Observation Notes:
After hunting for a variety of challenging objects in the constellation Sextans and coming up empty-handed on several counts, I finally settled upon this diminutive puff. NGC 3090 showed up about 30 arcseconds from a prominent star. This galaxy resides in the midst of a cluster of fainter galaxies. I was not able to see any of these other companions with my 6 inch (15 cm) scope, but a check of the satellite loop when I got home revealed a stream of thin cirrus breezing overhead during the observation. On another, clearer occasion, I'd like to re-address this group and see if any other members are discernible. Have a look at these sketches of the group by Bill Ferris with his 18" Obsession and Eric Graff with his 6" f/6 Newtonian. Thanks Eric for suggesting the challenging targets in this section of sky.
Object Information
NGC 3090 was discovered in 1865 by Albert Marth. The galaxy is also catalogued as MCG+00-26-005, GC 5516, CGCG 008.016, IRAS 09579-0243, PGC 28945.
| Subject | NGC 3090 | |
| Classification | Elliptical Galaxy | |
| Position* | Sextans [RA: 10:00:30.3 / Dec: -02:58:06] | |
| Size* | 1.7' x 1.4' | |
| Brightness* | 12.6 vMag. / 13.5 bMag | |
| Date/Time | March 15, 2007 - 10:45 PM (March 16, 2007 - 05:45 UT) | |
| Observing Loc. | Cinder Hills Overlook, Sunset Crater National Monument, AZ | |
| Instrument | Orion SVP 6LT Reflector (150 mm dia./1200 mm F/L) | |
| Eyepieces/Mag. | 10 mm (120X) | |
| Conditions | Mostly clear, calm | |
| Seeing | 4/10 | |
| Transparency | ~ Mag 6 NELM | |
| *Sources | NGC/IC Project |
*Based on published data.
