[LVAS] FW: October Observers Challenge

[roger ivester]

Supplemental information to NGC-253.
 
Deep-Sky Wonders:  Walter Scott Houston; Selections and commentary by Stephen James O' Meara. At 7th magnitude it is a spectacular object for visual observers and astro-photographers alike. It is one of the 14 nebulae and clusters discovered by Caroline Herschel in England during her sweeps for comets in the years 1782-83.  Observing from the Cape of Good Hope a half century later, her nephew John Herschel described it's appearance in his 18.5-inch speculum-metal mirror: "Very, very bright and large; a superb object...24 arc minutes in length. It's light is somewhat streaky, but I see no stars in it except 4 large and 1 very small one, and these seem not to belong to it, there being many near." 
 
The galaxy was easily seen in Vermont with a 6-inch rich-field at about 20x. 
 
How to Use an Astronomical Telescope:  James Muirden "A galaxy visible as a nebulosity in the finder. It is considerably elongated in a NE-SW direction, and has a star of about magnitude 9.5 on it's NW edge." 
      
1000+ The  Amateurs Astronomer's Field Guide to Deep-Sky Observing:  Tom Lorenzin. 7M; 25' x 4' extent; very bright and large; oblique view with axis oriented NE-SW; great binocular object; mottling visible at >200x; good supernova prospect; 1.75° SE is GLOB NGC-288.
 
The Finest Deep-Sky Objects:  James Mullaney and Wallace McCall. NGC-253 looks somewhat like M-31 but smaller. Though large and bright, it needs a first class night for a good view, due to its southerly declination. Seen well in the 6-inch. 
 
The 105 (+) Finest Deep-Sky Objects Revisted:  Roger Ivester. "This edge-on spiral appears as a streak of light with mottling and a brighter middle. It is approximately half a degree in length, with several bright stars superimposed. Viewed with the 10-inch at 125x."
 
Observing Handbook and Catalogue Of Deep-Sky Objects:  Skiff and Luginbuhl. This galaxy is easily visible in binoculars and a fine sight in any aperture. With 6 cm it is a high surface brightness broadly concentrated spindle elongated NE-SW lying just N of two mag. 9 stars. In 15 cm the halo can be traced out to 25' x 5' in pa 50°. At least three stars are visible superimposed  on the nebula itself.... In 30 cm the galaxy is a huge, mottled glow showing hardly any overall concentration. At 225x a dark band lies against the NW side of the core. Other than the two bright stars off the S flank, about a dozen faint stars are intimately involved with the galaxy. 
 
The Herschel Objects: Ancient City Astronomy Club. Magnitude 7.1 spiral galaxy in Sculptor. 25.1' in size. Extremely elongated, a band of light or streak across the eyepiece field. Covering 30' across. Bright in center, fading towards the outer rim. Less than 1° from globular NGC-288 (8-inch Cass.)  
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
    The moon and stars to govern the night.....   Psalm 136:9






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