[Lvas] NGC 404 Sketch

[Fred Rayworth]

Roger,
 
I have 8 recorded observations since 1992, the latest in 2007. Your description pretty much mirrors mine except you have a little more detail. Most of the time I describe it as a ball, but a couple of times I saw it as an oval. It wasn't particulary bright in any of them, even in my 16". Since it's neither a Herschel 1 or 2, I never drew it. I just recently started drawing them in my regular log book, which is something I never did before. I saved my "artistic" abilities just for the specific Messier, Herschel 1 or Herschel 2 books. However, I decided to add a quick sketch to each observation just in case I missed one of my catalogue objects and wouldn't have to try and remember it later.
 
Since this weekend the weather was bad, I'll have to skip two more weekends before the next moonless night. Wish I could do more but weather, work, and time off just don't permit.
 
By the way, excellent sketch!
 
Fred
 



From: drivester at hotmail.comTo: lvas at lvlug.orgDate: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 03:49:42 +0000Subject: [Lvas] NGC 404 Sketch

NGC 404 in Andromeda has always been a favorite galaxy of mine and I have sketched it on many occasions. The following sketch was made this past Sunday night (18-January-09) using a 4-inch Vixen F/9.8 refractor @ 125x.  This galaxy is located only 6 arc minutes NW of bright 2.1 magnitude Beta Andromeda. Due to the extreme glare, close proximity and relative brightness of Beta this galaxy can be difficult to observe. I have discovered that my 4-inch does an extremely good job as it somewhat "diminishes" the glare of Beta. The refractor also has a darker background with improved contrast (as expected) when compared to my 10-inch F/4.5 reflector. I find the overall view of this galaxy much more pleasing in the smaller refractor.   It presents itself as a mostly round featureless soft blur with a "subtle" brighter middle. Brian Skiff notes a stellar nucleus. The edges fade very gradually outwards. This galaxy has been confused as a comet by many observers and has been nicknamed "Comet Komorowski". Ted Komorowski was a local observer from Charlotte NC in the late 60's and one night thought that he had discovered a new comet...only to be disappointed a week later. Norton's and other's did not list nor show NGC 404 during that period. I have a 1959 edition Norton's star atlas that shows only Beta.   Best regards, Roger Ivester 



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