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400 Herschel Objects

data by A.J. Crayon and Steve Coe

Observations by Steve Coe using a 13″ f/5.6 at 100X, unless noted otherwise. The other telescopes I have used over the years are a 4.25″ f/4, 8″ f/6, 8″ f/4.5, 12.5″ f/6, 17.5″ f/4.5 and an 18″ f/6. All these scopes are Newtonian in design. The poorest nights on which I have provided observations are 5/10 which means that the Milky Way is just visible and stars are seen to about 5.5 magnitude naked eye at the zenith. Most of the information is from nights I have rated at least 7/10 when the Milky Way stands out clearly and stars to magnitude 6.0 are easily seen. Some of my most cherished observations are from 9/10 and a few 10/10 spectacular evenings when the Milky Way blazes overhead, Zodiacal Light is a brilliant cone standing on the horizon and stars down to magnitude 6.5 are seen naked eye.

This list of Herschel Objects is from the book Observe the Herschel Catalog. All of the information in this listing comes from the Saguaro Astronomy Club Data Base version 7.2. The columnar information follows normal acceptable information.

Hershel 400 by Constellation

# indicates items per constellation
Andromeda 6 Cancer 1 Corvus 3 Hercules 2 Lynx 3 Puppis 13 Sextans 4
Aquarius 3 Canes Venatici 17 Crater 1 Hydra 5 Monoceros 14 Pyxis 2 Taurus 2
Aquila 3 Canis Major 4 Cygnus 10 Lacerta 3 Ophiuchus 15 Sagittarius 18 Triangulum 1
Aries 1 Cassiopeia 16 Delphinus 3 Leo 23 Orion 8 Scorpius 2 Ursa Major 46
Auriga 6 Cepheus 7 Draco 5 Leo Minor 10 Pegasus 5 Sculptor 3 Ursa Minor 1
Bootes 5 Cetus 13 Eridanus 3 Lepus 1 Perseus 10 Scutum 2 Virgo 50
Camelopardalis 5 ComaBerenices 24 Gemini 10 Libra 1 Pisces 2 Serpens 1 Vulpecula 6

Note: January 2008 change – removed NGC1750, added NGC7814

Abbreviations in the CON column are the IAU versions.
The column TYPE has following abbreviations:
OPNCL = open cluster PLNNB = planetary nebula GLOCL = globular cluster CL+NB = open cluster and nebulosity BRTNB = bright emission or reflection nebula
Hubble Classification for galaxies or GALXY where no classification existed.
In the Herschel Column the Classes are:
I = Bright Nebulae III = Very Faint Nebulae V = Very Large
Nebulae
VII = Pretty Much Compressed
Clusters of Large or Small Stars
II = Faint Nebulae IV = Planetary Nebulae VI = Very Compressed and Rich Clusters of Stars VIII = Coarsely Scattered
Clusters of Stars

Andromeda

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
205 AND E6 00 40.4 +41 41 8.0 17’X10′ H V 18 (M 110) Bright, Large, not compressed, dimmer than M 32 in the 8″ at 60X. Just seen in the 10 X 50 binoculars.
404 AND E0 01 09.5 +35 43 10.1 4’X4′ H II 224 Bright, pretty large, somewhat elongated, somewhat brighter in the middle, near Beta And.
752 AND OPNCL 01 57.8 +37 41 5.7 50.0′ H VII 32 Bright, Large, not Compressed, many nice chains of stars.
891 AND Sb 02 22.6 +42 21 11.5 14.0’X3.0′ H V 19 17.5″–pretty Bright, pretty Large, very Elongated, central bulge obvious, outer arms show sculptured detail at 200X
7662 AND PLNNB 23 25.9 +42 33 8.6 17″X14″ H IV 18 17.5″–pretty Bright, pretty Small, Round greenish dot at 100X. 320X central hole seen easily, central star suspected in good seeing.
7686 AND OPNCL 23 30.2 +49 08 5.6 15.0′ H VIII 69 Pretty bright, pretty compressed, round, surrounds a yellow 8th mag star, very nice at 100X.

Cancer

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2775 CNC Sa 09 10.3 +07 03 11.5 5.0’X4.0′ H I 2 Bright, large, elongated 1.8 X 1 in PA 165,
much brighter in the middle at 165X. Mottling in arms and core elongated 2 X 1 in same PA as galaxy.

Corvus

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
4027 CRV GALXY 11 59.6 -19 15 11.7 3.0’X2.3′ H II 296 Pretty faint, large, elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 110 and much brighter in the middle at 220X. This galaxy exhibits some nice mottling in the outer section. What I found bizarre is that the central core of this galaxy is elongated in PA 75, much different from the angle of elongation of the main galaxy. I cannot think of another example of an object with a bright core that is skewed in relation to its’ main body.
4038 CRV Sp 12 01.9 -18 51 10.7 2.6’X1.8′ H IV 28 Pretty bright, pretty large, irregularly round and somewhat brighter in the middle at 100X. Going to higher powers reveals some of the bizarre nature of this extraordinary galaxy pair. The “shrimp” or “comma” shape of the two interacting galaxies is evident at 165X and 220X. There are several small dark features seen and the entire galaxy pair is very mottled, almost like a sponge, at high power.
4361 CRV PLNNB 12 24.5 -18 48 10.3 80″ H I 65 Bright, large, somewhat elongated (1.5 X 1) in PA 90, grey in color at 135X. The central star is obvious at all powers. Going to 220X brings out an almost “mottled” effect across the face of this planetary nebula, a strange effect for this type of object. Most planetaries I have seen appear smooth at high powers, this one does not.

Hercules

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
6207 HER Sc 16 43.1 +36 50 12.5 3.3’X1.2′ H II 701 pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 2×1, somewhat brighter in the middle at 100X.
6229 HER GLOCL 16 47.0 +47 32 9.4 4.5′ H IV 50 Pretty bright, pretty large, round and brighter in the middle at 100X.

Lynx

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2419 LYN GLOCL 07 38.1 +38 53 10.4 4.1′ H I 218 pretty bright, pretty large, round and much brighter in the middle, it is easy at 100X. At any power up to 270X at the best sights in Arizona there is no resolution in either my 13″ or my old 17.5″. The best I can do is get three levels of condensation across a very mottled face on the best of nights.
The brightest stars are something like 19th magnitude, so it may take a 40 inch to resolve this distant cluster. I will send in a description once A.J. and I get our one meter up and working.
2683 LYN Sb 08 52.7 +33 25 11.0 9.2’X2.6′ H I 200 bright, pretty large, much elongated east-west and much brighter in the middle at 100X.
2782 LYN Sb 09 14.1 +40 07 12.5 4.2’X3.2′ H I 167 Pretty faint, pretty small, round, much brighter in the middle with a bright nucleus at 100X.

Puppis

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2421 PUP OPNCL 07 36.3 -20 37 8.3 10.0′ H VII 67 Pretty bright, pretty large, pretty rich, somewhat compressed, 28 stars of mags 11 and dimmer counted at 135X.
2422 PUP OPNCL 07 36.6 -14 30 4.4 30.0′ H VIII 38 Very bright, very large, not compressed, scattered group with several bright stars of 8th magnitude and more to fill in the background, 44 stars counted at 100X. This nice cluster is easy in the 11 X 80 finder, there are several stars resolved. Struve 1121 is a double star near the center of M-47, it is a mag 7/7.5 pair, sep 7″, easily split at 100X.
2423 PUP OPNCL 07 37.1 -13 52 6.7 19.0′ H VII 28 Large, pretty bright, pretty rich, pretty compressed, 33 stars counted at 100X. Nice binary star in the center with both components a lovely dark yellow.
2438 PUP PLNNB 07 41.8 -14 44 11.0 65″ H IV 39 Bright, large, elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 135, the central star is easy at 100X. Raising the power to 440X brings out several dimmer stars involved in the nebula. Also at the higher power the shape of the planetary is seen to be an incomplete ring, somewhat like a horseshoe. This bright rim is about 270 degrees around and is dimmest on the north side. I have always seen this planetary nebula as light green in color.
2440 PUP PLNNB 07 41.9 -18 13 11.5 54″X20″ H IV 64 Bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle, elongated 3X1 in PA 30 at 270X. The central star will become stellar in moments of good seeing but most of the time it is just a bright area in the center of this planetary. Averted vision will about double the size of the nebula. It was immediately recognized as non-stellar at 100X. This nebula is a nice lime green at all powers.
2479 PUP OPNCL 07 55.1 -17 43 9.6 7.0′ H VII 58 Pretty bright, pretty large, pretty rich, somewhat compressed, 10 stars of mags 11 and 12 with many faint background stars at 100X.
2482 PUP OPNCL 07 54.9 -24 18 7.3 12.0′ H VII 10 Pretty bright, pretty large, pretty rich, somewhat compressed, 26 stars counted at 100X. This cluster has stars of mags 11 to 13 in an outline that is elongated 3X1 NW-SE.
2489 PUP OPNCL 07 56.2 -30 04 7.9 8.0′ H VII 23 Bright, pretty large, pretty rich, not compressed, 31 stars in nice chains counted at 100X. Seen in 11X80 finder.
2509 PUP OPNCL 08 00.7 -19 04 9.3 8.0′ H VIII 1 Bright, pretty large, pretty rich, compressed, 39 stars of mags 10 to 13 counted at 100X. This cluster can just be seen in the 11X80 finder.
2527 PUP OPNCL 08 05.3 -28 10 6.5 22.0′ H VIII 30 Bright, very large, pretty rich, somewhat compressed, 36 stars of mags 9 to 13 fill the field with nice chains at 100X.
2539 PUP OPNCL 08 10.7 -12 50 6.5 22.0′ H VII 11 Bright, large, rich, elongated 2X1, 65 stars of mags 10 to 13 counted at 100X. 19 PUP is on the south side of this cluster. It is a wide triple star, easy at 100X and yellow with two white comes.
2567 PUP OPNCL 08 18.3 -30 38 7.4 10.0′ H VII 64 Pretty bright, pretty large, pretty rich, 42 stars counted at 135X. There are several nice, curved chains of stars within this cluster.
2571 PUP OPNCL 08 18.9 -29 44 7.0 13.0′ H VI 39 Pretty bright, pretty large, pretty rich, somewhat compressed, 30 stars of mags 9 to 13 counted at 135X.

Sextans

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2974 SEX Sa 09 42.6 -03 43 11.5 3.4’X2.1′ H I 61 Pretty bright, pretty small, elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 90, somewhat brighter in the middle, a 10th mag star is in
contact with the west side at 165X.
3115 SEX E6 10 05.2 -07 43 10.1 8.3’X3.2′ H I 163 Bright, large, very much elongated 4 X 1 in PA 45, much brighter in the middle at 135X. It is just seen in the 11 X 80 finder. The center is a bright envelope that has an oval, very bright nucleus, all of which at elongated in the same PA as the main body of the galaxy.
3166 SEX S(B)a 10 13.8 +03 26 11.1 5.0’X2.8′ H I 3 Bright, pretty large, round and much brighter in the middle at 100X. Brightest in a chain of 4 galaxies from NE to SW.
3169 SEX Sb 10 14.2 +03 28 11.9 5.5’X3.0′ H I 4 Pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 45 and much brighter in the middle at 100X.

Aquarius

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
7009 AQR PLNNB 21 04.2 -11 22 8.3 28″x23″ H IV 1 is the Saturn Nebula, a famous planetary with outer ansae (wing-like projections) and a bright inner disk. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1782 but Lord Rosse was the first to see the extending ansae. The projections reminded him of the planet Saturn and he gave this object its’ nickname. Amateurs have been trying to duplicate that observation ever since. The observation of the Saturn Nebula is made with Helen and Richard Lines’ 20″ f/6 Newtonian in Meyer, Az. The nebula is bright, small, somewhat elongated and light green at 150X. Raising the power to 225X will show the ansae as faint projections from the bright central section. At 400X the central star is obvious and the ansae stand out more clearly. One of the bright spots along the ansae (Helen Lines calls them wing tanks) is visible at this higher power. All these observations are on a night I rated 7/10 for seeing and transparency and I found that the U 7009 UHC filter did NOT help with either the central disk or the ansae detail. Several observers, myself included saw the nebula as light green, without the UHC filter installed.
7606 AQR GALXY 23 19.1 -08 29 11.5 5.8’x2.6′ H I 104 Pretty bright, pretty much elongated and brighter in the middle with a stellar nucleus at 165X.
7723 AQR GALXY 23 38.9 -12 58 12.0 3.6’x2.6′ H I 110 Pretty faint, pretty large, somewhat elongated. It has a stellar core at 100X. The core is about 10″ in size at 220X.
7727 AQR GALXY 23 39.9 -12 18 11.5 4.2’x3.4′ H I 111 Pretty faint, round, pretty bright nucleus, averted vision helps the contrast of this galaxy. There is an attendant galaxy about 20′ to the West. I believe it is NGC 7724.

