In the country the darkness of night is friendly and familiar, but in a city, with its blaze of lights, it is unnatural, hostile and menacing. It is like a monstrous vulture that hovers, biding its time.
/ Somerset Maugham /



In memoriam Halton C. Arp (1927-2013).


My astronomy sketches. Hover mouse over image for the inverted look. For fainter objects, take a look at the black-on-white original, sometimes it reveals more details.


Need advice? Want to discuss an observation? Feel free to contact me at flovro gmail*com.

ÚJ! Amennyiben elérhető, a ikonra kattintva magyarul is olvashatod az észlelést.


Show me the newest sketches!
By type: open clusters [67] globular clusters [14] diffuse nebulae [3] dark nebulae [0] planetary nebulae [27] variable stars [18] binary stars [23] asterisms [2] galaxies [119] quasars [1] planets [2] minor planets [1] comets [5] Sun [0] Moon [5] other objects [8]
By catalogue: Messier 1-50 [20] Messier 51-110 [18] NGC 1-1000 [17] NGC 1001-2000 [21] NGC 2001-3000 [32] NGC 3001-4000 [25] NGC 4001-5000 [18] NGC 5001-6000 [22] NGC 6001-7000 [40] NGC 7001-7840 [35] IC 1-5386 [1] other catalogues [71] uncataloged [10] [25]
By constellation:



NGC 4013 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 11h 59m Declination: 43° 53'
Constellation: Ursa Major
Date/time: 2011.05.02 21:45 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 30' Magnification and filter(s): 100x
Seeing: 4/10 Transparency: 3/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

A tiny edge-on galaxy with a fake offcentre star-like core. It's fake, because it is actually a foreground star located in our own galaxy, that looks exactly in that direction. I was very surprised when I first noticed that this galaxy has its core out of its geometrical centre, but later studies revealed the answer for this phenomenon. This little gem is located in a very sparse stellar environment which makes it an extremely difficult target. SQM reading: 21.23m/arcsec2, 5°C, very humid.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4036 + NGC 4041 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 12h 2m Declination: 62° 1'
Constellation: Ursa Major
Date/time: 2009.04.25 22:15 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 28' Magnification and filter(s): 100x
Seeing: 4/10 Transparency: 4/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

If Ursa Major and galaxies, everybody thinks on M81 + 82. However, this constellation is full of spectacular galactic companions. One of them is this pair: interesting to see two such a different galaxies so close to eachother. NGC 4041 is a faint face-on spiral, NGC 4036 is a brighter edge-on elliptical galaxy. The 4041 is especially spectacular because its core brightens up very quickly, so the entire galaxy reminds me of a cosmic fried egg.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4051 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 12h 4m Declination: 44° 28'
Constellation: Ursa Major
Date/time: 2011.05.02 22:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 53' Magnification and filter(s): 71x
Seeing: 4/10 Transparency: 2/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

Nice round galaxy, that is a bit faint, but shows some brighter details (which are in fact parts of its spiral arms) around its tiny star-like core. A bit though object, but located in a relatively easy position with some brighter stars nearby. SQM reading: 21.15m/arcsec2, 5°C, extremely humid: by the time I finish this sketch, I can only barely see the Big Dipper anymore.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4168 + NGC 4189 + NGC 4193 + NGC 4206 + NGC 4208 + NGC 4216 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 12h 12m Declination: 13° 12'
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Date/time: 2008.04.27 20:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 1° 12' Magnification and filter(s): 45x
Seeing: 5/10 Transparency: 4/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

With a little exaggeration, there are more galaxies in the hair of Berenice than stars: wherever you look, the FoV is abound with tiny, faint spots. For me an especially remarkable place is the area bound by NGC 4158, 4216 and 4208. The brightness data of catalogues should be handled with care: almost all of the galaxies are brighter than suggested by the given numbers. The nearly edge-on galaxy of 4216 is the nicest with its brightness of 10m. With a FoV of around 1 degree, 6 beautiful shiny galaxies are glittering together, of which the three brightest must be visible also with smaller scopes.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4244 (Galaxy)
Also known as: Caldwell C26
Right ascension: 12h 48m Declination: 37° 45'
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Date/time: 2009.05.17 21:15 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 33' Magnification and filter(s): 100x
Seeing: 6/10 Transparency: 3/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

