This month we venture to the southern region of Coma Berenices, which borders Virgo<\/p>\n\n
Chart by Pete Lawrence<\/p>\n\n
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1 NGC 4147 <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
Recommended equipment: Small\/medium or large scope<\/strong> We start with the dim but rich globular NGC 4147, which has an apparent magnitude of +10.7 and is compact, with an apparent diameter less than 2 arcminutes across. It sits 6.5\u02da northeast of Denebola (Beta (\u03b2) Leonis) or about one-third along the line from Denebola towards Beta (\u03b2) Comae Berenices. While a small scope shows a faint glow, 1 arcminute across, a 250mm scope increases the apparent diameter, and with over 250x magnification it should be possible to see some resolved stars. <\/p>\n\n
2 M98 <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
Recommended equipment: Small\/medium or large scope<\/strong> This region of sky has a good number of Messier objects, thanks to the presence of two large galaxy clusters in this direction: the Virgo and Coma galaxy clusters. Head 3.8\u02da south of NGC 4147 to locate M98, an intermediate spiral galaxy which is a member of the Virgo galaxy cluster. M98 lies 6\u02da to the east of Denebola and only 20 arcminutes to the north of the star. It\u2019s a lovely object, shining with an integrated magnitude of +10.1. A small scope will reveal its elongated nature, and through a 150mm scope M98\u2019s ellipse appears 6x 2 arcseconds in size, with the outer halo brightening to an elongated core leading to a star-like point. <\/p>\n\n M99 lies at a distance of 49 million lightyears from Earth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
3 M99<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
Recommended equipment: Small\/medium or large scope<\/strong> M99 is a face-on spiral galaxy, 1.3\u02da east-southeast of M98. The integrated visual magnitude of M99 is mag. +9.8 and the galaxy is well suited for smaller instruments. A 150mm scope will reveal an object 3x 2 arcminutes in size. Its outer regions appear mottled, brightening to a distinct, broad core. Tidal disruption has upset the shape of M99 and one of its spiral arms appears more prominent than the rest, extending south from the core\u2019s eastern side before curving north.<\/p>\n\n
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4 M100<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
Recommended equipment: Small\/medium or large scope<\/strong> Next in the Messier catalogue is M100, another face-on spiral in southern Coma Berenices. It is located 1.7\u02da northeast of M99 and shines with an integrated visual magnitude of +9.3, making it another viable target for smaller instruments. Lying at a distance of 60 million lightyears, M100 is a lovely sight. With an apparent size around 5 arcminutes, its light appears spread over a large area, which results in a low surface brightness. A 150mm scope shows a uniform glow that brightens towards a small, bright core. Increased aperture produces a more granular texture within the glow, hinting at the presence of the galaxy\u2019s spiral arms. M100 is symmetrical in terms of its structure. <\/p>\n\n
5 NGC 4450 <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
Recommended equipment: Small\/medium or large scope<\/strong> NGC 4450 sits 1.8\u02da northeast of M100. Ranked at mag. +10.1, it appears as an extended glow through smaller instruments, roughly 2.5 arcminutes in size and elongated. The glow increases in brightness towards the galaxy\u2019s centre, brightening to a star\u2013like point. Larger instruments show a similar but brighter view, hinting at the presence of dark gaps within, in the main halo, caused by dust lanes between the galaxy\u2019s spiral arms. What\u2019s odd about NGC 4450 is that larger scopes don\u2019t tend to reveal the usual mottling you\u2019d associate with a spiral galaxy. NGC 4450 is what\u2019s known as an anemic galaxy, a type of spiral that shows relatively smooth arms, largely devoid of bright star-formation.<\/p>\n\n
6 M85\/NGC 4394 <\/strong><\/h5>\n\n
Recommended equipment: Small\/medium or large scope<\/strong> M85 sits 1.3\u02da to the north-northwest of NGC 4450. Alternatively, locate it 1.1\u02da to the east and 0.3\u02da north of mag. +4.7 11 Comae Berenices. This is a lenticular galaxy, a transitionary type of galaxy, between spiral and elliptical \u2013 although some believe it sits more on the side of elliptical. It\u2019s bright at mag. +9.2 and appears as a haze brightening towards a bright core. The view through different apertures isn\u2019t dissimilar, larger scopes delivering a brighter view with a larger overall apparent size. At a distance of 60 million lightyears, M85 is one of the Virgo galaxy cluster\u2019s brighter galaxies.<\/p>\n\n
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This Deep-Sky Tour has been automated <\/strong> ASCOM-enabled Go-To mounts can now take you to this month\u2019s targets at the touch of a button, with our Deep-Sky Tour file for the EQTOUR app. Find it online.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n
More online<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Print out this chart and take an automated Go-To tour.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n\n
MICHAEL BREITE\/STEFAN HEUTZ\/WOLFGANG RIES\/CCDGUIDE.COM<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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