Canes Venatici

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
4111 CVN GALXY 12 07.1 +43 05 11.4 4.3’X0.8′ H I 195 Bright, pretty large, much elongated 3 X 1 in PA 165X, very bright middle with a bright nucleus. Has a companion to the East. This edge on galaxy is razor thin at 135X.
4143 CVN GALXY 12 09.7 +42 33 12.0 2.9’X1.8′ H IV 54 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle,elongated 2 X 1 in PA 165 at 100X.
4151 CVN GALXY 12 10.6 +39 25 11.2 7.0’X6.0′ H I 165 Pretty faint, Large, much brighter in the middle with an almost stellar nucleus, this round, face on galaxy has a low surface brightness at 135X and averted vision helps it quite a bit. There is an elongated companion to the north.
4214 CVN Ir 12 15.7 +36 20 10.3 11’X9.0′ H I 95 Bright, pretty large, round, very much brighter in the middle with a bright nucleus at 100X. At 165X, it is unusual to see this round galaxy has an elongated nucleus at PA 45 degrees.
4258 CVN Sb 12 18.9 +47 19 9.6 22.0’X9.0′ H V 43 Very bright, very large, very, very bright middle with an almost stellar nucleus. It is very much elongated 3 X 1 in PA 165. AT 135X this lovely galaxy sparkles with mottling.
4346 CVN GALXY 12 23.4 +47 00 12.3 3.2’X1.3′ H I 210 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle and elongated 2 X 1 in PA 90 degrees at 100X.
4449 CVN Ir 12 28.2 +44 06 10.0 6.0’X4.5′ H I 213 Bright, pretty large, elongated 2 X 1 in PA 45, little brighter in the middle with several stars involved. At 135X this irregular galaxy is very mottled.
4485 CVN Ir 12 30.5 +41 43 12.4 3.0’X2.5′ H I 197 Pretty bright, pretty small, elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 20, I never saw a connecting bridge to 4490.
4490 CVN GALXY 12 30.6 +41 39 10.1 7.0’X3.5′ H I 198 Pretty bright, large, very much elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 135, brighter middle at 100X.
4618 CVN GALXY 12 41.5 +41 10 11.5 4.5’X3.5′ H I 178 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle and elongated 2 X 1 in PA 30 at 100X.
4631 CVN GALXY 12 42.1 +32 33 9.8 17.0’X3.5′ H V 42 Very bright, very large, very much elongated 6 X 1 in PA 90, bright middle. At 100X this very mottled galaxy is a rather bizarre shape that members of the Saguaro Astronomy Club call “The Slug”. It is just visible in the 11 X 80.
4656 CVN GALXY 12 43.9 +32 11 10.6 22.0’X3.0′ H I 176 Bright, Large, very much elongated in PA 30, NGC 4657 is superimposed on the North end and makes this strange galaxy look like a hockey stick.
4800 CVN GALXY 12 54.5 +46 32 12.0 1.7’X1.2′ H I 211 Bright, pretty small, very bright middle, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 0. This object has a very high surface brightness.
5005 CVN Sb- II 13 11.0 +37 03 10.6 6.3’X3.0′ H I 96 Bright, Large, much elongated 4 X 1 in PA 60. At 165X there is a nice dust lane and a somewhat elongated core with a stellar nucleus.
5033 CVN Sb 13 13.5 +36 36 10.9 11.5’X5.5′ H I 97 Bright, large, very much elongated 4 X 1 in PA 0, with a bright, stellar nucleus and mottle arms at 135X.
5195 CVN P 13 30.1 +47 16 10.6 7’X5′ H I 186 Pretty bright, pretty large, Irregularly round and much brighter in the middle at 135X. On the best of nights the connecting bridge to M51 is obvious and there are several dark markings across the face of this strange shaped object.
5273 CVN E1p 13 42.1 +35 38 12.7 2.8’X2.3′ H I 98 Pretty faint, Pretty large, somewhat brighter middle, round, this low surface brightness galaxy is helped a lot by averted vision. There is a tough companion to the Southeast.

Crater

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
3962 CRT GALXY 11 54.7 -13 58 10.6 2.9’X2.6′ H I 67 Pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 160 at 165X. The bright middle in this object is almost stellar at 220X, it seems consistently to have a central point that is less than 2 arc seconds in size at high power.

Hydra

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2548 HYA OPNCL 08 13.8 -05 48 5.8 54.0′ H VI 22 M48? Somewhat scattered, Very Bright, can be seen naked eye, 12 stars are resolved in 8X50 finder, many chains of stars, little compressed, 7 *’s near center form an arch or boomerang shape. One * 9 mag orange at 60X.
2811 HYA Sb 09 16.3 -16 18 13.0 2.7′ H II 502 pretty Bright, very Elongated, much brighter middle at 100X. faint * in following arm
3242 HYA PLNNB 10 24.8 -18 38 8.6 40″X35″ H IV 27 Wow, Looks like CBS eye, greenish at all powers, Central star easy at 300X. Very bright, large, round. AT 650X on a night I rated 8/10 for seeing, there is a small, dark circular area around the central star. A very nice planetary with lots of internal detail at high power.
3621 HYA GALXY 11 18.3 -32 49 9.9 10’X6.5′ H I 241 Bright, Large, elongated, much brighter in the middle, seen in finder and 10×50 binocs, nice
5694 HYA GLOCL 14 39.6 -26 32 10.2 3.6′ H II 196 Pretty bright, pretty large, Round, brighter in the middle; 165X and 320X, very grainy, no resolution on a night I rated 5/10. At a much better site on an evening I rated 8/10 the 17.5″ would show 6 stars superimposed on a hazy outer corona.

Monoceros

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2185 MON BRTNB 06 11.1 -06 12 99.9 3.0′ H IV 20 2170 and 2182 are several “little green boxes” on the Tirion Atlas near Beta Mon. Even at a very dark site on a night I rated 7/10 for seeing and transparency there is not much here. At 100X in the 13″ there are several fuzzy stars in a field that is noticably void of stars compared to the nearby Milky Way. On an excellant night I rated 9/10 it is Pretty faint, small, round and has an 11th mag star involved.
2215 MON OPNCL 06 21.0 -07 17 8.4 11.0′ H VII 20 is bright, large, pretty rich, round and not compressed at 100X. It was seen in the 10X50 binoculars.
2232 MON OPNCL 06 26.6 -04 45 3.9 30.0′ H VIII 25 Bright, very large, not compressed, not rich, scattered group of 22 stars including 10 MON. This is even a scattered cluster in the 11 X 80 finder.
2244 MON CL+NB 06 32.4 +04 52 4.8 24.0′ H VII 2 is the star cluster involved in the Rosette. In the 13″ at 60X it consists of 2 parallel lines of about 15 stars. It is very bright, very large and not compressed. Several of the stars are yellow and one is a lovely orange.
2251 MON OPNCL 06 34.7 +08 22 7.3 10.0′ H VIII 3 is bright, pretty large, elongated and contains about 40 stars in a very nice Milky Way field. It is pretty rich and not compressed at 100X.
2264 MON CL+NB 06 41.1 +09 53 3.9 20.0′ H V 27=H VIII 5 is a brighter naked eye spot in the Milky Way that marks the location of this large, bright and not compressed star cluster. Because of the shape of the brighter stars, this is called the Xmas tree cluster and includes the variable S Mon within the tree shape. Binoculars or finder will show the tree outline with ease. The cluster is involved in a faint nebulosity that is brightest near S Mon and on the north side of the cluster. With the 38mm Erfle and the UHC filter the nebula extends for 2 degrees around the star cluster. At 100X with the UHC a dark lane can be seen in the nebula, this is the Cone Nebula. There are very few faint stars in this region a measure of the amount of dark nebulosity that permeates this entire region.
2286 MON OPNCL 06 47.6 -03 10 7.5 15.0′ H VIII 31 Pretty bright, large, rich, somewhat compressed, 52 stars counted with lots of faint members at 135X. There several lovely dark lanes winding through this cluster.
2301 MON OPNCL 06 51.8 +00 28 6.0 12.0′ H VI 27 has been a favorite of mine for many years. This open cluster is bright, large and pretty rich with about 40 members. It is easy to pick out in the finder scope. The aspect of this cluster which makes me return each winter is a lovely blue and gold double star right in the center. There is a clear area around the double star. If you have missed this beautiful cluster, put it on your list.
2311 MON OPNCL 06 57.8 -04 35 9.6 7.0′ H VIII 60 Pretty bright, pretty small, not rich, 22 stars counted at 165X. This cluster has a rather triangular shape.
2324 MON OPNCL 07 04.2 +01 03 8.4 8.0′ H VII 38 Bright, large, rich, compressed, 55 stars counted at 135X. This sparkling cluster has a nice backround of dim members.
2335 MON OPNCL 07 06.6 -10 05 7.2 12.0′ H VIII 32 is pretty faint, pretty large and not compressed. It has about 15 members at 100X.
2343 MON OPNCL 07 08.3 -10 39 6.7 7.0′ H VIII 33 Pretty bright, small, not rich, not compressed, 23 stars counted at 100X. A nice Yellow and Blue double star in on the Eastern edge of the cluster, it has a seperation of approximately 10 arcsec and a PA of about 315 degrees.
2353 MON OPNCL 07 14.6 -10 18 7.1 20.0′ H VIII 34 is pretty bright, pretty large, pretty rich and not compressed. It is a nice cluster at 135X, with about 50 members. The UHC filter will just barely show a very faint streamer of nebulosity on the south side. Rocking the scope helps to make the nebula more noticeable.
2506 MON OPNCL 08 00.2 -10 47 7.6 7.0′ H VI 37 is bright, pretty large, compressed and rich at 100X. It has about 40 members that are obvious and a hazy backround, even at higher powers.

Pyxis

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2613 PYX Sb 08 33.3 -22 58 11.0 7.2′ H II 266 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, very much elongated 5 X 1 in PA 110. This nice edge on is in a rich star field for galaxies.
2627 PYX OPNCL 08 37.3 -29 57 8.4 11.0′ H VII 63 Bright, pretty large, pretty rich, pretty compressed, 32 stars of magnitudes 10 through 13 counted at 100X.

Taurus

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
1647 TAU OPNCL 04 46.0 +19 04 6.4 45′ H VIII 8 Bright, very large, not compressed, pretty rich, this is a big, scattered group.
1817 TAU OPNCL 05 12.1 +16 42 7.7 16.0′ H VII 4 Pretty bright, large, rich, 120 stars counted at 100X, many dim members.

Aquila

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
6755 AQL OPNCL 19 07.8 +04 14 7.5 15.0′ H VII 19 Large, not compressed, irregular shape and has nice chains of stars at 100X. 50 members counted. This object and 6756 both fit in the one degree field of my giant 38mm Erfle eyepiece. I called it the Double Cluster in Aquila. Both clusters are just visible in the 11 X 80 finder.
6756 AQL OPNCL 19 08.7 +04 41 10.6 4.0′ H VII 62 Pretty small, much compressed, elongated, compact cluster at 165X. I counted 15 members resolved.
6781 AQL PLNNB 19 18.5 +06 32 11.8 111″X109″ H III 743 Bright, Large, somewhat elongated at 100X. It is immediately obvious without the UHC filter. This planetary is shaped like the gibbous moon with the south side brighter in an arc. There is one star involved that stands out very nicely. The UHC filter helps some. I estimate its’ size at one arc minute.

Canis Major

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2204 CMA OPNCL 06 15.7 -18 39 8.6 13.0′ H VII 13 not much, “K” shape, 30 stars and somewhat milky backround, orange 9 mag * to one side.
2354 CMA OPNCL 07 14.3 -25 44 6.5 20.0′ H VII 16 Bright, large, not compressed at 100X. 40 * in Milky Way field, several dark lanes in group with nice chains of stars. Just seen in 10X50 binoculars.
2360 CMA OPNCL 07 17.8 -15 37 7.2 13.0′ H VII 12 Bright, large, compressed, rich and round. Easy in 8X50 finder. At 100X there are about 20 pretty bright stars with another 50 for fill in. This is a winter favorite.
2362 CMA OPNCL 07 18.8 -24 57 4.1 8.0′ H VII 17 pretty bright, pretty large, somewhat compressed, round at 165X. Tau CMA and about 45 stars. Tau has dark band around it, then cluster members. Tau has two companions that form almost a straight line. Tau is white, the two comes are bluish and both are on one side of Tau. Having a bright triple star in the center of a cluster is quite unique and I return to this object often.

