Stephan's Quintet??

[cloudsweeper]

Wondered if anyone could give some input here.  I was out with the Bresser Dob early this evening, and easily landed on C30/NGC 7331 galaxy in Pegasus.  About half a degree away is Stephan's Quintet, so I focused on the location, but didn't see anything resembling galaxies.  However, there was a clear T-shaped pattern of faint dots (looking more like stars) which fitted the shape of SQ (the central dot being 7318 A&B).

It was quite early, the sky was rather light-polluted, and there were thin clouds about which would perhaps make a fuzzy resemble a spot.

I believe I saw SQ, but I'd like to hear what others think about this, thanks!

Doug.

 

[scarp15]

Hi Doug, I had a go for this just under a year ago and as you say, initially, the spiral galaxy NGC 7331 is easy to locate. In the vicinity there lies Stephenson's Quintet and for my search I increased the magnification up to 313X. There was a cold gusty wind sweeping through the valley I was established in, I did however encounter a faint glow but could not distinguish an absolute separation of this group except that I felt assured that I had profiled at least NGC 7317, also just to the south east I think gaining NGC 7340. During this night (24th Nov) I was using my 14" dob and was experiencing SQM-L readings of between 21.2 - 21.4, so apart from the cold gusts conditions were pretty good. 

Could do with another night like that, its not been so great with opportunities lately up here, at least on non work periods. I expect that those on here that specialise on Galaxy observing will in due course contribute, meantime good luck with this.  

[cloudsweeper]

Thanks Iain, much appreciated!  Given the conditions, I suppose it is unlikely I saw SQ, and the fact that the four faint dots had a shape like the galaxies was a coincidence - but it's fun trying!

Doug.

[scarp15]

What magnification were you applying Doug? High power is needed to begin to separate this group. I am re-assessing my own observation which I can fairly vividly recall. NGC 7320 may be what I was likely able to distinguish - considered as the brightest member of the five associated cluster and not necessarily NGC 7317 as mentioned. Averted vision could well be required, with moderate aperture, for gaining the other members. What thwarted my attempt was simply pointing the scope in the direction of the wind. This thread has whetted my appetite for another attempt, should I get one plus of course a dark transparent sky. Anyhow good topic for current discussion. 

[cloudsweeper]

Yes Iain - NGC 7320 is the one most likely to be spotted.  I'd be pleased to see that one, never mind the others, which is why I wasn't using high mag. - just high enough to improve contrast.  I'll try again when it's clearer!

Doug.

[bish]

I have just managed to see 3 of SQ with a 10" scope from Kielder.  They were pretty tough to see as I remember.  It was several years ago and I didn't take detailed notes unfortunately.

[Mark at Beaufort]

I have checked my notes viewing galaxies in Pegasus. My notes indicate NGC7331 in the 10" Dob in October 2011 but NGC7320 - the brightest in Stephans Quintet was not seen.  I live a dark site (20.7) so I will have another go with the 12" Dob.

[Mark at Beaufort]

Doug I have just found this chart so I can why you could see a T pattern

[scarp15]

The brightest member, which we have established is NGC 7320, from what I recall became feasible to observe with direct vision, the faint hazy glow more apparent with magnification. I felt that I was on the cusp of seeing the others perhaps with averted vision and increased magnification, my 6mm had locked into the focuser due to a cold wind. Interesting as mentioned that a 10" scope in good circumstances and effort can gain much for this challenging observation. 

[NGC 1502]

 

Galaxy group SQ is definitely doable with a 10” under a good sky.  I first saw SQ from Kelling Heath using my club’s 16” Dob, and followed this observation using my 10” on the same night.  The next year, 2016, also at Kelling, I repeated the observation with my 10”.  Easier with more aperture, but 10” will do the job with a good sky and persistence, however two of the galaxies will probably merge as one, and likely the faintest member will be very tough indeed.

The chart in a previous post is a good guide. As mentioned, NGC 7331 is the starting point, SQ lies 1/2 degree roughly south.  SQ forms a triangle with two more obvious stars as per that chart.  Key to success is looking at the right bit of sky at high mag, try 200x.  Going back to 7331, look for a couple of much fainter galaxies, members of the Deer Lick group.

SQ is around 300 million light years away. When the light we see left there, earth had a single continent, and in the intervening time continental drift produced the familiar map of the world we see today. Blows your mind.........

Ed.

[ollypenrice]

Anyone who finds this easy has better eyesight than I do! My SQM values vary between 21.2 and 22 so that's not the problem (and for good luck I'm only about 120 miles north of the place where Stéphane discovered the Quintet.)

