group of stars. Based on a Heidelberg plate, Karl Reinmuth reported "a very loose Cl of pB st, not well defined." RNGC misclassifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7), though the status as a true cluster is uncertain.
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NGC 6526 = M8 = NGC 6523 = Sh 2-28 = LBN 25 = Gum 74
18 04 06 -24 26 30; Sgr
See observing notes for NGC 6523. This is the southeast portion of M8 = Lagoon Nebula.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6526 = H. V-9 on 22 May 1784 (sweep 223). It was recorded just 0.4 minutes after the bright section of M8 surrounding 9 Sgr. He described V-9 as a "large, extended, broad [nebula]; its nebulosity is of the milky kind, but fainter and more uniform, than the preceding; otherwise in situation and shape, it resembles it pretty much. It may be taken into the field with the preceding [M8]."
Dreyer noted in the 1912 revision of Herschel's catalogues the "North Polar Distance in GC and NGC is 1” too small; the error dates from Caroline Herschel's Zone Catalogue. The nebulosity is just following M8 and is = IC 1271 (Swift, VIII)." The corrected position places NGC 6526 to the SE of M8's prominent dust lane. Immediately afterwards the observation, Herschel logged the scattered star cluster NGC 6530 on the east side of M8. So NGC 6526 is just part of M8. Lewis Swift's IC 1271 (VIII) probably applies to a nebulous knot near the end of the "branch" heading east of the main complex, so is not equal to NGC 6526 as Dreyer stated.
RNGC places NGC 6526 at 18 04.8 -23 40 (2000) which corresponds with the center of the large, irregular nebulosity plotted on the Uranometria 2000 about 45' NNE of M8. Sky Catalogue 2000 also lists an erroneous position of 18 02.6 -23 35, repeated was repeated in Roger Sinnott's "NGC 2000.0" update of the NGC/IC in 1988.
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NGC 6527 = UGC 11094 = MCG +03-46-009 = CGCG 113-014 = PGC 61297
18 01 46.3 +19 43 43; Her
V = 13.4; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 150”
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus.
Truman Safford discovered NGC 6527 = Sf. 46 = Sw. 4-64 on 1 Aug 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. and noted "pB, pS, very much brighter in the middle." His position is 2' north of UGC 11094. Lewis Swift independently rediscovered this galaxy on 6 Jun 1886 and recorded "eeF; vS; R." Swift's position was 1.8' too far south. Swift was credited with the discovery in the NGC as Safford's discovery was not announced until 1887, too late to be included in the main NGC table.
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NGC 6528 = ESO 456-048
18 04 49.7 -30 03 22; Sgr
V = 9.5; Size 3.7'; Surf Br = 1.7
17.5" (7/11/99): this is the smaller and fainter of an unusual double pair of globulars with NGC 6522 just 16' W. At 220x, it appears round, ~1.5' in diameter. The brightness gradually increased towards the center but there was no distinct core. The surface brightness was fairly smooth overall and the outer halo was fairly well defined. A mag 13.5 field star is at the SW edge. The surrounding field was noticeably more vacant than around NGC 6522. Both clusters can be placed at the edges of the 14' field of the 7mm Pentax XL. Situated within "Baade's Window" (absorption hole in the Milky Way).
13.1" (6/29/84): fairly faint, small, 2' diameter, not resolved. This is a smaller and fainter version of globular cluster NGC 6522 15' W.
8" (6/19/82): fairly faint, small, easily visible but no resolution.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6528 = H. II-200 = h3723, along with NGC 6522, on 24 Jun 1784 (sweep 232). He described it as "faint, pretty large, unequally bright, resolvable." The clusters culminated at an elevation of only 8.5” from his location.
John Herschel observe the cluster from South Africa on 3 Aug 1834: "globular cluster, B; R; R; gradually little brighter middle; resolved into stars 16m. Both this and I. 49 [NGC 6522] occur on a ground so astonishing rich and stippled over with stars 17m individually discernible, as hardly to admit a pin's point between the stars, and this fills more than the whole field or many fields."
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NGC 6529 = ESO 394-28
18 05 29 -36 17 48; Sgr
= Not found, Corwin. = Concentration of stars, ESO. = No cluster, JS.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6529 = D 569 = h3724 on 3 Sep 1826 and recorded "A pretty large faint nebula, round figure, 5' or 6' diameter, resolvable into very minute stars, with nebula remaining." He lists 2 observations. John Herschel made a single observation on 8 Jun 1837 and recorded "A large milky way patch, much compressed, one portion much more so." His position (to the nearest min of RA and arcmin in Dec) is marked as approximate and falls ~6' SW of Dunlop's. But, there is no recognizable cluster or group of stars that stands out near either position.
ESO classifies this object as a concentration of stars and RNGC calls it nonexistent. Harold Corwin was unable to find a candidate for NGC 6529 (either at the published position or's re-reduced position), so it is classified here as "Not Found".
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NGC 6530 = Cr 362 = ESO 521-021
18 04 31 -24 21 36; Sgr
V = 4.6; Size 15'
17.5" (7/8/94): bright scattered group of 40-50 stars at the east edge of M8 just following the edge of the dark "Lagoon" lane which runs SW-NE. The group forms a rough triangular outline 10'x6' oriented N-S with the longest base along the east side running N-S. The cluster is encased in the fairly bright eastern portion of the M8 nebulosity that passes directly through most of the cluster. Mag 6.8 HD 165052 (O-type spectroscopic binary) is ~9' E of center of the cluster.
8": 30 stars mag 7-13 in a 10' diameter. Bright, moderately large. Located on the east edge of M8!
Giovanni Hodierna discovered NGC 6530 = h3725, the cluster within M8 and catalogued it as II. 6 in his 1654 "De Admirandis Coeli Caracteribus". He mentioned it "encompasses some brighter stars...shows much candescence, elongated in shape...", though it's not clear he observed the nebulosity in M8. Messier described "a cluster of stars that appears to be a nebula when observed with a simple three-foot refractor; with an excellent instrument, however, one sees only a large number of faint stars. Near this cluster there is a fairly bright star [9 Sgr], which is surrounded by a very faint glow."
William Herschel first observed the cluster on 24 Aug 1780 with his 6.2" reflector. He swept it with his 18.7" on 22 May 1784 (sweep 223) and noted "The 8th Amas d'etoiles of the Connoissance des temps follows the above two nebula immediately [two sections of M8 to the W (NGC 6523) and E (NGC 6526) of the dust lane], ...it is indeed so coarsely scattered a cluster of large stars, that it would be difficult to determine its situation." John Herschel recorded on 29 Jul 1834 (sweep 474): "a B, p Rich, irreg R cl; place that of a double * in the following part of the cluster, which is itself involved in the great nebula M8."
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NGC 6531 = M21 = ESO 521-19 = Cr 363
18 04 13 -22 29 24; Sgr
V = 5.9; Size 13'
18" (8/12/10): In the center of the cluster is the brightest member; mag 7.2 HD 164863. This star forms a 30" pair (South 698) with mag 8.7 HD 313693. A third bright star, mag 8.8 HD 164883 lies 1.2' NE of the brightest star and extending in a short line NE are two additional mag 10 and 11 stars. Just north of this central clump is a beautiful ring of a dozen stars mag 9.5-12 stars. ARA 1841, a pair of 12.4/12.7 stars at 8" lies 1.5' WNW of South 698. An incomplete larger ring of stars surrounds the entire group and includes ARA 1841. A total of roughly 50 stars are within 7'.
17.5" (8/10/91): M21 consists of roughly 50 stars in a 5' diameter. Very bright, fairly small although outliers greatly increase the diameter. Includes a wide double star south 698 = 7.9/8.8 at 30". Just north of these stars is a remarkably symmetric ring consisting of a mag 9.5 star and ten mag 12-13 stars. A close mag 14/14 double star is on the west side of the bright double star. Just west is a 10' string of mag 8/9 stars oriented NW-SE including two double stars. M20 lies 45' SW. Easily visible in 15x50 IS binoculars as a small knot.
Charles Messier discovered M21 = NGC 6531 = h1993 on 5 Jun 1764. On 26 May 1786 (sweep 556), William Herschel noted "a rich cluster of large stars." On 28 Jul 1830, John Herschel recorded "A tolerably rich, sc, coarse cl; one star 9m, the rest 10....12." His single position was 6' too far east.
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NGC 6532 = UGC 11085 = MCG +09-29-045 = CGCG 278-042 = PGC 61220
17 59 14.1 +56 13 54; Dra
V = 13.9; Size 1.8'x0.9'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 123”
17.5" (7/19/90): very faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, low even surface brightness. Located 1” SW of Xi Draconis (V = 3.8).
Edward Swift, the 15 year-old son of Lewis, discovered NGC 6532 = Sw. 5-83 on 19 Sep 1886. Lewis recorded "eeF; pS; R; e diff.; in a small vacancy; 3 F stars in line point to it." The position is 25 sec of RA preceding UGC 11085, the only nearby galaxy. His comment "3 F stars in line point to it" probably applies to a string of stars to the west. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 6 Sep 1888 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 6533 = M8 = NGC 6523 = NGC 6526 = IC 1271 = LBN 25
18 03 41 -24 22 48; Sgr
See observing notes for NGC 6523 = M8.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6533 = H. V-13 on 12 Jul 1784 (sweep 236) and recorded "extensive milky nebulosity divided into two parts, the most northern part is the strongest and of more than 15' extent; the southern one is followed by a parcel of stars." This observation applies to M8, but the index board [measuring the north polar distance] "stood on the ground" and the estimated NPD was 30' too far SSE, using the offset star 5 Sgr.
Harold Corwin noticed (personal email on 1 Jun 1996) the same reference star was used by Herschel in his observation of M20 (V-10, V-11 and V-12). His offset again points 30' SSE of M20 indicating the offset star was misidentified and should be 4 Sgr = SAO 186061. Once this correction is made, his position points to the center of M8. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for the full story.
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NGC 6534 = MCG +11-22-013 = CGCG 322-022 = PGC 61126
17 56 08.6 +64 17 01; Dra
V = 14.4; Size 0.8'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 16”
24" (9/1/16): fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter, occasional faint stellar nucleus. Located just 48" of a mag 10.4 star. A 1' pair of mag 10/11 stars is 3.5' NE. Forms a close pair with LEDA 2666218 1.2' S. The companion is faint, small, round, 15" diameter, low even surface brightness.
CGCG 322-010 lies 11' NW. At 220x it appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 15"x10". Contains a faint stellar nucleus surrounded by a faint halo. A mag 11.8 star is 2' S, a mag 14 star is 2' ESE and a mag 13.5 star is 2' NE. CGCG 322-010 fits Swift's published description much better than CGCG 322-022, but is a poorer match in position.
17.5" (8/4/94): very faint, extremely small, round. Located 50" S of a mag 10 star. With direct vision appears stellar, about mag 15. With averted vision a very small halo was visible, perhaps 15" diameter. Located 22' NW of mag 7.7 SAO 17717. On the POSS this galaxy is almost stellar with a very faint ring.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6534 = Sw. 4-63 on 28 Jun 1886 and recorded "eeF; pS; R; in center of a semi-circle of 4 stars." There is nothing at his position, but 70 seconds of RA west and 1.2' south is CGCG 322-022 = PGC 61126, which the RNGC, CGCG and PGC identify as NGC 6534. But this galaxy doesn't fit Swift's description as there is no semi-circle of 4 stars surrounding the galaxy. Furthermore, a mag 10 star is less than 1' north and Swift would have likely mentioned it. Harold Corwin agrees this identification is very uncertain due to the discrepancy with the description and mentions CGCG 322-020 as another candidate. It fits Swift's description (the semicircle is immediately east), but the positional match is poor.
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NGC 6535
18 03 50.6 -00 17 49; Ser
V = 10.6; Size 3.6'; Surf Br = 1.1
24" (7/30/16): at 500x; moderately bright and large, roundish, ~3' diameter, fairly weak concentration with a slightly brighter core. A mag 13 star is on the southwest side of the halo, two mag 13.5 stars on the west side and another near the northwest edge. A half-dozen stars additional stars are resolved in the halo with a few additional around the edges of the halo. A number more scintillate in and out of view, emerging for brief moments in better seeing, ~20-25 total seen in the halo. The core region includes another half-dozen stars with one standing out more prominently.
18" (8/23/03): at 435x, appears fairly faint, ~3' diameter with an irregular outline, and just a weak concentration. A trio of mag 13-13.5 stars is easily resolved on the west edge and the middle star has two close, mag 14.5 and 15.5 companions. With careful viewing about a dozen extremely faint stars sparkled over the central glow, often popping in out of averted vision. At 538x, the cluster barely breaks up into a swarm of extremely faint stars in steady moments.
17.5" (8/10/91): moderately bright, roughly circular, 3' diameter. Three mag 13 stars and a mag 14 star are almost on a line oriented N-S on the west edge. Very mottled and granular appearance with an irregular outline. Can just steadily resolve a few very faint stars and another half a dozen extremely faint stars pop in and out of view over the core. Located within a rich star field.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6535 = Au 38 on 24 Aug 1780. It was found with his 6.2-inch reflector while inspecting Flamsteed stars during his second star review. According to Wolfgang Steinicke, he noted "a nebula with stars" near 70 Oph towards Sagittarius. The same night he also observed M8 ("a Nebula not marked in the map full of stars in via Lactea"), before he was aware of Messier's catalogue.
John Russell Hind rediscovered NGC 6535 on 26 Apr 1852 (MN, 12, 208) with a 7-inch Dolland refractor at George Bishop's private observatory in London. He recorded "a nebulous object which does not occur in any of the Catalogues of Nebulae hitherto consulted. It is very small and rather faint, perhaps 1' in diameter and is preceded a few seconds by a very minute hazy-looking star." Hind was credited with the discovery in the NGC. Auwers observed it with the 6-inch Heliometer at Knigsberg Observatory and reported "pF, round, 2' diameter, gradually very slightly bM." douard Stephan also made observations at Marseilles.
Based on photographs with the 30" reflector in 1914-16 at the Helwan Observatory, NGC 6535 was reported as a "small loose cluster of a few bright stars. No nebulosity."
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NGC 6536 = UGC 11077 = MCG +11-22-016 = CGCG 322-025 = PGC 61166
17 57 16.5 +64 56 16; Dra
V = 13.4; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, unconcentrated.
Edward Swift discovered NGC 6536 = Sw. 1-84 on 18 Aug 1884 and recorded "vF; R; pL; 3 stars in form of a triangle near." Lewis Swift's son was 13 years old at the time. The reported RA iwass 10 seconds too large. The triangle probably refers to 3 mag 11 stars to the north.
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NGC 6537 = PK 10+0.1 = PN G010.1+00.7 = ESO 590-1 = Red Spider Nebula
18 05 13.0 -19 50 35; Sgr
V = 11.9; Size 5"
24" (7/11/18): at 225x; very small disc with a warm or ruddy color. Excellent view at 375x; very small, slightly elongated, ~6" diameter. The disc has a very high surface brightness and appears to be surrounded by a very faint thin shell. The PN forms an obtuse isosceles triangle with a mag 11.6 star 1.5' W and a mag 12.6 star 2.4' N.
17.5" (8/17/01): picked up at 220x as a fuzzy mag 12 "star" forming the eastern vertex of an obtuse, isosceles triangle with two similar stars 1.5' W and 2.4' NW. Excellent view at 380x and 500x. Clearly nonstellar at the higher powers, ~5" diameter with a bluish color and occasionally a slightly brighter center.
13.1" (8/17/85): appears mag 12.0 or fainter with OIII filter at 79x. In the field SW of a mag 7 star forming the southern "star" of an arc of three stars.
13.1" (8/11/85): stellar at 166x, estimate mag V = 12.5. Just non-stellar at 220x and clearly nebulous at 360x, about 4" diameter. Appears fainter than computed V magnitude. Located 7' SW of mag 6.8 SAO 161056 and forms the east vertex of an obtuse triangle with two mag 12 stars 1.5' WNW and 2.4' NW.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6537 on 15 Jul 1882 with the 15-inch refractor at the Harvard College Observatory. NGC 6565 was the 5th of 17 planetaries he found using a direct-vision spectroscope attached to the large refractor. He announced the discovery of the first dozen in Sidereal Messenger, Oct 1882 (no descriptions) and in Astronomische Nachrichten 2454, he noted it as "small and bright". His position in Sidereal Messenger was accurate.
Based on Crossley photographs, Curtis (1918) reported NGC 6537 as "a minute disk 5" in diameter, just distinguishable from a star. Round, with clear-cut edges; a slightly condensation at center is suspected, and a very faint ansa in p.a. 25". The huge hourglass-shapes structure visible in deep images that surrounds the central part was missed in the Lick photographs.
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NGC 6538 = UGC 11062 = MCG +12-17-012 = CGCG 340-025 = KAZ 218 = PGC 61072
17 54 17.1 +73 25 27; Dra
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 48”
17.5" (7/9/88): faint, very small, elongated SW-NE, small bright core. Located directly between a mag 14 star 1.2' NW and a mag 15 star 1.0' SE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6538 = Sw. 4-62 on 30 May 1886 and recorded "eF; vS; lE; between 2 eF stars." His position is 25 seconds of RA west and 44" south of UGC 11062 (only 2' separation at this declination) and his description applies (the stars are northwest and southeast). Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 10 Oct 1890.
Swift apparently made the initial discovery several years earlier. On 11 Sep 1883 Swift announced finding a supposed comet (see NGC 6654 for the story). While searching for the comet, Ernst Hartwig discovered NGC 6508. Two other astronomers, Palisa and Lamp, found NGC 6654 and thought it was new. Swift was apparently upset and probably embarrassed with being deceived and tartly replied (AN 107, p273), "It would appear from his (Hartwig's) silence that he missed another about 4 minutes east and 1” 20' north, which I found Oct 3 [1883]." This offset matches NGC 6538, but Swift didn't report it in his discovery lists, until it was rediscovered on 30 May 1886.
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NGC 6539
18 04 49.7 -07 35 09; Ser
V = 9.8; Size 6.9'; Surf Br = 3.1
24" (7/30/16): at 260x; fairly faint, moderately large, round, ~3' diameter, very weak concentration. A brighter mag 12.8 star is just off the northwest edge and a mag 13.5 star is off the southwest edge. The cluster was very lively at 432x and several faint to extremely faint stars were resolved around the edges of the halo including a few easy ones just off the west side. Several very faint to extremely faint stars scintillate over the core and main portion of the halo, popping in and out of view with the seeing, though only a couple of these were consistently visible.
18" (7/19/04): at 225x appears fairly faint, moderately large, round, weakly concentration. The diameter is ~3.5' diameter with averted vision. A few mag 15-15.5 stars are along the west edge of the halo with some brighter mag 13 stars off to the west and NW. At 435x, 3 or 4 mag 15 stars are grouped near the west edge of the halo and a single mag 15.5-16 star is near the center. The edges appear ragged at this magnification.
18" (8/23/03): at 323x appears fairly faint, round, pretty diffuse with only a broad, fairly weak concentration. A mag 12.5 star is off the NW side and a few mag 13 stars are off the SW edge and further off the SE side. A couple of mag 15 stars are resolved between the two brighter stars on the west side. At 435x, the surface brightness was quite mottled and seemed on the verge of resolution but only one or two extremely faint stellar sparkles are intermittently visible.
17.5" (8/10/91): fairly faint, moderately large, 3' diameter, round, diffuse, broad weak concentration. A number of stars are very near including a mag 12.5 star off the NW edge and a fainter mag 13.5 star off the SE edge. In addition, an extremely faint 15th mag star is resolved near the NW edge and a mag 15 star is visible near the center but no other resolution was evident.
8" (6/22/81): faint, moderately large, very diffuse, no resolution. This globular straddles the Serpens/Oph border, 44' NE of Tau Ophiuchi, an excellent 1.5" double star.
Theodor Johann Christian Brorsen discovered NGC 6539 = Au 39 in 1856 (probably Sept) at the Senftenberg Observatory in the present-day Czech Republic, probably using a 9.4-cm comet-seeker. Arthur Auwers observed this globular on 10 Oct 1860 with the Konigsberg 6-inch refractor and reported (in the notes to his 1862 list of new nebulae) that it "looked faint, but pretty well at 65x; it appears to be a faint star group of about 3' diameter, centrally surrounded by numerous stars 12m." (translation by Wolfgang Steinicke). NGC 6539 is one of the brighter southern objects that John Herschel missed.
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NGC 6540 = ESO 456-053 = Cr 364 = Djorgovski 3
18 06 08.6 -27 45 53; Sgr
V = 10.4; Size 1'; Surf Br = 2.0
18" (7/11/07): this very unusual globular is buried within a small asterism and requires careful viewing. At 325x a very distinctive 1.5' string or shallow arc of stars is oriented E-W and contains 6 stars (these are possible cluster members). Within this shallow arc is a 20" knot just east of the midpoint and this knot is probably the core of the globular. The entire string is superimposed on a rich Milky Way background so it was very difficult to determine a diameter for the outer halo.
17.5" (7/10/99): this interesting globular is located nearly midway along a short 1.5' E-W arc of a half dozen or so mag 13-14 stars that are bowed out to the north. The globular is a faint, round, 40" glow, embedded just inside the center of this string which extends beyond the globular to the west and east. At 100x, this string, along with the haze of the cluster creates the impression the globular is quite elongated.
13.1" (9/3/83): very faint, small, rich spot, slightly elongated E-W, mottled but no resolved. Also a group of six faint stars in an arc to the SE. Dark nebula B86 lies 41' W.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6540 = H. II-198 on 24 May 1784 (end of sweep 224) and recorded "pF, crookedly extended easily resolvable nebula; or rather a cluster of very close stars; not large." About six minutes later the sweep ended and he commented "broad daylight".
Guillaume Bigourdan's description mentions a size of 1.5' x 25", elongated E-W, stars mag 13 and fainter containing possible "nebulous material". So, Bigourdan was clearly describing the entire string of stars.
Originally identified as an open cluster, NGC 6540 was reclassified as a globular cluster in 1987 by Djorgovski.
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NGC 6541 = ESO 280-004
18 08 02 -43 43 00; CrA
V = 6.1; Size 13.1'; Surf Br = 0.4
22" (6/28/06 - Hawaii): the view was spectacular at 200x as NGC 6541 was well concentrated with a blazing core and a large halo extending to at least 8'. Roughly 200 stars were resolved, mostly in the halo but even close to the center of the core. Includes a few brighter mag 10.5-11 stars are in the halo on the NE and S side.
11" (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): excellent view at 127x! Well concentrated to a small, intense 1.5' core. The halo extended to roughly 8' and was well-resolved into perhaps 100 stars. A brighter star is at the northeast side of the halo and a couple of brighter stars are at the S and SW edge of the cluster. Prominent in 10x30 IS binoculars.
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this beautiful globular is set in a rich star field and is strongly compressed with a blazing core. At 171x, the halo is ~8' and highly resolved into a couple of hundred stars mag 12 and fainter. A few brighter stars (field?) are mixed in, including mag 11 stars on the east and southwest side of the halo. The stars are densely packed towards the core - another southern showpiece globular!
8" (7/16/82): bright, fairly small, well concentrated to bright core. Mottled halo but no resolution. Located 20' SE of a mag 5 star (HJ 5014 = 5.8/5.8 at 1.8"). Very far south (low elevation) for viewing from Northern California.
Niccolo Cacciatore, an assistant to Giuseppe Piazzi at Palermo, discovered NGC 6541 = D 473 = h3726 on 19 Mar 1826, while searching for Comet C/1825 N1 (Pons) with a small refractor.
James Dunlop independently discovered the globular a few months later on 2 Jun 1826. He made 5 observations and described it as "a very bright round highly condensed nebula, about 3' diameter. I can resolve a considerable portion round the margin, but the compression is so great near the centre, that it would require a very high power, as well as light, to separate the stars; the stars are rather dusky."
John Herschel's first observed it on 1 Jun 1834 (sweep 454) and reported "globular, B, R, e comp, v Fine; diameter of most comp part = 11 seconds of time in RA; stars 15..16m. The scattered stars extend to three times the diameter and die away very gradually." He referenced D 473 but wasn't aware of Cacciatore's earlier observation.
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NGC 6542 = UGC 11092 = MCG +10-25-126 = CGCG 300-103 = CGCG 301-009 = PGC 61239
17 59 38.9 +61 21 33; Dra
V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 98”
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, small, very elongated WNW-ESE, brighter core, faint stellar nucleus. Located 3.9' SE of a mag 10.5 star.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6542 = Sw. 4-65 on 22 Jul 1886 and recorded "eF; S; eE; coarse D[ouble] * sp points to it." His position matches UGC 11092 and his description applies. The coarse double star is 8' southwest.
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NGC 6543 = PK 96+29.1 = PN G096.4+29.9 = Cat's Eye Nebula = Helical Nebula
17 58 33.2 +66 37 59; Dra
V = 8.1; Size 22"x19"
48" (4/1/11): the extremely bright inner section [22"x19"] of the Cat's Eye was a vivid green color at 375x. But besides the bright central star I didn't take notes on the interior structure. A fairly faint (middle) halo was easily visible, extending ~1.4' diameter and dramatically increased the generally observed size. This halo had a well-defined periphery and was slightly elongated N-S or the borders on the east and west sides were very slightly flattened. A very faint star is near the west edge.
Surrounding the middle shell is a much larger and fainter outer halo that extends ~5' in diameter. IC 4677 appeared as a prominent, triangular or wedge-shaped knot with the vertex pointing east, situated 1.8' due west of center near the edge of this outer halo. It appeared much larger than previously seen, ~50"x30", and brighter along a well-defined, straight southern edge. The north side is brightest near the east end at the vertex. A 15th magnitude star lies 45" NE and a mag 9.8 star is 1.2' NW. A second fainter knot in the outer halo is located 2.6' ESE of center, just 30" N of a mag 14.5 star. This knot was only 15"-20" in size and had a low surface brightness.
18" (7/21/04): at 435x, it was fairly clear that there were two shells in the main body of different sizes and orientations creating a complex overlapping appearance. Surrounding the high surface brightness main body was a thin, very faint outer envelope (inner portion of the outer envelope). The central star was visible continuously.
IC 4677 was easily visible at 160x using a UHC filter as a slightly elongated, low surface brightness glow 1.7' W of center of NGC 6543 and 1.5' SE of a mag 11 star which lies 2.7' WNW of NGC 6543. This shock-excited knot in the outer halo was elongated 3:2 SW-NE, roughly 20"x13". At 225x it was barely visible unfiltered, but could be held continuously at this power adding a UHC filter.
18" (6/21/03): remarkable view at 538x. The central star shone steadily in the center of what appeared to be two superimposed shells, offset in orientation by ~90 degrees. Interior filamentary or arc-like structure was highly suspected.
17.5" (several observations from 6/11/88 to 6/23/00): viewed at 280x and 412x; the Cat's Eye nebula appears very bright, fairly small, oval SW-NE, blue-green color. Appears darker (annular) surrounding the mag 11 central star. The prominent visual portion is surrounded by a very faint oval outer envelope (386") which was not seen but includes the bright irregular knot IC 4677 1.7' W of center. NGC 6552 is located 10' following.
IC 4677 was suspected at 220x without filtration close to a mag 15 star located 1' W of the planetary. Using a UHC filter, IC 4677 was clearly visible with averted vision as a very faint elongated patch, ~25"x15" oriented SW-NE. Requires averted for a good view but could hold steadily almost continuously. It was also visible at 140x with an OIII filter and 280x with the UHC, but 220x provided the best view.
13.1" (7/27/84): at 400x appears very bright, oval N-S, blue color, central star visible with averted.
8" (7/27/84): bright, elongated, blue, high surface brightness.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6543 = H. IV-37 on 15 Feb 1786 (sweep 523). He recorded, "very bright, about 35" diameter. A planetary disk, but very ill defined edge; the center of it is rather more luminous than the rest. With long attention a very bright, well defined, round center becomes visible. This seems to be a nebula that connects my former planetary ones with two other sorts; viz with those that are very bright in the middle and suddenly grow more diluted; and with those that have a bright central star, or nucleus and a milky chevelure." His sketch, which shows the central star, is fig. 35 in the 1811 PT publication on the "Construction of the Heavens". This sweep was conducted with the telescope pointing north and below the pole (previously he had swept in the north, but above the pole).
In 1790, Lalande included this object as a 9th magnitude "star" (LL 38303 in his major star catalogue. Giuseppe Bianchi independently rediscovered it on 16 Jun 1839 and announced the discovery an Astronomische Nachrichten letter, apparently unaware of WH's prior discovery (there were many similar cases). Surprisingly, NGC 6543 does not appear in John Herschel's Slough catalogue, which was more accessible and easier to check than WH's catalogues.
Sir William Huggins examined NGC 6543 with a spectroscope on 29 Aug 1864 (the same night he viewed NGC 6572, 6828, 6818, 7009, M57, 7662, 6853). He wrote "On the evening of the 29th of August, 1864, I directed the telescope for the first time to a planetary nebula in Draco [NGC 6543]. The reader may now be able to picture to himself to some extent the feeling of excited suspense, mingled with a degree of awe, with which, after a few moments of hesitation, I put my eye to the spectroscope. Was I not about to look into a secret place of creation? I looked into the spectroscope. No spectrum such as I expected ! A single bright line only!" At first, I suspected some displacement of the prism, and that I was looking at a reflection of the illuminated slit from one of its faces. This thought was scarcely more than momentary; then the true interpretation flashed upon me. The light of the nebula was monochromatic, and so, unlike any other light I had as yet subjected to prismatic examination, could not be extended out to form a complete spectrum." Based on subsequent observations, Huggins showed nebulae had bright [OIII] emission lines, unlike the broad spectrum expected of unresolved stars. He concluded these objects were enormous masses of hot luminous gas or vapour which would never be resolved into stars.
The 1888 paper "Observations of Nebulae at the Lick Observatory" (1888MNRAS..48..388H) included a schematic labeled "Helical Nebula in Draco (Holden)" showing two overlapping ellipses or coils, along with a detailed sketch and description of the nebula. Heber Curtis wrote "We have, therefore, ventured to designate this object as a helical nebula - the first of its class - because its brighter portions unquestionably appear to the eye in a helical and not simply in a spiral form; and also because it seems to us at least probable that the real disposition of the brighter parts in space may be in the form of a helix." Generally, the nickname "Cat's Eye Nebula" is used today (mentioned by Tom Reiland in a 1976 Astronomy article, though probably older).
E.E. Barnard discovered IC 4677, a shock-excited knot in the outer halo of NGC 6543, on 24 Apr 1900 with the 40-inch Yerkes refractor. See Harold Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6544 = ESO 521-028
18 07 20.6 -24 59 50; Sgr
V = 8.2; Size 7'; Surf Br = 2.4
24" (7/30/16): at 260x; bright, moderately large, irregular scraggly halo, ~4'x3' roughly E-W. Well concentrated with a bright irregular core with resolved stars. A mag 11.2 is at the southwest side of the halo, 1.5' from center. Roughly 15-20 stars are resolved in the halo (horizontal branch magnitude Å 15.2), though some of these are likely field stars. At least a half-dozen stars are resolved in the central core including a pair of close brighter stars and a third nearly in line. At 375x at least a dozen stars were resolved over an irregular core region.
17.5" (5/10/91): bright, 4'x3', elongated NW-SE, irregular and scraggly outline, mottled. Located in a rich star field. About six stars are superimposed including two or three mag 13 stars in a tight knot near the center. In addition, several faint stars are resolved at the edges (or nearby field stars). A double star with components mag 11.5/13.5 lies 2' SW.
8" (8/23/84): at 200x, appears moderately bright with two stars are visible at the center and two or three stars are resolved at edges. The appearance is grainy with a brighter core.
8" (7/31/81): fairly faint, small, brighter core, easy but no resolution.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6544 = H. II-197 = h1994 on 22 May 1784 (sweep 223). He described it as "pretty bright, pretty large, irregularly round, resolvable." John Herschel made the single observation "F; L; lE; bM; resolved."
NGC 6544 was noted as probably a globular cluster in the 1921 Helwan Observatory lists, based on photographs taken in 1914-16.
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NGC 6545 = ESO 103-006 = PGC 61551
18 12 14.8 -63 46 34; Pav
V = 13.2; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 151”
25" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 318x): fairly faint or moderately bright, small, round, 24" diameter, contains a small brighter nucleus. The field is rich in faint stars with four mag 13-15 stars in a small quadrilateral close east (sides 30"-50") and a mag 15 star is at the southwest edge. In the field is a mag 9.7 star 4' S and a mag 10 star 6.7' NE. NGC 6545 resides 14' SW of mag 6.5 HD 166251.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6545 = h3727 on 20 Jun 1835 and recorded "eeeF, vvvS, R, 4". This is the smallest nebula I recollect to have seen. Its light is not greater than that of a *14m. A diagram made for security of finding it again. See figure 16, Plate VI." His position is a perfect match with ESO 103-006, though this galaxy is not especially small on the DSS. Perhaps he only noticed a very small brighter nucleus. Joseph Turner also sketched this galaxy with the Great Melbourne Telescope (plate VII, figure 77). RNGC misclassifies this object as nonexistent; "not found, Sulentic".
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NGC 6546 = Cr 365 = ESO 521-029
18 07 23 -23 17 48; Sgr
V = 8.0; Size 13'
17.5" (8/27/92): bright, large, scattered, 10' diameter. Includes three mag 9 stars on the east side, 10 mag 11-12 stars mag and roughly 70 stars total. Between the three mag 9 stars is a very faint, rich group of 15-20 stars. Near the west edge is a faint, very close double. The majority of the cluster stars are fairly evenly distributed with no other dense regions. Situated in a rich Milky Way field.
8" (8/23/84): scattered group of about 40 stars with 20 stars easily visible and three brighter mag 9 stars on the east side, elongated ~E-W. A mag 8 star is in the field to the NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6546 = h3729 on 27 Jun 1837 and noted "the middle of a great and rich cluster in the milky way." The ESO position is about 5' further south.
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NGC 6547 = UGC 11110 = MCG +04-43-001 = CGCG 141-048 = CGCG 142-001 = PGC 61378
18 05 10.0 +25 13 58; Her
V = 13.6; Size 1.3'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 136”
17.5" (7/1/89): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated NW-SE, very small bright core. A well-matched double star is 2' S (12.5/12.5 at 16").
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6547 = m 360 on 7 Aug 1864 and noted "F, vS, E, mbM." His position matches UGC 11110.
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NGC 6548 = UGC 11115 = MCG +03-46-013 = CGCG 113-020 = PGC 61404
18 05 59.1 +18 35 14; Her
V = 11.7; Size 3.0'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.9
17.5" (7/1/89): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated NNW-SSE, sharp concentration with a very bright core dominating a faint halo. Forms a pair with NGC 6549 3.7' SW. The apparent companion lies in the background (3x redshift).
William Herschel discovered NGC 6548 = H. III-555 on 22 Jun 1786 (sweep 574). He noted "considerably faint, small, irregular figure, little elongated, resolvable." His re-reduced position with respect to 101 Her is accurate to within 1'. But Caroline's reduced position (apparently used in the GC and NGC) was 3.5' to the southwest and falls close northwest of NGC 6549. E.E. Barnard swept up NGC 6548 on 29 Jan 1889, and also nearby NGC 6549 on 3 Feb 1889 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory. He correctly identified the pair.
The MCG (+03-46-013) misidentifies NGC 6548 as NGC 6550 and the UGC and CGCG mislabeled it as NGC 6548 = NGC 6550. NGC 6550 is a duplicate of NGC 6549 instead (see that number).
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NGC 6549 = NGC 6550 = UGC 11114 = MCG +03-46-012 = CGCG 113-019 = PGC 61399
18 05 49.5 +18 32 16; Her
V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 53”
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 SW-NE, low even surface brightness. A very faint mag 16 star is involved. Forms a non-physical pair with NGC 6548 3.7' NE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6549 = m 361 on 27 Jul 1864 and noted "vF, pL, iR (near III. 555 [= NGC 6548])." His position matches UGC 11114, a fainter companion to NGC 6548.
douard Stephan found this galaxy on 8 Jul 1877 (possibly aware of Marth's discovery), with a second observation on 24 Jul 1881. He measured an accurate micrometric position on 19 Jul 1882 and included it in his 12th discovery list (#87). He incorrectly stated St. 12-87 was distinct from GC 4377 [NGC 6548] and GCS 5892 [NGC 6549], so Dreyer assigned a second designation, NGC 6550. But there are only two galaxies here, so NGC 6549 = NGC 6550, with discovery priority to Marth. E.E. Barnard swept up NGC 6548 on 29 Jan 1889 and also observed NGC 6549 on 3 Feb, using the 12-inch Lick refractor. MCG incorrectly equates NGC 6548 = NGC 6549.
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NGC 6550 = NGC 6549 = UGC 11114 = MCG +03-46-012 = CGCG 113-019 = PGC 61404
18 05 49.5 +18 32 16; Her
See observing notes for NGC 6549.
douard Stephan found NGC 6550 = St. 12-87 on 8 Jul 1877. His micrometric position (reduced on 19 Jul 1882) is a perfect match with UGC 1111. Albert Marth discovered this galaxy earlier on 27 Jul 1864 and it was catalogued as m 361 (later NGC 6549). In the notes to list 12, Stephan incorrectly stated his #87 was distinct from NGC 6548 and 6549. Desplite his claim, it is clear that NGC 6550 = NGC 6549.
Lewis Swift must have examined the field and realized there were only two galaxies here. In his notes to his large 11th discovery list, he mentions "NGC 6550 = H III 555 [NGC 6548]. 6550 must be struck out." In the IC 2 notes, Dreyer repeated that NGC 6550 is identical to NGC 6548 (from Swift), instead of NGC 6549. This error is repeated in UGC, CGCG, NGC 2000.0 and Deep Sky Field Guide (to the Uranometria Sky Atlas). This error is mentioned in Malcolm Thomson's unpublished "Catalogue Corrections". See Harold Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 6551 = ESO 456-060
18 08 45 -29 34 06; Sgr
= NGC 6528 or NGC 6522?, Corwin. =concentration of stars in Milky Way, ESO.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 6551= LM 1-230 on 7 Jul 1885 and noted "vF, vS, R, rr." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is just 17 seconds west of ESO 456-**60, an asterism of a half-dozen stars within 4'. Herbert Howe, probably found this asterism with his 20-inch at Denver around the turn of the century and remarked "simply a few stars of mag 13." ESO (Lauberts) calls it a "Concentration of stars in Milky Way."
But Harold Corwin, who examined Leavenworth's sketch, notes that it shows a globular cluster-like object between two stars and does not match this asterism. So, the group of scattered stars near his position seen by Howe is very unlikely. Corwin suggests NGC 6528 or perhaps NGC 6522 as candidates, though the nearby stars are not a good match with the sketch.
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NGC 6552 = UGC 11096 = MCG +11-22-018 = CGCG 322-026 = PGC 61252
18 00 07.2 +66 36 54; Dra
V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 105”
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated ~E-W, bright core. Located just 10' E of NGC 6543, the Cat's Eye Nebula! Position is nearly coincident with the North Ecliptic Pole so the RA and Dec are virtually constant over time!
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6552 = Sw. 4-66 on 6 Oct 1866 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen while observing NGC 6543. Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 27 May 1886 and recorded in his 4th discovery paper (#66) as "vF; S; cE; [NGC 6543] in field."
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NGC 6553 = ESO 521-036
18 09 15.6 -25 54 28; Sgr
V = 8.3; Size 6'; Surf Br = 1.9
24" (7/30/16): at 260x, moderately bright and large, ~3' diameter, weak concentration with no well defined core. A mag 11.8 star is on the northwest side of the halo and fainter stars are on the northeast side (pair) and southwest side, bounding the cluster into a somewhat rectangular appearance. At 432x, the cluster was very lively or mottled with a couple of additional resolved stars and others just on the verge of resolution. A few additional stars were resolved around the edges of the halo.
17.5" (6/6/86): grainy, mottled globular with a single bright star at the north edge and four or five additional stars at the edges may also be resolved members. Located in a rich field. The brightest member star is V = 14.7.
8" (7/31/81): fairly bright, moderately large. A single star is at the north edge, elongated or fan-shaped N-S, no resolution.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6553 = H. IV-12 = h3730 on 22 May 1784 (sweep 223). He recorded "pB, L, difficulty resolving; the nebulosity inclining to milkiness. It is unequally bright." Eight minutes later he noted "Daylight very strong. Ended." He observed it again on the next sweep two nights later and recorded "Large, faint, irregularly round with a star north-preceding, to which it seems to be an irregular electric brush, inclining to the milkyness; but possibly the star may have no connection with it. 3 or 4' in diameter." Again the sweep ended less than 7 minutes later with the comment "broad daylight." NGC 6553 is the only globular cluster he placed in his class IV, which included planetary nebula.
John Herschel called this cluster "globular; vF; a little oval; very gradually little brighter middle; barely resolvable; stars 20m; one * 14m; diam in RA = 7.5 sec."
Christian Peters independently found the cluster around 1849 at the Capodimonte Observatory in Naples and claimed it did not appear in any catalogue. Pietro Baracchi observed the cluster on 5 Oct 1885 with the 48" Melbourne telescope and wrote "pB, pL, irr shape, gradually brighter in the middle, a little elongated 150”, 90" long, 60" broad. Resolvable into extremely minute stars. A multitude of small stars in the field."
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NGC 6554 = ESO 590-003
18 08 59 -18 26 06; Sgr
18" (9/3/05): at 115x appears as a large, scattered group of ~100 stars in a 25' x10' region. Most of the brighter stars form a triangular outline with a 15' string of stars oriented NW to SE forming the western leg of the triangle being most evident. A number of faint stars pepper the interior at 225x, though at this power the group filled the field and was not recognizable at all.
This group is likely a random Milky Way asterism although the triangular outline is somewhat detached in the field at low power. Contains a number of mag 10.5-11.5 star although there is no single brighter star. A fairly small triangle of stars including a mag 11 pair at 27" is off the west side.
17.5" (8/12/01): large, very scattered, elongated group at 100x. Roughly three dozen stars are visible in an arbitrary 20'x6' region, extended NW-SE. A close quadruple is at the west side of the NW end. There are no rich concentrations and the group looks just like an random asterism. At 220x, ~50 stars are seen with some faint clumps visible but as the group now fills the field I would not have noticed it at all at this power. The outline is easier to trace along the western flank and around the NW end. An evenly matched mag 12 pair is off the west side but is not within the main group. Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6554 = h1995 on 14 Jul 1830 and recorded "A v coarse and scattered but p rich cluster of L and S stars. Has several double stars in it." A 24" pair of mag 10/12 stars just 1' north of Herschel's position in a Milky Way field. Karl Reinmuth reported "many st in milky way, no distinct Cl" and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7). Harold Corwin notes that although this is likely not a true cluster, Herschel's position and description matches this field.
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NGC 6555 = UGC 11121 = MCG +03-46-015 = CGCG 113-022 = Holm 774a = PGC 61432
18 07 49.3 +17 36 17; Her
V = 12.4; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 110”
17.5" (7/1/89): moderately bright, moderately large, almost round, mild concentration but no sharp core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6555 = H. II-902 on 29 Jun 1799 (sweep 1090). He recorded "faint, pretty large, round, very gradually brighter middle, about 3 1/2' dia." A few minutes earlier he noted that twilight was very strong. His time is 20 seconds too small and declination 1' too far south. Herman Schultz measured a micrometric position at Uppsala (used in the NGC), but it was 40 seconds of time too small, so he probably either made a copying error or misidentified the comparison star. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 16 Jun 1884 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 6556 = ESO 456-61
18 09 57 -27 31 30; Sgr
24" (7/7/13): very bright but patchy Milky Way field, rich in faint stars at 125x (21mm Ethos). Excellent region to scan, although no distinct boundaries or dark clouds to isolate the object, so does not stand out conspicuously. The position, though, was easy to identify as an as a large triangle (sides ~12') with four mag 7-8 stars (including HD 165873, 165708, 165787) is off the southwest side.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6556 = h3732 on 15 Jul 1836 and recorded "Cl VI. An oval patch comprised within limits of the field, barely resolvable into infinitely minute points, but which, without attention, appears as a great nebula 15' l; 12' br; hardly bM." In his survey of NGC objects with the 20-inch refractor at Denver, Herbert Howe wrote "I see nothing in the entire region except thousands of the minutest stars." Dreyer noted "No nebulosity (Howe)" in the IC 2 Notes.
Although there is no cluster per se, Harold Corwin writes that Herschel's position falls in a "complex region of star clouds and obscuring dust clouds near the Galactic Center."
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NGC 6557 = ESO 045-001 = AM 1814-763 = PGC 61770
18 21 24.8 -76 34 59; Oct
V = 13.0; Size 1.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 77”
24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x appeared moderately bright, elongated 3:2 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.7', brighter core. Located 14' E of mag 7.1 HD 15844 and 8.6' W of a 25" pair of mag 10.4/12.5 stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6557 = h3728 on 30 Jun 1835 and logged "vF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 15"." His position in the Cape Catalogue and GC is accurate, but Dreyer made a typo in the NGC and placed this object 50” too far north. The error was caught and corrected in the IC 1 Notes.
RNGC classifies this as an "Unverified Southern Object" (Type 0). it is missing from the ESO-LV, Deep Sky Field Guide and the first edition of the Uranometria 2000.0 Sky Atlas.
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NGC 6558 = ESO 456-062
18 10 18.3 -31 45 49; Sgr
V = 9.8; Size 3.7'; Surf Br = 1.4
17.5" (7/29/92): moderately bright, small, 1.5'-2.0' diameter, irregular outline. Has a fairly smooth halo with a small bright core offset to the north side with a stellar nucleus sometimes visible. Five or six very faint mag 14.5-15 stars are embedded within the halo. Located in a rich star field.
8" (7/31/86): faint, small, round, six faint stars lie to the south.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6558 = h3731 on 3 Aug 1834 and recorded "globular cluster; not vB; R; gradually little brighter middle; 2'; resolved. The stars barely discernible." On sweep 794 (June 1837) he logged "globular; pB; irreg R; gradually much brighter middle; composed of st 16m, on a milky way ground of mixed L and vS stars." This object may be a compact open cluster.
Pietro Baracchi observed the cluster on 5 Oct 1885 with the 48" Melbourne telescope and wrote "pB, pS, round, gradually brighter in the middle, resolvable clluster of very minute stars. A multitude of small stars in the field." It was described as "probably be classed as a globular" in the 1921 Helwan list (based on photos taken in 1914-16).
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NGC 6559 = ESO 521-40 = LBN 28 = Ced 154f = Gum 75
18 09 58 -24 06 36; Sgr
Size 8'x5'
17.5" (7/20/96): at 140x an irregular glow is easily visible surrounding a group of 5 stars and brightest around a 30" pair of mag 9.5/10.5 stars. The 4'x3' nebulosity extends mainly to the west and NW of this pair. Best view probably unfiltered at 140x (nebulosity dims with OIII and similar with UHC), but with a UHC filter a very large hazy nebulosity ~10' diameter stands out to the northwest involving a number of brighter stars.
17.5" (7/17/93): observation made at 100x using an OIII filter: Brightest portion of extensive nebulous complex, most prominent along two converging rows of stars oriented SW-NE and NW-SE. A mag 10 star is located in the second chain. This description appears to describe the large region of nebulosity to the NW of NGC 6559 mentioned in the July '96 observation.
17.5" (6/20/87): 88x with UHC filter: fairly bright, fairly large nebulosity about 5' diameter. Surrounds two mag 11 stars and extending to four or five fainter mag 12/13 stars.
13.1" (7/16/82): fairly faint, curved strip of nebulosity, includes five stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6559 = h1996 = h3733 on 1 Jul 1826 and recorded "several stars affected with nebulosity; the brightest taken." His position corresponds with a mag 8.8 star (brighter of pair) clearly involved with nebulosity. The CGH catalogue lists a similar position and notes "vF; L; oblong; 5' long; 3' broad; place of a D* involved; 6 other st near. Query, if involved."
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NGC 6560 = UGC 11117 = MCG +08-33-019 = CGCG 254-015 = PGC 61381
18 05 14.0 +46 52 53; Her
V = 13.6; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 55”
24" (7/20/17): at 225x and 375x; moderately bright and large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, ~45"x30", broad concentration, small slightly brighter core. There is a strong suggestion of a spiral arm on the southeast side [galaxy is a bit "beefier" on this end], extending a short distance north. Situated 2' SW of a mag 10.4 star (with a companion at ~30") and two 10th magnitude stars lie 5' ESE.
17.5" (8/3/89): faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, low almost even surface brightness.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6560 = Sw. 5-84 on 22 Oct 1886 and recorded "eeF; pS; iR; 5 stars near sf in a line, middle one double." His position is 1' too far northeast and the distinctive string of stars is 4'-5' east-southeast.
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NGC 6561
18 10 30 -16 43 30; Sgr
17.5" (7/27/95): very large, fairly rich Milky Way field, roughly 15'x10' elongated ~N-S. Along the eastern border are four mag 9 stars with a 28" pair at the midpoint of the other two bright stars which are oriented SW-NE at 7' separation. The stars are fairly evenly distributed and includes a large number of mag 12-13 stars with a background of very faint stars at 220x. Unable to determine any specific borders or count the large number of stars but the group stands out reasonably well at 80x.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6561 = H. VIII-54 = h1997 on 27 Jun 1786 (sweep 576) and recorded "a coarsely scattered cluster of considerably L stars. The place is that of a small triangle or treble star." John Herschel observed this group of stars twice, first noting on 2 Aug 1826, "very coarsely straggling and loose, hardly entitled to be called a cluster. The place (roughly taken) is that of 2 or 3 bright stars." RNGC classifies this object as a nonexistent cluster.
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NGC 6562 = MCG +09-29-051 = CGCG 278-046 = CGCG 279-001 = PGC 61376
18 05 00.9 +56 15 47; Dra
V = 13.7; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8
17.5" (7/19/90): faint, very small, round, 0.5' diameter, small bright core. A mag 14 star is about 30" off the SW edge and 51" from center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6562 = Sw. 1-85 on 8 Jun 1885 and logged "F; pS; BM; R; bet 2 st." His position is 10 seconds of RA too large. Howe measured an accurate micrometric position in 1899-00.
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NGC 6563 = PK 358-7.1 = ESO 394-33 = PN G358.5-07.3
18 12 02.5 -33 52 06; Sgr
V = 10.8; Size 50"x37"; PA = 50”
24" (7/11/18): at 200x and NPB filter; bright, moderately large, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~50" diameter, crisp-edged, irregular surface brightness, weakly annular, resides in a rich star field. At 375x the elongation was more evident as well as a noticeably irregular surface brightness with slightly darker interior areas. A faint star is at the SSW edge and one or two extremely faint stars seemed to be superimposed.
18" (7/16/07): at 323x appears as a fairly bright, sharply defined disc, slightly elongated SW-NE and perhaps 48"x40". The disc exhibits a subtle irregularity in surface brightness but there was no evident annularity. A couple of extremely faint stars occasionally sparkled over the disc, though it was difficult to tell if one was situated right at the center.
17.5" (6/28/00): at 280x this moderately bright PN appears elongated 5:4 SW-NE, ~50"x40". The surface brightness is pretty smooth with no sign of a central star. A UHC filter provided a moderate contrast gain. Set is a rich star field.
13.1" (8/17/85): observation at 166x and 220x: fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated ~N-S, no annularity. Prominent using UHC filter, moderate surface brightness. Located in a rich star field 15' ESE of mag 6.2 SAO 209817.
8" (7/16/82): faint, elongated N-S, fairly small.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6563 = h3734 on 7 Jun 1837 and recorded "a L, F, oval, planetary nebula, about 60" long, 50" broad, or 55"; considerably hazy, or rather indistinctly terminated at the borders, but not bM; a star 6-7m precedes it, just 1 diameter of the field and nearly in the parallel." Williamina Fleming classified it as a PN in 1908 or 1909 based on its emission line spectrum.
Glen Clozens has suggested James Dunlop possibly discovered this planetary on 3 Sep 1826 and reported D 606 as a "faint nebula, about 1 1/4' long and 30" or 40" broad, with a considerable brightness near each end and faint in the middle, resembling two small nebulae joined." But his single position is 36' to the NE (off by 25' in both RA and Dec) and generally Dunlop underestimated diameters, not overestimated as would be the case here.
Joseph Turner sketched the planetary on 30 Jul 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope as an oval and "a close double star just touches its south edge."
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported NGC 6565 as "a faint oval 50"x37" in p.a. 50”; stronger regions at the ends of the minor axis give it an indistinct ring or shell effect; it is considerably fainter along, and at the ends of the major axis."
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NGC 6564
18 09 02.4 +17 23 40; Her
= **?, Gottlieb. =***?, Corwin. Not found, RNGC.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6564 = m 362 on 15 May 1864 and noted "eF, vS." There is nothing near his position and no galaxy catalogue has a listing for NGC 6564. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
Harold Corwin suggests NGC 6564 may be a triple star at the position given here, though this is very uncertain as his description is of no help.
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NGC 6565 = PK 3-4.5 = PN G003.5-04.6 = ESO 456-70
18 11 52.4 -28 10 43; Sgr
V = 11.4; Size 10"x8"
17.5" (8/17/01): picked up at 100x as fuzzy mag 12 star. At 500x in good seeing, I had an excellent view of a crisp, slightly elongated 10" disc with an irregular surface brightness. In steadier moments, annularity was evident and there appeared to be a tiny darker hole in the center with a brighter rim but no hint of a central star. NGC 6565 is situated within a rich Sagittarius star field with a few faint stars within 1' and several brighter stars in the field.
13.1" (8/17/85): at 166x and UHC filter; moderately bright, small, round, clearly non-stellar, 10" diameter, high surface brightness. Easy at 360x without filter, appears slightly elongated NW-SE, no central star visible. Similar view on 8/11/85.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6565 = HN 42 on 14 Jul 1880 with the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory. NGC 6565 was the second of 17 planetaries he found using a direct-vision spectroscope attached to the large refractor. He announced the discovery of the first dozen in Sidereal Messenger, Oct 1882. Compared to NGC 6644, which was discovered the next night, NGC 6565 was "somewhat fainter, but with a larger disk" (The Observatory, 1881). Williamina Fleming also classified it as a PN in 1908 or 1909 based on its emission line spectrum on a plate taken at Harvard's Arequipa station in Peru.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported NGC 6565 as "a minute oval ring 10"x8" in p.a. about 5”. Considerably fainter along the major axis, and the center is relatively vacant."
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NGC 6566 = MCG +09-30-001 = CGCG 279-002 = PGC 61418
18 07 00.6 +52 15 37; Dra
V = 14.5; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (7/19/90): very faint, extremely small, round. A mag 15 star is 0.6' W of center and an extremely faint mag 16 star is at the NW edge.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6566 on 27 Oct 1861 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His single position is 1.4' too far north. He mentions a mag 16 star is near. This may be either of the stars mentioned in my observation.
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NGC 6567 = PK 11-0.2 = ESO 590-8 = PN G011.7-00.6
18 13 45.2 -19 04 33; Sgr
V = 10.9; Size 11"x7"
18" (8/14/07): picked up at 94x as a "bloated" blue star of 11th magnitude. Easy to verify with a UHC blink though only a moderate contrast gain. Situated in a beautiful star field on the southwest side of the Small Sagittarius Star Cloud. A very long dark lane (part of Barnard 304) crosses the low power field from SW to NE, passing to the north of the planetary. In the 80mm finder at 25x this lane extends NE and is attached to the prominent dark cloud B92 on its southwest side. At 260x this high surface brightness planetary displays a 10" disc with a 13th magnitude star barely off the east edge.
17.5" (7/8/94): bright very compact planetary at 220x with a mag 13 star at the east edge. Excellent contrast gain with OIII filter. At 280x, a high surface brightness small disc was visible and cleanly resolved from the following star. Has a brighter center but no central star was seen. Located in a very rich Milky Way field on the SW side of the Small Sagittarius Star Cloud (M24).
8" (8/15/82): appears as a mag 11 "star" at 100x. Slightly non-stellar at 200x. A slightly elongated disc N-S is visible at 400x. Forms a close pair with a mag 12 star just east. Situated in a rich star field.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6567 on 18 Aug 1882 using a direct-vision spectroscope with the 15-inch refractor at the Harvard College Observatory. NGC 6567 was the 9th of 17 planetaries he found using this technique. His RA, though, was 1.5 minutes too small. The discovery was announced in AN 2459 and Sidereal Messenger, Oct 1882. Fleming listed this planetary in a table published in 1895 of new "Stars having pecullar spectra" (Type 5 emission spectrum - similar to Wolf-Rayet stars), perhaps missing the earlier discovery.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported NGC 6567 as "an oval dic, growing rapidly brighter toward the center; 8"x5" in p.a. 150” in the shorter and about 11"x7" in the longer exposures. Exceedingly faint ansae are suspected in the prolongation of the major axis, making the total length 20", but these may be very faint stars..."
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NGC 6568 = Cr 369 = ESO 590-006
18 12 44 -21 37 42; Sgr
Size 13'
17.5" (8/1/92): at 82x, 75 stars mag 11-14 in 15'x10' region elongated N-S. Appears as a large enhancement of the Milky Way with no sharp edges. Most stars are at the periphery and the central region is devoid of stars. An irregular outline is formed by winding arcs of stars in a "S" pattern with most stars 13th magnitude. The densest region is a very winding lane along the NW edge.
8" (6/5/81): faint, rich dusting of mag 11-13 stars, forms a nice arc. A mag 5.5 star is 30' SE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6568 = H. VII-30 = h1998 = h3735 on 26 May 1786 (sweep 566) and recorded "a cluster of pS, scattered stars; above 15' diameter." His position is good. From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel called this object a "cluster VIII class; loose; scattered; fills field; is decidedly richer than any part of the milky way that has occurred tonight."
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NGC 6569 = ESO 456-077
18 13 38.8 -31 49 36; Sgr
V = 8.7; Size 5.8'; Surf Br = 1.6
17.5" (5/10/91): fairly bright, fairly small, round, 2.5' diameter, weakly concentrated but no distinct core. The surface brightness is irregular and the cluster is mottled with darker areas on the east side. But there was no definite resolution into stars. Four stars cradle the globular to the southwest and southeast and mag 6.6 SAO 209873 is 9' S.
8" (7/31/81): faint, small, round, no resolution. A mag 7 star is 9' S.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6569 = H. II-201 = D 619 = h3736 on 13 Jul 1784 (sweep 237) and recorded "F, pL, little brighter middle, r." His position (Caroline's reduction) is 9' too far NE. This globular is the second most southerly deep sky object (NGC 1366 is #1) that Herschel discovered and the most southerly globular cluster, taking precession into account. It transited at an elevation of only 6.7”. The first non-stellar object on this sweep was M6, which stood at an altitude of 6.4”.
James Dunlop observed the globular on 2 Jun 1826 and recorded (2 observations) "a pretty well-defined round nebula, about 2' diameter, slight condensation to the centre."
On 3 Aug 1834 (sweep 478), John Herschel described the cluster as "globular; pB; L; R; gradually little brighter middle; 4' diam, resolved into stars 15m." He also noted that on 16 Jul 1836 the cluster was "Found in equatorial [5-inch refractor] in a zone review for double stars, where it appeared as a F, R neb 1' diam."
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NGC 6570 = UGC 11137 = MCG +02-46-008 = CGCG 084-022 = VV 537 = LGG 419-001 = PGC 61512
18 11 07.3 +14 05 34; Oph
V = 12.7; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 30”
17.5" (7/1/89): fairly faint, oval SSW-NNE, fairly small, very weak concentration, rich star field. Bracketed by four mag 13-14 stars.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6570 = m 363, d'A on 2 Jun 1864 and noted "pF, pL, R." His position and description matches UGC 11137. Heinrich d'Arrest independently found NGC 6570 on 23 Aug 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and observed the galaxy on 3 consecutive nights. E.E. Barnard found this galaxy again on 15 Aug 1911 while observing Wolf's periodic comet 1911a. After reducing the position he realized the nebula was Marth's NGC 6570.
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NGC 6571 = MCG +04-43-006 = CGCG 142-010 = PGC 61504
18 10 49.4 +21 14 19; Her
V = 14.3; Size 0.4'x0.4'
17.5" (7/16/88): very faint, small, slightly elongated, broad concentration. First in the large NGC 6579/NGC 6580 group.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6571 = m 364 on 27 Jul 1864 and noted "eF, vS, stell." His position is less than 1' due south of CGCG 142-010 = PGC 61504.
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NGC 6572 = PK 34+11.1 = PN G034.6+11.8 = ·6 = Blue Racquetball Nebula = Emerald Nebula
18 12 06.3 +06 51 13; Oph
V = 8.0; Size 16"x13"
48" (4/4/11): I only took a quick look at this colorful planetary in the 48-inch at the end of the last night when the seeing the poor, but I could tell the very high surface brightness blue/green component was surrounded by much fainter outer halo that appeared slightly pinkish!
24" (9/1/16): at 200x, 375x and 500x; extremely high surface brightness, saturated blue-green disc slightly elongated oval N-S, perhaps 14"x10". A very thin shell appears to encase the disc and occasionally an extremely low surface brightness outer halo appears to extend mostly north and south.
18" (8/2/05): at 225x I noticed an interesting color effect; although the color was a quite prominent bluish-green, while staring at the center the planetary decreased in size and the color changed to a deep emerald green (color vision is strongest with a direct view).
18" (8/14/04): at 225x, strikingly bright emerald green oval, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~15"x12". Increasing to 435x this compact planetary appears elongated 3:2, ~16"x11" and brightens towards the center with direct vision, although the color becomes bluish and washed out. The surface brightness is too high to pick out a central star. There appears to be small, faint envelope encasing the planetary.
18" (7/20/04): at 225x this small planetary is very bright, with an obvious blue-green color. Generally, the color appeared a vivid emerald green and other times there was bluish tint to the color. The main body is only ~8" in size with a thin halo elongated ~SW-NE increasing the size to roughly 15"x11". It appears to have a much larger, very low surface brightness halo, though perhaps this is scattered light as the planetary has such as a high surface brightness. This halo is still evident at 322x, roughly 30" in diameter.
17.5" (6/3/00): at 220x appears as a very bright, small, intense blue oval, ~15"x12". At 280x-500x, a thin outer envelope is obvious with the inner oval a uniform high surface brightness. No central star visible.
14.5" (7/27/22): extremely high surface brightness, compact green PN at 122x, but at 395x it appeared more bluish and was elongated ~3:2 N-S.
13.1" (8/24/84): very bright, small, about 15" diameter, slightly elongated N-S, extremely high surface brightness, blue color. Very faint outer halo is elongated N-S. No central star seen.
8" (7/79): bright, small, very high surface brightness.
Wilhelm Struve discovered NGC 6572 = · 6 = h2000 on 18 Jul 1825 with the 9.6" Fraunhofer refractor at the Dorpat Observatory. It was included in a list of 9 "Nebulae detectae" in an appendix to his main catalogue of double stars, which was published in 1827. According to Wolfgang Steinicke, Bessel earlier measured NGC 6572 in 1822 during his "Zone observations" at Konigsberg, but didn't mention it as being nebulous.
John Herschel first observed this planetary on 9 May 1828 and recorded "a beautiful round, perfectly well defined and brilliant disc, equally a star 8-9 mag. White equably bright. Well seen in broad morning twilight. A * 9-10m follows, 2' dist. The sweeping power shows it as a * of large diameter, which could not escape examination in a good night; with 240 the disc seen as described. It cannot be more than 4" diameter." On 19 Aug 1830, Herschel showed the planetary to Wilhelm Struve at Slough. Auwers made several measurements of the size, including 6.4"x5.3", and Secchi (1856) measured it at 7.5"x7.2" and noted a brighter center. At Birr Castle, the color was described as "very blue".
William Huggins first observed the emission spectrum in 1864 and reported seeing three lines. It was confirmed by Father Angelo Secchi in 1866 (3 lines) and again in 1868 by Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel. He was stationed in Bangalore, India for a trigoometric survey, but performed an early spectroscopic survey of southern nebulae.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported NGC 6572 as "an oval disk, fading out slightly towards edges, 14"x9" in a 5 min exposure and 16"x13" in the long exposure. No structural details visible."
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NGC 6573 = ESO 590-007
18 13 54 -22 09 48; Sgr
Size 12'
24" (7/7/13): at 125x this is a nice 12' field (not a physical cluster) with the stars mostly arranged in three distinct groups. On the west side is an 8' string oriented NW-SE with a clump at the NW end. On the north side is more scattered circular group of a couple dozen stars. Finally on the east side is another elongated group oriented NW-SE with the brighter stars on the SE end. This field is located 25' due west of the rich cluster NGC 6583.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6573 = h1999 on 28 Jul 1830 and reported "A cluster composed of 2 or 3 clusters of very small stars, and loose large ones. Perhaps this is an outlier of V. 31 [NGC 6583]." NGC 6583 lies 2.0 min of RA east of Herschel's position. ESO calls this number NGC 6573 a "Concentration of 5 or 6 stars only".
According to Harold Corwin, Jeff Corder suggested this was a large scattered clump of stars right around Herschel's position, based on an observation with his 17/5-inch. This is the same group of stars described in my observation.
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NGC 6574 = NGC 6610 = UGC 11144 = MCG +02-46-010 = CGCG 084-024 = CGCG 113-026 = PGC 61536
18 11 51.2 +14 58 54; Her
V = 12.0; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 160”
17.5" (7/1/89): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.6', broad concentration. A mag 14 star is involved at the south end 30" from the center.
8" (6/19/82): faint, small, slightly elongated N-S.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6574 = m 365 on 9 Jul 1863 and noted "pB, S, R." His position is accurate. Stephan discovered the galaxy again on 19 Jun 1876 (was he already aware of it?). His position was recorded in his logbook just 1' to the S. But there is nothing at his reduced position in his 7th discovery list, #21 (later NGC 6610), which was published in 1876, due to an error in his offset star. He made additional observations on 31 Jul 1877 and 24 Jul 1881. Esmiol Emmanuel's correction in 1916 establishes NGC 6574 = NGC 6610, with discovery priority to Marth.
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NGC 6575 = UGC 11138 = MCG +05-43-006 = CGCG 172-009 = PGC 61506
18 10 57.6 +31 06 57; Her
V = 12.7; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 65”
24" (9/5/18): at 225x and 375x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~0.6'x0.45', well concentrated with a very bright, very small nucleus. An extremely low surface brightness halo increases the diameter to ~1.0'x0.75'.
IC 1275, a small knot of four faint stars, lies 4' NW. Two mag 14.8 and 15.3 stars separated by 22" were easily resolved and a close mag 16 star was also occasionally visible.
17.5" (8/3/89): fairly faint, fairly small, oval SW-NE, bright core. Forms a pair with IC 1277 9' SW. Located 8.0' S of mag 8.2 SAO 66720.
Truman Safford discovered NGC 6575 = Sf. 33 = St. 12-88 on 7 Jun 1866 and recorded "bN (12m) diam 20"." douard Stephan observed the galaxy on 8 Jul 1874 (perhaps aware of Safford's discovery?). He included it in his 12th discovery (#88), with an accurate position measured on 1 Jul 1880 and description "mB, S, R." Safford's discovery wasn't published until 1887 when the NGC was going to press, so Stephan was credited with the discovery.
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NGC 6576 = CGCG 142-014 = PGC 61530
18 11 48.0 +21 25 42; Her
V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5
17.5" (7/16/88): extremely faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Located 3.3' SW of NGC 6577 in the NGC 6579/6580 group.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6576 = m 366, along with NGC 6577, 6579 and 6580, on 7 Aug 1864 and noted "eF, vS." His position is 1' too far north.
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NGC 6577 = UGC 11148 = MCG +04-43-009 = CGCG 142-017 = PGC 61543
18 12 01.2 +21 27 49; Her
V = 12.6; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.3
17.5" (7/16/88): faint, small, round, small bright core. A mag 14/15 double star is 1' E. Located in the NGC 6579/NGC 6580 group with NGC 6576 3.3' SW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6577 = m 367 = Sf. 30, along with NGC 6576, 6579 and 6580, on 7 Aug 1864 and noted "vF, S." His position is accurate. Truman Safford rediscovered this galaxy on 6 Jun 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. The discovery was not announced until the 1887 Dearborn Observatory publication.
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NGC 6578 = PK 10-1.1 = PN G010.8-01.8 = ESO 590-12
18 16 16.4 -20 27 02; Sgr
V = 12.6; Size 13"x10"
17.5" (8/17/01): Situated within a clump of stars at 100x and appeared stellar at low power. At 500x, a small unevenly lit 4" disc was easily visible close ENE [21"] of a mag 11 star. An extremely faint star is just off the SE edge and an evenly matched 20" pair of mag 11 stars lie 1' SE. Located 7' NW of a mag 7 star.
13.1" (6/18/85): just non-stellar at 220x, estimate V = 13.0, 5" diameter. Suspected nebulous at 144x, confirmed by UHC blinking. Located 7.2' NW of mag 7.1 SAO 186575 (17 Sagittarii?). Forms a close double with a mag 11 star 21" WSW and a pair of mag 11 stars is 1' SE. This PN is plotted incorrectly on the Sky Atlas 2000.0.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6578 on 18 Aug 1882 using a direct-vision spectroscope with the 15-inch refractor at the Harvard College Observatory. NGC 6578 was found on the same night with NGC 6439 and NGC 6567. His RA, though, was 1.5 minutes too small (same error as NGC 6567) and his declination was 10' too far north. The discovery was announced in AN 2459 and Sidereal Messenger, Oct 1882.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported NGC 6578 as "nucleus almost stellar; mag 15. Disk nearly round, 8.5" in diameter; no ansae or structural details discernable."
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NGC 6579 = MCG +04-43-011 = CGCG 142-022 = Holm 775b = WBL 652-007 = PGC 61562
18 12 31.8 +21 25 14; Her
V = 13.7; Size 0.5'x0.5'; Surf Br = 11.9
17.5" (7/16/88): very faint, very small, slightly elongated. A mag 15.5 star is 30" SW (this is a double star on the POSS). Nearly attached at the SW edge of NGC 6580 (34" separation) in a large group.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6579 = m 368, along with NGC 6580, 6576 and 6577, on 7 Aug 1864 and noted "F, Dneb [with NGC 6580]." His position is less than 1' north of CGCG 142-022 = PGC 61562.
CGCG misidentifies CGCG 142-020 as NGC 6579 = NGC 6580. This galaxy is 11' NNE of the NGC 6579/6580 double system.
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NGC 6580 = MCG +04-43-012 = CGCG 142-022 = Holm 775a = PGC 61566
18 12 33.7 +21 25 35; Her
V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 126”
17.5" (7/16/88): faint, small, elongated NW-SE, small bright core, diffuse halo. A mag 12 star is off the north edge. Forms a double system with NGC 6579 off the SW edge 34" from centers. Brightest in the cluster.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6580 = m 369 = Sf. 31, along with NGC 6579, 6576 and 6577, on 7 Aug 1864 and noted "F, Dneb [with NGC 6579]." His position matches CGCG 142-022 = PGC 61566. Truman Safford rediscovered this galaxy on 6 Jun 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. CGCG misidentifies CGCG 142-020 as NGC 6579/6580. This error is mentioned in Malcolm Thomson's unpublished "Catalogue Corrections".
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NGC 6581 = IC 1280 = MCG +04-43-010 = CGCG 142-021 = PGC 61571
18 12 18.4 +25 39 44; Her
V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 56”
17.5" (7/8/89): faint, small, round. A mag 14.5 star is at the NE end and a mag 15 star at the south end. Image confused by these two close faint stars. A wide pair of stars is 12' SW. Located in the UGC 11156 group and incorrectly identified as UGC 11155 in the RNGC.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6581 = St. 1-9 on 30 Jun 1869 with description "barely visible, seems hazy, very small, between two faint stars." His unpublished position was only 1' SSW of CGCG 142-021. But his published position in list 1 (#9) was reduced on 1 Jul 1870 and there is nothing there! Harold Corwin found the coordinates of his 8th magnitude offset star were off by 11 seconds of RA too far east and 30" of dec south. Once that correction is applied, Stephan's position is just 2 seconds of RA too large. This galaxy has a mag 14 star at the northeast end and a mag 15 star at the south end, matching Stephan's description. Esmiol made an error in his 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions, picking the wrong offset star.
Bigourdan independently found this galaxy on 1 Jul 1886 while searching for NGC 6581 and listed it as Big. 222 in his fifth Comptes Rendus list. Dreyer recatalogued the galaxy as IC 1280, so NGC 6581 = IC 1280. MCG, CGCG and UGC label this galaxy IC 1280. RNGC misidentifies UGC 11155 as NGC 6581. UGC 11155 is 13' south of the (erroneous) NGC position. This error was listed in my RNGC Corrections list #4. Malcolm Thomson also discusses the identification of NGC 6581 and IC 1280 in his unpublished "Catalogue Corrections" and as well as Harold Corwin in his NGC/IC identification notes.
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NGC 6582 = UGC 11146 = MCG +08-33-029 = MCG +08-33-030 = CGCG 254-023 = VV 818 = PGC 61510 = PGC 61513
18 11 05.2 +49 54 33; Her
V = 13.5/14.3; Size 0.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.0
14.5" (8/31/21): at 264x; the brighter eastern member of the NGC 6582 pair (33" between centers) was faint, fairly small, round, 25"-30" diameter. The western galaxy took some effort and was quite faint, small, round, 0.3' diameter. The pair is very close but just separated.
24" (7/28/16): at 260x; the brighter eastern member (MCG +08-33-030) of the NGC 6582 pair appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 30", fairly sharp concentration with a small bright core. The western member of the pair (MCG +08-33-029) appeared faint to fairly faint, very small, round. Contains a very small bright nucleus and a faint 15" halo. The centers of the two galaxies are separated by 33" WNW-ESE and the halos are just separated. NGC 6582 is the brightest in a group of galaxies at roughly 700 million l.y.
MCG +08-33-026, located 6' W, appeared fairly faint, small, round, 15" diameter, weak concentration to the center. A mag 15.0 star is off the NW side [27" from center]. This galaxy is often misidentified as NGC 6582. UGC 11149, 3' SE, is faint, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, ~20"x15", very small slightly brighter nucleus. A group of 5 stars is close south and east with a mag 11.5 star 1.5' E. MCG +08-33-023, 13' WNW, is faint to fairly faint, fairly small, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration.
17.5" (7/22/01): the eastern component of this double system is faint, fairly small, round, ~30" diameter. Just off the northwest end is MCG +08-33-029, a fainter companion that was cleanly resolved in good seeing. It appeared very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 0.3'x0.2'. CGCG 254-021 (often misidentified as NGC 6582), located 6' W, appeared very faint, extremely small, round, 10" diameter. A mag 15 star is close northwest [28" between centers]
17.5" (8/3/89): this is the following member of a double system. Faint, small, round, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus. A companion is very close west just 33" separation between centers and appears very faint, small, round, low surface brightness.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6582 = Sw. 4-67 on 24 Jul 1884 and recorded "eeF; pS; R; in vacancy, between 6 stars like sickle in Leo, and 4 like alpha, beta, gamma and delta Ursae Majoris." His position is 14 seconds of RA west of the double system UGC 11146 (apparently he only noticed the brighter eastern component). The 4 stars forming a little bowl are south and the 6 stars forming a sickle are north. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 14 Aug 1892 as well as Howe in 1899-00. Howe also noted "a star of mag 13.5 precedes about 2 seconds." The mag 13.5 "star" is MCG +08-33-029, the western component of the double system.
MCG and PGC (and secondary sources including Megastar software) misidentify CGCG 254-021 as NGC 6582. This is a fainter galaxy that does not match Swift's description. UGC has the correct identification.
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NGC 6583 = Cr 370 = ESO 590-011
18 15 49 -22 08 18; Sgr
Size 3'
24" (7/7/13): excellent, very rich cluster at 175x with at least 50 stars mag 12-15, many of which are arranged in long intersecting lanes. Three distinct strings of stars stand out. Some brighter stars are off the south side. NGC 6573 (asterism) lies 25' due west.
17.5" (8/1/92): fairly faint, small, very rich. Contains 30 mag 13-15 stars in a 3'x2' field. Appears elongated SSW-NNE due to string of five stars through the center. Also a curving string of a half-dozen stars extends out of the cluster to the west. Three mag 11-12 stars are a few arc minutes off the SE edge.
8" (7/16/82): few faint stars resolved over haze, appear rich but stars too faint to resolve well.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6583 = H. VII-31 = h2001 = h3739 on 26 May 1786 (sweep 566) and recorded "a cluster of very small, and pretty compressed stars, considerably rich; 2 or 3' diam, but twilight too strong to see it well." From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel logged "oblong cluster, not v rich nor v compressed, but well insulated; stars 13m; 5' long; 4' broad." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6584 = ESO 229-014
18 18 37.6 -52 12 55; Tel
V = 8.6; Size 7.9'; Surf Br = 0.3
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x this globular appeared fairly bright, moderately large, ~4' diameter with a broad concentration and a fairly symmetric appearance. It was resolved into a couple of dozen faint stars, mostly in the halo, which appeared a bit ragged. The central core was very mottled but unresolved. A few brighter mag 11 stars are just outside the halo, but these appeared to be foreground stars. A mag 7.5 star is 13' NW and mag 7.0 star 15' NNE. Located 2.8” SE of mag 3.7 Theta Arae at a distance of ~45,000 light years in the inner halo.
