Four spiral galaxies in Leo

March 29–April 5, 2012: Spiral galaxies NGC 3227, NGC 3338, NGC 3489, and NGC 3507 are all visible through 6-inch or larger instruments from a dark site, and all lie in the same constellation — Leo the Lion.

By Michael E. Bakich

Published: March 29, 2012

You’ll find spiral galaxy NGC 3227 and its companion, the magnitude 11.4 elliptical galaxy NGC 3226, 50' east of magnitude 2.0 Algieba (Gamma [γ] Leonis). The elliptical appears to be attached to the northern end of the brighter galaxy.

Photo by Ted Wolfe

Targets for February 2–9, 2012
Small telescope: Open clusters NGC 2345, NGC 2354, NGC 2367, NGC 2374, NGC 2383, and NGC 2384 in Canis Major

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