NGC 3198: Spiral Galaxy (Ursa Major) RA: 10h 19.9m / DEC: +45° 33'.2 Instrument: 10-inch Starfinder |
Begin your star hop to NGC 3198 at 3.5 magnitude Lambda and 3.1 magnitude Mu Ursae Majoris. This bright pairing, separated by 1.7 degrees, forms one of the hind paws of the Great Bear asterism. Center halfway between the two and slew due north 3.3 degrees. The sketch at left presents a 129X view in my 10-inch Newtonian. NGC 3198 is centered. Its 10.4 magnitude glow is dispersed over an 8'x3' area, with the northeast portion of the disk appearing thicker. This Sc-type galaxy shows no sign of spiral structure in the Starfinder. An 11th magnitude GSC star stands guard along the northern edge. A trio of 9th and 10th magnitude sparklers frame the star city to the northeast. 9.7 magnitude SAO 43284 smolders 11' to the southwest. |
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