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Steve Boerner
Chesterfield, MO 63017
AL Member-at-Large
sboerner@charter.net
The purpose of this Observing Program is to provide an opportunity to observe or image various types of Extragalactic Objects (XGO) in host galaxies. These objects have been described visually as knots but are defined as H II star-forming regions, open clusters, globular clusters, star associations, jets, planetary nebulae. supernova remnants, supergiant stars, and even Wolf-Rayet stars. At first, it may seem very difficult to capture them. However, with the proper conditions and appropriate equipment, the observer or imager will be able to document these distant, dim and often ignored objects.
Requirements:
Observers are required to observe or image a total of any 50 extragalactic objects found within at least 5 host galaxies for a Silver certificate only or any 100 extragalactic objects from at least 10 host galaxies for a Gold certificate and pin. There should be at least 3 different XGOs observed/imaged. If so inclined, the observer or imager may opt to include extragalactic objects from host galaxies not in the list BUT must provide published documentation of these same objects.
Observations are telescopic and can be recorded either by visual description, sketch or by imaging.
The extragalactic objects can be located manually, with digital setting circles or go-to telescopes.
Visual observations, (10”-15” as a minimum) log sheets should contain:
Latitude and Longitude of observation √
Sky conditions: transparency and seeing
Date and Time √
Telescope aperture and focal length √
Whether the object was found manually, with digital setting circles or with a go-to telescope √ (GoTos for all targets)
Magnification
The name of the extragalactic object, the host galaxy, and the galaxy’s distance √
The constellation in which the host galaxy resides √
A small sketch (with cardinal points indicated) or written description - image provided with North direction listed in text √
One interesting fact about the host galaxy √
Photographic or digital imaging observations,
All of the requirements for visual observers
The object must be indicated on the image with an arrow or line √
Type of camera used. √
Total exposure time √
Size of field √
Some images below have been enlarged to an unknown FOV to improve the visualization of the host and XGOs.
Host #1: Large Magellanic Cloud
Constellation: Dorado
Host distance: 158200 light years
Date 2/16/2024
Time 12:49 UT
Scope Telescope. Live - AUS-2, 10cm F3.6 Refractor
Latitude -34.86411483 S
Longitude 148.97642667
Aperture 106 mm
Focal length 382 mm
F-ratio F/3.6
Camera QHY 600M Pro
Pixel size 3.76s um
Exposure 30 seconds
FOV 233 x 155 arcmin
Position angle: Up is 172.2 degrees E of N
Image processing: Siril 1.2.4
Interesting fact:
Surveys of the galaxy have found roughly 60 globular clusters, 400 planetary nebulae, and 700 open clusters, along with hundreds of thousands of giant and supergiant stars.
Host #2: M 101
Constellation: Ursa Major
Host distance: 20.87 million light years
Date: 6/13/2021
Time: 22:15 UT
Scope: Canary Three
Latitude: 28.29970 N
Longitude: 16.50826 W
Aperture: 273mm
Focal length: 620mm
F-ratio: F/2.22
Camera: Celestron Nightscape 8300 color
Pixel size: 5.4 um
Exposure: L 50 sec, RGB 20 sec
FOV: 107'x72'
Position angle: Up is 0 degrees
Image processing: Siril
Interesting fact:
M101 is a large galaxy, with a diameter of 170,000 light-years or about twice the size of the Milky Way. It has around a trillion stars
Host #3: Small Magellanic Cloud
Constellation: Tucana
Host distance: 158200 light years
Date: 2/17/2024
Time: 11:35 UT
Scope: Telescope. Live AU-20
Latitude: 34.8641148333333 S
Longitude: 148.9764267
Aperture: 106 mm
Focal length: 382 mm
F-ratio: F/3.6
Camera: QHY 600M Pro
Pixel size: 3.76s um
Exposure: 30 seconds
FOV: 233 x 155 arcmin
Position angle: Up is 172.2 degrees E of N
Image processing: Siril
Interesting fact:
The SMC and the LMC orbit each other about every 900 million years and take about 1.5 billion years to circle the Milky Way galaxy. Scientists believe the two galaxies collided about 150 million years ago.
Host #4: NGC 4559
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Host distance: 28-31 million light years
Date: 4/10/2024
Time: 05:15 UT
Scope: Chile One
Latitude: 33.269 S
Longitude: 70.534 W
Aperture: 14”
Focal length: 3910mmm
F-ratio: F/11
Camera: SBIG STL-11000m
Pixel size: 9 um
Exposure: L 50 sec, RGB 20 sec
FOV: 31’x21’
Position angle: Up is 0 degrees
Image processing: Siril
Interesting fact:
It's Caldwell 10!
Host: #5 NGC 4395
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Galaxy distance: 10–13 million light-years
Date: 12/17/2022
Time: 05:15 UT
Scope: Canary Two WF
Latitude 28.29970 N
Longitude: 16.50826 W
Aperture: 17”
Focal length: 2938 mm
F/ratio: F/6.8
Camera: FLI PL16803
Pixel size: 6 um
Exposure: L 50 sec, RGB 20 sec
FOV before crop: 43’x43’
Position angle Up is 0 degrees
Interesting fact
The galaxy is highly unusual for Seyfert galaxies, because it does not have a bulge and is considered to be a dwarf galaxy. It is one of the least luminous and nearest Seyfert galaxies known.
Silver level completed. Gold level begins.