Cygnus

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
6826 CYG PLNNB 19 44.8 +50 31 8.8 27″X24″ H IV 73 is the Blinking Planetary. This medium sized, 9th magnitude planetary can be located at 100X. It appears as a non-stellar blob in the Milky Way. I first saw the blinking effect in an 8″ scope at 200X. If you look directly at the planetary the central star is prominent compared to the greenish nebulosity. Then averted vision will make the nebula appear brighter and overwhelm the star. Alternating between direct and averted vision will produce a blinking on-then-off effect that is fascinating. In the 17.5″ the effect is unmistakeable. There are several other planetary nebulae that have the right central star to nebula brightness to show off this effect.
6834 CYG OPNCL 19 52.2 +29 25 7.8 5.0′ H VIII 16 Pretty bright, large, pretty rich, compressed, and somewhat triangular at 100X. I counted 38 stars with one dark yellow 10th mag near the center.
6866 CYG OPNCL 20 03.7 +44 00 7.6 7.0′ H VII 59 Large, rich, considerably compressed and well resolved at 165X. I counted 62 stars from 10th to 14th mag.
6910 CYG OPNCL 20 23.1 +40 47 7.4 8.0′ H VIII 56 Pretty bright, pretty large, pretty rich, compressed, 39 stars counted at 100X.
7000 CYG BRTNB 20 58.8 +44 20 99.9 120’X100′ H V 37? is the North America Nebula. This large area of nebulosity needs an RFT to be seen in its entirety. A dim glow can be seen in the area with the naked eye and 10 X 50 binoculars at a dark site will show the North America shape. In a 4 1/4″ f/4 with a 20mm Erfle and a UHC filter, the nebula is very bright and very large, filling the 1.5 degree field with nebulosity. The brightest section is “Mexico” and the Pelican Nebula (IC 5067) can be seen nearby.
7008 CYG PLNNB 21 00.6 +54 33 12.0 86″X69″ H I 192 is a pretty bright, pretty large, roundish planetary at 200 X in the 17.5″. It has several irregular bright spots and three stars are involved in the nebula. There is a nice blue and gold double star at its’ edge.
7044 CYG OPNCL 21 12.9 +42 29 12.0 3.5′ H VI 24 Faint, pretty small, Elongated 2 X 1 in PA 90, not compressed, not rich. I counted 16 stars and a backround haze at 135X.
7062 CYG OPNCL 21 23.2 +46 23 8.3 7.0′ H VII 51 Pretty bright, pretty small, pretty rich, compressed. I counted 26 stars at 165X in this nice cluster.
7086 CYG OPNCL 21 30.5 +51 35 8.4 9.0′ H VI 32 is a bright, pretty large, rich and pretty compressed open cluster at 100X. It is a nice cluster with about 60 stars resolved.
7128 CYG OPNCL 21 44.0 +53 43 9.7 3.1′ H VII 40 Pretty faint, pretty small, compressed, not rich, this is a lovely ring of stars at 135X, with a nice orange member of about 12th mag on the east side.

Lacerta

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
7209 LAC OPNCL 22 05.2 +46 30 6.7 25.0′ H VII 53 Bright, large, rich, pretty compressed in a 15 arc minute area at 100X. I counted 59 stars, many in lovely chains that fade out into a Milky Way backround. There is a smooth progression of magnitudes from 9th to 12th within this cluster.
7243 LAC OPNCL 22 15.3 +49 53 6.4 21.0′ H VIII 75 Bright, large and not compressed at 100X. 29 stars were counted in this rather coarse cluster. A dark lane divides the cluster into 1/3 and 2/3 groups.
7296 LAC OPNCL 22 28.2 +52 17 9.7 4.0′ H VII 41 Pretty bright, small and not compressed. I counted 18 stars at 200X. This group is fan-shaped and there is a nice yellow star at the apex of the fan.

Ophiucus

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
6171 OPH GLOCL 16 32.5 -13 03 8.1 10.0′ H VI 40 Pretty bright, pretty large, compressed, round, resolved at 100X, 165X helps some, approximately 20 stars resolved.
6235 OPH GLOCL 16 53.4 -22 11 10.2 5.0′ H II 584 Bright, pretty large, irregularly round, this nice globular is easily resolved and somewhat brighter in the middle at 165X.
6284 OPH GLOCL 17 04.5 -24 46 9.0 5.6′ H VI 11 Pretty bright, pretty small, round, resolved at the edges at 135X, higher power does not seem to help.
6287 OPH GLOCL 17 05.2 -22 42 9.2 5.1′ H II 195 Pretty faint, small, round, not resolved at any power to 220X, this globular has a bright middle but it is not much otherwise.
6293 OPH GLOCL 17 10.2 -26 35 8.2 7.9′ H VI 12 is a pretty small, pretty bright globular. It is resolved at 135X. It has a bright middle and is round. NGC 6293 is located just north of B 59, the stem of the Pipe Nebula, therefore there are several dark lanes leading out of the field into the Milky Way.
6304 OPH GLOCL 17 14.5 -29 28 8.4 6.8′ H I 147 Pretty bright, Pretty small, round, brighter in the middle and well resolved at 135X.
6316 OPH GLOCL 17 16.6 -28 08 9.0 4.9′ H I 45 Pretty bright, pretty large, somewhat elongated, much brighter in the middle and resolved at the edges at 135X.
6342 OPH GLOCL 17 21.2 -19 35 9.9 3.0′ H I 149 Pretty bright, small, round, bright nucleus with 2 stars resolved at 165X, one is an 11th mag star on the SW edge.
6355 OPH GLOCL 17 24.0 -26 21 9.6 5.0′ H I 46 Pretty faint, pretty large, round, somewhat brighter in the middle with 3 stars resolved at 165X.
6356 OPH GLOCL 17 23.6 -17 49 8.4 7.2′ H I 48 Bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle and has a very grainy texture with 3 or 4 stars resolved at 165X.
6369 OPH PLNNB 17 29.3 -23 46 11.0 30″X29″ H IV 11 is a very nice planetary. It can be spotted in an eight incher at 100X, but large scopes work well on this object.
The 18″ at 175X will show a central dark spot and at 300X this object starts to look somewhat like the Ring Nebula. This annulus effect could be seen in a 13″ at 200X on the same night.
6401 OPH GLOCL 17 38.6 -23 55 9.5 5.6′ H I 44 Pretty bright, pretty small, little brighter in the middle and very grainy at 135X. There are two stars resolved with averted vision and good seeing.
6426 OPH GLOCL 17 43.7 +03 00 11.2 3.2′ H II 587 Faint, pretty large, elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 25, very grainy at 135X. Using higher power in good seeing I could spot 4 or 5 stars on the face of this low surface brightness globular.
6517 OPH GLOCL 18 01.8 -08 58 10.3 4.3′ H II 199 Pretty faint, pretty large, brighter middle, no resolution at any power, this cluster is elongated in a PA of 45 degrees. It is located in a very star poor and dark field.
6633 OPH OPNCL 18 27.7 +06 34 4.6 27.0′ H VIII 72 15 stars of 9 to 10 mag in a 20′ area with another 30 to 35 stars of 11 mag and down forming a lovely starry backround. Nice cluster at 100X. There is a 7th mag star on the south side.

Sagittarius

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
6440 SGR GLOCL 17 48.9 -20 22 9.7 5.4′ H I 150 is a rich globular cluster, pretty bright, pretty small and much brighter in the middle. It had ragged edges with 10 stars resolved.
6445 SGR PLNNB 17 49.2 -20 01 13.0 35″X30″ H II 586 is a nice planetary, 20 minutes North Following 6440. It is pretty bright, Large and has a box shape at 200X. It shows a small dark lane at high power and is definatly not a 13th mag object as listed, I estimate 12.
6514 SGR CL+NB 18 02.3 -23 02 6.3 28.0′ H V 10/11/12 & IV 41 (M20) Very bright, very large, irregularly round, approximately 40 stars involved in a nebula that is criss-crossed by dark lanes. The Trifid is naked eye from even a moderately dark site. The UHC filter enhanced the nebulosity, but I like the view of this object better without the filter.
6520 SGR OPNCL 18 03.4 -27 54 7.6 6.0′ H VII 7 is a pretty bright open cluster but it is pretty small with about 20 members at 165X.
6522 SGR GLOCL 18 03.6 -30 02 8.6 5.6′ H I 49 and 6528 are two globular clusters right at the tip of the spout of the Teapot. I see both as Pretty bright, pretty large, and bright in the middle. They reside in a nice Milky Way field. What doesn’t in Sagitarrius?
6528 SGR GLOCL 18 04.8 -30 03 9.5 3.7′ H II 200 and 6522 are two globular clusters right at the tip of the spout of the Teapot. I see both as Pretty bright, pretty large, and bright in the middle. They reside in a nice Milky Way field. What doesn’t in Sagitarrius?
6540 SGR OPNCL 18 06.3 -27 49 14.6 0.8′ H II 198 Pretty faint, small, round, not rich, very compressed at 165X. Three stars are resolved constantly and another 3 or 4 come and go with the seeing at 220X. This very compact cluster demands high power.
6544 SGR GLOCL 18 07.3 -25 00 8.3 8.9′ H II 197 Pretty bright, pretty small, round, very compressed, 7 stars resolved at 220X. Averted vision makes it grow.
6553 SGR GLOCL 18 09.3 -25 54 8.3 8.1′ H IV 12 Bright, pretty large, much compressed, round, about 4 stars resolved at 135X. Averted vision helps.
6568 SGR OPNCL 18 12.8 -21 36 8.6 13.0′ H VII 30 Pretty bright, large, pretty rich, somewhat compressed, 33 stars within 10 arcmin at 100X, a nice globular of pretty faint stars.
6569 SGR GLOCL 18 13.6 -31 50 8.7 5.8′ H II 201 Bright, large, round, resolved 12 stars with a very grainy backround at 165X.
6583 SGR OPNCL 18 15.8 -22 08 10.0 2.8′ H VII 31 Pretty faint, pretty small, round, compressed, not rich, counted 12 stars at 220X.
6624 SGR GLOCL 18 23.7 -30 22 8.3 5.9′ H I 50 is bright, pretty large and round. It has a very bright middle and is resolved at 165X. This a nice globular that doesn’t get looked at much.
6629 SGR PLNNB 18 25.7 -23 12 10.5 16″X14″ H II 204 Pretty bright, small, round, central star seen at 270X. This light green disk is about three times the Airy disk on a night I rated 8/10.
6638 SGR GLOCL 18 30.9 -25 30 9.2 5.0′ H I 51 is pretty bright, pretty small, round and much brighter in the middle. I could it to look very grainy, but it would not resolve at any magnification up to 320X.
6642 SGR GLOCL 18 31.9 -23 29 8.8 4.5′ H II 205 is a pretty bright, pretty small globular that is somewhat elongated and very compressed with a bright middle. It is resolved at 165X.
6645 SGR OPNCL 18 32.6 -16 54 8.5 10.0′ H VI 23 Bright, large, rich, pretty compressed, 49 stars counted at 100X. This cluster is in a bizarre “donut” shape with no stars in the center of this grouping.
6818 SGR PLNNB 19 44.0 -14 09 10.0 22″X15″ H IV 51 is a bright, pretty small and little elongated planetary. It is green at all powers. At 320X is looks somewhat like the CBS eye, with a subtle central bright spot that was never stellar. Three dim stars surround the nebula.

Triangulum

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
598 TRI Sc 01 33.9 +30 40 7.0 73’X45′ H V 17 Very bright, pretty large, elongated 2 X 1 in PA 0, much brighter in the middle at 100X. M-33 is naked eye on the best of nights and obvious in the 10 X 50 binoculars. At 165X in the 13″ there are several HII regions with dot the curving arms, including NGC 604 to the north of the nucleus. On a night I rated 8/10 at 5000 ft. elevation this beautiful spiral really showed off at 135X, the backround glow of M-33 sparkles with mottling and the gorgious arms winding about the compact core make an “S” shape that is ummistakeable.

Aries

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
772 ARI Sb 01 59.4 +19 00 11.5 8.0’X5.0′ H I 112 Bright, Large, little elongated in PA 135 degrees. The arms of this face-on spiral are very mottled. The core is much brighter than the arms at 165X and the very center has a stellar nucleus in moments of good seeing.

