NGC 1691: Galaxy (Orion) RA: 04h 54.6m / DEC: +03° 16'.1 Instrument: 10-inch Starfinder |
The constellation Orion is known for nebulae, such as the spectacular M42, not for galaxies. However, there are galaxies to be found in the hunter. None are terribly spectacular at first blush. However, the knowledge that these objects are home to billions of stars and hundreds of stellar nurseries like the Orion nebula, causes one to view even the most diminutive galaxy with a certain awe. NGC 1691 is a barred spiral located 50' north of 3.7 magnitude Pi5 (8) Orionis. My drawing presents the view at 129X {Meade 8.8-mm UWA) in my 10-inch Newtonian. NGC 1691 appears 30" across, even in brightness and without evidence of a core. Thirty-six field stars are presented, including a 13th magnitude GSC star immediately north of the galaxy. The trio of faint stars 4' south of NGC 1691 all fall in at 13th magnitude. |
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