11" (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): at 127x appeared fairly faint, ~3.5' diameter, broadly concentrated to a 2' core. The globular seemed slightly elongated ~NNW-SSE. Three mag 11 stars cradle the globular on the south, east and northwest sides but appear to be field stars. A few faint stars were just resolved in the halo but the central region was unresolved.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): moderately bright, fairly small, 3' diameter, round, broad concentration to core. Slight resolution at edges and three brighter field stars are off the NW, west and SW sides. Observed at 14” elevation from Baja.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6584 = D 376 = h3737 on 5 Jun 1826 and described (summary) a "pretty bright round nebula, about 1 1/4' diameter, moderately condensed to the centre; three very small stars involved in the preceding margin." He claims 4 observations and his position is 6.5' due west of center. John Herschel made two observations, first recording on 8 Jul 1834, "globular cluster; B; R; gradually much brighter middle; entirely resolved into stars 16m; easily seen."
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NGC 6585 = UGC 11159 = MCG +07-37-024 = CGCG 227-020 = PGC 61553
18 12 21.6 +39 37 58; Her
V = 12.8; Size 1.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 50”
24" (9/6/18): fairly bright, fairly large, edge-on 6:1 SW-NE, ~1.5'x0.25', brighter core, irregular surface brightness. The mottled appearance strongly suggested a dusty surface and this was later verified on the PanSTARRS image. Nestled in a striking location, surrounded by a group of brighter stars to the north, east and south [extending ~9'x4' N-S].
17.5" (8/3/89): fairly faint, fairly small, edge-on SW-NE, weak concentration. Located within a group of ten mag 10-12 stars including a mag 11 star 1.5' N and a mag 10 star 2.5' NE that is collinear with the major axis.
Edward Swift, the 16 year-old son of Lewis, discovered NGC 6585 = Sw. 9-87 on 25 May 1887. He reported, "eeeF; pS; E; eee diff; between several bright stars." The Swift's position is 3' north of UGC 11159 (typical error) and the description is applicable as several fairly bright stars surround the galaxy. The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer and published in 1890 after the NGC. Bigourdan measured an accurate postion on 14 Jul 1890. Howe also measured a good position in 1899-00 and noted "the elongation is at 45”, the nebula being 1.0' or more in length, and brighter in the middle. It appeared to have a backbone or central stripe of greater brightness than the rest."
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NGC 6586 = UGC 11164 = MCG +04-43-016 = CGCG 142-028 = PGC 61600
18 13 38.5 +21 05 24; Her
V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 105”
17.5" (7/16/88): faint, small, elongated ~E-W, weak concentration. A mag 13 star is off the south edge 0.6' from center. Forms a pair with NGC 6591 5' SE within the NGC 6579/NGC 6580 group.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6586 = m 370, along with NGC 6591, on 27 Jul 1864 and noted "eF, S, R." His position is within 1' of UGC 11164.
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NGC 6587 = UGC 11166 = MCG +03-46-020 = CGCG 113-031 = PGC 61607
18 13 50.8 +18 49 31; Her
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2
17.5" (7/1/89): fairly faint, small, almost round, very bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star is 1.4' NNW. Located in a rich field.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6587 = m 371 on 31 Jul 1864 and noted "F, vS, R, stell." His position is accurate to within 30".
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NGC 6588 = ESO 103-014
18 20 33 -63 48 30; Pav
= several faint stars, ESO. = Not found, Gottlieb.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6588 = h3738 on 8 Jun 1836 and recorded "eF; S; among stars. A * 6m sp 10' distant." There is nothing but faint stars near his position, which seems to be accurate as a mag 6.2 star (HD 167425) is 12' southwest. DeLisle Stewart reported "not seen, several vF stars, no neb", based on plates taken at Arequipa, Peru around 1900 and the ESO also states "several faint stars". Harold Corwin lists three possible groups of stars or asterisms in his NGC positions file, but I've listed the number as "Not Found", as these are all uncertain.
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NGC 6589 = IC 4690: = ESO 590-14 = LBN 46 = vdB 118 = Ced 157a
18 16 53 -19 46 42; Sgr
Size 5'x4'
17.5" (8/18/01): at 100x (unfiltered) this is a bright, roundish glow, ~4' diameter, surrounding a wide pair of mag 10/11.5 stars. On the following side, a small 1' glow seems overlapping, causing the east side to bulge out and extending the diameter to 5'x4'. Forms a prominent pair with NGC 6590 6' SSE in a weakly luminous Milky Way field.
17.5" (6/20/87): at 88x with UHC filter appears as a bright, prominent nebula surrounding a mag 9 star. The nebulosity is more extensive on the following side of the star. Forms a pair with reflection nebula NGC 6595 7' SSE.
13.1" (7/16/82): very faint, larger than NGC 6590 to the south. Surrounds two stars. IC 1283/1284 lies just NE.
Truman Safford discovered NGC 6589 = Sf. 81 = Sw. 2-63 on 28 Aug 1867 and noted "*10m [with] pF nebulosity." His position is 2.6' too far north, but accurate in RA. Lewis Swift independently discovered this reflection nebula on 12 Jul 1885 and recorded "Another D* in center of an eF, pL nebulosity; np of 2 [with NGC 6590]. Except for the inequality of the stars and the excessive faintness of the nebula, it would resemble the preceding [Sw. 2-62 = NGC 6590]." Swift's position was 35 seconds of time too far west (same error as NGC 6590, found the same night). As Safford's discovery list was not published until 1887 when Dreyer had already compiled the NGC table, Swift was credited with the discovery. E.E. Barnard measured an accurate micrometric position, which was published in AN 3101 and repeated in the IC I Notes section.
Finally, Harold Corwin suggests that Barnard's IC 4690 may a duplicate entry. In "Some notes on nebulae and nebulosities" (AN 4239), Barnard writes "The two stars BD -19d 4881 and -19d 4946 are closely and densely nebulous. The nebulosity about -19d 4881 is somewhat extended nf and sp." BD -19d 4881 is not involved in any nebulosity, but Corwin suggests he meant BD -19d 4940 instead, and the extended nebula should read -19d 4946. If that's the case, then IC 4690 = NGC 6589 and IC 4700 = NGC 6590.
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NGC 6590 = NGC 6595 = IC 4700 = ESO 590-15 = Lund 819 = LBN 43 = vdB 119 = Ced 157b
18 17 05 -19 52 00; Sgr
Size 4'x3'
17.5" (8/18/01): at 100x, this reflection nebula appears as a bright, round glow surrounding a similar pair (h2827) of 10th magnitude stars separated by 20". The glow is fairly large, extending roughly 4' in diameter. Forms a similar pair of RN with NGC 6589 6' NNW. The entire field is weakly glowing and this nebulosity is connected to the large region IC 1283/84 to the NE. A dark patch or globule on the NW side was not seen with certainty.
17.5" (6/20/87): at 88x with UHC filter appears as a bright, prominent nebulosity surrounding a pair of mag 10 stars. Similar or slightly larger than NGC 6589 in field 7' NNW.
13.1" (7/16/82): moderately bright, small, surrounds a closely matched double star.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6590 = Sw. 2-62, along with NGC 6589, on 12 Jul 1885 and recorded "A nebulous D*; pF; sf of 2. A D* in center of a pF, pL circular atmosphere, each * of the 8.5 mag and about 20" distant. A wonderful object, not diff". His position is 45 seconds of RA too far west, but his description clearly applies to this bright reflection nebula.
John Herschel was the original discoverer on 14 Jul 1830 and it was catalogued as h2002 = GC 4395 = NGC 6595. Herschel's position was good, so it's surprising that Swift didn't realize the prior discovery. E.E. Barnard corrected Swift's poor RA in AN 3101 and Dreyer noted NGC 6590 = NGC 6595 in the IC 1 Notes section. By order of discovery, NGC 6595 should take precedence, though for some reason this reflection nebula is generally called NGC 6590. Barnard's IC 4700, which derives from his mention that BD -19”4946 was densely nebulous (from a review of various photographic nebulae in AN 4239 in 1908), is another identity! See Corwin's identification notes..
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NGC 6591 = PGC 61610
18 14 03.5 +21 03 48; Her
Size 0.3'x0.1'; PA = 95”
17.5" (7/16/88): extremely faint, small, possibly elongated. A mag 15 star is at the south edge and a wide mag 13.5 pair is 1' NW. Located 6' ESE of NGC 6586 in the NGC 6579/80 group.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6591 = m 372, along with NGC 6586, on 27 Jul 1864 and noted "eeF, vS, stell." His position is 3 seconds west and less than 1' south of PGC 61610 (separation 1.0'). HyperLEDA lists a total blue magnitude of 16.4 for PGC 61610, but this is certainly within the range of Lassell's 48-inch.
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NGC 6592 = MCG +10-26-018 = CGCG 301-016 = VII Zw 771 = PGC 61477
18 09 50.8 +61 25 19; Dra
V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.6
24" (7/19/12): fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter, small brighter core. A mag 12.3 star lies 1.7' W. First in a group of 8 NGC galaxies (all discovered by Swift) and one IC.
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, round, bright core. An extremely faint star is possibly at the west edge. First in a group of at least 7 extremely faint galaxies.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6592 = Sw. 1-86 on 14 Jun 1885 and recorded "vF; vS; R; nearly bet. 2 stars." His position is 14 seconds of RA west of CGCG 301-016 = PGC 61477, the only galaxy near his position. There are a few pairs of surrounding stars that fit his description. Swift later added the comment "1st of 8 [in a group]." Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 3 Oct 1890 as well as Howe in 1899-00, though Dreyer didn't include a corrected position in the IC 2 Notes section.
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NGC 6593 = MCG +04-43-018 = CGCG 142-030 = PGC 61617
18 14 03.5 +22 17 02; Her
V = 13.7; Size 0.9'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 170”
17.5" (7/16/88): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is 30" N.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6593 = m 373 = St. 7-20 on 10 Jun 1864. His position was 1.8' too far south. Stephan observed this galaxy on 21 Jun 1871 (perhaps known from Lassell's publication in 1867). He measured an accurate position on 23 Jun 1876 and reported it as new in his 7th discovery paper (#20) with description, "excessively small and faint, round, slightly brighter middle." Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 6594 = MCG +10-26-019 = CGCG 301-017 = PGC 61482
18 10 05.5 +61 08 00; Dra
V = 14.2; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 90”
24" (7/19/12): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 E-W, 24"x18". Second in a group of 8 NGC galaxies (and one IC), with NGC 6597 8.7' ENE. Mag 8.2 HD 167347 lies nearly between these two galaxies.
17.5" (6/11/88): extremely faint, very small, slightly elongated ~E-W. Located 5.8' SW of mag 7.8 SAO 177948. Second in a group with NGC 6597 8.7' ENE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6594 = Sw. 1-87, along with NGC 6597, on 14 Jun 1885 and recorded "vF; vS; R; between a F and a more distant B *. 2nd of 8." His position is at the north edge of CGCG 301-017 = PGC 61482 and the "more distant B *" is mag 8.2 HD 167347, which lies 6' northeast near NGC 6597.
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NGC 6595 = NGC 6590 = IC 4700 = ESO 590-15 = Lund 819 = LBN 43 = Cr 371 = vdB 119 = Ced 157b
18 17 05 -19 52 00; Sgr
Size 4'x3'
17.5" (8/18/01): at 100x, this reflection nebula appears as a bright, round glow surrounding a similar pair (h2827) of 10th magnitude stars separated by 20". The glow is fairly large, extending roughly 4' in diameter. Forms a similar pair of RN with NGC 6589 6' NNW. The entire field is weakly glowing and this nebulosity is connected to the large region IC 1283/84 to the NE. A dark patch or globule on the NW side was not seen with certainty.
17.5" (6/20/87): at 88x with UHC filter appears as a bright, prominent nebulosity surrounding a pair of mag 10 stars. Similar or slightly larger than NGC 6589 in field 7' NNW.
13.1" (7/16/82): moderately bright, small, surrounds a closely matched double star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6595 = h2002 on 14 Jul 1830 and recorded "a double * h2827, involved in a pB large nebula 50". See description of that star." He reobserved this object the next two nights as well as sketched it. The RA was only measured on one sweep, but his position and description clearly apply to the bright RN surrounding the double star h2827.
Lewis Swift independently found this reflection nebula on 12 Jul 1885, though his RA for NGC 6590 in his second discovery paper was 45 seconds too small. Barnard also mentioned that the central star (BD -19”4946) was densely nebulous in AN 4239 and the nebula also received the designation IC 4700. Dreyer missed the equivalence with the previous NGC identifications, but NGC 6590 = NGC 6595 = IC 4700 (see NGC 6590 for more).
Sky Catalogue 2000.0 labels the nebula as NGC 6590/6595 and NGC 6595 is also catalogued as an open cluster at the same position (from Lynga). The RNGC has an error in declination, placing NGC 6590/6595 9' too far south.
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NGC 6596 = Lund 821 = OCL-41
18 17 33 -16 39 00; Sgr
Size 5'
17.5" (8/10/91): about two dozen stars in a 5' diameter. Unusual arrangement as the stars form a perfect ellipse outline elongated N-S. The brightest mag 10.5 star is at the north end. A small group is to the southeast of the mag 10.5 star. The ellipse is only broken on the east side and the center is void of stars. Two nice faint double stars are on the northwest side. Just barely stands out in a very rich field with many bright stars.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6596 = H. VIII-55 = h2003 on 27 Jun 1786 (sweep 576) and recorded "a coarsely scattered cluster of large stars." His position is on the north side of the cluster. John Herschel made a single observation and simply noted "a cluster with a triple star in it."
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NGC 6597 = MCG +10-26-020 = CGCG 301-018 = PGC 61520
18 11 13.4 +61 10 50; Dra
V = 14.8; Size 0.9'x0.45'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 99”
24" (7/19/12): faint, small, elongated 3:2 ~E-W, 18"x12", gradually increases to a faint stellar nucleus. Situated 3.3' E of mag 8.2 HD 167347. In a 30' group of 9 NGC/IC galaxies with NGC 6594 8.7' WSW.
17.5" (6/11/88): extremely faint, very small, elongated ~E-W. Located 3.3' E of mag 7.8 SAO 17798, which detracts from viewing. Third in large group of faint galaxies with NGC 6594 8.7' WSW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6597 = Sw. 1-89, along with NGC 6594, on 14 Jun 1885 and recorded "vF; vS; R; diff. by proximity to a B *." His position is just 9 seconds of RA too small and the bright star is mag 8.2 HD 167347.
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NGC 6598 = UGC 11139 = MCG +12-17-018 = CGCG 340-037 = PGC 61462
18 08 56.0 +69 04 04; Dra
V = 13.2; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 40”
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, very small, round, weak concentration. A mag 15.5 star is at the east end.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6598 = Sw. 1-88 on 6 Sep 1883 and recorded "vvF; pS; R; in vacancy; 3 st in a curve south." Swift's position is just off the south edge of UGC 11139 and the closest of the "3 st in a curve south" is 3.7' south-southeast.
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NGC 6599 = NGC 6600? = UGC 11178 = MCG +04-43-019 = CGCG 142-031 = PGC 61655
18 15 43.0 +24 54 45; Her
V = 12.6; Size 1.3'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (7/1/89): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated E-W, small bright core. Two mag 13 stars are 32" W and 1.1' NW of center and a fainter mag 14 star is 30" WNW. Forms a pair with NGC 6602 14' NE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6599 = St. 12-89 on 6 Jul 1874, though he apparently made a error in recording or transcribing the RA (10 minutes too large). His published accurate position (list 12, #89) was made 6 years later on 27 Jul 1880 with description, "pretty faint; small; round; gradual central condensation; tangent to a very faint star W10”N." Harold Corwin suggests Albert Marth may have discovered this galaxy on 6 Jun 1864 and recorded it as m 374 = NGC 6600, but his declination was 7' too far north. Perhaps Stephan was looking for Marth's object. As the identification of NGC 6599 is certain, it's the primary designation.
27 Jul 1880
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NGC 6600 = NGC 6599? = UGC 11178 = MCG +04-43-019 = CGCG 142-031 = PGC 61655
18 15 43.0 +24 54 45; Her
See observing notes for NGC 6599.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6600 = m 374 on 6 Jun 1864 and noted "F, vS, stell." The observation is marked as "verified", but there is nothing at his position. However, 52 seconds of RA further east is NGC 6602 = UGC 11184 (separation of 12') and 7' due south of his position is NGC 6599 = UGC 11178. So, either an error in RA or Dec leads to a galaxy he could have seen. There is nothing (except a pair of very faint stars) at Bigourdan's "corrected" position made on 1 Jul 1886.
The RNGC equates NGC 6600 with NGC 6602. However, Harold Corwin suggests NGC 6600 is more likely a duplicate of NGC 6599, as it is brighter and has a higher surface brightness. Stephan independently found NGC 6599 on 27 Jul 1880, measured an accurate position and reported it in his 12th list (#89). As the identity of NGC 6599 is not in doubt, that is the primary designation.
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NGC 6601 = MCG +10-26-022 = CGCG 301-019 = PGC 61533
18 11 44.2 +61 27 10; Dra
V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 42”
24" (7/19/12): fairly faint, small, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, ~20"x12", very small brighter nucleus. A group of stars including two mag 9 and 10 lies 4' N. Fourth of 9, including 8 NGC galaxies discovered by Lewis Swift.
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, very small, round. A mag 14 star is 1.1' W. Fourth in a large group of extremely faint galaxies.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6601 = Sw. 1-90 on 4 Aug 1883 and logged "eF; R; pS; near end of a curve of stars. 4th of 8." His position is 13 seconds of RA west of CGCG 301-019 = PGC 61533 and the comment "near end of a curve of stars" applies to this galaxy. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 with the 20-inch refractor at Denver.
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NGC 6602 = UGC 11184 = MCG +04-43-021 = CGCG 142-035 = PGC 61674 = NGC 6600?
18 16 34.2 +25 02 38; Her
V = 13.8; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 179”
24" (8/12/18): at 375x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, strong concentration with a very small very bright nucleus. A mag 14.4 star is at the east side. A mag 10.7 star is 3.5' NW. IC 1285, an asterism of 4 stars mag 14-15.5, lies 6.5' NW.
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, small, slightly elongated, even surface brightness. A mag 14 star is attached at the east end. Located in the field of NGC 6599, which lies 14' SW.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 6602 = Big. 83 on 1 Jul 1886 and recorded "appears to be a cluster of 30" dia, consisting of very dim stars, perhaps interspersed with nebulosity, distinct from GC 5907 [= NGC 6600]. There is nothing at his Comptes Rendus position but exactly 41 seconds of RA east is UGC 11184. A star at the east edge perhaps gave Bigourdan the impression it was a cluster. He later corrected the RA in the 6 May 1901 Comptes Rendus paper (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
UGC, MCG and CGCG fail to label this galaxy as NGC 6602. RNGC, though, identifies it as NGC 6602. NGC 6600 may be a duplicate (earlier) observation of this galaxy (see notes on NGC 6600).
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NGC 6603 = Cr 374
18 18 27 -18 24 24; Sgr
Size 5'
13.1" (8/16/82 and 8/17/85): excellent resolution into 30-50 faint stars including a string oriented NW-SE running through the center. The outline forms an arrowhead shape pointing to the east. Situated in the northeast corner of M24 in a glorious region of the Small Sagittarius Star Cloud! Located 4' N of mag 8 SAO 161294. The dark nebula B93 lies ~30' NW.
17.5" (7/4/86): between 50 and 70 stars are resolved, extremely dense.
8" (7/4/80): bright, very easily visible luminous spot.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6603 = h2004 on 15 Jul 1830 and recorded "a glorious concentrated part of Milky Way, almost amounting to a globular cluster. Star 14 and 15m. The next night he logged "fine cluster of stars 15m; R; 6'; the stars are all of a size. The cl seems connected with the Milky Way. JH gave M24 as a synonym and this was mistakenly repeated in his General Catalog (GC) and the NGC. Dreyer noted, though, "h2004 = M24. h's two observations hardly consist with this description [!, Cl, vRi, vmC, R, st 15 (M Way)], and their deviation of nearly +3m from Messier's place makes it very doubtful whether he really saw this object."
Herschel's description and position applies to this small, rich cluster within M24 (the Small Sagittarius Star Cloud).
IC 4715 refers to M24 (the entire star cloud). Barnard described the star cloud in detail (AN 4239) based on photos he took in 1905 and Dreyer assumed it was new. But his position for the center is ~10 min of RA too large, so the connection with M24 was not made until more recently. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6604 = Cr 373
18 18 03 -12 14 35; Ser
V = 6.5; Size 5'
17.5" (8/10/91): at 140x appears as a prominent 2' arc of five stars including a mag 7.5 star and a double star on the southwest end. Surrounding this arc is a 5' group of roughly two dozen stars elongated N-S, which includes two faint pairs. My observation of the surrounding emission complex Sh 2-54 is appended below.
16x80 finder (8/10/91): very large, very faint emission haze (Sh 2-54 = Gum 84) surrounding a very large group of stars, improves with UHC filter. The Eagle Nebula was very prominent in the field to the south. On the north side of this large HII region is a small brighter knot = Simeis 3-132 that was visible in the 17.5" at 64x using a UHC filter as a moderately bright, 3'x2.5' glow, slightly elongated N-S. The eastern side of this HII knot has a sharper, linear border. Also viewed at 220x unfiltered and a group of a half dozen mag 12-13 stars extended N-S in a string are superimposed near the eastern boundary. This obscure, but relatively easy nebula is located 30' N of open cluster NGC 6604 on the north end of Sh 2-54.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6604 = H. VIII-15 = h3740 on 15 Jul 1784 (sweep 238) and noted "a cluster of coarsely scattered stars." His position was roughly 9' too far NNE, probably as a result of his reference star being 27” distant.
John Herschel made the single observation on 28 Jul 1835 (sweep 617): "a poor cl class VIII having coarse stragglers to a great distance. The chief * 7m taken."
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NGC 6605 = OCL-47 = Lund 820
18 16 21 -15 00 06; Ser
Size 29'
18" (8/27/05): at 73x, this is a very undistinguished group of 80-100 stars scattered over 20' and appears to be just a typical Milky Way field. Includes a mag 7.8 star (HD 167498) on the NW side and just NW of this star are a number of faint stars. Otherwise, there is a noticeable lack of any rich spots or concentration and the central region is noticeably lacking in stars. The only reason I can see Herschel may have been recorded this object is because it's somewhat detached in a low power field. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6605 = h2005 on 31 Jul 1826 and logged "A loose straggling cluster of stars 11...12m." There is nothing at his position but 2 minutes of RA preceding is a scattered group of bright stars that Corwin identifies as probably NGC 6605. Karl Reinmuth simply reported "no Cl" and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 6606 = UGC 11174 = MCG +07-37-025 = CGCG 227-021 = PGC 61633
18 14 41.7 +43 16 07; Lyr
V = 13.6; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 105”
24" (9/5/18): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 45"x40", diffuse halo, broad concentration towards the center but no distinct nucleus. Located at the midpoint of mag 7.8 HD 167652 7' WNW and mag 9.5 SAO 47338 7' ESE.
UGC 11181, a challenging multiple interacting system, lies 10' ENE of NGC 6606. Three components (PGC 61650, 61649 and 200356) within 1.8' were seen at 375x, though all were extremely faint and only between 6" and 15" in diameter.
17.5" (8/1/89): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated ~E-W, small very bright core, stellar nucleus, faint extensions.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6606 = St. 13-88 on 24 Jul 1881 and logged "vF, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle, vf * center." His published position in list 13 was reduced on 8 Aug 1883 and matches UGC 11174.
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NGC 6607 = MCG +10-26-023 = CGCG 301-020 = PGC 61550
18 12 14.8 +61 19 59; Dra
V = 14.6; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3
24" (7/19/12): faint, small, round, 24", low even surface brightness. In a trio with brighter NGC 6608 2.3' E and extremely difficult NGC 6609 (identification uncertain) 2.7' SE. Fifth of 7 or 8 faint NGC galaxies discovered by Swift in a 30' group.
17.5" (7/21/98): this very difficult object required averted to glimpse a 15" spot just 2.2' W of brighter NGC 6608.
17.5" (6/11/88): extremely faint and small, round. Forms a pair with slightly brighter NGC 6608 2.2' E. This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 6608 in the CGCG.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6607 = Sw. 1-91, along with nearby NGC 6608 and 6609, on 4 Aug 1883, and recorded "eF; pS; R; v difficult." His position is 17 seconds of time due west of CGCG 301-020 = PGC 61550. As NGC 6609 = CGCG 301-021 = PGC 61559 was placed 20 seconds east (the actual separation is 19 seconds), the identification is certain. Herbert Howe was unsuccessful in finding NGC 6607 on 3 nights with the 20" refractor at Denver in 1899-00, though on one night he "suspected" one or two objects in the vicinity. CGCG mislabels CGCG 301-020 as NGC 6608.
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NGC 6608 = MCG +10-26-024 = FGC 2194 = PGC 61556 = PGC 2615431
18 12 28.9 +61 17 53; Dra
V = 15.6; Size 0.8'x0.1'; PA = 42”
24" (7/19/12): at 375x momentarily glimpsed 3 or 4 times as an extremely thin ghostly streak, perhaps 20"x5". Verified, though, as this difficult galaxy popped out just west of the midpoint of two mag 11 and 11.5 stars oriented NW-SE with a separation of 5.5'. Located 2' SSW of NGC 6609 and 2.7' SE of NGC 6607.
17.5" (7/20/98): not found.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6608 = Sw. 1-92, along with NGC 6607 and 6609, on 4 Aug 1883 and recorded "vvS; R; vF; vF * nr." His position is just 5 seconds of RA preceding NGC 6609 = CGCG 301-021 = PGC 61559. Although his positions for NGC 6607 and 6609 are offset 16-17 seconds of RA too far west, there is no third galaxy on the same parallel, just preceding NGC 6609. However, MCG +10-26-024 = PGC 61556, is 2.3' south of his "corrected" position. Since there are three NGC numbers from Swift and three galaxies, it's reasonable to assign MCG +10-26-024 to NGC 6608. But there are several issues with this identification, besides the position.
MCG +10-26-024 is an extremely faint, narrow edge-on that I missed in my 18-inch on several attempts and I doubt Swift could have picked it up in his 16-inch refractor. Howe missed it with a 20" when he examined the field in 1899-00. Furthermore, there is no "vF * nr" to MCG +10-26-024 as in the description. Finally, MCG +10-26-024 is extremely thin, so "R" does not apply. Despite these inconsistencies, Corwin still favors NGC 6608 = MCG +10-26-024.
As an alternative, perhaps NGC 6608 is a duplicate of NGC 6609 = CGCG 301-021. His description for NGC 6608 also fits this galaxy, but that implies Swift was confused and recorded the same galaxy twice. MCG reverses the identifications of NGC 6608 and 6609 given here. See Corwin's notes for NGC 6607 for the full story.
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NGC 6609 = NGC 6608? = MCG +10-26-025 = CGCG 301-021 = VII Zw 773 = PGC 61559
18 12 33.6 +61 19 55; Dra
V = 14.3; Size 0.6'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0
24" (7/19/12): fairly faint, very small, round, 18" diameter, weak concentration. Bracketed by a mag 14.5 star 30" SSW and a mag 15.2 star 35" NE. A mag 11 star lies 1.5' E. Brightest in a close trio with NGC 6607 2.2' W and NGC 6608 (identification unlikely) 2.1' SSW. MCG and PGC misidentify this object as NGC 6608
17.5" (7/21/98): very faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, brighter core. A mag 14.5 star is off the south edge 30" from center.
17.5" (6/11/88): very faint, extremely small, round. A mag 14 star is 1' S. Forms a close pair with NGC 6607 2.2' W.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6609 = Sw. 1-93, along with NGC 6607 and 6608, on 4 Aug 1883 and recorded "vF; lE; pS; F * nr." His position for NGC 6607 is 17 seconds of RA too far west, so applying this same offset to his position for NGC 6609, lands at the north edge of CGCG 301-021 = PGC 61559, the brightest of three galaxies in a small group. The "F * nr" applies to a mag 14.5 star off the south side, so this identification is certain.
Herbert Howe searched for these 3 galaxies in 1899-00 with the 20" at Denver and reported "a nebula supposed to be 6609 was measured in 2 nights. Its position differs from that given by Swift only 16 seconds in RA and 0.4' in declination. The "F * nr" is of mag 12, and lies about 25" south of the nebula, a little preceding. There is another star of mag 13.5 which is one the opposite side of the nebula, at about the same distance." His position matches CGCG 301-021.
MCG, RNGC and PGC misidentify CGCG 301-021 as NGC 6608, instead of NGC 6609. CGCG and RNGC have the correct identification. See notes on NGC 6608, which has an identification problem.
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NGC 6610 = NGC 6574 = UGC 11144 = MCG +02-46-010 = CGCG 084-024 = CGCG 113-026
18 11 51.2 +14 58 54; Her
V = 12.0; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 160”
See observing notes for NGC 6574. Identification uncertain.
douard Stephan found NGC 6610 = St. 7-21 on 19 Jun 1876 with description "F, S, E, mbM, resolvable." His uncorrected position was off by only 1', but there is nothing at his published position (reduced on 13 Jul 1876). He made additional observations on 31 Jul 1877 and 24 Jul 1881. Esmiol's 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's observations deleted NGC 6610 (due to the incorrect position) and replaced it with an "anonymous" nebula, using a different offset star and separations. Esmiol's position coincides with NGC 6574 (discovered by Marth on 9 Jul 1863). So NGC 6610 = NGC 6574, with priority to Marth. See Harold Corwin's identification notes. NGC 218 is a similar case I uncovered. See notes for that one.
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NGC 6611 = M16 = IC 4703 = Ced 159 = Courts 29 = [SO52] 13 = Gum 83 = Sh 2-49 = RCW 165 = LBN 67 = Eagle Nebula = Star Queen Nebula
18 18 48 -13 48 24; Ser
V = 6.0; Size 35'x28'
13.1" (8/17/85): a thin dark "finger" extends towards the cluster, positioned just south and beyond the two bright mag 9 stars near the center. This is an extension of the wider projection seen previously several times and which is better defined along the south edge.
13.1" (8/15/82): the "Eagle Nebula" is a fairly bright 30' nebulosity in a striking outstretched eagle shape with a bright scattered cluster superimposed. There is a considerable contrast gain to the nebulosity using a UHC or OIII filter. With a UHC filter, a dark projection (called the "Star Queen") enters on the SE edge of the nebula and extends inward to the west. The cluster members surrounding the "head" of the eagle include ten mag 8-10 stars and a bright pair of mag 8.5 stars (8.2/8.8 at 27"). A dark triangular wedge is visible off the north side.
13.1" (5/26/84): dark protrusion fairly easy at 88x.
Philippe Loys de Chseaux discovered M16 = NGC 6611 = h2006 by 1745-46 and reported it as a star cluster to the French Academy of Sciences. Charles Messier independently found the cluster on 3 Jun 1764 and stated it "appears nebulous in a small telescope" and "enmeshed in a faint glow." But this appearance was due to the poor resolution of the stars in his telescope - not the involved nebulosity.
William Herschel observed M16 on 30 Jul 1783 with his small 20-foot (12-inch reflector): "Large stars with small ones among them; within a small compass I counted more than 50, and there must be at least 100 without taking a number of straggling ones, everywhere dispersed in the neighborhood." So, Herschel didn't note any nebulosity either. With his 18.7", he observed M16 on 15 Jul 1784 (sweep 238) and noted "a cluster of coarsely scattered stars"
Isaac Roberts discovered IC 4703, which refers to the nebulosity in the "Eagle Nebula" on a photographic plate taken in 1894 But Wolfgang Steinicke claims that tienne Lopold Trouvelot made a visual discovery of the nebulosity in 1876 with the 26-inch refractor at the USNO! Robert Innes, observing in 1914 at the Union Observatory in Johannesburg, reported "with the 9-inch refractor the nebula is just visible and it fills the perimeter of the cluster with faint extensions beyond."
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NGC 6612 = MCG +06-40-011 = CGCG 200-014 = I Zw 204 = PGC 61665
18 16 10.8 +36 04 43; Lyr
V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.6
17.5" (8/1/89): very faint, extremely small, slightly elongated. A mag 16 star is involved at the NE edge, a mag 15 star is 1' NE and a mag 13.5 star is 1.6' SSW. Located 4.5' NNE of a mag 10 star.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6612 around 1886. The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer, who referenced his 6th discovery list which was under preparation when the NGC was published. But Swift didn't include this object in either in his 6th or later 9th list, which included several objects Swift discovered prior to the publication of the NGC. His description reads "eeF; eS; R; v diff." and his position is 12 seconds of RA west and 3' north of CGCG 200-014 = PGC 61665, the only nearby galaxy.
Bigourdan measured an accurate position for this galaxy on 3 Jul 1897. Howe reported "I was unable to find anything at the NGC position for this "v. diff." object, but I measured a supposed nebula about 5' away, making at the time of observation the note "eF, eS"; a little question whether there really is nebulosity here." Possibly 6612 is identical with [IC] 1279, with an error of 5 minutes in R.A." His position for the measured nebula matches CGCG 200-014.
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NGC 6613 = M18
18 19 58.5 -17 06 07; Sgr
V = 6.9; Size 9'
17.5" (8/1/92): at 100x, bright, scattered, includes three mag 9 stars and 10 mag 11 stars. The bright stars form a "V" asterism with the vertex to the NNE. Includes a few wide double stars. At 220x, 40 stars are visible in a 7' diameter, scattered but distinctive. The bright group of 15 stars forming the "V" asterism is surrounded by a dark circular void. The rest of the cluster is to the south and west of the "V". Only a few faint stars are involved and the cluster appears fully resolved.
Charles Messier discovered M18 = NGC 6613 = h2007 on 3 Jun 1764 and recorded "A cluster of small stars, a little below above nebula, No. 17, surrounded by slight nebulosity, this cluster is less obvious than the preceding, No. 16: with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL], this cluster appears like a nebula; but with a good telescope one sees nothing but stars. (diam. 5'). On 22 Jun 1784 (sweep 231), William Herschel logged it as "a cl of coarsely scattered L stars, not rich." On 16 Jul 1830, John Herschel called it "A poor and coarse cluster. Contains about a dozen stars 10m and 15 or 20 more 12 .. 15m."
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NGC 6614 = ESO 103-018 = LGG 422-002 = PGC 61852
18 25 07.2 -63 14 53; Pav
V = 12.8; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 65”
25" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 318x): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, ~40"x30", broad concentration to an ill-defined brighter core. Situated in a rich Pavo star field 14' S of a mag 6.1 star. There are several fairly bright stars along with a large number of faint stars in the field. A mag 11.2 star lies 1.5' S. To the NW are three collinear stars; a mag 9.4 star at 3.1', a mag 11.2 star at 4.9' and a mag 12 star at 7.5'. Probably an outlying member of ACO S805 = Pavo II cluster.
ESO 103-019 lies 8' SE. This edge-on appeared faint or fairly faint, very elongated 4:1 N-S, 40"x10", low surface brightness streak, no concentration. Three nearby stars are collinear; a mag 14 star at the northwest edge and two mag 12-13 stars 3' WNW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6614 = h3741 on 20 Jun 1835 and recorded "eF; S; R; or vlE; very little brighter middle; it follows a * 9m about 7 or 8 sec of time, and is about 3' S of it." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6615 = UGC 11196 = MCG +02-46-013 = CGCG 084-034 = PGC 61713
18 18 33.6 +13 15 53; Oph
V = 13.1; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 165”
24" (8/29/19): at 375x;, fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, sharply concentrated with an intense core, much fainter 50"x40" halo. Situated in a rich star field 17' N of mag 6.8 HD 168271. ROE 111 = 10.5/11.2 pair at 3" separation lies 6' E.
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, very small, round, small bright core, stellar nucleus, in a rich star field.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6615 = m 375 on 9 Jul 1863 and noted "vF, vS." His position is 1.8' too far south.
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NGC 6616 = UGC 11192 = MCG +04-43-022 = CGCG 142-036 = PGC 61693
18 17 41.0 +22 14 18; Her
V = 13.8; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 59”
17.5" (7/16/88): very faint, small, elongated SW-NE, broad concentration. A mag 13 star is 1.1' W of center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6616 = Sw. 2-64 on 14 July 1885 and recorded "vF; eS; eE; forms S equilateral triangle with 2 F st." There is nothing at his position, but 25 seconds of RA west is UGC 11192 and his description applies (the stars are southwest and west). Herbert Howe measured an accurate micrometric position in 1898-99 (repeated in the IC 2 Notes).
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NGC 6617 = UGC 11176 = MCG +10-26-029 = CGCG 301-025 = PGC 61613
18 14 02.5 +61 19 10; Dra
V = 14.6; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 14.7; PA = 80”
24" (7/19/12): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~E-W, ~22"x18", low even surface brightness. Based on my size estimate, I missed the extremely low surface brightness halo with a ~1' diameter. Located 11' E of NGC 6609 and last in a group of 8 faint NGC galaxies.
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, very small, round, bright core. Last in a group of 7 faint galaxies. Located 12' E of the NGC 6607/NGC 6608 pair.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6617 = Sw. 1-94 on 14 Jun 1885 and noted "eeeF; pL; R; ee diff.; in vacancy. 8th of 8." in a group. His position is just 8 seconds of RA west of UGC 11176 and the description applies (faintest in the group). Herbert Howe measured a more accurate position in 1899-00, though Dreyer didn't include this correction in the IC 2 Notes.
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NGC 6618 = M17 = Ced 161 = Sh 1-43 = BBW 34202 = Gum 81a = Sh 2-45 = RCW 160 = LBN 60 = Swan Nebula = Omega Nebula = Checkmark Nebula
18 20 47 -16 10 18; Sgr
V = 6.0; Size 46'x37'
13.1" (7/16/82): the "Swan Nebula" is very bright, very large, with fantastic detail along the bright bar. Has a turbulent texture with dark areas near the "hook". A nebulous halo surrounds the brighter star to the south.
8" (many dates from 7/3/80 to 7/16/82): very bright, large, very detailed. The brightest portion consists of a long bright ray that hooks south at the west end. A fainter section oriented N-S section follows. The main bar is mottled. The irregular hooked portion is clearly mixed with a dark nebula intruding. Fainter nebulosity is visible north and south of the main bar.
Philippe Loys De Chseaux discovered M17 = NGC 6618 = h2208 by 1745-46 from Switzerland. He wrote, "It has perfectly the form of a ray, or of the tail of a comet, of 7' length and 2' broad; its sides are exactly parallel and rather well terminated, as are its two ends. Its middle is whiter than the borders. Charles Messier rediscovered M17 on 3 Jun 1764 and described "a train of light without stars, 5' or 6' in extent, in the shape of a spindle, a little like that in Andromeda's belt, but the light is very faint..."
William Herschel, using his 12" (small 20-ft) telescope on 2 Aug 1783, called M17 "a curious train of light. I cannot resolve it." He first observed it during his sweeps on 22 Jun 1784 (sweep 231) and wrote up a more detailed observation: "A wonderful nebula. Very much extended, with a hook on the preceding [Western] side; the nebulosity of the milky kind; several stars visible in it, but they seem to have no connection with the nebula, which is far more distant. I saw it only through short intervals of flying clouds and haziness; but the extent of the light including the hook is above 10'. I suspect besides, that on the following [Eastern] side it goes on much farther and diffuses itself towards the north and south. It is not of equal brightness throughout and has one or more places where the milky nebulosity seems to degenerate into the resolvable [mottled] kind; such a one is that just following the hook towards the north. Should this be confirmed on a very fine night, it would bring on the step between these two nebulosities which is at present wanting, and would lead us to surmise that this nebula is a stupendous stratum of immensely distant fixed stars, some of whose branches come near enough to us to be visible as a resolvable nebulosity, while the rest runs on to so great a distance as only to appear under the milky form."
On 27 Jun 1786 (sweep 576) he found it "an extensive milky nebulosity of more than 20' in length, with a hook to the preceding side, bended towards the south; the extent is from np to sf and looses itself imperceptibly. The hook includes a dark place, almost resembling that in the nebula of Orion."
On 6 Aug 1823 (sweep 48), John Herschel recorded "A large extended nebula. Its form is that of a Greek Omega with the left (or following) base-line turned upwards. The curved (or horse-shoe) part is very F, and has many stars in it. The preceding base-line hardly visible. The following, which is the principle branch, occupies nearly half the field (7 1/2'). Its light is not equable, but blotty. Strong twilight." He didn't describe the nebula from the Cape of Good Hope, but his published sketch (plate II, figure 1) shows from 1837 shows a second curve at the east end, hooking north. Based on the sketch, Dreyer referred to M17 as "2-hooked" in the NGC, an odd description, and the nickname "Omega Nebula" is also from this description.
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NGC 6619 = UGC 11200 = MCG +04-43-025 = CGCG 142-039 = PGC 61721
18 18 55.7 +23 39 21; Her
V = 13.0; Size 1.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3
24" (7/15/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, round, 25" diameter, increases to a very small, very bright nucleus and stellar center. A couple of mag 15 stars are at the edges, including one 25" S of center and one 15" W of center, and two mag 11-11.5 stars are 1' E and 1.7' S. NGC 6623 is 11' NE.
17.5" (7/16/88): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, bright core, faint halo. Several mag 15 stars are near including a mag 15 star at the west edge just 15" from the center. Two mag 12 stars with faint companions are following. Pair with NGC 6623 11.4' ENE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6619 = m 376, along with NGC 6623, on 6 Jun 1864 and noted "F, S, E." His position is 1' too far south.
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NGC 6620 = PK 5-6.1 = ESO 522-26 = PN G005.8-06.1
18 22 54.1 -26 49 18; Sgr
V = 12.7; Size 5"
13.1" (7/12/86): stellar planetary at 79x located 2.1' NW a mag 10.5 star. Verified with OIII blinking. At 214x and UHC filter appears moderately bright and a very small disc about 4" diameter is visible. A mag 13 star lies 0.9' E.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6620 = HN 43 on 3 Sep 1880 using a direct-vision spectroscope on the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory. Pickering noted in The Observatory (1881) this is "the smallest planetary nebula known and could not be distinguished from a 13th magnitude star in an ordinary telescope." His position is exactly 1 minute of time too far west.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported "round; about 5" in diameter; just distinguishable from a star. No structural details can be made out, although faint ansae are suspected in p.a. 70-250”..."
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NGC 6621 = Arp 81 NED1 = VV 247a = UGC 11175 = MCG +11-22-030 = CGCG 322-036 = VII Zw 778 = KAZ 194 = PGC 61582
18 12 55.2 +68 21 49; Dra
V = 13.1; Size 2.1'x0.8'; PA = 145”
48" (5/5/16): at 610x and 697x; NGC 6621/6622 is a spectacular interacting system (Arp 81 = VV 247) with an amazing tidal tail that wraps around both galaxies. NGC 6621 is sharply concentrated with a very bright, roundish core that increases to the center. The main halo or arms is elongated ~3:1 NW-SE, ~60"x20" with slightly brighter "handles" (ends of the spiral arms) on the NW and SE end. The enhancement on the NW side is more evident.
The southeast end merges with the halo of NGC 6622 with the cores of the galaxies separated by 40". A very small knot (at most 10" in size) was visible on a line between the two cores [16" NW of NGC 6622 and 26" SE of NGC 6621]. The HST image reveals this is a prominent blue starburst complex at the edge of the two galaxies.
On the northwest end, a broad tidal arm wraps sharply counterclockwise to the southeast (the arm is easily visible in this part), dims into a narrow tail and extends southeast, paralleling (about 30" to the east) the major axis of NGC 6621. This one-sided tail extends ~1.5' in length in the direction of a mag 15 star due east of NGC 6622 and ends in a slightly brighter knot, ~25" NE of NGC 6622.
48" (10/22/11): at 488x the main body of NGC 6621, which completely merges with NGC 6622, appears bright, fairly large, elongated nearly 3:1 NNW-SSE, ~1.1'x0.4'. Including NGC 6622 at the southeast end, the entire glow extends ~1.6'x0.4'. NGC 6621 is fairly sharply concentrated with a bright 20" core that gradually increases to the center. At 610x, a faint spiral arm is fairly evident attached at the NNW end and winding around counterclockwise to the north side of the main glow. On the HST image this is the beginning of a long tidal tail that wraps around the north side of both galaxies.
18" (7/14/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, ~1.0'x 0.4', small bright core. Brighter of a double system with NGC 6622 (Arp 81) attached at the southeast end in a common envelope. The two nuclei of the galaxies generally appear as two knots near the ends of a single elongated bar though at moments the pair seems barely resolved.
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, small, irregularly round, small bright core, stellar nucleus. Forms a double galaxy in a common envelope with NGC 6622 just 40" SE of center. A mag 15 star is 30" E.
Edward Swift discovered NGC 6621 = Sw. 1-95 = Sw. 2-66 on 2 Jun 1885. Lewis Swift's son was 14 years old at the time. This galaxy is the brighter of a very close double system, just 40" between centers. Apparently Lewis took another look in the eyepiece and discovered NGC 6622 = Sw. 1-96. The note "n of 2" and "s of 2" were probably added after noticing it was double. Lewis Swift "discovered" this close pair again just two months later on 11 Aug 1885 and placed them in his second list (#65 and #66). He noted "forms a close double with the preceding. Very difficult to separate with power of 265. Well seen."
Dreyer combined the two observations in the NGC, though the published position is 14 seconds of time too large and 2' too far south. In addition, the RA is identical, though the orientation is northwest-southeast, and NGC 6622 is placed 0.2' north of NGC 6621. Bigourdan measured an accurate position for the pair on 28 Aug 1891 as well as Hermann Kobold in May 1899. When Herbert Howe measured the positions in 1899-00, he assigned NGC 6622 to the northwest galaxy and NGC 6621 to the southeast (agreeing with Swift's dec values), but modern catalogues reverse the identifications, placing the numbers in order of RA.
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NGC 6622 = Arp 81 NED2 = VV 247b = UGC 11175 = MCG +11-22-031 = CGCG 322-036 = VII Zw 778 = PGC 61579
18 12 59.5 +68 21 15; Dra
V = 15.3; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.8
48" (5/5/16): at 610x and 697x; fairly bright, small, slightly elongated E-W, 25"x20", high surface brightness, very small intense core. A mag 15 star is 0.6' E. NGC 6622 and 6621 form a spectacular interacting pair (Apr 81 = VV 247) with NGC 6622 fully merged on the southeast end of this trainwreck. The cores of the two galaxies are separated by 40". A small knot is clearly visible directly on a line between the two cores [16" NW of NGC 6622]. The HST image reveals this is a prominent blue star-forming complex at the edge of the two galaxies. The amazing tidal tail of NGC 6621 that parallels the galaxy on the east side extends as far south as NGC 6622.
48" (10/22/11): at 488x, NGC 6622 appears bright, fairly small, slightly elongated, 30"x25", sharply concentrated with a bright core that increases to the center. Merged with NGC 6621 on the NW side. A mag 15.5 star lies 35" due east.
18" (7/14/07): faint, very small, round, 20" diameter. Forms the fainter member of an interacting pair with NGC 6621 (Arp 81) and appears as a knot at the southeast end of NGC 6621 in a common halo. At moments this galaxy appeared barely detached.
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, very small, possibly round. Forms an interacting double system with NGC 6621 and visually both galaxies appear enveloped in a common envelope with NGC 6621 just 35" NW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6622 = Sw. 1-96 = Sw. 2-65 on 2 Jun 1885, although his son Edward was credited with the discovery of NGC 6621 = Sw. 1-95. Apparently Lewis took a look in the eyepiece and noticed the smaller southeast component of this double galaxy. Swift found the close pair again on 11 Aug 1885 and reported the discovery a second time in his second discovery list (#65 and #66). Dreyer combined both observations in the NGC. Howe measured an accurate micrometric position, though called this galaxy NGC 6621 as Swift's position is slightly south of NGC 6622.
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NGC 6623 = UGC 11203 = MCG +04-43-026 = CGCG 142-040 = PGC 61739
18 19 42.9 +23 42 33; Her
V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 155”
24" (7/15/15): fairly faint to moderately bright, moderately large, roundish, ~0.9' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very small bright nucleus. A mag 14 star is 45" NE of center. Resides in a rich star field 4.1' NW of mag 8.8 HD 168670. NGC 6619 lies 11' SW.
MCG +04-43-027 = PGC 61744 is at the south edge of the halo [27" S of center]. At 375x it appeared as an extremely to very faint knot, round, 12" diameter.
17.5" (7/16/88): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, bright core, diffuse halo. Located 4.1' NW of mag 8.6 SAO 85932. Pair with NGC 6619 11.4' WSW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6623 = m 377, along with NGC 6619, on 6 Jun 1864 and noted "pF, S, R, bM." His RA was 6 seconds too large. douard Stephan made an observation on 10 Jul 1877. Kobold measured an accurate micrometric position in 1892 (published in 1907).
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NGC 6624 = ESO 457-011
18 23 40.5 -30 21 40; Sgr
V = 8.1; Size 5.9'; Surf Br = 0.9
17.5" (5/10/91): bright, fairly small, round, 3' diameter. Very symmetric appearance as increases to a sharp, small bright core and brighter stellar nucleus. There was some resolution in the halo, particularly on the north edge. Approximately six mag 14-15 stars were glimpsed. A close mag 12/14 double star at 10" separation is 1.7' WSW of center. Located 45' SE of mag 2.7 Delta Sagittarii in a rich star field.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6624 = H. I-50 = h3742 on 24 Jun 1784 (sweep 232). He recored "considerably large, round, very bright in the middle. The brightness appears to be at least 3/4 of the whole visible diameter, but I suppose if the altitude was more considerable [it was only 8” altitude on the meridian!] a different proportion would be seen. The nebulosity appears to be of the milky kind, but from similar phenomena in low situations, I have no doubt that it is resolvable." Twenty minutes earlier he had discovered the pair of globulars NGC 6522 and 6528.
John Herschel made three observations from the Cape of Good Hope, with his first observation on 3 Aug 1834: "Globular Cluster; B; S; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; diam 6 seconds in RA; barely resolved so as to be sure it consists of stars." On a later sweep, the cluster was "clearly resolved into stars 16m; a fine object."
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NGC 6625 = OCL-58 = Lund 829
18 23 01 -12 01 24; Sct
Size 39'
17.5" (8/3/97): at 100x, appears to be a Milky Way field in a large triangular region roughly bordered by mag 5.7 HD 169033 star at the SE vertex, a mag 8 star ~12' NW and a mag 9 star ~9' W. This identification is uncertain as the region is completely indistinguishable from surrounding fields in star density and does not have any resemblance to a cluster although the Milky Way background seems locally brighter. At 220x, there is a fairly well-defined edge to portions of this Milky Way background and there is a small extension to the west near the star at the NW vertex. The location is just east of Sh 2-54, a large, faint HII complex and the slightly enhanced Milky Way background may be caused by the glow of Sh 2-54.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6625 = h2009 on 31 Jul 1826 and logged "A loose straggling cluster of stars 11...12m.". His position is very close to mag 5.7 HD 169033, although if his position is accurate I'm surprised he didn't mention the nearby bright star. Interestingly, after observing M16 on 15 Jul 1784 (sweep 238), William Herschel next recorded the mag 5.7 star (described as "the largest of several in the finder"), but did not find a clustering of stars.
Harold Corwin identifies NGC 6625 with a group of stars (possibly a cluster) W of the bright star. Brian Skiff could not make a visual identification on two attempts and nothing stood out in my own observation. Karl Reinmuth reported no clustering was found on a Heidelberg Observatory plate during his 1926 photographic survey of the NGC. See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 6626 = M28 = ESO 522-023
18 24 32.8 -24 52 11; Sgr
V = 6.9; Size 11.2'; Surf Br = 1.2
17.5" (7/10/99): striking globular at 220x, with the halo appearing ~4.5' in diameter and a very bright core ~2'x1.5' elongated SSW-NNE. Extensive resolution at 280x and 380x with roughly 50 stars resolved in the halo. At 380x the edges of the core really started breaking up into numerous stars with a rich sprinkling of stars is superimposed on the well-defined core. On the north side of the halo a long star chain heads directly north and a fainter but richer chain starts to trail off the east side of the core but abruptly turns in a chain heading NNW.
13.1" (6/29/84): a prominent star chain extends to the north. A few dozen stars in the outer halo resolved and a smaller number in the inner halo. Very bright mottled core.
13.1" (7/16/82): very bright, fairly large, sharp concentration with a lively unresolved core. A few stars are resolved at the edges of the core over haze and many stragglers resolved including long spidery chains. A total of a few dozen stars resolved. Excellent view at 290x and a star chain to the north is prominent.
8" (7/16/82): bright, sharp concentration, lively halo just resolves into many faint stars at 200x!
Charles Messier discovered M28 = NGC 6626 = h2010 = h3743 on 27 July 1764 and called it "round, its diameter is about 2 minutes of arc; one sees it with difficulty with an ordinary refractor of 3 feet & a half of length."
William Herschel first observed this globular on 4 Jul 1783 with his 12-inch (small 20-foot) and noted "if the night were clearer I double not of its being stars that might be seen very distinctly." With his 18.7", he logged it on 12 Jul 1784 (sweep 236) as "A cl of exceedingly compressed stars, very bright in the middle, round, with 3 or 4 small, irregular branches. The large stars red."
John Herschel recorded (sweep 474 from the CGH) "globular; vB; R; very much compressed; gradually brighter in the middle, but not to a nipple; diam in RA = 12 seconds; resolved into st 14...16m; a fine object. Occurs in the milky way, of which the stars here are barely visible and immensely numerous."
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NGC 6627 = UGC 11212 = MCG +03-47-001 = CGCG 114-004 = PGC 61792
18 22 39.0 +15 41 52; Her
V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 70”
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, small, slightly elongated E-W. Contains a very small brighter core within a diffuse outer halo. Located in a rich star field.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6627 = m 378 on 13 Jul 1863 and noted "vF, pL." His position is 1' south of UGC 11212.
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NGC 6628 = UGC 11211 = MCG +04-43-029 = CGCG 142-041 = PGC 61790
18 22 21.8 +23 28 41; Her
V = 12.9; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 90”
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus. Located 3.0' WNW of mag 8.7 SAO 85980.
17.5" (7/16/88): fairly faint, very small, round, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6628 = m 379 on 6 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, S, lE, bM." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6629 = PK 9-5.1 = ESO 522-26 = PN G009.4-05.0
18 25 42.3 -23 12 10; Sgr
V = 11.4; Size 16"x14"
24" (7/11/18): at 375x; bright, small, round, high surface brightness, 15" diameter, sharp edge, bright central star. A mag 15.5 star is barely off the NNE edge (15" from center) and a 15.1 mag star is 25" NW of center.
17.5" (8/10/91): at 140x, very bright, small, 15" diameter, round, high surface brightness, crisp-edged. The mag 13 central star is visible with direct vision. Mag 9.4 SAO 186802 lies 2.1' SE. At 280x, the central star is easier to pick out within the high surface brightness nebulosity. A mag 15 star is visible 30" NNW and a mag 15.5 star is right at the NE edge.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6629 = H. II-204 = h3744 on 7 Aug 1784 (sweep 245). His description reads "I suspected a pretty bright, small, stellar nebula np a pretty bright star, but there was too much daylight to verify it." At 15" diameter, NGC 6629 is the smallest planetary nebula (probably any deep sky object) that he discovered.
John Herschel recorded it on 27 Jun 1837 (sweep 793 from South Africa): "pB; vS; 4" at the utmost in diameter; a good deal furry at the edges, and ? if not a little brighter in the M. It is not a "Stellar Nebula", but rather a link between a planetary and a globular; it probably a v distant and highly compressed globular; has a * 9m 3' dist, sf; night superb and vision perfect. This is one the smallest if not the very smallest nebulous objects I remember to have seen. It is a very remarkable object."
In 1915 Knox-Shaw reported it was a not a globular cluster, but a planetary nebula, based on a photograph taken at the Helwan Observatory with the Reynolds reflector. Curtis (1918) reported "..the central star is about mag 13. The nebular disk is 16"x14" in p.a. 150”, and is nearly equal density throughout, without ansae or other structural details." (Crossley photograph).
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NGC 6630 = ESO 103-026 = PGC 62008
18 32 34.5 -63 17 32; Pav
V = 13.9; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1
30" (11/3/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, fairly small, irregularly round, 30"x25" diameter, weak concentration. Located 17' SE of mag 7.9 HD 169714. IC 4723 lies 23' ESE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6630 = h3745 on 8 Jun 1836 and recorded "pF; S; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 15"." His position is a perfect match with ESO 103-026 = PGC 62008.
Harlow Shapley misclassified NGC 6630 and IC 4723 as a pair of planetaries in his 1936 announcement "Five Planetary Nebulae and a Globular Cluster" (Harvard Bulletin 902). He noted that "based on their appearance there is no doubt that all belong to the planetary class". The same list includes Shapley 1, Shapley 3 and IC 4642.
Evans & Thackeray (1950) imaged NGC 6630 (Plate II, No. 19) with the Radcliffe 74-inch in Pretoria, South Africa, and they questioned the PN classification. "The classification is by appearance. We find an object with a quadrilateral of 4 stars or nuclei surrounded by a nebulous envelope. The object is difficult, and it seems open to doubt whether the object is correctly classified as a planetary nebula. Dimensions about 19"x15"." As a result of Shapley's error, Burnham's "Celestial Handbook", MOL (Master Optical List), Becvar's "Atlas Coeli - II Katalog 1950", the NGC 2000.0 catalogue (Sinnott) classify it as a PN. Also, the first edition of Sky Atlas 2000.0 and Becvar's "Atlas of the Heavens" plot it as a PN. It was omitted, though, in Perek and Kohoutek's 1967 Catalogue of Galactic Planetary Nebula. RNGC misclassifies NGC 6630 as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 6631 = Cr 379 = Lund 833 = OCL-59
18 27 11.4 -12 01 52; Sct
Size 5'
17.5" (7/1/89): at 220x about 40 stars are resolved in a 5' region over unresolved background haze. A mag 11 star is at the NW edge but most stars are mag 13/14. Includes an equal mag 11.5/12 double star off the SE edge. Barnard 95, a large dark nebula lies 30' NW.
8" (7/16/82): a dozen stars were resolved over unresolved haze. A double star mag 11/11.5 at 10" is at the south edge.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6631 = h3746 on 12 Jul 1836 and recorded "cl VII class; p rich; 5' diam; with appendages, st 12...15m. Much richer than any part of the milky way seen tonight."
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NGC 6632 = UGC 11226 = MCG +05-43-018 = CGCG 172-032 = PGC 61849
18 25 03.2 +27 32 07; Her
V = 12.1; Size 3.0'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 155”
17.5" (7/1/89): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated NW-SE, large brighter core. A pair of mag 12 and 13 stars lie 1.3' W and 1.0' NW of center, respectively. A group of brighter stars are about 7' S including mag 6.3 HR 6904 8.5' S.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6632 = m 380 on 24 Jun 1864 and noted "F, S, R, gradually brighter in the middle." His position was fairly accurate. Stephan observed it on 25 Jul 1873 (probably already aware from Marth's discovery) and again on 26 Jul 1881. He measured an accurate position on 14 Aug 1873, but didn't include it in a discovery list. E.E. Barnard found it while sweeping on 30 Jan 1889 with the 12-inch refractor at Lick Observatory and noted "Faintish, R, very gradually brighter middle, 2 small stars involved preceding, 1' diameter." He later noted the NGC designation in his logbook after checking.
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NGC 6633 = Cr 380 = Mel 201 = Lund 834
18 27 15 +06 30 30; Oph
V = 4.6; Size 27'
15x50mm IS binoculars (6/19/09): this easy naked-eye cluster is more obvious than nearby, larger IC 4756, which has a lower surface brightness. Partially resolved in binoculars with several resolved clumps of stars.
13.1" (9/9/83): very bright, very large but loose and scattered. At 62x, 150 stars are visible in a 60' field with several bright stars on the SW side and many bright stars are outside this field including mag 5.5 SAO 123516 15' SSE. This is a naked-eye open cluster in dark skies.
Philippe Loys de Chseaux discovered NGC 6633 = H VIII-72 by 1745-46 from Switzerland, although his discoveries were little known until the late 19th century (published by Bigourdan). Caroline Herschel rediscovered the cluster on 31 Jul 1783, along with IC 4665, with her 4.2" comet-sweeper. She wrote, "About halfway from S Serpentarii [72 Oph] towards Theta Serpentis, a cluster of large stars. I counted about 80. Messier has it not." She entered it as #8 in her discovery log and was credited with the discovery in the NGC.
On 30 Jul 1788 (sweep 850), William Herschel logged VIII-72 as "a coarsely scattered cluster of large stars." There was no mention in Caroline's log about her prior discovery, so apparently they were unaware of the earlier observation. Surprisingly John Herschel has no published observations.
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NGC 6634
18 29 57 -33 30 48; Sgr
18" (6/30/11): this is an unusual asterism of 4 brighter stars mag 8.4-9.2 forming a near isosceles trapezoid with a longer base of 4.4' and shorter base 1.5'. Three of the stars were easily resolved in my 80mm finder at 12.5x and all four at 25x. The asterism is striking at 115x in the 18-inch due to the shape and brightness of the stars. The identification of NGC 6634 is uncertain and is traditionally applied to M69.
Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 6634 = Lac I-11 in 1751-52 with a 1/2" telescope at 8x, during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. Messier thought this entry was duplicate of M69, though John Herschel assigned it a separate GC designation (5076) and Dreyer followed in the NGC. If NGC 6634 = M69, then Lacaille made a one degree error in declination.
But Glen Cozens argues that M69 is fainter than other objects discovered by Lacaille with his 1/2-inch telescope and the position is further out than others he discovered. Near Lacaille's position is a small group of 4 stars that he may have mistook for nebulous with his small telescope. See Harold Corwin's notes for more on this identification and Jeff Corder's observations. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6635 = UGC 11239 = MCG +02-47-003 = PGC 61900
18 27 37.1 +14 49 09; Her
V = 13.4; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, very small, slightly elongated, small bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 12 star is 1.0' S. Located 7.7' NNW of mag 8.6 SAO 103741 in a rich star field. Planetary nebula M3-27 is 20' S.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6635 = m 381 on 9 Jul 1863 and noted "vF, S, R." His RA is accurate but his dec is 2' too far south.
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NGC 6636 = VV 368 = VV 679 = VII Zw 790 = UGC 11221 = MCG +11-22-046 = CGCG 322-041 = PGC 61782
18 22 02.7 +66 36 58; Dra
V = 13.4; Size 2.3'x0.35'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 3”
48" (5/5/16): fairly bright, fairly large, warped edge-on 6:1 ~N-S, 1.8'x0.3', bright elongated core. The southern half of the galaxy (including the core region) is slightly bowed out towards the west. The northern extension, though, is subtly convex to the east. So the opposite ends seem slightly misaligned and form a weak integral sign. Adding to the asymmetry, the outer half of northern extension has a much lower surface brightness than the southern arm. MCG +11-22-047 = PGC 61780 is a bright but very compact Seyfert II galaxy, ~10" diameter, just 20" NE of the core and attached to the east edge of the galaxy. It is dominated by a bright stellar nucleus with just a small halo. A mag 11 star is 2.1' due south and a mag 11.5 star (very unequal 6" pair) is 1' SE.
24" (7/21/12): moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 ~N-S, 1.1'x0.3', small slightly brighter core. Forms a contact pair with MCG +11-22-047 = PGC 61780, which is attached on the east side of the northern half. The companion was easily visible as a very small "knot", perhaps 10" diameter with a fairly bright stellar nucleus that sometimes dominated the small halo. The core of NGC 6636 (much lower surface brightness than PGC 61780) was close south-southwest of the companion. Two mag 11 stars are 1.2' SE and 2.1' S. An extremely faint, slightly non-stellar glow between these stars is a very close (~5") unresolved pair of mag 16.5-16.7 stars.
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated SSW-NNE, even surface brightness. The compact companion attached at the northeast side was not seen.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6636 = Sw. 4-68 on 23 Jul 1884 and recorded "eeeF; pS; R; forms triangle with 3 st." His position is at the west edge of UGC 11221 and the description fits. Herbert Howe, observing in 1899-00, reported "the 3 stars mentioned by Swift are of mags 9, 9.5 and 10.5. The one of mag 9.5 follows the nebula 4 seconds, 1.0' south. The others precede, and are also south."
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NGC 6637 = M69
18 31 23.2 -32 20 53; Sgr
V = 7.7; Size 7.1'; Surf Br = 0.6
17.5" (7/29/92): M69 is bright, moderately large, 3' diameter, round, fairly symmetric appearance with a large core surrounded by a small halo. A bright mag 12.5 star is embedded in the core or it contains a bright stellar nucleus. Several easy mag 13.3-14.0 stars were resolved around the edges of the halo and 15-20 very faint mag 14-15 stars were resolved in the halo with averted vision. Additionally, a few stars are also detected over the core. This is a very pretty globular with averted vision. Located 4.5' SE of mag 7.9 SAO 21059.
8": fairly bright, bright core, lively halo, few stars at edges, difficult to achieve resolution.
15x50mm IS binoculars (8/3/11): small, fairly faint glow. The mag 7.9 star 4.5' NW was cleanly resolved from the globular.
Charles Messier discovered M69 = NGC 6637 = D 613 = h3747 on 31 Aug 1780. He described "a nebula without star in Sagittarius... Near to it is a 9 mag star; the light is very faint; can be seen only in a good sky, and the least illumination of the micrometer wires extinguishes it... This nebula has been observed by M. de Lacaille and reported in his catalogue. It resembles the nucleus of a little comet. Diam. 2'." Glen Cozens states that Messier mistakenly assumed Lac I-11 referred to M69 and Lacaille's object is more likely just an asterism. See NGC 6634 or more.
William Herschel observed M69 on 13 Jul 1784 (sweep 237) and noted "Very bright, pretty large, easily resolvable, a faint red colour perceivable; or rather an already resolved cluster of minute stars. It is a coarse miniature of the 53d of the Connoissance [M53]. A bright star in view" The cluster culminated at an elevation of only 6.0” from his latitude! The next object in the sweep was M70 at the same elevation.
James Dunlop observed it on 4 nights in 1826 and described "a pretty bright round well-defined nebula, about 1 1/4' diameter, gradually condensed to the centre; there is a small star about 1' south of the nebula." John Herschel made 3 observations from the Cape of Good Hope. On 1 Aug 1834, he logged "globular, B, R, very gradually brighter middle, resolved into stars 14..15m, diam 10 seconds in RA." Two nights later he noted "globular, pB, R, 3' diam, stars 14..15m." Christian Peters reported finding it around 1850 in Naples (AJ 2, 1856) and claimed it do not appear in any of his books.
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NGC 6638 = ESO 522-030
18 30 56.2 -25 29 50; Sgr
V = 9.2; Size 5.0'; Surf Br = 1.3
18" (7/22/06): at 435x this globular appeared fairly bright, ~3' in diameter with an intense 1' core. The core appears very mottled and just begins to break up into a swarm of faint stars, particularly around the edges. Several very faint stars pepper the halo and pop in and out of visibility. The halo has an irregular scraggly appearance. I was able to pick up this globular with 15x50 IS binoculars as a very small, faint glow along with a mag 9.4 star close south.
17.5" (5/10/91): fairly bright, fairly small, round, 2.5' diameter, gradually increases to a bright core. The halo has a fairly even surface brightness. A few extremely faint mag 15-16 stars are resolved at the mottled edges. Located 3.6' N of mag 9.4 SAO 186904.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6638 = H. I-51 = h3748 on 12 Jul 1784 (sweep 236) and recorded "a pretty considerably easily resolvable R nebula, very bright in the middle and faint red perceivable. A second miniature of that near the 42nd Comae [M53]." John Herschel made the single observation "B; S; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; diam in RA = 4.5s; barely resolved; a very delicate object; doubtless a globular cluster." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6639 = OCL-57
18 30 59 -13 09 18; Sct
17.5" (7/24/95): unimpressive group of two dozen stars at 220x in a 5' region. The brightest mag 11 star is at the west side, with most stars mag 12.5-13.5. There are two small elongated subgroups of stars close NE and SE of the mag 11 star. Located in a rich field 5' NE of mag 8.8 SAO 161547. There are several richer pockets of stars, so this group appears to be another asterism.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6639 = h2011 on 31 Jul 1826 and noted "A closely clustering portion of the milky way, which is one continued cluster here." His position is a close match with this group of stars. Although listed as a cluster in the RNGC, the RA is 48 seconds too small.
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NGC 6640 = UGC 11247 = MCG +06-40-018 = CGCG 200-021 = PGC 61913
18 28 08.2 +34 18 10; Lyr
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 153”
17.5" (7/7/94): faint, small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 0.9'x0.6', weak concentration. A mag 14.5 star is close east of the core, a mag 13.5 star is 1.5' N and a mag 11 star is 4.0' SSE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6640 = St. 13-89 on 26 Jul 1883. His published position was reduced on 21 Aug 1884 and is accurate.
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NGC 6641 = UGC 11250 = MCG +04-43-035 = PGC 61935
18 28 57.4 +22 54 10; Her
V = 13.3; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 102”
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, small, oval 4:3 E-W, 0.8'x0.6', even surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is 1.0' NW.
Truman Safford discovered NGC 6641 = Sf. 47 = St. 5-2 on 9 Aug 1866 and noted "pB, pS, very much brighter in the middle." douard Stephan observed this galaxy on 20 and 26 Jul 1873 (perhaps aware of Safford's discovery), as well as 27 Jul 1875 and 26 Jul 1881. He measured an accurate position on 20 Aug 1873 and reported it as new in his 5th discovery list (#2) with description "vF, vS, R, bM." Stephan was credited in the GC Supplement and the NGC as Safford's discovery was published too late to be included.
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NGC 6642 = ESO 522-032
18 31 54.2 -23 28 34; Sgr
V = 9.4; Size 4.5'; Surf Br = 1.2
24" (8/23/14): at 375x, this fairly bright gc contains a very bright core and an irregular 2' halo. Stars stream out to the east and west creating an impression of elongation. The core is very lively and a few brighter stars are clearly resolved, though packed together very tightly. Roughly 20 stars are resolved in the halo. At 500x, 30-35 stars are resolved (many popping in/out of view) including 8-10 in a clump at the center and close to the core. A single brighter star is just south of the core and a nice pair (~3" separation) is in the halo on the NNE side. A string of stars extends out of the cluster to the north. Easily visible in the 80mm finder at 25x and the finder field contains M22 just 1.1” SE.
18" (7/14/07): at 393x appears as a fairly small but fairly bright globular with a very bright 30" core and 2' halo. The small core is very mottled and partially resolved into 2 or 3 clumps. Roughly 15-20 mag 14.5-16 stars are just visible in the halo including a very close pair on the NNE edge. Located just 1.1 degrees NW of M22.
17.5" (5/10/91): fairly bright, fairly small, round, 2' diameter, bright core seems slightly offset. Half a dozen mag 14-15 stars are resolved in the mottled halo. A mag 11 field star 2.2' NW and a mag 13.5 star 1.5' NW of center are collinear with the core. Located in a field rich in faint stars.
8" (6/19/82): fairly bright, small, bright core, fainter halo, no resolution.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6642 = H. II-205 = h2012 = h3749 on 7 Aug 1784 (sweep 245). He recorded "pB, cL, irregularly E, bM." and his derivedd position is at the east edge of the globular. From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel reported (sweep 793) "globular cluster; pB; R; gradually pretty much brighter middle; 2'; resolved into visible, but vS stars 15...16m." His position is good. From Slough (sweep 275), he logged "a beautiful little globular cluster of excessively minute stars, 60" diam; seen in twilight. It must be pB when seen in dark sky."
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NGC 6643 = UGC 11218 = MCG +12-17-021 = CGCG 340-043 = PGC 61742
18 19 46.6 +74 34 08; Dra
V = 11.1; Size 3.8'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 38”
17.5" (7/9/88): fairly bright, large, oval 2:1 SW-NE, broadly concentrated halo. Forms the east vertex of a triangle with two mag 11.5 stars 1.6' NW and 2.0' W. Also a mag 15 star is off the west edge 1.4' from center.
8" (6/19/82): faint, diffuse, moderately large, elongated SW-NE. Two mag 12 stars are at the west edge.
Eduard Schnfeld discovered NGC 6643 = Au 40 = HN 21 in 1858 while measuring stars for the Bonner Durchmusterung (BD +74 766). This relatively bright galaxy was missed by both Herschels. Horace Tuttle rediscovered the galaxy on 1 Sep 1859 using a 4-inch comet-seeker at Harvard College Observatory and called it "an elongated faint nebula" (reported in AN 1337). Using the 6-inch Heliometer at Knigsberg, Auwers described the nebula as "fairly bright, gradually brighter in the middle, elongated in PA 50”, 2.5 'l, 1.5' br. Two small star are immediately preceding; the major axis of the nebula is inclined only slightly with respect to their connecting line." Auguste Voigt made an observation in July 1865 with the Marseilles Observatory's 31-inch reflector.
Around the time of discovery there was discussion this was possibly a "variable nebula" (a popular topic in the mid to late 19th century), based on very disparate descriptions by Tuttle and d'Arrest (4 observations in "Siderum Nebulosorum"). Wolfgang Steinicke provides the observational history in his book on the NGC discoveries.
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NGC 6644 = PK 8-7.2 = ESO 522-23 = PN G008.3-07.3
18 32 34.6 -25 07 44; Sgr
V = 10.8; Size 2.5"
17.5" (8/1/86): bright bluish "star" at 105x that brightens dramatically with OIII blinking. A mag 12 star (good for blinking comparison) is 1.0' N. At 286x, a small disc is visible about 3" or 4" diameter. Estimate V = 11.0.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6644 on 13 Jul 1880 (Sidereal Messenger, Oct 1882) with the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory. This was first of 17 planetaries he found using a direct-vision spectroscope (15 new discoveries in the NGC). Pickering noted in The Observatory (1881) that "its disk is so small that it can scarcely be detected with an ordinary eyepiece even if brought into the field of view."
Based on Crossley photographs taken at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported "this object is indistinguishable from a star on the Crossley negatives, but visual observations made by Mr. Moore and Aitken with the 36-inch refractor show that it is a minute disk 2" to 3" in diameter."
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NGC 6645 = Cr 383 = Mel 205 = Lund 844
18 32 37 -16 53 00; Sgr
Size 10'
17.5" (8/1/92): at 82x, this is a striking, rich cluster of 20' diameter! Quite rich in faint stars but a noticeable "hole" in center is devoid of stars. A rich knot of stars is on the south side of void and a close triple star is on the north side. A string of stars extends out of the cluster to the east. Three mag 7-8 stars are in the field to the NE. At 220x on the south side of the void are 8 stars in a "V" asterism. Roughly 75 stars are resolved within the central 10' diameter. A rich clump of 8 stars is just resolved at the south edge of the circular hole.
8": about 50 stars resolved, moderately large, unresolved haze, including a close triple star, rich in faint stars, several dense patches.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6645 = H. VI-23 = h2013 on 27 Jun 1786 (sweep 576) and recorded "a beautiful cluster of vS stars; very rich, the stars are of various sizes and some of them form an almost circular row in the middle. About 15' diameter." John Herschel made a single observation; "a rich, p comp cluster; irreg figure having a vacancy in the middle; stars = 11...15m."
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NGC 6646 = UGC 11258 = MCG +07-38-008 = CGCG 228-010 = PGC 61944
18 29 38.8 +39 51 54; Lyr
V = 12.6; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 50”
24" (7/19/17): at 375x; fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated SW-NE, ~1.2'x1.0', strong concentration with a bright core that increases to a small brighter nucleus. Mag 8.8 SAO 67027 lies 4' NNW and mag 9.5 SAO 67032 is 3.4' ESE. NGC 6646 is the brightest in a physical trio with IC 1288 10' SSW and IC 1289 7.5' NE.
13.1" (7/20/85): fairly faint, fairly small, small brighter core, diffuse halo. Forms an obtuse angle with mag 8.5 SAO 67027 3.9' NNW and mag 9.5 SAO 67032 3.3' ESE. Forms a trio with IC 1288 9' SSW and IC 1289 7.5' NE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6646 = H. II-907 on 26 Jun 1802 (sweep 1109) and recorded "faint, small, irregular figure." This is one of the last few "nebulae" that Herschel discovered and the only one he every found in the constellation Lyra. His goal was the reach the 2500 object threshold for a new catalogue of 500. After the manuscript was submitted to the Royal Society, Caroline discovered the list only included 497 new entries. So, there were a couple of additional sweeps made in late September to bring the total past 500.
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NGC 6647 = OCL-45 = Lund 838
18 32 49 -17 13 42; Sgr
24" (7/7/13): patchy Milky Way star cloud at 125x (50' field). Unimpressive and does not stand out from the surrounding region except the position is centered on a scattered group of a half-dozen mag 10-11 stars, spread out over 7' in a SE to NW orientation. Located ~23' SSE of the rich open cluster NGC 6645.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6647 = H. VIII-14 = h2014 on 18 Jun 1784 (sweep 230) and recorded "A cluster of scattered stars filling the field; not rich and stars less than those in the foregoing [M25]." There is no significant clustering at his position on the DSS. John Herschel made the single observation "a very loose parcel of very small stars, hardly noticeable as a cluster." His position is ~7' further east-southeast, but again there is nothing noticeable.
Harold Corwin identifies this number with a Milky Way field (unknown size) centered about 3' north-northeast of WH's position. RNGC classifies the number as a nonexistent cluster. See his identification notes for more.
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NGC 6648 = STF 2332
18 25 37.8 +64 58 34; Dra
V = 10.2/12.7; Size 11"
18" (6/30/11): at this position is a 10" double star (·7) oriented ~E-W with the brighter component on the east side and a difference of ~2 magnitudes. Easily resolved at 175x. Located 9' NNE of mag 6.9 HD 170527.
