Object: M74 (NGC 628) | Date: 2019 February 3 |
Type: Spiral galaxy | |
Constellation: Pisces | Time & altitude: 19.45 UT 38º |
Catalogue data: | Seeing (5 high): 3/5 |
R.A: 1h 37m | Transparency (5 high): 4/5 |
Dec: 15º 47 | Telescope: 0.5m f4.1 Dob. |
Magnitude 9.2 | Eyepiece 8mm Ethos x260 |
Size (mins) 10×9 | Filters: Lumicon Deep Sky / None |
Notes: A dim and difficult object. It’s likely a face-on spiral. The low-surface-brightness means it presents more like a typical 13th magnitude galaxy. There are details to be seen but everything bar the core is very low contrast. The core looks round without the filter but with the filter it is obviously oval with the major axis aligned more or less NS. From this oval core there are two ‘arms’ extending out into the halo. The halo itself was visible around the core to the N,S and E but I could not detect it on the W side. Two brighter (but still very faint) knots are on the N side. |