Cassiopeia

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
129 CAS OPNCL 00 29.9 +60 14 6.5 21.0′ H VIII 79 Counted 30 stars at 100X. Bright, pretty large, pretty rich, little compressed. Seen in 11X80 finder.
136 CAS OPNCL 00 31.5 +61 32 99.9 1.2′ H VI 35 Counted 10 stars at 165X. Faint, small, compressed. Someone has a lot of nerve calling this a cluster.
185 CAS dE0 00 39.0 +48 20 9.7 12’X10′ H II 707 Pretty faint, large, elongated 1.5×1, somewhat brighter middle, sonewhat mottled at 100X.
225 CAS OPNCL 00 43.4 +61 47 7.0 12.0′ H VIII 78 21 stars counted at 135X. Bright, pretty large, little compressed. There is a nice chain of 7 stars on he east side.
278 CAS Sc 00 52.0 +47 33 10.9 2’X2′ H I 159 Pretty bright, pretty large, round, much brighter middle. There is a 10th mag star on the north side.
381 CAS OPNCL 01 08.3 +61 35 9.3 6.0′ H VIII 64 63 Stars counted at 135X. Bright, pretty large, compressed, lots of dim members provide a “cottage cheese” backround. Seen in 11X80.
436 CAS OPNCL 01 15.6 +58 49 8.8 6.0′ H VII 45 28 stars counted at 165X. Pretty bright, small, somewhat compressed, pretty rich, nice at high power. There are several multiple stars involved.
457 CAS OPNCL 01 19.1 +58 20 6.4 13.0′ H VII 42 Bright, large, pretty rich, compressed. 63 stars counted including Phi Cass, it is a light yellow star at the edge of the cluster at 100X. There is another bright star near Phi that gives the effect of having two glowing eyes looking back at the observer.
In the Southwest we call this cluster the Kachina Doll, two sparkling eyes and the rest of the cluster outlines outstreched arms with feathers. Many tribes in the Southwest made such dolls for their rites.
559 CAS OPNCL 01 29.5 +63 18 9.5 4.4′ H VII 48 Counted 15 members at 135X. Bright, pretty large, elongated 2×1, rich. Those 15 stars are superimposed on a very grainy backround and the whole thing can be seen in the 11X80 finder.
637 CAS OPNCL 01 42.9 +64 00 8.2 3.5′ H VII 49 16 stars counted at 135X. Bright, pretty large, not compressed, pretty rich. Several of the brighter stars are about 10th mag. There is a lovely triangle of stars near the center. The cluster is easy in the 11X80 finder.
654 CAS OPNCL 01 44.1 +61 53 6.5 5.0′ H VII 46 Counted 34 stars at 165X. Pretty bright, rich,compressed and round. There is a 7th mag star on the south side. There are lots of unresolved members even at 165X. A nice cluster.
659 CAS OPNCL 01 44.2 +60 42 7.9 5.0′ H VIII 65 Counted 11 stars at 100X. Pretty bright, pretty small, not rich, not compressed.
663 CAS OPNCL 01 46.0 +61 15 7.1 16.0′ H VI 31 Counted 69 stars at 100X. Bright, large, very rich, much compressed. Several 8th mag members across the face of the cluster. There is a curved north to south dark lane down the middle of the cluster. This is one of the best Non-Messier open clusters. It is unmistakeable in the 11X80 finder.
1027 CAS OPNCL 02 42.7 +61 33 6.7 20.0′ H VIII 66 Bright, pretty large, pretty rich, somewhat compressed at 135X. 33 stars counted. There is no nebulosity seen, even with the UHC. Page 41 of the Atlas of Deep Sky Splendors shows a photograph with lots of nebulosity in this area. I tried to see it with the UHC and the 38mm Erfle eyepiece and could only pick out the part near Mel 15.
7789 CAS OPNCL 23 57.0 +56 44 6.7 16.0′ H VI 30 160 Stars estimated by counting 40 in the N to W quadrant. Bright, large, very rich, very much compressed at 100X. There are many dim members in this excellant cluster. Dark lanes wind through this group from edge to edge and give the impression of spiral structure. At 165X the cluster fills the field with many lovely pairs and delicate asterisms. This cluster has been a favorite since my first observation.
7790 CAS OPNCL 23 58.4 +61 13 8.5 5′ H VII 56 Counted 32 stars at 100X. Pretty compressed, pretty rich, brightest star 11th mag.

Delphinus

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
6905 DEL PLNNB 20 22.4 +20 06 12.0 44″X38″ H IV 16 Bright, pretty large, elongated 1.5 X 1, central star easy at 100X. Moving up to 270X with a Barlow lens reveals that the east and west sides are brighter than the rest of the nebula. This planetary is pale green at all powers. I have heard NGC 6905 called the “Blue flash nebula” but I have never seen blue in this object.
6934 DEL GLOCL 20 34.2 +07 24 8.9 2′ H I 103 Bright, pretty large, much compressed, round and has a brighter middle at 100X. It can be seen in the 11 X 80 finder or 10 X 50 binoculars. This is the type of object that responds with a much better view on a clear, transparent night. On a night I rated 6/10 for seeing and transparency, down on the floor on the desert near the Organ Pipe Cactus National Forest, I could only resolve 3 stars with a mottled core at 160X. At the same power on a beautiful night in the Red Rock country near Sedona at 5000 ft., this globular blazed with 40 stars resolved, 6 of them in the core area. This is the kind of observation to postpone until those rare 9/10 evenings when stars twinkle very little and the Milky Way blazes overhead.
7006 DEL GLOCL 21 01.5 +16 11 10.6 2.8′ H I 52 Pretty bright, pretty small, round, very bright middle and very compressed at 100X. This very distant globular is one of the most mottled objects I have ever seen in the 13″ at 180X. This extremely grainy globular has only shown me stars on its face one time. Using my old 18″ f/6 at 210X, I saw 3 stars superimposed on the surface of NGC 7006. One was held steady, the other two appeared and disappeared with the seeing. This was on a night I rated 8/10 for transparency and 7/10 for seeing.

Leo

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2903 LEO Sb 09 32.2 +21 29 10.0 13.3’X6.0′ H I 56 is one of the best non-Messier galaxies. It is easy in 10×50 binocs or a large finder scope. At 175X in the 12.5″ f/6 this galaxy is bright and is mottled across the face with a much brighter core. There is a bright spot about 4 arc minutes from the core.
2964 LEO Sc 09 42.9 +31 51 12.5 3.5’X1.9′ H I 114 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle with an occasionally stellar nucleus, elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 90
3190 LEO Sb 10 18.1 +21 50 11.9 4.5’X1.7′ H II 44 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, Elongated 2 X 1 in PA 135 at 135X. Extremely faint, small and round companion to the NW (NGC 3187).
3193 LEO E0 10 18.4 +21 54 12.4 2.5’X2.5′ H II 45 Pretty bright, pretty small, round, much brighter middle with an occaisonally stellar nucleus, a 10th mag star is on the North side at 135X.
3226 LEO GALXY 10 23.4 +19 53 13.3 2.5’X2.2′ H II 28 form a pair 50′ east of Gamma Leo. 3227 is pretty bright, considerably elongated and has a pretty bright nucleus that is almost stellar. 3226 is pretty bright, round and has a bright core. These observations are with a 12.5″ f/6 at 160X. What is weird about these two galaxies is that they appear to overlap each other even at high powers! The round galaxy is at one end of the elongated galaxy and it looks like a club with a knot at one end. Don’t take my word for it, go look for yourself.
3227 LEO Sa 10 23.5 +19 52 12.2 6.5’X4.5′ H II 29 form a pair 50′ east of Gamma Leo. 3227 is pretty bright, considerably elongated and has a pretty bright nucleus that is almost stellar. 3226 is pretty bright, round and has a bright core. These observations are with a 12.5″ f/6 at 160X. What is weird about these two galaxies is that they appear to overlap each other even at high powers! The round galaxy is at one end of the elongated galaxy and it looks like a club with a knot at one end. Don’t take my word for it, go look for yourself.
3377 LEO GALXY 10 47.7 +13 59 10.7 4.0’X2.5′ H II 99 Bright, pretty large, much brighter middle with a bright, stellar nucleus, elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 30. This nice galaxy is a little mottled in the outer sections at 135X.
3379 LEO E1 10 47.8 +12 35 9.6 3.8’X3.8′ H I 17 (M-105) Bright, large, little elongated, very bright middle, stellar nucleus, two companions in the field at 100X.
3384 LEO E7 10 48.3 +12 38 10.0 5.4’X2.8′ H I 18 Pretty faint, large, somewhat elongated and not much brighter in the middle, rather mushy at 100X.
3412 LEO GALXY 10 50.9 +13 25 10.8 3.3’X1.9′ H I 27 Bright, pretty large, elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 135, very bright in the middle with stellar nucleus at 135X. This galaxy is somewhat mottled.
3489 LEO GALXY 11 00.3 +13 54 10.9 3.2’X1.9′ H II 101 Pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 3 X 1 in PA 75, much brighter in the middle with a stellar nucleus at 135X, averted vision makes this galaxy grow in size.
3521 LEO GALXY 11 05.8 -00 02 10.1 13.5’X7.0′ H I 13 Bright, Large, elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 135 and brighter in the middle at 100X. Looks like a mini-Andromeda galaxy.
3593 LEO GALXY 11 14.6 +12 49 11.8 5.2’X2.1′ H I 29 is pretty bright, pretty large, elongated and has a much brighter middle. What is bizarre about this galaxy is that at 200X in the 12.5″, the core is elongated 2X1. I don’t remember seeing an elongated nucleus in a galaxy before.
3607 LEO GALXY 11 16.9 +18 03 10.2 4.5’X4.0′ H II 50 Pretty bright, pretty large, round, much brighter in the middle with a stellar nucleus, somewhat mottled at 135X. Located in a group of three.
3608 LEO GALXY 11 17.0 +18 09 11.7 3.0’X2.5′ H II 51 Pretty bright, pretty large, round, bright middle at 100X. There are two companions in the 30 arc min field of view.
3626 LEO GALXY 11 20.1 +18 21 11.2 2.8’X2.0′ H II 52 Pretty bright, small, elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 165, much brighter in the middle with an almost stellar nucleus at 135X.
3628 LEO GALXY 11 20.3 +13 36 11.5 15.5’X4.3′ H V 8 Pretty bright, large, somewhat brighter in the middle, very much elongated in PA 90 with a hint of a dark lane at 165X.
3640 LEO GALXY 11 21.1 +03 14 11.8 4.5’X4.0′ H II 33 Pretty bright, pretty large, little elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 90, much brighter in the middle at 135X. There is a very faint, small, round companion (NGC 3641) which can be seen with averted vision only.
3655 LEO GALXY 11 22.9 +16 35 11.6 1.6’X1.0′ H I 5 Pretty bright, small, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 30, brighter in the middle, this galaxy is not much at 135X.
3686 LEO GALXY 11 27.7 +17 13 11.6 3.1’X2.5′ H II 160 Pretty faint, pretty large, somewhat brighter in the middle, little elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 0 at 135X. There is a similar galaxy in the field to the south.
3810 LEO GALXY 11 41.0 +11 28 11.4 4.1’X2.8′ H I 21 Pretty bright, pretty large, brighter in the middle, elongated 1.8 X 1 in PA 30 at 135X.
3900 LEO GALXY 11 49.2 +27 01 12.5 3.2’X1.6′ H I 82 Pretty faint, pretty large, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 0, brighter middle, averted vision helps the contrast of this object quite a bit at 135X.
3912 LEO GALXY 11 50.1 +26 29 13.2 1.8’X1.0′ H II 342 Faint, pretty small, round, a little brighter in the middle, this galaxy is not much at 135X.

Orion

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
1788 ORI BRTNB 05 06.9 -03 20 99.9 8’X5′ H V 32 is pretty faint, pretty large and irregular in the 17.5″ at 100X. It looks like a paint splatter with a pretty bright star at one edge.
1980 ORI CL+NB 05 35.2 -05 55 2.5 14’X14′ H V 31 If you are like me, the first time you looked at NGC 1980, you didn’t know that you were looking at an object that has a separate designation from the Great Orion Nebula. NGC 1980 is the faint nebulosity that involves Iota Orionis, the end star of the sword of Orion. I wish I has a nickel for every time that Iota Ori has been used as a guide star!
1999 ORI BRTNB 05 36.5 -06 43 99.9 16’X12′ H IV 33 Pretty bright, pretty large, round, somewhat brighter in the middle, surrounding a star. There are several dark markings in the nebula at 135X. Averted vision enlarges the nebula and the north side is brightest.
2022 ORI PLNNB 05 42.1 +09 05 12.8 28″X27″ H IV 34 is a pretty small, not very bright planetary. It can be noticed in the 17.5″ at 50X. At 200X, it is a greenish dot with no internal detail.
2024 ORI BRTNB 05 42.0 -01 50 99.9 30’X30′ H V 28 is a bright, large emmision nebula near Zeta Ori. It is easy in any telescope I have ever used under dark skies and my old 8″ f/6 would show several dark lanes winding across this nebulosity. The 17.5 incher helps a lot and much detail can be seen in the region at 200X. The UHC helps a lot and so does getting Zeta out of the field. Because of the large, parallel dark lanes, Arizona astronomers have taken to calling NGC 2024 the “Tank Track” Nebula.
2169 ORI OPNCL 06 08.4 +13 57 5.9 7.0′ H VIII 24 is a pretty bright, not compressed open cluster in the 17.5 inch at 100X. What is bizarre is that the cluster members form the numerals “3” and “7”. It is a shame that this is not M37, you couldn’t miss it.
2186 ORI OPNCL 06 12.2 +05 27 8.7 4.0′ H VII 25 Pretty bright, pretty small, pretty rich, compressed, stars of mags 10 to 13, 27 stars counted at 165X. There are several delicate pairs in this cluster.
2194 ORI OPNCL 06 13.8 +12 48 8.5 10.0′ H VI 5 is a bright, pretty rich, compressed open cluster that is well resolved in the 17.5″ at 100X. The cluster has a flattened shape.

Scorpius

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
6144 SCO GLOCL 16 27.3 -26 02 9.1 9.3′ H VI 10 Pretty bright, large, compressed, somewhat brighter in the middle, 12 stars resolved across the mottled face of this globular at 135X. It is at the edge of a very dark nebula.
6451 SCO OPNCL 17 50.7 -30 13 8.2 8.0′ H VI 13 Bright, Pretty large, pretty rich, compressed, seen in the 8 X 50 finder, 50 stars resolved at 165X. There is a dark lane down the middle of this cluster.

