Object Of The Week, May 3, 2020 – NGC 4945, the Tweezers Galaxy

[kisspeter]

A really beautiful galaxy even in a smaller telescope. I can contribute a 4" drawing from Namibia, 2012 (40x, 1.8° filed). No spectacular details in such a small scope but the rich star field adds a lot as well.
ngc4945_composite_retouch.jpg
ngc4945_composite_retouch_crop_positive_sterneverkleinern.jpg

[morsie]

I observed this from the winter Star Party on 2-23-2001. Used a 24" f/4.5 at 197x:

Huge slash with an even surface brightness. Fairly bright and elongated 8 to 1 with an ever so slightly brighter core. Averted vision hints at mottling around the center. A couple of 14th-->15th mag stars are superimposed around the center. About 20min in length along the major axis. PA = 60. CALD 83

Other Names: PGC 45279,ESO 219-24,IRAS 13025-4911

Matt Orsie