Host: #6 M 33
Constellation: Triangulum
Galaxy distance: 2.723 million light years
Date: 10/06/24
Time: 02:50 UT
Scope: SeeStar S50
Latitude 38.631 N
Longitude: 90.552 W
Aperture: 50mm
Focal length: 250mm
F/ratio: F/5
Camera: SeeStar S50 Sony IMX462
Pixel size: 2.9 um
Subs: 180@10 seconds
Exposure: 30 minutes
Gain: 80
FOV before crop: 1.29º x 0.73º
Filters: IR Cut
Post-processing: Siril 1.2.4
Position angle Up is 0 degrees
Interesting fact:
the Triangulum Galaxy is the third-largest member of the Local Group of galaxies, behind the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way.
I've labeled seven additional targets from the "Your Complete Field Guide to Observing M33 --M33 OBa+ Finder Chart" in the image:
A 85, A 87, A 90, A 71 (Shajn 48), A 96, A 48, and Shajn 54
The reference came from the OP's links.
A link to the uncropped image is here.
Host: #7 NGC 2366
Constellation: Camelopardalis
Galaxy distance: 10–13 million light-years
Date: 10/30/22
Time: 01:15 UT
Scope: Canary Two WF
Latitude 28.29970 N
Longitude: 16.50826 W
Aperture: 17”
Focal length: 2938 mm
F/ratio: F/6.8
Camera: FLI PL16803
Pixel size: 6 μm
Exposure: L 50 sec, RGB 20 sec
FOV before crop: 43’x43’
Filters: Luminance
Position angle: Up is 0 degrees
Interesting fact:
See the note under the cropped image.
At the southern end of NGC 2366 is the large, luminous HII region known as Markarian 71 (Mrk 71). Within the region known as Mrk 71, there are two super star clusters (SSC) which are named 'A' and 'B' or 'Knot A' and 'Knot B'
See here for label source(page 2).
A link to the uncropped image is here.
Host: #8 NGC 4618
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Galaxy distance: 21 million light-years
Date: 04/18/24
Time: 22:25 UT
Scope: Canary Two WF
Latitude 28.29970 N
Longitude: 16.50826 W
Aperture: 17”
Focal length: 2938 mm
F/ratio: F/6.8
Camera: FLI PL16803
Pixel size: 6 μm
Exposure: L 50 sec, RGB 20 sec
FOV before crop: 43’x43’
Filters: Luminance
Position angle: Up is 0 degrees
Interesting fact:
Unlike most spiral galaxies, NGC 4618 has a single spiral arm, which gives the galaxy an asymmetric appearance
A link to the uncropped image is here.
The rules say "There should be at least 3 different XGOs observed/imaged".
Only one NGC 4618 target listed in the Program's spreadsheet.
Host #9 M 31
Constellation: Andromeda
Galaxy distance: 2.537 million light years
Date: 6/11/2021
Time: 03:40 UT
Scope: Canary Three
Latitude 28.29970 N
Longitude: 16.50826 W
Aperture: 273mm
Focal length: 620mm
F/ratio: F/2.22
Camera: Celestron Nightscape 8300 color
Pixel size: 5.4 ?m
Exposure: L 50 sec, RGB 20 sec
FOV before crop: 107'x72'
Filters: LRGB
Position angle Up is 269.0 degrees
(Image rotated to make finding objects easier)
Interesting fact:
M31 is one of the few red-shifted galaxies. That means that our Milky Way and M31 are moving towards each other.
There are about 90 of M31's globular clusters labeled in the image. The globular clusters not listed below where found with the help of SkySafari and Stellarium.
Also labeled image are:
G 35, G 52, G 58, G 59, G 60, G 61, G 62, G 63, G 64, G 66, G 70, G 73, G 74, G 78, G 83, G 86, G 87, G 93, G 96, G 99, G 101, G 108, G 111, G 113, G 114, G 119, G 124, G 128, G 130, G 134, G 135, G 142, G 144, G 146, G 148, G 150, G 156, G 157, G 172, G 178, G 188, G 192, G 193, G 205, G 213, G 217, G 221, G 222, G 227, G 228, G 229, G 230, G 231, G 233, G 234, G 244, G 246, G 250, G 256, G 257, G 263, G 266, G 271, G 272, G 279, G 280, G 283, G 286, G 289, G 295, G 297, G 297, G 298, G 302, G 306, G 307, G 309, G 315, G 318, and G 321.
Host: #10 NGC 5247
Constellation: Virgo
Galaxy distance: 60–70 million light-years
Date: 6/29/2024
Time: 04:35 UT
Scope: Chile One
Latitude 33.269 S
Longitude: 70.534 W
Aperture: 14”
Focal length: 3910mmm
F/ratio: F/11
Camera: SBIG STL-11000m
Pixel size: 9 um
Exposure: L 50 sec, RGB 20 sec
FOV before crop: 31’x21’
Position angle: Up is 0 degrees
Interesting fact
I had trouble coming up with one for NGC 5247. Wikipedia didn't have much interesting to say about it other than it is a Hubble SA(s)bc. To most people saying "SA(s)bc" won't mean much, but when working on the Herschel II Observing Program I discovered Hubble's Tuning Fork. I learned how to use it to classify galaxy shapes and the results made my Herschel II log much more interesting.
The Tuning Fork would make a great AL Challenge or Observing Program.
A link to the uncropped image is here.
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