Observer: Mark G. Birkmann
Your skills: Intermediate (some years)
Date/time of observation:1-25-2001, 8:30 UT (2:30 CDT)
Location of site: New Haven, Missouri (Lat ~38, Elev ~700 feet)
Site classification: Rural
Sky darkness: 6 in moderate fog <1-10 Scale (10 best)>
Seeing: 4 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: 40" f/5 dob
Magnification: 204x, 408x
Filter(s): none
Category: external galaxy
Class:Sc
Constellation: Leo Minor
Data: mag 10.5(B) size 7.3' x 6.4'
Position: RA 10h:43m 30.8s DEC +24:55'25"
Description:
This galaxy was very easy to find. Above the back
of Leo the Lion, in the
southern part of Leo Minor, is a triangle of stars.
The apex is on the left
and on the right is the base which consists of the 5.6
magnitude star 40 LMi
and the 5.1 magnitude star 41 LMi. The galaxy lies
between these two stars.
The core was small and slightly brighter than the rest
of the galaxy which was
fairly evenly illuminated. The spiral nature of
this galaxy was apparent not so
much because the arms where brighter but also because
of the dark lanes
adjacent to them. The arm and dark lane to the
north east of the core was the
easiest to see. The arm and dark lane to the southwest
was much fainter and was
confirmed only by bumping the scope. North is roughly
to the left in this drawing.