Object: ARP 103 (MCG+8-31-3 Zwicky’s Triplet) |
Date: 2015 July 22
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Peculiarity: Elliptical connected to spirals. | |
Constellation: Hercules | Time & altitude: 00.20 UT 55º |
Catalogue data: | Seeing (5 high): 3/5 |
R.A: 16h 49m | Transparency (5 high): 4/5 |
Dec: +45º 28 | Telescope: 0.5m f4.1 Dob. |
Magnitudes: 16.0, 15.7 & 15.2 | Eyepiece: 8mm Ethos x260 |
Galaxy size (mins): 0.8 x 0.7 | Filters: None. |
Notes: First session with newly aluminised mirrors. Arp 103 aka Zwicky’s Triplet is half a degree S of 52 Her. NGC 6241 (14.8m) is in the field but is not part of the Arp object. It is slightly oval with the major axis aligned EW. Zwicky’s Triplet is MCG+8-31-3 (16.0m) and PGC 59062 (15.2m) close together and MCG+8-31-3A (15.7m) a bit N. All three seen readily with DV despite their faintness. I could not separate the MCG/PGC pair however. The NE side of this pair has a clear boundary but on the opposite side less so, a bit like a comet coma. MCG+8-31-3A is a tiny but conspicuous round spot. I saw no trace of the thin tidal tail in Arp’s photo which runs from the S pair towards the 3A galaxy to the N. |