NGC 3294 -- Spiral Galaxy in Leo Minor
Small, Dim & Difficult
This Herschel 400, tightly coiled spiral galaxy, was a challenge from my suburban backyard
with the 155mm refractor, even though I had, that night, good skies over the house. Not only
was NGC 3294 small and lacked any hint of a core or nucleus but had a surface brightness
of only 22.4 which means that its subtle glow could easily disappear if light pollution was
present (and it was). No details were seen or was expected from NGC 3294. The challenge
was to find it. A magnification of 137x was needed before it became apparent. To be
honest it was dimmer than the drawing indicates. A small observing success at best.
with the 155mm refractor, even though I had, that night, good skies over the house. Not only
was NGC 3294 small and lacked any hint of a core or nucleus but had a surface brightness
of only 22.4 which means that its subtle glow could easily disappear if light pollution was
present (and it was). No details were seen or was expected from NGC 3294. The challenge
was to find it. A magnification of 137x was needed before it became apparent. To be
honest it was dimmer than the drawing indicates. A small observing success at best.