It is certainly possible, when it's nice and high in a clear sky, to be sure you've seen it - and a little 'nodding' of the scope is a good way to confirm it. I've seen it in a 20 inch Dob and 14 inch SCT but it does need care, for me at least. Not everyone who looks through the scope sees it, either. (I'm often observing with guests.)

I certainly don't think, though, that a slight haze would reduce these galaxies to star-like dots. They don't have bright nuclei and, in my opinion, they would simply disappear. Even here they like to be high in the sky and become very elusive indeed at lower elevations. They are well worth the effort, though, and at their best can be teased out and nicely separated.

Olly

[cloudsweeper]

8 minutes ago, Beulah said:

I've spotted them under 21.2-21.5 NELM skies in a 12 inch dob at 60x magnifcation and saw a curious cluster of fuzzy dots which resembled dim stars. Wasn't sure at the time (last month) whether I was looking at SQ, but from this thread is seems very likely it was. I guess I expecting to find something a little larger and more distinct?

Similar here - but as Olly says, the galaxies might not have a star-like apparition.

I shall try again when it's dark and clear, and be pleased to spot NGC 7320 at least!  (I've bagged more faint stuff since getting the Dob.)

Thanks everyone for your valued contributions!

Doug.

[NGC 1502]

2 hours ago, cloudsweeper said:

Similar here - but as Olly says, the galaxies might not have a star-like apparition.

 

These galaxies are definitely not stellar in appearance, but faint fuzzy patches. Very satisfying when you spot them, makes  all the problems with dodgy weather, finding a good sky, local lights spoiling a dark site, getting lost when star hopping, etc etc, all worthwhile.  Maybe under an excellent transparent sky, with persistence, doable with an 8” ?  Not sure.......  

Ed.

[jetstream]

On 13/11/2018 at 07:20, ollypenrice said:

I certainly don't think, though, that a slight haze would reduce these galaxies to star-like dots. They don't have bright nuclei and, in my opinion, they would simply disappear.

Exactly what I experience Olly.

The 3 cores of Stephans Quintet are visible in a 10" dob under dark and transparent skies. I don't see star like dots but 3 very faint, delicate hazy patch's that can seem to overlap. I hold them in direct vision for 10s-20s at a time roughly under VG conditions.

Less than vg transparency makes these disappear to my eyes and good orthos of the appropriate fl helps quite a bit.

[Littleguy80]

Hi Doug. I was lucky enough to have an encounter with the Quintet recently. I was using a 9mm Ortho (BGO). The SkySafari screenshot below shows the field of view as seen through my scope/eyepiece combo. The two stars highlighted are the ones I was using as reference points. I knew the Quintet lay between them. 

I remember seeing three dim shadows with averted vision. I kept thinking of the Leo triplet because two were close to together with the third slightly further away. I marked the sketch below, taken from the Instellerium Deep Sky Guide, with the galaxies that I believe I saw. 

My magnification was 133x rather than the 419x of the sketch! I didn’t appreciate at the time that I was actually seeing 4 galaxies. I’d purposely hadn’t done a lot of research on the configuration of the galaxies so I could base my results on what I actually saw! I hope that helps you in your hunt for the Quintet  

[cloudsweeper]

Thanks Neil - since it's well placed at the moment, I've wanted to try again for some time, but of course conditions have not been favourable,  (Had a decent, brief bash at the Moon last night though!)

Doug.

BTW - am I right in assuming the Interstellarum DS Guide gives more detail than the Pocket Sky Atlas?  If so, I feel further expense coming on!

[Littleguy80]

2 hours ago, cloudsweeper said:

BTW - am I right in assuming the Interstellarum DS Guide gives more detail than the Pocket Sky Atlas?  If so, I feel further expense coming on!

Hey Doug. The DS guide is a companion to the DS Atlas! Using Stephan’s Quintet as an example, here’s how it works!

The Atlas:

Stephan’s Quintent has a close up Star chart too.

The deep sky guide picks a selection of objects and provides images and/or sketches plus observing notes for each. There’s also a diagram under the notes showing the position of the object in the Atlas. 

Below is the page dedicated to the Veil which is really awesome. 

I can wholeheartedly recommend both. I picked the Atlas up secondhand and got the guide new. Not cheap but well worth it in my opinion. 

On a side note, I updated the sketch in my post above as I realised that I’d only marked 2 of 3 fuzzies that I saw!