A large edge-on spiral with intermediate brightness, highly elongated in the NNE-SSW directions near the famous double, Cor Caroli. It does not show much details like arms or dense spots, however its NNE side looks a little bit brighter and wider, which makes the entire galaxy look a bit asymmetrical. I estimate its average brightness at 12 magnitudes maximum, with an apparent size of 13' x 2'.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

M106 + NGC 4248 (Galaxy)
Also known as: NGC 4258 + NGC 4248
Right ascension: 12h 19m Declination: 47° 18'
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Date/time: 2008.05.02 21:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 45' Magnification and filter(s): 71x
Seeing: 4/10 Transparency: 4/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

Large, spectacular spiral galaxy with a gross magnitude of 8.4, two magnificent arms and a very shiny core. Elongated towards N-S, which is also the direction of the two arms. The Southern arm looks brighter, while the Northern one larger and blurred. Only a quarter degrees away you can find its easily detectable companion, the NGC 4248 (12.5m). If you can see this tiny galaxy, you should take the chance to look around the M106 in a radius of 1-2 degrees, and observe the other members of the galaxy-group named after it. Around half a dozen of the smaller galaxies are brighter than 4248, and only a couple are similar or fainter.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4414 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 12h 27m Declination: 31° 9'
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Date/time: 2012.04.27 22:15 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 24' Magnification and filter(s): 167x
Seeing: 4/10 Transparency: 2/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

The conditions are not ideal for observing galaxies this night as theres a strong humidity in the upper atmosphere, the Moon is just disappearing over the horizon, making some of the clouds and contrails shine. This small, bright galaxy however appears to be a very easy target. Has an almond shaped central area nearly developed into a star-like core. The Southern part of the galaxy seems to be noticeably larger than the Northern side, almost round compared to that.

SQM reading: 21.02 m/arcsec2, 7°C.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4459 + NGC 4477 + NGC 4479 + NGC 4473 + NGC 4458 + NGC 4461 + NGC 4435 + NGC 4438 (Galaxy)
Also known as: Markarian's Chain
Right ascension: 12h 28m Declination: 13° 1'
Constellation: Virgo
Date/time: 2012.04.25 22:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: ' Magnification and filter(s): 71x
Seeing: 6/10 Transparency: 4/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

Almost all members of this spectacular cluster of galaxies is fairly bright, except maybe for NGC 4479 and NGC 4402. The Messier galaxies are especially bright: M84 and M86. The galaxy NGC 4435 has a star-like core and NGC 4438 is remarkably peculiar shaped. The image is a mosaic of multiple FoV's, with a total coverage of about 1x1.5 degrees. The galaxies from left to right are: NGC 4479, NGC 4477, NGC 4473, NGC 4459, NGC 4461, NGC 4458, NGC 4435, NGC 4438, NGC 4425, NGC 4402, M86, NGC 4387, NGC 4388, M84.

SQM reading: 21.32 m/arcsec2, 7°C, light wind.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4567 + NGC 4568 + NGC 4564 (Galaxy)
Also known as: The Siamese Twins, Butterfly Galaxy
Right ascension: 12h 37m Declination: 11° 17'
Constellation: Virgo
Date/time: 2012.04.26 22:15 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 25' Magnification and filter(s): 167x
Seeing: 5/10 Transparency: 3/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

I belive this duo of galaxies is probably the most remarkable member of the enormous Coma/Virgo supercluster of galaxies. The FoV is dominated by the two interacting galaxies also known as The Siamese Twins or Butterfly Galaxy. They are not really bright, and with no sign of an outstanding central bulge. The third galaxy of the FoV, NGC 4564 has a similar brightness, but is much smaller than the twins.