Wilhelm Struve discovered NGC 6648 = · 7 = Au 41 in 1825 or 1826 with the 9.6" Fraunhofer refractor at the Dorpat Observatory. It was included in a list of 9 "Nebulae detectae" that was added as an appendix to his main catalogue of double stars. He also listed it in the main catalogue of double stars as STF 2332. Struve's sketch (shown in Wolfgang Steinicke's book on the NGC) shows a double star encased in an oval nebula. Using the 6-inch Knigsberg Heliometer in Feb 1861, Auwers found a double star, which he measured at 10" separation in PA 260”, but no nebulosity. This is not a physical double.
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NGC 6649 = Cr 384 = Mel 206 = Lund 847
18 33 27 -10 24 12; Sct
V = 8.9; Size 6'
17.5" (7/1/89): 40-50 stars in a 5' diameter, fairly rich, over unresolved haze. The brightest star is the close double ADS 11441 with components 9.7/11.4 at 4" located at the south edge.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6649 = h3751 on 10 Jul 1787, just two minutes after recording the double star STF 2325 = H. N. 54. He recorded "a cluster of very small and pretty compressed stars of various sizes; but it seems to be of the same nature with the Milky Way, which is at a little distance towards the south." Because of his uncertainty, Caroline didn't assign an internal discovery number and it wasn't later catalogued, but the position is a good match.
John Herschel rediscovered this cluster on 27 May 1835 and recorded "cl VIII class; a small well insulated group of a roundish figure, 5' diam; st 12...13 m; one * 9m, at the southern edge." His position is accurate. JH was credited with the discovery in the GC and NGC.
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NGC 6650 = CGCG 322-043 = VII Zw 794 = PGC 61857
18 25 27.9 +68 00 21; Dra
V = 13.9; Size 0.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 11.8
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, very small, round, only a very small weak concentration at the center. A mag 14 star is 1.0' NNW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6650 = Sw. 2-67 on 11 Sep 1883 and noted "vF; vS; R; 2 stars range with it." His position is just 7 seconds west of CGCG 322-043 = PGC 61857. Bigourdan measured an accurate RA on 25 Nov 1897. This galaxy is missing from the UGC, MCG and RC3.
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NGC 6651 = UGC 11236 = MCG +12-17-020 = CGCG 340-044 = PGC 61836
18 24 19.7 +71 36 06; Dra
V = 13.1; Size 1.6'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 30”
17.5" (6/11/88): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, bright core.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6651 = Sw. 4-69 on 18 Jun 1884 and recorded "eeF; pS; lE; e diff.; between a F[aint] nr *, and a distant B[right] one." His position is 24 seconds of RA west of UGC 1126 (separation of only 2'). Corwin suggests the "bright" star is ~5' west-southwest of the galaxy while the "faint near" star is roughly 2' east-southeast. I'd suggest the distant bright one is mag 7.4 HD 171044 11' NE, but in any case the identification is secure. Bigourdan measured a more accurate position on 3 July 1896 as well as Herbert Howe in 1899-00 with the 20" refractor at Denver.
UGC and CGCG and misidentify UGC 11193 = CGCG 340-042 as NGC 6651. UGC 11193 is located nearly a degree southwest of NGC 6651. Because of this error the magnitude for NGC 6651 in the RNGC applies to CGCG 340-042. MCG, RC2, PGC, RC3 and RNGC have the correct identification. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6652 = ESO 395-11
18 35 45.7 -32 59 25; Sgr
V = 8.9; Size 3.5'; Surf Br = 0.3
17.5" (5/10/91): fairly bright globular cluster, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 2.0'x1.5', sharp small bright core with a substellar nucleus embedded. The mottled halo was not resolved except for a mag 13 star 1' WSW of the core near the edge of the halo and a mag 14 star at the east edge. Located 7' SE of mag 6.9 SAO 210344.
8" (7/31/81): moderately bright, small, compact bright core. A mag 13 star is at the SW edge but there was no other resolution.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6652 = D 607 = h3747 with his 9-inch f/12 speculum reflector on 28 Jun 1826. His summary description (3 observations) is "a rather bright well-defined round nebula, about 12 or 14 arcseconds diameter, following a star of the 6th mag." His published position was 33' too far E but his identification is secure and the bright star = HD 171034.
John Herschel observed this globular on 4 sweeps. On 31 Jul 1834 he logged "B; pmE in parallel; gradually much brighter middle, 60" long, 35" broad, all clearly resolved." A few nights later he wrote "pB; S; lE; 90" long, 75" broad, stars 15m." On a third sweep he described "vB; S; 40"; resolved. Among close stars, which give it an elongated appearance, but do not seem to belong to it."
Pietro Baracchi observed the cluster on 5 Oct 1885 with the 48" Melbourne telescope and wrote "cB, small, irregular shaped, roundish, suddently very much brighter in the middle to a very bright center. Resolvable - cluster of minute stars - yes, a little elongated south-following."
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NGC 6653 = ESO 045-013 = PGC 62342
18 44 38.6 -73 15 48; Pav
V = 12.2; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 51”
24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 260x this Pavo galaxy appeared moderately bright, slightly elongated SW-NE, 1.1'x0.9', weak even concentration to the center. A faint star is at the NE edge 32" from the center.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6653 = h3750 on 28 Jun 1835 and recorded "vF; lE; gradually little brighter middle; 20"." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6654 = UGC 11238 = MCG +12-17-023 = CGCG 340-045 = VII Zw 793 = PGC 61833
18 24 07.9 +73 10 59; Dra
V = 12.0; Size 2.6'x2.1'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 0”
17.5" (7/9/88): moderately bright, moderately large, round. Sharply concentrated with a very bright, just non-stellar nucleus embedded in a large low surface brightness halo. A mismatched mag 11/14.5 double star lies 2.4' W.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6654 = Sw. 1-97 on 11 Sep 1883 and "supposed it to be a nebula, though he had a slight suspicion it might be a comet." He confirmed the object on 14 September, measured a different (more accurate) position matching UGC 11238, but reported it as a new comet to Harvard College Observatory.
At least two other observers searched for Swift's "comet", but ended up rediscovering NGC 6654. Johann Palisa, observing with the 12" refractor at the Vienna Observatory on 20 Sep 1883, and Ernst Lamp, observing with the 8-inch refractor at the Kiel Observatory on 23 Sep 1883, both found this galaxy and assumed it was a new nebula. Swift was probably both upset and embarrassed he was deceived by this "nebula". He explained his error in Astronomische Nachrichten 107 (p. 273) and stated the nebula found by Palisa and Lamp was the same as the one that discovered but mistook for a comet. Swift also mentioned he was surprised that so bright an object was previously missed. He included it in his first discovery list, with description "pB; R; mbM. Looks like a comet."
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NGC 6655
18 34 30.8 -05 55 15; Sct
V = 13.3/13.3; Size 11"
18" (7/1/11): The identification of NGC 6655 is uncertain but may apply to an 11" pair of mag 13.3 stars that was easily resolved at 175x. A third star of similar magnitude lies 35" NNW. Located in a rich Milky Way field near the edge of the Great Rift and 17' E of mag 6.4 HD 171149. Although there is no non-stellar object near Winnecke's position, his description: pF, S, E, 10"x3", would apply to this pair and the double might appear nebulous in poor seeing.
Friedrich August Winnecke discovered NGC 6655 = Au 42 in June of 1855 with the 9.6-inch Fraunhofer refractor at the Berlin Observatory. He described it as "pF, S, E, 10" x 3", but there is nothing near his position. Arthur Auwers couldn't find this object on two attempts in 1859 and 1860 at Knigsberg, but included it in his 1862 catalogue of new nebulae. In 1865, Heinrich d'Arrest found a "small, inconspicuous, easily resolvable star cluster."
Harold Corwin suggests this may be a 11" pair of mag 14 stars, situated 19 seconds of time west, and 3.3' north of Winnecke's position. See his identification notes. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6656 = M22 = ESO 523-4
18 36 24.1 -23 54 12; Sgr
V = 5.2; Size 24.0'; Surf Br = 1.1
24" (7/21/12): M22 displayed a few distinct orange/red supergiants. Two colored stars are on the southwest and southeast side of the core. A third fainter star forming an isosceles triangle to the north (closer into the core) is also orange/red.
17.5" (8/4/94): at 220x appears 10' diameter although outliers may significantly increase the total diameter. The very bright core appeared irregularly round and 3.5'-4' diameter but not concentrated to the center. M22 was extensively resolved to the center and there was no distinct nucleus. At the NE edge of the core I noticed a rich small clump with 8-10 stars that collectively stood out well and an easy bright pair at the SE edge of the core. The very irregular halo appeared more extensive on the NE side and seemed elongated SW-NE. Dark lanes appeared to intrude into the cluster and involve the surrounding region, though this may be an optical effect.
8" (many dates starting July 1980): very bright, very large, extremely rich. A few hundred mag 11-13 stars were resolved and the globular appeared highly resolved down to the core. A bright clump as visible in the NE section of the core. The cluster contained a wide variation of magnitudes. M22 is the second best globular for viewing from Northern California (next to M13), although it has brighter members).
Naked-eye (8/19/09 and 8/3/11): fairly easy naked-eye fuzzy (non-stellar) glow from Northern California. Bracketed by two mag 5.5-6 stars about 35' NE and a similar distance west.
Naked eye: This is the third brightest globular in integrated magnitude (V = 5.2) and generally a difficult naked-eye object in a dark sky from northern California. It was a fairly easy naked-eye from Australia, though not as obvious as I expected.
German amateur Johann Abraham Ihle probably discovered M22 = NGC 6656 = Lac I-12 = h2015 = h3753 on 26 Aug 1665. The discovery was during an observation of Saturn and the first globular cluster found. It was reported that Hevelius had seen it earlier, but he didn't include M22 in his list. Edmond Halley observed and included this globular in his 1715 list of six nebulae. Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille observed it on 6 Apr 1752 with a 1/2" telescope at 8x, during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.
William Herschel's earliest observation was on 4 Jul 1783 with his 12-inch reflector (small 20-ft. He remarked it was "All resolved into stars". With his main 18.7" on 12 Jul 1784 (sweep 236), he called it "a most beautiful extensive cluster of stars of various magnitudes, very compressed in the middle. R and about 8' dia besides the scattered ones which do more than fill the extent of the field, larged, resolved."
From the Cape of Good Hope, John Herschel recorded (sweep 793), "globular cluster; vB; vL; very much compressed; very gradually very much brighter in the middle; 7' diam. The stars are of two magnitudes, viz., 15..16m and 12m; and what is remarkable, the largest of these latter are visibly reddish; one in particular, the largest of all (= 11-12m) sf the middle, is decidedly a ruddy *, and so I think are all the other large ones."
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NGC 6657 = UGC 11271 = MCG +06-41-003 = CGCG 201-008 = PGC 62019
18 33 01.4 +34 03 38; Lyr
V = 13.6; Size 0.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 138”
13.1" (7/20/85): fairly faint, diffuse, slightly elongated NW-SE, fairly small, broad concentration with no distinct core. Located in a rich star field.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6657 = St. 7-22 on 29 Jul 1873. His published micrometric position (list 7, #22) was made 3 years later on 16 Jul 1876 with description "very faint, extremely small, a small brighter nucleus almost central." On 30 Jul 1877 he noted "2 nebulae", though the second object was probably two or more faint stars. He made a late observation on 20 Jul 1881.
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NGC 6658 = UGC 11274 = MCG +04-44-002 = CGCG 143-002 = LGG 421-004 = PGC 62052
18 33 55.8 +22 53 19; Her
V = 12.9; Size 1.7'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 5”
17.5" (7/1/89): faint, small, edge-on N-S, small very bright core with very faint extensions. A mag 13 star is just off the east side of the north edge 40" from center. Pair with NGC 6661 9.7' ENE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6658 = m 382, along with NGC 6661, on 6 Jun 1864 and noted "F, vS, lE."
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NGC 6659
18 33 59 +23 35 42; Her
17.5" (8/3/97): at 100x a very unimpressive scattered group of ~15 stars elongated SW-NE is visible just south of a mag 9 star. This weak collection includes 5 brighter mag 10-11 stars and a mag 9.5 star on the south end. I would have passed over this grouping without using a GSC plot centered on the mag 9.5 star at JH's position. At 220x, ~20 stars were counted in a 7'x3' region over some background Milky Way haze. A small extension of this faint glow was seen to the south of the group with a few mag 15 stars resolved. Looks entirely like a weak asterism and it is very surprising that it was logged as a cluster. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6659 = h2016 on 12 Jul 1830 and simply noted "A very poor cluster 8th class." His position corresponds with a mag 9.5 star, the brightest in a 6'x4' (or larger) asterism, mostly north of this star. Karl Reinmuth described "a very loose clustering of a few st 10...15."
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NGC 6660 = NGC 6661 = UGC 11282 = MCG +04-44-003 = CGCG 143-003 = PGC 62072
18 34 36.7 +22 54 35; Her
V = 12.1; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 145”
See observing notes for NGC 6661.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6660 = Sw. 2-68 on 14 Jul 1885 and recorded "pB; pS; R; mbM; between 2 stars. Larger and brighter than [GC] 5918 [= NGC 6658]." There is nothing at his position, but exactly 10' north is NGC 6661 (discovered by Albert Marth on 6 Jun 1864) and his description applies (the two stars are north and south). NGC 6660 is noted as identical to NGC 6661 in the IC 1 Notes (Pechle, AN #3259). Herbert Howe measured an accurate position.
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NGC 6661 = NGC 6660 = UGC 11282 = MCG +04-44-003 = CGCG 143-003 = PGC 62072
18 34 36.7 +22 54 35; Her
V = 12.1; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 145”
17.5" (7/1/89): moderately bright, moderately large, bright core, elongated NW-SE. Located just south of a shallow arc consisting of five mag 12-13 stars and just north of a line of four mag 11 stars oriented SW-NE. Forms a pair with NGC 6658 9.7' WSW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6661 = m 383 = St. 2-20 on 6 Jun 1864 and noted "F, vS, R." His position was 1' too far S. douard Stephan observed this galaxy on 21 Jun 1870 and 7 Jul 1871 (probably already known from Lassell's publication in 1867). He measured a precise position on 16 Jul 1871 and reported it as new in his second discovery list (#20), which includes 18 objects (out of 30) already discovered by Marth. Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the GC Supplement and NGC.
NGC 6660, found by Lewis Swift on 14 Jul 1885, is a duplicate observation. See that number.
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NGC 6662 = UGC 11280 = MCG +05-44-003 = CGCG 173-007 = PGC 62059
18 34 11.3 +32 03 51; Lyr
V = 13.7; Size 1.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 20”
13.1" (9/3/86): faint, small, very elongated SSW-NNE, brighter core. A mag 11 star [4" pair] is 2.2' NE. Not identified as NGC 6662 in the UGC or CGCG.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6662 = St. 13-90 on 22 Jul 1881 and noted it was a little elongated N-S. His position was 4' too far south, once corrected for a 5.0 minute error in RA. He reduced an accurate position on 7 Aug 1883 and included it in his 13th discovery list (#90) Neither UGC nor CGCG label this galaxy as NGC 6662, despite the good position. MCG, RNGC and RC3 have the correct designation.
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NGC 6663 = UGC 11276 = MCG +07-38-011 = CGCG 228-014 = PGC 62032
18 33 33.8 +40 02 56; Lyr
V = 13.9; Size 1.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 140”
17.5" (8/1/89): very faint, fairly small, almost round, extremely weak central brightening, diffuse.
Edward Swift discovered NGC 6663 = Sw. 9-88 on 29 May 1887. The position is 3.4' due north of UGC 11276, the only nearby galaxy. The same night Edward discovered NGC 6685 and NGC 6686, all three within 1.5” of Vega. The discoveries were communicated directly to Dreyer and weren't published until after the NGC (9th discovery list in 1890).
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NGC 6664 = Cr 385 = Lund 850 = OCL-68
18 36 30 -08 11; Sct
V = 7.8; Size 16'
17.5" (7/1/89): at 220x, about 100 stars in a 15' scattered field including several mag 11 stars. Many stars are arranged in strings although no dense parts. Located 29' E of Alpha Scuti (V = 3.9).
William Herschel discovered NGC 6664 = H. VIII-12 = h3754 on 16 Jun 1784 (sweep 228) and recorded "a cluster of very coarsely scattered stars; or, the milky way uncommonly crowded. The cl. did more than fill my field of view." His position is on the east side of the cluster. John Herschel made the single observation "a cl of L stars. It is the commencement of the bright milky way, which here comes on suddenly in the main body."
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NGC 6665 = MCG +05-44-004 = CGCG 173-010 = PGC 62065
18 34 30.0 +30 43 14; Lyr
V = 13.6; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 30”
13.1" (9/3/86): faint, fairly small, very diffuse, very weakly concentrated core. Located 24' ENE of mag 5.5 SAO 67090.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6665 = St. 2-21 on 23 Jun 1871. His position was on the SW end of the galaxy. He determined an accurate micrometric position (list 2, #21) a month later (19 Jul 1871). The CGCG didn't label this galaxy as NGC 6665.
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NGC 6666
18 34 44 +33 35; Lyr
= Not found, RNGC and Corwin.
Edward Swift discovered NGC 6666 = Sw. 9-89 on 25 May 1887 and noted "eF; S; R." This discovery was directly communicated to Dreyer but it was later included in his 9th list (#89), published in 1890 after the NGC. There is nothing near Swifts' position or Bigourdan's "corrected" position from 3 Jul 1897. Howe reported "an unsuccessful search for this was prosecuted on two nights. As it is called "v diff", the region may well be examined with a larger telescope." No modern catalogue has an entry for NGC 6666. So for now it is lost. See Harold Corwin's NGC identification notes.
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NGC 6667 = NGC 6668 = NGC 6678? = UGC 11269 = MCG +11-22-053 = CGCG 332-044 = PGC 61972
18 30 40.1 +67 59 14; Dra
V = 12.7; Size 2.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 105”
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, moderately large, oval 2:1 WNW-ESE, weak concentration.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6667 = Sw. 2-69 on 11 Sep 1883 and recorded "vF; pL; lE; vF D * near." His position is at the west edge of UGC 11269. There are few faint pairs in the area that might be his "vF double star near". Swift found the galaxy again on 31 Jul 1886 and reported it in his 4th list, #70. His position on that night was exactly 50' too far south, so assuming a digit error in reading the declination, NGC 6667 = NGC 6668. It's also possible that NGC 6678 = Sw. 1-99 is a third observation of this galaxy!
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NGC 6668 = NGC 6667 = NGC 6678? = UGC 11269 = MCG +11-22-053 = CGCG 332-044
18 30 40.1 +67 59 14; Dra
See observing notes for NGC 6667.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6668 = Sw. 4-70 on 31 Jul 1886 and logged "pB; pS; vE." There is nothing near his position. Herbert Howe, observing in 1899-00, reported "this is called 'pB, pS, mE' by its discovered, and therefore ought to be an easy object. I have searched for it on 3 nights unsuccessfully, and conclude that no such nebula exists in or near the place given for it. It may be identical to [NGC] 6677, which follows about 3 min at about the same declination." Bigourdan was also unable to find NGC 6668. Dreyer noted in the IC 2 Notes that NGC 6668 was probably identical to NGC 6677, based on Howe's suggestion.
Instead, Harold Corwin suggests NGC 6668 is a duplicate observation of NGC 6667. This galaxy is exactly 50' north of Swift's position and his description "vE" applies (the NGC description is "mE"). It is also possible that Swift's NGC 6678 is another observation of NGC 6667, in which case NGC 6667 = NGC 6668 = NGC 6678, all found by Swift. RNGC classifies NGC 6668 as nonexistent. See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6669
18 37 15.1 +22 11 45; Her
18" (7/21/04): at 225x, this is just an inconspicuous, 20" hazy patch that is lively. A couple of extremely faint stars are on the verge of visibility. Several bright and faint pairs are in the field including a faint, close pair 2.4' NW.
17.5" (8/7/02): at 100x, I noticed a very faint, small hazy patch at the plotted position. At 263x, the glow was still faint, ~1' diameter, with an irregular surface brightness with three very faint stars resolved (two of these are on opposite sides of the glow). Located 10' NE of a mag 6.8 star.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6669 = m 384 on 2 Jul 1864 and noted 'eF, pL." Just 1' north of his position is a very faint, rich knot of stars that could fit his description. Harold Corwin equates NGC 6669 with this group of stars.
RNGC and PGC probably misidentify UGC 11302 as NGC 6669. This galaxy is located 45 seconds of RA east of Marth's position and also 6.5' S. Furthermore, Marth probably would have mentioned a mag 12 star superimposed on the north side of this extremely low surface brightness galaxy. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6670 = UGC 11284 = MCG +10-26-044 = CGCG 301-031 = VII Zw 812 = PGC 62033
18 33 37.3 +59 53 22; Dra
V = 14.1; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5
48" (11/2/13): this fascinating interacting pair was observed at 488x and 813x. NGC 6670B, the western component, appeared as a moderately bright, very thin edge-on, 5:1 WSW-ESE, 0.6'x0.12'. NGC 6670A is the brighter eastern component and was slightly detached (perhaps by 12") from the western component. At 488x it appeared moderately bright with a high surface brightness, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 0.6'x0.2', contains a bright elongated core. An extremely small knot (LEDA 200359) is at the east-southeast tip. Using 813x, this knot (listed separately in the UGC notes, but probably a compact star forming region in NGC 6670A) was occasionally just cleanly detached, round, ~5" diameter, situated barely south of the major axis. A mag 12.5 star lies 1' ESE of the eastern component. Located 4.4' due E of mag 9.0 HD 238901. CGCG 301-32, 5' SE, appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 21"x14", brighter core.
24" (7/21/12): the main two components of this interacting triple were easily resolved at 322x. The western component (NGC 6670B) appeared fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated WSW-ENE, 25"x8", even surface brightness. NGC 6670A is nearly in contact at the east end and appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, 24"x12". The tiny companion at the eastern tip of NGC 6670A was not resolved. Located 4.5' E of mag 9 HD 238901.
Nearby is CGCG 030-032 5' SE, CGCG 030-030 9' W, and LEDA 2597427 10' SSE. CGCG 030-032 appeared faint, very small, irregularly round, 15" diameter. CGCG 030-030 is fairly faint, small, round, 15"-18" diameter, slightly brighter nucleus. Located 4.6' WSW of mag 9.0 HD 238901. LEDA 2597427 is extremely faint and small, 12" diameter. This low surface brightness edge-on is too faint to see any shape or structure. Situated between a mag 11.5 star 0.8' NNW and a mag 11 star 1.2' S.
17.5" (7/20/90): very faint, very small. With close inspection resolves into two galaxies oriented WSW-ENE (actually a triple system). The ENE member is larger and brighter and a mag 13 star is 30" SE. Forms a trio with CGCG 301-032 5' ESE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6670 = Sw. 4-71 on 31 Jul 1886 and recorded "eeF; S; cE; e diff.; between a F and a pB *, nearer the former." His position is fairly accurate and the "pB *" is mag 9 HD 238901, located 4.7' due west. Swift did not resolve this double system.
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NGC 6671 = UGC 11299 = MCG +04-44-006 = CGCG 143-006 = PGC 62148
18 37 26.2 +26 25 01; Lyr
V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.9
17.5" (8/2/86): moderately bright, small, high surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is at the ENE edge 28" from center. A line of brighter mag 11-12 stars begins with a mag 11.5 star 0.7' NW and extends to the NW. Situated in a rich star field.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6671 = m 385 = St. 2-22 on 6 Jun 1864 and noted "vF, vS, R." Stephan observed this galaxy on 23 Jun 1871 (probably known from Lassell's publication in 1867). He measured a precise position a month later on 19 Jul 1871 and reported it as new in his 2nd list (#22). Stephan made a later observation on 23 Jul 1881. Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 6672
18 36 14.4 +42 56 51; Lyr
= close double star, Thomson and Gottlieb.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6672 = St. 10-37 on 12 Jul 1869. His published position was reduced on 24 Jul 1879 with description, "Two faint stars, the northern one appears wrapped in almost imperceptible nebulosity." At his position is a 12" pair of star, with the northern star a close double (~3"), matching his description. Bigourdan measured an object just 1' from Stephan's position and also described it as "a double star which appears to have a trace of nebulosity."
The RNGC and CGCG misidentify CGCG 228-015 as NGC 6672. This galaxy is almost 40' WSW of Stephan's position! This error was noted in my RNGC Corrections #6.
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NGC 6673 = ESO 140-044 = AM 1840-622 = PGC 62351
18 45 06.5 -62 17 49; Pav
V = 11.6; Size 2.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 26”
30" (11/3/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, sharply concentrated with a very bright core. A star is just off the east edge and at the south tip. A mag 9 star (HD 172584) is in the field 7.5' SSE. Located 50' W of mag 4.1 Lambda Pavonis and 21' WSW of mag 7 HD 173167.
Forms a pair with ESO 140-043 4.4' SSW. This galaxy appeared faint, moderately large. Its sharply concentrated appearance was unusual with a very small, very bright elongated core surrounded by a very faint, ill-defined halo, ~1.5'x1.0' N-S. In addition, IC 4751 and 4753, a 1.6' pair, lies 16' NW and IC 4754 is 20' NNW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6673 = h3755 on 7 Aug 1834 NGC and recorded "pF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; r; 25"." His position (measured on two nights) is accurate.
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NGC 6674 = UGC 11308 = MCG +04-44-007 = CGCG 143-008 = PGC 62178
18 38 34.0 +25 22 30; Her
V = 12.2; Size 4.0'x2.2'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 143”
17.5" (7/1/89): fairly faint, fairly large, very diffuse, elongated NW-SE, bright core, faint stellar nucleus or a faint star is superimposed. Several faint stars are near.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6674 = m 386 = Sf. 32 = St. 2-23 on 6 Jun 1864 and noted "F, pS, bM." Truman Safford rediscovered the galaxy on 6 Jun 1871 and noted "pB, pL". His discovery wasn't published until 1887 and didn't receive credit in the NGC.
douard Stephan made observations on several nights; 23 Jun 1871, 20 Jul 1873, 5 Jul 1877 and 24 Jul 1881. He measured a precise position on 18 Jul 1871 and reported it as new in his second discovery list (#23). Was he aware of this galaxy from Lassell's publication in 1867 or Safford's observation? His description reads, "A small nucleus, very faint, surrounded by moderately large nebulosity, round, ill-defined outline." Marth was the original discoverer of 18 out of the 30 objects in Stephan's second list and Saffard first discovered 6 more! Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
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NGC 6675 = UGC 11305 = MCG +07-38-013 = CGCG 228-019 = PGC 62149
18 37 26.6 +40 03 28; Lyr
V = 12.4; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 130”
17.5" (7/5/86): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, mottled, broad concentration.
13.1" (7/27/84): faint, fairly small, almost round, fairly low even surface brightness.
Auguste Voigt discovered NGC 6675 = Voigt 7 = Sf. 54 = St. 7-23 on 19 Jun 1864 with the 31-inch Foucault reflector at the Marseilles observatory. His unpublished logbook position was only 20" S of center. Truman Safford found this galaxy again on 28 Sep 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at Dearborn Observatory and noted "pB, pS, gradually brighter in the middle." douard Stephan also observed it on 16 Jul 1869, as well as 25 Jul 1873 (notified of either Voigt's or Safford's discovery?). His published position in his 7th discovery paper (#23) was reduced on 27 Jul 1870. As Safford's discovery was published too late to be included in the NGC, Stephan was credited with the discovery.
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NGC 6676 = UGC 11286 = MCG +11-22-054 = CGCG 322-045 = PGC 62021
18 33 09.9 +66 57 32; Dra
V = 14.4; Size 1.6'x0.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 142”
17.5" (6/11/88): extremely faint, fairly small, edge-on NNW-SSE, requires averted vision. Located 10' S of NGC 6677/NGC 6679.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6676 = Sw. 4-72 on 30 May 1886 and recorded "eeeF; pS; lE; little brighter middle; ee diff.; 2 or 3 others in field.". His position is 13 seconds of RA west of UGC 11286 W of UGC 11286. His "2 or 3 others" probably refer to NGC 6677 and 6679. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 5 Sep 1891 as well as Herbert Howe in 1899-00 with the 20-inch refractor at Denver.
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NGC 6677 = UGC 11290 = MCG +11-22-057 = CGCG 322-047 = CGCG 323-002 = PGC 62035
18 33 36.1 +67 06 36; Dra
Size 0.9'x0.35'; PA = 102”
48" (10/22/11): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:1 ~E-W, 0.9'x0.3', broad concentration with a slightly brighter core. A mag 14.5 star is just south of the eastern end. NGC 6679 lies 1.7' NNW. This galaxy is identified as IC 4763 in UGC, CGCG and PGC.
24" (8/27/14): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, very weak concentration, ~40"x16". A mag 14.5 star is barely off the SE end.
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, small, very elongated WNW-ESE. A mag 14 star is off the SE end 18" from center. Forms a close pair with NGC 6679 1.7' NNW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6677 = Sw. 1-98 = Sw. 3-100 on 8 Jun 1885 and logged "pF, pS, R." His position was 17 sec of RA west and 2' north of UGC 11290, the largest of a compact trio. Swift made a second observation on 25 Oct 1885 and included it as the last object in his 3rd discovery paper. His second position was 12 seconds of time west of UGC 11290. His notes mention "between a * v close and a vF D *". The "* v close" is probably a mag 14 star off the southeast end. So, Sw. 3-100 likely refers to UGC 11290, while Sw. 1-98 may apply to UGC 11290 or perhaps nearby NGC 6679 = UGC 11288, which is more compact and has a higher surface brightness. The NGC position appears to be a mean of Swift's positions.
Bigourdan's position from 5 Sep 1891 matches UGC 11290 as well as Kobold's micrometric position in 1899 with the 18-inch refractor at Strasbourg. Herbert Howe, observing in 1899-1900 with the 20" refractor at Denver reported "The NGC says "bet. * v close and vF D *." I did not notice the very faint double star; the other is mag 12, and follows the nebula 2 seconds, 10" south." His position corresponds with UGC 11290, though Dreyer did not publish his corrected position in the IC 2 Notes. So, NGC 6677 = UGC 11290.
UGC and CGCG misidentify NGC 6677 as IC 4763, though RNGC appears to have the correct identification. Malcolm Thomson discusses the identification in his unpublished "Catalogue Corrections". Harold Corwin arrives at some different conclusions for identifications of NGC 6677, NGC 6679 and IC 4763.
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NGC 6678 = NGC 6667? = NGC 6668? = UGC 11269 = MCG +11-22-053 = CGCG 332-044
18 30 40.1 +67 59 14; Dra
See observing notes for NGC 6667.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6678 = Sw. 1-99 on 8 Jun 1885 and noted "pF; pS; R." There is nothing obvious near his position that he might have picked up and the closest galaxy is NGC 6667 = UGC 11269, situated 2.5 minutes of RA west and 8' further north. Harold Corwin suggests that NGC 6678 may be a duplicate observation of NGC 6667, which Swift discovered earlier on 11 Sep 1883. In addition, Swift's IV-70 = NGC 6668 may be a third observation of this galaxy (his position is off by 50' in declination). So, it's possible NGC 6667 = NGC 6668 = NGC 6678 refer to UGC 11269. Due to Swift's poor position, neither Bigourdan nor Herbert Howe could find NGC 6678. See Harold Corwin's identification notes for more.
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NGC 6679 = IC 4763 = UGC 11288 NED1 = MCG +11-22-055 = CGCG 322-046 NED1 = CGCG 323-001 NED1 = VV 672 NED1 = VII Zw 814 = PGC 62029
18 33 30.5 +67 08 14; Dra
Size 0.4'x0.3'
48" (10/22/11): bright, fairly small, round, high surface brightness, 20" diameter. A 14th magnitude star is attached at the southwest edge and a mag 16.5 star is 20" NE. In a close trio with NGC 6677 1.7' SSE and MCG +11-22-056 = PGC 62026 is 0.6' N. The MCG companion (identified as IC 4763 in MCG and as NGC 6679 in PGC and Megastar) appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 0.3'x0.2'. A 15th magnitude star is 18" NNE.
Zwicky described the pair (VII Zw 814) with MCG +11-22-056 as "post-eruptive blue patchy compacts interconnected by a broad uniform bridge, separation = 30" NNE-SSW."
24" (8/27/14): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, round, 18" diameter, fairly high surface brightness. A mag 14.5 star is attached at the southwest edge.
MCG +11-22-056 = PGC 62026 lies just 0.6' N. At 375x it appeared extremely faint or very faint, round, just 8"-10" diameter. Once in my averted vision sweet spot, I could nearly hold this galaxy continuously. A mag 15 star (brighter than the galaxy) lies 0.3' NNE.
17.5" (6/11/88): fairly faint, very small, elongated SW-NE. One or two extremely faint stars are possibly involved or close off the edge. Forms a close pair with NGC 6677 1.7' SSE. MCG +11-22-056, a nearly stellar galaxy just 38" N was not seen.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6679 = Sw. 9-90 on 24 Jun 1887 and described "an extremely close double with [NGC] 6679; suspected with 132, confirmed with 200; perfectly separated with 250." This was the third time he visited the field, the previous nights on 8 Jun 1885 (list 1-98) and 25 Oct 1885 (list 3-100). Dreyer concluded the first two numbers referred to NGC 6677, which is probably UGC 11290, the largest in the compact triplet. Swift's position also matches UGC 11290, but in a 1894 issue of Popular Astronomy, Swift clarified that NGC 6679 is a close double, which is a better fit with MCG +11-22-055 = PGC 62029, which has a faint star at its southwest edge.
Dreyer made an error in the declination of NGC 6679, placing it nearly 10' further north than Swift's position in list IX. Confusing the issue further is that NGC 6679 is a double system with an extremely faint component 35" north. Bigourdan made an observation on 5 Sep 1891. He couldn't find NGC 6679 at Dreyer's incorrect place, but accurately measured PGC 62029 and Dreyer recatalogued this galaxy as IC 4763. When Howe observed the field in 1899-00, he measured NGC 6677 and 6679 and described NGC 6679 as "a nebulous double star of mag 12.5, distance 5" and angle 60”. The NGC place is 8.5' out in declination." His position for NGC 6679 is an exact match with PGC 62029. So, NGC 6679 = IC 4763.
The double system UGC 11288 is misidentified as NGC 6677 + NGC 6679 in the UGC and CGCG and NGC 6677 + IC 4763 in the MCG. It doesn't appear that the northern component (MCG +11-22-056 = PGC 62026 ) was seen by Swift, Bigourdan or Howe although IC 4763 is often incorrectly assigned to this compact galaxy. Malcolm Thomson (in his unpublished "Catalogue Corrections") and Harold Corwin assign different identifications for this confusing situation.
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NGC 6680 = CGCG 143-010 = PGC 62210
18 39 44.0 +22 18 59; Her
V = 14.4; Size 0.7'x0.5'; PA = 60”
17.5" (8/3/89): faint, small, round, diffuse, weak concentration. An extremely faint star is possibly involved. Located within a line of six mag 14-15 stars in a very rich star field!
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6680 = m 387 on 2 Jul 1864 and noted "eF, S, close to a small *." His position is accurate. This system appears to have at least two components and several superimposed stars and knots. Perhaps one of these components is Marth's "small *".
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NGC 6681 = M70 = ESO 458-3
18 43 12.6 -32 17 31; Sgr
V = 8.1; Size 7.8'; Surf Br = 0.2
17.5" (7/14/99): at 220x, M70 displayed a 3' round halo and is very well concentrated to a small bright core and intense nucleus. A string of three brighter stars extends to the north from the northeast end and a number of stars are resolved in the halo. At 280x, ~15-20 faint stars are resolved in the halo and at the edge of the core, particularly on the south side over a very lively background.
13.1": very small bright core, faint stars are resolved at the edges. A bright string of stars at the following side trails to the NNE.
8": few faint stars resolved at high power, bright core. The halo appears flattened on the east side.
15x50mm IS binoculars (8/3/11): very small, fairly faint glow, brighter center, not difficult.
Charles Messier discovered M70 = NGC 6681 = D 614 = h3756 on 31 Aug 1780 and described "a nebula without star, near the preceding [M 69] and on the same parallel. Near to it is a 9 mag. star and four small telescopic stars, almost in the same straight line, close to one another and situated below the nebula as seen in a reversing telescope. Diam. 2'."
On 13 Jul 1784 (sweep 237), William Herschel recorded "easily resolvable, cB, pL, irregularly round. A very faint red perceivable." The cluster culminated at an altitude of only 6.0” from his latitude. Several other globulars in the sweep were at a similar low elevation including M69, observed 12 minutes earlier. He also mention a faint red colour in his observation of M69, as well as several other globulars. This was not due to the spectral types of the visible stars, though.
James Dunlop made 5 observations (first on 2 Jun 1826) and called it "a pretty bright round nebula, about 1 1/2' diameter, very much condensed to the centre." On 1 Aug 1834 (sweep 477) John Herschel recorded "globular, B, R, gradually much brighter middle, diam in RA = 7 seconds; resolved into stars 14...17m."
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NGC 6682
18 39 37 -04 48 48; Sct
17.5" (8/12/01): this appears to be a large Milky Way field in the Scutum Star Cloud, at the eastern edge of the great rift. At 64x (31 Nagler), there is no obvious cluster but two large, fairly rich, elongated condensations were noted. The larger southern group is about 20' in size, extended NW-SE. Connected on the following end to the north is another Milky Way patch, perhaps 15' in size. Both groups are fairly rich with a background of haze. The star density dramatically drops just east of this cloud (part of Great Rift) and then the Milky Way bursts into view again on the opposite side of the rift. So the grouping only barely stands out due to location in an absorption hole at edge of the Great Rift. Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6682 = h2017 on 25 Jul 1827 and recorded "A L p rich cl of straggling stars, having a vacuity in M and broken into 2 or 3 clusters. Fills field. 70 or 80 stars of all magnitudes from 10 to 18 counted. Extended, in parallel. The most comp part f." There is nothing at his position, but 2 minutes of time west is a large, scattered group fitting his description. The positional error was repeated in the NGC, though Harold Corwin notes that Bigourdan gave a corrected position. The RNGC classifies this object as nonexistent at the erroneous NGC position. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6683 = Lund 856 = OCL-74
18 42 13 -06 12 42; Sct
V = 9.4; Size 4
17.5" (7/1/89): about 20 faint mag 13-15 stars in two converging rows in a very rich field. The edge of the "Great Rift" is just 10' W (part of dark nebula B103) with an abrupt drop off in stars!
8" (7/5/83): 10 faint stars in an elongated group over unresolved haze. The "Great Rift" is obvious just 10' W. In a rich field.
8" (7/16/82): elongated group of about 12 stars mag 11 and fainter in a rich star field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6683 = h2018 on 28 Jul 1827 and recorded "A more than usually condensed portion of the enormous cluster of the Milky Way. The field has 200 or 300 stars in it at once." His position is accurate. Based on Heidelberg plates, Karl Reinmuth noted "irregular clustering in extremely dense region, not well defined."
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NGC 6684 = ESO 104-016 = AM 1843-651 = PGC 62453
18 48 57.9 -65 10 23; Pav
V = 10.4; Size 4.0'x2.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 35”
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x this galaxy appeared fairly bright and large, slightly elongated SW-NE, 2.0'x1.6'. Sharply concentrated with a strikingly bright core and a large, slightly oval halo. The core brightens evenly to a stellar nucleus with direct vision. A mag 11 star is off the south side, 2.5' from center. Located 6' SSE of mag 5.7 Theta Pavonis! Member of the NGC 6744 group.
NGC 6684A lies 30' NE. It was observed on 14 Oct 2015 at 303x with the 3RF 30" near Crookwell. At 303x it appeared very large, low surface brightness glow, irregularly round, ~2' in diameter. Exhibits a very weak central brightening and there was no defined edge to the halo. A pair of mag 13-14 stars is at the southwest edge. Located 30' NE of NGC 6684 and 28' NE of mag 5.7 Theta Pavonis. Nestled in a group of stars, including a mag 9.7 star 2.7' NW, a mag 8.5 star 7.7' SE and a number of mag 13-14 stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6684 = h3757 on 8 Jun 1836 and recorded "vB; R; first vg, then pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 90"; a * 6-7m, 7' sp." The RNGC misclassifies this galaxy as a globular cluster.
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NGC 6685 = UGC 11317 = MCG +07-38-015 = CGCG 228-021 = PGC 62220
18 39 58.6 +39 58 54; Lyr
V = 13.4; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 30”
17.5" (7/5/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, bright core. Located 8.7' SSE of mag 8 SAO 47678. Member of a trio with IC 4772 2.8' N and NGC 6686 9.5' NNE. RNGC, UGC, CGCG misidentify IC 4772 as NGC 6685. Described as very small as 8/2/86.
Edward Swift discovered NGC 6685 = Sw. 9-91 on 29 May 1887 and recorded "eeF; vS; R; e diff; sp of 2 [with NGC 6686]; in finder field with Epsilon Lyrae." The positions for both objects are 3' too far north, though Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 2 Aug 1888 (published in his 8 Jul 1901 Comptes Rendus paper).
Unfortunately, Swift's published position falls close to a fainter third galaxy (IC 4772 = PGC 62217), which was discovered by Herbert Howe on 7 Sep 1898 and placed accurately. The CGCG (228-021), MCG (+07-38-015) and UGC (11317) reverse the identifications of NGC 6685 and IC 4772, calling the NGC 6685 the fainter third galaxy. The RNGC also misidentifies IC 4772 as NGC 6685. These errors were noted in my RNGC Corrections #2 as well as by Malcolm Thomson in his CGCG corrections.
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NGC 6686 = MCG +07-38-017 = CGCG 228-022 = PGC 62224
18 40 07.0 +40 08 15; Lyr
V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3
17.5" (7/5/86): faint, small, round, bright core. Located 4.8' ENE of mag 8 SAO 47678. Slightly smaller and fainter than NGC 6685 9.5' SSW. IC 4772 is 7.9' SSW.
Edward Swift, the 16 year-old son of Lewis, discovered NGC 6686 = Sw. 9-92, along with NGC 6685, on 29 May 1887. The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer and wasn't published until 1890, after the NGC. The declination for both galaxies is 3' too far north and several seconds of RA too far west. Bigourdan measured an accurate position (matching CGCG 228-022) on 2 Aug 1888 (repeated in the IC2 Notes). See identification notes for NGC 6685.
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NGC 6687 = UGC 11309 = MCG +10-26-046 = CGG 301-034 = PGC 62144
18 37 22.3 +59 38 33; Dra
V = 14.0; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.4
17.5" (7/20/90): very faint, very small, roundish, low even surface brightness. Collinear with two mag 11 stars to the east. There are several stars mag 10-12 to the SW in a group. Situated in a rich and bright star field!
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6687 = Sw. 1-100 on 11 Jul 1883 and recorded "eF; pL; R; bet 2 st; also bet 2 coarse clusters; np of 2." His position is 13 seconds of RA too large and 1' too far north. His description "bet 2 stars, also bet 2 coarse clusters" applies to scattered groups of stars to the southwest and northeast. So the identification is certain. The comment "north-preceding of 2" might apply to NGC 6696, which was discovered 11 months later. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 14 Aug 1891 as well as Herbert Howe in 1899-00 at Denver.
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NGC 6688 = UGC 11324 = MCG +06-41-015 = CGCG 201-027 = PGC 62242
18 40 40.3 +36 17 22; Lyr
V = 12.6; Size 1.7'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.7
17.5" (7/5/86): moderately large, diffuse, round, prominent small bright core, possible stellar nucleus. Pair with UGC 11325 8.0' S.
13.1" (7/27/84): faint, small, low surface brightness, faint stellar nucleus. Located 30' ENE of STF 2362.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6688 = m 388 = Sf. 35 = St. 2-24 on 3 Aug 1864. He noted it as "faint, pretty small, round, bright middle." douard Stephan rediscovered it on 16 Jun 1869 (though perhaps known from Marth's observation) and measured an accurate micrometric position on 25 Jul 1870. He reported it in his second discovery list (#24), published in 1871. Truman Safford also observed the galaxy on 6 Jun 1871 (perhaps already known?) and included it in his discovery list published in 1887. He described it as "very much brighter in the middle, 40" diam, nucl 12m." Dreyer credited Stephan as the discoverer in the GC Supplement (5926) and both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) in the NGC. Despite several observations, the NGC position is still nearly 5' too far north.
Finally, Stephane Javelle found this galaxy again on 23 Jul 1908, along with UGC 11325. He included it as J. 1861 in his unpublished 4th discovery list, though it already had been "discovered" by three earlier observers! His observation of UGC 11325, though, was the first.
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NGC 6689 = NGC 6690 = UGC 11300 = MCG +12-17-026 = CGCG 340-050 = KAZ 210 = PGC 62077
18 34 50.0 +70 31 27; Dra
See observing notes for NGC 6690.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6689 on 22 Aug 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. His position and description (he measured the offset to mag 7.7 HD 172803 7' southeast) matches UGC 11300 = PGC 62077. Lewis Swift independently rediscovered this galaxy twice in 1884 (V-86 and V-85), and this galaxy also is catalogued as NGC 6690. So, NGC 6689 = NGC 6690.
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NGC 6690 = NGC 6689 = UGC 11300 = MCG +12-17-026 = CGCG 340-050 = KAZ 210 = PGC 62077
18 34 50.0 +70 31 27; Dra
V = 12.5; Size 3.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 171”
17.5" (6/11/88): moderately bright, fairly large, very elongated NNW-SSE. A mag 14 star is just off the west side 0.6' from center. A brighter mag 13 star is east of the north tip and an extremely faint mag 15-15.5 star is involved at the NNW end.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6690 = Sw. 5-86 = Sw. 5-85 on 16 Aug 1884 and recorded "pF; L; R; bet 2 st." His position is just east of the core of UGC 11300 and the two stars are southwest and northeast. He found this galaxy on 31 Oct 1886 and reported it as new in his 5th discovery list (#85) as "vF; pS; lE; nearly bet. 2 near st." His second position was 2.5' too far northwest, although clearly it applies to the same galaxy. Dreyer combined the two Swift entries into NGC 6690.
Heinrich d'Arrest made the first discovery on 22 Aug 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and listed it as #188 in his AN 1500 table. His position (measured twice) is accurate and Dreyer catalogued this galaxy as NGC 6689, despite the very similar positions. So, NGC 6689 = NGC 6690. UGC 11300 is usually identified as NGC 6690, although by d'Arrest's prior discovery it should be labeled NGC 6689.
Herbert Howe observed NGC 6690 in 1899-00 and reported "this is given as "R" in the NGC. But it really has two faint wings stretching out north and south from the much brighter centre, making the nebula 1.5' long. At its northern end is a star of mag 12."
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NGC 6691 = UGC 11318 = MCG +09-30-031 = CGCG 279-022 = PGC 62202
18 39 12.3 +55 38 30; Dra
V = 12.9; Size 1.6'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.7
14.5" (8/31/21): at 264x; fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, ~0.8' diameter, low surface brightness suggesting a face-on spiral, weak concentration. Confused appearance as changes shape/orientation with averted vision as parts of the halo or spiral structure is glimpsed. A mag 9.6 star is 3' S.
17.5" (7/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, round, low surface brightness, broad concentration. Located 2.9' N of mag 9.1 SAO 31090.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6691 = Sw. 4-73 on 16 Aug 1884 and recorded "vF; pL; R; pB * nr s[outh].". His position is 2' south-southwest of UGC 11318 and his comment "pB * nr south" applies to mag 9.8 HD 238917 3' south. But the NGC position is further out - 30 sec of RA too far west and E and 3'.3' too far south.
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NGC 6692 = UGC 11330 = MCG +06-41-018 = CGCG 201-033 = PGC 62268
18 41 41.6 +34 50 37; Lyr
V = 13.2; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 110”
17.5" (7/5/86): fairly faint, small, round, weak concentration, slightly elongated ~E-W. A bright double star (STF 2372 = 6.4/8.1 at 25") is 8' SE.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6692 = St. 13-91 on 26 Jul 1883. His published position was reduced on 11 Aug 1883 with description "vF, vS, irr elongated E-W, sev vf * inv."
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NGC 6693
18 41 32 +36 54 54; Lyr
= Not found, Corwin. =*, RNGC.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6693 = m 389 on 3 Aug 1864 and simply noted "vF". There is nothing nebulous near his position and as expected Bigourdan reported a negative sighting. RNGC classifies NGC 6693 as a star as there are only stars near his position. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6694 = M26 = Cr 389
18 45 18 -09 23 00; Sct
V = 8.0; Size 15'
17.5" (6/30/00): this rich, distinctive cluster stands out well in the field at 100x. At 220x, ~60 stars are resolved in a 7' diameter. A mag 9 star marks the SW end. About a dozen stars are arranged in a striking arc (concave to the west) just north of the mag 9 star. A dark lane oriented N-S bisects the cluster just following this star chain and extending past the bright star. On the east side of this lane is a rich group of stars, roughly arranged into two irregular ovals.
13.1" (7/27/84): about 40 stars mag 9-14 are resolved in a 7' diameter at 220x. The brightest star is mag 8.8 SAO 142584 at the SW end. A faint group of mag 13.5-14 stars is just east of the main section. Located in a rich field.
8" (7/27/84): 20 stars mag 11-13, fairly small. Consists mostly of faint stars except for the four brighter central stars that form a "kite" asterism. Some dense sections of faint stars lie north and south in strings.
Charles Messier discovered M26 = NGC 6694 = h3758 on 20 Jun 1764. On 16 Jun 1784 (sweep 228), WH noted "a cluster of scattered stars, not rich." John Herschel recorded (sweep 591) "cl VII class; p rich; irreg R; p well insulated; not much comp M; 10' diam; st 12...15m; one 9m taken."
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NGC 6695 = UGC 11340 = MCG +07-38-018 = CGCG 228-023 = PGC 62296
18 42 42.9 +40 21 59; Lyr
V = 13.5; Size 1.1'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 12”
48" (10/24/11): this excellent two-armed barred spiral appeared fairly bright, moderately large with a slightly curving "bar" that is elongated 2:1 SSW-NNE, ~0.6'x0.3'. Contains a slightly brighter, elongated core. An arm emerges from the NNE end of the bar and curves clockwise, bending northwest towards a mag 15.5 star and fading out just before intersecting the star. The second arm is attached at the soiuth-southwest end extending south, though dimming out rapidly before reaching a mag 16 star off the south end. Overall, the galaxy has an elongated "S" appearance.
17.5" (7/5/86): faint, elongated lens, fairly diffuse, slightly brighter along the major axis.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6695 = St. 13-92 on 1 Aug 1883. His published position was reduced on 22 Aug 1884 with description, "eF, S, irr, lE N-S, very little brighter middle."
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NGC 6696 = MCG +10-26-047 = PGC 62215
18 40 05.0 +59 20 02; Dra
V = 15.1; Size 0.8'x0.2'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 0”
24" (9/6/18): at 225x; faint, fairly small, very elongated 5:2 N-S, low even surface brightness. I could hold this galaxy continuously using averted vision, though it was quite faint. Surrounded a several mag 12.5-14 stars. Located 13' SSE of mag 6.9 HD 172957.
17.5" (8/25/95): extremely faint, very small, elongated 3:2 N-S, very low surface brightness. Not seen initially but once the position was determined using a finder chart, the galaxy was visible about 75% of time with averted vision and concentration. Located 2.1' N of a mag 13 star.
17.5" (6/24/95): extremely faint and small, round (elongated N-S on the POSS), requires averted vision. Forms a right angle with a mag 13 star 2.1' S and a mag 14.5 star 1.3' E.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6696 = Sw. 2-70 on 17 June 1884 and recorded "eeeF; in(?) vacancy pL; sev B st f and p it, e diff." There is nothing close to his position but 1.0 minute of RA west and 3' south is PGC 62215. There are several mag 9-10 stars in his wide field "f and p". Herbert Howe measured an accurate position and noted "The NGC place is 1m out in right ascension and 2' in declination. The nebula is elongated north and south and is a difficult object." MCG does not label this galaxy NGC 6696. Due to the faintness of this galaxy, I'm skeptical it was seen by Swift.
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NGC 6697 = UGC 11349 = MCG +04-44-014 = CGCG 143-021 = PGC 62354
18 45 15.1 +25 30 44; Her
V = 12.7; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9
17.5" (8/3/89): faint, very small, round, 25" diameter, small bright core. A mag 15 star is just off the SW edge 14" from center, rich star field. Several bright stars near including three mag 10 stars 1.9' ESE and 4.2' ESE on a line and also 2.3' SSW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6697 = m 390 on 2 Jul 1864 and noted "F, vS, stell."
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NGC 6698 = ESO 523-8
18 48 12 -25 55; Sgr
18" (9/3/05): at 115x there was nothing notable at William Herschel's position. Harold Corwin suggests a denser grouping about 25' N and at this location there is a very scattered Milky Way field of stars, ~20'-25' in diameter, but this star field does not stand out at the eyepiece. In fact, the only object in the area that caught my eye was a small glowing 2' knot of stars at ~18 48.0 -25 43.7 (10' N of Herschel's position), though this knot doesn't match his description of "A suspected cluster of vF stars of considerable extent". At 225x, ~10 stars were resolved within 1.5'-2'. The planetary M3-33 (see description) is situated within the grouping observed 25' N of the NGC position. Listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6698 = H. VI-15 on 12 Jul 1784 (sweep 236) and recorded "A suspected cluster of vF st of considerable extent." There is no particular clustering at his position, although a 2' group of five mag 11-13 stars is 4' north. JH did not make an observation, so there is little else to go on. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7).
Harold Corwin suggests NGC 6698 may be a group of stars about 27' north of WH's position. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6699 = ESO 183-021 = PGC 62512
18 52 02.1 -57 19 14; Pav
V = 12.0; Size 1.5'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.7
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; bright, large, round, 1.25' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright nucleus and a fairly smooth halo. The field is fairly rich in fainter stars and mag 8 HD 174139 lies 8.3' NNE. IC 4775 lies 30' WNW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6699 = h3759 on 12 Jul 1834 and logged "pF; lE in parallel; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 40" l, 30" br." His position is 1' too far north.
NGC 6699 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "extremely faint, close, 2-branch spiral."
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NGC 6700 = UGC 11351 = MCG +05-44-010 = CGCG 173-026 = PGC 62376
18 46 04.5 +32 16 46; Lyr
V = 13.1; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 115”
17.5" (8/2/86): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, diffuse, weak concentration. A mag 13.5 is at the west edge 37" from center. Located 2.8' WSW of mag 8.9 SAO 67362.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6700 = St. 5-3 on 21 Jul 1873 with an approximate postion 5' to the NE. His published micrometric position (list 5, #3) was made the following month on 17 Aug 1873 with description "extremely faint, moderately large, irregularly round, diffuse. He made a late observation on 24 Jul 1881.
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NGC 6701 = UGC 11348 = MCG +10-26-050 = CGCG 301-036 = CGCG 302-002 = PGC 62314
18 43 12.6 +60 39 12; Dra
V = 12.1; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 25”
14.5" (8/31/21): at 264x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, ~45" length, good concentration, bright core with an occasional stellar peak. A mag 11.8 star is just off the SE end [40" from center].
17.5" (8/13/88): bright, moderately large, elongated SW-NE, bright core, substellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is at the SE end 40" from the center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6701 = Sw. 2-71 on 6 Aug 1883 and recorded "pB; pS; vE; F * close to f[ollowing] end." His position and description matches UGC 11348. Herbert Howe added "the elongation is very pronounced, and is at 120” [bar], the nebula points at a star of mag 10, less than 1' distant. There is one condensation of mag 13 [core]; one of mag 14 was suspected at the preceding end of the nebula."
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NGC 6702 = UGC 11354 = MCG +08-34-019 = CGCG 255-013 = PGC 62395
18 46 57.6 +45 42 20; Lyr
V = 12.2; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 65”
17.5" (8/1/89): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, bright core, very small or stellar brighter nucleus. Forms an optical pair with NGC 6703 10' SSE. The redshift of NGC 6702 is twice that of NGC 6703, so it likely lies far in the background.
8" (8/12/83, Mt. Hamilton): very faint, diffuse, small, almost round, even surface brightness. Located 10' NNW of NGC 6703.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6702 on 8 Sep 1863 with the 11-inch Merz refractor at Copenhagen. His position (measured on two nights) is accurate. Just 4 nights earlier he discovered NGC 6703. Edward Fath claimed the positions of NGC 6702 and 6703 were incorrect in his 1914 paper "A Study of Nebulae", but the NGC positions are accurate.
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NGC 6703 = UGC 11356 = MCG +08-34-020 = CGCG 255-014 = PGC 62409
18 47 18.9 +45 33 01; Lyr
V = 11.3; Size 2.5'x2.3'; Surf Br = 13.1
17.5" (8/1/89): fairly bright, fairly small, round, very bright core, stellar nucleus. Located within a string of four mag 12/13 stars (two are south and two are north) including two mag 12.5 stars 1.3' S and 1.7' NNW of center. Forms an optical pair with NGC 6702 10' NNW, but NGC 6703 lies in the foreground at roughly half the distance.
8" (8/12/83): fairly faint, small, fairly high surface brightness, bright core. Collinear with two mag 12 stars to the SSW. NGC 6702 lies 10' NNW.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6703 on 4 Sep 1863 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He noted a bright stellar nucleus of 12th magnitude and measured an accurate position. NGC 6702 was discovered 4 nights later on a second observation.
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NGC 6704 = Cr 390 = Lund 864 = OCL-82
18 50 45 -05 12 18; Sct
V = 9.2; Size 6'
17.5" (7/1/89): at 220x, 40 stars mag 12-15 are visible over unresolved haze, elongated N-S. Three collinear mag 12.5 stars oriented NNW-SSE are equally spaced near the center. Located 55' N of M11.
Friedrich August Winnecke discovered NGC 6704 = Au 43 on 23 Jul 1854 at age 19 with his personal 3-inch Merz comet seeker at Gottingen. In AN 1072 he reported "In July 1854 I discovered a faint nebula in Scutum with the comet-seeker. In the Berlin refractor [9.6-inch Fraunhofer] it appears as a faint star cluster, but the place might be interesting, because it looks cometary in a small scope." Arthur Auwers measured an accurate position with the Konigsberg Heliometer (AN 1392) and described the cluster as elongated in the meridian (N-S), 3'x2'. He included it in his 1862 list of new nebulae.
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NGC 6705 = M11 = Cr 391 = Wild Duck Cluster
18 51 05 -06 16 12; Sct
V = 5.8; Size 14'
13.1" (many dates from 7/16/82 to 5/27/84): at 140x, several hundred stars mag 11-15 and a brighter mag 8 star (HD 174512) in a 10' region form a remarkably rich cluster including some dense knots of stars. A starless vacuity is visible just west of center at medium power. Dark lanes appear to wind through the cluster at high power grouping the stars into chains. Several dark nebula are near including B108, B112, B318.
8" (7/16/82): this is the most impressive open cluster with this aperture. Appears as an extremely rich carpet of faint stars and dense clumps in an arrowhead shape.
Gottfried Kirch discovered M11 = NGC 6705 = h2019 on 1 Sep 1681 in Leipzig, Germany and made a rough sketch (the bright mag 8 star is prominently drawn but no other stars). English clergyman William Derham first resolved it into stars around 1733 with an 8-foot (focal length) speculum reflector and described "..not a nebulose, but a cluster of stars, somewhat like that which is in the Milky Way" (PT XXXVIII, 70). De Chseaux also resolved it into "a wonderful cluster of small stars."
William Herschel first observed the cluster on 12 Sep 1779 during his second star review with a 4-inch reflector. He noted the cluster was visible naked-eye. According to Wolfgang Steinicke, he made 5 observations during his star reviews and several others after 1802, but never observed M11 during a regular sweep with his 18.7".
John Herschel wrote (23 Jul 1827), "A beautiful irregularly R cl 10' or 12' diam. The stars are all 11m except one = 9m whose place is taken. Examined with high magnifiers [I have often viewed it with 800 and even 1200]; it is broken into 5 or 6 distinct groups with rifts or cracks between them." Observing with a 9.5" refractor around 1856, Father Secchi described the cluster as having three leaf-shaped dark lanes (AN 43, 157).
The nickname "Wild Duck Cluster" is from Admiral Smyth's 1844 guidebook "A Cycle of Celestial Objects". He describes the telescopic appearance as "A splendid cluster of stars ...which somewhat resembles a flight of wild ducks in shape, is a gathering of minute stars, with a prominent 8th-magnitude in the middle, and two following".
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NGC 6706 = ESO 104-024 = LGG 423-004 = PGC 62596
18 56 51.1 -63 09 58; Pav
V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 123”
30" (11/3/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, 1.4'x0.5', broad concentration to a small, brighter core. IC 4800 lies 12.5' ESE and IC 4784 is 28' WSW. Located 22' due south of mag 6.5 HD 174877. NGC 6706 is an outlying member of ACO S805 = Pavo II cluster, 1.1” ENE of the center of the cluster (dominated by IC 4765).
IC 4800 appeared fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE, 1.6'x0.8', well concentrated with a small bright core and fainter halo. The major axis is collinear with a mag 14.3 star and a mag 12.8 star, 0.8' and 1.3' NNW of center, respectively. At the southern vertex of a large isosceles triangle with mag 6.5 HD 174877 23' NW and mag 6.8 HD 175782 23' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6706 = h3760 on 8 Jun 1836 and simply noted "Nebula. No description." His position matches ESO 104-024.
NGC 6706 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "vF, vS, extremely elongated120”, stell ncl."
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NGC 6707 = ESO 183-025 = AM 1851-535 = LGG 425-001 = PGC 62563
18 55 22.2 -53 49 08; Tel
V = 12.6; Size 2.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 143”
30" (11/3/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 1.8'x0.9', broad concentration to a large, elongated core. Located 2' SSW of a mag 11 star and 15' E of mag 8.4 HD 174477. Forms a pair with higher surface brightness NGC 6708 6' NNE. Situated in a fairly rich star field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6707 = h3761 on 8 Jul 1834 and recorded "vF; vS; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 12"." On a later sweep his size estimate was 80". His mean of two position is accurate.
Based on a plate taken with the 24" Bruce astrograph at Arequipa in 1904, Royal Frost incorrectly described NGC 6707 as "very faint planetary, elongated about 2'." (similar error with NGC 6708). Both objects were included in a 1921 list by John Reynolds of far southern NGC spirals (-40 to -90) identified on Franklin-Adams plates.
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NGC 6708 = ESO 183-027 = AM 1851-534 = LGG 425-002 = PGC 62569
18 55 35.6 -53 43 25; Tel
V = 12.7; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 167”
30" (11/3/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, 1.0'x0.9', moderately concentrated to a small bright core. Forms a pair with NGC 6707 6' SSW. Situated in a fairly rich star field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6708 = h4021 on 9 Jun 1836 and recorded "F; S; R; 15"; the following of a group." On 6 Jun 1837 he logged "pB; R; 90"; gpbM." This observation was not included in the main table of the Cape of Good Hope catalogue but added in a "supplementary nebulae" list at the end (h4016 to h4021), which Dreyer identified as "h o n" (Herschel Omitted Object) in the NGC.
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NGC 6709 = Cr 392 = Mel 214 = Lund 866
18 51 18 +10 19 06; Aql
V = 6.7; Size 13'
18" (8/14/04): excellent open cluster at 115x with roughly 100 stars mag 10-13. Appears triangular, ~20' diameter with an additional loop of stars bowed out to the south attached at the ends of the southern side of the triangle. At the eastern end is a distinctive 22" pair of mag 9.2/9.7 stars (BU 1464) oriented SSW-NNE, with the SW star an orange color. A closer 10" pair lies 1' E (HJ 870 = 9.8/11.3 at 12") and forms a quadrilateral with this brighter pair. The stars are irregularly distributed with some vacant regions and there appears to be dust throughout the field, particularly west of the cluster but also intruding into the cluster. A N-S string of a half-dozen stars is on the west side forming one of the bases of the triangle.
17.5" (8/1/86): over 100 stars mag 9-14 resolved in a 15-20' field but not dense. Appears best at 83x-105x. An easy mag 10 double star at 22" separation is at the east side and a close fainter pair follows. Visible in 16x80 finder.
13.1": fairly large, about 70 stars in cluster, includes some close double stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6709 = h2020 on 29 Jul 1827 and recorded "a p considerable cl; 15' diam; irreg fig, 50 or 60 stars, large and scattered. The place is that of the double star No. 870 [HJ 870] of my third catalogue." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6710 = UGC 11364 = MCG +04-44-019 = CGCG 143-027 = LGG 424-001 = PGC 62482
18 50 34.2 +26 50 16; Lyr
V = 13.1; Size 1.7'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 40”
13.1" (7/20/85): fairly faint, broad concentration, elongated SW-NE, possible faint stellar nucleus. A mag 11 star is 1.6' SSE of center. Located 26' NNE of ·2406 = 6.9/10.9 at 5" in a rich star field.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6710 = m 391 = St. 2-24 on 3 Aug 1864 and noted "vF, S, R, bM." douard Stephan observed it on 23 Jun 1871 (probably known from Lassell's publication in 1867). He measured a precise position a month later on 18 Jul 1871 and reported it as new (list II, #24). Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC, though Dreyer mistakenly referenced Stephan's first discovery list.
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NGC 6711 = UGC 11361 = MCG +08-34-025 = CGCG 255-017 = PGC 62456
18 49 01.1 +47 39 29; Dra
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.4
13.1" (7/20/85): faint, fairly small, diffuse, weak concentration, slightly elongated WSW-ENE. Located 8.6' N of mag 7.5 SAO 47830 on the Lyra-Draco border.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6711 = Sw. 2-72 on 5 Aug 1885 and logged "vF; pS; R; little brighter in the middle." His position is 7 seconds west of UGC 11361 and the identification is certain.
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NGC 6712
18 53 04.3 -08 42 21; Sct
V = 8.2; Size 7.2'; Surf Br = 1.4
24" (8/12/15): at 450x (10mm ZAO + 2x Powermate); nearly fills 5' field, excellent resolution over the entire surface with well over 50 stars resolved. A dense group of easily resolved stars is on the west side of the halo. A large number of fainter resolved stars is also on the south side. The outer halo was ragged and straggling, with no distinct border but shot with numerous stars. A well resolved, detached elongated section (separated by a lane) is on the south and southeast side of the halo. Set in a beautiful low power field with planetary nebula IC 1295 24' ESE. Observation at 8600 ft in excellent transparency in the White Mountains.
18" (7/23/06): situated in a gorgeous low power Milky Way star field at 115x with a dense background mat of faint stars filling the 45' field and planetary IC 1295 24' ESE. At 435x roughly three dozen stars are resolved in a 6' region, mostly on the western half of the cluster. The core is moderately bright but not sharply concentrated. The irregular halo is peppered with faint stars though at the periphery it was impossible to really distinguish from these from the numerous faint field stars that surround the cluster. A dark lane is quite obvious on the south side, appearing to detach the outer section of the halo on the southeast side. The outer halo is poorly resolved on the eastern end.
18" (8/23/03): at 435x, approximately three dozen stars can be counted, although the eastern edge of the halo resists resolution. A dark lane cuts through the cluster on the south side running SW-NE and detaching a small piece of the halo on the SE side and flattening the central blaze which begins just north of the lane. IC 1295 lies 24' ESE and both are nicely framed within the field of the 20mm Nagler.
17.5" (6/29/00): at 220x this is a bright, moderately large cluster, ~6' diameter in a very rich Milky Way field. Contains a relatively large, intense 3' core with a number of very faint stars peppered over the background glow. A small, partially resolved piece is detached at the southeast end by a dark lane. The surrounding halo includes a number of brighter stars, though it is difficult to untangle the maze of stars in the halo from the rich Milky Way background. Roughly 30 stars were resolved at 280x, although it was difficult to accurately count. The core has irregular appearance with a flattened side caused by a sharp light cut off on the south side. PN IC 1295 lies 24' ESE.
17.5" (7/1/89): about two dozen stars resolved over haze. A very rich clump is visible at the west side and a detached clump is at the southeast end. The outline is irregular.
13.1" (7/27/84): about 15 stars resolved including several extremely faint stars, very mottled, ragged edges, non-symmetric (flattened on the southeast side).
8" (6/5/81 and 7/24/82): grainy, very lively but only a few stars resolved over haze at high power. Strong impression that in excellent seeing or a bit more aperture would resolve more fully.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6712 = H. I-47 = h3762 on 16 Jun 1784 (sweep 228). He recorded "B, vL, easily resolvable, with many stars visible in it; of an irregular form."
John Herschel made a single observation on 27 May 1831 (sweep 591): "globular cluster; pL; F; R; rather irreg; very gradually little brighter middle; 6' or more in diam; all resolved. A fine object, the stars being very close and numerous."
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NGC 6713 = UGC 11365 = CGCG 201-038 = KAZ 497 = PGC 62487
18 50 44.6 +33 57 35; Lyr
V = 13.6; Size 0.4'x0.3'; Surf Br = 11.1
17.5" (7/5/86): faint, very small, round, even surface brightness, rich star field.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6713 = m 392 on 3 Aug 1864 and noted "vF, S, R, bM." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6714
18 46 50 +66 44 42; Dra
Size 1
18" (7/2/11): at 285x, I initially noticed at this position a low surface brightness glow, ~1' diameter, mimicking a nebulous object. When the seeing sharpened, though, the glow resolved into 4 extremely faint stars mag 15-16 (difficult to hold all simultaneously). Nearly on a line with mag 8.6 HD 174788 5' NE and mag 8.9 SAO 18027 7.5' NE. A string of three equally spaced mag 13 star begins 3' W.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6714 = Sw. 4-74 on 27 May 1886 and noted "eeeF; pS; ee diff.; sev B st nr north." There is nothing near his position though several brighter stars are in the field. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
Jeff Corder suggests NGC 6714 may be a small asterism of extremely faint stars 1 minute of time following Swift's position and 1' north. Harold Corwin lists this asterism as a good candidate. It fits Swift's description and three mag 8/9 stars (SAO 18021, 18025 and 18027) lie ~5' north and northeast. Herbert Howe searched unsuccessfully for this nebula on three nights at Swift's position in 1899-00, but noted he found a group of four stars of mag 14, about 1 minute following the NGC place. This is likely the same group of faint stars.
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NGC 6715 = M54 = ESO 458-8
18 55 03.2 -30 28 43; Sgr
V = 7.7; Size 9.1'; Surf Br = 0.5
17.5" (8/2/86): very bright, fairly large, increases to a sharp bright core. Five brighter stars were easily visible around the edges, though these are probably field stars as the brightest cluster members are V = 15.5. The globular had a mottled, grainy appearance but there was no additional obvious resolution into stars. Easily visible in the 16x80 finder.
15x50mm IS binoculars (8/3/11): easily visible as a small fairly faint glow.
Charles Messier discovered M54 = D 624 = h3763 on 24 July 1778 and described a "very faint nebula, discovered in Sagittarius. It is bright in the centre and contains no star, seen with an achromatic telescope of 3.5 feet".
William Herschel first observed this globular in July 1783 with his 12-inch (small 20-foot), just before commencing his sweep program. He observed it again with his 18.7" on 24 Jun 1784 (sweep 232) and the globular just 8” above the horizon. He recorded "A round, resolvable nebula. Very bright in the middle and the brightness diminishing gradually, about 2.5' or 3' diameter. 240 power shews two pretty large stars in the faint part of the nebulosity, but I rather suppose them to have no connection with the nebula. I believe it to be no other than a miniature cl of v compressed stars resembling that near the 42nd Comae [M53]. It is like that under Delta Sagittarii [NGC 6624], but rather larger and brighter though not much." An additional observation was made on 13 Jul 1784 (sweep 237).
James Dunlop made 4 observations from Paramatta with his 9" speculum reflector and described D 624 as "a very beautiful nebula, with a very bright round well-defined disk or nuclei, about 15 arcseconds diameter, surrounded by a gradually decreasing light or chevelure, about 1 1/4' diameter, this is exceedingly bright immediately at the centre." John Herschel made several observations and noted on 1 Aug 1834 (sweep 477) from the Cape of Good Hope, "Globular cluster; B; pL; vlE; gradually brighter in the middle; 2 1/2' diam; resolved into st 15m, with a few outliers 14m."
M54 is the most distant Messier globular, roughly 85,000 light years away and lies close to the center of the Sgr Dwarf Spheroidal (SagDEG or Sgr dSph). M54 is thought to be the core of the disrupted galaxy but it has been proposed that it formed independently and plunged into the nucleus of the Dwarf as a result of the decay of its orbit due to dynamical friction.
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NGC 6716 = Cr 393 = ESO 592-005
18 54 34 -19 54 06; Sgr
V = 6.9; Size 7'
17.5" (5/10/91): about 40 stars visible in a 9' diameter, bright, fairly large but scattered. Divided in two groups; the SSW group includes a mag 8 star and two mag 10 stars. A mag 9 star is at the NE edge of the NNW group, which also includes several mag 10-12 stars in a curved arc. Pretty empty between these two groups with just four stars in the center. Not very impressive.
8": 20 stars mag 10-13 including a row of stars at the north edge.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6716 = h2021 on 14 Jul 1830 and recorded "a p rich cluster, figure like the letter S, 7' in extent. Stars 9...13m. Counted 40 of them." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6717 = Palomar 9 = ESO 523-14 = IC 4802
18 55 06.0 -22 42 06; Sgr
V = 9.2; Size 3.9'; Surf Br = 0.7
24" (8/23/14): this unusual globular, located just 2' S of Nu2 Sgr, was viewed at 375x and 500x. The "core" appears as a fairly circular, fairly smooth glow, ~1' diameter, with a half-dozen stars superimposed. With extended viewing a very low surface, irregular halo was noticed that increased the diameter to perhaps 2.5'. At the center is an unequal pair oriented N-S (~5" separation), with the southern component, brighter and quasi-stellar. A second pair of mag 14 stars at ~5" separation is on the NE side (this is IC 4802). A mag 16 star is 10" S of this pair. Finally, a mag 14 (foreground?) star is at the WNW side of the core.
18" (7/15/07): at 280x, stands out prominently just 2' S of mag 5 Nu2 Sagittarii. The globular appears as an unconcentrated, low surface brightness hazy glow just 1' in diameter but with five likely field stars superimposed, giving the appearance of a small open cluster over unresolved background haze. At 393x, four out of these five mag 13 and fainter stars are grouped into two close pairs with roughly similar separations and orientations. One pair is near the center (oriented ~N-S) and another is at the NE edge oriented NNW-SSE (catalogued as IC 4802) while the 5th star is at the WNW edge. The glow of the cluster is irregularly round (slightly elongated E-W) and has a well-defined edge, unusual for a globular.
18" (7/19/04): at 225x the view is quite unusual as the glow of the globular is just 2' S of mag 5 Nu 2 Sag. The globular is just a fairly faint, round 1' glow with a low surface brightness and no evident concentration. Quite striking, though, are several superimposed stars including a close pair of mag 14 stars at the NE edge. At 434x, a star near the center is also clearly double and the halo of the globular has a ragged periphery.
17.5" (7/20/98): very unusual small, faint glow located 2' S of mag 5 Nu 2 Sagittarii! The very faint background glow is ~1' diameter but more notable are several superimposed stars. A close pair of mag 13.5 stars is at the NE edge 25" from center (this is IC 4802!) and a similar star is at the WNW edge 20" from center. A very small bright core appears on closer inspection to be a close pair of mag 12.5 stars or possibly a bright stellar core and nearby star. Other than the central "knot", the unconcentrated 1' background patch has a low surface brightness and is much smaller than the listed diameter of 4'.
13.1" (6/18/85): fairly faint, very small. This globular appears as a hazy patch easily visible just 1.8' S of Nu 2 = 35 Sagittarii (V = 5.0)! About half a dozen stars are either superimposed or resolved including two close pairs.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6717 = H. III-143 = h2022 = h3766 on 7 Aug 1784 (sweep 245). He recorded "two or three minutes south of 35 Sagittarii [Nu2] are three vS stars which I suspect to contain nebulosity; but it is probably a deception, circumstances are not favourable enough to determine it." Despite the uncertainty, the position clinches the identification. At the Cape of Good Hope on 27 Jun 1837 (sweep 793), John Herschel reported "Close, to the south of, Nu2 Sagittarii; a very small clustering knot, with perhaps nebula. A doubtful object. I see 3 or 4 of the st, but there is also a nebulous appearance."
According to Harold Corwin, Bigourdan's IC 4802, described as "neb *13, 15" nf III 143 [NGC 6717]" refers to a clump of stars northeast of the nucleus of NGC 6717 but part of the cluster. George Abell found the cluster again while inspecting plates for the POSS1 around 1952 and didn't make the connection with NGC 6717. As a result, this globular is also known as Palomar 9!
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NGC 6718 = ESO 104-029 = PGC 62688
19 01 28.7 -66 06 36; Pav
V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 172”
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.5', strong concentration with a small bright core that increases gradually. A star is possibly superimposed at the north edge of the core. Located 5.3' NNE of mag 8.6 HD 175607 and 5' S of a mag 9.6 star.
2MASX J19023094-6601086 = PGC 3903657 lies 8.4' NE. It appeared faint to very faint, very small, round, 10" diameter. Situated 27" ESE of a mag 11 star. A mag 15-15.5 star is off the south side, 20" from center.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6718 = h3764 on 23 Jun 1835 and recorded "vF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 20"; a * 9m 5' dist; pos = 220”." The star is mag 8.6 HD 175607.
