Hoag's Object

[John]

I ought to state straightaway that I have not seen this object. It's probably just beyond the reach of my 12" scope from my back yard I'm afraid.

I came across it when surfing the web (as you do !) and it struck me as an amazing object. I wonder if any forum members with really large aperture scopes have seen, or glimpsed this magnitude 15 galaxy in Serpens Caput ?

It was only discovered in 1950 and the amazing image below was taken by the HST in 2001. 600 million light years distant and what an interesting object it is

I did find that SLG member Martin Meredith has imaged this in 2015 and here is his report:

https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/245522-hoags-object/

Here is the HST image:

[chiltonstar]

Wow! What a fantastic object!

Chris

[estwing]

its not in Uranometria John, just NGC 5910.

Located just above this so will give this a go at sometime...problem is size of scope as pointed out in the link, still i'll nudge the mob on this and get hunting..clear skies.

[jetstream]

Thanks John, I want to try this one for sure!

[niallk]

Wow! Very interesting.

It almost looks like a (reddish) ring galaxy seen through a foreground ring galaxy?? ?

[planetman83]

I have seen the core with the 16".

[Pete Presland]

WOW what an incredible looking object,  I don't recall hearing of it before. 

[Ibbo!]

Looks very odd.

If I can remember I might have a go at that next year.

[DeepSkyBagger]

FYI - the bright core is magnitude 16.0, I daren't guess how dim the ring is. And as for the more distant ring galaxy - urk!

[Guest]

It is discussed here http://www.deepskyforum.com/showthread.php?386-Object-of-the-Week-June-2-2013-Hoag-s-Obect-(The-king-of-the-rings)

 

Owen

[Paul73]

Thanks for the link. An amazing object to be sure.

Definitely one to chase from a dark site.

Paul

PS. NGC5910 is a different galaxy about 0.8° from PGC54559 (Hoag’s object).

[RobertI]

Thanks John, a fascinating object, I had come across this before but had never considered aiming my EEA rig on it and having a go, definitely one for the list.