SMC Observations Chart 1
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| NGC 346 + Henize N66 Open Cluster and emission nebula | (SG/PK) SG 18" (7/6/02): this is the largest HII region in the SMC and an amazing sight at 171x and UHC filter. The brightest section is a "bar" extending NW-SE with a distinct edge on the following side. Extending from the central region, are two sweeping "arms" or extensions, creating an exaggerated "S" appearance similar to a barred spiral galaxy! A longer but lower surface brightness arm is attached at the SE end of the central region and broadly sweeps towards the west, below the bar. A shorter, but high surface brightness arm is attached at the NW end and hooks towards the east. The extensions increase the diameter to 8'-10' in total size! Without the filter, the nebula is set in a rich star field and a number of stars are superimposed or involved with the nebula, some in the center. N371 is in same low power field 22' NE while the smaller clusters N299 and N306 are a similar distance preceding. PK(16")4/11/2010 175X This is embedded in the larger Henize nebula 66. NGC 346 is a very bright area spanning about 7’x4’ with a delightful bright knot of resolvable stars in the centre. The NGC 346 component appears curved with the convex to the west, fatter to the north. Henize N66 is a smooth area of haze which appears about 3x the size of NGC 346 which fades out evenly, a few resolvable stars scattered throughout. N66 extends much further to the east of NGC 346 than to the west. There is a little darkening of Henize N66 to the east and then a faint brightening before it disappears completely. Both NGC 346 and N66 brighten considerably with UHC filter and the edge of N66 appears sharper with UHC filter. N66 sprawls off to the east and north with a branch spreading into IC 1611. There is a flat edge to the south west.
| Science daily article on NGC 346 "Brightest star forming region in the Small Magellanic Cloud"
NGC 346 on Astronomy Picture of the Day
Image by Steve Crouch |
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| NGC 361 Open Cluster | (SG/PK) SG 18" (7/11/05): at 228x, this SMC cluster appeared moderately bright and large, round, 1' diameter, weak concentration to center, grainy. A single star or clump is resolved. Located 4.5' SE of mag 7.8 HD 6222 (2' pair with a mag 9.8 companion). Observation through thin clouds. PK (16") 8/11/2010 175X Very distinct and compact with distinct core. Very round and even. Unresponsive to UHC filter.
| 1958 paper by Halton Arp on composition of NGC 361 and 1998 follow up using HST |
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| NGC 371 Open Cluster and emission nebula | (SG/PK) SG 18" (7/6/02): at 171x and UHC filter, this is a fairly bright, prominent, round SMC nebulous cluster, up to 6' in diameter with a fairly well-defined edge. The haze has a fairly consistent high surface brightness and seems suspended in a large, scattered cluster or star cloud. A 5' string of four mag 10-11 stars oriented NW-SE are superimposed on the glow as well as a number of fainter stars. This is an excellent low power field with the striking HII region N346 22' WSW and N395/IC 1624 8'-10' NE. PK (16")4/11/2010 175X A quite large circle of many resolvable stars and luminosity, only slightly smaller than the magnificent NGC346/N11 complex. The haze extends in an anvil shaped projection to the southeast and in a second projection to the northwest. The circular central portion of 371 brightens considerably with UHC, but the projections become fainter.
| Image by Steve Crouch (also a mosaic with NGC 346) Video zoom into ESO shot of NGC 371 |
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| NGC 395 Open Cluster and emission nebula | (SG/PK) SG 18" (7/6/02): easily picked up in the same field as brighter N371. At 171x, this is a moderately bright 4' round knot of mag 14 or fainter stars with a good response to the UHC filter. The surface brightness is fairly high with the filter although it is just described as a "star group" in Hartung. Forms a pair with IC 1624 3.2' S. Located 8' NE of N371. PK(16")175X This is significantly fainter than 346 and 371. It is an arrowhead shape of faint resolvable stars and luminosity pointing south with a chunk of darkening at its northern edge. 5’ to the south is IC 1624, a small luminous knot against a faint haze which appears to extend from NGC 395. There appears to be a larger area of faint haze in which two brighter areas – NGC 395 and IC 1624 – are embedded. UHC filter makes these two bright areas more distinct, the background haze visible but fainter. The arrowhead shape of 395 remains and looks about 5’ long and about 3’ wide at its base. IC 1624 appears about 1’x2’
|
|
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| NGC 411 Open Cluster | (SG/PK) SG 18" (7/6/02): this fairly faint SMC cluster was immediately noticed in the same lower power field while viewing N395/IC 1624 about 20' SW. At 128x it appeared fairly small, round, ~1.5' diameter, mottled but with no resolution. Located 5.3' NW of mag 8.6 HD 7031 and 13' ESE of mag 7.4 HD 6623. PK(16")175X A distinct small round knot of luminance with a small bright star at the western end. Grainy appearance but no resolvable stars. Better viewed with averted vision. Not responsive to UHC.
