NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 5189 = IC 4274, which see.

===== NGC 5189 24" (4/11/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): this was the final object of 78 that I logged on 4/11/08 and the perfect end to a great evening with the 24". At 200x using a UHC this amazing planetary displayed an extremely complex morphology. Through the center is a bright, high surface brightness "bar" elongated WSW-ENE and ~1.5'x0.4' in size. This central feature has an uneven surface brightness with a mottled texture. A mag 12 star is superimposed just north of the west-southwest end and the fainter central star is just south of the bar. A close double star (~3.5") is superimposed just south of the west-southwest end. At this end a spiral extension hooks around counterclockwise to the north and passes through a faint star and ends at a very faint small knot just north of the superimposed star. A bright 10" knot is just south of the east-northeast end of the central "bar". Attached to this knot is another extension that sweeps towards the southwest, ending less than 1' S of center. About 50" E of the bright knot is another 10" knot that appears detached. A mag 12 star is ~50" SW of this knot, just outside the halo of the planetary. All of the brighter features are within a much fainter oval envelope, ~2.5'x2.0'. 18" (7/6/05 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): the "Spiral Planetary" is certainly one of the most remarkably structured planetaries and would be famous if located in the northern hemisphere. At 128x using a UHC filter, a high surface brightness "bar" at least 1' in length, elongated SW-NE forms the main body of the planetary. The bar is slightly curved and has an irregular surface brightness. On the NE end is a prominent bright knot, roughly 6" in size. Nebulosity hooks below this knot, extending below the bar. Above the southwest end of the bar is the brightest superimposed star and a hook of nebulosity sweeps up to the northwest, wrapping above this star. The entire structure is encased in a much fainter oval envelope. A total of five stars are superimposed including a very close double that is just south of the southwest end of the bar and the 14th magnitude central star situated southeast of the center of the bar. 12" (6/29/02 - Bargo, Australia): this is a bright, strange-looking PN with a complex bar structure dubbed the "Spiral Planetary". At 140x and UHC filter, it resembles a small barred spiral galaxy with prominent bar extending SW-NE with curved tips, ~1' in length embedded within a fainter, slightly elongated halo of ~2'x1.5'. A few stars are superimposed. At 186x, the "bar" is irregular and knotty with a bright knot at one end. A mag 11 star is at the SW end with a couple of faint stars on the opposite end. The faint 14th magnitude central star is just south of the bar. Set in a rich star field in the NE corner of Musca 6' NNW of mag 7.2 SAO 252366. This is a fascinating sight!