Messier 88

88 final

Object:   M88 (NGC 4501) Date:               2019 April 10
Type:              Spiral galaxy
Constellation:           Coma Berenices Time & altitude:          23.30 UT   53º
Catalogue data: Seeing (5 high):                               3/5
            R.A:                12h 32m Transparency (5 high):                   3/5
            Dec:                14º 25 Telescope:     0.5m f4.1  Dob.
            Magnitude     9.5 Eyepiece       8mm Ethos    x260
            Size (mins)    7 x 4 Filters:            None

Notes:

The halo is a 2:5 oval with the long axis aligned NW-SE.  The NE side is flatter. At the SE end is a pair of close stars. The N star is the brighter of the two and within the halo. The fainter star is outside the halo.  The oval core is bright and non-stellar. Within the halo are three subtle dark lanes, two SE of the core and one to the NW.