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NGC 6719 = ESO 072-008 = PGC 62710
19 03 07.5 -68 35 17; Pav
V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 107”
30" (11/3/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 3:2 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x1.0', broad concentration but no distinct core or nucleus. A faint star is at the SW edge. Located 10' NNW of mag 5.9 HD 175986. A wide pair of mag 10 stars lie 6.4' ENE and 8.7' ENE and a few other 10th magnitude stars are in the field. NGC 6730 lies 31' SE, close to a 7th magnitude star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6719 = h3765 on 23 Jun 1835 and recorded "vF; L; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; 60"; RA:: being by an auxiliary star." Nevertheless, his position is close to ESO 072-008 = PGC 62710 and the identification certain.
NGC 6719 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "!! a very small, 2-branch spiral."
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NGC 6720 = M57 = PK 63+13.1 = PN G063.1+13.9 = Ring Nebula
18 53 35.1 +33 01 45; Lyr
V = 8.8; Size 86"x63"
48" (10/24/11): at 488x and 610x the central star was easily visible continuously in fair seeing. Using 287x and an NPB filter, a much fainter large outer halo was easily visible surrounding the main bright ring (86"x63"). It appeared much more circular than the ring and ~2.5' diameter (roughly doubling the size), so appeared to extended further out in the direction of the ring's minor axis. This outer shell was surprisingly evident and even displayed a slightly ragged or irregular edge.
28" (7/8/13): the Ring Nebula was examined at 658x using a 4mm ZAO and an "inverse OIII" or central star filter, which dramatically dimmed the nebulosity. The central star was visible most of the time once acquired, though quite dim. Surprisingly, a second interior star close northwest of the central star would occasionally pop and it was confirmed in the same position. Finally, a third star was seen embedded in the brighter portion of the rim on the NNW edge (along the minor axis), though often it looked like a quasi-stellar knot. In my 24" the central star was nearly continuous and the second interior star was highly suspected with the filter, although I didn't compare with the non-filtered view.
24" (5/25/14): observed M57 at 1000x (4.5mm Delos + 2x Powermate) in excellent seeing. The Ring itself was stunning with mottling, textured surface, and brightness variations across the ring clearly visible. The central star was very faint, but visible ~75% of the time (sometimes as a quasi-stellar brightening). Often, though, it was seen as a sharp stellar point. Overall, this was certainly one of the finest views of the Ring I've experienced.
18" (6/21/03): I took a look at the Ring Nebula at very high powers in steady seeing for the first time using my Starmaster w/Zambuto optics. With the 2.5x Powermate, I used 538x, 807x and finally 1087x! At 538x and 807x, the mag 15.7 central star flicked on and off several times, but only momentarily. At 1087x, the central star was visible more consistently, flickering on/off regularly and cleanly visible for a few seconds at a stretch.
17.5" (6/5/99): Viewed under very steady seeing at 380x. The halo was elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE and clearly brighter along the north and south sides (minor axis). The ends of the major axis were clearly "thinner" and slightly fainter at the following end. The interior had a pale gauzy appearance. The edge of the ring has a "wooly" appearance with a strong impression of small irregular wisps or filaments hinting at the extremely faint outer halo. The central star popped in and out of view a few times. A mag 13 star is close off the east side and a very faint mag 15.7 star is a similar distance off the west end. Another mag 15.6 star is 1' due south of center. At high power a 3" pair of mag 14-15 stars ~1.3' NNW of center were just resolved with a difficult mag 16.1 star ~30" further north.
17.5" (7/2/89): extremely faint central star visible for moments at 412x just east of center. The central star was held steadily for a few seconds at best with averted vision. Forms an unusual pair with the extremely faint galaxy IC 1296 4' NW.
13.1": very bright, moderately large, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, high surface brightness, best example of annularity although interior not dark. Slightly fainter at ends of major axis. Central star not seen.
6" (7/78): first view in a dark sky (Bryce Canyon), high surface brightness, ring-shape obvious, easily takes high power, slightly elongated. Visible in 8x50 finder as a faint "star".
15x50mm IS binos (6/19/09): fairly faint but clearly non-stellar, appearing as a very small but definite disc.
Antoine Darquier discovered M57 = NGC 6720 = h2023 using a 2.5-inch refractor in early 1779. He wrote, "nebula between Gamma and Beta of Lyra; it is pretty dull, but perfectly outlined; it is as large as Jupiter and resembles a fading planet." This description possibly inspired William Herschel to coin the classification "planetary nebula". It has been assumed the Darquier's discovery preceded Messier's independent discovery, but Don Olson and Giovanni Maria Caglier reported in the June 2017 issue of Sky & Tel, that Messier definitely observed the Ring Nebula on 31 Jan 1779 while searching in the region of Bode's comet. Darquier wasn't aware of Bode's comet until at least 9 February, so Messier deserves discovery credit. In any case, M57 was the second PN discovered, after M27 in 1764.
William Herschel's earliest observation was on 29 Aug 1782 during his Third Star Review with his 6.2" reflector. He first observed it with his 18.7" on 9 Jul 1784 and included a description and sketch in his 1785 PT paper ("Construction of the Heavens"). He described M57 as "A perforated Nebula, or Ring of Stars. Among the curiosities of the heavens should be placed a nebula, that has a regular, concentric, dark spot in the middle, and is probably a Ring of stars. It is of an oval shape, the shorter axis being to the longer as about 83 to 100; so that, if the stars form a circle, its inclination to a line drawn from the sun to the center of this nebula must be about 56 degrees. The light is of the resolvable kind [i.e., mottled], and in the northern side three very faint stars may be seen, as also one or two in the southern part. The vertices of the longer axis seem less bright and not so well defined as the rest. There are several small stars very near, but none seems to belong to it. It is the 57th of the Connoissance des Temps. Fig. 5 is a representation of it."
The discovery of the challenging central star (V = 15.7 according to http://arXiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0611543) is generally attributed to Friedrich von Hahn in 1795 using a 12" f/20 reflector that was built by Herschel! Though he subsequently reported the "small star is no longer visible", I find his original observation very suspect as his 12" speculum mirror was probably equivalent to a modern 8" or 9" mirror. William and John Herschel never reported seeing the central star, nor Lord Rosse in his 36-inch. Apparently it was missed by Trouvelot with the Harvard 18" and Holden with the Washington 26" refractor. Rosse found the central star "pretty bright" with the 72-inch (first seen in 1848) and William Lassell sketched the central star with his 48" in 1860 (unpublished). Father Secchi claimed an interior star was seen with the 9.5" refractor in Rome around 1865, though. A second interior star was observed through the Lick 36-inch refractor and one at the end of the major axis.
William Huggins first observed the emission line spectrum in an 1864 investigation of several planetary nebulae. He reported "one bright line, second not so bright, no sign of third [line]", ending debate whether it consisted of stars.
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NGC 6721 = ESO 141-019 = PGC 62680
19 00 50.8 -57 45 34; Pav
V = 12.0; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 155”
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, sharply concentrated with a very small bright core increasing to a bright, stellar nucleus, halo appears as an irregularly shaped oval. IC 4806 lies 14' NNE. Located 28' NW of mag 6.3 HD 176522 and 15' NNE of mag 7.6 HD 175675. The latter star, NGC 6721 and IC 4806 are collinear with NGC 6721 at the midpoint.
IC 4806 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 SSW-NNE, 0.8'x0.2', sharply concentrated with a very small, bright core and stellar nucleus. A brighter star is superimposed on the SE edge and a very faint star is at the NNE tip. Located 14' NNE of the large spiral NGC 6721 and 6' SE of mag 9.5 HD 176085.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6721 = h3767 on 12 Jul 1834 and logged "pF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 30"; the central brightness comes almost to a nucleus." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6722 = ESO 104-033 = LGG 422-021 = PGC 62722
19 03 40.4 -64 53 41; Pav
V = 12.7; Size 2.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 166”
30" (11/3/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, very elongated 9:2 NNW-SSE, fairly large, 1.8'x0.4', contains a small brighter core within a bulging middle. Two stars are on the north end (one superimposed and the other barely off). A mag 11.8 star is 2' NW of center. Located 10' due east of mag 8.3 HD 175882 and 7' WNW of mag 7.6 HD 176021 in the southeast outskirts of the Pavo II cluster = ACO S805. These two bright stars are separated by 4' and a third mag 10.5 to the southeast is collinear.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6722 = h3768 on 8 Jun 1836 and recorded "pF; S; E; gradually little brighter middle; 15"; 2 st 8m precede; the nearest about 8'. Both are nearly on the parallel, or a little south of the neb, by diagram." His position and description is a perfect match with ESO 104-033 = PGC 62722.
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NGC 6723 = ESO 396-010
18 59 33.1 -36 37 53; Sgr
V = 7.3; Size 11.0'; Surf Br = 0.1
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): very bright, beautiful symmetric globular at 128x. The halo measures at least 7' with a sharply concentrated, blazing 3' core. Roughly 100 stars were resolved with a strong impression the core would more fully resolve using a higher magnification. A single mag 10.5 star is at the NE edge of the halo.
17.5" (6/30/00): this is a beautiful, symmetric GC at 220x. The halo extends to ~6' and is sharply concentrated with a very bright 3' core. This core is highly resolved into a dense overlay of faint stars with a single brighter star just north of center. The extent of the halo is ill-defined and consists of numerous brighter stragglers (or field stars) mixed with a sprinkling of dim stars. Perhaps 70 stars are resolved in total. In a remarkable region with a complex of unusual reflection nebulae (NGC 6726/27/29).
17.5" (several dates from 8/2/86 to 7/29/92): at 220x, bright, fairly large with about 50 stars visible in a 4'-5' diameter. Fairly symmetric appearance with no distinct edge. Beautifully resolved into several dozen stars. A mag 10.5 star is off the NE edge 3' from the core. Mildly concentrated but no distinct nucleus although a star appears embedded at the center of the core. The outer halo was well-resolved and a peppering of stars was resolved over the core. In the same low power field with bright nebula NGC 6726, NGC 6727, NGC 6729 to the SE!
13.1" (8/24/84): at 220x many faint stars resolved beyond the main disc.
13.1" (5/26/84): bright, large, mottled, many faint stars resolved across disc and at edges of halo.
13.1" (8/15/82): bright, very lively or mottled, ~20 very faint stars resolved around the periphery at 140x.
8" (7/31/81): bright, large, bright core, mottled, some resolution of extremely faint stars around edges.
10x30mm (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): fairly bright in binoculars, situated just north of the top of the looping curve forming Corona Australis.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6723 = D 573 = h3770 on 2 Jun 1826. His summary description (based on 6 observations) reads "a beautiful bright round nebula, about 3.5' diameter, moderately and gradually condensed to the centre. This is resolvable. The moderate condensation, and the bluish colour of the stars which compose it, give it a very soft and pleasant appearance. This is rather difficult to resolve, although the condensation is not very great." He mentioned (notebook) "It is scarcely so much condensed as M68 which I viewed this evening."
John Herschel credited Dunlop with the discovery despite the poor position and recorded on 31 Aug 1834 a "globular cluster; B; L; R or vlE; very gradually brighter middle; diam 5'; perfectly resolved into stars 14..16m, with stragglers extending to 8' diam." Christian Peters independently found the globular around 1849 at the Capodimonte Observatory in Naples and it was reported as new in AJ 2, 1856. Apparently Peters didn't have access to JH's Cape Catalogue.
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NGC 6724
18 56 46 +10 25 42; Aql
Size 3'
17.5" (7/24/95): at 100x appears as a small indistinct group in a rich Milky Way field. Stands out better at 220x which increases the number of stars to 15 in a 2.5'x2.0' region (slightly elongated E-W). There are five brighter mag 12-13 stars and 10 faint stars in this group and visually it appears to be an asterism.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6724 = h2237 on 5 Sep 1828 with a 5-inch Tully refractor (7-ft focal length) purchased in 1828 from James South and normally used for measurements of double stars. This is the only object JH discovered using this refractor. Only a rough RA (to the nearest minute of time) is given in the Slough Catalogue and there is no description. Harold Corwin found there is no additional information in the Herschel Archive DVD material.
Karl Reinmuth states "no cluster" based on Heidelberg plates and this is repeated in Dorothy Carlson's 1940 paper. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. Corwin mentions NGC 6724 may refer to a small, unimpressive group of stars about 5' northwest of his (rough) position. But based on my 18-inch observation, I doubt this group of stars would have caught JH's attention in a 5-inch. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6725 = ESO 183-036 = AM 1857-535 = PGC 62692
19 01 56.6 -53 51 47; Tel
V = 12.2; Size 2.2'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 40”
30" (11/3/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, edge-on 4:1 SW-NE, 1.8'x0.45'; contains a bright, very elongated core, tapered at the tips (spindle shape). A group of mag 12-13 stars extends to the north. ESO 184-005 lies 15' ESE. Located 1.1” SSE of mag 4.9 Lambda Telescopii.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6725 = h3769 on 8 Jul 1834 and recorded "eF; pL; R." The RA was only approximated but his position is 4' S of ESO 183-036.
NGC 6725 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "not pL, R but eF, eS, stell ncl, with straight wisp at 40”." RNGC misclassifies this galaxy as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 6726 = ESO 396-13 = Ced 165b
19 01 39 -36 53 30; CrA
Size 2'x2'
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the south-southwest component of two very bright, similar reflection nebulae oriented SSW-NNE. Both surround bright stars and are each 1.5'-2.0' in diameter with a separation of 57" (the two stars form the pair B 957). The nebulae are in contact with overlapping halos forming a figure 8. NGC 6726 is powered by mag 7.3 HD 176386. Also sharing this eerie dark field, which is obscured by dust, is the unusual cometary nebula NGC 6729 5' SSE.
17.5" (7/29/92): two bright, round nebulae oriented SSW-NNE: The SSW component (NGC 6726) surrounds a mag 7.2 star and the NNE component (NGC 6727) surrounds the variable star TY Coronae Australis (mag 9.5-10). Both nebulae are roughly 1.5' diameter and in contact with overlapping halos. The evenly matched double star BRS 14 = 6.6/6.8 at 13" is 13' SW. Very unusual dark field is void of stars and set in a striking low power field with nebula NGC 6729 and globular NGC 6723.
8" (7/31/81): two fairly bright, round patches in contact surrounding a wide pair (B 957) consisting of a mag 7.2 star and the variable TY CrA (8.8-12.5) at 58". A closer double star BRS 14 (6.5/7.0 at 13") to the SW. In a stunning low power field with NGC 6729 and globular cluster NGC 6723.
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 6726, along with NGC 6727, in October 1860 with the 6.2" Plssl refractor at the Athens Observatory. He made a second observation on 8 Feb 1861 (also NGC 6729) that was published in 1865 (AN 65, 263) and mentioned it was first seen in 1860. Albert Marth rediscovered this bright reflection nebula on 2 Jul 1864 and noted "* 7m in a F, pL, white envelope." As these bright reflection nebulae are only 30' SE of the showpiece globular NGC 6723, it's surprising they were missed by John Herschel.
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NGC 6727 = ESO 396-14 = Ced 165b
19 01 42 -36 52 36; CrA
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the north-northeast component of two very bright, similar reflection nebulae oriented SSW-NNE. Surrounds the variable star TY CrA and 1.5'-2.0' in diameter. The nebulae are in contact with overlapping halos forming a figure 8.
17.5" (7/29/92): bright, round, 1.5' diameter, surrounded variable star TY Coronae Australis (mag 9-10). Forms a pair with NGC 6726 in contact at the SSW end. See NGC 6726 for description.
8" (7/31/81): fairly bright circular halo surrounds star in contact with NGC 6726.
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 6727, along with NGC 6726, in October 1860 with the 6.2" Plssl refractor at the Athens Observatory. He made a second observation on 8 Feb 1861 (also NGC 6729) that was published in 1865 (AN 65, 263) . Albert Marth independently discovered this bright reflection nebula on 2 Jul 1864 and noted "* 7.5m in a F, pL, white envelope."
In October and November 1915, Robert Innes, at the Union Observatory in Johannesburg, reported the star CPD -37 8450 (= TY CrA) was a new variable. Although normally mag 8.7, he noticed it was mag 12.4 on 29 Oct 1915 and mag 11.5 on 24 Nov. He also remarked "that the nebulous envelope is also variable. As this envelope actually touches another one of about the same size [NGC 6726] it is most excellently situated for comparison."
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NGC 6728 = Isserstedt 662
18 58 48 -08 57 30; Sct
Size 7'
24" (7/18/20): at 200x, this scattered group stood out reasonably well, though visually it didn't appear as a distinct cluster. Roughly 30 stars were counted in a 6' region (about a dozen mag 11/12) including a few short arcs of 3 stars and one clump of 5 mag 11/12 stars. A mag 7.6 star is ~5' E. Located ~1 degree east of planetary nebula IC 1295.
Roughly 25' further east is a much larger, very scattered field with nearly 50 stars in a 15' region. But no clumps or denser areas caught my eye. Of the two candidates for NGC 6728, the first field (also described on my 27 Jul '95 observation) was more prominent visually.
17.5" (7/27/95): large, scattered group of mag 11-14 stars in a 7' triangular outline. Fairly easy to pick out at 100x. There are no rich clumps but many stars are arranged in strings and loops, forming the outline. A small equilateral triangle of mag 12 stars with sides ~30" is situated at the center of the group.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6728 = H. VIII-13 on 16 Jun 1784 (sweep 228) and noted "A coarsely scattered clusters of stars; the stars nearly of an equal magnitude." There is nothing of note at his position. Karl Reinmuth reported "no Cl, a dense region" in his photographic survey at Heidelberg. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
Harold Corwin suggests WH's object may be the cluster (centered on Isserstedt 662, from a 1968 paper on "Stellar Rings"), a little over a minute of RA west near 18 58.8 -08 58 (2000) or a larger, more scattered group at 19 00 28 -08 59 (2000).
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NGC 6729 = Ced 165c = PP 87 = ESO 396-15 = R Coronae Australis = HH 104
19 01 55 -36 57 30; CrA
Size 1'
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this remarkable variable reflection nebulae has a distinct cometary or fan-shape similar to Hubble's Variable Nebula. The cometary nebula extends from mag 10 erratic variable R CrA (9.7-13.5) at the NW end and fans out towards the SE towards the fainter variable T CrA (mag 11.7-13.5) at the SE edge of the nebula. R CrA is a pre-main sequence star with 2 to 10 times the mass of the sun and is embedded in the Corona Australis molecular complex, one of the closest star-forming regions.
The region to the southeast (DN Bernes 157) of NGC 6729 is remarkably void of stars! This opaque dark void (molecular cloud) appeared as a huge, elongated dark swath. Within a field of nearly 20', the absorption is very high with only a couple of stars visible near the edges (a solitaire interior star is 14th mag VV CrA) and beyond that only a scattering of faint stars! Also the field centered on NGC 6726/27/29 was strangely devoid of stars. The appearance of this entire region was unusual and striking. Gamma CrA lies just off the east edge of this molecular dust cloud.
17.5" (7/29/92): fairly faint, elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE, 2.0'x0.5'. Variable star T Coronae Australis (mag 11.7-13.5) is attached at the SE end and the nebulosity extends to WNW. Variable star R Coronae Australis (mag 9.7-13.5), which illuminates the nebula, is at the NW end. The unusual cometary appearance is similar to Hubble's Variable Nebula. The brighter reflection nebulae NGC 6726/NGC 6727 lies 5' NW. Located in a remarkable field of nebulosity and the bright globular cluster NGC 6723.
13.1" (8/15/82): at the edge of the field with NGC 6723 is this cometary nebula. Elongated with a star attached at the tip.
8" (7/31/81): faint, elongated nebulosity attached to R Coronae Australis (9.7-13.5) with a comet-like appearance. Located 5' SE of brighter NGC 6726/6427 in a remarkable field.
Julius Schmidt discovered NGC 6729 on 15 Jun 1861 with the 6.2" Plssl refractor at the Athens Observatory. He noted a faint, but clearly visible stellar nebula involved with a star identified as "nx", though his reported RA in 1865 was 4 minutes too large (typo). Albert Marth independently discovered this bright reflection nebula on 1864.50 (about 2 Jul) and noted "*13m with a vF, nebulous tail." His position is accurate.
The illuminating star is variable R CrA (T Tauri type). Schmidt discovered the variability of R CrA in 1866 and the variability of T CrB in 1876. He also suspected the nebula was variable. Observing with the 7" refractor at the Cape Observatory, Robert Innes confirmed the probability of the nebula's variability and reported R and T CrA "seem to be placed at the two ends of the major axis of a faint elliptical nebula, which is brightest to R." With the 18" refractor on 15 Oct 1900, he noted "the nebula does not extend to T CrA and that it is fan-shaped, agreeing very closely with Marth's description."
Delisle Stewart first photographed the region on 4 Aug 1899 at Harvard's Arequipa station, followed in 1910 at the Transvaal (Union) Observatory at Johannesburg with the Franklin-Adams camera. The following year Harold Knox-Shaw made a photographic study at the Helwan Observatory in Egypt with the 30-inch Reynolds reflector.
In 1910, Robert Innes, director of the Transvaal Meteorological Observatory in Johannesburg, described the opaque dark cloud that spreads SE of NGC 6729 as follows: "Both Mr. Worssell and the writer when examining this region have suspected the presence of an obscuring medium as the cause of the unusual lack of stars. In fact, the 9-inch refractor with a field of 25' can be pointed to one part of the region, so that not a solitary star of any magnitude is to be seen. There is probably no other such region in the whole sky. Mr Worssell considers that when the edge of the blank region is made to cross the field of the low-power Zeiss eyepiece with an apparent diameter of about 30', a distinct difference in tint between the blank and starry parts of the sky is perceptible."
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NGC 6730 = ESO 072-009 = PGC 62796
19 07 33.8 -68 54 46; Pav
V = 12.2; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 35”
30" (11/3/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.1'x0.9', high surface brightness elliptical. Located 2.2' SW of mag 7.1 HD 176865, which somewhat hampers the view. NGC 6719 lies 31' NW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6730 = h3771 on 23 Jul 1835 and recorded "vF; S; R; pretty much brighter middle; 10" diam; south preceding a * 7.8m; a great many st 12 and 13m in field." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6731
18 57 13.5 +43 04 36; Lyr
= **?, Corwin. Not found, RNGC.
Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 6731 around 1886 using the 15.5-inch refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in England. The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer. There is nothing at his position and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
Harold Corwin tentatively identifies NGC 6731 as a 10" double star near Lohse's position, though this is just a best guess without additional information.
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NGC 6732 = UGC 11381 = MCG +09-31-011 = CGCG 280-011 = PGC 62586
18 56 24.1 +52 22 38; Dra
V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 103”
24" (7/20/17): at 375x; fairly faint, small, irregularly round, 20"-24" diameter, very weak concentration. A mag 12.6 star is 40" NNW of center. At 500x, an extremely faint and small glow (quasi-stellar) often popped momentarily into view just off the east end. This very compact companion [20" E of center] is catalogued as CGCG 280-011 NED2 and LEDA 2413402 at B = 17.1 ± 0.5. UGC calls it a stellar companion at 0.1'x0.1'.
17.5" (7/20/90): faint, extremely small, round, fairly high surface brightness. A star is possibly involved or a stellar nucleus is offset stellar.
On the POSS there is an extremely compact companion with dimensions 0.1' x 0.1' just off the east end, and this is probably the "star" noted in the observation.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6732 = Sw. 5-87 on 16 Oct 1886 and logged "pB; vS; R; F * preceding close north." His RA was 19 seconds too small. Bigourdan measured an accurate RA on 8 Sep 1888. Herbert Howe, observing in 1899-00, reported "this is star-like, and of mag 12.5. The "F * nr" is of mag 11, and precedes 1 second, 0.6' north."
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NGC 6733 = ESO 141-025 = LGG 422-022 = PGC 62770
19 06 10.8 -62 11 48; Pav
V = 12.4; Size 1.8'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 110”
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.6', small bright core, increases to a bright stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is just off the north edge and a mag 15 star in involved in the halo on the west side. A distinctive quartet of mag 13-14 stars lies 3'-4' SE, with one of the stars a 5" or 6" double. Outer member on the northeast side of the Pavo II cluster = ACO S805.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6733 = h3772 on 8 Aug 1834 and logged "eeF; very gradually little brighter middle; 20; a very difficult object." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6734 = ESO 104-036 = AM 1902-653 = PGC 62786
19 07 14.3 -65 27 42; Pav
V = 12.7; Size 1.3'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.0
30" (11/3/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): brighter and slightly larger of a pair with NGC 6736 situated 2.5' NE. Moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.8'x0.6', small bright core. Located 3.8' SE of a mag 10.4 star and 11' WNW of mag 7.5 HD 177345. The large galaxy NGC 6744 lies 1.6 degrees NNE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6734 = h3773, along with NGC 6736, on 8 Jun 1836 and recorded "vF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 20"; the preceding of 2 [with NGC 6736]." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6735
19 00 37 -00 28 30; Aql
V = 7.5; Size 14'
17.5" (8/1/92): about 50 mag 13 stars in a 10' field which are very uniform in brightness. The exception is a mag 7.2 multiple star (SA0 142915 = HJ 874) on the north side, which has three faint companions including a mag 13.4 star at 10" and a mag 12 companion at 22". This is a large but basically faint group. The outliers form a circular pattern and the west to north side is well-defined by a semicircle of stars. Planetary nebula NGC 6741 lies ~30' due east.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6735 = h2025 on 18 Jul 1827 and described "a considerable cluster; not rich, but fills the field. *'s = 12m; place that of a double * No. 874 of my third catalogue." His description and position matches a group of ~30 stars surrounding SA0 142915 = HJ 874. RNGC classifies the number as a nonexistent cluster.
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NGC 6736 = ESO 104-037 = AM 1902-653 = PGC 62792
19 07 29.3 -65 25 43; Pav
V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 73”
30" (11/3/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): slightly smaller and fainter of a close pair with NGC 6734 located just 2.5' SW. Appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, 0.7'x0.55'. Located 4.7' E of a mag 10.4 star and 11' NW of mag 7.6 HD 177345.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6736 = h3774, along with NGC 6734, on 8 Jun 1836 and recorded "eF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 25"; the following of 2 [with NGC 6734]. His position is just off the southeast side of the galaxy.
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NGC 6737 = ESO 592-008
19 03 03 -18 32 12; Sgr
18" (7/21/04): at 115x, ~30 stars are visible in an 8' diameter including two mag 8.5-9 stars and a wide pair of mag 10.5 stars. The majority of the stars are 13th-14th magnitude including a group of faint stars to the north of the eastern mag 8.5 star. There is also a group of stars following this brighter star and trailing to the east. Not impressive but stands out reasonably well at low magnification.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6737 = h2026 on 14 Jul 1830 and noted "A *10 in p rich, roundish cluster 8' dia; stars 12...15m." His position corresponds with mag 9 HD 176682 and there is a weak enhancement of stars nearby described in my observation.
Karl Reinmuth called it "a dense region, but no Cl.", based on its photographic appearance. ESO also notes "concentration of stars only". Dorothy Carlson followed Reinmuth and says "No Cl" and this is repeated in the RNGC. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6738 = Cr 396 = Lund 874 = OCL-101
19 01 21 +11 36 54; Aql
Size 15'
17.5" (7/20/90): at 82x, 125 stars are visible. This cluster is bright and very large but scattered. Located between a mag 7.5 star and a mag 8 star with a 30' separation N-S. A nice string of fairly bright stars is between these two bright stars. Most of the cluster is west of this string but also a faint stream of stars is just following.
NGC 6738 is not a true cluster but an optical alignment of stars seen through various amounts of dust (see "NGC 6738: Not a real open cluster" in 2003A&A...406..893B).
John Herschel discovered NGC 6738 = h2027 on 29 Jul 1829 and noted "the central star (double) in a coarse and poor cluster." His position corresponds with HJ 1359, a wide unequal pair (9.1/12.6 at 18").
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NGC 6739 = ESO 141-028 = LGG 427-002 = PGC 62799
19 07 48.9 -61 22 04; Pav
V = 12.2; Size 2.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 171”
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, moderately large oval, elongated 5:2 ~N-S, 1.5'x0.4'. Contains a relatively large very bright core! The 15' field contains several mag 13 and fainter stars, but no brighter stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6739 = h3775 on 7 Aug 1834 and recorded "pF; vS; E; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 12" l; has 3 stars preceding." His position (also measured the next night) is accurate. The RC2 position of 19 08 03 -61 23 40 (2000) is incorrect.
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NGC 6740 = UGC 11388 = MCG +05-45-001 = = PGC 62675
19 00 50.5 +28 46 16; Lyr
V = 14.2; Size 0.9'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.7
17.5" (7/15/93): very faint, very small, round, 30" diameter, low surface brightness, weak concentration. Located within a 8' string of stars oriented SW-NE near the intersection point with another string which is perpendicular. Situated within an extremely rich Milky Way field! Not identified as NGC 6740 in UGC or MCG.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6740 = m 396 on 28 Jun 1864 and noted "eeF, S." His position is an excellent match with UGC 11338, although neither the UGC nor MCG label the galaxy as NGC 6740.
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NGC 6741 = PK 33-2.1 = PN G033.8-02.6 = J 475 = Phantom Streak
19 02 37.0 -00 26 57; Aql
V = 11.4; Size 9"x7"
24" (9/1/16): easily picked up at 200x as a very small, soft bluish glow. At 500x (unfiltered) the planetary appeared fairly bright, small, slightly elongated E-W, ~8"x6", brighter along the rim on the north side. There was no sign of a central star or any superimposed stars. A mag 13 star is 34" NW, a mag 14 star is 18" W and a mag 14.5 star is 25" SSW. Located 16' N of ·2434, a wide pair of mag 8.5 stars at 27" separation.
18" (8/25/06): picked up at 115x by blinking with an OIII filter. Appears light blue and soft at this magnification, making the identification as a planetary evident. At 323x a small, crisp-edged disc is fairly bright, ~8" diameter. Excellent view at 565x and the planetary appears slightly elongated ~E-W with a faint, very thin outer envelope with total size of ~10"x8".
17.5" (7/28/92 and 7/16/93): fairly bright, very small, round, clearly non-stellar at 220x, fairly high surface brightness, greenish tinge. Set in a rich field with several stars near including a mag 12 star 35" NNW, a mag 14 star 20" W and a mag 15 star 30" SW. A striking equal magnitude double star STF 2434 = 8.5/8.5 at 24" is located 15' S. At 410x, the easily visible disc is slightly elongated ~E-W. The PN forms the SE corner of a rough parallelogram with three brighter mag 11-12 stars 2.7' N, 4' WSW and 4' WNW and several other faint stars are near. The planetary has an irregular surface brightness but no clear structure. Estimate V = 11.0-11.5.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6741 on 19 Aug 1882 using a direct-vision spectroscope with the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory. The discovery was announced in AN 2459 and The Observatory, Vol 5, for Oct 1882.
Robert Jonckheere mistakenly catalogued this object as a double star (J 475) in 1911, based on observations with the 14-inch equatorial refractor at the University of Lille. The following year he reobserved it with the 28-inch Greenwich refractor and realized it was nebulous and identical to the planetary NGC 6741 (see http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?1915Obs....38..478J).
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported "No central star. A small bright oval, 9"x7" in p.a. 95”. It shows traces of an indistinct ring structure, being somewhat fainter along the major axis. There is a small, scarcely perceptible protuberance at the western end."
John Mallas coined the nickname "Phantom Streak" in his Jun/Jul 1963 article "Visual Atlas of Planetary Nebula-V", published in the "Review of Popular Astronomy". He writes: The "Phantom Streak." First you see it and then you don't...In the 4-inch looks like a broad silver line. Almost uniform in brightness, the ends appear broken and diffused...My visual impression agrees with H.D. Curtis's description of this object. He states "It shows some trace of a ring structure, being somewhat fainter along the major axis."
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NGC 6742 = Abell 50 = PK 78+18.1 = PN G078.5+18.7
18 59 19.7 +48 27 57; Dra
V = 13.4; Size 32"x32"
14.5" (9/29/21): easily visible unfiltered at 87x and 140x as a relatively bright (for an Abell PN) disc, ~35" in diameter. Nice contrast gain with a NPB filter, which sharpened up the edge to a very well defined disc. Excellent view at 260x; fairly bright, round, ~30" diameter. Adding a NPB filter, appeared slightly brighter along the N side of the rim.
24" (10/4/13): picked up unfiltered at 200x but an excellent contrast gain adding an OIII filter. Appeared fairly bright, round, 30"-35" diameter, slightly unevenly lit. At 280x and 375x unfiltered, an extremely faint star (mag 16?) is barely inside the west edge and a mag 15 star is just off the NNE edge. Adding an NPB filter the rim appear to be slightly brighter, particularly along the north side.
18" (6/11/07): picked up unfiltered at 174x as a round, moderately bright, crisp-edged disc of ~30" diameter. Excellent contrast gain with UHC or OIII filter.
18" (8/25/06): excellent view at 323x without a filter. The planetary appeared slightly elongated E-W, ~30"x25" with a slightly brighter rim giving a weakly annular appearance. A very faint 15th magnitude star is just off the NNE edge and a 16th magnitude star occasionally pops out at the west edge.
18" (7/20/04): beautiful view at 322x, appears moderately bright, fairly small, round, crisp-edged, ~30" diameter. The rim is slightly brighter giving a weak but definite annular appearance. A mag 15 star is just off the NNE edge and a mag 15.5-16 star is intermittently visible right at the west edge of the halo. Located 3.5' NE of mag 8.8 HD 176693.
17.5" (7/22/01): moderately bright, fairly small, perfectly circular. Easily picked by scanning region at 100x just 3.5' NE of mag 8.9 SAO 47978. Appears unevenly lit at 280x, ~30" diameter with slightly enhanced regions along the rim. A very faint star is off the NE edge.
17.5" (5/10/86): at 220x without filter appears fairly faint, round, fairly small. At 105x using an OIII filter the planetary is bright and compact with crisp round edges.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6742 = H. III-742 on 8 Jul 1788 (only object in sweep 849). He noted "very faint, stellar, 300x verified it." He placed this planetary in class III of "Very Faint Nebulae". d'Arrest's single position is accurate to within 1'.
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NGC 6743
19 01 20 +29 16 36; Lyr
17.5" (8/4/94): about 35 stars in a 6' diameter group centered on a bright wide double star HJ 1361 = 8.3/10.6 at 18". The boxy outline stands out reasonably well at 100x. There are no dense spots and the group appears fully resolved. A mag 10 star is at the NW end 4' from h1361.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6743 = h2028 on 6 Jul 1828 and reported "A pL, poor cl of stars forming irreg groups or patches, 11..12m; dia =8'." His position is close to mag 8.4 HD 176970, a wide, unequal double (HJ 1361) and just following a wide triple star.
Karl Reinmuth called it "not well defined loose Cl around BD +29”3445." RNGC classifies it as nonexistent and it may be a random asterism. In any case, the identification is certain.
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NGC 6744 = ESO 104-042 = AM 1905-635 = PGC 62836
19 09 46.2 -63 51 27; Pav
V = 8.3; Size 20.0'x12.9'; Surf Br = 14.2; PA = 15”
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): I primarily scanned NGC 6744 looking for very small HII regions. The offsets stated here are relative to a very small bright nucleus, which was sharply concentrated within the core. A non-stellar knot was noted 2.5' NW of the nucleus. A second knot was seen 2.9' ESE of the nucleus and a third was just 1.6' NE of center. Roughly a dozen "stars" are superimposed on the galaxy and some of the fainter ones may be stellar HII knots. Spiral structure was too subtle to see any definite arms. IC 4823 (a double system) lies 18' SE.
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this massive barred spiral appeared fairly bright, large, oval 3:2 ~N-S, roughly 8'x6' with a large, bright core. About a half-dozen stars are superimposed over the face of the galaxy - some of these are possibly small HII regions. A hint of spirality was suggested within the outer region by slightly darker areas, but no definite spiral arms were observed. NGC 6744A lies 12' NW but was not noticed. Member of a sparse group including NGC 6684 and IC 4710 at 25 million light years.
20" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): bright, large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, ~9'x6'. A bright, oval core or bar is surrounded by a moderately low surface halo with an impression of "motion" or arcs embedded within the outer glow.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6744 = D 262 = h3776 on 30 Jun 1826 with his 9" reflector from Parramatta (20 km W of Sydney). His summary description based on 3 observations reads "a pretty large very faint nebula, about 5' or 6' diameter, slightly bright towards the centre; a minute star is north of the nebula, and two stars of the 7th mag preceding." His rough published position was 1 min 45 sec of time too far west (12' error).
On 20 Jun 1835, John Herschel recorded "pB; R; at first very gradually, then suddenly very much brighter in the middle; total diam 2', but that of the bright part = 15"."
NGC 6744 was first photographed and resolved as a spiral on a photograph taken at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901. DeLisle Stewart called it "!! spiral, complex in structure, diam. 10'."
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NGC 6745 = UGC 11391 = CGCG 229-013 = KTG 69A+B = PGC 62691 = Bird's Head Galaxy
19 01 41.7 +40 44 45; Lyr
V = 12.3; Size 1.4'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 24”
48" (10/24/11 and 10/26/19): we observed the "Bird's Head" galaxy at 488x and 610x and the same detail visible in the April observation was seen. In addition, I took notes on the detached companion (PGC 200361), which was immediately noticed just off the north edge of NGC 6745. It appeared very faint, small, elongated 3:2 N-S, ~12"x8". With averted vision it was continuously visible.
48" (4/1/11): this interacting galaxy pair or triple was a fascinating sight at 488x. The main body is bright, very asymmetric, extending 2:1 N-S, ~1.1'x0.5'. The brighter east side is noticeable curved or bulging to the east and bends on the north end towards the west. A thin strip along the eastern edge glows brighter. The western edge of the main galaxy is relatively straight and dimmer. The south end has a fairly blunt or rectangular appearance. At the north end, a very unusual bright spike or "bird's beak" with a high surface brightness juts out of the main body, perhaps 12"x4" (catalogued as NGC 6745 NED03 = PGC 200362 = KTG 69B). A very faint, very small detached glow, ~5" diameter, is just north of the "beak" (catalogued as NGC 6745 NED02 = PGC 200361 = KTG 69C).
13.1" (7/20/85): fairly faint, edge-on SSW-NNE. At 220x appears to bend on the NNE end to the west. This is a disrupted interacting system on the POSS and the extension seen at the NNE end may be the contact pair.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6745 = St. 10-38 on 26 Jul 1875 and noted it was elongated N-S. A second observation was made on 4 July 1877. His published accurate micrometric position (list 10, #38) was measured on 24 Jul 1879 with description "vF, lE north and south."
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NGC 6746 = ESO 141-029 = LGG 427-003 = PGC 62852
19 10 22.3 -61 58 07; Pav
V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 173”
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright or fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 5:3 N-S, ~50"x30". Contains a brighter core that occasionally appears elongated (bar?). Situated in a dazzling star field with four brighter stars in the 15' field including mag 8.5 HD 178086 6' ENE, mag 9.1 HD 177670 5' W and mag 9.4 HD 177926 3' SE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6746 = h3777 on 11 Aug 1836 and logged "eF; R; gradually little brighter middle; 30"." His single position is accurate.
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NGC 6747 = CGCG 341-012 = PGC 62564
18 55 21.5 +72 46 18; Dra
V = 14.5; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4
17.5" (7/9/88): very faint, very small, round, bright core. The galaxy is located SW of a 1.6' string of four mag 14 stars oriented SW-NE, the closest being 1.0' NE. A brighter mag 10 star is 3.1' SE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6747 = Sw. 5-88 on 31 Oct 1886 and recorded "eeeF; eee diff.; pB * nr sf; 3 vF course D st in line near nf point to it." His position is 1.9' northwest of CGCG 341-012 = PGC 62564, but his description is a perfect match." Howe claims he searched for this object in vain on two nights. I'm surprised he could not find it in the 20-inch refractor at Denver as Swift's position is not far off.
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NGC 6748 = NGC 6751 = PK 29-5.1 = PN G029.2-05.9
19 05 55.4 -05 59 32; Aql
V = 11.5; Size 21"
See observing notes for NGC 6751.
douard Stephan found NGC 6748 = St. 2-26 on 7 Jul 1871 and recorded a rough position 4' N of NGC 6751. Was he aware of Marth's prior discovery on 20 Jul 1863 and published in 1867? His published position in list 2 (#26) was reduced on 17 Jul 1871 with description "pB, vS, bM." But there is nothing close to Stephan's position despite 5 measurements from his reference star. This object was considered lost until 2016. Harold Corwin found that Stephan's offsets from one observation (of 2) of NGC 6751 on 17 Jul 1871 (listed in Emmanuel Esmiol's 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's positions) matched the calculated offsets Stephan reported for 2-26. Esmiol left NGC 6748 off of his table and made no special note of the 1871 observation, but clearly NGC 6748 = NGC 6751. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6749 = Berkeley 42 = C1902+018 = OCL-91 = Lund 876
19 05 15.2 +01 54 03; Aql
V = 12.4; Size 6.3'; Surf Br = 4.6
24" (7/20/12): NGC 6749 was surprisingly easy to sweep up at 200x and it was immediately noticed in the field as a fairly faint, fairly large, irregular glow, ~2.5' diameter. Still, the surface brightness is low for a globular, there was no noticeable concentration, and it somewhat blends into a rich Milky Way star field. At 325x several very faint stars were resolved, mostly around the edges. The easiest group to resolve are four or so along the north and northeast side. Another couple of stars are at the south and southeast edges. Brighter (field?) stars are off the southwest and east edges. Sh 2-71, a large planetary nebula, lies 50' NE.
18" (8/2/11): this challenging NGC globular is highly obscured and just stands out clearly from the rich Milky Way background glow. At 225x it appears as a very faint diffuse glow, roughly 2' diameter, with a low surface brightness and a small brighter core. A 12th magnitude star is superimposed and the slightly brighter core of the globular is located about 45" SW of this star. The edge of the globular is not well defined but appears to just reach a mag 12.5 on the south end. Additional mag 11-13 stars are clearly off the east, west and south side of the halo. Four mag 12-13 stars just off the south side form a small trapezoid that helps to pinpoint the location of the globular. Located 26' ENE of mag 5.8 HD 177178.
17.5" (7/1/00): very faint, very low surface brightness globular in a dusty portion of the Aquila Milky Way (dimmed by at least 4.5 magnitudes of extinction). The core is 15"-20" slightly brighter spot less than 1' SW of a mag 12 star. The surrounding halo is just a weak glow with averted vision, 2'-2.5' in diameter with an ill-defined edge, and just brighter than the Milky Way background. The glow encompasses the mag 12 star on its northeast side but does not reach two mag 13.5 stars off the south side. This cluster would most likely be overlooked if just quickly scanning the field and along with NGC 6380 it is one of the two most difficult NGC globulars!
17.5" (7/24/95): very faint, ~3' diameter, unusually low surface brightness for a globular cluster with only a very weak central brightening. A mag 12 star is superimposed on the north side and two mag 13.5 stars are at the south end (not members). The core appears to be located ~1' SW of the mag 12 star. Does not appear like a globular but rather a diffuse nebula in a rich Milky Way field. Difficult to determine exact outer extent.
13.1" (8/11/85): extremely faint, moderately large, very low surface brightness and fades at high power. Near the visual threshold this is one of the two faintest NGC globulars along with NGC 6380. Estimate V = 14. Located at the NW edge of an elongated group of six mag 12/13 stars and 25' ESE of mag 5.8 SAO 124203. The position listed in the NGC, SC2000, NGC 2000, U2000, and DSFG are all about 7' too far south.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6749 = h2029 on 15 Jul 1827 (single observation) and recorded "a cluster of loose small stars of various magnitudes; fills the field." His position is 8' south-southwest of a highly reddened globular cluster that all modern sources identify as NGC 6749. But, I'm not convinced JH was referring to the globular, which is only ~3' diameter visually, quite faint and unresolved in most telescopes. The visual appearance doesn't correspond with a object that "fills the field" with "loose small stars of various magnitudes." His description really applies to the general Milky Way field here, which is very rich. JH catalogued a number of rich Milky Way fields that caught his eye and this is probably another case.
Bigourdan examined the area on 24 August 1891 and wrote (Corwin's translation), "Extended region, slightly rich in stars, but which offers nothing remarkable. "Using Heidelberg-Knigstuhl plates, Reinmuth remarked "a dense region, but no distinct cluster." Dorothy Carlson repeated "No Cl" in her 1940 paper on NGC identifications.
Harold Corwin writes, "A more appropriate scattering of stars actually overlaps the globular but extends well to the southwest...even if this is JH's intended object, I think that it is no more than a random clumping of Milky Way stars."
The globular cluster, generally identified as NGC 6749, was discovered by Arthur Setteducati and Harold Weaver in 1962 and cataloged as Berkeley 42. The position is close off the SW edge of the cluster and a note mistakently equates it with NGC 6749 with the comment "Probably Globular". The RNGC references Carlson's paper but classifies NGC 6749 as a globular cluster.
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NGC 6750 = UGC 11389 = MCG +10-27-006 = CGCG 302-008 = KAZ 282 = PGC 62671
19 00 36.1 +59 10 00; Dra
V = 13.0; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.2; PA = 3”
17.5" (7/20/90): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, weak concentration. A line of three mag 10/11 stars oriented WNW-ESE (length 4.3') lies 5'-6' S.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6750 = Sw. 2-73 on 10 Sep 1885 and noted "vF; vS; R." His position is unusually accurate.
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NGC 6751 = PK 29-5.1 = PN G029.2-05.9 = NGC 6748
19 05 55.4 -05 59 32; Aql
V = 11.5; Size 21"
24" (9/30/16): symmetric, very attractive planetary at 450x (unfiltered). The edge of the 20" rim is crisply defined. The mag 14.5 central star was easily visible. Annularity is evident with a brighter rim except for a section of the south edge. The center appeared slightly darker around the central star. In a rich star field with carbon star V Aql 30' NW.
18" (8/26/06): excellent view at 257x. The central star was easily seen and the rim appeared brighter with a slightly darker center. There also appeared to be a thin outer shell. A mag 14.5 star is close off the east edge and two mag 14/15 stars are off the west side. At 435x, the planetary is perhaps slightly elongated ~E-W. One or two extremely faint stars (or slightly brighter spots) occasionally sparkle, with one possibly on the west edge. The stunning carbon star V Aql is in the same low power field 30' NW and dark nebula B134 lies 20' SE.
18" (7/20/04): at 322x, this is a beautiful 20" fairly bright disc with an easy mag 14.5 central star. At 435x, the surface brightness is irregular and there is an impression that an extremely faint star or knot is superimposed on the north side or perhaps the rim is irregularly brighter along the north side. The planetary is bracketed by two stars just off the leading and trailing sides.
18" (9/20/03): moderately bright, round, 20" planetary. Excellent view at 435x; the halo has a subtle irregular surface brightness and seems slightly fainter near the center. The outer edge of the halo appears to slightly fade. The mag 14.5 central star shines steadily. Situated in a rich star field with a mag 13.5 star at the east edge with fainter stars off the west side. The dark nebula B134 lies 20' SE and the deep red variable V Aquilae in 30' NW.
17.5" (6/3/00): fairly faint, small, round, 20" diameter. At 500x, the surface brightness was uneven and the planetary appears darker on the SE side of the center. The mag 14.5 central star is obvious at 500x. Two stars just off the east and west edge (fainter star is at the preceding side) bracket the planetary. Situated in a rich Milky Way star field.
13.1" (8/16/82): fairly faint, small, round. The mag 15 central star was suspected at high power. A mag 13.5 star is right at the east edge and a mag 12.5 is 55" ESE of center. Located 30' SE of the striking deep red variable V Aquilae (6.6-8.4).
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6751 = m 397 = St. 12-90 on 20 Jul 1863 and noted "pB, S." His position was 2' too far south. douard Stephan observed it on 7 Jul 1871 (rough position 4' to the N) and 25 Jul 1872 (11' to the NNE), probably aware of Marth's earlier discovery. Stephan reported it as new in his second discovery list #26 (later NGC 6748) with a position taken on 17 Jul 1871. His description reads, "bright, small, round, central condensation, seems resolvable." Stephan misidentified his reference star and there is nothing at his position. But in 2016 Harold Corwin noticed the offsets for an observation of NGC 6751 given in Esmiol's re-reduction matched Stephan's computed offsets for NGC 6748. So, NGC 6748 = NGC 6751. Stephan made a second observation (St. 12-90) of NGC 6751 on 3 Aug 1881 and measured an accurate micrometric position. In the notes section to the 12th list, he mentions a 2' error in Marth's polar distance, so he was aware the objects were the same. Both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) were credited in the NGC.
Williamina Fleming classified NGC 6751 as a planetary nebula in 1908 based on its spectrum (Harvard Circular 143) and assumed it was new. It was included as a new nebula (without the NGC designation) in Annie Cannon's 1916 Annals of HCO compilation of "Spectra Having Bright Lines"
Referring to a photograph taken with the Crossley reflector at Lick Observatory, Curtis (1918) reported "central star about mag 12. The nebular disk is 21" in diameter, nearly round, and shows indistinct evidences of a very irregular ring formation."
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NGC 6752 = ESO 141-030
19 10 51.7 -59 58 55; Pav
V = 5.5; Size 20.4'; Surf Br = 0.1
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory): NGC 6752 is one of the top globulars - 4th brightest in integrated magnitude and 2nd in terms of brightest members - and was spectacular from Australia. At 128x, the cluster seemed fully resolved with an uncountable number of stars densely packed over a large region. Streamers in the halo greatly increased the diameter to roughly 20'. The central region was well-compressed to a very bright core! There was a strong 3-dimensional effect as the core was covered with scores of fairly bright stars seemingly superimposed over a rich mat of fainter stars and all set over a background glow. The nucleus was small and very bright. Many 11-12th magnitude stars in the halo formed complete loops and long chains. A mag 7.7 double star is superimposed on the SW edge of the halo (HJ 5085 = 7.7/9.2 at 2.8"). This was one of my favorite objects from Australia!
12.2" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): this naked-eye cluster (V = 5.5) ranks second in terms of brightest members (mag 11.5). The 4' core contains several dozen mag 12-13 stars, many arranged in streaming curves and chains layered over a dense central glow. The halo was large but irregular with knots of mag 11-12 stars over a diffuse background. The brighter members, particularly in the outer halo gave the visual impression of a globular embedded in a larger, open cluster!
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): very bright, fairly large, 10' total diameter with a 2' brighter core that increased to very bright nucleus. The large halo was very mottled and partially resolved although viewed at only 6 degrees elevation as the brightest stars are mag 11. 15-20 stars mag 11-12 were visible around the edges of the core and within the halo in curved strings. Mag 7.7 SAO 254482 (h5085 = 7.7/9.2 at 2.8") is embedded in the SW portion of the halo 4.3' from the center. Ranks second in terms of brightest individual stars and appeared very rich.
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6752 = D 295 = h3778 on 30 Jun 1826 at Parramatta Observatory (near Sydney) with his homemade 9-inch f/12 reflector. His summary description, based on 5 observations, reads: "a pretty large and very bright nebula, 5' or 6' diameter, irregular round figure, easily resolved into a cluster of small stars, exceedingly compressed at the centre. The bright part at the center is occasioned by a group of stars of some considerable magnitude when compared with those of the nebula. I am inclined to think that these may be two clusters in the same line; the bright part is a little south of the centre of the large nebula."
John Herschel also made multiple observations. On sweep 480 (7 Aug 1834), he recorded "globular cluster; B; rich; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 7'. The stars are of 2 magnitudes, the larger 11m, run out in lines like crooked radii. The smaller, 16m, are massed together in and round the middle."
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NGC 6753 = ESO 184-022 = AM 1907-570 = LGG 426-001 = PGC 62870
19 11 23.8 -57 02 58; Pav
V = 11.1; Size 2.5'x2.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 30”
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 394x; very bright, large, slightly elongated N-S, ~2.2'x1.8', fairly sharply concentrated with an intense elongated core that gradually increases to the center. A mag 12 star is at the SE edge, 1.0' from center and a fainter star is off the SW side. ESO 184-025 lies 6' SE and IC 4826 is 12' SE. ESO 184-025 appeared fairly faint, fairly small, thin edge-on 5:1 WSW-ENE, 0.7'x0.15', near the midpoint of NGC 6753 6' NW and IC 4826 6' SE.
11" (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): moderately bright and large at 127x, round, 1.2' diameter, fairly well-concentrated to a small bright core. A mag 12 star is off the SE edge of the halo and a mag 13 star is off the SW side (1.3' from center). Located 3.2' S of mag 10 HD 178302. Viewed at ~12 degrees elevation. Brightest in a group including NGC 6758 and NGC 6780.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6753 = h3779 on 5 Jul 1836 and logged "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 80"." His position is accurate.
According to Sandage (1975), this galaxy is a member of the NGC 6769 group. Members include NGC 6739, NGC 6769, NGC 6770, NGC 6771, NGC 6782, IC 4827, IC 4831, IC 4842 & IC 4845. Possible additional members include NGC 6753, NGC 6758, NGC 6780, NGC 6776, IC 4837, IC 4839 & IC 4889.
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NGC 6754 = ESO 231-025 = AM 1907-504 = PGC 62871
19 11 25.7 -50 38 31; Tel
V = 12.1; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 80”
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 1.4'x0.6', weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. Surrounded by a number of stars including a mag 11.6 star 2' N.
Forms a close pair with PGC 464622 1.1' NW. The companion appeared faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 0.4'x0.3'. A mag 13.5 star is just off the NW side (0.4' from center). NGC 6761 lies 35' E.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6754 = h3780 on 8 Jul 1834 and recorded "eF; pmE in parallel; gradually little brighter middle; 90" l." On a second observation he logged "pB; pmE in pos 63”, very gradually little brighter middle; 60"."
Petro Baracchi observed this galaxy on 7 Nov 1885 with the Melbourne telescope and wrote "pB, pL, pmE, very gradually little brighter middle. Diffused about 90" long, 45" broad - outline uncertain, fading away gradually - perhaps large than these given measures. Observed 4 hours off the meridian. More suspected.." The last comment could apply to nearby PGC 464622, though it is not shown on his sketch.
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NGC 6755 = Cr 397 = Lund 878 = OCL-96
19 07 49 +04 16 00; Aql
V = 7.5; Size 15'
24" (8/27/14): although the listed diameter is 15', the most eye-catching region extends only 5' and is described as the southern group in the earlier observation. The stars are arrange in two main groups. On the west side is a "U" shaped group of a dozen stars, open to the northwest, with the brightest mag 10.3 star at the southwest end of the loop. A nice unequal pair (~12" separation) is ~40" SE. Another couple of pairs (one very close) is along the east side of the loop. A smaller (~2' dia) but richer group of a dozen stars is 2'-3' NE. A long looping string of ~20 stars, including two 10th magnitude, begins close southeast of this group and curves to the south and west, ending in a small knot of 4 stars. The region between this loop and the two groups described above contains 10-12 mag 15 stars.
17.5" (8/8/91): at 140x this is a bright group of 80 stars mag 10-14 in a 10' diameter. The stars are arranged in two groups separated by a fairly wide, obvious dark rift oriented SW-NE. The southern star group is larger and richer (about 50 stars) and contains several stars in two rich subgroups. The northern group is also catalogued as Czernik 39. A mag 10 star is at the west edge of the northern group. NGC 6756 lies 30' NE.
8" (8/28/81): large, scattered, two parts are resolved into rich clumps.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6755 = H. VII-19 = h2030 on 30 Jul 1785 (sweep 416) and recorded "a pretty compressed cluster of pS scattered stars, of various magnitudes and colour, 12 or 15' diameter. On 21 Aug 1791 (sweep 1017), he recorded "a cl of stars of various sizes, considerably rich, the condensed part of it is divided in two." On 13 Aug 1830, JH described a "vL, v rich cluster, composed of 2 or 3 clustering groups running together; place that of the most condensed part." His position matches the richest part of the cluster.
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NGC 6756 = Cr 398 = Lund 879 = OCL-99
19 08 42 +04 42 18; Aql
Size 4'
17.5" (7/27/92): at 280x, about two dozen mag 11.5 and fainter stars in a 6'x4' field surrounding a bright knot just east of center. A mag 13 star is at the NE edge of the knot. With concentration the central knot resolves into half a dozen very tightly packed mag 14 stars. The brightest mag 11.5 star in the cluster is 3' S of this knot. Set over unresolved background haze. Located 30' NE of open cluster NGC 6755.
8" (8/28/81): few faint stars at 100x over background haze.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6756 = H. VII-62 = h2031 on 21 Aug 1791 (sweep 1017) and recorded "a small pretty compressed cl. of stars, not very rich." John Herschel made a total of 4 observations. On 13 Aug 1830 (sweep 278), he called it "pretty rich; S; m compressed; oval or rather fan-shaped. The stars 11...12m, 4' in extent; the nf side most compressed."
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NGC 6757 = UGC 11401 = MCG +09-31-019 = CGCG 280-013 = PGC 62752
19 05 06.3 +55 43 02; Dra
V = 12.9; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 105”
17.5" (7/20/90): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, faint stellar nucleus or very faint star superimposed. Unusual appearance as a mag 14.5 star is at the west end and a very faint star or knot is at the ENE end! The DSS confirms a knot at the ENE end of the central bar as well as at the west end just following the mag 14.5 star.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6757 = Sw. 2-74 on 15 Aug 1884 and recorded "pF; vE; 3 vF stars curiously placed in it on the line of major axis, which also point to a double star." His position is 24 seconds of time preceding UGC 11401 but the double star Stein 2412 fits his description. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 5 Sep 1888. Herbert Howe reported "Swift says '3 vF st inv.' I was unable to verify this, but saw two stars of mag 12 close south preceding."
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NGC 6758 = ESO 184-037 = LGG 426-003 = PGC 62935
19 13 52.5 -56 18 36; Tel
V = 11.6; Size 2.2'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 121”
30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 303x; bright, large, oval 4:3 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x1.2', sharply concentrated with an intense core that increased to a very small, extremely bright nucleus. A 9" pair of mag 15-16 stars lies 1' NNE of center. Brightest in a group with ESO 184-036 3.9' NNW, ESO 184-033 8.3' WNW, ESO 184-026 16' WNW.
ESO 184-033 is moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.6' diameter. ESO 184-026 appeared fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 5:3, sharply concentrated with a small very bright core.
11" (8/8/04 - Haleakala Crater): at 127x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter, broad concentration, very small brighter core. Three IC galaxies are within 20' (IC 4829, 4832, 4840), but I didn't search for these. Viewed at an elevation of 13”.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6758 = h3781 on 9 Jun 1836 and noted "pB; R; 20"." His position is fairly accurate. Joseph Turner observed and sketched the galaxy on 2 Aug 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope. He noted a diameter of about 25", gradually brighter in the middle, 3 faint stars forming an obtuse triangle follows.
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NGC 6759 = MCG +08-35-002 = CGCG 256-006 = PGC 62779
19 06 57.1 +50 20 51; Dra
V = 14.1; Size 1.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 30”
17.5" (7/20/90): faint, very small, round, even surface brightness. Two extremely faint 16th magnitude stars are involved at the south edge and two mag 13/14 stars are 1' SW.
Auguste Voigt discovered NGC 6759 = Voigt 8 = Sw. 5-89 on 22 Jul 1865 with the 31-inch Foucault reflector at the Marseilles observatory. His unpublished logbook position is on the SW side of the galaxy and he mentioned the two stars mag 12/13 close southwest. Lewis Swift independently discovered this galaxy on 16 Mar 1886 and recorded "vF; S; R: vF D* close sp." Swift was credited with the discovery in the NGC. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20-inch refractor in Denver in 1899-00, commented "the "vF D* close sp" noted by Swift is of mags 11.5-12.5, and distance 15"."
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NGC 6760
19 11 12.0 +01 01 50; Aql
V = 9.0; Size 6.6'; Surf Br = 2.4
24" (8/12/15): viewed at 564x in excellent seeing and I was impressed with the resolution compared to previous views. The 2' core was extremely mottled and lively with roughly two dozen very faint stars popping in and out of view, but only a relative few constantly visible. Another couple of dozen stars were resolved in the halo, mostly in a 180” arc along the entire southern side. The stars along this arc are confined to a fairly thin strip that appeared detached from the core. Also a sparse string of stars extends northeast of the core.
18" (7/19/04): at 225x, moderately bright and large, round. The halo extends to 4'-5' and increases fairly rapidly to a fairly bright 2' core. The cluster had a very mottled appearance and some very faint stars were resolved in the halo. At 435x, the core was extremely lively and several extremely faint stars popped in and out of visibility for moments. There are several stars in the halo that were easily resolved, mostly notably on the east and southeast side. Also the globular appeared slightly elongated at this magnification.
18" (8/23/03): at 323x this globular appears moderately bright, round, nearly 4' diameter, broad concentration to a slightly brighter 2' core. A half-dozen stars are were resolved around the periphery with several of these on the southeast and east side. With averted vision a few additional stars sparkle over the center. At 538x, 10-12 stars were resolved around the edges of the halo and the core is very lively and on the verge of resolution.
17.5" (8/8/91): moderately bright, round, 3' diameter slightly elongated E-W, very mottled or granular appearance. A few very faint stars are resolved over the core and at the edge of the core. With averted vision the faint halo increases in size to 4' diameter. Several stars bracket the halo including a mag 13.5 star off the east edge. A rich mostly unresolved clump of extremely faint stars is close west.
8" (6/22/81): faint, small, no resolution, very diffuse.
John Russell Hind discovered NGC 6760 = Au 44 on 30 Mar 1845 using a 7-inch Dollond refractor at George Bishop's private observatory in London. He reported "On the night of 1845 March 30, I found a faint nebula of a circular form... There does not appear to be any previous notice of this nebula, and Sir James South informs me that he can find no registered nebula within two degrees of this place. This somewhat singular as the present object was found while searching for comets with our 11 foot refractor."
Heinrich d'Arrest rediscovered the cluster in 1852 while searching for comets with the 4.6-inch Fraunhofer refractor in Leipzig, though he later retracted the claim it was new. Arthur Auwers reported that in the 6" Heliometer it was "quite bright, R, gradually brighter in the middle, 2-3' diameter." but once he commented it was "surprisingly faint." douard Stephan made several observations at Marseilles with the 31-inch reflector, perhaps trying to resolve it. At Birr Castle, Dreyer reported it as "vB, L, irregularly round, vgpmbM, like a distant glob. Cl, although not distinctly resolved with the higher powers. eF curved branches go out from the south side."
John Herschel noted in the General Catalogue that this object was suspected of variability due to the widely disparate visual brightness estimates. A photograph was taken with the Mount Wilson 60-inch in 1914 due to comments about variability and the cluster was resolved into "1200 stars ranging approximately from 16.5 to 19.5 photographic magnitude...No trace of nebulosity is found."
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NGC 6761 = ESO 231-028 = PGC 62957
19 15 04.7 -50 39 24; Tel
V = 13.4; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 19”
30" (11/6/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, moderately large, irregularly round, 1.3'x1.0', broad concentration except for a very small brighter core. Unusual appearance as several mag 15 stars are superimposed in the halo. Located 10' W of mag 8.5 HD 179703. NGC 6754 lies 35' W.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6761 = h3782 on 8 Jul 1834 and logged "eF; R; pL; 50"." On a second observation, he noted "vF; irr R; 40"."
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NGC 6762 = NGC 6763 = UGC 11405 = CGCG 323-009 = PGC 62757
19 05 37.1 +63 56 03; Dra
V = 13.4; Size 1.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 119”
24" (6/21/20): at 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, very elongated NW-SE, ~50"x20". Contains a brighter bulging core. A mag 15 star is at the SE tip [22" from center] and a mag 14.7 star is 1' NW.
CGCG 323-7 and CGCG 323-8 are a 1' pair of compact galaxies located 18' WSW. Both are faint, very small, round, 20" diameter with very little concentration. An uncatalogued 5" double star is close NW.
17.5" (8/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 3:1 WNW-ESE, small bright core. A mag 14.5 star is 1.0' NW and a mag 12 star is 2.0' NW.
Lewis Swift found NGC 6762 = Sw. 2-75 on 30 Apr 1884 and noted "eF; vE." His position and description is nearly identical to NGC 6763, which Swift discovered exactly 8 months earlier (30 Aug 1883) and catalogued in the same list as #76. So, NGC 6762 = NGC 6763. See notes for NGC 6763. Bigourdan's micrometric position (on 29 Aug 1889) is accurate. The UGC declination is 17' too far north.
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NGC 6763 = NGC 6762 = UGC 11405 = CGCG 323-009 = PGC 62757
19 05 37.1 +63 56 03; Dra
V = 13.3; Size 1.4'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 119”
See observing notes for NGC 6762.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6763 = Sw. 2-76 on 30 Aug 1883 and recorded "eF; vS; cE; F * nr; D * in field. n of 2" His position is 14 seconds of time due west of UGC 11405 = PGC 62757 and the description applies. He apparently found this galaxy again exactly 8 months later on 30 Apr 1884 and catalogued it in the same list as Sw. 2-75 = NGC 6762. The qualifiers "s of 2" and "n of 2" were added as he was preparing his manuscript to be published. Herbert Howe commented in Monthly Notices LXI (1900) that "NGC 6762 and 6763 are identical; Swift admits it [in a correspondence]. The region was scrutinized one night, the definition being fine. A star of mag 13 follows the nebula 1 second, a few seconds of arc south. It is doubtless the star referred to in the description of 6763, and does appear to be nebulous." Both Howe and Bigourdan measured accurate position. So, NGC 6762 = NGC 6763. The primary designation should be NGC 6763, due to the earlier discovery, though NGC 6762 is often used.
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NGC 6764 = UGC 11407 = MCG +08-35-003 = CGCG 256-007 = PGC 62806
19 08 16.4 +50 56 00; Cyg
V = 11.8; Size 2.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 62”
48" (11/5/21): at 610x; bright and impressive barred spiral that appears like an edge-on galaxy on first glance. The bar is elongated ~7:1 WSW-ENE, nearly 2' x 0.3'. The galaxy displayed a sharp and prominent stellar nucleus that seems like a bright, superimposed star. The bar has a small bend at the ENE end, ending at a faint (HII) knot, ~6" diameter. A 17th mag star is just off the tip. Similarly, I noted a slightly brighter 15" patch (also a large HII region) on the WSW end of the bar. Three mag 14-15 stars form a thin triangle on the south side of a very low surface brightness halo.
LEDA 214715, situated 2.7' ESE, appeared moderately bright, oval ~5:4 E-W, ~25"x20", weak concentration to center but overall fairly high surface brightness. Picked up 2.7' ESE of NGC 6764.
24" (6/29/16): at 260x; moderately bright, very elongated 5:1 WSW-ENE (central bar), ~1.7'x 0.35', broad weak concentration, sharp stellar nucleus. After careful viewing, a very low surface brightness halo surrounds the bar, which increased the size to ~1.7'x0.6'. Three mag 14-15 stars are at the south side including a 10" pair parallel to the major axis [25" south of the nucleus]. A faint non-stellar knot was visible at the ENE end of the bar. Occasionally it was elongated and angled towards the north. A matching knot was suspected (lower contrast) at the WSW end of the bar.
NGC 6764 forms a pair with LEDA 214715 2.7' ESE. At 260x, the companion appeared faint to fairly faint, small, slightly elongated E-W and 15" to 20" in length, weak concentration, slightly brighter nucleus. Visible continuously at this magnification.
13.1" (10/20/84): fairly faint, diffuse, fairly small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, very diffuse edges. Two or three faint stars are superimposed on the halo south of center although one of these may be a faint stellar nucleus. A nice double star is 6' WNW (mag 11/12 at 20"). Located on the Cygnus-Draco border.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6764 = Sw. 2-77 on 4 Jul 1885 and recorded "pF; pL; cE; sev vF stars involved." His position is on the west side of UGC 11407 and the involved stars are on the south side of the galaxy. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20-inch refractor in Denver in 1899-00, commented "the elongation is north and south. Four stars of mag 13.5 are involved, one near each end, and the others in the middle." Howe's description seems inaccurate.
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NGC 6765 = M 1-68 = PK 62+9.1 = PN G062.4+09.5
19 11 06.4 +30 32 45; Lyr
V = 13.1; Size 38"
18" (7/16/07): this unusual planetary was picked up at 174x unfiltered as an elongated glow. The view is confused, though, as a star or knot in directly involved at the NE end, along with 1 or 2 additional stars around the edges. An OIII filter provided an excellent contrast gain. The edges sharpened up and the halo appeared elongated 2:1 SW-NE, ~0.6'x0.3'. At 225x, a mag 14-15 star is just off the NE end and the involved knot seemed to occasionally resolve into a couple of faint stars just north of center near the NE edge. Finally, an extremely faint star occasionally sparkled at the SW end.
17.5" (9/5/99): picked up at 100x as a small, irregular glow in a rich star field by moving 20' NW of STF 2483 = 7.9/9.0 at 10". At 220x, the PN is clearly elongated ~2:1 SW-NE. The appearance is odd with a much brighter NE end and a fainter extension to the SW end. A mag 14.5-15 star is just off the NE end in the direction of the elongation. At 380x, a very faint star was intermittently glimpsed within the NE end. If this is the central star it is very eccentrically placed.
13.1" (6/18/85): faint, elongated SSW-NNE, appears similar to a diffuse galaxy. A faint mag 14.5 star is at the NE tip. Located 20' NW of ·2483 = 7.9/9.0 at 10".
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6765 = m 398 = Sf. 42 = St. 2-27 on 28 Jun 1864 and noted "F, S, mE or ray." Truman Safford found it again on 12 Jul 1866 using the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at Dearborn Observatory in Chicago (he also found the planetary NGC 6842 in Vulpecula the same night!).
douard Stephan found it on 12 Jul 1869, probably already aware of Marth's observation. He measured an accurate position on 20 Jul 1870 and listed it as new in his second discovery list (#27). This is one of six in Stephan's second list of 30 objects (published in 1871) that were previously discovered by Marth as well as Safford. Dreyer credited Stephan with the discovery in the GC Supplement (GCS 5941), though both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) are listed in the NGC. Stephan made a later observation on 22 Jul 1881.
Minkowski entered it as the 68th object in his first discovery list (M 1-68) of "New Emission Nebulae" (1946), based on objective prism plates taken with the 10-inch Bruce Astrograph at Mount Wilson, and missed the equivalence with NGC 6765.
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NGC 6766 = NGC 6884 = PK 82+7.1 = PN G082.1+07.0
20 10 23.6 +46 27 40; Cyg
V = 11.0; Size 6"x5"
See observing notes for NGC 6884.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6766 = HN 53 on 8 May 1883 by means of a spectroscopic sweep with the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory. The discovery was announced, along with NGC 6833, in AN 2517 and noted as mag 11 and with a "faint continuous spectrum." There is nothing near his position. When double-star observer Reverend Thomas Espin tried to find this object in Sept and Oct 1911, he was unable to locate it. Espin noticed, though, that the RA of NGC 6766 was exactly 1 hour less than the RA of NGC 6884, another stellar planetary. Espen sent a letter to Pickering, who confirmed the 1 hr error in AN 105 (2517) and he published the story in 1911MNRAS..72..150E. The corrected position for NGC 6766, though, had already been published in the discovery table in 1908 Annals of Harvard College Observatory.
Ralph Copeland independently discovered this planetary on 20 Sep 1884 at Dun Echt, Aberdeen using an objective-prism sweep with a 6.1-inch refractor. His position is accurate. His observation was catalogued as NGC 6884. So, NGC 6766 = NGC 6884. Although Pickering's NGC 6766 was the earlier discovery, the primary designation is NGC 6833 due to its unambiguous NGC position. RNGC classifies NGC 6766 as nonexistent.
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NGC 6767
19 11 33.9 +37 43 31; Lyr
= **, Corwin. Not found, RNGC.
Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 6767 around 1886 using the 15.5-inch Cooke refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England. The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer and reported as "vF, S, R, stellar, S* nr N". There are no nebulous objects near his position and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
Harold Corwin identifies NGC 6767 as a 12" pair of mag 14/15 stars very close to Lohse's position.
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NGC 6768 = ESO 337-018 = MCG -07-39-010 = PGC 62997
19 16 32.6 -40 12 33; CrA
Size 1.2'x1.1'; PA = 36”
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, fairly large, 1.1'x0.9', sharply concentrated. Contains a very bright, relatively large core! A mag 11 star is 4' WSW. Forms an excellent double system with ESO 337-017, with their centers just 0.9' apart. The physical companion appeared moderately bright, fairly small, roundish, ~40" diameter, small bright core. Their outer haloes are just tangent. The bright compact planetary IC 1297 lies 37' NNE.
ESO 337-016, which lies 5.3' NNW, appeared nearly moderately bright, large, oval broad concentration to a large brighter core, fairly low surface brightness, mottled, hint of spiral structure. Two mag 15 stars are close off the northeast side. Mag 9.6 HD 179905 lies 4' NNW.
17.5" (7/20/96): faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter, low surface brightness (due to low elevation from Northern California). ESO 337-017 was not seen in these conditions. A string of three mag 14 stars are close preceding. I had a very difficult time identifying the correct field.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6768 = h3786 on 4 Aug 1834 and logged "vF; S; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle." His position is 1' north of ESO 337-018 = PGC 62997. I'm a little surprised he did notice ESO 337-017 off the southwest side.
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NGC 6769 = VV 304a = ESO 141-048 = AM 1914-603 = KTS 59A = LGG 427-008 = PGC 63042
19 18 22.7 -60 30 04; Pav
V = 11.8; Size 2.3'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 123”
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x; brightest member in a group and interacting with NGC 6770. It appeared bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, 1.6'x1.2'. Sharply concentrated with a very bright elongated core. A mag 12.2 star is at the east edge, 0.9' ENE of center. NGC 6771 lies 3.5' SE, forming a striking triplet in a rich star field with IC 4842 11.5' SE and IC 4845 16' NE.
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest member and first of four in an interesting galaxy group! It appeared moderately bright and large, slightly elongated NW-SE, 1.5'x1.2'. In a close trio with NGC 6770 1.9' E and NGC 6771 3.5' SE with a 4th galaxy, IC 4842, 11' SE. On the DSS image this galaxy is clearly distorted from interacting with NGC 6770 with streamers, plumes, loops and H II regions in the outer arm. IC 4842 appeared appears fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 1.2'x0.8', slightly brighter core. IC 4845 lies 16' NE.
The trio is listed as an isolated southern triplet (KTS 59) by Karachentsev. The group is situated just over a degree southeast of the showpiece gc NGC 6752 and is part of the Pavo-Indus Supercluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6769 = h3783, along with NGC 6770 and 6771, on 11 Aug 1836 and recorded "vF; R; little brighter middle; 20". The first of 3." His RA is 1.0 minute too small. DeLisle Stewart provided an accurate RA (given in the IC 2 Notes), based on plates at Harvard's Arequipa Station in Peru around 1900. While observing NGC 6769 on 3 Aug 1883 with the 48" Melbourne telescope, Joseph Turner discovered IC 4836, situated about 24' NW.
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NGC 6770 = VV 304b = ESO 141-049 = AM 1914-603 = KTS 59B = LGG 427-009 = PGC 63048
19 18 37.3 -60 29 47; Pav
V = 11.9; Size 2.3'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 20”
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x; NGC 6770 is the disrupted, eastern member of an interacting pair with NGC 6769 (1.8' between centers). It appeared moderately bright or fairly bright, roundish, sharply concentrated with a bright elongated core or bar oriented NW-SE. In a rich star field with a mag 12.2 star is just off the west side [0.9' W of center] and a mag 13 star is at the east edge of the halo. NGC 6771 is 3' S and IC 4845 lies 14.5' NE.
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this close companion to NGC 6769 is just 1.9' following and appears fairly faint, fairly small, round, 1.0' diameter with a small brighter core. On the DSS a straight spiral arm points directly towards the southeast end of NGC 6769, apparently as a result of the interaction. NGC 6771 lies 2.9' S.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6770 = h3784, along with NGC 6769 and 6771 on 11 Aug 1836 and logged "eF; 15". The 2nd of 2." His RA is 1.0 minute too large and he probably reversed the declinations of this galaxy and NGC 6767. DeLisle Stewart provided an accurate RA, based on plates at Harvard's Arequipa Station in Peru around 1900 (repeated in the IC2 notes section).
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NGC 6771 = ESO 141-050 = AM 1914-603 = KTS 59C = LGG 427-006 = PGC 63049
19 18 39.5 -60 32 46; Pav
V = 12.5; Size 2.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 118”
25" (10/17/17 - OzSky): at 244x; fairly bright, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE, ~1.25'x0.3'. Contains a bright, elongated core. Three mag 13.5 stars are close south. Southern member of a triplet with interacting NGC 6769 and 6770 ~3' N.
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): third of three galaxies with NGC 6769 3.5' NW and NGC 6770 3.2' N in a tight trio. Fairly faint, moderately large, elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.2'x0.4', small brighter core. Forms the southern vertex of an isosceles triangle with NGC 6769 and NGC 6770.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6771 = h3785, along with NGC 6769 and 6770, on 11 Aug 1836 and logged "eF; 20". The 3rd of 3." His RA is 55 seconds too large (similar offset as the two others). DeLisle Stewart provided an accurate RA (given in the IC 2 Notes), based on plates at Harvard's Arequipa Station in Peru around 1900.
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NGC 6772 = PK 33-6.1 = PN G033.1-06.3
19 14 36.2 -02 42 24; Aql
V = 12.6; Size 70"x56"
24" (8/30/16): at 225x and 375x (unfiltered); moderately bright and large, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~70"x55". The rim is slightly brighter, particularly along the east and west side and weaker on the south end. The surface brightness is irregular or mottled and there appeared to be a small knot [the DSS reveals two faint, very close stars] embedded on the northeast side. A mag 15.7 star is just off the east side [44" from center] and a mag 16.3 star is just off the north end [52" from center].