Ursa Major

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2681 UMA Sa 08 53.6 +51 18 11.5 3.8’X3.8′ H I 242 Pretty bright, pretty large, very much brighter in the middle with a stellar nucleus, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 45 at 135X. There is a double star on the NW edge.
2742 UMA Sc 09 07.6 +60 29 12.5 3.3’X1.7′ H I 249 Pretty faint, pretty large, little brighter in the middle, much elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 110, this galaxy has a low surface brightness at 100X.
2768 UMA E5 09 11.5 +60 03 12.0 1.6’X0.8′ H I 250 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle, very much elongated 3 X 1 in PA 90 at 100X.
2787 UMA Sap 09 19.3 +69 13 12.0 3.5’X2.3′ H I 216 Bright, pretty large, round, much brighter in the middle two faint stars invl. This galaxy has an ‘r’ in the NGC description which means somewhat resolved. I see this object looking much like a globular cluster hence the illusion of partial resolvability at 165X.
2841 UMA Sb 09 22.0 +50 59 10.5 7.4’X3.5′ H I 205 Pretty bright, pretty large, Bright nucleus with several stars involved in northern arm at 135X.
2950 UMA Sap 09 42.6 +58 51 12.5 1.3’X0.9′ H IV 68 Pretty bright, small, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 135, very bright in the middle with a stellar nucleus at 135X.
2976 UMA Scp 09 47.3 +67 55 11.5 5.5’X3.0′ H I 285 Bright, pretty large, much elongated, somewhat brighter middle at 100X. Smooth outer section with 12th mag star on south side.
2985 UMA Sb 09 50.3 +72 17 11.5 4.3’X3.3′ H I 78 Bright, pretty large, round, very bright middle at 165X. Grows much with averted vision, 11th mag star on East side.
3034 UMA Ip 09 55.8 +69 41 9.2 13’X6′ H IV 79 M 82 Very bright, very large, much elongated in PA 60, somewhat brighter middle at 165X. Dark lanes cut the galaxy into three almost equal parts. There are several stars invl. and the entire body of the galaxy is mottled.
3077 UMA E2p 10 03.3 +68 44 10.7 6.0’X4.5′ H I 286 Bright, large, somewhat elongated and much brighter in middle at 165X. Very starry field for UMA.
3079 UMA Sb 10 02.0 +55 41 11.2 8.7’X1.6′ H V 47 Bright, pretty large, very much elongated in PA 150, bright middle at 165X. A difficult dark lane comes and goes with the seeing. Two stars are invl on the north end. There is an extremely faint, round companion to the north about 5′.
3184 UMA Sc 10 18.3 +41 25 10.4 8.5’X7.8′ H I 168 Pretty bright, pretty large, round, bright middle at 165X. 11th mag star on north side. There is a hint of spiral structure in moments of good seeing.
3198 UMA Sc 10 19.9 +45 33 10.7 10.0’X3.8′ H I 199 Pretty bright, pretty large, much elongated PA 50 at 165X. Appears to abruptly end on one side.
3310 UMA GALXY 10 38.7 +53 30 11.0 3.8’X3.5′ H IV 60 Bright, pretty large, round, much brighter in the middle, this galaxy has a high surface brightness at 135X. There is a 6th magnitude star in the field.
3556 UMA Sc 11 11.5 +55 40 10.7 8.8’X2.2′ H V 46 M 108 Bright, large, very much elongated in PA 80 at 100X. Even at 200X, this is the most stellar nucleus I remember seeing.
3610 UMA GALXY 11 18.4 +58 47 11.4 3.2’X3.2′ H I 270 Bright, pretty large, round, bright middle at 165X. Stellar nucleus appears in good seeing. A companion in 4′ away in PA 230, I can just pick it out with averted vision.
3613 UMA GALXY 11 18.6 +58 00 11.6 3.4’X1.8′ H I 271 Pretty bright, pretty large, somewhat elongated in PA 120 at 100X. NGC 3619 is in the field at low power.
3619 UMA SO 11 19.4 +57 46 12.6 4.0’X3.0′ H I 244 Pretty bright, pretty small, little elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 90, somewhat brighter in the middle at 135X. There is a very faint and round companion to the east.
3631 UMA GALXY 11 21.0 +53 10 11.0 6.0’X5.0′ H I 226 Pretty faint, pretty large, little elongated, much brighter middle with an almost stellar nucleus at 135X.
3665 UMA GALXY 11 24.7 +38 46 11.6 3.5’X3.0′ H I 219 Pretty bright, pretty large, brighter in the middle with a stellar nucleus, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 60 at 135X. Companion to the south.
3675 UMA GALXY 11 26.1 +43 35 10.4 6.8’X3.5′ H I 194 Bright, pretty large, much elongated in PA 0 with a much brigther middle at 100X. Going to 165X brings out a stellar nucleus and several stars involved.
3726 UMA Sc 11 33.3 +47 02 11.2 6.1’X4.1′ H II 730 FAint, pretty large, somewhat elongated in PA 0, somewhat brighter middle at 100X.
3729 UMA SBp 11 33.8 +53 08 12.2 3.4’X2.4′ H I 222 Pretty bright, large, elongated, brighter middle. Double star, both 10th mag on South side.
3813 UMA GALXY 11 41.3 +36 33 12.6 2.1’X1.2′ H I 94 Pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 2 X 1 PA 90, somewhat brighter in the middle at 135X. This galaxy has a pretty high surface brightness.
3877 UMA Sc 11 46.1 +47 30 11.8 5.6’X1.2′ H I 201 Pretty bright, pretty large, much elongated in PA 35, much brighter middle at 100X. Chi UMA in the field.
3893 UMA Sc 11 48.6 +48 43 10.6 4.6’X2.5′ H II 738 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle, irregularly round, some mottling at 100X.
3898 UMA Sa 11 49.2 +56 05 11.7 3.6’X2.1′ H I 228 and NGC 3898 form a matched galaxy pair that is about 5′ apart. At 135X they are both pretty bright, pretty small, somewhat elongated in PA 60 and have a bright middle.
3938 UMA Sc 11 52.8 +44 07 11.0 5.4’X5.1′ H I 203 Pretty bright, pretty large, round, brighter middle,some mottling at 100X.
3941 UMA E3 11 52.9 +36 59 11.3 3.6’X2.5′ H I 173 Bright, pretty large, round, much brighter in the middle, averted vision makes it grow much larger at 135X.
3945 UMA GALXY 11 53.2 +60 41 11.6 5.8’X3.6′ H I 251 Pretty bright, pretty small, round, brighter in the middle, two faint stars are involved at 135X. The core of this galaxy is easy, the outer sections are tough to detect.
3949 UMA GALXY 11 53.7 +47 52 10.9 2.8’X1.7′ H I 202 Pretty brigtht, pretty large, somewhat elongated in PA 100, brighter in the middle, the companions was seen with averted vision only at 100X.
3953 UMA SBb 11 53.8 +52 20 10.8 6.5’X3.4′ H V 45 Pretty bright, large, elongated in PA 0, very bright in the middle and mottled at 100X.
3982 UMA GALXY 11 56.5 +55 08 11.6 2.4’X2.2′ H IV 62 Bright, pretty large, somewhat brighter in the middle at 100X. There is a line of three dimmer galaxies to the north that just fits into the 30′ field.
3992 UMA SBb 11 57.6 +53 23 10.7 8.3’X4.6′ H IV 61 M 109 Pretty bright, large, elongated E-W with a very bright middle that becomes a bright nucleus at 135X. This galaxy has 3 stars involved in outer arms that sparkle with mottling.
3998 UMA GALXY 11 57.9 +55 27 11.2 3.0’X2.5′ H I 229 Pretty bright, pretty large, somewhat brighter in the middle, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 45 at 135X. There is a extremely faint companion that can only be seen with averted vision and a hood over my head to block out stray light.
4026 UMA E8 11 59.4 +50 58 11.5 4.5’X1.1′ H I 223 Bright, large, elongated 3 X 1 N-S, with a somewhat brighter middle, it shows a nice lens shape at 135X.
4036 UMA E6 12 01.5 +61 54 11.5 3.7’X1.8′ H I 253 Bright, pretty large, elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 90, has a bright middle at 100X.
4041 UMA GALXY 12 02.2 +62 09 11.6 2.8’X2.8′ H I 252 Pretty bright, pretty large, round, much brighter in the middle with an occasional stellar nucleus at 135X. NGC 4036 is a nice edge on galaxy to the south.
4051 UMA Sb 12 04.2 +44 33 11.5 6.0’X5.0′ H IV 56 Pretty bright, large, elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 120, has a bright nucleus and some mottling in thick arms at 165X.
4085 UMA GALXY 12 05.4 +50 22 12.8 2.7’X0.8′ H I 224 Pretty faint, pretty large, elongated 2X1 in PA 90, somewhat brighter middle at 100X. NGC 4088 is 11′ north and easily fits in the 30′ field of the 20mm Erfle eyepiece.
4088 UMA Sb 12 05.6 +50 33 11.2 5.9’X2.2′ H I 206 Bright, large and assymetrically elongated 3 X 1 in PA 45, somewhat brighter middle at 100X.
4102 UMA Sb 12 06.5 +52 43 11.8 3.2’X1.9′ H I 225 Pretty bright, pretty small, little elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 110, brighter in the middle with a stellar nucleus at 135X. There is a 12th mag star to the east of the nucleus.
5322 UMA E2 13 49.2 +60 12 11.3 6’X4′ H I 256 Pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 90 at 100X. The center is quite bright at lower power, going to 200X shows a very bright middle with a nucleus that is almost stellar.
5473 UMA E2 14 04.8 +54 54 12.5 2.2’X1.7′ H I 231 Pretty faint, small, round, somewhat brighter in the middle, not much at 100X.
5474 UMA Sc 14 05.1 +53 40 11.9 6.5’X5.3′ H I 214 Pretty faint, pretty large, not much brighter in the middle, round at 100X.
5631 UMA Sa 14 26.6 +56 34 12.4 2.0’X2.0′ H I 236 Pretty faint, small, round, somewhat brighter in the middle, not much at 135X.

Auriga

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
1664 AUR OPNCL 04 51.1 +43 42 7.6 18′ H VIII 59 Pretty bright, pretty large, not rich, not compressed. Seen in 11X80 finder. 30 Stars counted in 13″ at 135X. There is an 8th mag star on the south side of cluster, with a nice chain of fainter stars leading to it.
1857 AUR OPNCL 05 20.2 +39 21 7.0 6′ H VII 33 Bright and Rich. Very nice at 165X, an 8th mag yellow star with several nice star chains radiating out from it. 45 members counted in about 12 minutes of cluster size.
1907 AUR OPNCL 05 28.0 +35 19 8.2 7.0′ H VII 39 pretty bright, pretty small, much compressed and resolved at 165X. Just seen in 11X80 finder, I counted 22 stars in 13″.
1931 AUR CL+NB 05 31.4 +34 15 11.3 3’X3′ H I 261 Bright, pretty large and somewhat elongated. Looks like a small comet at very low powers. There is a triple star in the center, it is resolved at 200X.
2126 AUR OPNCL 06 03.0 +49 54 10.2 6.0′ H VIII 68 pretty bright, pretty large, irregular shape, not compressed. 22 stars counted in an arrowhead shape at 135X. There is a 6th mag star on the NE edge of the cluster.
2281 AUR OPNCL 06 49.3 +41 04 5.4 15.0′ H VIII 71 Pretty bright, pretty large, not compressed, not rich at 100X. A dozen 10th and 11th mag stars with some fainter attendants.

Cepheus

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
40 CEP PLNNB 00 13.0 +72 32 10.7 60″X40″ H IV 58 bright, large, and elongated 1.5X1. Central star obvious at 200X. The color is grey at all powers. At 200X and above from one of our best locations, the nebula shows off two brighter ends that look like “polar caps” on Mars. The western cap is larger and brighter. From a poorer site on a night I rated 5/10 for seeing and transparency, the brighter parts of the planetary make it appear to have a spiral shape. The “polar cap” effect only appears on the best of nights.
6939 CEP OPNCL 20 31.4 +60 38 7.8 8.0′ H VI 42 Bright, large, rich, compressed and irregularly round in shape at 135X. I estimated 70 stars, there are lots of dimmer members. This cluster has many lovely chains of stars meandering out into the Milky Way. It is easy in the 11X80 finder.
6946 CEP Sc 20 34.8 +60 09 10.5 14′ H IV 76 This face-on spiral galaxy has a low surface brightness and therefore responds to the atmosphere more than edge-on systems. For that reason I have called this object “pretty faint” on a night I rated 5/10 and then called it “pretty bright” on a night that was 8/10 in the mountains of Northern Arizona. In any case it is pretty large, somewhat elongated and has a bright, almost stellar nucleus. Even at the best of times I have never seen spiral structure in this object. There is a very dim extension that forms a ‘V’ shape.
7142 CEP OPNCL 21 45.9 +65 48 9.3 4.3′ H VII 66 pretty bright, large, not compressed, rich cluster of 30 stars at 100X.
7160 CEP OPNCL 21 53.7 +62 36 6.1 7.0′ H VIII 67 bright, pretty large, scattered group of 16 stars at 135X. Two 9th mag stars and several fainter ones, not much.
7380 CEP OPNCL 22 47.0 +58 06 7.2 12.0′ H VIII 77 pretty bright, pretty large, not compressed, triangularly-shaped cluster of 36 stars at 100X. There is nebulosity involved in the cluster, it can be seen without the UHC filter, but the filter helps the contrast very much. The nebula is dim enough that when I use my red flashlight to take notes, the nebula disappears for a few moments when I return to the eyepiece.
7510 CEP OPNCL 23 11.5 +60 34 7.9 4.0′ H VII 44 bright, pretty large, somewhat compressed cluster at 165X.I counted 22 members in an irregular shape, with several nice lines of stars. In a wide field eyepiece, cluster King 19 is in the same field.

