NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 5054 24" (6/1/13): bright, large, elongated nearly 2:1 NNW-SSE, ~3.5'x2'. Contains a large, bright core with a sharp, bright nearly stellar nucleus. The overall outline and surface brightness is irregular with spiral structure evident. A relatively thin, straight arm is attached on the west side of the core and shoots ~1.2' NNW, separating well from the central region. A second, lower contrast arm is attached at the NE side of the central region and hugs tightly along the eastern side of the core. This arm was not resolved until it extended south of the central region. A small, brighter knot (~10") is visible just north of the central region [~40" N of center]. A mag 13.5 star is just off the NE side, 1.3' from center and a mag 14 star lies NW of the western arm, 2.2' from center. Forms a pair with MCG -03-34-040 2.6' NNW. The companion appeared faint, small, very elongated 7:2 N-S (major axis aligned with the nucleus of NGC 5054), 22"x6", even surface brightness. The NGC 5044 group (7 NGCs) lies 20'-30' NW. 8" (5/26/84): fairly faint, contains a brighter middle with a diffuse outer halo of low surface brightness; the edge of the halo is difficult to define. One or two faint stars are involved. NGC 5017, NGC 5037 and NGC 5044 all lie to the west.