NGC 3079

NGC 3079 – “Flocky galaxy in Ursa Major”

NGC 3079
NGC 3079

Object Name: NGC 3079 (UMa)
Object Type: Barred spiral galaxy – edge-on view
Location: Hombeek, Belgium
Date: 14th March 2013
Conditions: Clear transparant sky – seeing 2/5 ant. , NELM 5.7 (UMi method)

Optics: Celesctron CGEM1100 (SCT 11” f/10), Hyperion 10mm (280x), FOV 15arcm
Media: Graphite pencil on white paper, inverted scanning

Notes: This observation was made during one of the few clear nights of the past winter period with tempertaures dropping to minus 10°C. Galaxy NGC3079 is one of the better objects in the Hershel 400 list and was at first impression quite difficult to see with diffuse and faint impression. When using averted vision the object displays a richdom in details with an overall flocky appearance, 6:1 elongated and a faint irregular core that extends to the north in a triangular brightening. The southern core area is very flocky. Two bright areas are clearly visible on both sides of the core, of which the detail in northern area is more explicit, sharply defined with a darker area towards the east and resembling a second core. A real nice object!

Clear skies,
Tom Corstjens

4 thoughts on “NGC 3079 – “Flocky galaxy in Ursa Major””

  1. Tom

    Great detail. I just reviewed my log for NGC3079 and your sketch captured what I described beautifully.

  2. Tom,

    That is a fine capture of the fine galaxy.
    When we see a break in the clouds we need to act quickly.

    Frank 🙂

  3. This is a very detailed view. The galaxy is one of my favorites for the easily visible asymmetry caused by the inclination of the dusty disk and significant bulge to the line of sight.

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