NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 3077 is one of the brighter satellites of M 81 = NGC 3031. Like M 82 = NGC 3034, it is classified as an I0 galaxy -- and like M 82 shows very little resolution into stars in spite of its being relatively nearby (contrast with M 81 itself, NGC 2403, or even NGC 2976; all at about the same distance, 3.5 to 4 Mpc). An additional peculiarity of this galaxy is its eccentric central bulge; the nucleus is well off the center of the outer isophotes. Consequently, I've given two positions in the table, one for the entire galaxy approximately centered on those outer isophotes, while the second refers to the nearly stellar red nucleus shown in the 2MASS and SDSS images.

===== NGC 3077 24" (4/20/14): at 260x appeared very bright, very large, oval 4:3 SW-NE, large bright core, gradually increases to a small brighter inner core and occasionally a faint stellar nucleus. The outer halo seems brighter or more extensive on the north-following side and gradually fades, so the periphery has a very low surface brightness. Two similar unequal doubles are in the field: ·1400 = 8.0/9.8 at 3.4" lies 3.8' NW and ·1398 = 8.1/11.4 at 3.6" lies 10". 17.5" (3/23/85): fairly bright, fairly large outer halo elongated SW-NE, increases to brighter core. Mag 7.9 SAO 15054 (·1400 = 8.0/9.8 at 3.4") lies off the NW side 3.8' from the center. Located 45' ESE of M81 (member of the M81 group).