NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 4411 = IC 3339 (which see) and "NGC 4411B." We know now that there are a pair of low-surface-brightness spirals here, one at the position of NGC 4411 = IC 3339, and the other at the position of Bigourdan 298 noted by Dreyer in an IC2 Note for N4411. Dreyer, however, assumed the two positions to apply to just a single galaxy, so there has been some confusion in the modern catalogues as to which galaxy bears the number NGC 4411. The solution I've adopted is to follow the historical positions -- Peters's and Schwassmann's clearly apply to the preceding of the pair of galaxies -- as well as to give a bit of credit to Bigourdan for finding the second galaxy. The slightly awkward numbering that apparently started with Holmberg in his 1958 monograph on galaxy photometry puts the numbers "N4411A" and "N4411B" on the galaxies. This was adopted by the de Vaucouleurs for RC1, and persisted through RC3 -- so we're probably stuck with it. Still, as I said, it gives some credit to Bigourdan for digging out the eastern galaxy. It is actually about half a magnitude brighter than the western, though I think that the star superposed on the western might shield the galaxy from sight in some circumstances or enhance it in others.

===== NGC 4411 24" (6/4/16): at 225x; faint or fairly faint, moderately large, round, low surface brightness, ~1.2' diameter. The view is confused by a superimposed mag 13.5 star, slightly west of center. A diffuse but uneven glow encompasses the star, with the very weak core just east of the star. The halo has a very low surface brightness and it was difficult to estimate the diameter. Forms a pair with (similar) low surface brightness NGC 4411B 4.4' ENE. It appeared faint or fairly faint, fairly large, round, low surface brightness, weak concentration, ~1.6' diameter. The halo fades out gradually with no distinct edge (increases in size with averted vision) but doesn't reach a mag 13 star off the northwest edge (1.3' from center). CGCG 070-087, located 11' NE, appeared fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, 24"x15", sharply concentrated with a brighter 15" core that gradually increases to the center and very low surface brightness extensions. A mag 9.5 star (HD 108384) is 1.2' NE. 17.5" (3/24/90): very faint, round, fairly small, very diffuse glow. Unusual appearance as a mag 13 star is superimposed on the core and the galaxy appears as a low surface brightness halo surrounds this star. Forms a close pair with NGC 4411B 4' ENE.