NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 5247 48" (5/14/12): I was amazed at the beauty of this face-on spiral with two well-defined spiral arms with numerous HII knots and a third faint arm! The galaxy is sharply concentrated with an extremely bright round core, ~30" diameter. The slightly brighter and longer southern arm is attached at the north end of the core and winds gracefully counterclockwise for nearly 270¡, terminating on the WSW side of the galaxy, 2.4' from center. This high-contrast arm was sharply defined and contained two knots and brighter segments. The relatively narrow arm broadens slightly as it unwinds on the south side and is slightly mottled. The brightest HII knot is 10" in diameter and situated slightly further out, 1.9' SW of center. Beyond this point, the last portion of the arm dims and ends at another 8" knot at the tip, 2.4' WSW of center. The northern arm is attached on the south side of the core and winds counterclockwise to the north, though only curves gently. A fairly bright knot (possibly double) is situated along this arm 1.4' NNW of center. At the north tip of the arm is another fainter knot, 1.8' from center. A third, vaguely defined arm emerges to the south of the core and unwinds counterclockwise to the west. A mag 16.5 star marks the tip of this arm. 17.5" (5/30/92): moderately bright, large, slightly elongated 4:3 SW-NE, about 4'x3', sharp concentration with a very weakly concentrated halo which fades into the background. Unusual appearance as suddenly rises to very small bright core 20"-30" diameter. Spiral structure not seen.