Draco

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
3147 DRA Sb 10 16.9 +73 24 11.3 4.7’X4.0′ H I 79 Pretty bright, pretty large, little elongated, with a much brighter core at 100X. It is just seen in the 11X80 finder. In moments of good seeing at 135X, it has a stellar core.
5866 DRA E6p 15 06.5 +55 45 11.1 6.5’X3.0′ H I 215 Bright, large, much elongated 3X2, much brighter middle at 165X. The dark lane has been easy on nights of good seeing and transparency. On mushy nights the dark lane is not seen at any power.
5907 DRA Sb+ 15 15.9 +56 19 11.4 12.8’X1.8′ H II 759 Bright, large, very much elongated, bright middle at 100X. At 200X the core is gradually brighter with a stellar nucleus.
5982 DRA E3p 15 38.6 +59 21 12.4 3.9’X2.1′ H II 764 Pretty bright, pretty small, little elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 90 and much brighter in the middle at 135X.
6543 DRA PLNNB 17 58.6 +66 38 8.3 22″X16″ H IV 37 Bright, large, elongated 1.8 X 1. The central star can be seen at all powers, but is stellar only on the best of nights. Using 250X to 320X there is much detail within the planetary. Two brighter curved areas give the impression of spiral strucure. The very center of the nebulosity does not get near the central star, somewhat like M-42, where the nebulosity has been blown away from the central Trapezium.

Leo Minor

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2859 LMI SBa 09 24.3 +34 32 12.0 4.5’X4.0′ H I 137 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle, little elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 110 at 135X.
3245 LMI GALXY 10 27.3 +28 30 11.6 2.9’X1.9′ H I 86 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle with a bright nucleus, elongated 2 X 1 in PA 165, there is a faint companion to the north at 100X.
3277 LMI GALXY 10 32.9 +28 31 12.3 2.4’X2.2′ H II 359 Pretty faint, pretty small, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 75, somewhat brighter in the middle at 100X. There is a companion in the field; it is very faint, small and round.
3294 LMI GALXY 10 36.3 +37 20 11.5 3.8’X1.8′ H I 164 Pretty bright, pretty large, much elongated 3 X 1 in PA 135 and much brighter in the middle.
3344 LMI GALXY 10 43.5 +24 55 11.1 7.5’X7.0′ H I 81 Bright, pretty large, round, brighter in the middle with a stellar nucleus and somewhat mottled at 135X. There are three stars involved with this galaxy.
3395 LMI GALXY 10 49.8 +32 59 12.1 1.8’X1.0′ H I 116 Pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 45, it is much brighter in the middle with a stellar nucleus at 135X.
3414 LMI GALXY 10 51.3 +27 59 12.1 3.0’X2.6′ H II 362 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle and little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 45. The companion galaxy was not seen on a night I rated 6/10.
3432 LMI GALXY 10 52.5 +36 37 11.7 7.5’X2.0′ H I 172 Pretty bright, pretty large, much elongated 3 X 1 in PA 45, mottled and there is a double star on the SW edge at 135X.
3486 LMI GALXY 11 00.4 +28 58 11.2 7.2’X5.1′ H I 87 Pretty bright, pretty large, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 75 and much brighter in the middle with an occasional stellar nucleus at 135X on a night I rated 6/10.
3504 LMI GALXY 11 03.2 +27 58 11.5 2.5’X2.5′ H I 88 Pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 2 X 1 in PA 165, bright middle with a stellar core and mottled at 135X.

Pegasus

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
7217 PEG GALXY 22 07.9 +31 22 11.0 3.8’X3.3′ H II 207 Pretty bright, pretty large, elongated, very bright in the middle at 100X. On a good night it has a mottled halo surrounding the bright core.
7331 PEG GALXY 22 37.1 +34 25 10.4 11.4’X4.0′ H I 53 Bright, large, very elongated, much brighter in the middle with a stellar nucleus at 135X. It is an elongated shape even in the 11 X 80 finder. It is surrounded by companion galaxies.
7448 PEG GALXY 23 00.0 +15 59 12.0 2.7’X1.1′ H II 251 Pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 2 X 1 and has a bright middle at 135X.
7479 PEG SBb 23 04.9 +12 19 11.7 4.4’X3.4′ H I 55 Pretty bright, large, elongated, bright middle at 165X. The central bar structure is seen on a sharp evening, averted vision makes the galaxy grow in size.
7814 PEG Sab 00 03.2 +16 09 10.6 4.7’X2.4′ H II 240 Bright, large, elongated and brighter in the middle. The arms are very mottled at 135X

Sculptor

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
253 SCL Scp 00 47.5 -25 18 7.1 25’X7′ H V 1 is the star of the show in Sculptor. This very large and very bright galaxy was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1783 during a comet search. From the Cape of Good Hope, her nephew John Herschel called it ” a superb object” in the 18″ reflector. This spiral is probably the closest galaxy to the Local Group. This object is easily seen in a finder or pair of binoculars.
In the 8 incher at 100X this galaxy is over half of a 45′ field and displays some mottling. At 130X there are many stellar spots near the core in moments of good seeing. In the larger instruments there are many dark lanes, with swirls and rifts prominent throughout the galaxy to a somewhat brighter core region.
288 SCL GLOCL 00 52.8 -26 35 8.1 13.8′ H VI 20 is a welcome globular cluster as a break in all these galaxies. This globular is a large, low surface brightness
object. It can be seen in 10×50 binoculars as a small, dim spot. The 8″ at 100X will resolve 30 stars across the face of this cluster. The larger scopes help some, with more stars resolved. The cluster does not have a brighter core in any of our scopes. A.J. Crayon called it “irregularly round” in the 8″. Steve Coe says “roundish” in the 17.5″. It sounds as if you will have to go look for yourself.
613 SCL Sbc 01 34.3 -29 24 11.0 5.8’X4.6′ H I 281 is pretty bright and quite elongated in the 8″ at 80X. This scope will show the outer tips of the spiral arms curved as if to show off their motion. Neither of the larger scopes will bring out that detail. All three instruments will show a brighter core and a pretty bright star on the NE side of the galaxy.

Ursa Minor

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
6217 UMI Sc 16 32.6 +78 12 12.5 3.6’X3.6′ H I 280 Pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 3X2 and somewhat brighter in the middle at 100X. There is a stellar nucleus at 165X.

Bootes

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
5248 BOO Sc 13 37.4 +08 53 11.4 6.8’X5.0′ H I 34 Bright, Large, elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 135. Has a very bright middle and an almost stellar nucleus at 135X. Averted vision increases the size of galaxy quite a bit and also shows off some beautiful mottling in the outer arm regions.
5466 BOO GLOCL 14 05.5 +28 32 9.1 11.0′ H VI 9 Pretty bright, large, little elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 15, somewhat like a heart shape, pretty rich and compressed at 165X. 28 stars counted on a night I rated 7/10 for seeing. Even though this globular has a bright core, it is still a pretty low surface brightness object, kind of like Omega Centauri in a 2″.
5557 BOO E1 14 18.3 +36 29 12.2 2.2’X2.0′ H I 99 Pretty bright, pretty large, little elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 90 and much brighter in the middle with an almost stellar nucleus at 165X.
5676 BOO Sc 14 32.8 +49 27 11.7 4.0’X1.7′ H I 189 Pretty bright, pretty large, much elongated 3X1 in PA 45 and brighter in the middle at 100X. Going to 165X will show off a stellar nucleus and some nice mottling on a sharp night.
5689 BOO SBa 14 35.5 +48 44 12.7 4.0’X1.1′ H I 188 Pretty bright, pretty large, much elongated 3 X 1 in PA 90 and much brighter in the middle at 100X. NGC 5693 is to the south and it is faint, small, round and not brighter in the middle.

Cetus

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
157 CET Sc 00 34.9 -08 24 10.4 4’X3′ H II 3 Pretty bright, large, elongated 2 X 1 and somewhat brighter in the middle at 100X. An 11th mag star in involved on the east side. At 135X this galaxy shows some mottling in moments of good seeing.
246 CET PLNNB 00 47.1 -11 53 8.5 240″X210″ H V 25 is a very nice planetary to break up all these galaxies. It is bright, large and round at 100X. There are several dark areas in this nebula and they combine to look like this is a doughnut someone took a bite from. The UHC filter makes this effect more noticeable. There are three stars involved at 165X.
247 CET S- 00 47.0 -20 45 8.9 20’X7′ H V 20 Pretty faint, very large, much elongated (4 X 1) and has a star at one end. It is not much brighter in the middle at 100X in the 13″. This object was much more conspicuous in my old 17.5″ at 130X. In either scope, this galaxy has a pretty low surface brightness and does not deserve the 10th mag rating it gets in many listings. The outer portions are mottled in both scopes, with good seeing.
584 CET E4 01 31.3 -06 51 12.0 3.8’X2.4′ H I 100 Faint, small, elongated 2 X 1, not brighter middle.
596 CET E2 01 32.8 -07 01 12.5 3.5’X2.2′ H II 4 Pretty bright, pretty small, round, much brighter middle at 100X. Has a stellar core at 135X in moments of good seeing.
615 CET Sb 01 35.1 -07 19 12.5 4.0’X1.7′ H II 282 Pretty bright, pretty small, somewhat elongated, much brighter middle.
720 CET E4 01 53.0 -13 44 11.5 4.4’X2.8′ H I 105 Pretty bright, pretty large, much elongated 3 X 1, somewhat brighter middle with bright almost stellar core.
779 CET Sb 01 59.7 -05 58 12.0 4.1’X1.4′ H I 101 Pretty bright, Large, much elongated, much bright middle. Somewhat mottled at 165X.
908 CET Sc 02 23.1 -21 13 11.0 5.5’X2.8′ H I 153 Pretty bright, large, elongated 2 X 1, gradually brighter middle. At 165X the core of this galaxy is elongated in the same PA as the galaxy.
936 CET SBa 02 27.7 -01 09 11.0 5.6’X4.5′ H IV 23 Pretty bright, pretty large, round, much brighter middle. This is a barred spiral, but I could not see any central bar structure.
1022 CET Sb 02 38.5 -06 40 12.5 3’X2′ H I 102 Pretty bright, pretty large, round, somewhat brighter middle.
1052 CET GALXY 02 41.0 -08 15 12.0 3’X2′ H I 63 Pretty bright, pretty small, round, much brighter middle. This is the brightest galaxy in a small group. The central three galaxies offer an interresting contrast. NGC 1052 is round and pretty noticeable at 100X. One nearby companion is round and very faint, while another is pretty faint and elongated 3 X 1. They all fit in a 20 mm Erfle eyepiece which has a 30′ field and gives 100X on the 13″. A very nice grouping.
1055 CET SB 02 41.8 +00 26 11.5 8’X4′ H I 1 = H II 6 Pretty bright, pretty large, much elongated (3 X 1), bright middle. Averted vision makes this object grow larger and will just bring out a dark lane running along the galaxy edge.

Eridanus

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
1084 ERI Sc 02 45.9 -07 35 12.0 3’X2′ H I 64 Easily seen at 100X, pretty bright, elongated and somewhat mottled at 180X.
1407 ERI EO 03 40.1 -18 34 12.0 2.5’X2.5′ H I 107 Pretty bright, round and much brighter in the middle at 100X. NGC 1400 and 1407 are surrounded by 10 fainter galaxies within 30 arc minutes.
1535 ERI PLNNB 04 14.2 -12 44 10.4 20″X17″ H IV 26 Bright, pretty large, round, easy to spot at 100X. Going to 180X shows two concentric rings, one bright near the center, the other ring dimmer and larger that forms the outer edge of this planetary. The central star is easy at high power and the nebula is light blue at all powers.

Lepus

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
1964 LEP Sb 05 33.3 -21 57 11.5 H IV 21 Pretty bright, Small, somewhat elongated and brighter in the middle at 100X. There is a pretty bright star involved near the core on the SW side.

