AGCS 1014 Galaxy Cluster

AGCS 1014
Sketch and Details by Scott Mellish

AGCS 1014
Galaxy cluster
Octans
13/12/09
Ilford NSW Australia
56cm f5.0 Dobsonian telescope
Field: 15′
Magnification: 314x
Sky Quality Meter reading 21:72

White pen
White oil pencil
Soft white pencil

The far southern circumpolar constellation of Octans is not often considered rich in deep sky objects, at least not bright and pretty ones.

For the more adventurous observer there is a wealth of faint and fascinating galaxies scattered throughout the area to keep one engrossed for hours.

One such object is the remote Abell galaxy cluster AGCS 1014.
R.A: 22 23 47.9 DEC: -80 11 52.
This object is the most interesting of several extremely faint galaxy clusters that inhabit the region, and certainly the brightest one that is nearest the south celestial pole.

What is most rewarding with such little known objects is the fact that the observer may very well be one of only a handful of people on the planet to have seen it in a telescope.

Scott Mellish.