| Journal article on age of NGC 411 |
These notes with links to the objects on charts, to images and relevant articles will gradually include not only my own notes, but those of other observers. Each observation is preceed by the initials of the observer (in alphabeticla order of surname). The key immediatley below this text gives their full names and links to their web site if available. If you have your own observation notes on Magellanic Cloud objects, please email me at patrick@cloudsofmagellan.net.au as I would love to post them on this site. Data for NGC and IC objects are from the NGC/IC project and those for other objects are from the ASNSW's presentation of catalogues revised and summarised by Mati Morel. The Digitised Sky Survey images have been downloaded from the Space Telescope Science Institute's web site and are 10'x10' unless the object is larger than this.
SG = Steve Gottlieb (18" observations from Magellan observatory, Australia, 30" from Coonabarrabran, Australia
MJ= Mark Johnson
PK= Patrick Kavanagh (observations from Strangways, Victoria, Australia unless otherwise noted - mag 6.5 skies)
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| NGC 422 Open Cluster | (SG/PK) SG 18" (7/6/02): this faint SMC cluster is located 7' following N411. At 228x it appeared as just a very faint knot, less than 1' diameter with a low surface brightness and no resolution. Located 5.5' NE of mag 8.6 HD 7031. PK(16")175X about half the size and brightness of 411 and elongated slightly E-W. Not responsive to UHC.
|
|
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| NGC 458 Open Cluster | (SG/PK) SG 18" (7/6/02): this cluster is an outlying member of the SMC to the NE of the main body and 70' SE of N362. At 228x, it appears fairly bright, small, 1.5'-2' diameter, brighter core, slightly elongated. The surface brightness is irregular with some mottling but there was no apparent resolution. Three mag 10 stars are on the SW edge of the field, 10' from the cluster. PK (16")8/11/10 175X A bright small disc of haze which is mostly a bright, grainy core and small soft halo which looks more extended towards the east. Unresponsive to UHC filter.
|
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| Kron 50 Open Cluster | PK (16") 4/11/10 175X An irregular patch of haze with a slight point to the east. It appears a bit like a comet with a very wide tail with a more defined core at the eastern end. Perhaps about 1’ across. Almost disappears with UHC filter.
|
|
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| IC 1624 Emission nebula | SG 18" (7/6/02): at 171x and UHC, this is the smaller of a pair of nebulous clusters with N395. It appeared about half the size of N395, roughly 1' in diameter with a mottled appearance and no central condensation with no resolution. A mag 13 star is close west with a mag 11 star 2' W (on line with IC 1624). A large, scattered group of stars seems superimposed on the field. A very small nebulous knot was also noted ~2' SE. Located 9' E of N371 and 3.5' SSE of N395.
|
|
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| IC 1655 Open Cluster | (SG/PK) SG 30" (11/6/10 264x): fairly faint, fairly small, soft round glow with an even surface brightness, 40" diameter. Hodge-Wright (HW) 64 lies 5.5' W. PK 16" 8/11/10 175X A faint round and even disc of luminosity. Might be hard in a smaller scope. Brightens somewhat towards the centre, but not a distinct core. With 1 degree FOV, NGC 330 to 395 can be viewed simultaneously which is a splendid sight.
|
|
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| IC 1660 Open Cluster | 1,2 | (SG/PK) SG 30" (11/6/10 264x): fairly faint, fairly small, round, 40" diameter. A single brighter star is resolved along with a couple of extremely faint stars. Located 8' SSW of mag 9.8 HD 7519 and 22' due E of cluster N411. Several mag 12.5-13.5 stars are witihin 5', mostly on the south side. PK 16" 8/11/10 175x Very faint but distinct. Round and even and brightening towards the centre. More compact that 422. Unresponsive to UHC filter.
|
|
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| Lindsay 56 Open Cluster | PK 16" 4/11/10 175X A tiny bright knot which appears somewhat granular suggesting tightly packed stars. This is so compact it appears stellar at first glance also brightens with UHC filter.
|
|
| Object | Charts | Notes | Links |
| Lindsay 84 Open Cluster | PK 16" 4/11/10 175X 5’ diameter disc of haze with brighter centre fading gradually to soft edge, containing a few faintly resolved stars. Tends to blend in with multitude of background SMC stars. Quite bright and much more distinct with UHC filter.
|
|