Perseus

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
651 PER PLNNB 01 42.3 +51 34 11.0 163″X107″ H I 193 M-76 is a small planetary nebula and it is the dimmest Messier object. Mechain found this object in Sept. 1780. It is often called the Barbell or Little Dumbbell because of its’ resemblance to M-27 in Vulpecula. M-76 shows some excellant detail at high powers. I obviously realized this even as a beginning observer because I have observed this object with every telescope I have ever owned. In my 8″ f/6 at 150X it showed the dual structure that made William Herschel assign it two numbers. When J.L.E. Dreyer was assembling the NGC he agreed and M-76 is NGC 650 and NGC 651. On a pretty sharp evening at a dark sky site, the 17.5″ f/4.5 at 175X brings out several faint loops of nebulosity beyond the bright central bar. There are several dark lanes within the bright inner section. This is with a UHC filter. Without the filter M-76 is a light grey in color. An 18″ f/6 makes the ends of the central part brighter than the middle and the 651 faint outer loops are easy with the filter. This is on a night I rated 8/10 for seeing and transparency at a very dark desert site over 100 miles from Phoenix. Years of exp
869 PER OPNCL 02 19.0 +57 09 4.3 30.0′ H VI 33 and NGC 884 the Double Cluster is naked eye as a bright spot in the Winter Milky Way from even a somewhat light polluted site. Hipparchus and Ptolemy both mention it in ancient texts.
These two clusters are both large, bright, rich and somewhat compressed. The fact that they are both within a 1 degree field of view is fascinating. Using a 38mm Erfle eyepiece which gives about 60X in the 13″, I counted 102* in one quadrant of the field of view for a total of at least 400* in the field. The view in the 11X80 finder is spectacular with several orange giant stars sprinkling the clusters, including one almost exactly between the two clusters. There are also several beautiful chains of stars curving into the Milky Way from within this cluster pair.
884 PER OPNCL 02 22.4 +57 07 4.4 30.0′ H VI 34 and NGC 869 the Double Cluster is naked eye as a bright spot in the Winter Milky Way from even a somewhat light polluted site. Hipparchus and Ptolemy both mention it in ancient texts. These two clusters are both large, bright, rich and somewhat compressed. The fact that they are both within a 1 degree field of view is fascinating. Using a 38mm Erfle eyepiece which gives about 60X in the 13″, I counted 102* in one quadrant of the field of view for a total of at least 400* in the field. The view in the 11X80 finder is spectacular with several orange giant stars sprinkling the clusters, including one almost exactly between the two clusters. There are also several beautiful chains of stars curving into the Milky Way from within this cluster pair.
1023 PER E7p 02 40.5 +39 03 11.0 9’X4′ H I 156 Pretty bright, large, much elongated, bright middle at 135X. Raising the power to 200X brings out a small tuft on the Eastern tip of this galaxy.
1245 PER OPNCL 03 14.7 +47 15 8.4 10′ H VI 25 is a bright, large and much compressed open cluster. In the 13″ at 165X I counted 82 members, many in nice chains of stars that form curved lines. This cluster takes high power well.
1342 PER OPNCL 03 31.6 +37 20 6.7 14.0′ H VIII 88 is a bright, large and somewhat scattered open cluster in the 13″ at 100X. There are about 40* in the group and a dark lane in the Milky Way near the cluster.
1444 PER OPNCL 03 49.4 +52 40 6.6 4.0′ H VIII 80 Pretty faint, small, compressed, not rich, 14 stars counted at 165X, including a nice yellow-blue pair.
1513 PER OPNCL 04 10.0 +49 31 8.4 9.0′ H VII 60 Pretty bright, pretty large, rich and somewhat compressed at 100X. 34* counted, including a nice arc of pretty bright stars on the North side. The bizarre thing about this cluster is that it is shaped like a horseshoe. Wouldn’t it be fun to fly out there and see if that is the true shape of this cluster?
1528 PER OPNCL 04 15.4 +51 14 6.4 24.0′ H VII 61 Bright, large, rich and somewhat compressed cluster. 55* counted at 100X, many in lovely chains. Several dark lanes wind their way through the cluster. It almost fills the field of view. This object is easy in the 11X80 finder. This very nice cluster could have been a Messier object if he had only swept this area.
1545 PER OPNCL 04 20.9 +50 15 6.2 18.0′ H VIII 85 Pretty bright, pretty poor, not compressed cluster at 100X. 21* counted, two pretty bright yellow members and several dim members.

Scutum

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
6664 SCT OPNCL 18 36.7 -08 13 7.8 16.0′ H VIII 12 is pretty bright, pretty large, somewhat compressed and has 15 pretty bright stars with a sprinkling of dimmer members at 100X.
6712 SCT GLOCL 18 53.1 -08 42 8.2 7.2′ H I 47 bright, little elongated, very rich, very compressed. Resolved at 100X, going to 165X brings out a myriad of dimmer members at the edge of resolution. This globular resides in a beautiful, rich Milky Way field that provides a lovely backround (foreground?).

Virgo

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
4030 VIR Sb 12 00.4 -01 05 12.4 4.2’X3.2′ H I 121 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle, Elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 0 at 135X. This is a high surface brightness galaxy with a 12th mag star to the north and a double star to the south which bracket the galaxy.
4179 VIR E8 12 12.9 +01 19 12.8 3.8’X1.0′ H I 9 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle, much elongated 3 X 1 in PA 135, this is a nice edge on at 135X.
4216 VIR Sb 12 15.9 +13 09 11.2 8.5’X1.7′ H I 35 pretty bright, large, much elongated with a very bright middle at 100X. The fascinating thing about this object is that it is within a 30′ field of two other edge on galaxies. The northernmost is extremely faint, pretty small, very much elongated and not brighter in the middle. The southernmost is faint, pretty small, much elongated and somewhat brighter in the middle. With 4216 in the center of this array of spindle shaped galaxies, this is a spot that fascinated me.
4261 VIR E2 12 19.4 +05 50 12.0 3.5’X3.0′ H II 139 and 4260 are in the same field at 100X. 4260 is pretty faint, pretty small and elongated. 4261 is pretty bright, pretty large, round and much brighter in the middle, it has a very faint companion about 5′ away.
4273 VIR Sc 12 20.0 +05 21 12.3 2.5’X1.2′ H II 569 is pretty bright, pretty small, much brighter in the middle and little elongated.
4281 VIR GALXY 12 20.4 +05 24 12.5 2.5’X1.2′ H II 573 is pretty bright, pretty large, somewhat brighter in the middle and elongated 2X1.
4303 VIR Sc 12 22.0 +04 29 10.9 6.6’X6.4′ H I 139 (M 61) is bright, large, irregularly round, much brighter in the middle and has a distinct nucleus using powers from 135X to 200X. The arms are mottled and in moments of good seeing some spiral structure can be seen. This observation was made in the central mountains of Arizona on a night I rated 7/10 for seeing and 8/10 for contrast. 4301 is a companion and is very faint, small, round and not brighter in the middle. Averted vision helps pick out this dim galaxy.
4365 VIR GALXY 12 24.5 +07 20 11.5 5.5’X4.5′ H I 30 bright, pretty large, elongated 1.5X1, somewhat brighter middle at 100X.
4371 VIR GALXY 12 25.0 +11 43 12.1 4.5’X2.1′ H I 22 pretty bright, considerably large, elongated 2X1, much brighter in the middle and has a bright nucleus at 100X.
4429 VIR Sa 12 27.5 +11 07 11.4 5.5’X2.5′ H II 65 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle with an almost stellar nucleus, very much elongated 3 X 1 in PA 110 at 110X. There is a 10th mag star 5 arcmin to the north.
4435 VIR E4 12 27.7 +13 05 11.9 3.2’X1.9′ H I 28 pretty bright, pretty large, somewhat elongated.
4438 VIR Sap 12 27.8 +13 01 12.0 9.7’X3.9′ H I 28 bright, pretty large, very much elongated, much brighter in the middle. 4438 and 4435 are elongated in the same PA.
4442 VIR GALXY 12 28.1 +09 49 11.2 4.5’X1.8′ H II 156 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle, much elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 80 at 100X. There is a faint double star 5 arcmin to the south.
4478 VIR E1 12 30.4 +12 20 12.2 1.7’X1.4′ H II 124 Pretty bright, small, very bright middle, round at 100X. This is the closer of two companions to M 87 on the SW side.
4526 VIR E7 12 34.1 +07 43 10.6 7.0’X2.7′ H I 31 Bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, much elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 120 at 100X. This is a nice spindle shape, Averted vision helps this galaxy quite a bit.
4527 VIR GALXY 12 34.2 +02 40 12.4 6.5’X2.2′ H II 37 Bright, pretty large, much elongated 3 X 1 in PA 60, much brighter middle, companion to the north is faint, small and round. This galaxy is a nice edge on at 135X.
4535 VIR SBc 12 34.4 +08 13 11.1 7.8’X7.0′ H II 500 Pretty bright, large, much brighter middle, stellar nucleus at 165X. It is little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 0. Very mottled with several stars involved.
4536 VIR Sc 12 34.5 +02 12 12.3 7.0’X2.8′ H V 2 Bright, large, very much elongated 3.5 X 1 in PA 110, much brighter middle, a companion to the north is faint, pretty large, round and little brighter in the middle at 135X.
4546 VIR GALXY 12 35.5 -03 47 11.3 3.5’X1.7′ H I 160 Pretty bright, pretty large, much elogated 2.5 X 1 in PA 90, much brighter middle, with a 10th mag star to the SE at 135X.
4550 VIR GALXY 12 35.6 +12 14 12.5 3.3’X0.9′ H I 36 Pretty bright, pretty large, brighter middle, much elongated at 2.5 X 1 in PA 0 at 100X. M 89 is in the field.
4570 VIR E8 12 36.9 +07 15 11.8 4.2’X1.2′ H I 32 Pretty bright, pretty large, brighter middle, much elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 165 at 100X.
4594 VIR Sa 12 39.9 -11 37 9.3 8.9’X4.1′ H I 43 (M 104) bright, large, much elongated 3X1 E-W and very much brighter middle at 100X. The Sombrero Galaxy has an immediately noticed dark lane which is offset so that the nucleus sits on it.
4596 VIR SBa 12 40.0 +10 11 12.4 4.5’X4.0′ H I 24 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, little elongated 1.5 X 1 in PA 110 at 100X.
4636 VIR GALXY 12 42.9 +02 42 11.8 7.0’X5.0′ H II 38 Bright, pretty large, irregularly round, high surface brightness, much, much brighter middle with a very bright nucleus at 165X.
4643 VIR SBa 12 43.4 +01 59 11.9 3.0’X3.0′ H I 10 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 135 at 135X.
4654 VIR GALXY 12 44.0 +13 08 11.3 5.3’X2.9′ H II 126 Bright, large, much brighter middle, elongated 2 X 1 in PA 120 at 100X. The core is also elongated in same PA.
4660 VIR E5 12 44.6 +11 12 12.1 2.4’X2.1′ H II 71 Pretty bright, small, round, much brighter middle at 100X.
4665 VIR GALXY 12 45.2 +03 04 12.4 4.5’X4.5′ H I 142 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle with an almost stellar nucleus, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 0. There is a 10th mag star to the SW.
4666 VIR Sc 12 45.2 -00 27 12.0 4.5’X1.4′ H I 15 Pretty bright, pretty large, bright middle with a stellar nucleus at 165X. Much elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 45. There is a nice, delicate triple star to the south.
4697 VIR GALXY 12 48.6 -05 48 10.2 6.0’X3.8′ H I 39 Bright, large, elongated 1.8 X 1 in PA 45 at 100X, much brighter middle, almost stellar nucleus. Averted vision makes it grow in size.
4698 VIR GALXY 12 48.5 +08 30 12.1 3.5’X1.8′ H I 8 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, much elongated 2 X 1 in PA 165 at 100X. It is between two 11th mag stars.
4699 VIR GALXY 12 49.1 -08 40 10.5 3.5’X2.7′ H I 129 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, round, has a bright central nucleus at 135X. This high surface brightness galaxy grows with averted vision.
4753 VIR GALXY 12 52.4 -01 12 11.7 4.5’X2.5′ H I 16 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, much elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 0 at 100X.
4754 VIR SO 12 52.4 +11 19 12.0 2.5’X1.0′ H I 25 Pretty bright, pretty large, round, brighter middle at 100X.
4762 VIR SO 12 53.0 +11 14 11.1 9.0’X2.0′ H II 75 Bright, large, much elongated 4 X 1 in PA 30, bright middle, hint of a dark lane at 165X.
4781 VIR SBc 12 54.4 -10 32 11.8 3.5’X1.8′ H I 134 Pretty bright, large, much brighter middle, much elongated 2 X 1 in PA 110 at 100X. Two 11th mag stars are involved on the west side.
4845 VIR Sa 12 58.1 +01 35 12.9 5.2’X1.3′ H II 536 Pretty bright, pretty large, somewhat brighter middle, much elongated 3 X 1 in PA 75 at 100X.
4856 VIR GALXY 12 59.3 -15 02 11.4 4.6’X1.6 H I 68 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle with an almost stellar nucleus, much elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 45 at 100X.
4866 VIR SO 12 59.4 +14 10 11.9 6.0’X1.3′ H I 162 Bright, large, much brighter middle with a stellar nucleus, very much elongated 5 X 1 in PA 90. There is an 11th mag star in PA 300 from the nucleus, it is about the same magnitude as the nucleus at 135X.
4900 VIR GALXY 13 00.7 +02 30 12.8 2.5’X2.5′ H I 143 Pretty bright, pretty large, little brighter in the middle, round, 10th mag star in PA 135 at 100X.
4958 VIR E6 13 05.7 -08 01 11.4 4.1’X1.4′ H I 130 Pretty bright, pretty small, much brighter middle, an almost stellar nucleus in the center and very much elongated 4 X 1 in PA 20. This is a nice lens shaped galaxy at 135X.
4995 VIR Sb 13 09.6 -07 50 11.9 2.5’X1.7′ H I 42 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, round at 100X.
5054 VIR Sb 13 16.9 -16 39 11.5 5’X3.1′ H II 513 Pretty faint, pretty large, brighter middle, elongated 1.8 X 1 in PA 45 at 100X.
5363 VIR Ep 13 56.2 +05 16 11.4 5.5’X3.5′ H I 6 pretty bright, pretty large, round and much brighter middle. Near a 9th mag star. This is brightest of group.
5364 VIR Sb+p 13 56.3 +05 02 13.2 7.2’X5.5′ H II 534 pretty faint, pretty large, round, somewhat brighter middle. Very mottled arms on this face on with low surface brightness.
5566 VIR Sb+ 14 20.4 +03 56 12.0 6.2’X2.3′ H I 144 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle with an almost stellar nucleus, elongated 3 X 1 in PA 30 at 100X.
5576 VIR E2 14 21.1 +03 16 12.3 3.0’X2.3′ H I 146 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, round at 100X. The companion is pretty bright, pretty small and elongated, it is 5 arcmin to the SW of 5576.
5634 VIR GLOCL 14 29.6 -05 59 11.0 4.9′ H I 70 bright, pretty large, not compressed globular cluster among all these galaxies. It is easy to find at 100X. 2 stars are resolved at 175X.
5746 VIR Sb 14 45.0 +01 49 12.3 7.4’X1.1′ H I 126 bright, large, much brighter middle, much elongated north-south. There is an obvious central bulge at 135X. A dark lane cuts across the galaxy in moments of good seeing.
5846 VIR E0 15 06.5 +01 36 11.9 3.0’X3.0′ H I 128 Pretty bright, pretty large, round, much brighter middle at 100X. There are two other galaxies in the field and a nice white and blue double star 5 arcmin west.

