Messier 85

85 final

Object:   M85 (NGC 4382) Date:               2019 April 10
Type:              Elliptical galaxy
Constellation:           Coma Berenices Time & altitude:          23.10 UT   57º
Catalogue data: Seeing (5 high):                               2/5
            R.A:                12h 25m Transparency (5 high):                   3/5
            Dec:                18º 11 Telescope:     0.5m f4.1  Dob.
            Magnitude     9.2 Eyepiece       8mm Ethos    x260
            Size (mins)    7 x 5 Filters:            None

Notes:

M85 is a bright 2:1 oval aligned NS. Just N of the centre is a star, maybe 13th magnitude. In these very average conditions it is not clear whether or not the star is seen against M85’s halo, or whether there is a gap between the two. M85 precedes NGC 4394 in the same field, magnitude 10.9. NGC 4394 is a conspicuous oval elongated about 4:1 in a NW:SE direction. The nucleus also seems oval but elongated at roughly right angles to the halo. It is only a little smaller than M85.