18" (8/26/06): excellent view at 323x and UHC filter. Appears moderately bright, round, fairly large, ~60" diameter. The rim is sharply defined and slightly brighter with a subtly darker center giving a weak annular impression.
18" (8/23/03): at 215x with a UHC filter, this planetary appears as an irregular, 60" disc, slightly elongated N-S. The rim is slightly brighter, particularly along an arc from the southwest to the north side, giving a weakly annular appearance. At 538x the view was too dim but I noticed a couple of extremely faint stars along the edge of the rim.
17.5" (9/5/99): easily picked up at 100x as a 1' disc, appearing slightly irregular. Best view at 220x and 280x using a UHC filter. The disc was quite irregular in surface brightness and slightly elongated N-S. Most notably, the rim is generally brighter along the northern side in a broad "U" shape with the center weakly annular. The south rim of the planetary is fainter and less well defined. No central star seen at 380x.
13.1" (8/8/86): moderately bright, slightly elongated N-S, estimate V = 13.0. Pretty view at 214x and UHC filter with a slightly mottled or uneven surface brightness.
8" (7/31/81): faint, diffuse, moderately large.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6772 = H. IV-14 = h2032 on 21 Jul 1784 (sweep 242). He described it as"very faint, round, nearly of equal light throughout; about 1' in diam. In the midst of numberless stars of the milky way." John Herschel observed it on 23 Jul 1827 (sweep 82), noting "very faint, round, very little brighter in the middle, resolvable, 30" [diameter]."
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported "the nebula is a very faint and vague oval ring 75"x56" in p.a. about 173”. Brightest on the east and west edges; considerably fainter along and at the ends of the major axis."
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NGC 6773
19 15 08 +04 51 24; Aql
17.5" (7/27/95): unimpressive coarse group of ~20 stars in a 7'x2' rectangular outline elongated N-S and appears to be nothing but an asterism. Includes six brighter mag 9-11 stars. The stars in this weak asterism simply form the border and there are no stars inside. The extent of the group is arbitrary but I included a few mag 11 stars to the south giving the elongation. A mag 8.5 star located 14' NE is closely surrounded by a group of six faint stars. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6773 = h2033 on 13 Aug 1830 and noted "Coarse, not very rich, eighth class." His position corresponds to the brightest mag 9.5 star at the west end of the group. Karl Reinmuth, based on its photographic appearance, wrote "no Cl, a few st pretty much sc." Dorothy Carlson repeated "No Cl" in her 1940 paper on NGC corrections as well as the RNGC.
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NGC 6774 = Ru 147
19 16 18 -16 15; Sgr
Size 20'
13.1" (8/5/83): large, scattered field of 50 stars mag 11 and fainter in a 20' diameter although no real borders. Does not contain any rich spots. Possibly not a true open cluster.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6774 = h2034 on 27 Jul 1830 and recorded "a very large straggling space of loose stars, 8, 9, and 10m." On a second sweep (27 Jul 1830), he logged "a fine, L, loosely scattered cl of large with some small stars. Fills 2 or 3 fields." His single good position matches mag 8.4 HD 180326, near the center of this large, loose group. The Sky Catalogue 2000.0 calls the cluster Ru 147.
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NGC 6775
19 16 42 -00 56 00; Aql
Size 12'x4'
24" (9/30/16): at 200x; the most compressed grouping is at the east end and includes a half-dozen brighter stars including a nice linear string. Perhaps 20 stars are resolved in a 2.5' region. A nice sprinkling of 13th and 14th magnitude extends to the east for ~10'. There are no dense clumps, but just enough stars to catch the eye. Combined, the group is somewhat detached in the wider field and extends ~12'x 5', roughly elongated WNW-ESE, with the main clump at the ESE end.
17.5" (8/25/95): at 220x appears as a small, faint group of about a dozen stars mag 12.5-14.5 in a 2.5' region. Most striking is a rich string of six stars oriented E-W just 1.5' in length. Stands out reasonable well at 100x but higher power brings out a few fainter stars. Listed as a nonexistent cluster in the RNGC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6775 = h2035 on 19 Jul 1828 and logged "A cluster, poor, loose, irreg fig, stars 10 and 11m." At his position is a distinct group of 10-12 stars described in my observation. This may be an asterism and RNGC lists the cluster as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 6776 = ESO 104-053 = AM 1920-635 = PGC 63185
19 25 19.2 -63 51 37; Pav
V = 12.1; Size 1.7'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 15”
30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 264x; fairly bright, moderately large, slightly elongated N-S, ~0.9'x0.75'. Sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core that increases to a very bright stellar nucleus. A mag 14.8 star is off the south side, 1.2' from center and a mag ~14.5 star is at the northwest edge [25" from center]. Mag 9.8 HD 181463 lies 4.6' SW.
NGC 6776A lies 10.8' NNW. At 264x and 429x it appeared fairly faint, moderately large, extremely thin streak, ~1.0'x0.15', with a slightly brighter nucleus. A mag 12.3 star at the north edge interferes with viewing. The nucleus of the galaxy is just south of the star [by 16"].
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, fairly small, roundish, 0.8'x0.7'. A faint star is just off the northwest side, ~30" from the center.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6776 = h3787 on 20 Jun 1835 and logged "pB; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"." There is nothing at his single position, but 1.7 minutes of RA east and 1.5' north is ESO 104-053 = PGC 63185. There are no other bright candidates nearby, so this identification is fairly secure.
NGC 6776 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901. He corrected the RA 1.6 minutes further west, instead of east!
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NGC 6777 = ESO 072-015
19 26 32 -71 27 54; Pav
V = 8.0/8.3; Size 2
= ** (mag 8-8.5 SAO 257685 and 257686) or possibly a duplicate observation of NGC 6752 with a bad position.
Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered NGC 6777 = Lac I-13 in 1751-1752 with a 1/2" telescope at 8x, during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. He noted "it resembles the preceding [a small nucleus of a comet]." There is a 2' pair of mag 8-8.5 stars (HD 181354 and HD 181464) very close to Lacaille's position.
James Dunlop looked for it in 1826 (D 69) from Paramatta and reported, "I cannot find the nebula answering to this place; perhaps there may be a mistake in the right ascension." Based on plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa Station around 1900, DeLisle Stewart stated "Not seen, 2 st 8 or 9 mag nr, but no neb."
The RNGC classification is galaxy, but the position falls on a blank piece of sky just 4' east of Lacaille's. As an alternative, Harold Corwin states "NGC 6777 may be NGC 6752 (first suggested by Owen Gingerich in a Sky and Telescope article which appeared in the February 1960 issue on page 207). If so, there is a large error in Lacaille's position."
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NGC 6778 = NGC 6785 = PK 34-6.1 = PN G034.5-06.7
19 18 24.8 -01 35 47; Aql
V = 12.1; Size 25"x19"
18" (8/26/06): at 115x appears as a fairly bright but small, round disc with a blue-grey color. Excellent view at 435x with an irregular shape slightly elongated ~E-W, ~25"x20". A brighter knot at the west end gives the appearance of being double or bipolar. At 565x the surface brightness is noticeably irregular and an extremely faint "stellaring" was occasionally visible at the west edge and I caught fleeting glimpses of a centrally located star.
17.5" (9/5/99): fairly bright, but small disc picked up at 100x. Easily takes high power. Nice view unfiltered at 280x - the PN has an irregular surface brightness with a brighter center but no central star and appears slightly elongated WNW-ESE, perhaps 20"-25" in diameter. At 500x the outer edge of the rim fades and is not sharply defined. At moments a sparkle was visible at the center with this magnification. Located 5.0' WSW of mag 9 SAO 143251.
13.1" (8/8/86): bright, fairly small, estimate V = 12.0-12.5. Very nice view at 214x with a UHC filter and slightly elongated WNW-ESE with a fainter rounder halo suspected.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6778 = m 399 on 25 Jun 1863 and noted "S, E, ill defined whitish disc." His position was 1.8' to the southwest. John Herschel made an earlier observation on 20 Aug 1825 (sweep 6), though his rough RA was two minutes too large. While measuring the wide double star HJ 266 = 10.9/11.7 at 14" (situated 10' ENE) he noted a "suspected stellar nebula in the field." Edward Pickering found the planetary in Aug or Sep 1882 at Harvard College Observatory, though he noted the equivalence with GC 5942 [= NGC 6778].
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported "the brighter part of the nebula takes an hour-glass shape; is 19"x13"; faint ansae in p.a. 18” bring the total length to 25". Fainter along the major axis."
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NGC 6779 = M56
19 16 35.4 +30 11 04; Lyr
V = 8.3; Size 7.1'; Surf Br = 0.8
24" (8/12/15): superb view at 564x (10mm ZAO + 2.5x Powermate) in excellent seeing and transparency. This bright globular was highly resolved over the entire large central region and within a straggling, irregular halo that filled the 5' field. Roughly 100 or more stars were resolved, though it was difficult to judge the extent of the halo as it thinned into the density of the surrounding Milky Way star field. The unresolved background glow of the halo was more evident on the south side.
17.5" (8/22/87): about 30 stars resolved including many mag 15 stars at 280x. Resolution is evident over the entire disc and at the edges of the ill-defined halo. Situated in a rich star field.
13.1" (5/26/84): many faint stars and some brighter stars near the west edge.
13.1" (8/16/82): a number of faint stars resolved, particularly at the west edge.
8" (10/4/80): very grainy, ragged, few faint stars resolved.
80mm (8/27/87): easily visible at 11x.
Charles Messier discovered M56 = NGC 6779 = h2036 on 19 Jan 1779 and described a "nebula without stars, having little light."
Caroline Herschel independently found the cluster on 7 Apr 1783 with another observation on 4 May. William Herschel first observed the cluster on 6 May 1783 with his 6.2" at 227x: "a suspicion amounting to near a certainty of its being all stars. I see many of them." Soon afterwards, he viewed it again with his 10-foot telescope (9" aperture): "all resolved into stars [at high power]." On 17 Jul 1784 (sweep 239), he recorded "a cl of v compressed stars, nearly R, and about 4' in dia, very accumulated in the middle; L, r."
John Herschel made a number of observations. On 1 Aug 1829 (sweep 198) he recorded a "Fine compressed cluster; R, inclining to a triangular form; bM; stars 12...14m. A fine object, diam 3'."
Observing with an 11-inch refractor, Heinrich d'Arrest wrote "a star cluster, which contains a large number of stars, none of which is brighter than 12 to 13th magnitude. With 356x resolved into minute stars." R.J. Mitchell, LdR's assistant on 12 Aug 1855, logged "fine cluster, R, centre much compressed; composed of from 10 to 15 st of 13m and many much fainter ones. A few scattered stars have appearance of rays from the centre."
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NGC 6780 = ESO 184-062 = AM 1918-555 = LGG 426-005 = PGC 63151
19 22 51.0 -55 46 33; Tel
V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x1.6'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 168”
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 303x; moderately bright, elongated 5:4 N-S, 1.5'x1.2', broad concentration and grows to a slightly brighter core and quasi-stellar nucleus. Weak spiral structure was just visible in the halo. Located 8.8' SE of mag 8.1 HD 18112 and 15' NW of mag 7.5 HD 181703.
PGC 406272 (B = 16.1) lies 3.6' WNW. It appeared very faint and small, round, 12" diameter.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6780 = h3788 on 9 Jun 1836 and recorded "vF; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 90"." His single position is accurate.
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NGC 6781 = PK 41-2.1 = PN G041.8-02.9 = Snowglobe Nebula
19 18 28.2 +06 32 23; Aql
V = 11.6; Size 111"x109"
24" (6/30/16): at 322x and 500x; fairly bright and large, round, just under 2' diameter. Contains a relatively thick, much brighter rim, except on the north side. The annulus is unevenly in surface brightness, but brighter along a 180” arc, centered on the side south and dimming gradually but extending ~240”. This gives the planetary a "C" shape appearance. The remaining 120” arc, centered on the north edge, is noticeably fainter. A mag ~13.5 star is at the northeast edge, a mag ~14.5 star is just off the north-northwest edge and a mag 15.5+ star is barely off the south edge. An extremely faint star is superimposed just north-northeast of center (probably not the central star).
18" (7/14/07): at 225x appeared fairly bright, fairly large, round, perhaps 1.8' diameter. A brighter rim is evident, particularly along the entire south half and extending for nearly 180 degrees. The rim is weaker on the north side giving a partial thick "C" or crescent appearance. A mag 13.5 star is at the northeast edge.
18" (8/14/04): at 225x, appears moderately bright, fairly large, round, at least 1.5' diameter. A mag 13.5 star is at the NE edge of the rim with a fainter star off the NNW edge. The rim is clearly brighter, particularly along the entire south side, with the rim fading on the north side giving an asymmetric or crescent appearance. A large central "hole" appears slightly darker. At 160x, one or possible two extremely faint stars flickered on and off within the interior of the disc but neither appeared to be the central star.
17.5" (6/30/00): at 220x unfiltered this fairly bright PN has a 1.5' round halo. The rim is brightest and more well-defined along an arc on the south and southeast rim. The central 45" hole is slightly darker and irregular in surface brightness. A mag 13 star is at the northeast edge and once or twice I caught a fainter glimmer of an interior star north of center.
17.5" (7/12/99): at 100x appears fairly bright, round, ~1.6' diameter with a darker center. I used a variety of magnifications and filters but the most interesting view was at 220x using a UHC filter. With this combination the PN is slightly elongated E-W and clearly brighter along the southern rim with the brightening tapering towards the ends so this brighter portion had a crescent appearance. Because of this asymmetric rim the darker center seems offset and only weakly brightens at the NW rim. A mag 13 star is just off the NE edge 1' from center.
17.5" (8/2/86): at 222x and UHC filter; very large, about 1.8' diameter, much brighter on the SW portion of the rim, darker center. A mag 13 star is just off the NE edge.
13.1" (6/29/84): the rim is brighter mainly on the SW side giving a slightly annular appearance. A faint star is off the east edge.
13.1" (8/15/82): brighter rim mostly evident on the south side and a darker center just visible at 140x-200x.
8" (7/24/82): large and easily viewed but the annularity was not seen with any certainty.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6781 = H. III-743 = h2037 on 30 Jul 1788 (sweep 850). He described it as "considerably faint, irregularly round, 3 or 4' diam, resolvable." He placed it in class III, instead of class instead of class IV that included several planetary nebulae.
John Herschel made a detailed observation on 15 Aug 1830 (sweep 280): "A most beautiful, very large, faint planetary nebula. Diameter in RA = 6.5 seconds = 1' 37"; its light nearly uniform, only very little hazy at the edge and perhaps rather brighter at the southern limb. It nature seems to have been overlooked or mistaken by my Father, who has placed it in his third class [Very Faint Nebula]. In Milky Way. Many stars in field, one 11m near the north-following limb." On 28 Aug 1850, Lord Rosse (or assistant) described the planetary as "annular or perhaps spiral, star distinctly seen in dark part n of centre, others seen at moments. The dark space is undoubtedly irr in form."
Johann von Lamont made a sketch on 7 Jul 1837 with the 11" Merz refractor at the Munich Observatory. William Lassell observed the planetary on Malta with his 48" reflector and made a sketch on 29 Aug 1862. Another sketch was made around 1877 by Wilhelm Tempel with the 11" refractor at Arcetri Observatory in Florence. Temple compared his results with Lamont and Lassell. E.E. Barnard described the planetary as annular using the Yerkes 40" refractor in 1899.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported "this object is `06" in diameter from east to west, and a little longer than this along a major axis in approximately p.a. 5”. Exceedingly faint at the north; brightest at east and west edges, and fainter along the major axis. Indistinct ring structure shown around edges."
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NGC 6782 = ESO 142-001 = LGG 427-011 = PGC 63168
19 23 58.0 -59 55 21; Pav
V = 11.8; Size 2.2'x1.4'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 45”
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 303x; bright, large, oval 3:2 N-S, ~1.2'x0.8', sharply concentrated with an intense core that increases steadily to a very bright stellar nucleus. Located 3' N of mag 9 HD 181407. Several faint stars are nearby including a mag 16 star at the northeast edge of the halo just 25" from center, a mag 14/16 double star 1' E of center (about 12" separation), a mag 15 star 1.7' SSE of center and a mag 16.8 star at the south edge, 0.6' from center. The stars were sketched and later verified on ALADIN.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6782 = h3789 on 12 Jul 1834 and logged "not vF or pB; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 30"." His mean position (3 observations) is fairly accurate.
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NGC 6783 = MCG +08-35-007 = CGCG 256-013 = PGC 63003
19 16 47.6 +46 01 02; Cyg
V = 14.3; Size 0.5'x0.45'; Surf Br = 12.4
17.5" (8/10/91): very faint, small, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, weak concentration. A mag 15.5 is at the SE edge 13" from the center and a mag 15 star is 20" off the NW edge.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6783 = St. 4-2 on 25 Jul 1872, though his rough position was 8' to the NNW. His published micrometric position (list IV, #2) was made a week later on 4 Aug 1872 with comment "extremely faint, barely observable." Emmanuel Esmiol made a digit error in his 1916 re-reduction of Stephan's position and his computed RA was 1.0 minute too small.
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NGC 6784 = ESO 104-055 = AM 1921-654 = PGC 63209
19 26 34 -65 37 24; Pav
Size 0.9'x0.5'; PA = 160”
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 303x; NGC 6784 is a close pair of similar galaxies oriented SW-NE that were both easily visible. NGC 6784A, the southwest component, appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, 24"x20". A mag 15 star is 0.7' SW of center and a ~4" pair of mag 15/15.5 stars is 0.8' N. NGC 6784B, the northeast component, is slightly brighter and logged as fairly faint to moderately bright, small, slightly elongated SSW-NNE, 24"x 18", slightly brighter nucleus. The pair is situated 5' NW of mag 8.3 HD 181957 and 20' ESE of mag 7.3 HD 181018.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6784 = h3790 on 23 Jun 1835 and recorded "eeF; pL; among small stars." He made three observations (all called "eeF"), but made no reference to it being double. So, as Harold Corwin notes, its impossible to tell whether he saw one or the other, or both.
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NGC 6785 = NGC 6778 = PK 34-6.1 = PN G034.5-06.7
19 18 24.8 -01 35 47; Aql
V = 12.1; Size 25"x19"
See observing notes for NGC 6778.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6785 = h2038 on 20 Aug 1825 (sweep 6) and made a small diagram in his logbook. He recorded, "An infinitely small stellar nebula = a star of the 15th mag. It is in the field with (a) the double star and precedes it. (b) is a star of 9m half way between (a) and (c) the nebula. The nebula the angle made with a-b-c with the parallel = 25 or 30”. Dist [from] c-a = 2/3 diam of field. A most delicate and trying object, but the sky is rather hazy. Requires verifying." There is nothing at his rough position (the RA is marked as uncertain) but two minutes of RA directly west is NGC 6778 (discovered again by Marth in 1863), and his sketch and description matches! In the Slough Catalogue, Herschel erroneously references sweep 5, instead of sweep 6. This was his first PN discovery and his 5th overall. Harold Corwin states that Bigourdan's corrected position refers to a close trio of stars.
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NGC 6786 = VV 414 = UGC 11414 = CGCG 341-019 = VII Zw 864 = PGC 62864
19 10 54.0 +73 24 36; Dra
V = 12.8; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 40”
24" (7/23/14): using 200x and 375x; moderately bright and large, slightly elongated N-S, 0.6'x0.45', contains a small bright core. A mag 12.2 star is 1.8' N and a similar star is 1.2' NE.
NGC 6786 forms a close pair with UGC 11415, but the core of UGC 11415 is nearly hidden behind the glow of a mag 12 star close northeast. A very low surface brightness halo was just visible. With careful viewing, a small portion of the core is a bit more evident close northeast of the star.
17.5" (7/9/88): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core. Two mag 12 stars are 1.8' N and 1.2' NE of center. The mag 12 star just 1.2' NE is superimposed directly on the center of UGC 11415, so the halo was not visible.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6786 = Sw. 5-90 on 3 Oct 1886 and recorded "eeF; S; R; south-preceding of and near 2 stars." His position and description is an excellent match. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20-inch refractor in Denver in 1899-00, commented "the 2 stars north-following are of mag 10. The nearer one follows 11 seconds, 1.0' north. The more distant is very nearly north of the nebula, at a distance of about 2'. The NGC description is "eeF", but the nebula appears to be only "F"."
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NGC 6787 = UGC 11424 = MCG +10-27-009 = CGCG 302-009 = PGC 62987
19 16 10.6 +60 25 03; Dra
V = 13.9; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.9
17.5" (8/13/88): faint, fairly small, round, weak concentration. A mag 15 star is at the NW side.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6787 = Sw. 2-78 on 10 Sep 1885 and recorded "eeeF; pS; 4 stars in semi circle sf; e diff." His RA is 12 seconds too small and the "4 stars in semi-circle sf" lie 5' southeast, so the identification is certain. Herbert Howe measured an accurate micrometric position in 1899-00 and commented that "the '4 stars south-following' form a rude square."
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NGC 6788 = ESO 184-067 = AM 1922-550 = PGC 63214
19 26 49.8 -54 57 03; Tel
V = 12.0; Size 2.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 71”
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 303x; bright, large, edge-on 4:1 WSW-ENE, 2.0'x0.5', sharply concentrated with a very bright core. A bright mag 12 star is near the WSW end (0.8' WSW of center) and somewhat detracts from viewing the outer halo on this end. Located south of a line connecting mag 7.8 HD 182396 5.9' ESE and mag 7.6 HD 182160 6.7' NW. Interacting pair with IC 4856, which lies 6.5' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6788 = h3791 on 9 Jul 1834 and recorded "pB; pmE; S; follows a * 11m." His RA was accurate on one sweep and 1 minute too small on the other. He assumed the erroneous one was correct.
The galaxy was photographed at Harvard's Arequipa station in Peru in Sep. 1901 and described by DeLisle Stewart as "extremely faint, extremely small, considerably elongated at 175”." The measured position was correct.
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NGC 6789 = UGC 11425 = MCG +11-23-001 = CGCG 323-011 = PGC 63000
19 16 42.1 +63 58 17; Dra
V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 60”
17.5" (8/13/88): fairly faint, fairly small, round, broad concentration. Appears fainter than CGCG mag of 13.7.
NGC 6789 is the nearest blue compact dwarf galaxy and resides at a distance of 2.1 Mpc (close to the Local Group).
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6789 = Sw. 4-75 on 30 Aug 1883 and noted "eeeF; pL; R; ee diff." His position is 1.4' south-southwest of UGC 11425.
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NGC 6790 = PK 37-6.1 = PN G037.8-06.3
19 22 56.9 +01 30 47; Aql
V = 10.7; Size 10"x5"
14.5" (8/20/22): at 66x; appears as a bright "star", roughly mag 10.5, which blinked dramatically with an OIII filter. A mag 12 star is 0.6' W. At 140x, NGC 6790 was slightly soft and showed a pale blue color. Increasing to 352x, a high surface brightness small disc was definite, perhaps 2" diameter.
17.5" (7/28/92): at 82x, very bright, stellar, surprisingly prominent, estimate V = 10.0. Blinks well with an OIII filter. At 280x appears very bright and a very small but definite disc about 5" diameter is visible with a bluish color. A mag 11.5 star lies 35" W.
13.1" (7/85): bright, just non-stellar 220x, estimate mag 10, easy blinker with OIII. A mag 11 star is 30" W. Forms the east vertex of a thin rhombus of mag 10 stars.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6790 on 16 Jul 1882 using a direct-vision spectroscope with the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory. He noted "very bright and minute." The discovery was announced in AN 2454 and The Observatory, Vol 5, for Oct 1882.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) reported "Indistinguishable from a star on the Crossley negatives, but shown to have a minute disk visually with the 36-inch refractor."
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NGC 6791 = Berkeley 46 = Lund 886 = OCL-142
19 20 53 +37 46 18; Lyr
V = 9.5; Size 16'
24" (8/12/15): gorgeous field at 200x (1/2”) using a 13mm Ethos, but this rich cluster was superbly resolved at 200x using a 10mm Zeiss Ortho. Roughly 100 stars were visible in an irregular oval outline, slightly elongated NW to SE. The stars are remarkably uniform but slightly brighter along the southeast edge. Interestingly, a large percentage of the resolved stars form the outline as the center is richer and contains more fainter stars (like a very weakly compressed globular cluster). A string of stars extends roughly through the center, bisecting the oval and a "void" is created by this string on the southeast interior. The outline is fairly well-defined, with some brighter field stars beyond, including a couple of mag 10-10.5 stars off the south side and the carbon star U Lyr (range 8.3-13.5 V) 11' NW of center. Excellent cluster!
13.1" (9/11/82): fairly faint, moderately large, many faint stars are resolved over haze with averted, low surface brightness.
8" (7/17/82): moderately large, very faint hazy patch like a low surface brightness galaxy, no resolution.
NGC 6791 is one of the very oldest open clusters, along with Berkeley 17, with an age of 8 to 10 Gyr!
Friedrich August Winnecke discovered NGC 6791 = Au 45 in December 1853 with his 2.8-inch Merz refractor. At the time he was an 18-year old astronomy student at Gottingen University. He described the cluster (repeated in Auwers' 1862 list of new nebulae) as "very faint; a miniature image of M74", so the cluster was clearly not resolved. But at Knigsberg, Auwers noted that it consisted of many mag 12 stars that appeared nebulous in smaller instruments. Horace Tuttle independently discovered the cluster on 17 Jul 1859 with a 10-cm comet-seeker at Harvard College observatory (announced in AN 1453).
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NGC 6792 = UGC 11429 = MCG +07-40-002 = CGCG 230-005 = PGC 63096
19 20 57.5 +43 07 59; Lyr
V = 12.1; Size 2.2'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 25”
13.1" (7/20/85): fairly faint, prominent bright core, faint extensions SW-NE. Located 1.5' SE of a mag 10 star. Forms a pair with UGC 11430 12' NNE.
Gerhard Lohse discovered NGC 6792 around 1886 using the 15.5-inch Cooke refractor at the private Wigglesworth Observatory in Scarborough, England. The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer. His position is 1.7' south of UGC 11420. This is one of three galaxies discovered by Lohse, although he reported 18 nebulae to Dreyer. The remainder are probably stars.
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NGC 6793 = Lund 887 = OCL-115
19 23 14 +22 08 30; Vul
Size 6'
17.5" (9/7/91): three dozen stars mag 10.5-14 in a 8' field. Fairly distinctive in the field. Located within a 30' loose, indistinct group with a mag 8 star at the west edge. The core of the cluster contains a 1' triangle of mag 10.5-11 stars with the north vertex a nice double star (HJ 886 = 10.5/11.5 at 8"). Just south is a 1' quadrilateral consisting of four mag 13 stars. No other distinct groups are in the cluster, although 4' N and 4' E are two small groups of seven and four stars.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6793 = H. VIII-81 = h2039 on 18 Jul 1789 (sweep 932). He recorded "a scattered cluster of considerably large stars, pretty rich, irregular figure, above 15' in extent." Surprisingly, this was his last discovery in 1789 using with his workhorse 18.7-inch, although he did make a few sweeps using the 48-inch (40-ft f.l.).
On 24 Aug 1827 (sweep 90), John Herschel logged "place that of a double star (HJ 886) at the northern extremity of the more condensed part of a L, loose, poor cluster of st 10...15m."
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NGC 6794 = ESO 338-005 = MCG -07-40-001 = PGC 63241
19 28 03.8 -38 55 08; Sgr
V = 12.9; Size 1.7'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 80”
17.5" (7/20/96): very faint, fairly small, round, ~40" diameter. Low surface brightness with no concentration although may be hampered by very low elevation. A mag 14 star is 1.4' ENE. Located 3.7' E of a mag 10 star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6794 = h3792 on 24 Aug 1834 and logged "eF; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; 40" diameter." His position is 2.4' northwest of ESO 338-005.
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NGC 6795
19 26 22 +03 30 54; Aql
17.5" (6/24/95): about 40 stars in a 8' elongated group WSW-ENE. At the west end of the group is mag 8.3 SAO 124619 and the east end is marked by the similar SAO 124629 7.5' E. Between these stars is an enhancement of mag 12 and 13 stars and a single mag 9 star (SAO 124627). Appears as a slightly richer group that stands out reasonably well at 100x because of the associated bright stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6795 = h2040 on 24 Aug 1827 and recorded "The first of 3 stars 9m, nearly in parallel, joined by a rich clustering portion of the Milky Way." His position corresponds with mag 8.3 SAO 124619 at the west end of the group.
Karl Reinmuth says "no cl", based on the appearance on Heidelberg plates, and Dorothy Carlson repeated this in her 1940 NGC Correction paper and the RNGC. See Harold Corwin's comments.
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NGC 6796 = UGC 11432 = MCG +10-27-010 = CGCG 302-011 = PGC 63121
19 21 31.1 +61 08 42; Dra
V = 12.6; Size 1.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 179”
17.5" (8/13/88): moderately bright, moderately large, pretty edge-on 4:1 N-S, 1.4'x0.3', bright core.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6796 = Sw. 2-79 on 5 Jul 1885 and recorded "vF; pS; vE in meridian [N-S]." His RA is 13 seconds too small but the description matches. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 8 Sep 1888. Herbert Howe, in his series of observations of NGC and IC nebulae in MNRAS, commented "this is very much elongated at 0”, and certainly contains one bright spot of mag 13.5; perhaps there are others. There is a resemblance to the great nebula in Andromeda."
CGCG misidentifies this galaxy as NGC 6797. Malcolm Thomson noted this error in his list of CGCG errors.
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NGC 6797 = ESO 525-010
19 29 00.7 -25 39 59; Sgr
= line of 4*, Corwin. = Triple star, ESO.
Christian Peters discovered NGC 6797 around 1860 with the 13.5-inch refractor at Hamilton College in New York and noted "star 9m attached following." At his position is a double or triple star (wider pair at ~8" separation) situated 25" west of a mag 10 star. ESO/Uppsala identifies this multiple star as NGC 6797 ("Triple star; B star 0.5' f.")
The CGCG misidentifies NGC 6796 as NGC 6797. Malcolm Thomson noted this error in his unpublished "Catalogue Corrections".
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NGC 6798 = IC 1300 = UGC 11434 = MCG +09-32-002 = CGCG 281-001 = PGC 63171
19 24 03.2 +53 37 29; Cyg
V = 13.2; Size 1.6'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 150”
17.5" (7/20/90): fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 14 star is off the SE edge 43" from center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6798 = Sw. 2-80 on 5 Aug 1885 and recorded "F; vS; R; * v nr; in field with 51 Draconis." His position is just 9 seconds of time west of UGC 11434. Swift probably "rediscovered" this galaxy again on 2 Oct 1891 and catalogued it in list X-47 (later IC 1300), but his declination was in error.
Howe searched unsuccessfully for IC 1300 on two nights at Swift's position and afterwards communicated with Swift, who responded that the IC position was one degree too far south. This implies IC 1300 = NGC 6798. In the same letter Swift state that the declination of IC 1301 was 35' greater than given in the IC (see that number). In the IC 2 Notes, Dreyer comments for IC 1300, "Delenda, = 6798."
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NGC 6799 = ESO 184-078 = PGC 63339
19 32 16.8 -55 54 29; Tel
V = 12.4; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 110”
30" (10/12/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly bright, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, contains a small bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus. Cradled by three stars around the edge of the halo; a mag 12.3 star is 0.5' SE of center, a mag 14.4 star is 0.6' W of center, and a mag 13.5 star is 0.7' SW. Situated in a busy star field (20' diameter) with many brighter and fainter stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6799 = h3793 on 9 Jul 1834 and recorded "eF; S; R; within [partly within] a small triangle formed by 3 st 11, 13 and 14m." His position and description is a perfect match.
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NGC 6800 = Lund 892 = OCL-123
19 27 07 +25 08 24; Vul
Size 5'
17.5" (9/7/91): over 100 stars in a 25' field. Bright, very large, fairly rich in spots but not concentrated and very weak in the center. Bordered by a circular outline of mag 10-11 stars. A rich double group of about ten stars each is at the south side and includes a few bright stars and many faint stars. Off the west side is mag 7.7 SAO 87200 and mag 6.2 SAO 87190 is another 11' SW. Two rays of stars extend west of the main group. Located 35' NW of mag 4.4 Alpha Vulpeculae.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6800 = H. VIII-21 = h2041 on 10 Sep 1784 (sweep 263) and logged "a cluster of coarsely scattered L stars intermixed with small stars." His position is on the northwest edge of the cluster. On 17 Jul 1785 (sweep 415), he called it "a coarsely scattered cl of considerately L stars, not rich." John Herschel made a single observation, noting "vL; p rich; very straggling; stars 10m; fills field."
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NGC 6801 = UGC 11443 = MCG +09-32-005 = CGCG 281-003 = PGC 63229
19 27 35.9 +54 22 21; Cyg
V = 13.9; Size 1.3'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 44”
17.5" (7/20/90): faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, bright core. A mag 13.5 star is off the SW end.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6801 = Sw. 4-76 on 5 Aug 1886 and recorded "eF; pS; R; F * nr s." His position and description matches UGC 11443. Herbert Howe observed the galaxy in 1899-00 with the 20-inch refractor at Denver and remarked "This contains at least one stellar point of mag 13.5. The "F * s nr" is of mag 11.5 and precedes the nebula 3 sec, 1.3' south." The star is mentioned in my observation as mag 13.5.
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NGC 6802 = Cr 400 = Lund 895 = OCL-114
19 30 35 +20 15 42; Vul
V = 8.8; Size 3'
13.1" (8/11/85): about two dozen stars are visible over extensive unresolved haze in an elongated N-S group. Located just east of the "Coathanger" asterism, in line with the long base of the Coatthanger.
8" (10/4/80): bar-shaped N-S, faint, even surface brightness. A few mag 13 stars are resolved. Surrounded by two double stars to the west and north.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6802 = H. VI-14 = h2042 on 22 Sep 1783, just prior to starting his sweeps. During his third star review with his 6.2" he noted "A course cluster of stars near the 7th Answeris [7 Vul]." The following year on sweep 235 (11 Jul 1784) he recorded VI 14 as "a cluster exceedingly small and v compressed stars, in the form of a parallelogram, about 4' l and nearly 2' broad; in the direction nearly of the meridian. But the weather is very hazy. He viewed it again on 18 Jul 1789 (sweep 932) as "a compressed cl of considerably small stars, very rich, about 5 or 6' l, 3' br, E nearly in the meridian."
On 8 Aug 1831 (sweep 364), John Herschel called it a "rectangular cluster; v m comp; 3' or 4' l; 2' br; stars 14...18m; among B stars."
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NGC 6803 = PK 46-4.1 = PN G046.4-04.1
19 31 16.4 +10 03 22; Aql
V = 11.5; Size 6"
14.5" (8/20/22): mag 11.5 stellar PN at 66x, with an excellent contrast gain blinking with an OIII filter. A mag 13.4 star is 1' S and a mag 10.5 star is 2.8' N. Using 226x a small pale blue disc was resolved. Increasing to 395x the disc appeared 3" to 4" diameter and it seemed slightly non-uniform at 660x.
17.5" (9/5/99): at 100x; appeared as a mag 11.5 "star" that was confirmed by blinking with an OIII filter. Increasing to 220x it was just non-stellar and displayed a good response to a UHC filter. NGC 6803 is situated ~2' S of a mag 10.5-11 "comparison" star, which is a half magnitude brighter than the PN unfiltered but much dimmer with a filter.
At 280x and 380x, the PN was very small but clearly nonstellar, <5" diameter, with a blue-gray color. Easily takes 500x but no other details were visible except for two mag 15 stars that are close W and NW that form a tiny equilateral triangle with the PN.
13.1": fairly bright stellar planetary at 88x, good OIII blinker in a rich star field, estimate V = 11.5. Just non-stellar at 350x and about 3" diameter. A mag 11 star is 1.8' N.
8" (8/5/83): appears slightly non-stellar at 385x. A similar field star is just 2' NW.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6803 = HN 52 on 17 Sep 1882 using a direct-vision prism attached to the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory. His position in Sidereal Messenger, Vol 1. No. 6 (Oct 1882) is accurate to within 1'.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) wrote, "a minute round disk, 5.5" in diameter, just distinguishable from a star; fades out a little at the edges."
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NGC 6804 = PK 45-4.1 = PN G045.7-04.5
19 31 35.3 +09 13 31; Aql
V = 12.2; Size 62"x49"
24" (6/30/16): at 501x (unfiltered): bright, irregular planetary with interesting structure! The overall shape is roughly oval, extending WSW-ENE, ~0.7'x0.5'. The 14th magnitude central star is very easy. A brighter mag 12.5-13 star is along the rim on the northeast side and a fainter mag 14-14.5 star is at the west edge of the rim. The latter star has a mag 15-15.5 companion 12" SSW. Also a 10" pair of mag 14/15 stars is off the northeast side. The rim is brightest along thin 90” strips centered on the southeast and northwest side and weak or open on the southwest side. Along with the brighter star on the northeast end, this creates a "C" or horseshoe appearance with a darker center.
18" (7/11/07): at 450x this striking planetary appeared elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, ~60"x45". Three stars are involved including the 14th magnitude central star. A mag 12.5-13 star is at the northeast edge of the halo and a mag 14.5 star is at the west edge with a mag 15 companion close southwest. The surface brightness is irregular; weakest on the southwest side and slightly brighter along the east side, giving a "horseshoe" appearance.
17.5" (7/11/99): at lower powers appears moderately bright, irregularly round, ~1' diameter with several stars involved or nearby. At 280x, the view was very unusual with three stars involved and others nearby. The brightest is a mag 12.5-13 star at the NE edge. The mag 14 central star was visible with direct vision. Finally, a mag 14.5-15 star is at or just off the west side. The planetary is slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE with an irregular surface brightness. The rim appears brighter along the east and northeast side and weakest at the west edge. Nearby stars include a mag 13 star ~1.5' NE (nearly on a line with the central star and the star on the northeast edge) and a mag 15-15.5 star close south-southwest of the star at the west edge.
13.1" (8/5/83): moderately bright, elongated WSW-ENE. Unusual appearance as four faint stars are very near or involved including the faint mag 14 central star visible with averted vision. A mag 13 star is at the NE edge 27" from the center, a very faint mag 15 star is at west edge and a similar star is just NW. The rim is possibly slightly brighter on the east edge.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6804 = H. VI-38 = h2043 on 25 Aug 1791 (sweep 1018). He recorded "considerably bright, small, irregular figure, easily resolvable. Some of the stars visible." He mistakenly placed this planetary nebula in category VI , which includes "Very compressed and rich clusters of stars." John Herschel also assumed it was a cluster, though on his first of four observations (21 Aug 1827), he logged "doubtful if a resolved cluster or a neb of first class. pL; R; bM; 60"; with 2 or 3 accidental stars of the Milky Way." Lord Rosse's assistant Bindon Stoney reported (1861), "4 stars in nebula, and two more on preceding edge." Sir William Huggins was the first to observe a single emission line spectrum in 1865. Francis Pease confirmed it as a planetary in 1917.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) wrote, "an irregular ring 33" from north to south and 30" from E to W; brightest on north and south and fades out along an axis in p.a. 48”. The oval disk of much fainter matter outside is 63"x50" in p.a. 0”, and stronger at western and southern edges."
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NGC 6805 = ESO 338-014 = MCG -06-43-002 = PGC 63413
19 36 45.7 -37 33 16; Sgr
V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 163”
17.5" (7/20/96): very faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, slightly brighter core. A mag 13.5 star lies 1.7' ESE. Viewing suffers due to low elevation.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6805 = h3796 on 24 Aug 1834 and logged "eF; R; very gradually brighter middle." One week later, he returned to the field and noted "well looked for, but only a small star-group found." There is nothing at his position (used in the NGC), but exactly 1” north is ESO 338-014 = PGC 63413. The 1” error in declination is noted in Corwin's Southern Galaxy Catalogue.
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NGC 6806 = ESO 338-015 = MCG -07-40-003 = VV 411 = AM 1933-422 = PGC 63416
19 37 05.0 -42 17 47; Sgr
V = 13.2; Size 1.6'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 24”
30" (10/14/15 - OzSky): at 303x; moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, contains a brighter elongated core. The halo appears to spread out somewhat on the east side. A mag 13.8 star is attached at the west edge. Situated 3.7' SE of mag 8.4 HD 184556. A number of fainter stars are nearby including a chain that begins with a mag 13 star 1.5' WNW and curls to the northeast.
18" (8/19/09): at 175x appeared as a very faint, small oval glow with a mag 13.5 star superimposed on the west end. Probably due to the very low elevation (10-11 degrees), no additional structure was evident. Located 3.6' SE of mag 8.4 HD 184556. A loop of mag 14-14.5 stars elongated SW to NE is between the galaxy and the bright star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6806 = h3795 on 5 Sep 1834 and recorded "eF; vS; appended to a * 14m." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6807 = PK 42-6.1 = PN G042.9-06.9
19 34 33.4 +05 41 02; Aql
V = 12.2; Size 2"
17.5" (7/20/90): at 140x appears as a mag 12 stellar object. Shows an excellent contrast gain with OIII filter. A brighter mag 10.5 comparison star 1.5' NE is similar to NGC 6807 with the OIII filter (so there is a two magnitudes contrast gain with the filter). Increasing the magnification to 286, it appeared to be quasi-stellar with a tiny disc surrounding the central star.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6807 = HN 51 on 4 Sep 1882 using a direct-vision spectroscope attached to the 15-inch Merz refractor at Harvard College Observatory. His position in Sidereal Messenger, Vol I, No 6 (Oct 1882) is ~30" too far north.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) wrote, "indistinguishable from a star on the Crossley negatives, but shown to have a minute disk visually with the 36-inch refractor."
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NGC 6808 = ESO 073-003 = PGC 63578
19 43 54.6 -70 37 57; Pav
V = 12.5; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 40”
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 171x appears moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 SW-NE, 1.5'x0.7', weak concentration. Located 9' W of mag 7.1 HD 185618 and a mag 9.5 star is 5.3' SW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6808 = h3794 on 27 Jun 1835 and recorded "Not vF; lE; gradually brighter in the middle; 25"." On a second sweep he logged "pB; pmE; gb to one end (or by diagram a double nebula). A star 8m [HD 185618] follows on the parallel." His mean position is at the south edge of ESO 073-003.
Pietro Baracchi observed this galaxy on 7 Nov 1885 with the Great Melbourne Telescope. He wrote "pF, pS, E, uneven surface, pretty much brighter in some parts on its axis - no decided nucleus. The area only appears confusedly little brighter in the middle or brighter along the axis. This brighter internal portion of the object being somewhat uneven in light." His sketch shows brighter knots at the NE and SW ends of the galaxy.
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NGC 6809 = M55 = ESO 460-21
19 39 59.3 -30 57 44; Sgr
V = 6.4; Size 19'; Surf Br = 0.3
24" (9/2/16): at 200x; superb, very highly resolved showpiece globular of several hundred stars, spreading out at least 15' in diameter. Contains a very large, very bright core that is uniformly covered with similar, relatively bright resolved stars. The core has a loose appearance and doesn't increase to a nuclear peak. The central portion has a distinct 3-dimensional appearance with the brighter stars overlaying a second dense carpet of fainter stars against an unresolved background glow. The halo is very large and well resolved with a mix of brighter and fainter stars. The periphery of the halo is irregular or scraggly, but roughly symmetrical.
17.5" (7/14/99): at 100x this a beautiful, highly resolved cluster with outliers extending out to at least 12' in diameter. At 220x, there is uniform covering of easily resolved stars across the halo and the broadly concentrated core. In addition the central region is contains a layer of very faint stars over unresolved haze. The star density drops off rapidly in the outer halo and becomes very scraggly around the periphery. The core also seems indented on the SE side with a void in the halo on this edge.
13.1" (9/3/83): bright, large, superb resolution of at least 75 stars mag 12 and fainter. Loosely compressed with a broadly brighter core, irregular background glow. One of the easiest resolved globulars.
8" (9/3/83): at 100x; faint stars resolved across entire disc, no compact core, over unresolved haze. Highly resolved at 165x.
Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille discovered M55 = NGC 6809 = Lac I-14 = D 620 = h3798 in 1751-1752 during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope. Using a 1/2-inch refractor at 8x he described it "like the obscured nucleus of a big comet." Messier made an unsuccessful search on 29 Jul 1764 (perhaps due to the southern declincation), but succeeded in July 1778, recording "a nebula which is a whitish spot; extending for 6' around the light is even and does not appear to contain a star."
William Herschel's first observation was on 30 Jul 1783 with his small 20-foot telescope (12-inch): "With 250 power fairly resolved into stars; I can count a great many of them, while others are too close to be distinguished separately. He observed it again on 13 Jul 1784 (sweep 237) and called it "a very large cluster of close stars of several magnitudes, 8 or9' in deimaeter. Large (stars) rich. Small (stars) pretty rich."
James Dunlop described the cluster as "a beautiful, large round bright nebula, about 6' or 7' diameter, moderately condensed gradually to the centre, easily resolvable." His position was over 20' too far east. On 3 Aug 1834 (sweep 478), John Herschel recorded "Globular cluster; pB; vL; R; very gradually little brighter middle; diam in RA 30.0s; all resolved into separate st 13...16 m; not so comp M as to run together into a blaze or nipple. "
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NGC 6810 = ESO 142-035 = PGC 63571
19 43 34.4 -58 39 21; Pav
V = 11.4; Size 3.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 176”
18" (7/9/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x appears moderately bright and large, elongated 3:1 N-S, 2.0'x0.7'. The bright core is concentrated to a stellar nucleus with direct vision. On the DSS image, this Seyfert galaxy shows an absorption lane along the eastern side but this was not seen visually.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6810 = h3797 on 10 Jul 1834 and recorded "B; mE, in position 169.2”; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 90"." His position is accurate. On the next sweep he called this object "R; very gradually brighter middle; 30" haze thickening rapidly." The second (poorer) description was given in the GC and NGC.
NGC 6810 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "not round, but cF, S, extremely elongated179”, stell ncl."
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NGC 6811 = Cr 402 = Mel 222 = Lund 897
19 37 17 +46 23 18; Cyg
V = 6.8; Size 13'
17.5" (7/1/00): large, beautiful cluster at 100x. The central section is ~8' in diameter, roughly triangular and contains a scattering of ~20 10-11th magnitude stars. There are no prominent members - the brightest star (at the west edge) has a faint companion. Perhaps 85 stars are resolved in the unconcentrated central region (there is nearly a void in the center) over haze. The richest knot of stars is on the northeast side. An isolated 5' tails of stars extends NW and another curving string of stars can be traced 8' to the east.
13.1" (9/3/83): fairly large and rich group of approximately 60 stars including many mag 11-12 stars. A long trail of stars follows and a bright group of stars is WNW. Prominent in 16x80 finder, some resolution with averted.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6811 = h2044 on 29 Aug 1829 and recorded "a double star in the southern part of a fine, large, pretty rich coarse cluster of about 100 stars 11...14m; it fills the field." His position is near a mag 11 star on the southeast end of the cluster. The next sweep (2 Sep 1829) he logged "The centre of the more condensed part of a considerable cluster, 10' diameter, of irregularly scattered stars." His position, though, is about 45 seconds of RA too large. Harold Corwin mentions "Unfortunately, the position JH adopted for the GC carries the RA of the second, and a Dec 10 arcmin further on north. I think he meant to use only the second observation (he notes that the first observation refers to "A double star in the southern part ..."), so the incorrect Dec must be a transcription or typographical error." The end result is the GC and NGC position is 15' too far northeast, well outside the confines of the cluster.
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NGC 6812 = ESO 185-015 = PGC 63625
19 45 24.0 -55 20 50; Tel
V = 12.6; Size 1.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 94”
25" (4/5/16 - Coonabarabran, 318x): moderately bright oval, elongated ~3:2 E-W, 0.7'x0.45'. Almost immediately I noticed the shape was either irregular or perhaps there was an attached companion. On careful examination, an extremely faint, compact companion (LEDA 2802344), 8"-10" diameter, was occasionally resolved (barely separated) or attached to the southwest edge. LEDA 2802343, a second (easier) companion is just 1.8' WNW. It appeared very faint and small, round, ~12" diameter. A number of brighter stars pepper the field including a mag 11 star 2.7' NW, a mag 9.7 star 4.2' NNE and a mag 10.4 star 6' NNW. Three additional mag 10.5 stars form a small triangle 7' to 8' SSW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6812 = h3799 on 9 Jul 1834 and recorded "pB ; pmE; gradually little brighter middle; 40" l, 30" br." His position is accurate.
Pietro Baracchi observed NGC 6812 on 8 Nov 1885 with the Melbourne telescope and wrote "Rather faint, small, pretty much brighter middle. The center sparkling at times as if a star was in it." The last comment may refer to LEDA 2802344. His diagram shows LEDA 2802343 as a very small nebulous object, perfectly placed close WNW of NGC 6812. It appears to be labeled with an "n" (presumably an abbreviation for "nebula").
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NGC 6813 = M 1-93 = GN 19.38.4
19 40 22.4 +27 18 34; Vul
Size 3'
18" (7/12/07): picked up at 115x as a small, hazy glow surrounding a mag 13.5 star. Adding an OIII filter, this emission nebula appeared as a moderately bright, round, 1.5' glow surrounding the star. At 174x the center "star" appears double and the nebulosity responds well to an OIII filter. At 225x, the two close central stars are cleanly resolved and a third fainter star is just at the northern edge. Adding a UHC filter, the shape is irregular and the overall outline shifts with averted vision, though it does not appear to be larger than 1.2'-1.5' visually despite a catalogued diameter of 3'.
17.5" (6/15/91): at 140x, fairly faint emission nebulosity, round, 1.5' diameter. Surrounds a very close mag 14 double star. Using an OIII filter the nebulosity is very prominent and increases to 3' in size. Located 3' SE of mag 9 SAO 87539.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6813 = m 400 on 7 Aug 1864 and noted "D* in vF, S neb." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6814 = MCG -02-50-001 = PGC 63545
19 42 40.6 -10 19 23; Aql
V = 11.2; Size 3.0'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.4
24" (8/7/13): fairly bright, fairly large, round, ~1.5' diameter. Well concentrated with a bright core that increases to a very bright nucleus. A mag 13 star lies 1' NW and two mag 14/14.4 stars are a bit further northeast. Spiral structure is strongly suggested in the halo with an ill-defined segment of a curving arm on the east side and a counterpart on the west side. A very faint star (V = 15.6) is superimposed on the western arm.
13.1" (7/20/85): this Seyfert galaxy appears fairly faint, round, 2.0' diameter, broad concentration, stellar nucleus, diffuse outer halo.
8" (8/15/82): faint, small, slightly brighter core, larger faint halo with averted.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6814 = H. III-744 = h2045 on 2 Aug 1788 (sweep 851) and noted "vF; pL; R; very gradually much brighter middle." On 30 Jul 1826 (sweep 86) John Herschel wrote, "Not vF; pL; R; bM; r; 50"."
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NGC 6815
19 40 44 +26 45 30; Vul
17.5" (6/15/91): at 100x, ~100 stars mag 10-14 in a large 30' field elongated ~E-W. Includes six brighter mag 10-11 stars although most members are mag 12-13. Scattered appearance with no rich sections although over unresolved background haze. A mag 8 star is off the NW edge. Difficult to define borders as basically appears as a Milky Way field enhancement.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6815 = h2046 on 18 Aug 1828 and recorded "vL, p rich, straggling cluster; it mores than fills the field. Stars 10...15m." His position (marked as uncertain in both RA and NPD) is in a rich Milky Way field, though Harold Corwin defines the center as ~3.5' southwest. Does not appear to be a true cluster.
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NGC 6816 = ESO 460-029 = PGC 63584
19 43 59.1 -28 29 11; Sgr
V = 13.4; Size 2.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 105”
24" (9/23/17): at 200x-375x; faint or fairly faint, moderately large, elongated ~4:3 WNW-ESE, fairly low surface brightness, small slightly brighter nucleus, ~45"x35".
ESO 460-030 (identified as NGC 6816 in most sources), situated 6' NNE, appeared moderately bright, fairly small, irregularly round, small bright core, faint halo 35" diameter. Two stars are superimposed; a mag 13.5-14 star at the west edge [15" from center] and a mag 14.5 star [20" NW]. The halo appears to encompass both stars with averted vision. A bright mag 10.8 star is 1' SW. ESO 460-033, situated 12' NE, appeared fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 0.8'x0.65', broad and weak concentration to a slightly brighter core.
24" (9/29/16): at 375x; fairly faint, elongated 5:3 WNW-ESE, ~40"x24", broad concentration with a brighter core. A faint star is off the NW edge [Note: there no star here but a compact companion is at the ESE end - probably my directions are reversed].
In a group with ESO 460-030 6' NNE. This galaxy (usually identified as NGC 6816) appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, small, round, 20"-24" diameter, very small bright nucleus, higher surface brightness than NGC 6816. Two mag 13.5-14.5 stars attached at the west edge interfere a bit and a mag 10.8 star is 1' SW. ESO 460-025, 15' W, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~30"x25", broad weak concentration. A mag 11.5 star is 1.4' SE. ESO 460-033, 12' NE, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, moderate concentration to a small bright nucleus.
17.5" (6/8/91): very faint, fairly small, very low surface brightness. Forms an equilateral triangle with two mag 13 stars 2.8' SW and 2.8' SSE of center. A close mag 14.5 star is 1' NNE (?). Located 4.5' S of a mag 10.5 star.
Forms a pair with ESO 460-030 = MCG -05-46-006 6' NNE. ESO 460-030 is identified as NGC 6816 in RNGC, ESO, PGC, NED and HyperLeda. It appeared very faint, very small, round. Two mag 13.5 stars at the west and northwest edge confuse the observation as well as a mag 10.8 star 1' WSW that is detracting.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6816 = h3800 on 30 Jul 1834 and recorded "eF; R; very little brighter middle; 40"; a *9m north of it; at 6' distance has what may be easily taken for a nebula attached to it, but it is only a little group of vS stars." There is nothing his position, which is 4' due south of ESO 460-029 and 9' south-southwest of ESO 460-030. ESO 460-029 is a better match in position and description -- a mag 10.8 star lies 5' due north along with several other nearby fainter stars.
The question remains that if NGC 6816 = ESO 460-029 how did JH miss brighter ESO 460-030 = PGC 63587? His description suggests he probably noticed this galaxy or the nucleus of the galaxy ("what may be easily taken for a nebula attached to [the star]") but decided it was part of the group of stars. In the GC, JH shortened his description to read "eF; pS; R; very little brighter middle; * np." The 6' separation to the star was not included and it's not clear why he changed the direction to "np" [northwest].
All modern sources, including RNGC, ESO, RC3, PGC, NED and HyperLeda, misidentify ESO 460-030 as NGC 6816. I listed this error in RNGC Corrections #5. See Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6817 = MCG +10-28-005 = CGCG 303-004 = PGC 63431
19 37 22.3 +62 23 00; Dra
V = 14.5; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.5
24" (8/13/15): this double system was resolved at 375x and 500x. The brighter galaxy is on the east side and appeared fairly faint, small, slightly elongated NW-SE, ~24"x18". A mag 15.5 star is close north-northeast [26" from center] and a mag 16.1 star lies 39" NW. The companion galaxy is just off the west side [16" between centers] and extremely to very faint (V = 15.7, B = 16.5), round, only 6"-8" diameter! On the SDSS the halos of the two galaxies are merged and the brighter eastern component is tidally disturbed.
17.5" (8/13/88): very faint, fairly small, elongated ~E-W, weak concentration. A mag 15 star is off the NE edge and an extremely faint mag 16 star is off the NW edge. This is a very close double system oriented E-W, although apparently the individual components were too faint to resolve separately.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6817 = Sw. 2-81 on 10 Sep 1885 and recorded "eeF; pS; lE; a curve of stars west like Northern Crown." His position is 12 seconds of RA too far west. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 30 Aug 1889 as well as Howe in 1899-00 at Denver. The "curve of stars" in the description begins 3.5' WSW.
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NGC 6818 = PK 25-17.1 = PN G025.8-17.9 = Little Gem Nebula
19 43 57.7 -14 09 11; Sgr
V = 9.4; Size 22"x15"
24" (8/25/19): viewed at 375x, 500x, 644x, and 1000x; easily takes high power due to its high surface brightness and good seeing. The annular structure, though only moderate contrast, was very interesting with a relatively large, oval darker center and a very irregular, relatively narrow ring with an irregular surface brightness (brighter spots). The edge was soft in sections with a strong impression of a thin faint halo.
24" (7/19/17): at 375x, 500x, 750x and 1000x: small, very high surface brightness oval, slightly elongated N-S, with a blue color at 375x, takes up to 1000x! The planetary is encased in a thin outer shell. Occasionally the center seemed to sharpen to a point, but I couldn't confirm the central star with confidence. The rim seemed to sparkle with slightly brighter regions. Located 40' N of Barnard's Galaxy (NGC 6822).
18" (7/23/06): this very high surface brightness blue planetary takes high magnification well and 565x provided an excellent view. Appears slightly elongated N-S, ~20"x15". Most striking is an annular structure with a brighter rim and darker center. The rim has an irregular surface brightness and is brighter along the southeast and east side. Although the contrast of the rim with the darker center is fairly low, the relative thickness of the rim is comparable to M57. Barnard's Galaxy lies just 40' S.
17.5" (7/12/99): at 100x this striking PN is bright and small with an obvious blue color. The high surface brightness easily allows high power. At 380x, there is subtle but obvious structure with a darker center and an irregular brightness to the halo. Most noticeably the PN is brighter on the east end and mildly annular. Appears slightly elongated N-S, ~20"x15" in size. Three mag 13-13.5 stars are nearby at 40" NW, 1.0' E and 1.3' SW.
17.5" (7/16/88): at 412x appears very bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, blue color, very high surface brightness. Appears brighter along the east side and slightly brighter along the west side compared to the center. Has a darker elongated center but the annularity has a pretty low contrast. Barnard's galaxy NGC 6822 lies 40' SSE.
13.1" (9/3/83): very bright, slightly elongated N-S, fairly small.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6818 = H. IV-51 = h2047 on 8 Aug 1787 (sweep 749). He recorded "a small beautiful planetary nebula, but considerably hazy upon the edges; it is of uniform light throughout, considerably bright. Perfectly round, 10 or 15" in diameter. My brother Jacob being in the gallery, I showed it to him." His position was very accurate.
John Herschel reported that "It is exactly like a planet and two satellites. Distance of A, the nearer, 20", Pos 45” np; of B, 25", 20” nf." Herschel was interested in the idea that in some cases PN were accompanied by satellites (NGC 6905 and NGC 7662 are two other examples he mentioned). Other astronomers, such as Olbers, were also intrigued by this notion, which his father had suggested in the case of NGC 7662.
On 28 Aug 1850, Lord Rosse (or his assistant) recorded, "vB, blue planetary neb, edges not sharp, a little darker in the middle." A year later, assistant Bindon Stoney logged "the dark part is a little np middle." In 1856 Father Secchi noted (and sketched) a darker center in the shape of a cross using a 9.5" refractor at 1000x.
William Huggins first identified an emission line spectrum in 1864 and reported "two brighter lines seen, third only by glimpses". Father Angelo Secchi examined the spectrum in 1866 as well as Lieutenant John Herschel, son of John Herschel, in 1868. He made an early spectroscopic investigation of southern nebulae while stationed in Bangalore, India.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) wrote "A rather irregular oval ring 22"x15" in p.a. 10”, fainter along and at the ends of the major axis. A fainter narrow ring shows at east and west outside of the inner bright ring."
John Mallas coined the nickname "Little Gem" in the Jun/Jul 1963 article "Visual Atlas of Planetary Nebulae-V", published in the "Review of Popular Astronomy". He noted it was "the bluest of the planetaries I have observed."
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NGC 6819 = Cr 403 = Mel 223 = Lund 900 = Foxhead Cluster
19 41 18.1 +40 11 12; Cyg
V = 7.3; Size 5'
17.5" (7/1/00): this is a rich, beautiful cluster at 100x. The central 6' contains 80-90 stars over unresolved haze and has an irregular outline with the brighter stars forming a squared off "U" shape open to the north. The cluster extends to ~8' diameter with many faint stars on the SW side. The outline appears elongated SW-NE with the inner bars of the "U" on the NE border delineating a distinct border. Located 8.5' SE of mag 6.3 HD 186307.
13" (8/24/84): over 40 stars resolved at 166x including two intersecting strings. Striking very rich group situated in a rich star field. A mag 10 star is off the SW end and several bright stars are in the field at low power.
13.1" (9/11/82): striking cluster at 144x. Nearly three dozen stars are resolved over haze mainly in two rows. This is a very rich, dense group.
8" (8/16/82): rich, well-resolved, pretty.
Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 6819 = h2048 on 12 May 1784 with her 4.2" comet-sweeper reflector. She recorded it as #16 in her discovery list and wrote, "a small Nebula. There are very few stars near it in Flamsteed but the 14 Cygni is not far off..." Apparently William did not record a sweep that night, so probably she was free to observe on her own.
William didn't record the cluster during his formal sweeps with the 18.7" (though observed it on 31 Dec 1801 with his 9" reflector), so NGC 6819 doesn't carry a Herschel designation. Karl Harding independently found it in 1823, reported the discovery to Johann Bode, and it was listed as new in Astronomisches Jahrbuch for 1827 (published in 1824). Dreyer credited Harding with the discovery in the NGC, instead of Caroline.
John Herschel rediscovered it again on 31 Jul 1831 and logged "a beautiful cluster, v rich, vL; stars 11...15m and l = 7m nf, a reticulated mass, central part = 4', but fills field with its loose stars. A very fine object." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6820 = IRAS 19403 +2258
19 42 28.0 +23 05 17; Vul
17.5" (8/10/91): at 100x using OIII filter, open cluster NGC 6823 is immersed in a faint nebulosity. Also extends 5'-10' SW from the core of the cluster to a group of stars that wasn't included in the description of NGC 6823.
The observation above refers to Sh 2-86, the usual identification of NGC 6820. But based on Marth's position and description, NGC 6820 more likely refers to a compact knot to the southwest of the cluster at this position. At 220x, it appeared as a small, 20" knot surrounding a faint stellar or quasi-stellar core. Interestingly, this object dimmed with OIII, UHC and H-beta, so it's likely a reflection nebula that is detached from the main mass of nebulosity to the northeast.
13.1" (8/15/82): cluster NGC 6823 is encased in nebulosity (Sh 2-86) using a filter and averted vision. Very difficult to identify the nebulosity unfiltered.
8" (10/4/80): Sh 2-86 extremely faint nebulosity in field of NGC 6823. Involves four stars in the north and two stars in the south side.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6820 = m 401 on 7 Aug 1864 and noted "F, S, R, bM." This number is usually associated with the large HII region Sh 2-86 = LBN 135, but Marth's position (and Bigourdan's measurements) point to IRAS 19403 +2258, a compact knot at 19 42 27.9 +23 05 15 (J2000).
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NGC 6821 = MCG -01-50-002 = PGC 63594
19 44 24.3 -06 50 02; Aql
V = 13.1; Size 1.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 135”
17.5" (9/15/90): faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, broad mild concentration, fairly diffuse. Palomar 11 lies 1.2 degrees south.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6821 = m 402 on 8 Aug 1863 and noted "F, pL, R." His position is accurate to within 1'.
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NGC 6822 = MCG -02-50-006 = DDO 209 = IC 4895 = PGC 63616 = Barnard's Galaxy
19 44 58.3 -14 48 03; Sgr
V = 8.8; Size 15.5'x13.5'; Surf Br = 14.5; PA = 5”
48" (5/16/12): the four HII regions on the north side of the galaxy were carefully observed. IC 1308 = Hubble X appeared bright, fairly small, irregularly round. At ~30" diameter this HII knot is slightly larger than Hubble V and more uniform in surface brightness. Hubble V is bright, fairly small, irregularly round. This irregular HII region spans 20"-25" and has a higher surface brightness than IC 1308 3' E. A bright knot is on the SE end. Hubble III was immediately visible as a faint to fairly faint glow, fairly large (largest of the four regions), round, ~0.9' diameter. Occasionally, when the seeing steadied the ring structure popped and a brighter rim and darker center was visible. Smaller and slightly fainter Hubble I is virtually in contact at the NW edge and sometimes the two glows merged into a single large, irregular glow. Hubble I is the faintest and westernmost of the main HII regions and appeared as a faint, moderately large, round glow of ~36" diameter, barely off the NW side of larger Hubble III.
18" (8/12/10): under superb conditions at Lassen (8200'), I tracked down Hubble VII, the brightest and oldest globular cluster in Barnard's galaxy, situated near the center of the galaxy. At 285x, the globular was visible ~50% of the time as an extremely faint (~16th magnitude) and small glow, ~10" diameter. I couldn't resolve an extremely faint star attached on the SSE edge, but the glow was definitely non-stellar. I also viewed this challenging object at 393x and it appeared roughly similar in terms of visibility.
18" (7/16/07): very easily picked up at 73x as a very large, low surface brightness glow with no central concentration and extending ~5:2 N-S, ~11x4.5'. The two HII knots at the north end (IC 1308 and Hubble V) were blinked with an OIII or UHC filter and showed a good response. Surprisingly the galaxy was quite evident in my 80mm finder at 25x as a faint, elongated glow and it was just at the edge of visibility in my 15x50 IS binoculars.
17.5" (7/14/99): the exact position of the HII ring Hubble III on the NW side of the galaxy was examined carefully at 280x without a filter and on several occasions an extremely faint, round, 15" glow popped into view with averted vision ~1.5' W of a mag 13.5-14 star. A mag 15.5 star is visible a similar distance SSE of the reference star. This HII knot was clearly nonstellar, although it didn't have the annular ring appearance seen on images. Viewed on an evening of exceptional transparency at the Sierra Buttes.
17.5" (5/10/91): at 82x, this Local Group Member appeared fairly faint, very large, low but uneven surface brightness, elongated 5:2 N-S, 14'x6'. Diffuse appearance and the boundary is difficult to define, requires low power. Several faint stars are superimposed with a couple of brighter stars on the north side. Using an OIII filter two small, faint HII knots (Hubble X = IC 1308 and Hubble V) stand out well on the north and NW edges. Both of these knots are 2' NW of mag 12 stars. Planetary nebula NGC 6818 lies 40' NNW.
17.5" (7/16/88): easily visible as a large, elongated, low surface brightness glow.
13.1" (7/17/82): faint but clearly visible at 58x, elongated N-S.
8" (8/28/81): very faint, elongated N-S, similar to a faint Milky Way patch.
E.E. Barnard discovered NGC 6822 on 17 Aug 1884 with either his 5-inch refractor or possibly the 6-inch refractor at Vanderbilt University. The discovery was announced in Sidereal Messenger, vol 3, p 254. In AN 2624 he reported "it is some 2' diameter, and very diffuse and even it its light. With 6-inch equatorial it is very difficult to see, with 5-inch and a power of ~30 (field about 1.25”), it is quite distinct. This should be borne in mind in looking for it." Later in 1886 (Sidereal Messenger, vol 5, p 31) he commented "it certainly seems to be much larger and much denser than last year and I certainly think it has increased in density and size since that time." He gave a size estimate of 10' to 15' and concluded "probably this is a variable nebula."
When Max Wolf photographed Barnard's galaxy on 16 Jul 1906 and 8 Aug 1907, he assumed the two brighter HII regions at the north end were NGC 6822 and IC 1308 (the mistake originates from Ormond Stone at the Leander McCormick observatory) and thought the galaxy itself was a new discovery (AN 4207). Dreyer later catalogued it as IC 4895. So, NGC 6822 = IC 4895, and one of the two HII knots is left without an IC designation.
Hubble reviewed the historical inconsistencies in his seminal study, "NGC 6822, A Remote Stellar System" (1925ApJ....62..409H) and also made the comment "NGC 6822 is fairly conspicuous in a short 4-inch finder with a low-power eyepiece, but is barely discernible at the primary focus of the 100-inch. The latter, however, shows the bright details which are invisible in the finder." As far as these "details", Hubble recorded ten non-stellar objects in NGC 6822 that were measured on a 3.5 hour exposure with the 100-inch reflector. Later studies revealed his list included several giant HII regions as well as a couple of clusters. IC 1308 is generally referred to as Hubble X. In addition, Hubble discovered 15 variable stars in it including 11 Cepheids. . Using Henrietta Leavitt's relationship between the period and luminosity of Cepheids, Hubble announced NGC 6822 as "the first object definitely assigned to a region outside the galactic system." Extragalactic astronomy was now firmly established. Modern studies place the distance at 1.6 million light years, making Barnard's Galaxy an isolated member of the Local Group.
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NGC 6823 = Cr 405 = Lund 903 = OCL-124 = LBN 135
19 43 09 +23 18 00; Vul
V = 7.1; Size 12'
17.5" (8/10/91): about 50 stars in the central 5' diameter, bright, moderately large, fairly rich. Includes four bright mag 9.5-11 stars in a tight group at the core of the cluster plus two or three very faint stars in a 20" diameter. Most of the stars form a distinctive 5' oval ring, elongated ~E-W.
At 100x using OIII filter, NGC 6823 is immersed in faint nebulosity (Sh 2-86). The glow also extends 5'-10' SW from the core of the cluster to a group of stars not included in the description of NGC 6823.
NGC 6820 (often identified as the nebula) probably refers to a compact knot (IRAS 19403 +2258) to the SW of the cluster at 19 42 28 +23 05.3 (J2000). At 220x, it appeared as a small, 20" knot surrounding a faint stellar or quasi-stellar core. Interestingly, this object dimmed with OIII, UHC and H-beta, so it's likely a reflection nebula that is detached from the main mass of nebulosity to the NE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6823 = H. VII-18 = h2049 on 17 Jul 1785 (sweep 415). He recorded "an elongated cluster of irregularly scattered stars of various sizes, considerably rich; the place taken is that of the brightest part of it, which is towards the south." This was his first discovery after moving to a new residence at Clay Hall, as well as a new speculum mirror (frist used on 28 May).
John Herschel made the single observation on 12 Jul 1830 (sweep 266): "p rich, irreg R; 5' diam; a cl of loose stars; the chief = 10m, the rest = 11...12. Four or five in centre [multiple star BD + 22 3782] form a lozenge."
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NGC 6824 = UGC 11470 = MCG +09-32-012 = CGCG 281-008 = PGC 63575
19 43 40.9 +56 06 33; Cyg
V = 12.2; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 60”
14.5" (8/31/21): at 264x; moderately bright and large, oval 3:2 SW-NE, ~1' diameter, contains a relatively large bright core with a stellar nucleus. A mag 13.8 star is close off the S edge. A wide double star, STI 2452 = 9/11 at 12" separation with an orange primary, is 3.5' N. Located in a rich Cygnus star field.
24" (9/16/17): I observed SN 2017glx (Type Ia-91T), discovered on 9/3/17 just 3" W and 2" N of center of NGC 6824. It was highly suspected at 375x, as the galaxy appeared to have a double nucleus with a superimposed "star" attached on the NW side of the core. It took 500x, though, to clearly confirm and distinguish from the nucleus. When the seeing steadied, the supernova appeared as a sharp stellar point, perhaps mag 14.5-14.8, superimposed at the NW edge of the small, but nonstellar nucleus.
17.5" (6/8/91): moderately bright and large, 1.5'x1.1', elongated 4:3 SW-NE, bright core with a substellar nucleus, high surface brightness. A mag 13.5 star is just off the south edge 34" from the center and a pretty yellow/blue double (Stein 2452 = 9.0/11.1 at 15") is 3.5' N. NGC 6824 appears unusually bright, considering its location in a Milky Way field.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6824 = H. II-878 on 16 Sep 1792 (sweep 1028) and logged "pB, iF, bM, has 2 stars in it." Caroline's reduction is 5' south of UGC 11470, but his description fits. A change in the PD cord was noted at the end of the short sweep.
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NGC 6825 = CGCG 324-001 = VII Zw 906 = PGC 63535
19 41 54.8 +64 04 23; Dra
V = 14.4; Size 0.5'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 174”
17.5" (8/13/88): faint, small, oval NNW-SSE, small bright core. A mag 13.5 star is off the NNW edge 35" from center.
Note: The single glow I noted is a merged pair (separation 8"), along with two superimpsed stars, all within a 0.4' clump.
Edward Swift, the 13 year-old son of Lewis Swift, discovered NGC 6825 = Sw. 2-82 on 18 Sep 1884 and recorded "eF; vS; F * nr; v diff." The position is 15 sec of RA east of CGCG 324-001 = PGC 63535. Bigourdan measured an accurate micrometric position on 30 Aug 1889. Herbert Howe reported "The *F * nr" is of mag 10, and precedes the nebula 3 sec, 0.5' north. Two stars of mags 8.5 and 9 are about 5' south following."
NGC 6825 is classified as a multiple galaxy in NED and the DSS2 reveals four nearly stellar objects in a 12" circle, though one or more may be a faint star(s).
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NGC 6826 = PK 83+12.1 = PN G083.5+12.7 = Blinking Planetary
19 44 48.1 +50 31 31; Cyg
V = 8.9; Size 31"x27"
48" (10/27/16): at 610x and 813x; both internal FLIERS (see observation below) were visible on the NW and SE sides of the central disc. The disc had a slight bulge on the northwest and southeast ends creating a slightly elongated, irregular oval NW-SE. A fainter inner halo was visible at 610x, roughly doubling the size. At 244x and NPB filter, a third large outer shell was fairly prominent forming a well defined 2' circular halo.
24" (9/13/12): at 325x the main 30" disc appeared slightly brighter in the east-southeast region. Adding an H-beta filter, a very small knot was sometimes visible near the rim at the ESE edge. This difficult knot is a red FLIER (Fast Low-Ionization Emission Region) and is prominent on the HST image. The corresponding knot on the west edge was not seen. The red color is from ionized nitrogen and the knot disappeared switching to an OIII filter, although the large outer halo became visible.
24" (8/16/12): at 300x and an OIII or NPB filter, the main high surface brightness disc (slightly elongated) was surrounded by a very faint, fairly uniform giant halo, extending 2' diameter and quadrupling the size of the bright 30" disc! The outer halo seemed perfectly round with a well-defined edge and was easily visible.
18" (7/17/07): at 500x the "Blinking" Planetary is slightly elongated ~E-W, ~30"x25" with a bright 10th mag central star surrounded by a small, slightly darker annulus. The disc is pretty evenly lit but slightly weaker on the west or west-southwest side.
17.5" (8/17/01): beautiful view at 500x; the disc is slightly elongated WNW-ESE, with subtle structure. There is small, slightly darker region around the bright 10th magnitude central star. The halo appears to dim slightly along the preceding edge and this edge is not as sharply defined. Located 28' E of the double star 16 Cygni.
17.5": very bright 25" roundish nebula surrounding a bright 10th magnitude central star, slightly elongated ~E-W, high surface brightness. With direct vision the planetary appears brighter on the south side. The planetary is too bright with this aperture to have the striking "blinking" effect seen with smaller apertures.
8": the famous "blinking" planetary blinks well with this aperture. Contains a bright mag 10 central star (HD 186924) visible with direct vision and the outer nebulosity dominates with averted vision.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6826 = H. IV-73 = h2050 on 6 Sep 1793 (sweep 1049). He recorded "a beautiful phenomenon. A bright point, little extended, like two points close to one another; as bright as a star of the 8-9 magnitude surrounded by a very bright milky nebulosity suddenly terminated, having the appearance of a planetary nebula with a lucid center. The border, however, is not very well defined. It is perfectly round and I suppose about 1/2' in diameter. It is of a middle species between the planetary nebula and nebulous stars." John Herschel logged it on 2 Sep 1829 (sweep 207) as "a most curious object. A * 11m surrounded with a vB, perfectly round planetary nebula, of equal light throughout. Diameter in RA = 3.5 sec. Perhaps a little hazy at the edges. With 320x the * is not seen double."
On 28 Aug 1850, Birr Castle assistant Bindon Stoney recorded, "A very remarkable object, probably analogous to h450 [NGC 2392]. The dark ring is not easily seen, but there can be no mistake about it, seen by Lord R and myself, my brother (George Stoney) saw it dark under [preceding] the central star." Observing with a 9.5" refractor at 760x in 1856, Father Secchi described (and sketched) the outer halo resolving into a number of small stars and claimed it was an open cluster (AN 43, 157). William Huggins first observed the emission spectrum in 1864 and noted "three lines" were seen.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) wrote "The central star...is surrounded by an oval disk of bright matter 27"x24". Within this are rather obscure evidence of a brighter ring formation, the condensations at the ends of which are 22" apart in p.a. about 125”." An outer shell of 110" in diameter was first photographed with the 100-inch at Mt Wilson on 27 July 1936 (M57 and NGC 6828 were the first two outer shells discovered photographically)
The Herschels never mentioned a blinking effect, though it is less prominent in larger scopes. In an article titled "Suggestions to Amateurs: Nebulae and Clusters" by Lewis Swift in Popular Astronomy (1894) he mentions, "According to Professor Mitchell, "now you see it, and now you don't". The blinking effect was noted by James Mullaney and Wallace McCall in the August 1963 issue of Sky & Tel, though the nickname was coined by Mullaney.
