NGC 5774 and NGC 5775 are a really stunning sight in most any telescope. There is a nice web page about this pair at Skyhound's site http://observing.skyhound.com/archiv.../NGC_5774.html
I have tried to see the faint bridge many times in the past with my old 25" reflector and never could get a good night to see it. There have been reports of it being seen in a 18" but over the years it has eluded me.
SDSS image
SDSS Ngc 5774 and 5.jpg
Last week I was observing in the area of East Virgo and I remembered this interacting pair on a night of excellent transparency and thought I would try for the bridge. At 375 X the pair was jaw dropping in the 48". I could see the faint bridge with averted vision and was surprised. I bumped up the power to 488X with a 10MM ZAO and the bridge was direct vision and almost went all the way with AV to the edge on NGC 5775. I was really excited to see it after many many years of striking out. I was able to see four galaxies in the field and did a drawing of the field.
NGC 5774
NGC 5775
IC 1060
SDSS J145355.82+033431.8 MAG 18.0V
NGC 5775 NGC 5774 copy.jpg
If you get a chance to view this beautiful pair I highly recommended it in any size telescope and please let me know if you see the bridge that eluded me for years.
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