| NGC 4550: Galaxy (Virgo) RA: 12h 35.5m / DEC: +12° 13'.3 Instrument: 10-inch Starfinder |
 
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This is yet another Herschel 400 object standing in the shadow of greatness. The magnificent M89, a 9.7 magnitude elliptical galaxy, steals the spotlight this time. NGC 4550 is seen just inside the southern field boundary in my sketch. This 11.7 magnitude SBO-type galaxy presents as a misty glow about 60"x45" in size. 12.0 magnitude NGC 4551 stands just 3' to the north. A handfull of 12th and 13th magnitude stars dot their immediate vicinity. The brillian M89 is seen 18' to the north of the fainter pair. Classified as an elliptical, M89 appears 2' across with a stellar core at 82X in the 10-inch Starfinder.