NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 1858 24" (4/7/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this would be a fascinating nebula and cluster (association LH 31) if it were isolated, but is even more striking situated at the southeast end of a wonderful chain with the bright cluster NGC 1854 and NGC 1850, which is one of the top showpieces in the LMC. At 346x about two dozen stars were superimposed over an elongated glow and many other stars are just outside the glow. At 200x with a UHC filter, the nebula (LMC-N105) was very bright overall with a 30" very high surface brightness patch at the north end. The nebula is brightest along the west and east border and weaker in the center. The elongation is towards a mag 12 star on the south side. NGC 1854 lies 4.5' NW. 18" (7/10/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): third of three bright objects in a NW to SE string with NGC 1850 and NGC 1854/55. This is a large and very unusual cluster with nebulosity. There is a bright knot attached near the NW edge, ~15"-20" in diameter. This knot responds very well to a UHC filter at 76x (27 Panoptic). An obvious elongated patch of nebulous haze curves to the SE with several mag 13 stars involved with the glow and extended N-S. Overall, the size of the cluster/nebulosity extends to 3.5'x2'. Located 4.5' SE of NGC 1854.