Object of the Week November 4, 2012 - Shakhbazian 166

[FaintFuzzies]

Shakhbazian 166
Ursa Minor

RA
16 52 02

DEC
+81 36 23

Galaxy Chain of 10 galaxies

Mag 14.9+

Shakhbazian Compact Groups of Galaxies is a compilation ten list that totals 377 compact groups of galaxies found on the Palomar Sky Survey red charts. The survey was done between 1973 to 1979 by a Russian professional astronomer, Dr. Shakhbazian and his collaborators. Some have considered this list as the “next” Hickson Compact Galaxy group list…so if you have tackled that list, then this list is a good one to work on.

Shakhbazian 166 is one of the brightest examples of this catalogue. It consists of 10 galaxies which most of them are in a nice chain of about 8’ long ranging from mag 14.9 to 16.5

A labelled DSS image is attached along with an eyepiece rendition taken from my 22" at 308x and 10.2' field.

Lastly, despite the RA suggesting a summer target, this is so close to the pole star it can be observed year round. It would be 9 degrees west of Polaris at sunset.


So remember next time you are out,

"GIVE IT A GO AND LET US KNOW"