SQM reading: 21.38 m/arcsec2, 7°C. The upper atmosphere is very humid with Venus having a clearly visible halo.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4565 (Galaxy)
Also known as: Needle galaxy
Right ascension: 12h 37m Declination: 25° 56'
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Date/time: 2009.04.24 21:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 28' Magnification and filter(s): 100x
Seeing: 4/10 Transparency: 2/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

A truly gigantic galaxy even with direct vision, many sources indicate a surface brightness of 9.6 magnitudes, however it looks fainter than suggested because of the large surface area. I estimate a core brightness of about 11.3m and the surrounding areas of nearly 13.5m, therefore this may be an achieveable target for smaller aperture telescopes too. The farthest regions pop in and out with direct vision making it look like two laser beams leaving the core. With averted vision these regions show up clearly, and make the apparent size of the galaxy from large to huge! I estimate a dimension of 16' x 2'. This object reminds me of NGC 5907 (Splinter galaxy), however that has no such a sphere-like core.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4631 + NGC 4656 (Galaxy)
Also known as: Whale galaxy + Hockeystick galaxy, Arp 281
Right ascension: 12h 44m Declination: 32° 18'
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Date/time: 2009.04.24 21:30 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 1° 18' Magnification and filter(s): 45x
Seeing: 5/10 Transparency: 2/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

The gigantic, shiny NGC 4631 (also known as the Whale galaxy) and its smaller and much fainter companion, the NGC 4656 (or Hockeystick galaxy) fit perfectly well in an eyepiece with at least 1 degrees of FoV, a very spectacular double. The 4631 is about 10m bright and just about to jump right out of the eyepiece, while the latter is much smaller with a brightness of about 11m only - estimated by me. Both galaxies are heavily distorted because of gravitational tidal forces between the two, not to mention that there's a tiny faint third companion very near NGC 4631 with the identifier NGC 4627 with a brightness of 13m. This galaxy remained hidden to me at this observing session and I could not make out the real hockey stick shape of NGC 4656 out either, possibly the bad transparency and seeing was not really helping me in this. The pair NGC 4631 and 4627 is also listed in Halton Arp's catalogue with number 281.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4754 + NGC 4762 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 12h 53m Declination: 11° 12'
Constellation: Virgo
Date/time: 2009.05.20 21:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 31' Magnification and filter(s): 100x
Seeing: 5/10 Transparency: 4/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

A spectacular, faint pair of galaxies on the outer edge of the Virgo-cluster. NGC 4762: looks like a needle, a tiny galaxy with definitely brightening core bulb that's fullfilled in a little star-like core. It's a perfectly edge-on galaxy. NGC 4754: looks smaller and much fainter than its companion. It's a nearly face-on galaxy that looks like a diffuse elliptical galaxy with no details at all, except for the almond-shaped, softly brightening core. To the SW of this pair you may notice a third, even fainter companion galaxy, the NGC 4733 only about one full field of vision away.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4866 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 13h 00m Declination: 14° 07'
Constellation: Virgo
Date/time: 2009.05.20 20:30 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 24' Magnification and filter(s): 167x
Seeing: 5/10 Transparency: 4/5
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

A faint, but clearly detectable galaxy of about 12 magnitudes, with a tiny, star-like core. Near this, a faint little star can be noticed that seems to be a supernova, however it is only a bare foreground star. Compared with photographs, it seems that the area seen by me is in fact only the brighter region around the galactic core. The galaxy has even fainter outer territories that cannot be seen visually by me. With these, the area of the galaxy is about twice the size, but for now, I estimate an apparent visual size of about 3.5' x 0.8' only. The foreground star is encircled by the galaxy and it looks as if the latter would be darker around the star. However, this is obviously only an optical illusion. Apart from that, it still shows many details: brighter and darker areas. Because of this, it seems to be an irregular galaxy, yet it is in fact belongs to a rare sub-group of spirals.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4485 + NGC 4490 (Galaxy)
Also known as: Arp 269, Cocoon Galaxy
Right ascension: 12h 31m Declination: 41° 37'
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Date/time: 2014.05.23 21:40 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 32' Magnification and filter(s): 100x
Seeing: 7/10 Transparency: 3/5
SQM: 21.18 m/as2 Temperature: 15°C
Humidity: low Wind: none
Sight: 4 - lots of details, very interesting, unique look
Difficulty: 3 - moderately visible, dark adaptation needed, averted vision might add to details
Position: 2 - easy, bright star nearby
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

A very spectacular pair of galaxies, also listed in Halton Arp's Atlas of Peculiar Galaxies with number 269. NGC 4490 (the larger galaxy) displays details instantly, and by increasing the power two spiral arms become apparent, departing the round central area to the East and West. The Southern side of the galaxy looks more round while the Northern looks more flat. It's minor companion, the NGC 4485 is round, however it shows a slightly brighter Northern side.