Camelopardalis

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
1501 CAM PLNNB 04 07.0 +60 55 12.0 56″X48″ H IV 53 Bright, Large, round at 165X. The central star comes and goes at lower powers but is held steady at 270X. This planetary is a light blue disk at all powers. There are some dark markings within the disk, somewhat like the Eskimo Nebula in Gemini.
1502 CAM OPNCL 04 07.7 +62 20 5.7 8.0′ H VII 47 Bright, large, and pretty rich at 100X. There are 27 stars counted in the cluster with several bright pairs and a nice blue and gold double on the north east side. This somewhat scattered open cluster is easy in the 11X80 finder.
1961 CAM SBp 05 42.2 +69 23 11.5 4.5’X4.5′ H III 747 Pretty faint, pretty large, Elongated 3 X 2 in PA 90, brighter in the middle and somewhat mottled at 100X.
2403 CAM Sc 07 36.8 +65 37 9.5 17.8′ H V 44 Bright, large and elongated 1.5X1 in PA 135 degrees at 135X. This object is bright enough to be seen with the 11X80 finderscope. There are several stars involved with faint spiral structure in the outer sections in this lovely galaxy. The middle is gradually much brighter. From the darkest sites, the spiral arms of this galaxy shimmer and sparkle with mottling.
2655 CAM S(B)a 08 55.6 +78 13 11.5 6.5’X5.8′ H I 288 Bright, pretty large and little elongated at 135X. This galaxy is much brighter in the middle with a bright central nucleus at 220X.

Coma Berenices

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
4147 COM GLOCL 12 10.1 +18 33 10.3 4.0′ H I 19 Bright, pretty large, round, bright middle at 165X. Five stars are resolved in good seeing. A nice globular to break up all these galaxies.
4150 COM GALXY 12 10.6 +30 25 12.6 2.1’X1.5′ H I 73 Pretty bright, pretty large, much elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 135 Stellar nucleus contained in a bright middle at 165X.
4203 COM GALXY 12 15.2 +33 13 11.8 3.5’X3.3′ H I 175 bright, pretty large, very bright middle at 100X. Very mottled arms, really grows with averted vision.
4245 COM GALXY 12 17.7 +29 37 12.4 3.5’X3.3′ H I 74 pretty bright, pretty large, somewhat elongated, much brighter middle at 100X.
4251 COM GALXY 12 18.2 +28 11 11.5 3.6’X2.0′ H I 89 pretty bright, pretty small, elongated 2X1, much brighter middle at 135X.
4274 COM GALXY 12 19.9 +29 37 11.1 7.3’X2.7′ H I 75 bright, pretty large, much elongated, brighter middle at 100X. Has three companions in 40′ field of 20mm Erfle. Brightest of three is 4278.
4278 COM GALXY 12 20.2 +29 18 11.2 3.5’X3.5′ H I 90 Bright, pretty large, little elongated 1.2 X 1 in PA 90, very bright middle. Two pretty faint companions to the South.
4293 COM GALXY 12 21.3 +18 24 11.6 5.8’X3.3′ H V 5 pretty bright, large, much elongated, brighter middle at 135X.
4314 COM GALXY 12 22.6 +29 54 11.5 4.6’X4.5′ H I 76 pretty bright, pretty large, much elongated, brighter middle, very mottled at 100X. 4308 in field (faint, very small, not much).
4350 COM GALXY 12 24.0 +16 42 11.5 2.5’X0.9′ H II 86 pretty bright, pretty large, much elongated, brighter middle at 100X.
4394 COM GALXY 12 26.0 +18 13 11.9 3.6’X3.4′ H II 55 M85 bright, large, somewhat elongated, star involved on north side of nucleus. 4394 following is pretty bright, small, elongated.
4414 COM GALXY 12 26.4 +31 14 10.9 4.8’X3.2′ H I 77 pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 3X1, much brighter middle at 100X. At 165X, stellar core comes and goes with the seeing.
4419 COM GALXY 12 27.0 +15 03 11.6 3.1’X1.0′ H II 113 pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter middle, much elongated at 100X.
4448 COM GALXY 12 28.2 +28 38 11.9 4.0’X1.5′ H I 91 pretty bright, pretty large, elongated 2X1, much brighter middle at 100X.
4450 COM GALXY 12 28.6 +17 06 11.2 5.5’X3.7′ H II 56 pretty bright, pretty large, little elongated, much brighter middle at 135X.
4459 COM GALXY 12 29.1 +13 59 11.6 3.5’X2.7′ H I 161 pretty bright, pretty small, much brighter middle at 100X. At the edge of the Coma Galaxy Cluster, so there are four small, faint companions in the 40′ field of view.
4473 COM GALXY 12 29.9 +13 26 11.2 3.6’X2.3′ H II 114 pretty bright, pretty small, round, much brighter middle, has a very faint, round companion to the NW.
4477 COM GALXY 12 30.1 +13 39 11.9 3.8’X3.5′ H II 115 Bright, large, considerably brighter middle, round. 12th mag star on the south side.
4494 COM GALXY 12 31.3 +25 47 10.7 4.5’X4.3′ H I 83 bright, pretty large, round, much brighter middle at 100X
4548 COM SBb 12 35.5 +14 30 11.5 5.5’X4.5′ H II 120 pretty faint, pretty large, somewhat elongated, somewhat brighter middle. Marked M 91 on U2000. Messier gave a position near here for an object “dimmer than M 90”. Shapley says it may be a comet that got away, NGC 4571 has been suggested. Owen Gingerich says it was a duplicate observation of M 58.
4559 COM GALXY 12 35.9 +27 58 10.7 13.0’X5.2′ H I 92 bright, large, much elongated 3X1, somewhat brighter middle at 135X. Three stars involved in south arm make this object unique, don’t miss it.
4565 COM Sb 12 36.3 +26 00 10.3 15.5’X1.9′ H V 24 very bright, very large, extremely elongated 10X1, very bright middle at 135X. Dark lane is easy at a good site, it can be held with direct vision. At 200X some fine detail within the dark lane is visible in moments of good seeing at our best sites in the mountains of northern Arizona. It has always looked like the classic flying saucer. At a Saguaro Astronomy Club star party someone called it “God’s Frisbee”. This spectacular edge-on galaxy is also a companion to Comet Coe. The story goes like this: I had just completed a new 17.5″ Dobsonian and had had only few chances to get it out into dark sky. I trucked it to a club gathering at one of the best sites we use. When I observed NGC 4565 it had an obvious companion that I immediatly thought was a comet. After showing it to A. J. Crayon and several other club members, I looked it up and it was quite obvious in a photograph in Burnham’s. Oh well, so much for fame 4565 and fortune. Several “friends” pointed out that it could be a very long period comet that is coming directly at the earth.
4689 COM GALXY 12 47.9 +13 46 12.8 4.0’X3.5′ H II 128 pretty faint, pretty large, somewhat elongated, not much brighter middle at 100X.
4725 COM GALXY 12 50.4 +25 33 10.2 12.0’X9.0′ H I 84 bright, large, much elongated, very bright middle at 100X. My old 17.5″ would show a hint of barred spiral structure at 125X, but I have not had the chance to use the 13″ on this object from an excellant site to see if the smaller scope will duplicate that feat.

Gemini

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
2129 GEM OPNCL 06 01.0 +23 18 6.7 7.0′ H VIII 26 Pretty bright, pretty small, not compressed, 22 stars counted at 100X, just seen in 11 X 80 finderscope.
2158 GEM OPNCL 06 07.5 +24 06 8.6 5.0′ H VI 17 Pretty bright, pretty small, very compressed, arrowhead shape. I counted 12 stars and saw a very grainy backround at 165X on a night I rated 7/10.
2266 GEM OPNCL 06 43.2 +26 58 9.5 7.0′ H VI 21 Pretty bright, pretty small, rich, much compressed and resolved at 100X. I counted 50 stars at 135X.
2304 GEM OPNCL 06 55.0 +18 01 10.0 5.0′ H VI 2 Faint, pretty small, somewhat compressed, not much at 100X. I counted 11 stars in a 5 arcmin area, shaped like a comma or Corona Borealis cluster.
2355 GEM OPNCL 07 16.9 +13 47 9.7 9.0′ H VI 6 Pretty bright, pretty large, much compressed at 100X. Just seen in 11 X 80 finderscope. I counted 80 stars with a bright yellow star near the center of this cluster.
2371 GEM PLNNB 07 25.6 +29 29 13.0 74″X54″ H II 316 Bright, pretty large, box shaped at 100X. High power shows much structure. The southeast end in much brighter and the central star is seen at 220X. This planetary is grey in color at all powers.
2372 GEM PLNNB 07 25.6 +29 29 13.0 74″X54″ H II 317 Bright, pretty large, box shaped at 100X. High power shows much structure. The southeast end in much brighter and the central star is seen at 220X. This planetary is grey in color at all powers.
2392 GEM PLNNB 07 29.2 +20 55 8.6 47″X43″ H IV 45 Bright, large, round and somewhat annular at 100X. The central star is easy and this planetary is light green at all powers. The “Eskimo” features are seen at 220X and are somewhat better at 320X on a night I rated 8/10 for seeing and contrast.
2395 GEM OPNCL 07 27.1 +13 35 8.0 12.0′ H VIII 11 Bright, pretty large, elongated 2 X 1, resolved at 100X, approximately 50 stars in a nice cluster.
2420 GEM OPNCL 07 38.5 +21 34 8.3 10.0′ H VI 1 Pretty bright, pretty large, somewhat compressed, 30 stars at 135X. Several nice star chains on involved with an “oatmeal” backround of fainter stars.

Libra

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
5897 LIB GLOCL 15 17.4 -21 01 8.6 12.6′ H VI 19 Pretty faint, large, gradually brighter in the middle and rich at 135X. I counted 22 stars resolved on a night I rated 6/10 for seeing and transparency. There is certainly not the usual “blazing core” to this globular.

Pisces

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
488 PSC Sb 01 21.8 +05 16 11.5 6.0’X4.3′ H III 252 Pretty bright, pretty large, much brighter in the middle, round and has somewhat mottled arms at 135X.
524 PSC E1 01 24.8 +09 33 12.0 3.5’X3.5′ H I 151 Bright, large, round, much brighter in the middle, a little mottled, with two companions in the field of view at 100X.

Serpens

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
6118 SER Sb 16 21.9 -02 17 12.0 5’X2′ H II 402 Pretty faint, pretty large, somewhat brighter in the middle and elongated 2.5 X 1 in PA 60 at 100X. Averted vision helps with this low surface brightness object.

Vulpecula

NGC_#
Con
Type
RA_2000
Declination
Mag
Size
Hershel_#
Observation Notes
6802 VUL OPNCL 19 30.6 +20 16 8.8 3.2′ H VI 14 Bright, pretty large, elongated 2 X 1, much compressed at 165X. 15 stars were counted on a mottled surface and this cluster stood out from the Milky Way very nicely. There are two sets of doubles stars that “guard” this cluster on either side, both pairs of stars are light orange and white.
6823 VUL OPNCL 19 43.1 +23 18 7.1 12.0′ H VII 18 Pretty bright, pretty large and pretty rich cluster at 100X. 28 stars were counted with the central 4 stars forming a tiny (20″) quadruple system.
6830 VUL OPNCL 19 51.0 +23 04 7.9 12.0′ H VII 9 Bright, pretty large, pretty rich and somewhat compressed at 100X. This cluster stands out nicely, with 58 stars counted.
6882 VUL OPNCL 20 11.7 +26 33 8.1 18.0′ H VIII 22 Pretty bright, large, not compressed, pretty poor and scattered group on about 40 stars at 100X.
6885 VUL OPNCL 20 12.0 +26 29 5.7 7.0′ H VIII 20 Bright, pretty large, rich and somewhat compressed at 100X. The cluster consists of the bright star 20 Vulpeculae and 35 pretty faint companions. Very interesting group.
6940 VUL OPNCL 20 34.6 +28 18 6.3 31.0′ H VII 8 Bright, large, rich, quite compressed at 100X. This cluster is easy in the 11 X 80 finder. I estimated 80 members, many in lovely chains of stars. There is an interesting feature of this cluster, it is bordered in black. A dark lane goes almost all the way around the dense star cluster, as if the stars were gathered up and left behind dark lanes.