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NGC 6827 = Berkeley 48 = OCL-120 = Lund 906
19 48 53.4 +21 12 54; Vul
Size 4'
17.5" (9/7/91): in a very rich Milky Way field is a faint, smooth, 2' unresolved glow similar to a low surface brightness galaxy. A mag 13 star is at the west edge. A slightly brighter knot or a 15th magnitude star is superimposed but no other resolution. Located just west of a very large, scattered group that just stands out due to many stars mag 11/12 at the edges.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6827 = St. 9-25 on 15 Jul 1869. His rough unpublished position was at the SW edge of the cluster. On 16 Oct 1878 he measured an accurate micrometric position with description "extremely faint; moderately extended; poorly defined edges; envelops several very faint stars." After publication in 1878 (list 9), he made another observation on 7 Aug 1880.
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NGC 6828
19 50 17.5 +07 54 09; Aql
17.5" (8/25/95): group of stars about 8' diameter surrounding mag 6.5 SAO 125116 in a rich star field. A mag 9 star (SAO 125117) lies 2.0' S and a mag 8 star (SAO 125109) is 4.7' SW. Besides these bright stars there is 6' incomplete ring of approximately 50 stars mag 12-14.5 roughly centered on the mag 6.5 star. The majority of these stars are located in the northern half of the ring.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6828 = H. VIII-73 = h2051 on 30 Jul 1788 (sweep 850) and recorded "A coarsely scattered cluster of stars, with a pB one in the center." John Herschel made two observations and logged on sweep 89, "a *8 in a poor cl; hardly to be called a cluster (night very bad)." His position corresponds with mag 6.5 SAO 125116 at 19 50 17.5 +07 54 09 (2000). At Birr Castle on 14 Aug 1876, Dreyer called this a "Rich part of the heaven, many S, P, lC Clusters, none remarkable."
Karl Reinmuth reported a very dense region, no distinct cluster. Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 NGC correction paper, called it nonexistent and this is repeated in the RNGC. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6829 = UGC 11478 = MCG +10-28-010 = CGCG 303-009 = VII Zw 915 = PGC 63667
19 47 07.5 +59 54 24; Dra
V = 14.1; Size 1.6'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 31”
17.5" (6/15/91 and 8/8/91): faint, small, very elongated 3:1 or 4:1 SSW-NNE. A mag 10.5 star, which detracts from viewing, is close east of the SSW end, 0.7' from the center. Pair with NGC 6831 6.3' ESE.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6829 = Sw. 4-77, along with NGC 6831, on 3 Sep 1886 and recorded ""eF; pS; R; pB * close s; p of 2 [with NGC 6831]." His RA is 15 seconds too large. Bigourdan measured an acurate position on 30 Aug 1889. Herbert Howe noted in 1900 "the "pB *" mentioned by Swift is of mag 9, is 0.7' south of the nebula, and follows 2 sec." Howe also measured an accurate position.
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NGC 6830 = Cr 406 = Mel 224 = Lund 908
19 50 59 +23 06 00; Vul
V = 7.9; Size 12'
17.5" (8/8/91): 30-35 stars in the central 5' diameter. Most stars are mag 11-12 and arranged in two rows forming a rough "X" shape. The richest group is at the NW corner and a very faint group is off the SW corner. The brightest star is just SW of the intersection point of the "X". Located 30' N of 4.9-magnitude 12 Vulpeculae.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6830 = H. VII-9 = h2052 on 19 Jul 1784 (sweep 241) and simply noted "a cluster of stars." On 17 Jul 1785 (sweep 415), he called this "a L cl of p compressed st, most of the same size, with many adjacent scattered ones." John Herschel made the single observation "fine large coarse cl; fills field. Stars 11...12m, some outliers = 9, 10m." His position is in the center of the cluster.
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NGC 6831 = UGC 11483 = MCG +10-28-011 = CGCG 303-011 = PGC 63674
19 47 57.2 +59 53 33; Dra
V = 13.3; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 14.0
17.5" (6/15/91 and 8/8/91): faint, fairly small, round, small bright core, sharp stellar nucleus, faint halo. Pair with NGC 6829 6.3' WNW.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6831 = Sw. 4-78, along with NGC 6829, on 3 Sep 1886 and recorded "eF; S; R: f of 2 [with NGC 6829]." His position is 1.5' too far northeast. Bigourdan measured an accurate micrometric position on 30 Aug 1889 as well as Howe in 1899-00.
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NGC 6832
19 48 15 +59 25 24; Dra
17.5" (8/25/95): this group consists of roughly two dozen stars in a 6' region surrounding mag 6.7 SAO 32016. Most stars are mag 12-13 with a few brighter stars, including a mag 10 star 2' SE of the mag 6.7 star and mag 8.5 SAO 32007 5' W on the west side of group. Visually, this group appears to be a scattered asterism although there are a dozen mag 12-14 stars within 3' (mostly west) of the bright star. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6832 = h2053 on 11 Aug 1831 and noted "A *7 in midst of a field full of 40 stars 10...12m." His position corresponds with mag 6.7 SAO 32016 at 19 48 15.4 +59 25 23 and matches the group of stars described in my notes. RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. This is likely an asterism (not in the Lynga catalogue), but certainly the group Herschel noted.
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NGC 6833 = PK 82+11.1 = PN G082.5+11.3
19 49 46.6 +48 57 40; Cyg
V = 12.1; Size 2"
13.1" (7/30/85): visible as a mag 11.5-12 stellar object without a filter at 144x and verified with OIII blinking. A mag 10.5 star lies 2.8' NE and mag 9.0 SAO 48890 is 4.8' SE. Observation during full moon at home.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6833 = HN 54 on 8 May 1883 using a direct-vision prism with the 15-inch Merz refractor at Harvard College Observatory. His discovery position in AN 2517 was accurate.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) wrote "indistinguishable from a star on the Crossley negative, but shown to have a minute disk visually with the 36-inch refractor."
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NGC 6834 = Cr 407 = Mel 225 = Lund 909
19 52 12 +29 24 30; Cyg
V = 7.8; Size 5'
17.5" (8/7/91): 40 visible stars in a 8' diameter. A mag 10 star is in the middle of a line of seven mag 13 stars oriented SW-NE and also at the center of four mag 11/12 stars on a line oriented E-W. Sprays of stars emanate from the bright star to the SW and SE. A small clump of five stars lies 4' S of the mag 10 star. Planetary nebula NGC 6842 lies 38' ESE.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6834 = H. VIII-16 = h2054 on 17 Jul 1784 (sweep 239) and recorded "a cl of not very compressed stars; closest in the middle. It may be compared to a cluster which is forming or gathering and not yet arrived to the state of those that are more advanced, or contain more stars." John Herschel logged this cluster as "coarse irreg R; with detached portions of smaller stars. Those in the main cluster = 11 or 12 mag." His position was accurate.
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NGC 6835 = MCG -02-50-009 = PGC 63800
19 54 33.1 -12 34 09; Sgr
V = 12.5; Size 2.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 70”
13.1" (9/3/83): faint, small, edge-on WSW-ENE, weak concentration. Forms a pair with NGC 6836 7.4' SSE in a rich star field.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6835 = St. 12-91, along with NGC 6836, on 22 Jul 1881. His description reads "small spindle, very faint, elongated SW to NE, 1.5' l." He reduced the position on 2 Aug and included it in his 12th discovery list (#91).
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NGC 6836 = MCG -02-50-010 = PGC 63803
19 54 40.4 -12 41 16; Sgr
V = 12.9; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 140”
13.1" (9/3/83): extremely diffuse, visible with averted only, round, fairly small, very low surface brightness. Located 7.4' S of NGC 6835.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6836 = St. 12-92, along with NGC 6835, on 22 Jul 1881. His description reads "vF, pL, R, diffuse, no central condensation." He reduced the position on 2 Aug and included it in his 12th discovery list (#92). Herbert Howe reported "In this nebula, or just on its following edge, is a star of mag 13.5, apparently not noticed by its discoverer."
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NGC 6837
19 53 08 +11 41 54; Aql
Size 3'
17.5" (6/24/95): this asterism only stands out reasonably well at 100x. Consists of roughly 15 mag 12-14 stars in a 4' group elongated E-W. There is a small rich subgroup bulging out on the north side in a semi-circular arrangement (better resolved at 225x). Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6837 = H. VIII-18 = h2055 on 4 Sep 1784 (sweep 256) and recorded "a small (forming) cluster of stars, not rich." His offset with respect to 61 Aql is 19 53 20 +11 43.4 (2000), just 12 seconds of time east of the small clump of stars described in my observation. John Herschel simply noted "Viewed. In place by working list? [based on Caroline's Zone Catalogue, prepared for his sweeps]. It is a coarse straggling part of the Milky Way."
RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. See Harold Corwin's comments.
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NGC 6838 = M71
19 53 46.1 +18 46 42; Sge
V = 8.1; Size 7.2'; Surf Br = 0.8
24" (9/2/16): at 200x and 375x; beautifully rich cluster mostly defined by an intense triangular central or core region with vertices on the north, southwest and southeast corners and sides ~3', 3' and 2.3'. Roughly 100 stars are densely packed over the background glow within this triangular outline, though the north end is less well defined. The surface brightness falls off rapidly outside this core, though the halo includes some brighter stars, and the cluster blends into the fairly rich field density beyond a diameter of 5'. Open cluster Harvard 20 lies 28' SSW.
17.5" (8/22/87 and 8/5/94): roughly 75 stars resolved in a 5' diameter but with a very irregular ill-defined outline to the halo. The brightest section is elongated SSW-NNE with dimensions 3'x2'. The brightest star is on the east side of the core and is a close double. Located in a rich field with likely many field stars superimposed around the halo. Located just south of the midpoint between Gamma and Delta Sagittae.
Harvard 20, less than 30' SSW, contains about three dozen stars in a 6'x3' field, elongated ~E-W. Two bright mag 9 stars are off the west side but the cluster is dominated by 20 mag 12/13 stars. Also includes a scattering of faint mag 14-15 stars. A pretty evenly matched mag 12.5/12.5 double star is at the east end and an uneven mag 12/14 double star is to the west of the well matched double.
14.5" (7/27/22): ~50 stars resolved at 264x within a roughly triangular or wedge-shaped outline.
13.1" (7/16/82 and 8/22/87): a few dozen stars are resolved over haze, only weakly concentrated, non-symmetrical shape. Impression that many faint field stars may be superimposed. Located in a very rich star field.
8" (10/4/80 and 7/13/83): roughly 20 faint stars resolved a hazy background with averted. The west edge is brighter.
15x50mm IS binoculars (6/19/09): bright, obvious glow is elongated with a brighter center.
Philippe Loys de Chseaux possibly discovered M71 = NGC 6838 = h2056 around 1745-46 from Switzerland. Johann Koehler independently discovered it between 1772 and 1779 with a 6-foot Dollond telescope at only 30x. He noted "a very pale nebulous patch in the Arrow [Sagitta]." Pierre Mchain also found it independently on 28 Jun 1780 and he was credited with the discovery in the NGC. Messier confirmed the cluster in October 1780.
According to Steinicke, William Herschel independently discovered the cluster with his 6.2" reflector on 4 Nov 1782, unaware of the earlier discovery (the second Messier catalogue ended at M70). A second observation was made on 30 May 1783 using his 9-inch (10-ft focal length) after he obtained the final Messier catalogue. He described M71 as "resolved into stars. I can count between 20 and 30 of them." He viewed it several times in his larger scopes and first viewed it with his 18.7" on 18 Aug 1784 (sweep 252). A month later again on 18 Sept 1784 (sweep 276), he called it "a cluster of stars; the stars pretty large, north following is a part seemingly separated".
John Herschel recorded on 24 Aug 1827 (sweep 90): "vL; loose; fills field; a fine object; stars 11...16m; the most condensed part = 3', of an acute triangular figure, the angle northwards."
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NGC 6839
19 54 06 +17 57; Sge
17.5" (9/23/95): at 100x there is a very weak enhancement of stars within 10' of mag 8.6 SAO 105398 at 19 54 04 +17 57.1. More noticeable, though, is a partially resolved clump of faint stars just 3' NW. At 225x this fairly rich clump is resolved into 15 mag 13.5-14.5 stars in a 3' region elongated NNW-SSE. There are also scattered mag 10-12 stars to the southeast of SAO 105398 but these don't catch the eye. Located 50' S of M71. The identification of this number is very uncertain.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6839 = H. VI-16 = h2057 on 18 Aug 1784 (sweep 252) and noted as "a very small cl of compressed stars." There is nothing of special interest near his position. John Herschel made two observations and described (sweep 92) "an insignificant bunch of little stars in the milky way. Hardly more marked than the general mass, which is astonishingly rich here" and "A quantity of Milky Way stars, immensely close, one small patch of which may be the cluster VI 16." (Repeats his father's position with +/- signs in sweep 362). So, the identification is quite uncertain and WH's intended group of stars may be lost.
Karl Reinmuth calls this "a very dense region, no distinct Cl", based on Heidelberg plates and both Dorothy Carlson and RNGC repeat this assessment.
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NGC 6840
19 55 14 +12 07 06; Aql
17.5" (7/27/95): fairly poor group of 20-25 mag 11-15 stars in a 6'x4' rectangular group. Includes about 10 brighter mag 11 stars. There are no rich groupings but a very distinctive 3' string or stars oriented NW-SE marks the NE side of the group. Stands out reasonably well at 80x but not distinguishable at 220x. Located 11' N of mag 8.1 SAO 105419. In field with NGC 6843 about 12' ENE. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6840 = H. VIII-19 = h2058 on 4 Sep 1784 (sweep 256) and recorded "another much larger [than NGC 6837] but coarsely scattered and not rich." John Herschel called this "a small, poor cluster; the preceding of two distinct clusters [with NGC 6843]. The stars 11m." Dreyer, as an observing assistant at Birr Castle in 1876, noted "a S group of F st with 2 of 10-11m."
Reinmuth reported "a very loose clustering of a few st 12...15." RNGC classifies this object as nonexistent (Type 7) and it may be an asterism, but the identification is certain.
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NGC 6841 = ESO 461-023 = MCG -05-47-011 = PGC 63881
19 57 49.1 -31 48 39; Sgr
V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x1.4'; Surf Br = 13.4
24" (10/18/12): moderately bright, fairly small, round, sharply concentrated with a 20" bright core that gradually increases to the center. The outer halo is very faint and extends ~35" (fades into background).
Brightest in a trio with ESO 461-024 5.3' SE and ESO 461-025 6.4' NE. An uncatalogued double star (separation ~7") lies 4.4' SSW. ESO 461-024 is faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 20"x14", small brighter core. ESO 461-025 appeared faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, diffuse, low surface brightness, 24"x20". A trio of mag 13-14 stars is 2.7' NE.
17.5" (8/10/91): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE. Evenly concentrated to a small bright round core.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6841 = h3802 on 28 Sep 1834 and recorded "pF; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15" on a highly stipled or dotted ground." His position is less than 1' too far southeast.
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NGC 6842 = NGC 6847? = PK 65+0.1 = Sh 2-95 = LBN 149 = PN G065.9+00.5
19 55 02.2 +29 17 21; Vul
V = 13.5; Size 57"
24" (9/1/16): at 375x and 500x (unfiltered); moderately bright and large, round, ~50" diameter, crisp edge to the rim, fairly evenly illuminated. The mag 15.5-16 central star was visible, along with several nearby stars; a mag 15.5 star is just off the NE edge [38" from center], a mag 15 star is off the south edge [47"] and a mag 14 star is off the east edge [50"]. Using 220x with a UHC filter, the planetary is fairly bright and the rim appears slightly brighter in sections.
18" (8/26/06): a sketch was made at 435x showing the numerous faint stars that huddle nearby this planetary. A mag 14 star is off the east edge [50" from center] and a mag 14.5 star is just off the south end [47" from center]. A mag 15-15.5 star is barely off the NE edge [38" from center] and an extremely faint mag 16 star is at the NNW edge. A mag 13.5 star is 1.1' SE. Finally a very faint central star is often visible.
17.5" (8/7/91): fairly bright, moderately large, irregularly round, soft edges. A very faint mag 15.5 central star is visible and a second extremely faint mag 16.0 star is near the east edge. Several stars are at the edges including a mag 15-15.5 star at the NE edge and two mag 13-14 stars off the east side. Appears brighter around the central star.
13.1" (7/12/86): at 62x and OIII filter appears moderately bright, moderately large, estimate V = 13.0. A mag 14.5 star is off the east edge. NGC 6834 lies 38' WNW.
8" off-axis mask (7/28/19): at 107x; very faint but definite unfiltered as a fairly small (~45"), roundish glow. Visible with direct vision when I added a NPB filter.
8" (9/20/81): I was surprised to glimpse NGC 6842 from home in El Cerrito (limiting mag of 4.5) using a Daystar 300 filter at 125x, even using a black hood, averted vision and concentration. Walter Scott Houston wrote about this observation in detail in his Deep Sky Wonder's column of November 1982.
8" (7/31/81): extremely faint, fairly small, diffuse. Located in a rich star field.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6842 = m 403 = Sf. 43 on 28 Jun 1863 and noted "vF, pL, R." Heinrich d'Arrest independently discovered it the following year on 26 Aug 1864 while searching for William Herschel's H. II-202 = NGC 6847. Truman Safford found the planetary again on 12 Jul 1866 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at Dearborn Observatory. See NGC 6847. douard Stephan made an observation on 24 Jul 1881, though by that date he knew it was previously discovered.
In 1919, Heber Curtis reported it was undoubtedly a planetary nebula based on a Crossley photograph and described it as "Very faint. It is about 50" x 45", showing traces of an irregular ring formation. It has a central star of about the 13th magnitude."
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NGC 6843
19 56 06.1 +12 09 49; Aql
17.5" (9/23/95): A very unimpressive scattered group of about two dozen stars mag 11-14 in a 8' region. Generally elongated N-S in a string with a separate line of six stars at the north end oriented E-W. There is one close isolated double star and the fainter stars are at the south end of the string. Appears to be a very weak asterism of no special interest except follows NGC 6840 by ~10' in the same field, a better asterism. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6843 = h2059 on 29 Jul 1829 and recorded (single observation) "A poor, small cluster. The following of two [with NGC 6840], just alike." Karl Reinmuth stated "no distinct Cl, milky way." in his photographic survey and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6844 = ESO 105-021 = PGC 64025
20 02 50.0 -65 13 46; Pav
V = 12.7; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 0”
30" (10/9/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 N-S, ~50"x36", sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus. A collinear trio of mag 11.5/13/12.5 stars oriented E-W extends to the west beginning 1.5' WNW. Located 4.8' NW of mag 8.2 HD 189274.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6844 = h3801 on 22 Jun 1835 and recorded "eF; R; vS; pretty suddenly brighter middle; has a * 11th mag 90" north-preceding, and one 8th mag 6' dist, south-following." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6845 = NGC 6845A = ESO 284-008 = AM 1957-471 = KTS 61B = Klemola 30 = Rose 38 = PGC 63985
20 00 58.4 -47 04 13; Tel
V = 13.1; Size 2.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 70”
25" (10/21/17 - OzSky): at 244x and 397x; NGC 6845A is the largest member in this compact interacting quartet, in a southwest/northeast string. It appeared moderately bright, elongated ~4:3, only a broad weak concentration. The shape was noticeably curved or irregular on the southwest side. Images show this is the root and beginning of a tidal arm that curves east and connects to NGC 6845B. Located 9.6' SE of mag 8.8 HD 189059.
NGC 6845B, just 1.4' NE, appeared very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 15"-20" diameter. NGC 6845C, centered 0.9' SSW, appeared fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 40"x10", small bright core, fairly high surface brightness (highest of the quartet). NGC 6845D, 1.8' SW, appeared extremely faint, elongated NNW-SSE, ~15'x10" NNW-SSE, requires averted.
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest component of a compact interacting quartet. At 128x it appeared fairly faint, fairly small, oval 3:2 SSW-NNE, 1.0'x0.7', very weak concentration. Two companions were resolved - NGC 6845B at 1.4' NE (at the end of a long tidal tail) and NGC 6845C at 0.8' SW.
NGC 6845B required averted vision and appeared extremely faint and small, round, 0.3' diameter, very low surface brightness. NGC 6845C appeared very faint, small, very elongated 4:1 NW-SE, 0.6'x0.15'. On the DSS image, faint tidal plumes appear to connect NGC 6845A with this companion.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6845 = h3803 on 7 Jul 1834 (sweep 467) and recorded "eF; lE; gradually little brighter middle; 30"." In a second observation he logged "vF; R; bM; 15". Found and viewed by the place of sweep 467." This is a compact interacting group of four galaxies (Klemola 30) and RC3 identifies the brightest member as NGC 6845A.
The entire quartet was found during an examination of 24-inch Bruce astrograph plates taken at Harvard's Arequipa station in Peru between 1908 and 1913. The individual members were catalogued in a list by Solon Bailey of 1659 new nebulae in the 1913 Annals of the Astronomical Observatory of Harvard College, Vol. 72.
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NGC 6846 = Lund 912 = OCL-139 = Cr 410
19 56 28.1 +32 20 58; Cyg
V = 14.2; Size 0.8'
17.5" (9/7/91): at 225x appears as a small, faint clump of stars over unresolved haze. Elongated about 3:2 E-W with dimensions 1.5'x1.0'. A mag 13.5 star is off the NW edge, a mag 14 star is at the west edge and three additional mag 14 stars in a clump are just visible over of the haze although clean resolution is difficult.
K 4-41, an extremely faint stellar planetary is situated just 2' NE! It wasn't visible without a filter, even using the ESO-Strausberg finder chart. But adding an OIII filter iI was able to glimpse it several times about 15" S of a mag 14 star. Appears stellar and estimate V = 16.0-16.5.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6846 = St. 5-4 on 21 Jul 1873 and measured an accurate position on 17 Aug with description "eF, vS, surrounds 3 faint stars." At his position is a small knot or cluster of faint stars.
RNGC places this open cluster 2” too far south. I searched for the cluster using this erroneous position with my 17.5" scope. The same error is in the Lynga catalogue (source of the original error?) and repeated in NGC 2000, Deep Sky Field Guide, and the first edition of the Uranometria 2000 star atlas. Listed in my RNGC Corrections #6. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6847 = NGC 6842? = PK 65+0.1 = Sh 2-95 = LBN 149 = PN G065.9+00.5
19 55 02.2 +29 17 21; Vul
V = 13.5; Size 57"
See observing notes for NGC 6842.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6847 = H. II-202 on 17 Jul 1784 (sweep 239) and recorded "a resolvable nebulous patch; there are great numbers of them in this neighborhood like forming nebula, but this is the strongest of them; they are evidently congeries of small stars." There is nothing that stands out on the DSS near his position and Dreyer commented that "according to Bigourdan there is no second class nebula here; a region rich in stars, but if there is any nebulosity about, it is very diffused." (1912 revision of WH's catalogues)
Harold Corwin suggests that H. II-202 may apply to the "cluster and HII region [Sh 2-97] 1 degree north and 30 seconds west of Herschel's single position.Ó Alternatively, Herschel's position is 2.0 minutes of RA east of NGC 6842. Could Herschel have observed this planetary nebula? Wolfgang Steinicke suggests this identification. In fact, douard Stephan made an observation on 27 Jul 1875 (and perhaps earlier) and identified it as GC 4527 [= NGC 6847].
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NGC 6848 = ESO 185-052 = AM 1958-561 = LGG 429-001 = PGC 64023
20 02 47.5 -56 05 22; Tel
V = 12.1; Size 2.5'x1.0'; Surf Br = 12.9; PA = 157”
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.4', broad concentration to a brighter core. Two mag 13 stars 1' NE and 1.5' SE of center run parallel to the major axis! Forms a trio with ESO 185-053 9' NNE and ESO 185-054 10' NE in the core of cluster ACO S840. On the DSS, a prominent dust lane bisects the galaxy.
ESO 185-054 is moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 NW-SE, 1.3'x1.0', broad concentration. A mag 13 star is just off the south edge, 1.1' from center. This galaxy appears slightly brighter than NGC 6848, which lies 10' SW, so it's curious that JH missed it. ESO 185-053, just 3.6' to the west, appeared faint, small, edge-on 4:1 NNW-SSE, 0.6'x0.15'. A mag 13 star is just off the NNW extension 50" from center and a fainter mag 14 star lies 30" W of center.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6848 = h3804 on 9 Jul 1834 and recorded "F; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 90"; forms a triangle with 2 st 11 and 12m, following it." His position (and description) is accurate.
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NGC 6849 = ESO 339-032 = MCG -07-41-007 = PGC 64097
20 06 15.6 -40 11 54; Sgr
V = 12.1; Size 1.9'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 18”
17.5" (10/5/91): faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 ~N-S, weak concentration, diffuse halo fades into background. A mag 13 star is off the east side 1.4' from center. Located 3.5' S of a mag 10 star. Low elevation detracts from viewing. John Herschel's position was exactly 5 tmin of RA to the west so this identification not certain.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6849 = h3805 on 4 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB; S; R: has a vS star np." There is nothing near his position matching this description, but exactly 5.0 minutes of RA east is ESO 339-032 = PGC 64097! The declination is accurate to within 1'. The "vS star np" is at the southwest edge. The ESO/Uppsala catalogue equates this fairly bright galaxy with NGC 6849 and notes the NGC RA is off by 5 minutes of time.
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NGC 6850 = ESO 185-056 = AM 1959-545 = PGC 64043
20 03 30.0 -54 50 43; Tel
V = 12.5; Size 2.1'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 153”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, irregular halo elongated NW-SE, ~1.4'x0.7'. The central region is broadly concentration then sharply increases at the center to a very small bright core and stellar nucleus. The outer halo has a fairly low but irregular surface brightness. Within a triangle of stars including a mag 12 star 1.9' N.
IC 4933, a face-on spiral, lies 8' S and appeared fairly bright, large, oval 5:4 ~N-S, ~1.8'x1.4'. Sharply concentrated with a very small bright core, increasing to the center. The outer halo shows weak spiral structure (two arms), though they can't be easily traced. A mag 12.7 star lies 1.6' S.
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.5', pretty even surface brightness. Forms a pair with IC 4933 8.0' S but I didn't look for the IC companion.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6850 = h3806 on 9 Jun 1836 and noted "vF; R; bM; 25"." His single position is accurate. It is very surprising that he didn't notice IC 4933, a fairly bright galaxy just 8' south.
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NGC 6851 = ESO 233-021 = LGG 430-001 = PGC 64044
20 03 34.3 -48 17 05; Tel
V = 11.8; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 160”
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x, it appeared moderately bright and large, oval 4:3 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.9'. The galaxy is well-concentrated with a bright core and is collinear with two mag 9.5 stars 5' SE and 13' SE. NGC 6851 is a member of the loose Telescopium Group (ACO S851) with dominant members NGC 6861 and NGC 6868.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6851 = h3807 on 5 Sep 1836 and recorded "pF; pS; R or vlE; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 15"." His position is at the north edge of the halo.
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NGC 6852 = PK 42-14.1 = PN G042.5-14.5 = K 1-18
20 00 39.1 +01 43 41; Aql
V = 12.9; Size 28"
24" (6/30/16): at 501x (unfiltered); very bright compact planetary, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~25"x21". A darker center and bright knots in the rim give a bipolar annular appearance. A very small bright knot is at the southeast end, close to a mag 14.4 star that is just off the edge [22" from center]. A matching knot (slightly less contrasty) is along the northwest edge of the rim. A mag 13 field is less than 30" W of this knot. The rim is slightly weaker on the southwest and northeast sides (the south edge is not well defined), so in effect a darker strip or bar extends through the center in a SW-NE orientation, nearly slicing the planetary into two sections.
18" (8/26/06): at 435x, this planetary appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~25"x18". A mag 14.5 star is close off the SE end. At this magnification the planetary was occasionally bipolar with a well-defined, very small bright knot just NW of the mag 14.5 star and a second less defined knot that forms the NW end of the planetary. The two knots appear resolved though I never had a steady view of both simultaneously. Located less that 5' ENE of a mag 7.5 star.
17.5" (7/16/88): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, no annularity noted. A mag 13.5 star is 34" WNW and a mag 14.5 star is 23" SE of center. Located 4.6' ENE of mag 7.5 SAO 125338. Estimate V = 12.5.
13.1" (7/20/85): moderately bright, slightly elongated NW-SE, diffuse, no structure. Two stars are off NW edge about 40" and a faint star is at the SSE edge. Located 5' NE of a mag 8 star.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6852 = m 404 on 25 Jun 1863 and noted "F neb, within a group of small stars." The same night he also discovered the planetary NGC 6778. Lubos Kohoutek rediscovered this object a century later during a visual survey of the POSS and included it in a list of new PN (K 1-18) published in 1963.
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NGC 6853 = M27 = PN G060.8-03.6 = PK 60-3.1 = Dumbbell Nebula
19 59 36.3 +22 43 16; Vul
V = 7.1; Size 480"x340"
18" (8/23/03): breathtaking view at 215x; with the fainter but larger outer lobes increasing the dimensions to nearly 7.5'x6' and the ends of the major axis (southeast and northwest) appear to open up and bulge out further. With careful viewing, ~10 superimposed stars can be counted including the easy mag 14 central star.
17.5" (6/15/91): very bright, very large, 7'x6', bright dumbbell lobes are oriented SSW-NNE. The SSW lobe is brighter with a bright outer rim. Large fainter sweeping side lobes fill in the dumbbell and reverse the major axis to WNW-ESE. The planetary has an irregular surface brightness with a darker center. At high power 5 or 6 stars are superimposed including the easy mag 13.8 central star. Overall, this is the most impressive planetary.
13.1" (8/15/82): central star easily visible along with a half dozen faint superimposed stars.
8" (9/25/81): central star faintly visible at 200x. The fainter side lobes are prominent.
15x50 IS binoculars (multiple dates): easily the most prominent planetary visible in binoculars.
Charles Messier discovered M27 = NGC 6853 = h2060 on 12 July 1764. This was the first planetary nebula discovered. Caroline Herschel independently discovered M27 on 30 Sep 1782. William reported "My sister discovered this nebula this evening in sweeping for comets; on comparing its place with Messier's nebulae we find it is his 27. It is very curious with a compound piece; the shape of it though oval as M. [Messier] calls it, is rather divided in two; it is situated among a number of small stars, but with this compound piece no star is visible in it. I can only make it bear 278 [with the 6.2"]. It vanishes with higher powers on account of its feeble light. With 278 the division between the two patches is stronger, because the intermediate faint light vanishes more." This discovery may have spurred Herschel to search for new nebulae.
Herschel observed M27 again with his 18.7" on 19 Jul 1784 (sweep 241) and considered it a cluster: "The nebula in Vulpecula I suppose to be a double stratum of stars of a very great extent. The ends next to us are not only resolvable nebulosity, but I really do see very many of the stars mixt with the resolvable nebulosity; farther on the nebulosity is but barely resolvable and ends at last in milky whitishness of the same appearance as that in Orion. The idea I form of the shape of the nebula is ...[diagram follows]." He referred to this observation in his 1785 PT paper.
As far as the nickname "Dumbbell" or "Hour-glass Nebula", John Herschel wrote on 24 Aug 1827 "A most extraordinary object; vB; an unresolved nebula, shaped something like an hour-glass, filled into an oval outline with a much less dense nebulosity. The central mass may be compared to a vertebra or dumb-bell". In another sweep he describes the shape as "like a double-headed shot or a dumb-bell."
Lord Rosse's sketch on 21 Sep 1843 using his 36" was published in his 1844 PTRAS paper. He noted "Cannot say positively whether resolvable, but see through it an immense number of stars apparently united with nebulous matter. If they are stars seen through the neb and unconnected with it, it is strange they should be so much more numerous than in the adjoining part of the heavens." George Johnstone Stoney's sketch (started on 9 Sep, finished on the 16th) was published in the 1850 PT paper (figure 17). Bindon Stoney's sketch in the 1861 monograph (Plate XXX, fig. 43) included several superimposed and nearby stars using micrometric measurements. During a visit to Birr Castle on 29 Aug 1854, George Johnstone Stoney wrote a long note: "Both Dr. Robinson and I agreed that the beard of faint nebulosity extended farther down [sp?] than in my brother's drawing..."
William Huggins reported the characteristic emission line spectrum of M27 in 1864 during in his first investigation of planetary nebulae. He noted "one line, others not seen".
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NGC 6854 = ESO 185-061 = AM 2001-543 = PGC 64081
20 05 38.8 -54 22 33; Tel
V = 12.2; Size 2.0'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 166”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.8', broad concentration, brighter along the major axis. A mag 14 star lies 1.4' NE and PGC 161899 lies 35" N of this star. PGC 161899 very faint, extremely small, round, 6" diameter.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6854 = h3808 on 9 Jul 1834 and recorded "vF; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; 12"." His mean position (2 observations) is accurate.
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NGC 6855 = ESO 185-063 = LGG 429-003 = PGC 64116
20 06 49.9 -56 23 24; Tel
V = 12.8; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, round, 1.2' diameter, sharply concentrated to a very small bright core, hint of structure in the outer halo. A very faint star is superimposed just southeast of the core. An extremely faint star is just visible near the west edge of the halo. Forms a close pair with PGC 161935 2' SE and NGC 6862 lies 17' E.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6855 = h3809 on 10 Jul 1834 and logged "Not vF; S; R." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6856
19 59 17.1 +56 07 29; Cyg
17.5" (7/24/95): 15 stars mag 12-15 in a 2' diameter. Stands out well as this group is very detached in the field. Appears to have unresolved background haze but there are no dense spots or concentration and the stars are pretty evenly distributed. About 3' north is a triangle of mag 10.5-11 stars, a bit larger than the cluster. Incorrectly listed as nonexistent in the RNGC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6856 = h2063 on 24 Sep 1829 and recorded "A small pretty close cluster, irregularly round, 3' dia, stars 12...16m." At his position is a small group or asterism of 15 stars, matching his description. Karl Reinmuth reported the photographic appearance on Heidelberg plate as "Cl, S, irregularly round, pB, st 12..." Jack Sulentic reported "No cluster" in the RNGC and classified the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6857 = PK 70+1.2 = LBN 161 = Sh 2-100
20 01 47.6 +33 31 38; Cyg
Size 1.0'x1.0'
18" (7/14/07): at 174x and OIII filter appears as a small but high surface brightness nearly circular knot, just 1' in diameter and sharply defined in a very rich star field. Without a filter a mag 13 (illuminating?) star is visible at the center and two stars are at opposite edges (SW and NE). At 280x the outline surface brightness is slightly irregular. Located just inside a beautiful partial ring or loop of stars that includes a couple of double stars. While viewing this object I noticed a fairly large, 3' low surface brightness hazy region about 10' W in the field. This glow matches the location of Sh 2-99 (11' W of NGC 6857). There was no structure to this HII region and the surface brightness was uniform.
18" (9/25/06): easily swept up at 115x as a small, high surface brightness nebula, roughly 1' in diameter, situated in a rich star field. Excellent contrast gain with an OIII filter and appears quite bright with this combination. At 300x, the nebula appears as a 1'-1.5' bright glow that spreads out mostly to the south of an embedded (possibly illuminating) mag 13.5-14 star in an irregular shape. This HII region is located along one side of a near equilateral triangle of mag 12-13 stars with a mag 12 star just 40" SW. A close, faint equal pair of mag 13.5 stars follows by 4'.
17.5" (8/7/91): very bright, moderately large, about 1' diameter, irregular outline, roughly circular but edges difficult to define, irregular surface brightness. The mag 13.5 central star is quite prominent offset north of center. Surrounded by four fours; a mag 12 star at the SW edge [40" from center], two mag 13 stars off the NE end [40" from center] and off the NW end [52" from center], a mag 14 star at the SE end. Located in a rich star field. Excellent contrast gain with OIII filter. Extremely faint nebulosity may extend to the west. This is a compact HII region within Sh 2-100, which mainly spreads out towards the west.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6857 = H. III-144 = h2062 on 6 Sep 1784 (sweep 258) and recorded "a patch containing some nebulosity. 240 confirmed it, irregularly long." John Herschel made 3 observations and wrote on 1 Aug 1829 (sweep 198), "a nebulous looking patch; 12" diam; in Milky Way; ill-defined; perhaps only some extremely minute stars mixed with larger which as distinct." This nebula wasn't found (one attempt) at Birr Castle.
NGC 6857 is misplotted as a planetary nebula in Becvar's "Atlas of the Heavens" and the first edition of Tirion's Sky Atlas 2000.0
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NGC 6858
20 02 59 +11 15 36; Aql
17.5" (9/23/95): this is an elongated group of 35 stars in a 10'x4' group oriented N-S which precedes a mag 9 star at 20 03 16 +11 16.4 (2000). Fairly uniform in brightness and distribution with no dense spots but includes a couple of nice doubles. Most stars are mag 12-13 with a scattering of fainter stars.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6858 = h2061 on 29 Jul 1829 and recorded "A pretty rich oblong cl; 10' l, 5' br; stars equal and of 13th mag. In Milky Way. Place that of double * [HJ 1466." The visual appearance is similar to JH's description and his position is fairly accurate, so the identification is definite.
Karl Reinmuth described its photographic appearance as "a very loose clustering of st 13...., no distinct cluster." Jack Sulentic stated "No cluster" in the RNGC and classified the number as nonexistent (Type 7).
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NGC 6859
20 03 49.0 +00 26 43; Aql
= ***, Corwin.
George Bond discovered NGC 6859 = HN 6 = Au 46 on 24 Nov 1852 with the 15-inch Merz refractor during the Harvard Zone Survey of stars near the celestial equator. He noted a "faint nebula follows star #11 [10th mag] by 1 sec [of time] and north of it by 1' 29" north of it." Dreyer (at Birr Castle), d'Arrest and Schnfeld only reported finding faint stars. At Bond's precise offset are two mag 12.6/14.0 (12" separation) stars with a third mag 15 star ~16" east.
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NGC 6860 = ESO 143-009 = AM 2004-611 = PGC 64166
20 08 47.1 -61 06 01; Pav
V = 12.9; Size 1.3'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 34”
30" (10/9/15 - OzSky): at 303x; moderately to fairly bright, elongated 5:3 SSW-NNE, ~50"x30", broad concentration.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6860 = h3810 on 11 Aug 1836 and logged "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; 40"." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6861 = IC 4949 = ESO 233-032 = LGG 430-003 = PGC 64136
20 07 19.4 -48 22 12; Tel
V = 11.1; Size 2.8'x1.8'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 140”
30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 429x; very bright, large, fairly large, beautiful lenticular, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.8'x0.8' , sharply concentrated with a very bright oval core. There was a hint of a dust lane. Two 12th mag stars are 1.6' NE and 2' E of center. NGC 6861D, located 14' NE, appeared fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated 3:1 NNW-SSE, ~1.6'x0.5', strong concentration with a very bright elongated core and a stellar nucleus. A mag 10.4 star is 1.2' W. NGC 6861 is one of the two brightest members (along with NGC 6868) of the Telescopium Group = ACO S851.
18" (7/7/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 228x, moderately bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 NW-SE, 1.3'x0.8', fairly well concentrated with a small brighter core. Forms the SW vertex of a triangle with two equal mag 12 stars just 1.6' NE and 2' E. IC 4943 was viewed 8.5' W and probably NGC 6861D 14' NE but then clouds moved in and ended the observation.
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 128x this galaxy appeared moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE with a brighter core. Two nearby mag 12 stars, 1.6' NE and 2.0' E run parallel to the major axis of the galaxy. Brightest of four galaxies in field with IC 4943 8.5' W, NGC 6861B 14' SW and an anonymous galaxy 2.8' N of IC 4943. This is one of the brighter galaxies in the Telescopium Group = ACO S851.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): faint, small, elongated 2:1 WNW-ESE, bright core. Forms the western vertex of an isosceles right triangle with two stars following [mag 12 star 1.6' NE and mag 12.5 star 2.0' E]. NGC 6868 lies 25' E. Brightest along with NGC 6868 in a group including IC 4943 8.5' W (not seen).
James Dunlop discovered NGC 6861 = D 425 = h3811 on 30 Jul 1826 and recorded "a very small faint nebula, about 15" diameter." There is nothing at his position, but Glen Cozens found he made a 1” transcription error (to the north) from his handwritten notebook position to his published catalog (verified). The corrected position is just 6' NW of NGC 6861, the brightest galaxy in the area.
On 7 Jul 1834, John Herschel recorded "B; S; lE; pretty gradually much brighter middle; 20"." On a second sweep he called it "B; S; E; gradually pretty much brighter middle; 25" dia. If a misprint of 42” 12' instead of 41”12' be presumed in Mr. Dunlop's catalogue, this object is identified with No. 425."
Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 8 Jul 1897 and reported it as new in his 11th discovery list, #189 (later IC 4949). Swift's position was 3' too far north and he apparently he missed the earlier observation by Herschel. So, NGC 6861 = IC 4949. See Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6862 = ESO 186-002 = LGG 429-004 = PGC 64168
20 08 54.8 -56 23 31; Tel
V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 149”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, moderately large, round, 1' diameter, broad concentration . Situated between a mag 14.5 star 1' W and a mag 15 star 1.4' E. NGC 6855 lies 17' W.
NGC 6862 has a redshift of z = .014 (~200 million l.y.) and is superimposed in the foreground of AGC 3667, which has a mean z = .0556 (~750 million l.y.).
John Herschel discovered NGC 6862 = h3812 on 9 Jul 1834 and logged "vF; lE; gradually little brighter middle; 20"."
NGC 6862 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "S, 2-branch spiral."
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NGC 6863
20 05 07.3 -03 33 18; Aql
Size 1'
17.5" (9/23/95): at 225x five mag 14-15 stars are resolved within a 1' region. Detached in field and nebulous at low power but unimpressive at high power. Appears fully resolved and just an asterism though may be a possible "open cluster remnant". There are no brighter stars within the 20' field at 225x.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6863 = h2065 on 25 Jul 1827 and recorded "A little compact knot of 7 or 8 stars taken at first for a nebula (and liable to be taken as one hereafter). Stars 19m." There is a knot of four faint stars within 35" of Herschel's position (see visual description). Karl Reinmuth, in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel", describes "4-5 vS st alm in line 85d; *14 n nr." and Harold Corwin also identifies this as a group of 8 stars. Moni et al (2010, A&A, 510, 44) conclude this is not a cluster but a random enhancement of field stars.
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NGC 6864 = M75 = ESO 595-13
20 06 04.7 -21 55 16; Sgr
V = 8.6; Size 6.0'; Surf Br = 0.5
17.5" (7/14/93): bright, moderately large, 3' diameter, round, very bright striking core 30" diameter, very mottled. Several extremely faint 15th mag stars popped in and out of view with averted vision in the outer halo. A mag 14 star is in the inner region just NE of core. The cluster almost reaches four mag 12.5-13 stars, which cradle the globular on the south and NE sides, and a fainter star is off the NW side. This cluster is quite concentrated and is the only Shapley-Sawyer class I globular in the Messier catalogue.
13.1" (8/25/82): bright intense core surrounded by a fainter halo that is slightly mottled but with no obvious resolution.
15x50 IS binoculars (9/26/11): easily picked up as a very small, round glow with a bright, nearly stellar center and a small fainter halo.
Pierre Mchain discovered M75 = NGC 6864 = h2064 on 27 Aug 1780 and confirmed by Messier in October. William Herschel first observed M75 on the sweep (245) of 7 Aug 1784, but there was "too much moon light to see what sort of light it is composed of." The next night (sweep 246) he "saw the stars of it so as to be able to count some of them. It is however next to easily resolvable." According to Wolfgang Steinicke, M75 was one of the first objects viewed through his X-foot telescope (24-inch f/5) and noted it was "composed of stars; and is a miniature of the 3rd [M3] near 9 Boo."
On 3 Sep 1831 (sweep 369), John Herschel recorded "vB; R; very small & very much brighter middle; 2'; a bright R ball 15" diam, in an atmosphere 2'; 320x does not show the stars but makes it more resolvable."
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NGC 6865 = PGC 64089
20 05 56.5 -09 02 28; Aql
V = 14.9; Size 0.7'x0.5'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 130”
17.5" (9/15/90): faint, very small, elongated 2:1 E-W, very small bright core, stellar nucleus.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6865 = m 405 on 28 Jun 1863 and noted "F, S, E." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6866 = Cr 412 = Mel 229 = Lund 917
20 03 55 +44 09 30; Cyg
V = 7.6; Size 15'
17.5" (9/7/91): about 100 stars in a 20'x10' region are visible at 100x. Appears rich and very appealing. The main string is very elongated roughly E-W and contains a brighter intersecting subgroup 8'x2' NW-SE of about 45 stars with a close triple star (ES 85) on the NW end consisting of a mag 10.5 primary and two faint mag 12.5 and 13 companions, both at 11". Two mag 11/11.5 stars are at the SE end of this string. The western end of the main string curves north into a nice semi-circle.
Caroline Herschel discovered NGC 6866 = H. VII-59 = h2066 on 23 Jul 1783 with her 4.2" comet-sweeper reflector (first discovery with this telescope). She noted "Some small stars; or perhaps a Nebula." and entered it as #7 in her discovery log. William Herschel viewed the cluster on 16 Oct 1783 (before his sweeps) with his 6.2" and Caroline wrote in her log, "My brother shewed me the spot in Cygnus, which is saw first July 23, the stars very numerous, and intermixed with strong nebulosity. Messier has it not. "
On 11 Sep 1790 (sweep 959) William rediscovered the cluster and logged, "a very rich cl of L stars, considerably compressed, above 15' diam. By the size of the stars, it is situated among the milky way towards us." His position is accurate.
Karl Harding found the cluster again in 1823, reported it to Johann Bode and it was listed as new (#8) in Astronomisches Jahrbuch for 1827 (printed in 1824). John Herschel made the single observation on 21 Aug 1829: "a coarse rough cluster. Taken for VII. 59, but the place does not agree." His position is on the double star HJ 1478 = 10.3/10.9 at 2.2", which is situated 10' south of the cluster.
Brian Skiff found the Lund catalogue has a -10' error in declination, and this error may be carried over into over sources (it is misplotted on the Millennium Star Atlas).
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NGC 6867 = ESO 186-006 = LGG 429-006 = PGC 64203
20 10 29.7 -54 47 00; Tel
V = 13.1; Size 2.0'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 156”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, fairly large, very elongated at least 4:1 NNW-SSE, 1.5'x0.35', tapers at the NNW and SSE tips, broad weak concentration. Nearly collinear with a mag 9.5 star 3.5' ENE and a mag 10.5 star 6.6' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6867 = h3813 on 9 Jun 1836 and recorded "eeF; L; pmE." His position and description matches ESO 186-006.
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NGC 6868 = ESO 233-039 = AM 2006-483 = LGG 430-004 = PGC 64192 = Telescopium Group
20 09 54.3 -48 22 43; Tel
V = 10.7; Size 3.5'x2.8'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 86”
30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 429x; this giant elliptical is the brightest member of the Telescopium Group = ACO S851. It appeared very bright, fairly large, slightly elongated 5:4 WSW-ENE, ~1.8'x1.5' sharply concentrated with an intensely bright core that increases to the center, halo gradually fades. 2MASX J20095889-4821262 is off the NE edge, 1.6' from center, and was fairly faint to moderately bright, round, 20" diameter, weak concentration, with a fairly high surface brightness. NGC 6770 lies 6.3' NNE, ESO 233-035 7.4' NW and NGC 6861F (faint edge-on) 14.5' NE.
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this giant elliptical is one of the brightest members of the Telescopium Group (ACO S851), at a distance of roughly 120 million light-years. At 128x, NGC 6868 appeared moderately bright and large, slightly elongated E-W, ~1.5'x1.2'. Contains a bright core that is concentrated to the center. Forms the southern vertex of an equilateral triangle with members NGC 6870 6' NNE and ESO 233-035 7' NW.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated 4:3 N-S, bright core. Pair with NGC 6870 6.2' NNE and brightest with NGC 6861 in a group.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6868 = h3814 on 7 Jul 1834 and recorded "vB; S; R: pretty gradually much brighter middle; 20"."
Pietro Baracchi discovered 2MASX J20095889-4821262 off the NE edge, as well as nearby ESO 223-035, while observing NGC 6868 on 5 Oct 1885 with the Great Melbourne Telescope. He noted "[NGC 6868] has a small nebulous spark n.f. (See diagram). Faint, small, flat." "Flat" indicates an even surface brightness.
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NGC 6869 = UGC 11506 = MCG +11-24-004 = CGCG 324-006 = PGC 63972
20 00 42.4 +66 13 39; Dra
V = 12.0; Size 1.5'x1.3'; Surf Br = 12.7
17.5" (8/13/88): moderately bright, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. Two mag 10 and 11 stars lie 4.5' SSE and 2.8' SSE, respectively.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6869 = Sw. 2-83 = Sw. 4-79 on 26 Aug 1884 and recorded "pB; R; pS; 2 B stars and it form an arc of a circle" Swift found this galaxy again two years later on 6 Sep 1886 and recorded it as "pB; pS; R; bM." Dreyer combined both observations in the NGC. Herbert Howe measured an accurate micrometric position in 1899-00 as well as Hermann Kobold at Strasbourg in 1896 (not published until 1907).
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NGC 6870 = ESO 233-041 = LGG 430-005 = PGC 64197
20 10 10.7 -48 17 13; Tel
V = 12.3; Size 2.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 85”
30" (10/18/17 - OzSky): at 264x and 429x; bright, large, very elongated 5:2 E-W, ~1.5'x0.6'. Strong concentration with a very bright elongated core. Forms a striking pair in the Telescopium Group (ACO S851) with NGC 6868 6.2' SSW. NGC 6861F, located 10' E, appeared very faint, moderately large, very elongated 7:2 E-W, very low surface brightness with no concentration, ~0.9'x0.25'.
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): last in a trio with NGC 6868 6' SSW and ESO 233-035 7.5' W within the core of the Telescopium Group (ACO S851). At 128x it appeared moderately bright, very elongated 5:2 E-W, ~1.5'x0.6', with a bright core.
ESO 233-037 appeared fairly faint, small, elongated NW-SE, 0.5'x0.3' with a small bright core. Forms the NW vertex of a near equilateral triangle with NGC 6868 7' SE and NGC 6870 7.5' E. A mag 10.6 star lies 6' W.
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): extremely faint, small, oval 2:1 WSW-ENE. Forms a pair with NGC 6868 6.2' SSW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6870 = h3815 on 7 Jul 1834 and recorded "F; pmE in parallel; gradually brighter in the middle; 30" l." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6871 = Cr 413 = Lund 921 = OCL-148
20 05 59.4 +35 46 38; Cyg
V = 5.2; Size 20'
18" (9/26/11): bright, large, rich cluster but not isolated in the field, so the catalogued diameter of 20' seems somewhat arbitrary. At 175x, roughly 200 stars are visible within the region, though there are really too many to count. The dominant feature are two bright multiple stars near the center: SHJ 314 = 6.8/7.3 at 35" with 4 faint companions and SHJ 315 = 7.9/8.8 at 20" with 8 companions including a trio of mag 11 stars close west, a 15" pair of mag 10.5 stars close east and a tight string of 3 or 4 fainter stars close southeast. NGC 6871 forms a close pair of clusters with Biurakan 1 (centered on a mag 7.3 star), just off the southeast side. The little-known Wolf-Rayet shell surrounding W-R 134/135 lies 45' NE.
13.1" (8/25/84): dominated by two bright multiple stars: SHJ 314 = 6.8/7.3 at 35" with four additional close companions and SHJ 315 = 7.9/8.8 pair at 20" surrounded by several mag 11 stars. The bright pairs are oriented N-S and separated by about 2'. The cluster itself is in a bright, rich field with no apparent boundaries.
8" (6/81): two sets of multiple stars in a very rich field including §440 = mag 7, 12, 11, 9.5, 11.5, 8 at 7", 11", 11", 28" and 36". Located 13' SW of a mag 5.5 27 Cygni.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6871 = h2067 on 23 Sep 1783 with his 6.2" reflector. It was found and recorded as the multiple star H. III. 113 during his third review of bright stars (Flamsteed). His catalogued description reads "Quadruple and sextuple. About 1/2 degree s. preceding [following] the treble star H I 96; the middle of three, the most north whereof is the 27th Cygni. In the quadruple or north preceding set, the two nearest very unequal; the two largest almost equal. Both red. In the sextuple or south following set, the two largest pretty unequal. Both red. All the other stars are as small as the smallest of the quadruple set; and some of them much smaller." This discovery, just a month before starting his sweeps using his new 18.7", was recovered by Wolfgang Steinicke.
Wilhelm Struve independently discovered NGC 6871 in 1825 or 1826 with the 9.6" Fraunhofer refractor at the Dorpat Observatory. It was included in his 1826 catalogue of double stars as STF 2630.
On 5 Aug 1831, John Herschel recorded h2067 as "A double star ·2630, in a cluster of 5 bright and many small stars." His position is near the two bright double stars in the center of the cluster. John Herschel (and later Dreyer) credited Struve with the discovery instead of his father.
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NGC 6872 = ESO 073-032 = VV 297a = AM 2011-705 = PGC 64413 = The Condor
20 16 56.9 -70 46 04; Pav
V = 11.8; Size 6.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 66”
30" (10/13/15 - OzSky): NGC 6872 is a remarkably stretched spiral with extremely distended arms spanning roughly 750,000 light years. At 303x it appeared very bright, fairly large, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.7', sharply concentrated with a bright core encasing an extremely bright nucleus. A mag 10.4 star is off the west side of the halo, just 1.1' WSW of center. The initial portions of the spiral arms are visible as thin, very low surface brightness wings, extending ~1' southwest on the south side and northeast on the north side. The tidal extensions were not seen. A mag 13 star lies 2.4' ENE. IC 4970, an interacting companion 1.1' N of center, appeared fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.4'x0.25', contains a very small bright nucleus.
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): second brightest in the Pavo-I Group with brightest member NGC 6876. Moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE in the direction of a mag 10.4 star 1.1' WSW of center, ~1.2'x0.6', broad concentration with a brighter core. Interacting with IC 4970 at 1.1' N just outside the halo while fainter PGC 64439 lies 4.0' SE. Other members of the group include NGC 6876, NGC 6877, NGC 6880.
IC 4970 appeared faint, very small, slightly elongated, 20"x15". Images reveal a distorted bridge and plumes due to interaction with NGC 6872. PGC 64439, nearly at the midpoint of NGC 6872 and NGC 6876, appeared very faint and small, round, 0.3' diameter, low surface brightness.
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, elongated 2:1 SW-NE towards a mag 10.5 star off the SW edge, 1.2'x0.5'. Fairly well concentrated with a small bright core.
In 1979A&A, 79, 22, the abstract for "NGC 6872 - A remarkable barred spiral" states, "The extent of the arms is probably greater than in any other spiral known; it is concluded that NGC 6872 is a conventional barred spiral in which severe tidal interaction took place."
John Herschel discovered NGC 6872 = h3816 on 27 Jun 1835 and recorded "F; R; gradually little brighter middle; 30"; has a vS * preceding. first of 4 [with NGC 6876, 6877 and 6880]." On a second observation he called it "F; E; 40" l; has a * 9m 10.5 seconds preceding."
Joseph Turner discovered nearby IC 4970 on 27 August 1881during an observation of NGC 6872 with the Great Melbourne Telescope.
NGC 6872 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "2-branch spiral, the following branch shows condensation into hazy stars, also deviates from its course near another faint star."
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NGC 6873
20 07 13 +21 06 06; Sge
24" (9/9/18): excellent low power field (centered on STF 2631) at 124x but nothing resembling a cluster was evident. STF 2631 (8.1/9.1 at 4.5"), a striking orange/light blue pair, is at the eastern vertex of a distinctive pentagon-shaped asterism (roughly 5'x3.5') that includes two mag 9.5 stars. There are only few stars in the interior of this pentagon.
17.5" (8/25/95): fairly rich region but there is no noticeable clustering. There is a 15' string starting from the mag 10 star at the NGC position heading due west and ending at the bright double STF 2631 = 8.4/9.8 at 4.6". This star is very possibly the double referred to in John Herschel's description with a 1.0 tmin error in RA -- Corwin concurs.
17.5" (7/7/94): the low power field (100x using 20 Nagler) surrounding the pretty double star Theta Sagittae = STF 2637 (6.5/9.0 at 12") includes several bright stars but appears too sparse to be a cluster. But 5' NE of Theta is a neat elongated group of 15 stars mag 12-13 forming a "?" asterism about 6' in length. Theta Sagittae is located 1.7 tmin east and 11' S of Herschel's position so this identification is less likely than the one given above.
Wilhelm Struve discovered NGC 6873 = h2068 in 1825 or 1826 using the 9.6" Fraunhofer refractor at the Dorpat Observatory. He listed the principal double star STF 2631 in his main catalogue of double stars, published in 1827. On 5 Aug 1831, John Herschel recorded "A double star the chief of a coarse straggling group of stars 10...13m, hardly entitled to be called a cluster." He credited Struve with the discovery, though his position (copied into the GC and NGC) is exactly 1.0 minute of RA east of the double star (STF 2631 = 8.4/9.8 at 4.6"). Coincidentally, his position falls very close to a wide 1.1' pair of mag 10/11 stars. Reinmuth called this "a dense region; no Cl; double star 11.8 in Dreyer's place." He may have examined the erroneous NGC position.
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NGC 6874 = Basel 6 = OCL-157 = Lund 304
20 07 33 +38 14 48; Cyg
V = 7.7; Size 8'
17.5" (8/25/95): large, fairly rich and uniform triangular group. Consists of about 60 stars in a 10'x5' triangular region with the longer 10' base oriented NW-SE along the following side of the cluster. The brightest mag 10 star lies at the east end and most stars are between mag 12-13. Only stands out at low power due to large size.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6874 = H. VIII-86 = h2069 on 15 Sep 1792 (sweep 1027) and recorded "A coarsely sc. cl. of L st, of a rectangled triangular shape." John Herschel reported "a coarse scattered cluster of about 60 stars. The largest (10m) taken." He position corresponds to a brightest 10th mag star on the east side of the group at 20 07 50.1 +38 14 27.
Brent Archinal notes the probable equivalence with Basel 6, although the Lynga RA is at least 1 cluster diameter west-northwest. RNGC misclassifies the number as nonexistent (Type 7). See Harold Corwin's comments.
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NGC 6875 = ESO 284-028 = AM 2009-461 = LGG 430-009 = PGC 64296
20 13 12.3 -46 09 42; Tel
V = 12.1; Size 2.3'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 22”
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. Located on a line between mag 8 SAO 230105 3.5' SE and mag 9.5 SAO 230102 5.9' NW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6875 = h3819 on 1 Jul 1834 and recorded "F; vS; R; very gradually much brighter middle; 10"; a * 7m sf dist 5'." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6876 = ESO 073-035 = LGG 432-001 = PGC 64447
20 18 19.1 -70 51 30; Pav
V = 11.1; Size 2.8'x2.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 80”
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest member of the Pavo-I Group (mean redshift 3800 km/s). At 171x, it appeared moderately bright and large, slightly elongated ~E-W, 1.5'x1.3', containing a brighter core. A star is at the south edge 0.5' from center. Forms a close pair with NGC 6877 just 1.5' following. I also observed these additional members of the group: NGC 6872, NGC 6877, NGC 6880, IC 4970, IC 4972 and IC 4981.
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): moderately bright, round, 1.5' diameter. Broadly concentrated with a slightly brighter core. A star is superimposed on the south edge.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6876 = h3817 on 27 Jun 1835 and recorded "pB; S; R; r; 15"." On a second observation he logged "pF; R; 20"; a vS almost invisible star sf; 2nd of 4 [with NGC 6877 and 6880]."
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NGC 6877 = ESO 073-036 = LGG 432-004 = PGC 64457
20 18 36.2 -70 51 11; Pav
V = 12.2; Size 1.8'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 169”
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this Pavo-I Group member is located just 1.5' E of the brightest member, NGC 6876, and is just outside the halo. At 171x it appeared faint, very small, oval N-S, 0.3'x0.15'. NGC 6880/IC 4981 lies 4.4' following.
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, small, elongated 4:3 N-S, 0.7'x0.5'. Forms a close pair with NGC 6876 to the west. A close equal mag double star follows by 1'.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6877 = h3818 on 27 Jun 1835 and recorded "eF; eS; the 3rd of a group of 4." On a second observation, he noted "vF; vS; R."
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NGC 6878 = ESO 284-031 = MCG -07-41-015 = PGC 64317
20 13 53.3 -44 31 33; Sgr
V = 12.7; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 125”
30" (10/9/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated E-W, ~1.2'x1.0', irregular, contains a small bright round core. Weak spiral structure is evident in the halo. A mag 14.5-15 star is at the north edge [35" from center] and a mag 16.4 star is on the south edge [25" from center]. Mag 9.2 HD 191827 lies 5.4' SSW.
A number of ESO galaxies are within 30', but I only took notes on ESO 284-033 6.7' SSE and NGC 6878A = PGC 64314 18' SSW. ESO 284-033 appeared fairly bright, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 40"x20", small bright core, overall high surface brightness. NGC 6878A appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 WSW-ENE, 1.0'x0.5', fairly low overall surface brightness, small slightly brighter core. Nestled in a group of stars 6.2' WNW of mag 9.8 HD 191936. Two mag 13 stars are ~1' N and 1' NW and a mag 14 star is 40" SW.
24" (9/15/12): at 175x appeared fairly faint, fairly small, round, 0.8' diameter. The view was severely hampered by low altitude (less than 10” elevation), poor seeing and sky glow low in the south. Located 5.5' NNE of mag 9.2 HD 191827. A wide 40" pair of mag 12.5-13 stars is on line with the brighter star ~2' SSW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6878 = h3821 on 27 Jul 1834 and recorded "vF; L; R; gradually little brighter middle; 90"." His position is on the west side of the galaxy.
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NGC 6879 = PK 57-8.1 = PN G057.2-08.9
20 10 26.7 +16 55 22; Sge
V = 12.7; Size 5"
24" (9/2/16): picked up at 200x unfiltered as a slightly soft, pale blue "star". Excellent response to an OIII filter. A slightly brighter 12th mag star is 1.4' SW, though with the filter the planetary dominates this star. Improved view at 286x and 375x. A small 5" disc is easily resolved. Nearby a mag 13.5 star is 50" WNW and a mag 14 star 50" SSE. At 500x, a 15-15.5 mag star is just off the north side (15" separation) and another 15th mag star is 30" SSE. The center is brighter but the seeing wasn't steady enough to resolve the central star.
17.5" (9/5/99): picked up at 100x with OIII blinking as a mag 12 "star" by star hopping from the double star STF 2634 = 7.9/9.4 at 5" which is 14' SW. A good comparison star for blinking is situated just 1.5' SW. At 280x, the PN has a slight bluish tinge with a "soft" edge. At 380x, a very disc ~4" is resolved with a brighter center. The disc is easier at 500x and a mag 16 star is occasionally visible at the north edge.
13.1" (7/85): observation from El Cerrito: stellar planetary at all powers, confirmed by OIII blinking, estimate V = 12.0. A similar mag 12 star is 1.4' SW. Located 14' NE of ·2634 = 7.9/9.4 at 5".
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6879 = HN 55 on 8 May 1883* using a direct-vision spectroscope attached to the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory. The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer (probably in 1885) and not published until 1908 (Harvard Annals 60). Ralph Copeland independently rediscovered it on 9 Sep 1884 at Dun Echt, Aberdeen using an objective-prism with a 6.1-inch Simms refractor. He remarked "equal in brightness to a star 10.2 mag. Diameter 4.6" by micrometric. It has an 11 mag star at 222.27”, distance 83.2"." His micrometric position in Monthly Notices XLV 2 is very accurate. Both Pickering and Copeland are listed as discoverers in the NGC. Sherburne Burnham described it in 1911 at Yerkes as resembling an out of focus star of of mag 10.7 and he measured a diameter of 3.7".
* Pickering's observation was reportly on 4 Nov 1883 according to the 1912 Annals of Harvard Observatory (Vol XVI, No. 6)
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Curtis (1918) wrote "A minute disk, 5" in diameter, just distinguishable from a star. Fades out slightly at the edges."
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NGC 6880 = ESO 073-037 = LGG 432-002 = PGC 64479
20 19 29.7 -70 51 34; Pav
V = 12.2; Size 2.0'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 21”
18" (7/10/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this galaxy in the Pavo-I Group appeared faint, small, elongated 5:2 SSW-NNE, 0.5'x0.2'. A mag 13 star is at the west edge. Forms a close pair with IC 4981 off the NE edge 1.1' from the center. NGC 6877 lies 4.4' W.
IC 4981 appeared very faint, very small, 20" diameter.
18" (7/8/02 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): fairly faint, fairly small, 0.8'x0.4'. A 13th magnitude star is at NW edge of the halo and a fainter star is superposed on the south end.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6880 = h3820 on 27 Jun 1835 and recorded "pF; S; R; r; 15"; the last of 4 [with NGC 6872, 6876 and 6877]." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6881 = PK 74+2.1 = PN G074.5+02.1
20 10 52.4 +37 24 42; Cyg
V = 13.6; Size 5"
13.1" (8/7/85): visible as a mag 13.5 "star" without a filter. Verified with OIII blinking and appears brighter than a mag 12 just 44" SE. Stellar at 144x. Located in a rich Milky Way field. Several bright stars are near including mag 8.7 SAO 69561 3.6' NNW, mag 8.5 SAO 69557 4.2' NW and mag 9.5 SAO 69565 3.4' SSE.
Edward Pickering discovered NGC 6881 = HN 44 on 25 Nov 1881 using a direct-vision spectroscope attached to the 15-inch refractor at Harvard College Observatory. His position in Sidereal Messenger, Vol 1, No 6 (Oct 1882) and The Observatory 1882 is accurate.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Heber Curtis (1918) noted, "Probably has a central star. Just distinguishable from a star; a minute disk 5" in diameter, with very faint ansae in 150-330”."
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NGC 6882 = NGC 6885: = Cr 416 = OCL-133
20 11 58 +26 29 00; Vul
Size 18'
17.5" (9/7/91): conspicuous subgroup at the NW corner of NGC 6885. About 15 stars in a tight 2' knot with three close brighter stars on the west side, over unresolved haze. Sprays of stars forming the outline of NGC 6885 seem to radiate from this group. NGC 6682 and NGC 6885 appear as one cluster at low power. It's very possible that NGC 6882 = H VIII 22 is a duplicate observation of NGC 6885 and does not refer to a distinct object. In that case, this subgroup would be identified as Cr 416.
8" (8/23/84): in the field of NGC 6885 to the north with a mag 7 star surrounded by five faint stars. Two additional mag 7 stars are nearby.
William Herschel found NGC 6882 = H. VIII-22 on 10 Sep 1784 (sweep 263) and recorded "a cl. of coarsely scattered stars." There is nothing at his position, but ~15' S is NGC 6885 = H. VIII-20, which Herschel discovered just the previous night! Corwin suggests that Herschel made two observations of this cluster, but made an error with the declination on the second night. Brent Archinal concurs with this solution. So, NGC 6882 = NGC 6885. NGC 6882 is often taken as a richer subgroup on the NW side of NGC 6885. See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 6883 = Cr 415 = Lund 929 = OCL-152
20 11 19.8 +35 49 55; Cyg
Size 15'
18" (10/8/05): at 115x, 60 stars over haze are visible in a 6' group that is set in an incredibly rich Milky Way field. Five of the brighter stars on the south side form an elongated "Y" or "Wishbone" asterism with a bright pair of mag 9.5/10 stars (17" separation) at the base of the wishbone. The west side of the cluster is defined by a gently curving string of 10 faint stars. At 220x, up to 80-90 stars can be counted in an 7'x5' region as a number of faint stars emerge from the background. At low power this region is surrounded by other concentrations or asterisms including Ruprecht 172, which spreads out to the southeast. WR 134/135 Nebula, an uncatalogued but relatively bright Wolf-Rayet shell nebula, lies about 30' NW.
17.5" (8/19/95): two dozen stars in a 4' diameter surrounding a prominent "Y" asterism of five mag 10 stars with twenty additional mag 13-14.5 stars. The brightest star at the base of the "Y" is a mag 9.5/10 double at 17" and the center star about 1.5' NE is an unequal closer pair. Surrounding this group is a oval border of 7' diameter consisting of several strings of mag 13 stars, which increase the total to roughly 50 stars. Appears to be an asterism in a rich Milky Way field and best view at 100x. Attached to Ruprecht 172.
8" (8/15/82): elongated string of stars N-S, moderately large, over background haze. Situated in a very rich star field and difficult to identify.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6883 = h2070 on 19 Aug 1828 NGC 6883 and recorded "a double star in a cluster of a good many stars 10...13m." Dreyer, the observing assistant at Birr Castle on 23 Aug 1876, simply noted "rich field, no remarkable cluster."
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NGC 6884 = NGC 6766 = PK 82+7.1 = PN G082.1+07.0
20 10 23.6 +46 27 40; Cyg
V = 11.0; Size 6"x5"
14.5" (8/20/22): easily identified as an 11th magnitude "star" in a rich star field because of the dramatic contrast gain blinking with an OIII filter. At 140x it was definitely non-stellar and showed a blue-grey color. Increasing to 264x showed a small blue disc 5" to 6" diameter. Easily held both 397x and 660x due to the high surface brightness. Numerous stars are within 2' at high power with the brightest mag 12.2 star less than 2' NW. A mag 14 star is 0.9' NNW and a mag 14.8 star is 0.5' SE. Two more mag 14.5-15 stars 0.9' S.
17.5" (9/7/91): bright, very small, very high surface brightness. Appears as a slightly out of focus mag 11 bluish star at 100x. Moderate contrast gain using an OIII filter. At 412x appears prominent with a very small 5" blue disk.
13.1" (9/29/84): fairly bright, very small, high surface brightness, definite bluish disk at 166x, excellent contrast gain with OIII filter. Easily takes 350x due to surface brightness.
Ralph Copeland found NGC 6884 on 20 Sep 1884 at Dun Echt, Aberdeen, using an objective-prism sweep with a 6.1-inch refractor. He remarked "planetary nebula; most of the light in a single line" and measured a very accurate micrometric position (MN XLV).
Edward Pickering discovered this planetary earlier on 8 May 1883 using a direct-vision spectroscope (same technique) at Harvard College Observatory. Unfortunately, Pickering made a 1 hr error in RA (later corrected), so Dreyer catalogued it as NGC 6766 at the wrong position and this number is usually considered nonexistent. By historical precedence, this planetary should be called NGC 6766, but it is now known as NGC 6884.
Based on Crossley photographs at Lick, Heber Curtis (1918) noted "no central star can be distinguished. A minute, bright, round disk, of nearly equal brightness throughout, with a suggestion of an elongated brighter central portion in p.a. 135”; 7.5" in diameter in a 5 min exposure."
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NGC 6885 = NGC 6882: = Cr 417 = Lund 933 = OCL-132
20 11 58 +26 29 00; Vul
V = 8.1; Size 18'
17.5" (9/7/91): about 80 stars mag 6-13 in 15' triangular group, bright. Includes the bright star 20 Vulpeculae (V = 5.9) surrounded by seven very faint stars in the SE corner of the cluster. Weak in the center of the triangle except for about 10 other stars. A wide bright pair is at the east vertex and a wide unequal double star is at the SW side. Most stars are located along the west side particularly at the NW corner (this subgroup is catalogued as NGC 6882, although it may refer to the entire scattered group).
8" (8/23/84): about 50 stars at 100x, triangular-shaped, large, scattered, includes 20 Vulpeculae (V = 5.9). NGC 6882 is superimposed 5' N.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6885 = H. VIII-20 = h2071 on 9 Sep 1784 (only discovery in sweep 261). He recorded "a cluster of coarsely scattered stars, not very rich." His position is 6' W of 20 Vul, within the boundaries of the cluster. This same cluster was probably observed the next night and recorded as H. VIII-22 = NGC 6882, but he made a 15' error in declination. So, NGC 6882 = NGC 6885, though NGC 6882 is often taken as a richer subgroup on the northwest side of the cluster.
John Herschel made the single observation "Splendid cluster. More than fills the field; loose and straggling; poor in stars, one = 6.7m, whose place is given; the rest 9, 10, 11." Karl Harding found the cluster again in 1823 (probably with a 8.5-inch reflector built by WH, according to Wolfgang Steinicke) and included it in a list of discoveries he sent to Johann Bode.
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NGC 6886 = PK 60-7.2 = PN G060.1-07.7
20 12 42.8 +19 59 23; Sge
V = 11.4; Size 9"
17.5" (11/6/99): this compact planetary was easily identified by blinking at 100x using an OIII filter as a "soft" mag 11 star. A small disc, less than 10" diameter is visible at 220x without filter. Situated at the NW vertex of a small isosceles triangle with a mag 11 star 0.8' SSE and a mag 10 star 1.6' E. The nearer star is double with a faint companion close north. NGC 6886 is clearly non-stellar at 280x-380x and slightly oval.
13.1" (9/29/84): fairly bright, very small, just non-stellar at 166x. At 415x, easily visible small disc elongated ~E-W. Forms the NW vertex of a thin isosceles triangle with a mag 10.5 star 45" SSE and a mag 10 star 1.5' E. These two brighter stars form a parallelogram with two mag 12 stars to the SE with sides of 1' and 1.5'.
Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 6886 on 17 Sep 1884 at Dun Echt, Scotland, using a direct vision objective-prism or Secchi prism attached to a 6.1-inch refractor. He recorded "Nebula about 2 1.2" diam, equal to a 9.8 mag star." His micrometric position in Monthly Notices XLV is very accurate.
Based on Crossley photographs taken at Lick, Heber Curtis (1918) noted, "no central star can be made out. A round disk 6" in diameter, of nearly equal brightness throughout, forms the central part. Two wings (of ring structure) in p.a. 135-315” bring the total length to 9"."
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NGC 6887 = ESO 186-027 = AM 2013-525 = PGC 64427
20 17 17.5 -52 47 49; Tel
V = 12.1; Size 3.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 102”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, larger, nearly edge-on 7:2 WNW-ESE, 2.5'x0.7', broad concentration with a brighter core. The galaxy has a sharp linear edge along the north edge with a suggestion of a dust lane just beyond. Located 7' SW of mag 8.5 HD 192571 and 5' NW of a mag 10 star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6887 = h3822 on 24 Jul 1835 and recorded "pF; L; pmE; gradually little brighter middle; 2' l, 1' br." His description and position matches ESO 186-027.
NGC 6887 was photographed by Royal Frost on a plate taken in Arequipa in 1904 and described as "Elliptical, 3.0'x0.6' at 90” [E-W], hazy * at center."
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NGC 6888 = LBN 203 = Sh 2-105 = Ced 179 = The Crescent Nebula
20 12 06.5 +38 21 17; Cyg
Size 20'x10'
48" (5/3/19): at 287x and NPB filter; I was amazed by the interior filamentary structure, particularly in the southern half that was not previously observed. I was surprised the nebulous filaments that connect the central mag 7.4 Wolf-Rayet star to the western rim continues SE of the star in a well defined, distinctive filament to the dim eastern rim.
24" (9/7/18): absolutely gorgeous view of this huge cosmic bubble at 124x (21mm Ethos) and OIII filter. The entire very irregular oval outline was easily visible and full of wispy structure and wide variation in brightness levels. Two bright stars are involved along the rim; mag 7.2 HD 192182 (unequal double STT 401) in the center of the northern quadrant and mag 8.2 SAO 69611 on the northeast edge (7' separation). The sharpest curve in the annulus is the section connecting these two stars. Moving clockwise from these two stars, the highest surface brightness section of the nebula is a linear strip extending southwest of HD 192182. Mag 7.4 WR 136 (HD 192163) is nearby in the interior, 5.4' SSW of HD 192182. Very patchy nebulosity connects in a triangular wedge from HD 192163 to the western side of the rim, very close to the highest surface brightness section. Continuing clockwise, the annulus brightens on the southwest edge and spreads out (thicker annulus). This section is highly structured, though has a lower surface brightness on the inside edge. A fairly prominent "knot", at least 30" diameter, is within this pool of nebulosity on the south side, on a line with HD 192182 and W-R 136. Continuing clockwise, the irregular annulus is weakest on the southeast facing portion of the rim. The surrounding Milky Way field is plastered with bright and faint stars with a large number within the confines of the nebula.
17.5" (6/29/00): Stunning view at 100x (20mm Nagler) using an OIII filter. The outline appeared as a huge, irregular cosmic egg, ~18'x11', floating in a very rich Cygnus star field. The complete annulus was easily visible. The brightest section is along the north side and passes through a mag 7.2 star (very unequal double) at the north edge. This piece displays much structure with several knots and wispy tendrils. The interior has an irregular surface brightness with wispy striations that appear to radiate from the mag 7.4 Wolf-Rayet central star towards the NW rim at the end of the bright arc. The rim is widest on the SW end with more nebulosity filling in towards the center, including an isolated bright knot that is on a line passing through the mag 7.2 star on the north end and the central star. The fine texture and structure of the nebulosity creates an "electric" effect with a 3-dimensional sense.
17.5" (numerous from 7/5/86 to 6/3/00): the "Crescent Nebula" is one of my favorite large nebulae at 100x with a OIII filter (excellent contrast gain). Appears as a bright, 16'x11' oval or egg-shaped annulus elongated SW-NE. The rim is virtually complete except for a small piece of the east side and exhibits a great deal of turbulent, wispy structure. The rim is brightest just SW of mag 7.2 HD 192182 (unequal pair O· 401 = 7.2/10.5 at 14"), which is embedded along the north end of the Crescent. The nebula also passes through mag 8.2 SAO 69611 on the NE side. Just north of center in the interior is the mag 7.4 Wolf-Rayet star HD 192163 = W-R 136, whose strong stellar wind created this shocked ring-type nebula. This is beautiful nebulosity set in a very rich Milky Way field.
