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Object of the Week August 5, 2012 – IC 1296
Object of the Week August 5, 2012 – IC 1296
Barred Spiral Galaxy
Morphology: SBbc (NED)
Lyra
RA 18 53 18.8 DEC +33 03 57
Size: 0.9’ x 0.5’ Mag: 14.8 (P) (MegaStar – RC3)
Size: 1.1’ x 0.9 Mag: 14.8 (NED)
IC 1296 is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Lyra. It is a low surface brightness galaxy that lies in line of sight 4' to the northwest of the more famous planetary nebula M57 Ring Nebula. IC 1296 is much farther away - an estimated distance of ~221-million light years (NED data) as compared to M57's mere 2300LY. (Wikipedia)
You’ve likely crossed paths with IC 1296 dozens of times without seeing it – after all it is only 4’ from M57 the Ring Nebula. However IC 1296 is a low surface brightness face-on barred-spiral galaxy. Though its condensed star like core should be readily visible with 10”-12” and larger aperture, its spiral arms are the challenge. This one really requires some clear, dark, and steady skies as well as knowing exactly where to look for it.
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Dragan Nikin provides these directions for locating IC 1296. “I use an asterism of stars that make up a small "smiley face". You can see it in the DSS image to the lower left of M57. The two brightest stars are its eyes and you can make out a nose and mouth (the mouth comprises of a couple close doubles). IC1296 lies immediately to the side of the nose back towards the Ring.”
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My observation of IC 1296:
2010 July 13 23:55 CDT @ Green River State Wildlife Preserve near Dixon, IL
Seeing: 4/5 Transparency: Average
Obsession 25” f/5 (Toto) at 353x (UO 9mm Ortho) and 453x (UO 7mm Ortho, TV Nagler 7mm) – Easily located within a circular star pattern. Bright, stellar core easily visible. Unable to see the very faint arms with direct vision. With averted vision a hazy smudge popped in and out. Unable to discern any structure. A tough one.
What do you see?
"GIVE IT A GO AND LET US KNOW"
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT VIEWING!
