HCG 96
Blog Tuesday 11th September 2012
Last weekend gave 3 clear nights albeit with a bit of moon still hanging about, however I was ill, too ill to observe on either of the 3 nights, so feeling better after the antibiotics kicked it I was delighted to be able to open the obsy and get back on the Hickson trail
Hickson 96 is a lovely bright and interesting group of 4 galaxies in Pegasus. (a) member is NGC 7675 wonderful spiral structure is visible in this face on, magnitude 13.1, it has a very tiny faint companion on its NE edge this is (c) member NGC 7675(a). NGC 7675 is the (b) component of the group bright again and with hints of dust lanes visible. Between a & b components is (d) is faint PGC 71507 a mag 17.3 spec. Out to the west of the group (right edge of my sketch I caught another faint galaxy that I believe is PGC 214960. I made the sketch using the 505mm mirror using a small temporary secondary as the usual one was away being recoated. Light was put through a Watec 120N+ video camera and viewed on a b&w monitor where it was sketch on Tuesday 11th September 2012, N is up E is left.
HCG 89
Hickson 89 was a real challenge of a group in Aquarius; I had read it was tough and am please to get this one out of the way to be honest. Being fairly low in my sky at 52 deg north didn’t help, neither did the southerly aspect, that notwithstanding I’m pleased that I got all 4 members, each distinct and with differing morphology. I made the sketch using the 505mm mirror using a small temporary secondary as the usual one was away being recoated. Light was put through a Watec 120N+ video camera and viewed on a b&w monitor where it was sketch on Tuesday 11th September 2012, N is up E is left.
Closed up at 01.30, well pleased, well tired and not looking forward to work.
These two take my tally to 68 and rising, I’m really hoping to hit 75 over this new moon, even if I am away from the Chippers obsy at Kelling for a couple of nights.
Dale