13.1" (9/11/82): using a Daystar 300 filter; bright, large, oval shell, nearly complete loop visible, striking unusual appearance! The surface brightness varies quite a bit around the loop, much brighter on the north end and faintest (or a small gap) on the east side.
8" (9/7/18): used an 8" off-axis mask on my 24-inch, along with a 31 Nagler (84x) and an OIII filter. I was surprised how much of the ellipse could be easily traced -- perhaps 240”, extending clockwise from mag 8.2 SAO 69611. The most prominent section is the piece SW of mag 7.3 HD 192182, but the thick section at the SW end with a somewhat lower surface brightness was easily seen.
8" (8/9/80): faint, elongated arc of nebulosity connecting two mag 7.5/8.5 stars and extending SW of the brighter star. Set in a very rich star field. Only the brightest portion at the north end of the nebula was noticed.
6" (8/23/03): used a 6" off-axis mask on my 18", along with a 31 Nagler (73x) and an OIII filter. A faint curving arc was visible which begins SW of the mag 7.2 star on the north edge and curves around to the mag 8.2 star on the NE side, extending nearly 90” of arc along the annulus of the Crescent Nebula. No other nebulosity was visible.
80mm finder (6/7/08): using 25x and an OIII filter, the brighter northern side of the shell was clearly visible and appeared locally brightest in an elongated arc on the north side passing through mag 7.2 HD 192182. A very faint hazy glow with no structure completed most of a large oval.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6888 = H. IV-72 on 15 Sep 1792 (sweep 1027). He recorded "8m. Double. A faint milky ray south preceding joins to the double star; it is about 8' long, and is 1 1/2' broad." His position is within the interior of this Wolf-Rayet shell. Bigourdan's corrected RA made on 18 Oct 1895 (copied to the IC 2 notes) matches the brightest arc. Birr Castle assistant Dreyer made three detailed observations and a sketch that was published in plate V of the 1880 publication "Observations of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars".
NGC 6888 is illuminated by the Wolf-Rayet star
HD 192163 = SAO
69592 at 20 12.1 +38 21. This
emission star was "discovered" spectroscopically by Copeland while
sweeping with a Secchi prism at Dun Echt, Aberdeen and listed in MN 45,
p91. Copeland noted "this is
the 7.1 mag star DM +37”3821. It
has a spectrum of several bright lines near D, and a very bright band in
wavelength 464 mmm."
As far as the nickname "Crescent Nebula", in the 1920 Mt Wilson observations (based on 60" plates), Francis Pease description reads: "It is roughly elliptical, 18'x9', p.a. 42”. The N, Np and Sp edges include the bulk of the nebulosity, which gives it a crescent form, the bowl of which is filled with faint and scattered nebulosity."
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NGC 6889 = ESO 186-029 = PGC 64464
20 18 52.8 -53 57 27; Tel
V = 12.9; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 63”
30" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 303x and 394x; fairly bright, moderately large, 0.9'x0.6', broad concentration, elongated 3:2 or 4:3 SW-NE, weak core, mottled appearance, hint of spiral structure in the halo. Two mag 15 stars are very close; one is 0.6' ESE of center and other is at the northeast edge of the halo, 0.3' from center. I also noted an extremely faint mag 17.5 star at the north edge of the halo, 21" from center.
ESO 186-036, located 25' NE, was noted as fairly bright, fairly large, edge-on 4:1 SSW-NNE, 1.5'x0.4', sharply concentrated with an elongated bright nucleus.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6889 = h3823 on 9 Jun 1836 and recorded "vF; L; lE; 2' l, 90" br." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6890 = ESO 284-054 = MCG -07-41-023 = PGC 64446
20 18 18.1 -44 48 24; Sgr
V = 12.3; Size 1.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 152”
30" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 303x; fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 or 4:3 NNW-SSE, ~1.2'x0.9', sharply concentrated with a well defined bright core that gradually increases to the center. Located 13' WSW of mag 8.2 HD 192960.
24" (9/15/12): at 175x appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 4:3 NNW-SSE, 1.2'x0.9', brighter core. The view was compromised by low altitude (less than 10” elevation), fairly poor seeing and sky glow near the horizon. A number of ESO galaxies are within 1” NW, though they were too faint to be seen in these conditions except for NGC 6878 50' NW. Possibly a member of the Telescopium Group.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6890 = h3824 on 1 Jul 1834 and recorded "F; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 15"." On a second sweep he logged "pB; S; R: gradually brighter in the middle; 25"." His position is accurate. In a group with NGC 6878 50' WNW.
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NGC 6891 = PK 54-12.1 = BD+12”4266 = PN G054.1-12.1
20 15 08.8 +12 42 15; Del
V = 10.4; Size 15"
24" (7/1/16): at 375x; very bright bluish disc slightly elongated NNW-SSE, perhaps 10"x8". A fainter outer halo increases the diameter to roughly 18". The mag 12.5-13 central star was steadily visible. A mag 14.5 star is close off the NE edge [17" from center]. At 750x the brighter inner disc seemed more elongated with tapered ends like a lens.
18" (9/10/07): Using 225x; the bright, blue disc of high surface brightness surrounds the central star. At 300x the very bright oval disc of 8"x6" diameter is surrounded by a fainter, round outer envelope that increases the diameter to ~15". With direct vision the central star is visible embedded in the center of the high surface brightness disc. A mag 12.5 star lies 1' WNW and a mag 13 star is a similar distance ESE with NGC 6891 nearly at the midpoint.
18" (7/15/07): at 174x this small blue disc has a high surface brightness and is very prominent in the field. With direct vision the mag 12.5-13 central star is easily visible. At 280x appears as a very bright, small disc with an unusually high surface brightness and the central star shines steadily. At 700x, the extremely bright inner region is slightly elongated or lens-shaped N-S and is surrounded by a fainter outer halo or envelope that is still quite evident.
17.5" (8/27/87): very bright at 140x and OIII filter. Appears as a small high surface brightness bluish oval of 10"-15" diameter. At 410x, a brighter center or mag 13 central star is visible. At this magnification, the planetary appears as a bright oval with a fainter outer halo.
8" (6/29/84): fairly high surface brightness, small blue disk.
80mm (9/10/07): visible as a faint "star" at 12.5x in the 80mm finder and easy to verify as a planetary by blinking with an OIII filter.
Ralph Copeland discovered NGC 6891 on 22 Sep 1884 at Dun Echt, Scotland, using a direct vision objective-prism (Secchi prism) sweep with a 6.1-inch refractor. It distinguished the PN as a point source among field stars with a continuous spectra." He remarked "this seems to be identical with the 9.5 mag star DM +12”4266. It is in reality a planetary nebula about 4" in diameter with a nearly monochromatic spectrum."
Based on Crossley photographs taken at Lick, Heber Curtis (1918) noted, "mag 11.8 central star (Burnham). A round disk 15" in diameter, of which the central 7" is considerably the brighter. From this brighter center extend indistinct traces of wings in p.a. about 135-315”. Quite bright"
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NGC 6892
20 16 56.7 +18 01 10; Sge
Size 15"
24" (7/16/15): at 375x, this asterism consists of three mag 13.5-14.5 stars resolved in a small 15" knot, including a 5" pair. A brighter mag 13.0 star is 30" SW.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6892 on 19 Jul 1865 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen. He described it as a very faint star or cluster involved in nebulosity, but it was not resolved at 231x. Just 1' southeast of his position is a small knot of 3 or 4 stars within 15". Karl Reinmuth identified NGC 6892 as "3 or 4 eF st + ? eeeF pL neb?, identif doubtful; *13 sp, *12.5 and *15 np, *13.3 nf; IC 1312 = NGC 6892?" Harold Corwin states that IC 1312 is a different asterism (see his notes). RNGC classifies NGC 6892 as nonexistent.
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NGC 6893 = ESO 234-006 = AM 2017-482 = LGG 430-007 = PGC 64507
20 20 49.7 -48 14 21; Tel
V = 11.8; Size 2.6'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 10”
8" (7/13/91 - Southern Baja): very faint, small, almost round, gradually brightens. Located 4.0' NNW of mag 9 HD 193199.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6893 = h3825 on 7 Jul 1834 and recorded "pF; R; suddenly very much brighter middle to a * 12m; 20" diameter." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6894 = PK 69-2.1 = PN G069.4-02.6
20 16 24.0 +30 33 55; Cyg
V = 12.5; Size 44"
24" (7/1/16): at 375x; striking annular planetary ~45" diameter, the annulus is relatively thin giving a nice 25" darker "hole". The rim in slightly irregular in brightness and thickness and appears weakly enhanced along the northern side. A faint star is visible on the inside edge of the ring at the NNW side.
18" (7/15/07): excellent annular planetary at 280x, ~40" diameter with a relatively large 25" darker central hole. The rim appears unevenly lit and possibly brighter along the north side an extremely faint star on the N or NW portion of the rim may have created this impression. At 700x the rim was clumpy and a bit weaker on the west side.
17.5" (9/14/85): moderately bright and large, round. Annular appearance at 105x using an OIII filter and exhibits an obvious darker center at 222x and 294x with a UHC filter.
13.1" (9/9/83): fairly faint but easily visible at 88x. Darker center just visible at 144x and 176x with averted vision.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6894 = H. IV-13 = h2072 on 17 Jul 1784 (sweep 239). He described it as "pretty faint, exactly round, of equal light throughout. I believe it is resolvable, but am not certain, about 1' in diameter." A sketch was published in his 1811 paper (Fig. 33) as an illlustration of "nebulae that are of an almost uniform light."
John Herschel made several observations. On 4 Sep 1825 (sweep 7), he logged "planetary nebula; diam [by inexperienced estimation] = 1'; light equable; exactly round; vF, a mere ghost." On 1 Aug 1829, he recorded "eF; annular; pretty sharply defined; a very little elliptic; the northern limb is the brightest; the darkness in the middle requires some attention to see; but once seen it cannot be mistaken. A most curious object, resembling much the annular nebula in Lyra, but rounder, small (not above half the diameter) and far fainter." A sketch was included in the 1833 Slough Catalogue (fig. 48)
Lord Rosse (or assistants) also described NGC 6894 as "annular" on 23 Aug 1851 (first observation Aug 1 1848): "fine annular nebula like that in Lyra, R, the dark space is E pf, star easily seen in np edge and others suspected." R.J. Mitchell made a sketch in 1855 showing a thin ring and it was included in the 1880 publication (plate V).
Based on Crossley photographs taken at Lick Observatory (earliest in 1899), Heber Curtis called NGC 6894 "The Annular Nebula in Cygnus". He reported "the central star is about mag 16. A very vague and indistinct ring, 44" in diameter along a major axis in p.a. 50”. Quite faint; the brightest patch is at the north, near the 14th mag star involved in the ring." James Keeler also published a short paper in 1899 titled "The Annulare Nebula H IV. 13", usling Herschel's designation instead of the NGC.
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NGC 6895
20 16 29 +50 13 48; Cyg
24" (7/29/16): at 124x (49' field): this Milky Way field includes mag 6.4 HD 192983. A 4' circular group with over a dozen mag 11-12.5 stars is ~5' W. An elongated group of mag 11-13 stars is 5' SE of the bright star. A larger "U" shaped group of stars (open to the north), including mag 8.2 HD 193216 and three additional mag 9-10 stars is ~12' NE. The overall field is fairly rich, but unimpressive with nothing that resembles a cluster.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6895 = H. VIII-83 on 30 Sep 1790 (sweep 960) and recorded "A cl of sc stars, above 15' dia, pretty rich and joining to the milky way, or a projecting part of it." There is nothing distinctive the DSS near his position though I observed a scattering of brighter stars northeast and west of his position, with an overall size of at least 15'. The field includes mag 6.4 HD 192983, though WH didn't mention a bright star. Karl Reinmuth notes "milky way, no distinct Cl." in his 1926 photographic survey "Die Herschel-Nebel" and RNGC calls the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6896
20 18 03.6 +30 38 23; Cyg
= **, Corwin. Not found, Reinmuth and Carlson.
Heinrich d'Arrest discovered NGC 6896 on 16 Apr 1862 with the 11-inch refractor at Copenhagen and noted (3 observations) a small, nebulous group of stars. There is no nebulosity or cluster at his position, which is close to 16" pair of mag ~14/15 stars. Karl Reinmuth reported "no Cl + neb found" based on Heidelberg plates and both Dorothy Carlson, in her 1940 NGC Errata paper and the RNGC repeat Reinmuth's negative assessment. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6897 = MCG -02-52-001 = PGC 64513
20 21 01.3 -12 15 18; Cap
V = 13.8; Size 0.9'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 39”
17.5" (10/5/91): faint, small, elongated 2:1 SW-NE. A mag 11.5 star is just west of the SW tip 1.1' from the center. Pair with NGC 6898 6.5' SE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6897 = m 406 = Sf. 80, along with NGC 6898, on 28 Jun 1863 and noted "vF, S." Truman Safford independently rediscovered this galaxy on 24 Aug 1867 with the 18.5-inch refractor at Dearborn Observatory, though his position is poor.
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NGC 6898 = MCG -02-52-002 = PGC 64517
20 21 08.0 -12 21 34; Cap
V = 13.7; Size 1.2'x0.8'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 150”
17.5" (8/7/91, 9/7/91 and 10/5/91): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 3:2 NNW-SSE, brighter middle, small bright core. A mag 12 star is just off the SSE edge 39" from center. Pair with NGC 6897 6.5' NNW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6898 = m 407 = Sf. 79, along with NGC 6897, on 28 Jun 1863 and noted "F, S, irr R." Truman Safford independently rediscovered this galaxy (along with NGC 6897) on 24 Aug 1867 with the 18.5-inch refractor at Dearborn Observatory. He logged "pB, S, R, N = 12m."
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NGC 6899 = ESO 234-022 = PGC 64630
20 24 22.4 -50 26 02; Tel
V = 12.8; Size 1.7'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 112”
30" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly bright, moderately large, oval 5:3 WNW-ESE, 1.4'x0.8', contains a relatively large bright core, mottled with a hint of structure in the halo. Appears to have a brighter knot (or part of an arm) on the west side. A mag 10 star (HD 193832) lies 2.4' ENE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6899 = h3826 on 24 Jul 1835 and recorded "F; R; S; gradually little brighter middle; 15"; among stars."
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NGC 6900 = MCG +00-52-001 = MCG -01-52-002 = PGC 64530
20 21 35.1 -02 34 09; Aql
V = 12.1; Size 1.0'x0.9'; PA = 85”
17.5" (7/16/88): faint, small, slightly elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, very diffuse, even surface brightness.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6900 = m 408 on 1 Oct 1863 and noted "vF, S, R."
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NGC 6901 = IC 5000 = UGC 11542 = MCG +01-52-002 = CGCG 399-002 = PGC 64552
20 22 21.5 +06 25 48; Aql
V = 13.7; Size 1.4'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 63”
17.5" (7/20/90): faint, fairly small, oval 2:1 WSW-ENE, overall diffuse with a low even surface brightness. A mag 13 star is 30" off the NW side and 1.4' from the center. NGC 6906 is located 18' E.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6901 = m 409 on 15 Aug 1863 and simply noted "eF". There is nothing at his position, although his observation was noted as verified. But one minute of time further east is UGC 11542 = PGC 64552. According to Harold Corwin, Bigourdan was misled by Marth's poor position and rediscovered this galaxy on 29 Sep 1891 and it was listed as Big. 335 (later IC 5000) at the correct position. Nearby IC 1316, also logged by Bigourdan on the same evening, is nonexistent according to Corwin.
RNGC identifies UGC 11542 as NGC 6901, though their New Description reads "not found". Assuming Marth made a 1.0 minute clerical error in RA, this identification is reasonable. The CGCG mislabels UGC 11542 as IC 1316 and the UGC wrongly states IC 1316 = IC 5000. RC2 and RNGC equate all three numbers. I included this number in my RNGC Corrections #5.
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NGC 6902 = ESO 285-008 = MCG -07-42-002 = AM 2021-434 = LGG 434-003 = IC 4948 = PGC 64632
20 24 28.0 -43 39 12; Sgr
V = 10.9; Size 5.6'x3.9'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 153”
30" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 394x; bright, large, elongated 5:3 NNW-SSE, ~4'x2.5'. There are three distinct zones; a very large, low surface bright halo (spiral arms) that contains several stars, a large brighter core ~60"x45", and a small bright nucleus. Five or six mag 14.5-15.5 stars are superimposed on the large halo, the closest is 45" W of center.
LEDA 546866 = 2MASX J20240144-4336032 lies 5.8' NW and appeared as a small faint glow, elongated nearly 2:1 SSW-NNE, ~20"x12".
18" (8/19/09): fairly faint, fairly large, oval 3:2 NW-SE, 1.8'x1.2'. Contains a large, brighter core with a higher surface bar running along the major axis. IC 4946 = Shapley-Ames 5 lies 21' NNE. Viewed at only 9” elevation.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6902 = h3827 on 2 Sep 1836 and recorded "F; R; pretty suddenly brighter middle; 25"." His position is accurate. Harold Corwin suggests that Lewis Swift made an 18 minute error in time in recording the RA of Sw. 12-15 = IC 4946 as well as Sw. 12-16 = IC 4948, as his descriptions and relative positions are a reasonable match for these two galaxies, particularly IC 4946. Making this correction, NGC 6902 = IC 4948. But Swift lists the discovery date for IC 4948 as 17 Sep 1897, 6 nights later than IC 4946. So, some uncertainly on this equivalence still remains.
Glen Cozens has suggested James Dunlop's D 451 may be NGC 6902. Dunlop found "an extremely small faint elliptical nebula, about 12" long and 8" broad, with a small bright point in the following extremity, which may be a star." He made a single observation but his position is 1.2” due south of NGC 6902 and furthermore there is no bright star near the eastern end of the galaxy, so I'm quite skeptical of this identiication.
John Reynolds included NGC 6902 in a 1921 paper on far southern NGC spirals (-40 to -90), based on its appearance on Franklin-Adams plates. Evans & Thackeray (1950) imaged NGC 6902 with the 74-inch Radcliffe telescope in Pretoria, South Africa and reported "short exposures do show a structure closely resembling a planetary nebula, but longer ones reveal spiral arms. These are very faint, but the object is extragalactic, presumably a late-type spiral."
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NGC 6903 = ESO 596-029 = MCG -03-52-003 = PGC 64607
20 23 44.9 -19 19 31; Cap
V = 11.9; Size 2.7'x2.5'; Surf Br = 13.8
17.5" (8/5/91): fairly faint, very small, round, very small bright core. Very unusual appearance as a mag 10 star is attached at the NNE end. The main body of the galaxy just extends up to the bright star but an extremely faint larger halo was suspected to encompass the bright star.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6903 = h2073 on 14 Jul 1830 and recorded "a * 10m, with a considerable nebulous appendage sp, in which by glimpses may be fancied a star 15m." A total of 3 observations were made. This galaxy wasn't found on two attempts at Birr Castle in the 1850s, though it was later observed in the 1860's. d'Arrest followed up with two observations at Copenhagen in 1864 with the 11" refractor and commented it was hard to understand how Rosse missed this object.
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NGC 6904
20 21 48.1 +25 44 29; Vul
17.5" (8/25/95): appears to be a random scattering of brighter stars mainly noticeable because it includes mag 8 SAO 88571. The brighter stars form a rectangle with side of 3'-4' and a string of brighter stars off the NW vertex extends another 4' to the north. There are roughly two dozen stars mag 9.5-13 in the group besides the mag 8 star. Richest around mag 9.5 SAO 88575 at the SE corner of the rectangle. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6904 = h2074 on 18 Aug 1828 and recorded "A small straggling cluster of stars 10...11m. One of the 9m, whose place is taken." His position corresponds with mag 8.8 SAO 88571 at 20 21 42.9 +25 45 02. Reinmuth described this asterism as "a very dense region, no distinct Cl".
Dorothy Carlson noted "No Cluster" in her 1940 paper on NGC misidentifications and RNGC claims the number is nonexistent. See Harold Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6905 = PK 61-9.1 = PN G061.4-09.5 = Blue Flash Nebula
20 22 23.0 +20 06 16; Del
V = 10.9; Size 47"x37"
24" (8/14/15): the "Blue Flash" planetary was observed at 500x and 750x in excellent seeing. The main body is oval 5:4 NNW-SSE, ~48"x40" and annular. The rim appeared brightest along a thin strip on the east side and enhanced in a slightly brighter triangular wedge (roughly 60”-80”) extending east from the mag 15.7 central star. The opposite western rim was also brighter, but the north and south ends as not enhanced. The interior was mottled with a slightly darker, irregular central "hole", particularly on the south and west side of the central star, but not to the east. Mag 10.4 HD 352100 lies 48" N of center and a mag 12 star is 38" SSE of center, in the direction of the major axis.
An extremely faint outer halo or wing was occasionally glimpsed off the north-northwest end, tapering in the direction of the major axis and extending 10"-12" in length. The corresponding extension off the south-southeast side and ending at the mag 12 star (completing a lens-shaped outline out of a truncated ellipse on deep images) was not seen, although Jimi Lowrey felt it was equally visible.
48" (5/16/12): beautiful blue oval planetary with a fairly bright central star. Very nice annular appearance with an irregular darker interior. A bright arc is along the east or northeast rim and a slightly weaker counterpart was on the west or southwest edge. The ends are somewhat chopped off, creating a rectangular appearance.
18" (7/2/08): at 565x, this interesting planetary had a very irregular surface brightness and appeared weaker on the north and south sides and slightly brighter in a triangular wedge that fanned out to the east from the central star. The edge of the western rim was also very slightly enhanced but there wasn't a complete brighter wedge on the west side of the central star, which would have created a subtle bipolar dumbbell shape. The faint central star was visible continuously at this magnification.
18" (8/23/03): beautiful planetary at 320x and 538x. The mag 15.7 central star is easily visible continuously. The interior seems unevenly lit and there appears to be a very slightly darker "hole" to the north of the central star. Bracketed by a mag 11 star off north edge and a mag 12 star just off the south edge and the planetary is slightly elongated N-S in the direction of these stars.
17.5" (8/31/86): very pretty planetary at 280x. Fairly bright, fairly small, slightly elongated. A very faint central star (V = 15.7) is visible. Takes 440x well. Just off the north edge is a mag 11 star 1.4' from center and a mag 12 star is just off the south edge 39" from center.
8" (6/29/84): moderately bright, uniform, slightly elongated N-S, two stars at the northeast and south edge.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6905 = H. IV-16 = h2075 on 16 Sep 1784 (sweep 275). His description reads "pretty bright, perfectly round, pretty well defined, about 3' in diameter." The next night he concluded, "I do not doubt but it consists of very much compressed stars." The observation was included in his 1785 PT paper ("Construction of the Heavens"), though the size estimate was modified to 3/4' (45"), perhaps based on a micrometer reading.
John Herschel made 3 observations and logged on 8 Aug 1831 (sweep 364): "Fine planetary nebula; B; exactly R; rather hazy at the edges, but not materially brighter in the middle, but no hollow. It has four small stars near it like satellites." The nearby stars were micrometrically measured as the possibility of physical satellites of planetaries intrigued JH and he mentioned it regarding NGC 6818 and 7662.
On 10 Aug 1850 Lord Rosse's assistant reported, "* or B nucl nf the middle. A dark curved line p[receding] this plainly seen, which at moments I fancied went round the sf part". Two years later, George Johnstone Stoney stated "this planetary nebula is a beautiful little spiral". This is a case of imagined spiral structure as it was a primary focus at Birr Castle. R.J. Mitchell's sketch from 12 Aug 1855 with a spiral appearance was included in the 1861 publication (Plate XXVIII, figure 34). Father Secchi noted a bi-polar brightening or mottling, particularly on the east side (1856, 9.5" refractor). Sir William Huggins was the first to observe an emission line (single) spectrum in 1865. Vogel made an excellent sketch of the planetary in Sep 1883 with the 27" Vienna refractor with a dark lane oriented ~N-S, tapering towards the central star and two brighter triangular "wings" on the east and west side, with the eastern wing more prominent.
Based on Crossley photographs taken at Lick, Heber Curtis (1918) reported "the main portion is a very patchy truncated ellipse 44"x37" in p.a. 163”. Very faint cone-shaped ansae extend from each end. A star of mag 12 lies nearly at the end of the southern ansa."
John Mallas coined the nickname "Blue Flash" in his Aug/Sep 1963 article "Visual Atlas of Planetary Nebulae-VI", published in the "Review of Popular Astronomy". He described NGC 6905 as "The Blue Flash. After turning a telescope on this object one will notice the small triangle of stars superimposed upon it. Glimmering and flashing between the triangle is the little planetary. Using about 120x on a 4-inch reveals all that can be seen in small apertures."
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NGC 6906 = UGC 11548 = MCG +01-52-003 = CGCG 399-006 = LGG 435-001 = PGC 64601
20 23 34.0 +06 26 38; Aql
V = 12.3; Size 1.7'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 36”
17.5" (6/20/87): moderately bright, moderately large, elongated SW-NE, small bright core. NGC 6901= IC 1316 lies 18' W. A mag 9.5 star lies 3.6' SW. UGC 11555, located 1.3” SSE, may be part of the same poor group.
13.1" (7/27/84): fairly faint, fairly small, very small bright core, diffuse outer halo, elongated SW-NE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6906 = m 410 on 15 Aug 1863 and noted "pF, pL, R." His position is 1' north of UGC 11548 = PGC 64601. Harold Corwin notes that IC 5006, discovered by Hermann Kobold on 23 Sep 1895, and placed 3.3' east-northeast of NGC 6906, refers to a very close double star with a mag 14 star 20" northwest.
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NGC 6907 = ESO 528-003 = MCG -04-48-006 = UGCA 418 = LGG 436-003 = PGC 64650
20 25 06.6 -24 48 33; Cap
V = 11.2; Size 3.3'x2.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 76”
48" (10/25/14): the central 1.2' bar of NGC 6907 runs E-W and contained a bright core and very bright nucleus that increased to the center. The more prominent spiral arm is attached on the E end of the bar and the section that hooks N contains NGC 6908, a superimposed galaxy. It appeared fairly bright, elongated 3:1 N-S, ~21"x7", very small bright core -- and appeared distinctly as a separate galaxy. A mag 16 star is just off the northeast end of NGC 6908. The arm bends clockwise W and dims as it extends to nearly the W end of the central bar (much further than seen with my 24"). The southern arm was fainter, more diffuse and broader, but swept around to the east on the south side of the halo, reaching nearly to the east end of the central bar. Two non-stellar HII knots (~10" diameter) were seen along this arm and they made an equilateral triangle with the nucleus; the brighter knot is at the west end of this arm, 0.8' SE of center, and a second knot lies 0.8' SSW of center.
24" (8/14/15): the companion galaxy superimposed on the eastern arm was clearly visible and fairly well defined, elongated 5:2 N-S, ~20"x8".
24" (7/25/14): striking example of a barred spiral with a prominent 1.5'x0.5' central bar oriented directly east-west. The bar contains a bright 30" core, which increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus. A bright arm is attached at the E end of the bar and extends due N for 0.7', at a right angle to the bar. A bright, elongated N-S "knot" is embedded in the middle (superimposed companion NGC 6908). At the N end, the arm curls west a short distance while dimming out. A difficult, ill-defined arm is attached at the W end of the bar. It vaguely curves south and west, but quickly disappears into very low surface brightness haze.
24" (9/15/12): excellent barred spiral with the 1.5' central bar oriented E-W. The bar has a small, brighter core that increases to a faint stellar nucleus. On the east side of the bar a prominent spiral arm is attached that hooks at a 90” angle to the north for ~45". The arm dims and curves clockwise to the west a short distance, creating a "comma" appearance in the eyepiece with north down and west left. There is a noticeable elongated brightening or N-S streak in the arm at the northern end (before curving west). This streak is NGC 6908, a superimposed companion. On the west side of the bar, the beginning of a low surface brightness arm (hazy extension) bends southwest a very short distance and dims out.
18" (9/3/08): beautiful view at 280x using an 8mm Ethos. A large 2' "bar" is oriented E-W with a broad, weak concentration but suddenly rises to a very small, bright core and faint stellar nucleus. On the east side of the bar, a spiral arm is attached that hooks directly to the north and just begins to sweep clockwise around on the north side of the galaxy towards the west. There appears to a brightening (faint knot) near where the arm is attached to the bar. Off the west side is faint haze on the south side, but the arm structure is very weak. A mag 11.5 star lies 2.8' due east of center on line with the central bar. An elongated galaxy (NGC 6908) oriented N-S is superimposed on the eastern arm as it hooks north though visually the galaxy and the arm appear indistinguishable.
17.5" (8/8/02): beautiful view at 220x. This barred spiral appeared moderately bright and large with a fairly bright bar elongated "bar" oriented ~E-W with a small bright core. At the following end of the bar an obvious arm is attached sweeping north of the galaxy in a comma-like appendage. On the preceding end there seems to be a faint knot and there is a very short extension bending south that quickly fades out.
17.5" (9/14/85): at 192x appears moderately bright, bright core, elongated E-W. Barred spiral structure is evident; fainter extensions form the bar and an arm at the eastern end of the bar curves north and then hooks slightly back to the west. This spiral arm appears to end at a faint knot. Two mag 11.5 stars lie 3' E and a similar distance south.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6907 = H. III-141 = h2076 on 12 Jul 1784 (sweep 236). He recorded "a pretty considerable vF nebula, little elongated, very little brighter middle than at the extremes. 240x showed the same appearance; it makes a trapezium with 3 stars and is at the northern and following corner of it." Another observation was made on 5 Sep 1798 (sweep 1076): "considerably bright, elongated not far from the parallel [E-W], bright middle, resolvable. It is the north preceding corner of a trapezium, the south preceding of which is a coarse double star."
John Herschel made the single observation (from Slough), "vF; L; R; very gradually little brighter middle; 3' diam; r; the sky hazy." In a 5-inch refractor at Vanderbilt, Barnard called it "faint and somewhat faint; it is close preceding a 9-magnitude star, and is gradually pretty much brighter in the middle."
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NGC 6908 = PGC 4581797
20 25 09.0 -24 48 04; Cap
Size 0.3'x0.12'; PA = 3”
48" (10/25/14): at 610x; the elongated brightening in the northeast spiral arm appeared fairly bright, elongated 3:1 N-S, ~21"x7", very small bright core. This was the first time this object appeared as a superimposed galaxy and not just as a weak brightening in the arm itself.
24" (8/14/15): the companion galaxy superimposed on the eastern arm was clearly visible and fairly well defined, elongated 5:2 N-S, ~20"x8".
24" (7/25/14): A bright arm is attached at the east end of NGC 6907's bar and extends due north for 0.7', at a right angle to the bar. A bright, elongated N-S "knot" is embedded in the middle (superimposed companion NGC 6908). At the north end, the arm curls west a short distance while dimming out.
24" (9/15/12): the spiral arm that extends north on the eastern end of the bar of NGC 6907 contains a noticeable brightening on the north end that is actually a superimposed galaxy. The companion is elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.3'x0.1' and appears as a short streak within the arm. NGC 6908 may apply to the entire spiral arm or this elongated brightening (galaxy).
18" (9/3/08): this number refers to the prominent spiral arm on the NE side where an anonymous galaxy (elongated N-S) is superimposed on the arm in roughly the same orientation! Visually the spiral arm hooks directly to the north from the east end of the central bar, just where the galaxy is located, though the galaxy was not distinguishable.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6908 = m 411 on 24 Sep 1864 and noted "eF, vS, lE, (close to h2076 [= NGC 6907]." His position corresponds with the brighter trailing spiral arm, or more specifically the elongated companion that is superimposed on the northeastern arm. The companion is clearly visible on a deep image.
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NGC 6909 = ESO 285-012 = AM 2024-471 = PGC 64725
20 27 38.9 -47 01 37; Tel
V = 11.7; Size 2.2'x1.1'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 68”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, elongated 5:2 WSW-ENE, 1.4'x0.6'; sharply concentrated with a very bright and small core, increasing to bright stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star lies 0.6' S of center and a mag 13 star is 1.3' SE. Two mag 9-9.5 stars lie 8' NE and another mag 9.5 is 12' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6909 = h3828 on 1 Jul 1834 and recorded "pB; pL; gradually brighter in the middle; near 2 st 10m." His position is accurate. Joseph Turner sketched the galaxy on 9 Aug 1877 with the Great Melbourne Telescope and showed it elongated ~2:1 SW-NE and sharply concentrated with a very small, very bright nucleus. He placed a 15th mag star close off the south side. (p. 141 of his logbook).
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NGC 6910 = Cr 420 = Lund 950 = OCL-181
20 23 12 +40 46 42; Cyg
V = 7.4; Size 8'
17.5" (8/7/91): about 40 stars mag 7.5-15.5 in a 7' diameter dominated by two mag 7.5 stars oriented NW-SE. A mag 7.4 star (SAO 49556) with two faint companions is at the NW end and a mag 7 star (SAO 49563) is at the SE end surrounded by a rich group of 10 mag 12-13 stars. Most of the cluster's brighter mag 10-11 stars are arranged in a NW-SE string just west of the line connecting the two bright stars. A second curving offshoot to the west consisting of three mag 10 stars gives a "Y" shape to the cluster. Located 40' NNE of Gamma Cygni (V = 2.2) within a section of the IC 1318 complex.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6910 = H. VIII-56 = h2077 on 17 Oct 1786 (sweep 612) and recorded "a small cluster of coarsely scattered stars, of various sizes; of an extended form; like a forming one [cluster]." On 1 Oct 1828 (sweep 183) John Herschel logged "a poor and coarse but rather brilliant cl, 2 st 9m (the np taken) and 30 or 40 more 10...12."
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NGC 6911 = UGC 11540 = MCG +11-24-006 = CGCG 324-007 = CGCG 325-001 = PGC 64485
20 19 38.7 +66 43 40; Dra
V = 14.3; Size 1.7'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.8; PA = 115”
17.5" (8/13/88): very faint, moderately large, very diffuse, slightly elongated NW-SE. A mag 11 star is 2' W.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6911 = Sw. 2-84 on 9 Jun 1885 and recorded "eF; L; little brighter middle; pB * nr." His position is at the west edge of UGC 11540 and his comment "pB * near applies to a mag 11 star 1.5' southwest.
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NGC 6912 = ESO 596-038 = MCG -03-52-008 = PGC 64700
20 26 52.1 -18 37 03; Cap
V = 13.2; Size 1.4'x1.1'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 55”
17.5" (8/5/91): fairly faint, fairly small, oval 4:3 WSW-ENE, no significant central brightening, edges fade into background. Two mag 13.5 star are off the NE edge collinear with galaxy 1.4' and 2.2' from the center. A bright wide pair of stars mag 8.6 (SAO 163587) and 9.5 are about 6' NE. Pair with IC 1319 12' NW.
13.1" (7/20/85): faint, extremely diffuse, almost round, two faint stars 2' NE, two brighter stars 5' NE are collinear. Pair with IC 1319 12' NW.
Edward Holden discovered NGC 6912 on 14 Aug 1881 at Washburn Observatory with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor. He noted "vF, 8th mag star follows nebula 16 seconds. There is a pair of stars 14-15 mag a few seconds np the nebula." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6913 = M29 = Cr 422
20 23 57 +38 30 30; Cyg
V = 6.6; Size 7'
13.1" (9/9/83): M29 consists of two dozen stars mag 8 and fainter in a fairly small trapezoidal outline well detached in the field. The six brightest mag 8 stars form two curving rows on the SW and NE ends. Appears loose with no dense spots and seems fully resolved.
Charles Messier discovered M29 = NGC 6913 = h2078 on 29 July 1764. He wrote (first Messier catalogue), "In the night of July 29 to 30, 1764, I have discovered a cluster of six or seven very small stars which are below Gamma Cygni, & which one sees with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet & a half [focal length] in the form of a nebula."
Caroline Herschel independently discovered the cluster on 6 Apr 1783 with a small refractor and entered it as #6 in her discovery log. She noted, "About 1 deg under Gamma Cygni; in my telescope 5 small stars thus [diagram]. My Brother looked at them with the 7 ft [6.2" reflector] and counted 12. It is not in Mess. catalogue." According to Michael Hoskins, the position and diagram applies to M29, despite her comment that it wasn't a Messier. Herschel encountered the cluster a couple of times during his sweeps. On 20 Sep 1786 (sweep 594) he noted "Clustering large stars", but the cluster wasn't identified as M29. It was found again and identified on 15 Sep 1792 (sweep 1027) as "a cluster of very coarsely scattered very large stars; not rich." John Herschel also reported "a coarse cluster of 8 large stars (10m) and a dozen or 20 smaller in a roundish form."
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NGC 6914 = LBN 274 = LBN 280 = vdB 132 = Ced 176d/e
20 24 43.3 +42 28 57; Cyg
Size 13'x12'
18" (8/11/07): at 73x, this rich Milky Way region contains three sections of reflection nebulosity. The brightest piece (GN 20.22.9) was discovered by Stephan and is located 11' SW of mag 6.9 HD 194708. It involves two mag 11 stars and a mag 12.5 star on the west side. About 6' S is another hazy patch (vdB 132 = GN 20.23.0) surrounding a wide mag 9/11 pair at 43". Faint haze connects these two pieces and together they extend ~10'x3' in a N-S orientation. This reflection nebula appears to be bounded on the west side by a non-illuminated dust cloud.
A third weak reflection nebula (vdB 131) is located 12' SSW of the brighter (northern) section of NGC 6914. It involves a group of 10-15 stars (Dolidze 8) including two mag 9.5 stars and a nice curving arc of stars is just off the southeast side. Overall, the Milky Way is very patchy or dusty in this region so these reflection nebulae do not stand out prominently, though the contrast was improved using a Deep Sky filter.
To the SE of the NGC 6914 complex is a very faint, hazy HII region (LBN 279), situated just east of mag 7.5 HD 194669. It appears roughly 10'x6' in size and includes a number of mag 10-11 stars. There was only a weak response to a UHC filter, though there was no response to a Deep Sky filter and this is not part of the reflection complex.
17.5" (8/7/91): at 100x appears as a fairly bright field of reflection nebulosity locally brightest surrounding two pairs of fairly bright stars. Two mag 11 stars are at the north end with a separation of 51" and a mag 9 (SAO 49589)/mag 11 pair with a separation of 42" is at the south end. These two sections are separated by ~6' and are connected by a fainter elongated piece of nebulosity. Very faint nebulosity also extends NE towards a mag 7 star (SAO 49603) located 11' NE. Stephan's position is centered on the northern pair of stars. A third piece surrounding a mag 9 further SW was not noted.
8" (7/24/82): fairly large nebulous field locally brighter surrounding a wide faint double star and to the south surrounding a double star mag 9. The brightest section is elongated N-S.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6914 = St. 12-93 on 23 Jul 1881 and recorded "vF, vL, irregularly round, dif, 2 stars attached on west side." The position was reduced on 29 Aug 1881 and included in his 12th discovery list (#93). The patch ~6' south is sometimes called NGC 6914B and is part of the same reflection nebula complex. It's not clear from Stephan's description how large an area of nebulosity he noticed. vdB 131 is sometimes called NGC 6914A.
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NGC 6915 = PGC 64729
20 27 46.1 -03 04 37; Aql
V = 13.4; Size 1.4'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 100”
17.5" (7/16/88): moderately bright faint, small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, large brighter core with a small faint halo. Bracketed by two mag 13 stars 1.2' SW and 1.5' N of center. An extremely faint mag 15.5 star is at the NE edge.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6915 = m 412 on 24 Jul 1863 and noted "pB, S, R." His position was 2' too far north. douard Stephan measured an accurate position at Marseilles on the night of 4 Sep 1872, probably aware of the prior discovery, as well as Engelhardt at Dresden. This is a bright galaxy was missed in the UGC, MCG and CGCG.
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NGC 6916 = UGC 11554 = MCG +10-29-004 = CGCG 304-004 = PGC 64600
20 23 32.9 +58 20 39; Cyg
V = 13.5; Size 1.8'x1.1'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 90”
17.5" (8/7/91): very faint, small, elongated 2:1 E-W. A mag 14 star is at the west end 25" from center.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6916 = Sw. 9-94 on 26 Jun 1887 and recorded "eeF; pS; F * close p; 2 single and 2 D stars in line n point to it." The discovery was communicated directly to Dreyer and not published until his 9th list in 1890, though Dreyer assumed it would be included in the 6th list. Swift's position is 2.3' too far northeast, although his description is a perfect match. According to Wolfgang Steinicke, this was the last discovery to make it into the NGC (published in 1888). Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 and noted the "F * close p" was 12th magnitude.
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NGC 6917 = UGC 11563 = MCG +01-52-007 = CGCG 399-010 = PGC 64715
20 27 28.4 +08 05 53; Del
V = 13.3; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 44”
13.1" (7/27/84): very faint, low even surface brightness, almost round, 0.8' diameter. A mag 14 star is at the south end 22" from the center.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6917 = m 413 on 15 Aug 1863 and noted "vF, S, attached to a small *." His position and description matches UGC 11563. douard Stephan made an observation on 20 Jul 1873 measured a very accurate micrometric position on 17 Aug 1873.
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NGC 6918 = ESO 234-040 = PGC 64851
20 30 47.0 -47 28 26; Ind
V = 13.5; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 0”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): moderately bright, fairly small, elongated 3:2 N-S, 0.6'x0.4', weak concentration. A mag 13.7 star is barely off the southwest edge, just 24" from center.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6918 = h3830 on 1 Jul 1834 and recorded "vF; attached to a * 12m sf [N.B. - By a diagram made at the time, the star is s p." The note is correct.
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NGC 6919 = ESO 285-027 = MCG -07-42-011 = PGC 64883
20 31 38.0 -44 12 58; Mic
V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.6; PA = 148”
30" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright and large, relatively low but uneven surface brightness with a broad and weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. I had a strong impression of spiral structure in the halo. Three stars are around the edges (at least one may be an HII knot in the halo) including a mag 15.5 star 0.8' NNW. ESO 285-025 lies 5.4' SW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6919 = h3831 on 2 Sep 1836 and recorded "eF; pL; R; very gradually very little brighter middle; 40" diameter." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6920 = ESO 026-004 = AM 2036-801 = PGC 65273
20 43 57.2 -80 00 03; Oct
V = 12.3; Size 1.8'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.3
24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x, this far southern galaxy appeared moderately bright, fairly small, round, sharply concentrated with a very small intense core, 35" diameter. This is one of only 7 NGC galaxies south of -80” declination.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6920 = h3829 on 21 Jul 1835 and recorded "pB; R; pretty suddenly much brighter middle; 25"."
Pietro Baracchi observed this galaxy on 3 Oct 1885 with the 48" Melbourne telescope and wrote "pB, pS, pretty suddenly much brighter middle to a star like nucleus - looks as if it had a very minute star in the center - no certainty about this star o- may be very likely only a sudden condensation."
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NGC 6921 = UGC 11570 = MCG +04-48-001 = PGC 64768
20 28 28.8 +25 43 24; Vul
V = 13.4; Size 0.9'x0.2'; Surf Br = 11.4; PA = 141”
17.5" (8/5/91): fairly faint, very small, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, faint stellar nucleus. One or two very faint stars are at the edges. Unusual location for a galaxy as situated in the midst of a very rich Milky Way field over unresolved background glow. Located only 7.6” from the galactic equator and less than 3” SW of open cluster NGC 6940!
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6921 = m 414 = Voigt 9 on 6 Sep 1863. His position was off by ~1' and he noted "F, S, E." Auguste Voigt made a second discovery in the summer of 1865 with the 31-inch silver-on-glass reflector at the Marseilles Observatory. Although he measured an accurate position, his discovery list of 10 nebulae wasn't published until 1987.
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NGC 6922 = UGC 11574 = MCG +00-52-018 = CGCG 373-017 = PGC 64814
20 29 53.0 -02 11 29; Aql
V = 13.5; Size 1.3'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 150”
17.5" (7/16/88): faint, round, diffuse, fairly even surface brightness
17.5" (8/1/86): moderately large, almost round, diffuse, pretty low even surface brightness with no core. A very faint star is at the west edge and mag 8.7 SAO 144498 is 7.0' N.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6922 = m 415 on 24 Jul 1863 and noted "vF, pL, R." His position (noted as verified) is accurate.
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NGC 6923 = ESO 462-029 = MCG -05-48-017 = AM 2028-310 = LGG 437-001 = IC 5004 = PGC 64884
20 31 38.7 -30 49 58; Mic
V = 11.9; Size 2.6'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 78”
13.1" (9/9/83): faint, small, elongated ~E-W, weak concentration. A mag 12.5 star is close to the NW edge 1.2' from center.
8" (8/12/83): not found.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6923 = h3832 on 31 Jul 1834 and recorded "F; S; lE; bM; 15" l, 12" br." He made a total of 4 observations and on sweep 619 logged "pB; R; gradually brighter in the middle; has 2 or 3 st very near it." Lewis Swift found this galaxy again on 22 Jul 1897 and called it "eF; pS; lE; wide D * near s[outh]." But his position for Sw. 11-189 (later IC 5004) was particularly poor; 6 minutes of RA too far west. The "wide D[ouble] star" is ~4' S. So, IC 5504 = NGC 6923. See Harold Corwin's notes for more on the IC number.
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NGC 6924 = ESO 528-016 = MCG -04-48-014 = AM 2030-253 = PGC 64945
20 33 19.2 -25 28 29; Cap
V = 12.8; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 154”
17.5" (7/21/90): fairly faint, small, oval 3:2 NW-SE, bright core. A mag 13 star is at the south tip. NGC 6924 is at the southwestern end of AGC 3698 and also a member of the SSRS Group 74 triplet with NGC 6936 37' NE and ESO 528-021 25' NE.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 6924 = LM 1-231 on 8 Jul 1885 with the 26-inch refractor at the Leander McCormick Observatory and noted "mag 13.2, pS, R, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus, * 1.0' N, neb * in field?, env 14.0." His rough position (nearest min of RA) is 45 seconds due west of ESO 528-016 = PGC 64945. Ormond Stone's corrected position in the IC 1 notes is accurate. Herbert Howe, observing with the 20-inch refractor at Denver, notes that Leavenworth's star is mag 13 and 20" south.
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NGC 6925 = ESO 463-004 = MCG -05-48-022 = AM 2031-320 = LGG 437-003 = IC 5015? = PGC 64980
20 34 20.6 -31 58 48; Mic
V = 11.3; Size 4.5'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0; PA = 5”
17.5" (8/5/91): moderately bright, fairly large, edge-on 4:1 SSW-NNE, 3.0'x0.8', thin long arms extend from the core. A mag 13 star is at the north tip 1.4' from center.
8" (7/16/82): very faint, elongated SW-NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6925 = h3834 on 31 Jul 1834 and recorded "B; mE; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 2 1/2' l, 40" br." His mean position (3 observations) is accurate.
Harold Corwin suggests that Lewis Swift's XII-20 (later IC 5015), found on 18 Aug 1897, may be a duplicate observation. He feels Swift's description "pB, pS, R, nearly bet 2 st with dist. companion" is a reasonable fit, though the position is poor (typical for those made in 1897). But I would be surprised if Swift called this galaxy "pretty small" as well as "round", and his position is well off in both RA (6 minutes of time) and Dec (17'), so I've listed it as not found.
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NGC 6926 = UGC 11588 = MCG +00-52-033 = CGCG 373-033 = Holm 781a = VV 621 = PGC 64939
20 33 06.2 -02 01 40; Aql
V = 12.4; Size 1.9'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 0”
48" (11/5/21): at 610x; bright, very large, highly asymmetric spiral, halo elongated nearly 2:1 N-S, 1.5' diameter. The core region was bright and slightly elongated. A thin spiral arm attaches on its east edge. It shot north and bent west, brightening in a small section just SW of a star [mag 16.8] and ends ~40" NNW of center. The southern arm had an uneven surface brightness and thicker and less defined in the section extending south from the core. At the south end the arm hooked sharply NE. A thin ~20" piece separated from the main glow and faded into the eastern halo.
NGC 6926 is the brightest in a group with 7 members (USGC U788). UGC 11585, located 18' SW, appeared moderately bright and large, irregularly round, weak concentration. The halo has a fairly low, but irregular surface brightness. Two or three mag 16.5-17 stars are superimposed.
24" (7/23/20 and 10/12/20): at 225x and 375x; moderately bright and large, elongated nearly 2:1 N-S, ~1.4'x0.7', uneven surface brightness with a distorted appearance and strong suggestions of structure. The north end is brighter with a sweeping feature (arm) that curves towards the NW. The outer edge of this arc was more sharply defined than the interior side and a few times was resolved as a thin spiral arm.
UGC 11585, located 18' SW, appeared fairly faint, round, ~40" diameter, weak concentration, no distinct nucleus. A mag 15.3 is at the S edge (0.6' from center). This star forms a 15" pair with a mag 13 star. A mag 13.5 star is 1' N.
17.5" (7/16/88): fairly faint, fairly large, elongated NNW-SSE, broad concentration. Brighter of pair with NGC 6929 3.9' E. Also brightest in a small group (USGC U788) that includes NGC 6922.
17.5" (8/1/86): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated, slightly brighter core.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6926 = H. III-142 = h2079 on 21 Jul 1784 (sweep 242). He recorded "very faint, elongated, nearly of equal light throughout and about 2' long. A patch of not very close small stars north following." His RA was poor (too large), but clearly applies to UGC 11588. NGC 6926 was also viewed on one of his last sweeps on 25 Sep 1802 (sweep 1110) and called "faint, little extended, about 3' long and 2' broad, a very little fainter on the edges."
On 12 Sep 1830, John Herschel described it as "very faint; pretty large; pretty much extended; or two joined; nearly in the meridian [N-S]." On his first observation three years earlier, he discovered nearby NGC 6929, which was missed by William.
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NGC 6927 = MCG +02-52-016 = CGCG 424-020 = IC 1325: = WBL 663-001 = PGC 64925
20 32 38.2 +09 54 59; Del
V = 14.5; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 9”
24" (9/25/19): at 375x; between faint and fairly faint, small, elongated 2:1 N-S, 20"x10". Faintest and smallest of the three NGCs in the group. NGC 6927A, situated 2' S, was extremely faint and small, ~8" diameter, occasionally popped cleanly. Situated between a mag 13.8 star 0.8' E and a mag 14.9 star 1.3' W. A mag 15.4 star is close south [21" from center].
24" (9/1/16): faint, small, elonated 3:2 N-S, 0.3'x0.2', stellar nucleus. Faintest and smallest in a trio with NGC 6928 3.0' ENE and NGC 6930 (double system) 5.7' SE.
18" (7/11/10): very faint, very small, slightly elongated, 15"x12" (not as elongated as appears on the DSS). This is the faintest of the three NGC galaxies in the group.
18" (9/10/07): very faint, very small, slightly elongated N-S, 18"x12". Located 3' WSW of NGC 6928 and faintest in a trio with NGC 6930.
18" (7/29/03): very faint, extremely small, slightly elongated ~N-S, ~15"x12", low surface brightness. Either I viewed the core only or this galaxy is much smaller than this listed dimensions. Faintest in a trio with edge-ons NGC 6928 and NGC 6930. Located 3' WSW of NGC 6928.
17.5" (9/14/85): very faint, very small, almost stellar at 222x. Thin faint extensions 3:1 N-S are visible at 294x. Located 3.0' WSW of NGC 6928 and 5.7' NW of NGC 6930 in a group.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6927 = m 416, along with NGC 6928 and 6930, on 15 Aug 1863 and noted "eF, lE." His position, although marked as verified, is 1.7' too far south. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 with the 20-inch refractor at the University of Denver. Hermann Kobold position for NGC 6927 (measured in 1895) refers to a double star located 2.8' NNW of NGC 6928.
The RNGC new description for NGC 6927 appears to describe NGC 6928, although the position is correct.
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NGC 6928 = IC 1325 = UGC 11589 = MCG +02-52-017 = CGCG 424-021 = LGG 438-003 = WBL 663-002 = PGC 64932
20 32 50.4 +09 55 37; Del
V = 12.6; Size 2.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.3; PA = 106”
24" (9/25/19): at 375x; moderately bright and large, very elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE, 1.2'x0.3', bright core. A mag 13.5 star is close north [15" from center of the galaxy].
18" (7/11/10): moderately bright, very elongated 4:1 WNW-ESE, 1.5'x0.35', bright core. A mag 13.5 star is pinned against the north side, just north of the core. Forms the northern vertex of a trio with fainter NGC 6927 3' WSW and NGC 6930 3.8' SSE.
18" (9/10/07): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE, 1.2'x0.3', weak concentration with a 0.4'x0.3' brighter core and faint, thin extensions. A mag 13.5 star is close NE of the core (15" from the center) and a mag 12.5 star lies 1.4' ENE. Brightest in triplet with NGC 6927 3' WSW and NGC 6930 3.8' SE.
18" (7/29/03): moderately bright, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 WNW-ESE, 1.1'x0.25', small brighter core. A 13th magnitude star is at the north edge of the core. Brightest in a trio with NGC 6927 and NGC 6929.
17.5" (9/14/85): moderately bright, pretty edge-on WNW-ESE, bright core. A mag 13 star is superimposed north of the core just 20" from center. Brightest in a group with NGC 6927 3' WSW and NGC 6930 4' SE.
13.1" (6/29/84): fairly faint, elongated E-W. An extremely faint star is at the north edge.
8" (8/12/83, Mt. Hamilton): extremely faint, averted only, elongated ~E-W, small bright nucleus? A fairly bright wide double star is in the field to NW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6928 = m 417, along with NGC 6927 and 6930, on 15 Aug 1863 and noted "pB, pL, mE." His declination is 1' too small. Engelhardt and Howe measured a precise micrometric position.
Lewis Swift independently rediscovered this galaxy on 23 Sep 1888 and reported Sw. 8-98 (later IC 1325) as "vF; S; 3 or 4 F st inv; sp of 2 [with IC 1326 = NGC 6930]." His position is 3' too far south and he confused the orientation of the two galaxies, which is northwest-southeast.
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NGC 6929 = MCG +00-52-035 = CGCG 373-035 = Holm 781b = PGC 64949
20 33 21.6 -02 02 14; Aql
V = 13.4; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 95”
48" (11/5/21): at 610x; fairly bright, oval 4:3 or 5:4 E-W, 30" diameter, small bright core. Two mag 14.5-15 stars are lined up and equally spaced with the galaxy 0.4' E and 0.8' E. Physically paired with NGC 6926 4' W.
24" (7/23/20): between fairly faint and moderately bright, slightly elongated 5:4 E-W, major axis 25" to 30" diameter, very small bright core, moderately high surface brightness. Collinear with two mag 15.1/14.7 stars close E [27" and 49", respectively]. A number of other mag 14 stars are nearby. Forms a pair with NGC 6926 4' W.
17.5" (7/16/88): faint, small, slightly elongated, small bright core, two mag 15 stars follow. Located 4' E of NGC 6926.
17.5" (8/1/86): faint, very small, slightly elongated, bright stellar nucleus or a star is superimposed. Two mag 15 stars oriented E-W are collinear close following and this may enhance the impression of elongation. Elongated at a right angle to NGC 6926 3.9' W.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6929 = h2080 on 21 Jul 1827 and recorded "vF; vS; the s[outh] f[ollowing] of 2 [with NGC 6926]." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6930 = IC 1326 = UGC 11590 = MCG +02-52-018 = CGCG 424-022 = LGG 438-004 = WBL 663-003 = PGC 64935
20 32 58.8 +09 52 28; Del
V = 12.8; Size 1.3'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.1; PA = 8”
24" (9/25/19): at 375x; fairly faint, moderately large, very thin edge-on 5:1 N-S, 50"x10", slightly brighter core. A mag 15.5 star is barely off the S tip. LEDA 200365 is attached to the N tip and appeared extremely faint, very small, round, 10", very low surface brightness glow. LEDA 214749, another dim galaxy, is 1.7' SE. In a nice group that resides in a rich star field with numerous nearby stars, including mag 8.6 HD 195765 4' SSW.
24" (9/1/16): at 220x, moderately bright and large, very elongated 4:1 N-S, 0.9'x0.2', brighter core. A mag 15.5 star is at the south end [38" S of center]. At 322x, a companion (LEDA 200365) is attached at the north end. It appeared extremely to very faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, 10"x6".
18" (7/11/10): fairly faint, moderately large, very elongated 4:1 N-S, ~50"x12". An extremely faint star (V = 15.7) is barely off the south tip. Occasionally there appeared to be a very small brightening at the north tip (this is LEDA 200365). In a small group with brightest member NGC 6928 3.8' NW. Located 4.3' NNE of mag 8.6 HD 195765.
18" (9/10/07): faint, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 N-S, 1.0'x0.25', very weak concentration, low surface brightness. Located 2.2' NW of a 40" pair of mag 10/11 stars and 4.3' NNE of mag 8.6 HD 195934. An extremely faint star is at the south tip. Second brightest of three with NGC 6928 and NGC 6927.
18" (7/29/03): fairly faint, moderately large, edge-on 4:1 ~N-S, 0.9'x0.2', weak concentration. A mag 11 star is off the south edge, 1.1' SSW of center, and a pair of mag 10/11 stars lie 2.3' SSE. Second brightest in a trio with a similar edge-on NGC 6928 4' NW and NGC 6927 6' NW. Located 4.4' NNE of mag 8.7 SAO 125934.
17.5" (9/14/85): faint, thin streak ~N-S, weak concentration. A mag 11 star is 1.4' SSW. Elongated at right angles to NGC 6928 4.0' NW. NGC 6927 lies 5.7' NW.
13.1" (6/29/84): very faint, elongated ~N-S. A mag 11 star is off the south edge. Member of the NGC 6928 group.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6930 = m 418, along with NGC 6927 and 6928 on 15 Aug 1863 and noted "F, mE." His declination is 1' too small.
Lewis Swift independently rediscovered this galaxy on 23 Sep 1888 and reported Sw. 8-99 (later IC 1326) as "eeeF; S; eE; spindle; pF * nr south; wide D * nr sf; ee diff; nf of 2 [with IC 1325]." His position is 1' too far north-northeast and he confused the orientation of the two galaxies, which is northwest [NGC 6928 = IC 1325] and southeast [NGC 6930 = IC 1326]. Herbert Howe suggested the NGC/IC equivalences and measured an accurate position.
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NGC 6931 = MCG -02-52-016 = PGC 64963
20 33 41.3 -11 22 06; Cap
V = 13.7; Size 1.0'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 125”
17.5" (9/15/90): very faint, very small, elongated ~E-W, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is off the NW edge.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 6931 = LM 1-232 on 4 Jun 1886 and recorded "mag 15.0, 0.6'x0.2', E 120”, gradually brighter in the middle, divided into 2 parts?" His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is 20 seconds east and 1.5' south of MCG -02-52-016 = PGC 64963 and the position angle matches. Bigourdan, on 31 Jul 1888, and Herbert Howe in Denver measured an accurate RA (given in the IC 2 Notes). Howe noted "though this is very small, it is much elongated at 120”. At times it appeared to have condensation near each extremity, but the seeing was not very good."
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NGC 6932 = ESO 047-008 = AM 2036-734 = PGC 65219
20 42 08.8 -73 37 10; Pav
V = 12.3; Size 2.1'x1.5'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 115”
24" (4/12/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this galaxy appeared fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 ~E-W, 1.0'x0.7', sharply concentrated with a very small bright core. A nice string of 5 stars begins with a mag 10 star 2.8' W of center and extends to the south. On the DSS, this is a striking ring galaxy.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6932 = h3833 on 29 Jun 1835 and logged "F; S; R; gradually little brighter middle; follows a hook of 5 stars." His position is 40" too far south and the "hook of 5 stars" is southwest.
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NGC 6933
20 33 38.2 +07 23 14; Del
= *, Reinmuth. = **, Carlson.
Herman Schultz discovered NGC 6933 = Nova VII on 14 Sep 1865 with the 9.6-inch refractor at Uppsala Observatory. He recorded "1/2 minute [of time] preceding h2081 [NGC 6934]. Neb is near stellar, its nebulous atmosphere barely perceptible, yet looks quite differently from the surrounding stars." His precise position in the "Preliminary Catalogue of Nebulae observed at Uppsala" (1875) corresponds with a mag 12 star. Karl Reinmuth reported a "*12; no nebulosity seen; *10 sf" (based on a Heidelberg plate). Dorothy Carlson classified the number as a double star in her 1940 NGC Corrections paper.
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NGC 6934
20 34 11.4 +07 24 15; Del
V = 8.8; Size 7'; Surf Br = 0.3
14.5" (8/31/21): at 304x; bright and attractive globular with a very bright mottled core with a few sparkles occasionally resolving. The much fainter halo was resolved into 20-25 stars, most of which popped in and out of visibility, so it was very difficult to count. The south side had more resolved stars.
18" (6/25/04): at 300x, partially resolved into a couple of dozen stars, particularly on the south side of a very ragged 3' halo that surrounds the bright 50" core. At 538x, perhaps 3 dozen stars are resolved mostly in the halo, but also several are superimposed on the very mottled core including one very close to the geometric center. The halo is irregular, but clearly elongated N-S with more extension resolution on the south side. A number of extremely faint stars pop in and out of view with the seeing and the cluster seems of the verge of more extensive resolution.
17.5" (8/5/94): bright, 3.0' diameter, round. Fairly sharp concentration with a 1.5' diameter very bright core. The halo has about two dozen stars peppered in the outer regions; the brightest star is on the NE side of the core. The core is very lively and just starts to break up in to several very faint stars and a single obvious star. A mag 9.5 star is just 2' W of center.
17.5" (7/9/94): bright, fairly small, 3.5' diameter, very bright core. At 225x, 20-25 stars are resolved in the halo mostly in the southern portion. Contains an intense 1.5' core with a much fainter halo to 3.5' which extends almost to a mag 9.5 star 2' W of center. The bright core itself is very lively and mottled with a few faint stars resolved and a single brighter star just east of the geometric center.
13.1" (8/16/82 and 6/29/84): fairly bright, moderately large, bright core, small outer halo resolved into approximately 15 stars mainly south of the core, mottled. A mag 9 star is 2' W.
8" (6/29/84): mottled, fainter halo, clumpy at 400x but no resolution.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6934 = H. I-103 = h2081 on 24 Sep 1785 (sweep 440) and recorded "vB, L, gradually much brighter middle, easily resolvable. A beautiful object." His position was poor: 36 seconds of RA too far west and 7' too far north. The large error was apparently the result of using an unfinished "new Polar distance machine contrived to shew the polar distance of the tube in every situation." John Herschel called it "A beautiful, v compressed, B, R, globular cluster, 3' diam, well resolved. Stars = 16...20m."
On 19 Aug 1855, Lord Rosse's assistant R.J. Mitchell recorded "very fine glob Cl, comes up to a blaze in centre. From f side of Nucl a stream of stars runs np, rather brighter and more condensed than in the rest of the border."
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NGC 6935 = ESO 234-059 = AM 2034-521 = PGC 65112
20 38 20.1 -52 06 39; Ind
V = 12.0; Size 2.0'x1.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 8”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): brighter of a striking pair with NGC 6937 4.4' SE. Bright, fairly large, slightly elongated N-S, 1.7'x1.5', well concentrated to a very small bright core that increases to a stellar nucleus. Surrounded by several mag 14 stars. Located 54' WSW of mag 4.5 Eta Indi..
John Herschel discovered NGC 6935 = h3835, along with NGC 6937, on 8 Jul 1834 and recorded "pF; L; R; gradually little brighter middle; 2'; the preceding of 2 [with NGC 6937]." On a second sweep he noted "B; pL; R; gradually brighter in the middle; r; 80"."
Based on photographs taken with the 30" Cordoba reflector in 1919, the pair was described by Charles Perrine as "both almost perfect circles of essentially the same diameter (40"-50"), and having central stars of the same magnitudes (15). The nebulosity of 6937 is considerably fainter, however, than that of the preceding one, 6935. No other nebul¾ of appreciable size are within a degree. Their ring forms and central stars give them strongly the appearance of planetaries. There are suspicions, however, of very faint structures about them both, which may be spiral. This is most marked in the case of 6937, in which three spiral arms can be traced (two of them opposite).
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NGC 6936 = ESO 528-022 = MCG -04-48-021 = PGC 65033
20 35 56.3 -25 16 48; Cap
V = 12.8; Size 1.9'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 4”
24" (9/22/22): NGC 6936 is the brightest member of the galaxy group AGC 3698. At 325x it appeared moderately bright and large, elongated 2:1 N-S, ~1.25' diameter. Contains a bright elongated core that increases slightly towards the center.
ESO 528-026, situated 14' ENE, is faint, round or slightly elongated, ~20" diameter (core region only).
ESO 528-021, situated 12' WSW, is very faint, elongated E-W, ~30" diameter, low even surface brightness. A 20" pair of 12/12.5 mag stars is 2' NW.
17.5" (7/21/90): fairly faint, small, round, gradually increases to a small bright core. This is the dominant galaxy in AGC 3698, which appears to be a loose, poor cluster on the DSS. It also a member of SSRS Group 74 (triplet) with NGC 6924 37' SW and ESO 528-021 12' SW.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 6936 = LM 1-233 on 1 Sep 1885 and recorded "mag 13.8, vS, R, slightly brighter middle to a nucleus, env 14.0." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is ~36 seconds east of ESO 528-022 = PGC 65033. Ormond Stone measured a "corrected" position, but he made an error and placed the galaxy 1 minute of time too far west. Herbert Howe finally measured an accurate position with the 20-inch refractor at Denver.
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NGC 6937 = ESO 234-060 = AM 2035-521 = PGC 65125
20 38 46.0 -52 08 35; Ind
V = 12.9; Size 2.3'x2.0'; Surf Br = 14.4; PA = 105”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 429x): fainter of a pair with NGC 6935 4.4' NW. Fairly bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 2'x1.5'. There are three distinct zones. At the center is a small, very bright nucleus ~15" diameter. This is surrounded by a bright, round, 40" core. Finally the core is surrounded by a much fainter halo up to 2' with an irregular surface brightness, though no distinct arms. Located 50' WSW of mag 4.5 Eta Indi.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6937 = h3836, along with NGC 6935, on 8 Jul 1834 and recorded "vF; R; 40"." On a second sweep he noted "F; R; gradually little brighter middle; 30"."
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NGC 6938
20 34 42.2 +22 12 55; Vul
Size 5'
17.5" (8/19/95): at 220x there are 20 scattered stars in a 5' region with the brightest mag 9.2 SAO 88858. There are no richer spots and the stars are unevenly distributed into three distinct subgroups. Appears to be simply a poor asterism at 100x and 220x. Listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6938 = H. VIII-17 = h2082 on 18 Jul 1784 (only discovery in sweep 240) and recorded "A cl of scattered stars more than 20' in diameter, not very crowded and containing a great many large ones." A scattered group of stars matching his description is ~1 min of time east. On 17 Aug 1828, John Herschel logged "Place of the chief * 10m of a coarse, poor, straggling cluster." His position is fairly accurate. At Birr Castle, Ralph Copeland described this group as "Cl, very poor, scarcely richer than neighborhood." This may not be a true cluster but RNGC misclassifies the number as nonexistent.
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NGC 6939 = Cr 423 = Mel 231 = Lund 960
20 31 30 +60 39 42; Cep
V = 7.8; Size 8'
18" (10/9/04): beautifully rich cluster of ~150 stars in a 10'-12' triangular region over haze. Beyond the ends of the triangular vertices are four 10th magnitude stars with the star towards the ENE an easy double. The cluster is fairly uniform with a rich clump of a half-dozen stars near the center. A number of the stars are in chains, including a string of equally spaced 12-13th magnitude stars along the south side that is oriented NW-SE. NGC 6946 (which was sporting a supernova) lies 40' SE and both can be placed in the same low power field. Both objects are easily visible in 15x50 IS binoculars and of similar size, but NGC 6939 is brighter with a higher surface brightness.
18" (8/17/04): this triangular-shaped rich cluster is beautifully framed in the 160x field (24'). The cluster is enclosed within a kite asterism of four mag 10 stars with two of these stars near the east and west vertices of the triangular outline. ~125 stars are visible in a 10' diameter, with most of the stars mag 12-14. Just west of center is a very rich 3' group and just following this group is a small knot of 4 very faint stars. The west side is well-defined by a string of mag 12 stars oriented NW-SE.
17.5" (9/14/85): about 100-140 stars mag 12-15 are resolved. Difficult to count as stars fill the 22' field at 220x with no distinct boundaries. NGC 6946 is located less than 40' SE.
13.1" (7/27/84): ~80 stars resolved but richness makes an accurate count difficult.
13" (7/5/83): ~70 stars resolved at 166x, very rich, beautiful in faint stars.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6939 = H. VI-42 = h2083 on 9 Sep 1798 (northern sweep 1077, above the pole). He described "a beautiful compressed cluster of small stars, extremely rich, of an irregular figure. The preceding part of it round and branching out on the following side; both towards the north and towards the south; 8 or 9' diam." Three minutes later NGC 6946 passed through the field and was also discovered.
John Herschel made 4 observations and logged on 11 Aug 1831 (sweep 366): "very fine rich cluster; 5' diam; stars 12m and nearly equal; shape rather convex towards the preceding side."
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NGC 6940 = Cr 424 = Mel 232 = Lund 961
20 34 26 +28 17 00; Vul
V = 6.3; Size 31'
13.1" (7/27/84): beautiful rich star field although not dense. About 100 stars mag 9-14 resolved including the orange semi-regular variable star FG Vulpeculae near the center. The double star STF 2698 = 8.8/9.7 at 4.5" is off the southwest edge.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6940 = H. VII-8 on 17 Jul 1784 (sweep 239) and recorded "a very large cluster of scattered stars, very rich and most of the stars nearly of a size and pretty small. About 20' in diameter." His position is close to mag 8.3 HD 196244 on the northeast side of the cluster. On 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 615) he logged it as "a beautiful cl of scattered large stars, extremely rich, taking up near 1/2”."
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NGC 6941 = MCG -01-52-010 = PGC 65054
20 36 23.6 -04 37 08; Aql
V = 13.3; Size 1.8'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.0; PA = 115”
17.5" (7/16/88): very faint, small, round, bright core. Incorrectly listed as a globular cluster in the RNGC, NGC 2000 and U2000.
Truman Safford discovered NGC 6941 = Sf. 83 = St. 4-3 on 29 Aug 1867 with the 18.5-inch Clark refractor at the Dearborn Observatory. douard Stephan observed the galaxy on 27 Jul 1972, probably already notified of Safford's discovery. He reported it as new in his 4th discovery list based on a position taken 1 Sep 1872. Safford's discovery list wasn't published until 1887 as the NGC was being prepared to go to press, so Stephan was credited with the discovery in the GC Supplement and the NGC. But Stephan reported two dozen of Safford's 51 Dearborn discoveries as new (several discovered earlier by Marth!).
NGC 6941 was misclassified as a globular cluster in the RNGC and this error as repeated in NGC 2000.0 as well as early versions of the Uranometria 2000 star atlas. This error was listed in my RNGC Corrections paper #3.
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NGC 6942 = ESO 186-073 = AM 2036-542 = PGC 65172
20 40 37.8 -54 18 11; Ind
V = 11.8; Size 2.0'x1.5'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 150”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, moderately large, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 1.8'x1.2', well concentrated with a small bright core surrounded by a smooth, fainter halo. No brighter stars are nearby, though a mag 13 star lies 2' NE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6942 = h3837 on 9 Jun 1836 and recorded "pB; R; pretty suddenly little brighter middle; 60"." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6943 = ESO 074-006 = PGC 65295
20 44 33.6 -68 44 51; Pav
V = 11.4; Size 4.0'x2.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 130”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, large, elongated ~5:2 NW-SE, 3.5'x1.5', sharply concentrated with a very small bright elongated core. Spiral structure is evident in the halo, though I couldn't trace distinct arms. A mag 9.5 star lies 5' NE. Located 26' W of mag 5.4 Sigma Pavonis (2' pair with mag 7 HD 197569). IC 5052, a beautiful thin edge-on, lies 43' SE.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6943 = h3838 on 27 Jun 1835 and recorded "pF; L; mE; very gradually brighter middle; 3 1/2' l; 1 1/2' br; has a barely perceptible point in the middle."
NGC 6943 was first photographed by DeLisle Stewart at Harvard's Arequipa Station between 1898 and 1901 and noted as "Spiral appearance, stellar nucleus."
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NGC 6944 = MCG +01-52-017 = CGCG 399-025 = PGC 65117
20 38 23.8 +06 59 47; Del
V = 13.8; Size 1.5'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.7; PA = 57”
24" (7/16/15): moderately to fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, sharply concentrated with a prominent, small round core, ill-defined low surface brightness halo ~50"x30". Located 2.6' SSE of mag 8.4 HD 196612, which forms the southwest corner of a prominent asterism including three additional mag 10-11 stars. NGC 6944A lies 6.5' SSW. The companion (similar redshift) appeared fairly faint, oval 4:3 SW-NE, very weak concentration to a small, slightly brighter nucleus, overall low surface brightness.
18" (9/10/07): faint, small, elongated 4:3 SW-NE, 0.6'x0.45'. Weak even concentration to the center with a faint stellar nucleus. Located 2.5' SSE of mag 8.5 HD 196612. This star is at the southwest vertex of a quadrilateral (roughly a parallelogram) with three other mag 10-11 stars.
17.5" (7/4/86): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, very small bright core. Located 2.5' S of mag 9 SAO 126045. This bright star is the southwest vertex of a 3.5'x1' parallelogram with three other mag 10 stars. Forms a pair with NGC 6944A 6.4' SSW. The fainter companion appeared very faint, small, round. Located 1.6' NW of mag 8.9 SAO 126044, which detracts from viewing. A fainter star is close northwest.
13.1" (6/29/84): faint, very small, almost round, weak concentration. A bright rectangle of stars is in the field to the north. Located 43' E of a mag 6.5 star.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6944 = m 419 on 15 Aug 1863 and noted "pF, S, R." His position is fairly accurate.
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NGC 6945 = MCG -01-52-015 = PGC 65132
20 39 00.6 -04 58 21; Aqr
V = 12.7; Size 1.5'x0.8'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 30”
17.5" (7/16/88): moderately bright, small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 15 star is 28" SW of center. Located 2.9' SW of bright mag 6.6 SAO 144663.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6945 = m 420 = St. 1-10 on 12 Jul 1864 and noted "vF, vS, R, stellar or nebulous *." douard Stephan found it on 15 Jul 1869. He measured a micrometric position on 1 Jul 1870 and included it in his first discovery paper (#10) as "small, round, whitish, moderately bright, brighter towards the center." He made a later observation on 21 Jun 1878. Dreyer credited both Marth (1) and Stephan (2) in the NGC.
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NGC 6946 = Arp 29 = UGC 11597 = MCG +10-29-006 = CGCG 304-006 = PGC 65001
20 34 52.3 +60 09 14; Cyg
V = 8.8; Size 11.5'x9.8'; Surf Br = 13.8
24" (5/20/17, 5/22/17 and 6/23/17): Type II supernova 2017eaw in NGC 6946 was easily identified as a 13th magnitude "star" 2.7' NNW of the nucleus using a photographic finder chart. I was surprised the supernova was only slightly fainter in June, over a month later than first viewed. This is the 10th known supernova in the galaxy.
48" (10/23/11): this very bright, showpiece face-on spiral stretches roughly 9'x7' E-W. At 375x, four arms were visible, each containing one or more HII regions. The brightest arm is attached on the west side of the central region and curves counterclockwise to the north and then heads east, passing just south of a mag 13.5 star and spreads out to the NE of the central region. At the eastern tip (4.2' from center) is a bright HII knot of 12" diameter, catalogued as [HK83]#3 under NGC 6946 in Hodge and Kennicutt's 1983 "Atlas of HII Regions in 125 Galaxies" and [H69]#1 in Hodge's 1969 paper "HII regions in twenty nearby galaxies." A second shorter arm vaguely emerges from the core on the north side, and rotates more sharply around the galaxy on the north side, passing south of the brighter arm, and curving around to the east side. It contains an elongated knotty HII complex at its tip, 2.5' due east of center that includes [H69]#5,6 and [IK00]#39,.
On the west side are two additional arms, though the brighter inner arm is better defined. It begins on the south side of the central region and curls sharply to the north on the west side. It passes through a few mag 14 foreground stars and nearly fades out 3.2' NW of center. A dim extension finally ends 3.5' N of center at [H69]#20 = [IK00]#21, a very faint and small knot inside a triangle of stars. An outer arm on the south side rotates towards the west and intersects [H69]#33, a very bright, round knot of 20" diameter, that rivals the inner core in size. Using a DGM Optics "Galaxy Contrast" filter, the core was dimmed more and the knot appeared nearly as bright. Studies reveal this feature is a circular bubble containing numerous, tightly packed small clusters and a bright supermassive star cluster, [L1999] N6946-1447, on its east side that resembles a young globular. After this point, the arm becomes more patchy as it spreads to the northwest, but near the end is [H69]#40, an extremely faint knot just SW of a mag 14 star 3.5' NW of center.
24" (9/13/12): the bright, long, outer spiral arm on the north side passes very close south of a mag 13.5 star before terminating near the small knot [H69]#1 = [HK83]#3. Besides the knot at the end, this arm is a bit clumpy with two slightly brighter regions roughly 1.7' N of center (includes OB association [IK00] 28, along with [H69]#13), and 2.4' NE of center (includes OB association [IK00] 33 and [H69]#10). The spiral arm extending north on the west side has several mag 14 stars superimposed. A very small brighter nucleus is embedded in the very broadly brighter central region.
