| 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 |
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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. |
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