NGC 2903 is one of several fine galaxies within Leo. This spiral resides in the head of the lion just 1.5 degree south of 4.3 magnitude Lambda Leonis. Begin your star hop by locating Leo, and identifying the sickle or backwards "?" asterism. These stars form the chest, neck and head of the lion. The chart below shows the upper half of the sickle. Regulus, out of the chart to the south, is at the base of the stem. Locate Lambda Leonis and center your telescope on this star. Carefully slew 1.5 degree to the south. NGC 2903 should be visible as a 9.0 magnitude smudge amidst a trio of moderately bright stars.
| Spring Sky Tour: NGC 2903 (Leo) RA: 09h 32.2m / DEC: +21° 30'.0 |
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Layout, design & revisions © W. D. Ferris
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Revised: February 17, 2002 [WDF]
Three 6th to 8th magnitude stars are shown to the north-northwest of NGC 2903 in my drawing. The pair with the widest separation is also shown in the above chart. They are the pair immediately north of NGC 2903. The sketch was made at 36X using a 32-mm TeleVue Plossl, which produces a 1.4-degree true field of view. The galaxy features a very bright nuclear region surrounded by an 11'x5' nebulosity and is elongated NE to SW. A pair of 11.4 magnitude GSC stars mark the southernmost extent of NGC 2903.