NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 3556 48" (5/12/12): extremely bright and large, very elongated at least 4:1 WSW-ESE, ~8'x2'. This galaxy has a unique tortured appearance and is riddled with irregular dust lanes and patches. A very irregular dust lane courses through the galaxy along the major axis, but north of the core. A bright mag 12.5 star is superimposed just west of center and following this star is a bright, large elongated knot [HK83] 87. Very close west of the star is a small, faint knot [HK83] 108 and a large dust patch is just west of this knot. On the west edge of the dust patch (1.2' W of the star) is another bright, elongated knot with multiple HII designations including [HK83] 146. 18" (5/14/07): very bright, very large, elongated 4:1 WSW-ENE, ~8'x2'. This striking galaxy has a very mottled, patchy appearance with the main body appearing twisted or distorted. A few brighter patches or knots are visible along the major axis with a prominent knot along the west side. The core region is streaked with dust. The brightest portions of the two extensions have slightly different orientations or central axes! The galaxy bulges out a bit on the east end and the galaxy appears to bend a bit towards the north on the west end adding to the asymmetry. A couple of faint stars are superimposed on the eastern extension and close to the center is a prominent mag 12.5 star masquerading as a bright, stellar nucleus. The Owl Nebula, M97, lies 48' SE. 17.5" (2/25/84): very bright, very large, edge-on 4:1 WSW-ENE, 8.0'x2.0'. A mag 12 star is superimposed just west of center (V = 12.5) appearing similar to a bright stellar nucleus. Two fainter stars are also superimposed east of the core. A bright knot is visible west of the core (1.3' W of the star) and the region near the core appears dusty. A mag 12 star is just south of the west end, 4.9' from the center. 17.5" (3/12/88): very bright, very large, a bright star is superimposed near the center, knot visible west of the core. 13" (2/25/84): fairly bright, very elongated, stellar nucleus.