Arp 234

ARP 234 2017 Jan 20

Object:  ARP 234  (NGC 3738) Date:        2017 January 20
Peculiarity:    Appearance of fission.
Constellation:           Ursa Major Time & altitude:   01.00 UT          67º
Catalogue data: Seeing (5 high):                               4/5
            R.A:                11h 36m Transparency (5 high):                 4/5
            Dec:                +54º 32 Telescope:     0.5m f4.1 Dob.
            Magnitude:    11.9 Eyepiece:      17mm Ethos      x120
            Galaxy size (mins): 2.5 x 1.9 Filters:            None

Notes:

A conspicuous object. There is an oval halo which is flattened off on the SW side. The halo’s extent is difficult to determine, the edges fade out to nothing. The halo is evenly lit, without structure. Within the halo there is an oval core offset to the W.

NGC 3756 is nearby. Although it has a similar catalogue magnitude to Arp 234 it is not as conspicuous. It is an oval elongated 3:1 or 4:1 in a nearly NS direction. It is an even glow with no core or signs of structure.