Messier 109

109 final

Object:   M109 (NGC 3992) Date:               2019 February 24
Type:              Spiral galaxy
Constellation:           Ursa Major Time & altitude:          22.15 UT   60º
Catalogue data: Seeing (5 high):                               3/5
            R.A:                11h 58m Transparency (5 high):                   4/5
            Dec:                53º 23 Telescope:     0.5m f4.1  Dob.
            Magnitude     9.8 Eyepiece       8mm Ethos                x260
            Size (mins)    8×5 Filters:            None

Notes:

There is very little detail visible in this low-surface brightness galaxy. It has a round non-stellar nucleus set in a slightly oval core. The halo is very faint and it does not gain in brightness towards the centre. There are no details within it, no mottling. The W edge seems better defined than elsewhere. The halo is a 2:1 oval with the long axis NE-SW. There is a 12m star in the halo just N of the nucleus.