#136: A Six Galaxy Gathering in Aquarius

My first outing since early May was a grand success!  In addition to late night views of Saturn and Jupiter (which were spectacular!), my 12" Dob and I went galaxy hunting in Aquarius, and later in Cetus.  My main objective was a six galaxy NGC group in Aquarius.  I ran out of time last autumn and had to set aside the project until this year.  With temps in the mid 60s F, and humidity quite low, the transparency was perfect for southern sky galaxy work.  A few double stars were thrown into the mix as well.

Uranometria Chart 104 (left side) shows the group crammed into a small area between 00 and +01 degrees declination, and between 20 hr 44' and 20 hr 48' right ascension.  Fortunately, there are a few faint guide stars quite close by to help locate the group.  Here is an image to help with identification.  All objects were viewed with a 12" Orion Dob.  Five of them fit into a wide angle field of view at 166x.

A six galaxy group in Aquarius. 

NGC 6959:  0'.7 x 0'.3; Vis. mag. 13.7, Surface Brightness 11.9:  Easily located north of 6961, first find a small asterism of 3 faint stars in a curving line preceding the galaxy, and 2 others following.  The galaxy lies amidst the stars on the north edge.  Seen well at 166x, it is pretty small but very elongated and surprisingly bright.  Views improve at 231x, and are still good at 333x.  It is in the same low power field with three galaxies south of it.

NGC 6961:  0'.6 x 0'.5; Vis. mag. 13.7; SB 12.4:  This member is pretty small and faint, and slightly farther from 6962 than is 6964.  All three galaxies form a straight line.  Though later seen at 120x, it was first located at 166x.  Even at 231x it is a ghostly object, round.

NGC 6962:  2'.9 x 2'.3;  Vis. mag. 12.1; SB 14.1:  Both galaxies make a fine close pair, and can

NGC 6964:  1'.7 x 1'.3;  Vis. mag. 13; SB 13.8:  likely be seen in 8" scopes.  The size and brightness difference is easily noted.  62 really jumps out first, and then 64 is picked out just south following.  Both are easy to see and bright at 120x.  Views begin to get remarkable at 166x, and remain good at 231x and 333x.  Both have very bright centers and much fainter envelopes (the surface brightness stats appear to be accurate only for the outer envelopes).  62 is the largest and brightest of the six galaxies in the region, with 64 holding down the #2 spot.

NGC 6965:  0'.6 x 0'.4; Vis. mag. 14; SB 12.4:  The most northerly of the six, this is also the trickiest to locate.  However, by using a line of 3 faint stars near it (see above photo--one is south following, one is preceding, and one is north preceding) the area of its exact location can be easily found.  First located at 166x, better views were had at 231x and 333x.  It is faint, appears to be round, and has a center that is brighter than its tiny envelope.  Difficult, but in a good sky not a real problem.  Of course use averted vision.

NGC 6967:  1' x 0'.6; Vis. mag. 13.1; SB 12.4:  Located at 120x, the galaxy is bright and conspicuous, likely suitable for an 8".  It presents an elongated haze between two faint stars, with a very faint and tiny star seen preceding, and nearly attached, at 166x.  The galaxy remains bright at 231x, where the elongation shows up even better.

Mapman Mike