NGC 4088
Galaxy in Ursa Major
12 05 34.1 +50 32 23 (J2000)
V = 10.6; Size 5.8'x2.2'; Surf Br = 13.2; PA = 43°
Aliases: Arp 18 = VV 357 = UGC 7081 = MCG +09-20-089 = CGCG 269-033 = PGC 38302
The spring skies has so many yummy treats for galaxy lovers, whether it's structure in bright galaxies, interacting pairs, groups, clusters, exotic types, whatever -- it's hard to pick out a favorite for an OOTW! But NGC 4088 is one tasty item to chew on --
In my 18-inch at 280x, this showpiece appears very bright, large, elongated 5:2 SW-NE, roughly 5'x2', and contains a bright elongated core. The galaxy is very asymmetric, with an unusually mottled or clumpy appearance and an irregular outline. At the NE end, a portion of a spiral arm dangles from the end of the central body and hooks slightly towards a mag 13.5 star located 3.7' NE of center. A corresponding feature on the SW end of the galaxy, bending south, is much more subtle. Just east of the south side of the core the surface brightness drops, either due to a dust lane or a large dust adjacent to the core and then brightens a bit again just following the dust patch.
In Lowrey's 48-inch, the appearance is startling and matches the detail in the DSS image. The galaxy extends 5.5'x2' SW-NE. Near the center is an elongated, extremely bright core. The very bright central portion extends from the core in a roughly 2'x0.5' region towards the SW but is concave a bit, bending slightly towards the south. This feature appears similar to a slightly distorted central bar. Just south of this central bar is a dust lane extending SW to NE that parallels the bar, though it's more contrasty to the NE of the core.
The dust lane separates the bright bar feature from a very long arm that extends the entire length of the galaxy along the south side and vaguely emerges from the southwest end of the bar. This arm is clumpy with a couple of large, bright knots to the south of the core and another prominent knot towards the east end of the galaxy (1.7' NE of the core). Beyond this knot the arm quickly dims, fans out a bit and bends to the north towards a mag 13.5 star.
Emerging from the northeast end of the core is a second prominent arm that immediately doubles back towards the southwest on the north side. This arm nearly parallels the central bar to the north and is separated by a less contrasty darker strip or lane. This clumpy arm contains a fairly prominent knot only 0.6' NW of the core. After this point the arm dims dramatically continuing a bit further southwest. The two main arms, along with the central bar create a squashed irregular "Z" appearance.
NGC 4088.jpg
And remember,
GIVE IT A GO AND LET US KNOW!
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT VIEWING!
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