Like always, I did not study this object before my observation, so I was very happy to see how much resemblance my sketch has with the astrophotos I've seen later.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4157 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 12h 12m Declination: 50° 24'
Constellation: Ursa Major
Date/time: 2014.05.23 22:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 28' Magnification and filter(s): 167x
Seeing: 7/10 Transparency: 3/5
SQM: 21.18 m/as2 Temperature: 13°C
Humidity: dry Wind: none
Sight: 3 - definite details, interesting look
Difficulty: 3 - moderately visible, dark adaptation needed, averted vision might add to details
Position: 4 - hard, complex starhopping needed
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

A very nice example of edge-on galaxies in a very nice field of stars. It's nucleus is only slightly brighter, a bit stellar looking. Not an easy object, using averted vision its size grows apparently.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4100 (Galaxy)
Right ascension: 12h 07m Declination: 49° 30'
Constellation: Ursa Major
Date/time: 2014.05.23 22:30 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 25' Magnification and filter(s): 167x
Seeing: 6/10 Transparency: 3/5
SQM: 21.11 m/as2 Temperature: 13°C
Humidity: dry Wind: none
Sight: 2 - minor details, somewhat interesting
Difficulty: 4 - hardly visible, dark adaptation and very dark skies needed, averted vision is required to see details
Position: 3 - moderate, some starhopping needed
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

Faint galaxy with a N-S elongation and a very nice oval shape that's no too flat, but looks a bit like a cigar. Its Northern side appears a bit brighter. Situated in a nice stellar neighborhood.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4449 (Galaxy)
Also known as: Caldwell 21
Right ascension: 12h 29m Declination: 44° 01'
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Date/time: 2014.05.23 23:00 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 27' Magnification and filter(s): 167x
Seeing: 6/10 Transparency: 3/5
SQM: 21.14 m/as2 Temperature: 14°C
Humidity: dry Wind: breeze
Sight: 4 - lots of details, very interesting, unique look
Difficulty: 3 - moderately visible, dark adaptation needed, averted vision might add to details
Position: 3 - moderate, some starhopping needed
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

For the first view it looks like a simple oval galaxy, however with an in-depth observation I start to see very confusing details: to the East of its nucleus a little tail seems to break out, both side of the core displays dense fuzzy knots, and last but not least, I suspect a very faint spot to the North, just outside the body of the galaxy.

Checking the astrophotos of this galaxy later leaves me shocked: the irregular object has a really chaotic inside, no wonder I've seen so many details!


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]

NGC 4085 + NGC 4088 (Galaxy)
Also known as: Arp 18
Right ascension: 12h 06m Declination: 50° 28'
Constellation: Ursa Major
Date/time: 2014.05.23 23:30 UT
Equipment: 12" f/5 Newtonian
FoV: 35' Magnification and filter(s): 100x
Seeing: 6/10 Transparency: 4/5
SQM: 21.08 m/as2 Temperature: 13°C
Humidity: low Wind: none
Sight: 3 - definite details, interesting look
Difficulty: 5 - almost invisible, total dark adaptation, very dark skies and averted vision is a must to see the object
Position: 3 - moderate, some starhopping needed
Location: Nádasdladány, Hungary
Observer: Ferenc Lovró
Description:

A very interesting interacting pair, also listed as nr. 18 in Halton Arp's famous catalogue of peculiar galaxies. Based on my map I expect a couple nearly equal in size and brightness, however this is not the case at all. I've even missed NGC 4085 for my first tries, while the larger NGC 4088 is brightly rules the FoV. I return to this object many times during the evening, because I'm so upset by not seeing NGC 4085, however when I first glimpse this object, it's etremely faint and tiny. The larger NGC 4088 does not display details, looks quite homogeneous, elliptical. I gave a score of 5 on the difficulty only because of the tricky appearance of NGC 4085.


Hi-resolution image: [ reversed sketch | original sketch ]
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