NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 4565 48" (2/19/12): the view of the dust lane and structure along its edge was remarkable at 287x and 375x. But we spent time exploring the distant galaxy cluster (2.2 billion light years) that resides just off the SE tip and detected 3-4 mag 17.7-18 (V) members. Also two nights later, we revisited the cluster and I picked up SDSS J123631.45+255857.2, a mag 17.7 (V) galaxy just 2' SE of the mag 13.5 star off the core of NGC 4565. 17.5" (3/28/87): bright, very large, edge-on 12:1 NW-SE, dimensions approximately 16'x1.5'. A beautiful dark lane is visible continuously with direct vision along most of major axis although more prominent in the center. The galaxy is split asymmetrically by the dust lane with the southern half both larger and brighter. Subtle scalloped structure is visible along the dust lane. Contains a small bright core with a stellar nucleus at the south edge of the lane. A mag 13.5 star is 1.6' NE of the center. 13.1" (5/26/84): the absorption lane is prominent at 100x and portion of the galaxy beyond fairly easy. A stellar nucleus is visible within the bright central bulge. 13.1" (5/14/83): fairly bright, very large thin streak, bright core. The dust lane is clearly visible to the north of the bright nucleus. 13.1" (4/24/82): a faint dark lane splits central bulge into two unequal parts. The nucleus is brightest to the south of the lane. The northern section beyond the lane is fainter.