Spiral galaxy NGC 3628 is the faintest member of the Leo Triplet (M65, M66, and NGC 3628). Magnitude 9.5 NGC 3628 is seen edge-on. A band of dark dusty clouds lies along the galaxy’s equator.
Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF
After you’ve perused Steve Gottlieb’s list of springtime galaxies (April 2007), give this list of 14 a try. With a little planning and some time, you’ll find each target offers a unique treat for the eyes. These 9th- and 10th-magnitude galaxies will prove challenging under light-compromised sky, so head out to where it’s dark to get the best views.
| Springtime galaxy observing list | ||||||
| Object | R.A.* | Dec.* | Con.* | Mag*. | Size | |
| NGC 3628 | 11h20m | 13°35′ | Leo | 9.5 | 14.8′ by 3′. | |
| NGC 4038/39 | 12h02m | –18°52′ | Crv | 10.3 | 5.2′ by 3.1′ | |
| NGC 4088 | 12h06m | 50°33′ | Uma | 10.6 | 5.8′ by 2.2′ | |
| NGC 4214 | 12h16m | 36°20′ | CVn | 9.8 | 8.5′ by 6.6′ | |
| NGC 4216 | 12h16m | 13°09′ | Vir | 10.0 | 8.1′ by 1.8′ | |
| NGC 4517 | 12h33m | 00°07′ | Vir | 10.4 | 10.5′ by 1.5′ | |
| NGC 4565 | 12h36m | 25°59′ | Com | 9.6 | 15.8′ by 2.1′ | |
| NGC 4710 | 12h50m | 15°10′ | Com | 11.0 | 4.9′ by 1.2′ | |
| NGC 4725 | 12h50m | 25°30′ | Com | 9.4 | 10.7′ by 7.6′ | |
| NGC 4762 | 12h53m | 11°14′ | Vir | 10.3 | 8.7′ by 1.7′ | |
| NGC 5353/ 54/55/58 |
13h53m | 40°17′ | CVn | N/A | 11.0′ | |
| NGC 5474 | 14h05m | 53°40′ | Uma | 10.8 | 4.8′ by 4.3′ | |
| NGC 5746 | 14h45m | 01°57′ | Vir | 10.3 | 7.4′ by 1.3′ | |
| NGC 5907 | 15h16m | 56°20′ | Dra | 10.3 | 12.6′ by 1.4′ | |
| * R.A. = Right ascension, Dec. = Declination, Con. = Constellation, Mag. = Magnitudes, ‘ = arcminutes |
||||||
NGC 3628
Spiral galaxy NGC 3628 is the faintest member of the Leo Triplet (M65, M66, and NGC 3628). Magnitude 9.5 NGC 3628 is seen edge-on. A band of dark dusty clouds lies along the galaxy’s equator.
Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF
Antennae Galaxy
The Antennae Galaxy comprises NGC 4038 and NGC 4039. These two 10th-magnitude colliding galaxies lie about 68 million light-years away in the Corvus constellation.
Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF
NGC 4088
NGC 4088 is located in Ursa Major. This 10th-magnitude galaxy has well-defined spiral arms and spans some 5.8′.
Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF
NGC 4216
NGC 4216 lies near the center of the Virgo Cluster some 40 million light-years away. A barred spiral galaxy, NGC 4216 is seen edge-on in this image.
Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF
Needle Galaxy
The Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565) has a bright nucleus surrounded by a disk of dust and clouds. Seen edge-on, NGC 4565 is a large majestic spiral galaxy that lies some 31 million light-years away in Coma Berenices.
Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF
NGC 5474
An 11th-magnitude asymmetric spiral galaxy, NGC 5474 has a bright nucleus enveloped by diffuse spiral arms. NGC 5474, seen face-on, covers a 6′ by 6′ area of sky.
Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF
NGC 5746
Spiral galaxy NGC 5746 lies about 95 million light-years away in the Virgo constellation. A bright nucleus and dark dusty disk spanning NGC 5746’s equator are seen in this nearly edge-on view of the galaxy.
Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF
If you have a Meade telescope with Autostar capabilities, copy and paste the text below into Notepad or TextEdit to upload for a sky tour of the galaxies listed.
TITLE “Spring Galaxies”
AUTO SELECT TEXT “Spring galaxies” “To observe some of the best galaxies of spring, follow along with this list. It appeared in the April 2007 issue of Astronomy Magazine.”
//Galaxies
NGC 2903
NGC 3115
NGC 3521
NGC 3628
NGC 4038
NGC 4088
NGC 4214
NGC 4216
NGC 4244
NGC 4449
NGC 4490
NGC 4517
NGC 4559
NGC 4565
NGC 4605
NGC 4631
NGC 4656
NGC 4710
NGC 4725
NGC 4762
NGC 5253
NGC 5353
NGC 5474
NGC 5746
NGC 5907
NGC 5981
NGC 5982
NGC 5985
AUTO SELECT TEXT “The End” “Find more Autostar tours at www.astronomy.com. Autostar tour courtesy Astronomy Magazine. Tour written by Michael E. Bakich, senior editor.”
#END
TITLE “Spring Galaxies”
AUTO SELECT TEXT “Spring galaxies” “To observe some of the best galaxies of spring, follow along with this list. It appeared in the April 2007 issue of Astronomy Magazine.”
//Galaxies
NGC 2903
NGC 3115
NGC 3521
NGC 3628
NGC 4038
NGC 4088
NGC 4214
NGC 4216
NGC 4244
NGC 4449
NGC 4490
NGC 4517
NGC 4559
NGC 4565
NGC 4605
NGC 4631
NGC 4656
NGC 4710
NGC 4725
NGC 4762
NGC 5253
NGC 5353
NGC 5474
NGC 5746
NGC 5907
NGC 5981
NGC 5982
NGC 5985
AUTO SELECT TEXT “The End” “Find more Autostar tours at www.astronomy.com. Autostar tour courtesy Astronomy Magazine. Tour written by Michael E. Bakich, senior editor.”
#END
