| Object: M40 (Winnecke 4) | Date: 2019 February 24 |
| Type: Double star | |
| Constellation: Ursa Major | Time & altitude: 21.25 UT 52º |
| Catalogue data: | Seeing (5 high): 3/5 |
| R.A: 12h 22m | Transparency (5 high): 4/5 |
| Dec: 58º 05 | Telescope: 0.5m f4.1 Dob. |
| Magnitude 8 | Eyepiece 8mm Ethos x260 |
| Size (mins) | Filters: None |
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Notes: In 50-plus years of observing, this is the first time I have looked at M40. Although it is ‘just’ a wide, nearly equal magnitude double star, the 23 arcmin field of the 8mm Ethos holds interest with two galaxies on show. The more conspicuous galaxy is NGC 4290, 12.7m and 2.4×1.8’. It has a stellar nucleus and a noticeable elongated core. One gets the impression of fleeting detail at the limit of resolution. Interestingly the long axis of the core lies NE-SW, a lot different to the long axis of the oval halo which is E-W. The edge of the halo is not well-defined but fades gently away to the sky background. The other is NGC 4284 is 14.3m and 2.5×1.1’. This galaxy appeared round not oval. A third galaxy, not seen, is 17thm. PGC 39934 lying between M40 and NGC 4290. |
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