Shakhbazian Compact Galaxy Groups observing notes

[FaintFuzzies]

Hey deep sky hounds,

Some of you are aware that I'm working on the new revision of my Shk observing guide. New groups, enhancements, etc.

I looked back at my notes and I was shocked that I observed 58 of of the Shk groups, which was most of my original version of my Shk guide (current online version). I decided to put all of my observing notes in one place available here. Whenever I get back out under dark skies, I hope to add to this list as I observe more Shk groups.

Let me know your thoughts and I hope to encourage you to go out and observe these isolated and distant groups.

The updated guide will be made available when I'm finished working on it.

Alvin

[FaintFuzzies]

Hi all y'all,

Here is the near final draft of the Shk Group observing guide. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Shk Groups guide

The revisions are as follows (copied/pasted) from my revision history

• Added 59 additional groups (Shk 2, 4, 7, 8, 10, 17, 18, 20, 27, 31, 32, 39, 43, 51, 55, 57, 67, 74, 82, 83, 95, 104, 105, 113, 119, 120, 123, 138, 131, 135, 181, 182, 186, 188, 212, 218, 220, 223, 244, 245, 253, 254, 257, 266, 278, 282, 285, 330, 344, 345, 346, 348, 350, 351, 355, 358, 359, 371, and 376).
• Deleted Shk 21.
• Added link to full Shakhbazian list.
• Added Coefficient of Compactness (Cmpt) to give an idea how dense the group is.
• Updated data throughout.

o Corrected RA and Dec to the center of the group. Some of the RA/Dec in the original papers were not accurate.

o Updated Mag using NED, SDSS and D. Stoll’s figures.

o Updated the number of members (#) with D. Stoll’s figures.

• Added SDSS inserts with marked members for most groups.
• Updated bibliographic data.
• Minor refresh throughout.

[FaintFuzzies]

Just uploaded v2 of the Shk Guide. The link to the draft version is now offline.

Available here.

Regarding my other guides, if you have any feedback or ideas of objects to add, etc. Please post here or DM me directly. I'm trying to keep the guides accurate and useful for the deep sky community.

Edit (May 4, 2024): I got around to label all of the inset photos with numbered labels based on D. Stoll's journal articles... Also corrected more than a few typos in the # of members columns. I say more tan a few, about 7-8 had typos. Sorry about that. New version online.

[wvreeven]

Many thanks for your continuing dedication!!!

[morsie]

Hi Alvin,
I envy your dark skies but will try and see how it goes on a couple of the brighter and well placed group for me at 40 degrees north. Are the brightest member magnitudes listed the "blue mag"? Since you've observed several of these already I thought you would have a good idea.

Thanks, Matt Orsie

[morsie]

I looked up some of the group with an alternate name and it appears the listed mag might be a mix between the blue mag and visual depending on the object

[FaintFuzzies]

I looked up some of the group with an alternate name and it appears the listed mag might be a mix between the blue mag and visual depending on the object

Good comment, I tried to keep it consistent to make the blue mag with a "b" and if truly visual with a "v". Otherwise nothing. I take whatever the source give.

In my many decades of observing, I usually take the mag figures with a grain of salt, but it gives me a high level idea where the faintness is at. I just go to the eyepiece and look for it.