18" (8/1/08): I took another look at the bright, circular knot that contains a young massive globular. This knot is located 2.8' WSW of the core of NGC 6946. It was fairly easy to identify using a pair of mag 13/13.5 stars [18" separation] with the cluster situated 1.5' NW of this fairly wide double. At 280x it appeared as a very faint, hazy glow, ~15" diameter (nearly the separation of an unequal double star to the southeast).
18" (7/31/05): using the photographic finder chart in the 2000 Astrophysical Journal (535,748) paper titled "A Young Globular Cluster in the Galaxy NGC 6946", I tracked down the "knot" which contains numerous star clusters as well as the 15 million year old supermassive star cluster or young globular [L1999] N6946-1447 on its east end. This object is located 2.8' W of the core and 1.5' NW of a wide, unequal pair of stars. On the DSS, it appears to be located near the end of a faint arm (not seen) that attaches to the core on the south side and extends to the west. Using the image, I quickly pinpointed the location and at 323x a very faint, small, roundish glow of ~15" diameter was visible. This very low surface brightness spot was visible 80-90% of the time with averted vision once identified and appeared similar to a faint Abell planetary. Without the finder chart, I would probably have passed over this object without noticing it, and in fact missed it in my observation from the White Mountains in 8/29/02.
18" (10/9/04): viewed type II supernova 2004e, discovered 9/27/04 (13 days ago) and appearing at approximately mag 12.8. It was easily identified using a photographic finder chart. The supernova is located 4.1' E and 1.9' S of the nucleus, just west of a pair of mag 13/13.5 stars at 12" separation and was comparable to the brighter star of this pair. A fainter mag 14.4 star is close WSW and the three stars plus supernova form a small wedge or Sagitta shaped group. This is the 8th supernova discovered in NGC 6946 since 1917. NGC 6939 and 6946 were both easily visible in 15x50 IS binoculars and of similar size, but NGC 6939 is brighter with a higher surface brightness.
17.5" (8/29/92, White Mountains at 12,470 ft): bright, very large, 6' diameter to main body, elongated 3:2 ~E-W. Three arms are visible. A long bright arm is attached at the north side of the core and trails to the east (Arp's "One Heavy Arm"). This eastern arm splits; a short fainter branch bends south following the core and a long curving bright arm terminates with a very faint, very small HII knot (H69-1 = HK83-3). On the west side a fainter arm shoots sharply to the north from the core. These outer arms significantly increase the diameter of the main body. The galaxy has a very large brighter middle but the core is just a very small brighter region close SW of the geometric center. A very faint stellar nucleus was seen with direct vision.
17.5" (8/13/88): main spiral arm very prominent and easily seen to split.
17.5" (9/14/85): bright, large, brighter central core. A prominent arm is attached on the NE side of the core and trails to the east. This arm splits - the shorter arm is close to the core and a brighter region or arm to the west.
13.1" (7/27/84): bright arm on the east side highly suspected to branch or split into two arms. Also an arm or brighter region seen on the opposite side of the galaxy pointing west a short way.
13.1" (7/16/82): the central region is elongated and fairly low surface brightness though a spiral arm clearly trails off to the east from the main body creating a non-symmetrical appearance.
8" (6/22/81): faint, large, diffuse, brighter core. Situated in a rich star field.
80mm (8/13/88): easily visible with direct vision at 16x in finder.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6946 = H. IV-76 = h2084 on 9 Sep 1798 (sweep 1077). He recorded "considerably faint, very large, irregular figure, a sort of bright nucleus middle. The nebulosity extends 6 or 7'. The north seems to consist of some very snall stars; the nebulosity is of the milky kind. It is a pretty object." Three minutes earlier he discovered the open cluster NGC 6939,
John Herschel made 3 observations. On 11 Aug 1831 (sweep 366) he logged "vF; eL; very gradually little brighter middle; resolvable; 5' or 6' dia; irreg fig. A curious object; no doubt a great cluster of eF stars. Requires the eye to be well prepared for seeing it."
On 6 Sep 1850, Lord Rosse's assistant Bindon Stoney described a "New spiral, very fine but faint; 3 branches, of which two terminate in knots, a fourth branch north preceding very doubtful." Two nights later he made an excellent sketch (Plate XXX, fig. 36 in the 1861 Monograph). On 6 Sep 1855, R.J. Mitchell recorded, "The two following branches unite in one before meeting the nucleus; I certainly see a fourth branch preceding which seems to join the other preceding branch in the same way before reaching the nucleus. Of the four, those which terminate in knots are the brightest."
E.E. Barnard reported (Sidereal Messenger, vol. 5, p286) that he first viewed NGC 6946 around 1881 with a 5-inch refractor and marked it as "vvF". But on 28 May 1885 he found it "almost bright, certainly not faint. It is moderate in size, round, very gradually brighter middle with some small stars grouped around it. Its brightness is a little less than cluster GC 4590 [NGC 6939]."
Ten supernovae (most of any galaxy) have been detected in NGC 6946 as of 2017. The first, SN 1917A, occurred on 19 Jul 1917 when it was discovered by Ritchey and was considered a nova. This supernova, situated 37" W and 105" S of the galaxy's nucleus, peaked at 14.6 mag.
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NGC 6947 = ESO 401-003 = MCG -05-48-028 = AM 2038-323 = PGC 65193
20 41 15.0 -32 29 11; Mic
V = 13.4; Size 1.9'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 51”
17.5" (8/5/91): faint, small, irregularly round, low even surface brightness, ill-defined edges. A mag 12 star is just off the NW edge 1.3' from the center and a mag 11 star is 2.8' SW.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6947 = h3839 on 28 Sep 1834 and recorded "vF; L; R; gradually brighter in the middle; on a faintly stippled ground." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6948 = ESO 187-009 = AM 2039-533 = PGC 65256
20 43 29.0 -53 21 26; Ind
V = 12.9; Size 2.2'x1.0'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 115”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly bright, moderately large, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 1.6'x0.7', broadly concentrated to a brighter, elongated center but no distinct zones. A 6' line connecting four mag 12-14 stars mag oriented SW to NE intersects the halo on the NW side.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6948 = h3840 on 24 Jul 1835 and recorded "vF; E; little brighter middle; 35" l." On a second sweep he logged "eF; pL; lE; 60" l; 50" br."
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NGC 6949 = UGC 11600 = MCG +11-25-001 = CGCG 325-002 = LGG 439-001 = PGC 65010
20 35 07.1 +64 48 09; Cep
V = 13.5; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.9
17.5" (8/13/88): faint, small, oval WNW-ESE, even surface brightness except for a very faint stellar nucleus.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6949 = Sw. 5-91 on 20 Sep 1886 and noted "eF; pS; iR." His position is at the northeast edge of UGC 11600.
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NGC 6950
20 41 05 +16 37 18; Del
17.5" (9/23/95): very scattered group of mag 9.5-13 stars in roughly a 10'-15' region. Barely stands out in the 20mm Nagler field and not worth noting as a cluster. There are no specific borders but the stars have the appearance of being aligned in strings or groups. Most prominent is an elongated group oriented WNW-ESE through the two brightest mag 9-10 stars (brightest star at 20 41 10.5 +16 38.9). A small line of three mag 13 stars is near the western end of the string. Appears to be a random grouping and listed as nonexistent in RNGC.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6950 = H. VIII-23 = h2085 on 15 Oct 1784 (sweep 290) and recorded "A Cl of coarsely sc. stars." John Herschel described this group of stars as a "Poor, large, scattered cl, the brightest * 10m." His position is very close to a mag 9.5 star at 20 41 10.5 +16 38 55. Karl Reinmuth reported "a very loose clustering of st 10...15 in a dense region.", based on a Heidelberg plate. This star group may not be a true cluster, but the RNGC classification of nonexistent is very misleading.
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NGC 6951 = NGC 6952 = UGC 11604 = MCG +11-25-002 = CGCG 325-003 = PGC 65086
20 37 14.2 +66 06 20; Cep
V = 10.7; Size 3.9'x3.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 170”
48" (10/23/14): NGC 6951 is a large spiral with a brighter central region extending ~1.8'x1.2' ~E-W and outer spiral arms (reaching north and south) that increase the dimensions to 2.8'x2.0'. Well concentrated with an intensely bright, circular core that is embedded with a bright, elongated oval "bar" extending E-W. A fairly narrow spiral arm is attached at the west end of the central region and curves strongly counterclockwise to the north, passing between two mag 15.8 stars [1.3' WNW and 0.8' NW of center]. This fairly low surface brightness arm is widely detached from the glow of the central region as it curls to the east, ending about 1.5' NNE of center. On the east side of the elongated core region a faint, shorter spiral arm curves south, passing near 3 or 4 faint stars oriented N-S and fades out ~1' SSW of center.
24" (7/23/14): fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, ~2' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core. A fairly broad "bar" extends E-W through the central region. Weak spiral structure is definite with careful viewing. An eastern arm appears as a subtle arc curving counterclockwise and passing west and then south of a mag 12.7 star 1.4' E of center. I expected the western arm to be more obvious, but it was only visible as a slightly brighter curving "edge" of the outer halo from W to N.
18" (8/17/04): at 225x appears moderately bright and large, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, ~1.8'x1.1'. On the east end is a mag 12.5 star. The galaxy suddenly brightens to a very small, brighter core. The edge of the halo fades and increases in size with averted vision. Appears slightly brighter along the major axis with a hint of structure.
17.5" (10/30/99): I observed SN 1999el (Type II), which was discovered 11 days ago (Oct. 20th). It appeared as a mag 14.5-15 star just following the core (22" E and 8" S) and was easily visible at 280x. The galaxy is fairly faint and moderately large. Sharply concentrated with a small bright core surrounded by a diffuse halo elongated 3:2 E-W. A mag 12 star is 1.5' following the center and a mag 15 star is just visible a similar distance WNW.
17.5" (8/13/88): bright with a very bright core surrounded by a fainter large oval halo 3:2 E-W. A mag 13 star is just off the east edge 1.4' from center and a mag 15 star is off the NW end.
8" (6/22/81): faint, small, bright core. A mag 13 star is at the east edge.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6951 = Sw. 2-85 with his 4.5" comet sweeper (date unknown), though didn't announce the discovery. He recorded it on 14 Sep 1885 with his 16-inch Clark refractor and noted "pB; pL; lE. Discovered many years ago with 4 1/2 inchÓ.
His RA was 13 seconds too small. Herbert Howe measured an accurate position in 1899-00 with the 20-inch refractor at the Chamberlin Observatory in Denver as well as Hermann Kobold at Strasbourg in June 1899.
Jrme Coggia made the original discovery of this galaxy sometime before 1878 at the Marseilles Observatory and it was catalogued as NGC 6952. Coggia's position was 20' too far north, so Dreyer assumed these were two different objects. In 1892, William Denning proposed the equivalence NGC 6951 = NGC 6952 (The Observatory, 15, 106) and Dreyer reported the identity in the IC 1 appendix, though suggested it was 6951's position that was in error. This confusion was corrected in the IC 2 appendix.
Based on a Crossley reflector photo, Heber Curtis (1918) described NGC 6951 as "Rather faint, symmetrical spiral 3.5' in diameter. Very bright, slightly oval nucleus 0.2' long. {Phi}-type.
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NGC 6952 = NGC 6951 = UGC 11604 = MCG +11-25-002 = CGCG 325-003 = PGC 65086
20 37 14.2 +66 06 20; Cap
V = 10.7; Size 3.9'x3.2'; Surf Br = 13.3; PA = 170”
48" (10/23/14): NGC 6951 is a large spiral with a brighter central region extending ~1.8'x1.2' ~E-W and outer spiral arms (reaching north and south) that increase the dimensions to 2.8'x2.0'. Well concentrated with an intensely bright, circular core that is embedded with a bright, elongated oval "bar" extending E-W. A fairly narrow spiral arm is attached at the west end of the central region and curves strongly counterclockwise to the north, passing between two mag 15.8 stars [1.3' WNW and 0.8' NW of center]. This fairly low surface brightness arm is widely detached from the glow of the central region as it curls to the east, ending about 1.5' NNE of center. On the east side of the elongated core region a faint, shorter spiral arm curves south, passing near 3 or 4 faint stars oriented N-S and fades out ~1' SSW of center.
24" (7/23/14): fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, ~2' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core. A fairly broad "bar" extends east-west through the central region. Weak spiral structure is definite with careful viewing. An eastern arm appears as a subtle arc curving counterclockwise and passing west and then south of a mag 12.7 star 1.4' east of center. I expected the western arm to be more obvious, but it was only visible as a slightly brighter curving "edge" of the outer halo from west to north.
18" (8/17/04): at 225x appears moderately bright and large, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, ~1.8'x1.1'. On the east end is a mag 12.5 star. The galaxy suddenly brightens to a very small, brighter core. The edge of the halo fades and increases in size with averted vision. Appears slightly brighter along the major axis with a hint of structure.
17.5" (10/30/99): observed SN 1999el, which was discovered 11 days ago (Oct 20). It appeared as a mag 14.5-15 star just following the core (22" E and 8" S) and easily visible at 280x. The galaxy is fairly faint and moderately large. Sharply concentrated with a small bright core surrounded by a diffuse halo elongated 3:2 E-W. A mag 12 star is 1.5' following the center and a mag 15 star is just visible a similar distance WNW.
17.5" (8/13/88): bright with a very bright core surrounded by a fainter large oval halo 3:2 E-W. A mag 13 star is just off the east edge 1.4' from center and a mag 15 star is off the NW end.
8" (6/22/81): faint, small, bright core. A mag 13 star is at the east edge.
Jerome Coggia discovered NGC 6952 around 1877 at the Marseilles Observatory, probably using a 7.2-inch refractor. The discovery was apparently communicated directly to Dreyer and first appeared in the GC Supplement. There is nothing at his position, but 20' south is UGC 11604 and Coggia's description of a 15th mag star close east matches this galaxy. This was Coggia's only NGC discovery. Lewis Swift independently rediscovered this galaxy on 14 Sep 1885 and placed it accurately in his second discovery list, #85 (= NGC 6951). William Denning noted the equivalence NGC 6951 = NGC 6952 (The Observatory, 15, 106, 1892) and Dreyer repeated the identity in the IC 1 Notes section.
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NGC 6953
20 38 00 +65 46; Cep
= Not found, Corwin and RNGC.
Lewis Swift discovered NGC 6953 = Sw. 2-86 on 14 Sep 1885 with his 16" refractor and noted "eeeF, pL, R, ee difficult." There is nothing near his position other than a mixed variety of stars.
Herbert Howe examined the field in 1899-00 with the 20-inch refractor at the University of Denver and reported "I could not find this, which is called by Swift 'eeF, pL, vdiffic.' 17 seconds preceding and 0.2' south of the place given by Swift is a small group of at least four stars of mag 14, which was scruntinised for nebulosity, but in vain." Bigourdan also identified the same stars, at 20 37 45 +65 46 00 (2000), as NGC 6953. This identification is very uncertain and perhaps Swift made a large error in his position. See Harold Corwin's comments for more on this number.
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NGC 6954 = UGC 11618 = MCG +00-53-001 = CGCG 374-004 = PGC 65279
20 44 03.2 +03 12 33; Del
V = 13.2; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 68”
18" (9/10/07): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE, irregular oval 0.5'x0.35', weak concentration to a very small brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus. A mag 12.5 star lies 1.6' S.
17.5" (8/1/87): fairly faint, small, oval WSW-ENE, small bright core, faint stellar nucleus. NGC 6955 lies 37' S.
13.1" (6/29/84): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, weakly concentrated.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6954 = m 421 on 28 Jun 1863 and noted "F, S, vlE." His position is a good match.
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NGC 6955 = UGC 11621 = CGCG 374-005 = PGC 65287
20 44 17.9 +02 35 41; Del
V = 13.6; Size 1.4'x1.3'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 30”
17.5" (8/1/87): extremely faint, fairly small, very diffuse, low surface brightness, requires averted vision. Pair with NGC 6957 7.4' E. Located 37' S of NGC 6954.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6955 = m 422, along with NGC 6957, on 28 Jun 1863 and noted "eF, pL, R." His position is fairly accurate.
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NGC 6956 = UGC 11619 = MCG +02-53-001 = CGCG 425-001 = LGG 440-001 = KTG 71A = PGC 65269
20 43 53.7 +12 30 43; Del
V = 12.3; Size 1.9'x1.9'; Surf Br = 13.6
24" (6/8/13 and 8/5/13): moderately bright to fairly bright, moderately large, elongated ~3:2 NW-SE, 60"x40". The view is somewhat hampered by a mag 11 star that is superimposed on the east edge and a mag 14.5 star is ~20" E of the bright star. This galaxy appears to be a barred spiral with a brighter bar oriented ~N-S extending down the middle of the glow. The brighter nucleus is quasi-stellar (~5") and similar to the mag 14.5 star in brightness. A faint extension (spiral arm) curves east from the south end of the bar, extending south of the mag 11 star. NGC 6956 is the brightest in a trio (KTG 71) with UGC 11620 6.9' SE and UGC 11623 8.1' E. Located in a rich Milky Way star field 3.7' SSW of a mag 9.6 star.
UGC 11620 appeared faint/fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 21"x14". Two mag 13/14 stars are off the SE end and a mag 15.5 star is near the NNE end [22" from center]. UGC 11623 is fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 36"x20", a small brighter core is embedded in a fairly smooth halo. A small trio of mag 13/14.5.15 stars is close preceding.
18" (7/29/03 and 9/10/07): fairly faint, moderately large, round, weak concentration except for a quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 10.5 star is superimposed on the east edge of the halo and somewhat hampers the view.
17.5" (10/13/01): this moderately bright glow appears unusual as a mag 10.5 star is attached at the east side and interferes with viewing. The surface brightness of this barred spiral is pretty uniform except for a faint stellar nucleus. A mag 14 companion star (double) follows the brighter star. Brightest in a trio with UGC 11620 and 11623 situated 7' SSE and 8' ESE, respectively.
13.1" (6/29/84): faint, diffuse, even surface brightness, possibly slightly elongated E-W. A mag 10.5 star is attached at the east edge 26" from center and detracts from viewing. Brightest of three with UGC 11620 6.7' SSE and UGC 11623 8.0' E.
8" (7/16/82): faint, small. A mag 10 star at the east edge interferes.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6956 = H. III-219 = h2086 on 19 Oct 1784 (sweep 299) and noted "eF; vS; stellar; just preceding a small star, 240 verified it with difficulty." John Herschel made a single observation and recorded "vF; S; 15" precedes and is attached to the double star No. 1566 of my 4th catalogue." His position for HJ 1566 matches the two stars mentioned in my 24" observation, altlhough the WDS identifies a pair that is off the east side of UGC 11620.
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NGC 6957 = CGCG 374-007 = PGC 65302
20 44 47.6 +02 34 52; Del
V = 14.7; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.7
17.5" (8/1/87): very faint, very small, round, weak concentration. A mag 12 star is 1.1' SE. Pair with NGC 6955 7.4' W.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6957 = m 423, along with NGC 6955, on 28 Jun 1863 and noted "vF, S, R." His position is fairly accurate.
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NGC 6958 = ESO 341-015 = MCG -06-45-017 = AM 2041-381 = PGC 65436
20 48 42.5 -37 59 52; Mic
V = 11.4; Size 2.1'x1.7'; Surf Br = 12.7; PA = 107”
24" (9/8/18): at 260x; fairly bright, fairly small, round, sharp strong concentration with a very bright, 0.6' core that gradually increases towards the center. With careful viewing the core is surrounded by a very low surface brightness halo with no distinct edge, but perhaps 1.0' diameter. Just east of a group of four stars including a mag 9.5 star 2.8' NW.
NGC 6958 is projected (in the foreground) near the center of ACO S900. ESO 341-013, the brightest cluster member, lies 19' WSW. It appeared fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, ~30"x25", brighter core.
17.5" (10/5/91): fairly faint, fairly small, gradually increases to a very small bright core. Forms the SE vertex of an equilateral triangle with a mag 11 star 2.5' WSW and a mag 10 star 2.8' NW. There are four stars total in this V-shaped asterism.
8" (7/24/82): faint, small, round, just nonstellar at low power. Located at the edge of a small "V" asterism of stars. Located 25' WSW of a mag 5.5 star. Pretty low elevation from Northern California.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6958 = h3841 on 24 Aug 1834 and recorded "B; R; pretty gradually much brighter middle: 25"; follows 4 stars; of which one is 9m." His position is accurate. Using his 5-inch refractor at Vanderbilt, Barnard described NGC 6958 as "close following three or four small bright stars. The light from these stars makes it difficult to see the nebula, which small pretty suddenly much brighter in the middle to a flickering, ill-defined nucleus. I can not see why it should be called bright in G.C., probably in the southern hemisphere it is much brighter."
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NGC 6959 = CGCG 374-013 = WBL 666-002 = PGC 65369
20 47 07.2 +00 25 49; Aqr
V = 13.9; Size 0.9'x0.4'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 57”
24" (9/25/19): between fairly faint and moderately bright, very elongated 5:2 SW-NE, ~0.7'x0.3', slightly brighter core. Forms a close pair with LEDA 162626 1.1' NW of center. The companion (similar redshift) was extremely faint, small, round, 15" diameter, very low surface brightness, only occasionally popped.
18" (8/1/05): fairly faint, small, very elongated SW-NE, 0.6'x0.2', weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. Nestled within a semi-circular arc of stars including three collinear stars to the SW.
17.5" (8/31/86): fairly faint, elongated WSW-ENE, brighter along the major axis, small bright core.
17.5" (7/16/88): fairly faint, small, very elongated SW-NE, brighter along the major axis. A line of three mag 13/14 stars lies 2' SSW. This is the fourth brightest in the NGC 6962 group with NGC 6962 7.1' SE, NGC 6961 4.1' S and NGC 6967 6.7' ESE.
13.1" (8/23/84): slightly fainter than NGC 6967 but easily visible at 220x, small, very elongated WSW-ENE. Three stars are close SW.
13.1" (7/27/84): faint but easily visible with averted vision, very small, elongated WSW-ENE. A small arc of three stars is just SW.
R.J. Mitchell, LdR's observing assistant, discovered NGC 6959 = Big. 84 on 27 Aug 1857, while observing the NGC 6962 group. He noted "[labeled object] a is lE, bM" and his sketch confirms the identity with CGCG 374-013 = PGC 65369. Bigourdan found this galaxy again 22 Sep 1884. His RA in his 2nd Comptes Rendus list is 10 seconds too small, but was corrected in his last Comptes Rendus list. Bigourdan is credited with the discovery in the NGC due to a confusion about what objects were found at Birr Castle.
The RNGC misidentifies LEDA 162626 as NGC 6959. The RNGC then mislabels the correct NGC 6959 as NGC 6965. See my article on the identities of this group in Deep Sky, Fall 1985.
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NGC 6960 = SNR G74.0-08.5 = LBN 191 = Ced 182a = Veil Nebula = The Witch's Broom
20 45 58 +30 35 42; Cyg
Size 70'x6'
13.1" (5/21/82 and 8/15/82): this is the prominent western section of the "Veil nebula" and is spectacular with an OIII filter. Bright, extremely large, very elongated N-S, stretches across the entire low power field while passing through the bright unequal double 52 Cygni = 4.3/9.5 at 6". The nebulosity fans out to the south and splits into two delicate branches and fainter wisps (the source of nickname "Witch's Broom"). The bright curving nebulosity north of 52 Cygni has a remarkable "electric" quality. It has an abrupt bend about midway and then tapers down to a narrow tip towards the north end gently bowing out towards the west side. Fantastic detail using a 20mm Nagler and OIII filter.
11x80 (5/26/84): both sections of Veil are easily visible in the 11x80 finder using a filter.
15x50 IS binoculars (8/27/11): the entire Veil was visible (eastern section was striking) using a pair of UHC filters threaded over the objectives. The western section through 52 Cygni took more care to view and the forked southern half was the most difficult section to pick up.
2x handheld image-intensifier with 6nm H-alpha filter. The western half of the veil was easily visible at just 2x as a ~40' strip oriented N-S, though smaller and fainter than NGC 6960.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6960 = H. V-15 = h2088 on 7 Sep 1784 (sweep 259). His description reads, "Extended from one number to the other [over 1” in declination]; pB, taking in 'k' [52] Cygni in its extent. The milky ray is convex towards the following side in that part which lies north of k, pretty compact and equally bright. On the southern side of 'k' it is less bright and at last loses itself with some extension, perhaps in two branches, but it is not bright enough that I may determine this circumstance with certainty. The breadth of the northern parts is near 2', the southern branch is less defined." The previous night (sweep 258) he discovered NGC 6992, the main eastern portion of the Veil. A second observation of NGC 6960 was made on 18 Oct 1786 (sweep 615, using the front-view): "The nebulosity extends as far as this [south of 52 Cyg], and I believe much further. It divides itself in 2 or 3 branches; but they are too faint to be pursued." In his first catalogue, the description reads "By the Newtonian view above 1”. By the Front-view near 2” length." The second observation was inserted just before publication, although the manuscript was submitted by the start of April 1786.
John Herschel recorded 3 observations. On sweep 178 he noted "The place is that of k Cygni, through which the nebula passes. It is very long and winding and runs northward from k full 2 fields breadth (30'). One branch is pretty conspicuous, even in a little moonlight. The nebulosity is milky, and does not seem to arise from small stars of the Milky Way." Isaac Roberts took the first photograph of NGC 6960 on 28 Sep 1891.
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NGC 6961 = CGCG 374-014 = WBL 666-003 = PGC 65372
20 47 10.4 +00 21 48; Aqr
V = 14.1; Size 0.6'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 134”
24" (9/25/19): at 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, round, 20" diameter, very small brighter nucleus. A mag 15.3 star is only 0.5' NNE of center.
18" (8/1/05): very faint, very small, round. Contains a faint stellar nucleus with direct vision surrounded by a very low surface brightness halo, perhaps 15" diameter. A very faint star is off the north end. Located 3.3' NW of NGC 6962 and collinear with NGC 6964.
17.5" (7/16/88): very faint, round, very small. A mag 15 star is off the NE edge. Located 3.3' NW of NGC 6962 in a group and the fifth brightest of six. NGC 6959 lies 4.1' NNW.
17.5" (8/31/86): very faint, very small, round, a mag 15 star is less than 30" NE but cleanly resolved.
13.1" (7/27/84 and 8/23/84): extremely faint, very small. A very faint star appears to be very close.
J.L.E. Dreyer, as the observer at Birr Castle, probably first discovered NGC 6961 on 23 Aug 1876. His offset from NGC 6962 (195" in PA 322.7”) is a close match with CGCG 374-014 = PGC 65372. Dreyer incorrectly assumed this object was seen by d'Arrest and that it was possibly labeled "a" in the sketch of 1857 (it's not shown on the sketch). Harold Corwin notes that "Micrometric positions by Bigourdan and Kobold agree with the one by Dreyer [in the NGC]." See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6962 = UGC 11628 = MCG +00-53-003 = CGCG 374-015 = WBL 666-005 = PGC 65375
20 47 19.0 +00 19 14; Aqr
V = 12.1; Size 2.9'x2.3'; Surf Br = 14.1; PA = 75”
24" (9/25/19): at 375x; bright, moderately large, slightly elongated ~E-W. Sharply concentrated with a very bright core, ~40" diameter, with an intense nucleus. I initially noticed only the central region, but lowering the power to 200x there appeared to be a very large, low surface brightness halo, extending ~2.5' diameter. A mag 14.5 is at the W edge, 1.4' from center, and a similar star 1.7' E of center. Brightest of 4 NGC galaxies and 8 overall in the immediate group (USGC U792).
UGC 11631, a 9th group member 32' SSE, appeared faint, very thin edge-on streak oriented SW-NE, 0.8'x0.15', low even surface brightness.
18" (8/1/05): moderately bright, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter. Contains a bright core that increases to a quasi-stellar nucleus with direct vision. Brightest in the group and collinear with NGC 6964 less than 2' SE and NGC 6961 3' NW. A distinctive obtuse triangle of mag 11 and 12 stars is a few arc minutes to the SW.
17.5" (7/16/88): brightest in the NGC 6962 group. Moderately bright, fairly small, round, bright core, stellar nucleus. On a line with NGC 6964 1.8' SE and NGC 6961 3.3' NW. Also forms an equilateral triangle with NGC 6959 7.1' NW and NGC 6967 6.6' NE.
17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, roundish, strong bright core, stellar nucleus.
13.1" (7/27/84 and 8/23/84): fairly bright, fairly small, small bright core, almost round. Largest and brightest in a group.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6962 = H. II-426 = h2087, along with NGC 6964, on 12 Aug 1785 (sweep 425). He recorded both as "Two, the preceding [NGC 6962] faint, small, irregularly round, much brighter in the middle... 240x showed the same. The time and NPD is that of the preceding."
John Herschel observed the galaxy on 21 Jul 1827 (sweep 81) and logged, "pF; S; R: gradually brighter in the middle; 15...20" diameter." His mean position (two measures) is accurate.
NGC 6962 was photographed at the Helwan Observatory between 1914-16 and described as "vF, 2.5'x2.0', lE 60”, open spiral with bright nucleus."
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NGC 6963
20 47 19.3 +00 30 33; Aqr
18" (8/1/05): this is a very faint double star at 12" separation, which was cleanly resolved at 160x and 225x. The components are mag 15.0-15.5. Located 1.5' N of NGC 6965.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 6963 = Big. 85 on 12 Aug 1885 and recorded "mag 13.4; a star involved in nebulosity." The NGC position is 2.6' N of NGC 6965 = CGCG 374-016 and the RNGC, CGCG, UGC and MCG misidentify this galaxy as NGC 6963. This error goes back to the 1921 Helwan Observatory bulletin 21, based on photos taken in 1914-15. According to Harold Corwin, Bigourdan's micrometric position falls precisely on a double star 1.5' north of NGC 6965.
See my article in Deep Sky, Fall 1985 and Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6964 = UGC 11629 = MCG +00-53-005 = CGCG 374-017 = WBL 666-006 = PGC 65379
20 47 24.2 +00 18 03; Aqr
V = 13.0; Size 1.7'x1.3'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 171”
24" (9/25/19): at 375x; fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 N-S, 60"x45", strong concentration with a very bright core. A mag 13.5 star is at the SE edge, less than 40" from center.
18" (8/1/05): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated ~N-S, 0.5'x0.4'. Moderate even concentration to a small bright core and quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 13.5 star is just of the SE end of the galaxy. Forms a close pair with NGC 6962 1.8' NW and this galaxy is just slightly smaller and fainter than its companion.
17.5" (7/16/88): fairly faint to moderately bright, small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, small bright core. A mag 13.5 star is 38" SE of center. This is the second brightest in the NGC 6962 group and located just 1.8' SE of NGC 6962.
17.5" (8/31/86): moderately bright, strong bright core, substellar nucleus, almost round.
13.1" (8/23/84): slightly fainter than NGC 6962 in size and brightness, a faint star follows.
13.1" (7/27/84): second brightest in the NGC 6962 group. Moderately bright, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, weak concentration.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6964 = H. II-427 = h2089, along with NGC 6962, on 12 Aug 1785 (sweep 425). He recorded, "Two, the following [NGC 6964] vF, vS, little brighter middle, about 3 or 4' from the preceding and a little more south. 240x showed the same." John Herschel's mean position (2 measures) is accurate.
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NGC 6965 = IC 5058 = MCG +00-53-004 = CGCG 374-016 = WBL 666-004 = PGC 65376
20 47 20.4 +00 29 03; Aqr
V = 14.1; Size 0.7'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 68”
24" (9/25/19): between faint and fairly faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, faint stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 1.4' S and a mag 13.5 star is 1.8' W.
18" (8/1/05): faintest of six in the NGC 6962 group. Appeared very faint, very small, round, 15"-20" diameter. At first I thought it had a faint stellar nucleus with direct vision, but with careful viewing this was a mag 15-15.5 star at the south edge. Located 1.3' N of a mag 13 star, on a line with two mag 14 stars a similar distance to the east and west. This galaxy is misidentified as NGC 6963 in most modern catalogues.
17.5" (7/16/88): very faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, broad concentration, barely visible continuously with direct vision. Located 10' N of NGC 6962 within a triangle of mag 13-14 stars including a mag 14 star 1.4' E and a mag 13 star 1.3' S. Faintest of six in NGC 6962 group.
17.5" (8/31/86): very faint (requires averted), small, slightly elongated ~N-S, faint stellar nucleus.
13.1" (8/23/84): requires averted vision to confirm, similar to NGC 6961.
13.1" (7/27/84): extremely faint, very small, round. Located 10' N of NGC 6962 within a small equilateral triangle of faint stars.
R.J. Mitchell, LdR's observing assistant, discovered NGC 6965 on 27 Aug 1857 in the NGC 6963 group. He labeled this galaxy as "b" and noted "S, nearly R, bM.". The sketch clearly indicates NGC 6965 = CGCG 374-016. In compiling the NGC, Dreyer had to estimate the position and placed this galaxy 3' too far south. This was caused by a poorly indicated direction of drift (west) in the sketch. Bigourdan later reobserved this galaxy, gave an accurate position, and it was catalogued again as IC 5058. So, NGC 6965 = IC 5058 = CGCG 374-016.
The Helwan Observatory 1921 bulletin has descriptions (and misidentifications based on the poor positions) for the entire NGC 6962 group. NGC 6965 was described as "Not shown, exposure 90. min. Inclusion in the NGC probably a mistake."
As far as more modern catalogues, RNGC, UGC, CGCG, and MCG all misidentify this galaxy as NGC 6963. The galaxy labeled as NGC 6965 in RNGC is actually NGC 6959 = CGCG 374-013. UGC, MCG, CGCG all mislabel NGC 6967 = CGCG 374-018 as NGC 6965. In Deep Sky, Fall 1985 I incorrectly concluded that NGC 6965 was a duplicate entry for Bigourdan's NGC 6963, but NGC 6963 is a double star.
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NGC 6966
20 47 26.8 +00 22 03; Aqr
18" (8/1/05): this difficult double star appears as an extremely faint, sub-stellar object at 225x (only a few arcseconds in size) that was slightly elongated like an unresolved double. At 323x it was occasionally resolved but it was easy to see how this might be assumed to be a nebulous object. Located 3.4' NE of NGC 6962 and at the midpoint of NGC 6962 and NGC 6967 3.2' further NE.
Heinrich d'Arrest probably discovered NGC 6966 = Big. 86 on 26 Jul 1865. About 1' north of his (single) position is a close double star at 20 47 26.8 +00 22 04 (2000) with a separation of 3"-4" (currently). Guillaume Bigourdan rediscovered the same pair on 27 Jul 1884. His micrometric position is unambiguous. The Helwan Observatory list for 1921 reported "no nebula here" and Dorothy Carlson perhaps first made the identification with a double star in her 1940 NGC errata list.
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NGC 6967 = UGC 11630 = MCG +00-53-006 = CGCG 374-018 = WBL 666-007 = PGC 65385
20 47 34.0 +00 24 42; Aqr
V = 13.1; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.5; PA = 105”
24" (9/25/19): at 375x; fairly faint, elongated 2:1 ~E-W, 0.8'x0.4', strong concentration. The western half of the disc seems brighter, probably due to the glare of a mag 10.8 star off the E end [45" E of center].
18" (8/1/05): faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 WNW-ESE, 0.7'x0.3'. Contains a very small brighter nucleus. A mag 10 star is close following and the galaxy is elongated nearly in the direction of the star.
17.5" (7/16/88): fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, very elongated ~E-W. A mag 10 star is just 44" E of center. Third brightest in the NGC 6962 group. Forms the NE vertex of an equilateral triangle with NGC 6962 6.6' SW and NGC 6959 6.7' WNW. Misidentified as NGC 6965 in the UGC, CGCG, MCG.
17.5" (8/31/86): fairly faint, small, elongated ~E-W, brighter core. A bright star follows closely that detracts from viewing.
13.1" (8/23/84): fairly faint though the mag 10 star interferes with viewing, small E-W streak, lens-shaped.
13.1" (7/27/84): faint, small, very elongated E-W. A mag 10 star is off the SE edge.
R.J. Mitchell, LdR's observing assistant, discovered NGC 6967 on 27 Aug 1857, while observing the NGC 6962 group. He labeled this galaxy as "c" on the sketch and noted "c is lE, bM and has a conspicuous * close nf." The description and sketch clearly establishes NGC 6967 = CGCG 374-018.
MCG (+00-53-006) and UGC (11630) misidentify this galaxy as NGC 6965. RNGC and CGCG give the correct identification. See my article in Deep Sky, Fall 1985 and Harold Corwin's identification notes.
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NGC 6968 = MCG -02-53-006 = PGC 65428
20 48 32.4 -08 21 37; Aqr
V = 13.2; Size 1.6'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.8; PA = 135”
17.5" (7/8/89): moderately bright, fairly small, slightly elongated NW-SE, bright core, stellar nucleus. A mag 13 star is 55" NW of center. A faint double star (IC 5062)at 10" separation is 6' W.
douard Stephan discovered NGC 6968 = St. 13-93 on 10 Aug 1882. His published position was reduced on 11 Aug 1883 and matches MCG -02-53-006.
MCG misidentifies this galaxy as IC 5062. Bigourdan found IC 5062 on the same night as one of his two observations of N6968 and his description and position matches a wide pair of stars a few arc minutes west of the bright galaxy. So N6968 IC 5062.
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NGC 6969 = UGC 11633 = MCG +01-53-001 = CGCG 400-002 = PGC 65425
20 48 27.7 +07 44 25; Del
V = 14.0; Size 1.1'x0.3'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 15”
17.5" (8/1/86): faint, small, edge-on streak SSW-NNE, small bright core. Located 21' WSW of 14 Delphini (V = 6.3).
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6969 = m 424 on 15 Aug 1863 and noted "F, pL, E." His position and description is good.
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NGC 6970 = ESO 235-008 = AM 2048-485 = LGG 441-001 = PGC 65608
20 52 09.5 -48 46 42; Ind
V = 12.6; Size 1.4'x0.9'; Surf Br = 12.6; PA = 105”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): bright, moderately large, elongated 4:3 WNW-ESE, sharply concentrated with a very small, bright core punctuated by a quasi-stellar nucleus. A very faint star is superimposed on the halo. A scattered group of mag 12-14 stars lies 5' S.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6970 = h3842 on 2 Oct 1834 and recorded "pB; S; lE; gradually much brighter middle; 18" l." His position is on the west side of the halo.
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NGC 6971 = UGC 11637 = MCG +01-53-002 = CGCG 400-003 = PGC 65462
20 49 23.8 +05 59 44; Del
V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.5; PA = 60”
24" (9/5/18): at 225x; fairly faint, fairly small, roundish, 35"-40" diameter, fairly low surface brightness. Contains a slightly brighter nucleus that rises slightly to a faint stellar peak. This galaxy was a bit fainter than expected. Located in a pretty rich star field 7.2' SE of mag 7.7 HD 198271 and 24' E of mag 5.6 13 Delphini.
UGC 11639, located 15' NNE, appeared fairly faint, round, 35" diameter, faint stellar nucleus. Very similar (or perhaps marginally brighter) than NGC 6971.
17.5" (8/1/86): fairly faint, moderately large, pretty diffuse, weak concentration, slightly elongated WSW-ENE. Located 7.1' SE of mag 7.7 SAO 126248. This bright star is at the midpoint of two nearby mag 9/10 stars on a line WNW-ESE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6971 = m 425 on 15 Aug 1863 and noted "vF, S, R." His position is accurate to within 1'.
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NGC 6972 = UGC 11640 = MCG +02-53-004 = CGCG 425-011 = PGC 65485
20 49 58.9 +09 53 57; Del
V = 13.3; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 143”
18" (9/10/07): fairly faint, small, oval NW-SE, 0.4'x0.25', very small brighter core, stellar nucleus. Situated within a oval ring of 8 stars (4.5'x2') mag 11-13.
13.1" (6/29/84): very faint, brighter core, irregular shape, slightly elongated NW-SE. A mag 12 double star at 23" separation is 2' WSW.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6972 = m 426 on 15 Aug 1863 and noted "F, S, R." His declination is 1' too large.
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NGC 6973
20 52 06.0 -05 53 42; Aqr
= *, Corwin.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 6973 = Big. 87, along with NGC 6980, on 5 Jul 1886 and noted a star mixed with nebulosity. His position corresponds with a mag 14.6 star at this position.
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NGC 6974 = Veil Nebula
20 51 04 +31 49 42; Cyg
18" (8/3/11): although the NGC position (from the 4th Earl of Rosse) is 74' further south in an empty section of the Veil, this number is generally applied to the southeast end of the 25' section of nebulosity between the north end of Pickering's Triangular Wisp and the north end of NGC 6992/5 (eastern section of the Veil). This patch is roughly 4'x2.5' in size and contains three brighter stars. A thread of nebulosity extends NW and then spreads out at the NW end (see NGC 6979). Extremely faint haze extends at least 20' SE towards a slightly brighter patch (see notes on section G).
18" (7/31/08): at 73x (31mm Nagler) and an OIII filter, this is a locally brighter patch at the SE end of a 25' elongated section of the Veil to the east of the northern end of Pickering's Wedge. Although not plotted on Megastar, Uranometria or MSA, very faint nebulosity continues to stream to the SE throughout most of the 1.1” field of the 31mm Nagler and ending near a slightly brighter patch (see notes on piece G) at 20 51.1 +32 23 (2000).
17.5" (9/7/91): smaller southern portion of a very faint elongated patch with NGC 6979 in the Veil Nebula. Several faint stars are superimposed. Located east of the north edge of the widest section of the huge triangular wedge of nebulosity in the center of the Veil. Also see NGC 6979.
The NGC identification is very uncertain as the 4th Earl of Rosse's position was 74' further south and there is no nebulosity near his position.
Lawrence Parsons, the 4th Earl of Rosse, discovered NGC 6974 on 20 Aug 1873. He described a "Nebulous *, neby considerably elongated pf [east-west], 20h 45.5m NPD 59d 50'±." The position precesses to 20h 50.8m +30d 38'± (2000) and places it somewhere in the central region on the Veil, where there is no obvious nebulosity.
The RNGC position is on the southeast end of the section that includes NGC 6979, over a degree due north of Parsons' position. Also, this piece of nebulosity is not "cE pf", but extended generally north-south." Still, Corwin feels this is a plausible candidate (digit error in the declination). In any case, the identification of this number is uncertain because of these discrepancies.
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NGC 6975 = NGC 6976 = MCG -01-53-015 = HCG 88c = PGC 65620
20 52 25.9 -05 46 19; Aqr
V = 14.0; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 5”
See observing notes for NGC 6976. The galaxy identified as NGC 6975 in the RNGC is MCG -01-53-014.
Guillaume Bigourdan found NGC 6975 = Big. 88 on 23 Sep 1886 and noted "30" - 40" in diameter." There is nothing at his position in his second Comptes Rendus list, but in the remarks section of his 6 May 1901 Comptes Rendus list he stated Big. 88 was identical to NGC 6976 and this was repeated in the IC 2 Notes/Corrections section. See Corwin's identification notes.
RNGC, MCG, PGC and RC3 misidentify MCG -01-53-014 = PGC 65612 as NGC 6975. The MCG galaxy is located 3' southwest of NGC 6976.
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NGC 6976 = HCG 88C = NGC 6975 = MCG -01-53-015 = PGC 65620
20 52 25.9 -05 46 19; Aqr
V = 14.0; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 5”
24" (9/27/19): at 375x; fairly faint, small, round, 24" diameter, fairly low surface brightness, slightly brighter core. Third brightest of 4 in HCG 88.
HCG 88D, situated 3.6' SW, was easily the faintest of the quartet. At 225x it appeared as an extremely faint, small, elongated smudge, which only occasionally popped.
18" (8/3/05): very faint, very small, round, 15" diameter, very low surface brightness, no concentration. Furthest southwest in a string with brighter NGC 6977 and NGC 6978.
18" (7/21/04): very faint, small, round, ~25" diameter, very low even surface brightness. Faintest of collinear trio with NGC 6977 and NGC 6978 and furthest SW.
18" (6/25/04): faintest and further SW of a trio on line with NGC 6977 and NGC 6978 ~2' and 4' NE, respectively [HCG 88d not seen]. Appears extremely faint, very small, round, 20" diameter, very low even surface brightness.
17.5" (7/16/88): extremely faint, very small, round, very diffuse. This is the furthest south of three galaxies on a line in HCG 88 with NGC 6977 1.8' NE and NGC 6978 4.3' NE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6976 = m 427, along with NGC 6977 and 6978, on 12 Jul 1864 and noted "eF, irr R." His position is less than 1' north of MCG -01-53-015 = PGC 65620. NGC 6975 is a duplicate observation from Bigourdan. See that number.
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NGC 6977 = HCG 88B = MCG -01-53-016 = PGC 65625
20 52 29.6 -05 44 46; Aqr
V = 13.2; Size 1.2'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 162”
24" (9/27/19): at 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, round, 50" diameter, brighter core. The halo had a slightly uneven surface brightness like a face-on spiral.
24" (7/23/20): at 375x; fairly faint, roundish, ~40" diameter, small slightly brighter core occasionally elongates SW-NE. A mag 14.8 star is 1.2' NE and NGC 6978 is 1.8' SW.
18" (8/3/05): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated, 0.7'x0.5', broad concentration with a slightly brighter core, occasional very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. Located 1.8' NE of slightly brighter NGC 6976. A very faint star lies between NGC 6977 and NGC 6976.
18" (7/21/04): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated, ~35"x30", broad weak concentration. A mag 14.5 or 15 star lies between NGC 6977 and brighter NGC 6978 just 2.6' NE. Second brightest in HCG 88 along with NGC 6976 just 1.8' SW.
18" (6/25/04): faint, fairly small, round, 0.7' diameter, very weak concentration to a slightly brighter core. Middle of a collinear triplet (HCG 88) with slightly brighter NGC 6978 2.6' NE and fainter NGC 6976 1.8' SW. A mag 15 star lies midway between NGC 6977 and NGC 6978.
17.5" (7/16/88): very faint, fairly small, round, diffuse, even surface brightness. Second of three on a line with NGC 6976 1.8' SW and NGC 6978 2.5' NE.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6977 = m 428, along with NGC 6976 and 6978, on 20 Jul 1863 and noted "vF, S, irr R." His position is accurate.
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NGC 6978 = HCG 88A = MCG -01-53-017 = PGC 65631
20 52 35.4 -05 42 39; Aqr
V = 13.3; Size 1.5'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 125”
24" (9/27/19): at 375x; moderately bright and large, very elongated 3:1 NW-SE, 1.1'x0.35', small bright core, brighter along the central axis. A mag 14.8 star lies 1.3' SSW, halfway to NGC 6977 = HCG 88B. Situated in a busy star field 18' ESE of mag 6.1 4 Aquarii.
24" (7/23/20): at 375x; between fairly faint and moderately bright, moderately large, very elongated 5:2 NW-SE, broad concentration with a small brighter core. A mag 14.8 star is 1.3' SSW.
18" (8/3/05): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.4', broad concentration to a small brighter core and an occasional very faint stellar nucleus with direct vision. A very faint star lies midway between NGC 6977 and NGC 6978. This galaxy is the brightest in HCG 88 and furthest NE in a string of three. Located 14' SE of mag 5.5 HD 198667 and 18' ESE of mag 6 4 Aquarii.
18" (7/21/04): fairly faint, fairly small, very elongated 5:2 NW-SE, 1.0'x0.35', moderate concentration to a very small brighter core and occasional stellar nucleus that seems offset to the NW side. Brightest of collinear trio in HCG 88 with NGC 6977 and NGC 6976.
18" (6/25/04): fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 NW-SE, 0.8'x0.4', broad weak concentration. Largest and brightest of a collinear triplet with NGC 6976 4.4' SW and NGC 6977 2.6' SW.
17.5" (7/16/88): fairly faint, fairly small, bright core, elongated 2:1 NW-SE. Brightest and farthest NE of three on a line (HCG 88 group) with NGC 6977 2.5' SW and NGC 6976 4.3' SW. HCG 88D not seen.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6978 = m 429, along with NGC 6976 and 6977, on 20 Jul 1863 and noted "vF". His position is accurate.
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NGC 6979 = Veil Nebula
20 50 28 +32 01 36; Cyg
Size 5'x3'
18" (8/3/11): this number is generally applied to the NW end of a fairly faint 20'x4' section of the Veil, located the NE of the northern end of Pickering's Triangular Wisp. The NW end is roughly 5'x3' and involves a few stars including a couple on the SW side and a couple on the north side. An isolated filament (section "F") oriented NNW-SSE is situated 10' ENE of NGC 6979. To the south of NGC 6979 the nebulosity thins and a faint thread extends to the SE before spreading out again on the SE end (see NGC 6974), about 15' from NGC 6979.
18" (7/31/08): this is the north end of a very elongated section of the Veil to the NE of Pickering's Wedge. Although the entire section is reasonably prominent at 73x using an OIII filter, the northern end which corresponds to the position of NGC 6979 doesn't really stand out, other than ending here and involving a few mag 10 stars. The north end of Pickering's Wedge is in fact much brighter with a wealth of filamentary detail.
17.5" (9/7/91): very faint, fairly large, elongated ~NNW-SSE, detached patch in the Veil Nebula. The SSE portion of this patch (identified in the RNGC as NGC 6974) is smaller and has several faint stars superimposed. The northern part (NGC 6979) is larger and wider but less well-defined and has some brighter stars superimposed. This patch is located NE of the northern end of the huge triangular wedge ("Pickering's Wedge") that forms the north central section of the Veil.
13.1" (8/16/82): faint patch picked up to the east of the northern part of Pickering's Triangular Wedge.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6979 = H. II-206, along with NGC 6960, on 7 Sep 1784 (sweep 259) and noted "F, S, crookedly elongated, r[esolvable]". Dreyer mentions in his 1912 "Scientific Papers of William Herschel" that this section of the Veil nebula was not found at Birr Castle on three occasions although on one observation "extremeley faint" nebulosity was noted.
RNGC and Uranometria 2000 use the NGC position, though this points to extremely low surface brightness filaments. Harold Corwin's position matches the northeast section of a fairly faint 20'x4' filament situated northeast of the north end of Pickering's Triangular Wisp.
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NGC 6980
20 52 48.9 -05 50 17; Aqr
= *, Corwin.
Guillaume Bigourdan discovered NGC 6980 = Big. 89, along with NGC 6973, on 5 Jul 1886 and noted a mixed star and nebulosity, 30" diam." His position corresponds with a mag 14.6 star at this position.
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NGC 6981 = M72
20 53 27.9 -12 32 13; Aqr
V = 9.2; Size 6'; Surf Br = 0.1
17.5" (7/17/01): at 380x, the halo is very irregular and the globular has a very uneven surface brightness. The non-symmetrical halo is elongated ~E-W, perhaps 4'x3'. The brighter 1.5' core is covered with a sprinkling a 8-10 faint stars. From the core there are short ragged extensions to the SW and NW with a few resolved stars. More prominent is a nearly detached clump on the east side which is extended ~N-S and contains roughly 8 easily resolved stars over haze. In total, perhaps two dozen stars are resolved in moments of good seeing.
17.5" (8/13/88): very mottled at 280x, 3' diameter. About 20 stars are resolved at the edges and over the core.
17.5" (8/2/86): very mottled, ragged irregular appearance. 15-20 stars resolved over the disc.
13.1" (8/16/82 and 9/29/84): very mottled non-symmetrical appearance with a bright core. Roughly a dozen stars are resolved mostly on the east side of the core. A brighter mag 13.5 star is in the NE side of the halo.
Pierre Mchain discovered M72 = NGC 6981 = h2090 on 30 Aug 1780.
William Herschel first observed the globular on 28 Sep 1783 using his 8-inch (10-ft focal length). He noted it is "fairly resolved into small stars." He observed the cluster during his sweeps on 15 Jul 1784 (sweep 238) and in 1788. Herschel made a detailed observation on 30 Oct 1810 using the 40-ft telescope (48" f/10): "Having been about 20 minutes at the telescope to prepare the eyes properly for seeing critical objects, the 72nd of the Connois. came into the field. It is a very bright object. It is a cluster of stars of a round figure, but the very faint stars on the outside of these sorts of clusters are generally a little dispersed so as to deviate from a very perfect circular form; the telescopes which have the greatest light shew this best. It is very gradually extremely condensed in the center, but with much attention even there the stars may be distinguished. Power 280x. There are many stars in the field of view with it, but they are of many magnitudes and totally different from the excessively small ones that compose the cluster. It is not possible to form an idea of the number of stars that may be in such a cluster, but I think we cannot estimate them by hundreds. The diameter is about 1/5 of the field = 1' 53".6." A sketch was published in his 1814 PT paper (fig. 17) as representative of globular clusters.
John Herschel also resolved this cluster on 4 Oct 1825 (sweep 10): "F; R; gradually brighter in the middle; resolved into very small stars; 2 or 3' diam."
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NGC 6982 = ESO 235-019 = PGC 65776
20 57 18.5 -51 51 45; Ind
V = 13.7; Size 1.1'x0.6'; Surf Br = 13.1; PA = 152”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): fairly faint, small, slightly elongated SW-NE, 30"x20". NGC 6982 is sandwiched between a mag 14 star 50" NE and a mag 15 star 1' SSW. Just off the south edge [26" from center] is another 15th magnitude star.
In a trio (same redshift) with NGC 6984 (brightest) 5.5' E and PGC 65805 (Fairall 927) 9' NE. A mag 10.6 star 5' NE makes an equilateral triangle with NGC 6982 and NGC 6984.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6982 = h3843, along with NGC 6984, on 8 Jul 1834 and recorded "eF; S; R; the preceding of 2 [with NGC 6984]."
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NGC 6983 = ESO 286-014 = MCG -07-43-004 = PGC 65759
20 56 43.4 -43 59 09; Mic
V = 13.3; Size 0.8'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 147”
30" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 394x; fairly faint to moderately bright, fairly small, 0.5' diameter, irregularly round, contains a very small brighter core. Located 13' NW of mag 6.5 HD 199288 (noted as a high proper-motion star in SIMBAD).
ESO 286-010 lies 26' WSW and appeared moderately bright, large, nearly 2' diameter, sharply concentrated with a very bright core that increases to the center. The halo is very large and diffuse without a well defined edge, fading into the background at the edges.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6983 = h3844 on 2 Sep 1836 and recorded "eF; S; R; 45"." He missed ESO 286-010, 26' WSW, which is just as prominent.
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NGC 6984 = ESO 235-020 = AM 2054-520 = PGC 65798
20 57 54.1 -51 52 12; Ind
V = 12.7; Size 1.8'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 101”
30" (11/5/10 - Coonabarabran, 264x): brightest in a trio with NGC 6982 5.5' W and PGC 65805 (Fairall 927) 5.6' NNE. Fairly bright, moderately large, oval 4:3 ~E-W, 1.2'x0.9', broadly concentrated halo, then sharply brightens to a small bright nucleus. A mag 10.6 star lies 4' NW and a mag 12 star is 1.4' E.
Fairall 927 was not plotted on my Megastar chart as there was no listed magnitude, so I was surprised to find a reasonably bright galaxy completing a trio. It appeared fairly faint (slightly fainter than NGC 6982), fairly small, oval 3:2 SW-NE, 30"x20". Located 5.6' NNE of NGC 6984 and 9' NE of NGC 6982.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6984 = h3845, along with NGC 6982, on 8 Jul 1834 and recorded "F; L; lE; gradually little brighter middle; 90" l; the following of 2 [with NGC 6982]."
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NGC 6985 = MCG -02-53-001 = VV 546 = PGC 65306
20 45 03.0 -11 06 15; Aqr
V = 13.8; Size 1.3'x0.9'; Surf Br = 13.9; PA = 90”
48" (11/5/21): this overlapping double system consists of a bright barred spiral (NGC 6985) on the east side and a Magellanic Irregular (NGC 6985A) attached to its SW end. At 488x, NGC 6985 appeared fairly bright, oval 3:2 E-W, ~45"x30", very strong concentration with a small very bright core. A mag 15.2 star is 0.6' NE. Located 2.5' WNW of mag 8.7 HD 197625.
NGC 6985A was faint, fairly small, low surface brightness, elongated ~SW-NE but ill-defined periphery, ~30" diameter, diffuse with no core/nucleus.
24" (7/28/16): at 260x; fairly faint, oval 4:3 ~E-W, ~30"x20", small bright core. A mag 15.2 star is just off the ENE side [36" from center]. Situated 2.5' WNW of mag 8.7 HD 197625. I looked for NGC 6985A and there appeared to be some haze extending off the southwest side, but I wasn't able to confirm in soft seeing conditions.
17.5" (8/3/94): fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 E-W, weak concentration to a small brighter core. A mag 15 star is just 40" ENE and a mag 13 star 1.2' W of center. Located 2.5' WNW of mag 8 SAO 163850 and 4.6' SSE of mag 7.5 SAO 163846! NGC 6985A, a companion (possibly interacting) at the southwest edge, was not seen.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 6985 = LM 1-234 on 11 Jun 1886 and noted "mag 16.0, 0.2' dia, iR." There is nothing anywhere near his very rough position (nearest minute of RA). Harold Corwin identifies NGC 6985 with MCG -02-53-001 = PGC 65306 (based on his discovery sketch). This galaxy is located 11 minutes of RA west of Leavenworth's position! Bigourdan, of course, was unable to find this object.
The Uranometria Deep Sky Field Guide (first edition) has no listing for NGC 6985 and RNGC classifies the number as nonexistent. MCG does not label this galaxy as NGC 6985.
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NGC 6986 = ESO 598-007 = MCG -03-53-011 = PGC 65750
20 56 30.6 -18 33 59; Cap
V = 13.6; Size 1.0'x0.6'; Surf Br = 12.8; PA = 8”
24" (9/27/19): at 200x and 375x; fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, 0.5'x0.4', very small bright core increased to a brighter nucleus, overall moderately high surface brightness. A group of 5 mag 12-13 stars is directly southeast.
17.5" (7/21/90): faint, small, slightly elongated ~N-S, small bright core. A small group of five mag 13 stars is 2'-3' SE.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 6986 = LM 1-235 on 2 Sep 1885 and recorded "mag 14.0, vS, R, gradually little brighter in the middle to a nucleus." His rough position (nearest minute of RA) is just 16 seconds west of ESO 598-007 = PGC 65750. Bigourdan measured an accurate position on 17 Jul 1890 as well as Herbert Howe around the turn of the century, but Dreyer made a 20 minute error in RA in his "corrected" position in the IC 2 Notes. This error is repeated in Roger Sinnott's NGC 2000.0.
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NGC 6987 = ESO 235-021 = LGG 441-002 = PGC 65807
20 58 10.4 -48 37 49; Ind
V = 12.4; Size 1.4'x1.2'; Surf Br = 13.0
30" (10/10/15 - OzSky): moderately to fairly bright, sharply concentrated with a very bright core surrounded by a relatively large, slightly elongated NW-SE halo extending 1.1'x0.8'. A mag 13 star is near the west edge, 40" from center. A mag 12 star is 2' S and an 11th mag star 3' SW. In addition mag 8.8 HD 199212 is 6.4' W
John Herschel discovered NGC 6987 = h3846 on 30 Sep 1834 and recorded "pB; S; lE; gradually brighter in the middle; among B stars." His position (2 observations) is fairly accurate.
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NGC 6988 = CGCG 425-020 = PGC 65732
20 55 48.9 +10 30 28; Del
V = 14.0; Size 0.7'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.0
17.5" (7/20/90): very faint, very small, oval NW-SE, even surface brightness. A mag 15 star is at the SE end 23" from center.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6988 = m 430 on 15 Aug 1863 and noted "eF, pL, R." His position is nearly 2' southeast of CGCG 425-020 = PGC 65732 (the only nearby candidate).
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NGC 6989
20 54 06 +45 14 24; Cyg
17.5" (9/23/95): at 100x appears to be simply a large Milky Way field about 20' diameter in the "Canada" portion of the "North American" nebula. Weakly more enhanced than the surrounding star field and only distinguished because of four bright stars off the south side including mag 5.5 SAO 50187 (off the SW edge) and three mag 7.5-8.5 cradling the south edge and forming an obtuse isosceles triangle. Requires low power or appears similar to the average Milky Way patch.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6989 = H. VIII-82 on 11 Sep 1790 (sweep 959) and recorded "A large cl of pS stars of several sizes." His position is 10' northeast of mag 5.5 HD 199098 in the northwest corner of the North America Nebula. John Herschel made two observations under VIII. 82, though he added a question mark. In the first observation (sweep 189) he did not measure a position and simply noted "Viewed. A mere clustering portion of the Milky Way." In the second (sweep 203) he recorded "Coarse, poor, pL cluster; stars small." His position, though, is 27' northeast of his fathers, and this entry later became NGC 6996. So, it's not clear if his sone ever saw H. VIII 82. Karl Reinmuth calls this "a very dense region, no distinct cL; 4 B st s." See Corwin's notes for more.
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NGC 6990 = ESO 187-043 = PGC 65862
20 59 57.0 -55 33 43; Ind
V = 13.1; Size 1.1'x0.5'; Surf Br = 12.4; PA = 0”
30" (10/10/15 - OzSky): at 394x; moderately bright, very elongated 3:1 N-S, 0.9'x0.35', slightly mottled appearance but no well defined core. A mag 12 star is at the south tip, 0.6' from center.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6990 = h3847 on 9 Jul 1834 and recorded "a * 10m, to which is attached or almost so, by its extremity an eF, vS nebulous ray; vmE in meridian 15" l; 4" br; night superb, and without this condition it were useless to look for this object." His position (measured twice) is accurate.
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NGC 6991 = Lund 969 = OCL-202
20 54 56 +47 19 18; Cyg
Size 5'
17.5" (10/24/92): at John Herschel's position and matching his description for h2091 is a scattered group of approximately 20 stars in a 6' field which is located about 10' SW of IC 5076 and a mag 5.7 star. Three equal mag stars are collinear on the east side and a mag 8.5 star is on the SW side. There are no dense knots or a core and this collection of stars barely stands out in the field.
At William Herschel's original position and description (VIII 76) is a scattered group of stars involved with IC 5076 and mag 5.7 SAO 50246. Nebulosity (IC 5076) is visible on the west side of a striking 5' group of stars centered on the bright star. Ten of the stars surrounding the mag 5.7 star form a semi-circle including a tight quadruple 2' SE. John Herschel's grouping lies ~10' WSW and either object could be taken for NGC 6991.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6991 = H. VIII-76 = h2091 on 27 Sep 1788 (sweep 866). He described "A star 6m not in [British Catalogue]. A large star surrounded with many considerable stars, forming a brilliant though much scattered cluster; the star 6m is not in the center but towards the following side." His offset points to mag 5.7 HD 199478 at 20 55 49.7 +47 25 04 (2000), which is the star involved with reflection nebula IC 5076.
John Herschel recorded two observations , but he found a separate group of stars about 12' SW! On 19 Sep 1829 (sweep 210) he recorded "a star 9m; the largest of a cluster." His position lands just west of mag 8.4 SAO 50220 at 20 54 43.4 +47 16 50 (2000). In sweep 209 he gave the diameter is given as 6'. Dreyer followed JH's position in the NGC.
So, there are two candidates for NGC 6991. My notes describe both candidates. Lynga and RNGC identify WH's group as NGC 6991. Also see Harold Corwin's identification notes and Brent Archinal's monograph on the nonexistent RNGC open clusters.
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NGC 6992 = SNR G74.0-08.5 = Ced 182b = Veil Nebula
20 56 19 +31 44 36; Cyg
Size 60'x8'
17.5" (7/5/86): this section of the Veil nebula is probably the most detailed and exciting emission object to explore in the 17.5" using a 20mm Nagler and OIII filter. Appears very bright, extremely large, very elongated, about 1” length, crossed by darker rifts. Feather-like side branches are at the south edge running off towards the west. The breathtaking filamentary detail at 83x using an OIII filter is too intricate to describe, particularly on the southern half! The filaments appear like intertwined threads or twisted ropes giving a striking 3-dimensional appearance along the length! Attached to NGC 6995 and IC 1340 to the south.
13.1" (5/21/82): incredibly detailed at the south edge. Wispy structure with two long tails. Darker rifts and filamentary structure along the entire length.
8" (5/21/82): bright at 50x with UHC filter. Some structure seen with darker rifts and branches at the south edge.
15x50 IS binoculars (8/27/11): NGC 6992/6995 is striking at just 15x using a pair of UHC filters threaded over the objectives as a long, curving filament. Although NGC 6960, which passes through 52 Cygni, was also visible in the same binocular field, it's is a tougher object, particularly the fainter (forked) southern portion.
2x handheld image-intensifier with 6nm H-alpha filter. Easily visible as a 1.2” long strip, that was bowed or opening to the west forming a crescent outline. NGC 6960 was also fairly easy, though slightly less prominent.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6992 = H. V-14 = h2092 on 6 Sep 1784 (sweep 258). His description reads, "eF, above 3/4” long and 6, 8 or 10' broad. The whiteness entirely of the milky kind, brighter in 3 or 4 places than in the rest. The position of the ray or extent is from np to sf [northwest to southeast], making an angle of 30 or 40” with the meridian. The stars of the galaxy [Milky Way] are scattered over it in the same manner as the rest of the heavens. The time and number is taken in the brightest part of the nebula. The ray is faint enough to have been overlooked had it not been for the brighter places in it." The following night (sweep 259) he discovered the western section of the Veil Nebula (NGC 6960) and made a second observation of NGC 6992: "Branching nebulosity of the extent of the number that is 53' in polar distance, and in RA reaches through 5 or 6 fields that is near 1 1/2 degrees. The following part of it is divided into several streams and windings which after separating meet each other again towards the south." Herschel's rough sketch was published in his 1811 PT paper (Fig. 1) as an example "of extensive diffused Nebulosity". NGC 6992 is generally applied to the northern portion of the eastern half of the Veil Nebula and NGC 6995 to the southern part, although Herschel very likely saw the full length..
John Herschel first observed the Veil on 7 Sep 1825 (sweep 8) mentioned "The whole neighborhood seems affected with wisps or cirro-stratus-like masses of nebula." This was the original of the nickname "Cirrus Nebula", though the moniker "Veil Nebula" was probably first introduced by Leland Copeland. E.P. Mason made an excellent sketch in 1838.
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NGC 6993 = ESO 529-011 = MCG -04-49-007 = PGC 65671
20 53 54.1 -25 28 21; Cap
Size 1.3'x1.1'; PA = 108”
17.5" (8/4/02): at 220x appeared very faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter, low even surface brightness. Not noticed initially near position, but once identified could just hold steadily with concentration.
The identification of this galaxy with NGC 6993 is uncertain because of a very poor discovery position, but it roughly matches Leavenworth's field sketch and description.
Francis Leavenworth discovered NGC 6993 = LM 1-236 on 8 Jul 1885 and recorded "mag 14.0, vS, R, suddenly brighter in the middle to a nucleus." His very rough position (nearest minute of RA) happens to correspond with extremely faint PGC 776139 at 20 59 28.8 -25 41 24. But Harold Corwin examining Leavenworth's discovery sketch and it does not match this galaxy or star field. Corwin found the sketch best matches ESO 529-011 = PGC 65671, located 5.5 minutes west and 13' north of Leavenworth's position. But this identification still leaves some uncertainty (see Corwin's identification notes).
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NGC 6994 = M73 = Cr 426
20 58 56 -12 38 07; Aqr
V = 9.7; Size 3'
17.5" (9/7/91): four stars in a "Y" asterism. On the west side are the two fainter stars mag 11.5 and 12 oriented WNW-ESE which form the stem of the "Y". A mag 10 star is on the SE branch and a mag 10.5 star is on the NE branch. This is an unimpressive asterism of unrelated stars based on radial velocities and Gaia DR2 astrometry.
8": four stars mag 10.5, 10.5, 11.0 and 12.0 in a small group, easily resolved at 100x.
Charles Messier discovered M73 = NGC 6994 on 4/5 Oct 1780 and recorded a "Cluster of three or four small stars, which resembles a nebula at first sight, containing a little nebulosity." William Herschel observed M73 on 28 Sep 1783, during his Messier survey using his 10-foot (9" mirror): "73 Nebula, consists of a few stars in a triangular form. No nebulosity among them." (150x). He perhaps observed M73 again with his 18.7" on 15 Jul 1783 (sweep 238) after logging M72, referring to "several coarse patches of a few stars"
Hipparcos data places the four stars at different distances, so this is an optical quadruple -- a true asterism.
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NGC 6995 = Ced 182c = SNR G74.0-08.5 = Veil Nebula
20 57 10 +31 14 06; Cyg
Size 12'
17.5" (7/5/86): feather-like side branches on the south end run off towards the west. Using an OIII filter at 83x, the breathtaking filamentary detail is too detailed to fully describe but the filaments appear like intertwined threads or twisted ropes giving a striking 3-dimensional appearance!
13.1" (7/5/86): this is the amazingly detailed southern end of the eastern section of the Veil Nebula attached to NGC 6992 and contains beautiful feather-like side branches to the west, especially using an OIII filter. See description of NGC 6992.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6995 = h2093 on 7 Sep 1825 (sweep 8) and recorded "A most wonderful phenomenon. A very large space 20' or 30' broad in PD and 1m or 2m in RA, full of nebula and stars mixed. The nebula is decidedly attached to the stars and is as decidedly not stellar. It forms irregular lace-work marked out by stars, but some parts decidedly nebulous, wherein no stars can be seen. A figure (from which the drawing for the engraving was copied), represents the general character, but not the minute details of this objects, which would be extremely difficult to give with any degree of fidelity." Ebenezer Mason was first to point out the Herschel's position was exactly 1” too far south based on Mason's careful observations and sketch (around 1838). Herschel's description and sketch clearly refer to the southern portion of the eastern half of the Veil Nebula. The northern half carries the number NGC 6992. This was only John Herschel's 6th overall discovery!
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NGC 6996
20 56 30 +45 28 24; Cyg
Size 5'
18" (8/11/07): at 115x, ~40 stars mag 10-14 in a 6' region are mostly arranged in a "C" arrangement (or three sides of a rectangle), opening on the NW side. Stands out somewhat in the field but not striking. Located on the north (Canada) side of the North America Nebula. More interesting is that on the east side of the group and curving around the north side is a well-defined fairly high contrast dark nebula (Barnard 353). I had the impression that the stars in the "cluster" were perhaps an absorption hole in this dark cloud.
17.5" (9/23/95): about 50 stars mag 10 and fainter within an 8'-10' group in the northeast part of the North American nebula. Fairly well-detached and distinguishable in a low power field but appears to be a typical Milky Way cloud with no particular dense spots. Situated about 10' NW of a striking equilateral triangle of mag 8/9 stars with sides 2' (center at 20 57.0 +45 19). Barnard 353 (low contrast) is just following. The RNGC misidentifies NGC 6997 as NGC 6696.
John Herschel discovered NGC 6996 = h2094 on 28 Oct 1828 and noted "viewed. A mere clustering portion of the Milky Way." No position was given. On sweep 293 he logged "Coarse, poor, pL cluster, stars small." His position corresponds with a scattered group of stars in the northern portion of the North America nebula. He was apparently looking for his father's H. VIII- 82 = NGC 6989 and was uncertain if they were equivalent. NGC 6996 and 6989 are two different Milky Way fields, based on JH's single position.
The RNGC misidentifies NGC 6997 (50' further south) as NGC 6996 (error originated by Hogg). See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6997 = (R)NGC 6996
20 56 39 +44 37 54; Cyg
Size 8'
18" (8/11/07): very nice group of ~75 stars at 73x in a 12' diameter. A number of the stars are arranged in an oval outline extended ~E-W. The cluster is fairly rich although there is no clear border and another smaller grouping is nearly adjacent to the NW. Located towards the "East Coast" (west side) of the North America Nebula (on images the cluster is closer to the position of Lake Erie). Several mag 6-7 stars are within 15'-20' of the cluster including mag 6 HD 199579 17' S and mag 5.6 HD 199870 20' SE.
17.5" (7/17/93): about 50 stars in a 10' diameter. Located in the eastern U.S. portion of the North America Nebula. Includes many mag 10.5-12 stars. There are no rich portions and the group is somewhat scattered. Roughly circular outline, weak concentration in center.
13.1" (6/30/84): fairly prominent scattered group at the west edge of NGC 7000 (this is the "east" coast of the US outline). Located midway between two bright mag 6.0 and 6.8 stars with a 30' separation N-S.
William Herschel discovered NGC 6997 = H. VIII-58, along with NGC 7000 (next entry in the sweep), on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 620), and recorded "a cluster of stars." On 11 Sep 1790 (sweep 959) he logged "a cl of considerably L stars." and measured a good position. This star group is situated within the East Coast part of the North America nebula and is possibly superimposed in the foreground of the North America nebula. The RNGC and Lynga misidentify the group as NGC 6996. See Corwin's notes.
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NGC 6998 = ESO 464-014 = PGC 65925
21 01 37.7 -28 01 55; Mic
V = 14.2; Size 0.8'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.5
17.5" (7/16/93): extremely faint, very small, round, extremely low surface brightness, requires averted vision. Forms a pair with NGC 6999 5.1' ESE. Appears nearly stellar and about mag 16pg on the POSS. Member of AGC 3733.
17.5" (8/27/92): not found from Grandview (8400') in the Eastern Sierras.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6998 = m 431, along with NGC 6999, on 19 Oct 1864 and noted "eeF, vS." His position is less than 1' north of ESO 464-014 = PGC 65925.
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NGC 6999 = ESO 464-015 = PGC 65940
21 01 59.6 -28 03 32; Mic
V = 14.0; Size 0.9'x0.7'; Surf Br = 13.4; PA = 175”
17.5" (7/16/93): very faint, very small, round, low even surface brightness. Located 2.2' N of a mag 10.5 star. Brightest member of AGC 3733. Forms a difficult pair with NGC 6998 5.1' WNW. (R)NGC 6999 = 2MASXi J2102037-275216 lies 10' NE.
17.5" (8/27/92): not found from Grandview campground in the White Mountains.
Albert Marth discovered NGC 6999 = m 432, along with NGC 6998, on 19 Oct 1864 and noted "eeF, vS." Although Marth's position (copied correctly into the NGC) is accurate, the RNGC misidentified LEDA 133216 as NGC 6999. This galaxy is located 11' to the north. ESO gives the correct identification. Included in my RNGC Corrections #5.
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NGC 7000 = Ced 183d = Sh 2-117 = LBN 373 = North American Nebula
20 59 18 +44 31; Cyg
Size 120'x100'
18" (7/16/07): superb view of the entire North American nebula in the 80mm finder at 12.5x and at 73x in the 18-inch with UHC filters in both. The entire outline of the U.S., Mexico and Central America was well-defined and very high contrast with the surrounding dark fields particularly around the Gulf of Mexico region (LDN 935) and the West Coast. A 7th magnitude star is at the edge of the center of the gulf (Texas area) and another 7th magnitude star is at the south tip of Florida. The "Baja peninsula" and Central American extension jut out very prominently from the gulf region. The edge of the northern Canadian region is less well defined. Open cluster NGC 6997 was very prominent on the East Coast (west side of the nebula). It was breathtaking to scan around the entire outline, though it overfilled the 67' field.
17.5" (7/17/93): at 100x and OIII filter appears very bright, extremely large (fills several fields), amazingly high contrast around the "Gulf" of Mexico and "Baja" region (LDN 935) and to a lesser extent along the west and east coasts. I traced around the entire border except for the "Canada" region, which consists mostly of scattered star fields with weak nebulosity. The open cluster NGC 6997 is easily picked out in the NE section.
8" (5/26/84): bright, very large, sharp border and details around the "Gulf" section, "Southwest border" and "Baja region". Rich with faint stars. Viewed with a Rich Field adapter at 33x-50x.
80mm (8/23/84): striking contrast at 16x using a filter at Mt. Rose.
80mm (5/26/84): bright with a well-defined "Gulf" region at 13x using a narrowband filter.
Naked-eye: Easy naked-eye glow in a dark sky, though this is mostly from the rich Milky Way star cloud and not the involved nebulosity. The contrast is highest on the southwest side where the star cloud and nebulosity is adjacent to the dark "Gulf of Mexico" region.
William Herschel discovered part of NGC 7000 = H. V-37 = h2096 on 24 Oct 1786 (sweep 620). His description reads, "Very large. Diffused nebulosity plainly visible, brighter middle, 7 or 8' length, 6' broad and losing itself gradually." His position lands in the higher contrast southern end in the "Mexico" region to the east of the "Gulf of Mexico". In the next few minutes of the sweep he commented, "All this time suspected diffuse nebulosity through the whole breadth of the sweep." He llisted a range of RA and Dec covering much more of the emission nebula, which became numbers 44 (Southeast US) and 46 (Central America region) in his later list of 52 regions with "extensive diffused nebulosity." Arthur Auwers wrote (in a review of the General Catalogue) that John Herschel omitted this large object, but h2096, described as "immense nebulosity", refers to NGC 7000.
German Astronomer Max Wolf referred to this HII region as "The 'America' Nebula" in a 1902 German paper based on an image taken in 1901. In the 1903 paper "Diffused nebulosities in the heavens", Barnard refers to the object photographed by Wolf and states "The "North America Nebula" would perhaps be more definite, for it is North America to which Dr. Max Wolf intends the compliment." Agnes Mary Clerke refered to it as the "America" Nebula in the caption of Wolf's photograph in her 1905 second edition of "The System of the Stars". In a 1922 paper Hubble suggested the source of ionization may be Deneb, but the actual star is a highly obscured O3.5 star between Deneb and the Pelican Nebula.
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