NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 6951 = NGC 6952, which see.

===== NGC 6951 48" (10/23/14): large spiral with a brighter central region extending ~1.8'x1.2' ~E-W and the outer spiral arms increasing the dimensions to 2.8'x2.0', with the arms reaching north and south. Well concentrated with an intensely bright, circular core that is embedded with a bright, elongated oval "bar" extending E-W. A fairly narrow spiral arm is attached at the west end of the central region and curves strongly counterclockwise to the north, passing between two mag 15.8 stars 1.3' WNW and 0.8' NW of center. This fairly low surface brightness arm is widely detached from the glow of the central region as it curls to the east, ending about 1.5' NNE of center. On the east side of the elongated core region a faint, shorter spiral arm curves south, passing near 3 or 4 faint stars oriented N-S and fades out ~1' SSW of center. 24" (7/23/14): fairly bright, fairly large, slightly elongated, ~2' diameter. Sharply concentrated with a small, very bright core. A fairly broad "bar" extends east-west through the central region. Weak spiral structure is definite with careful viewing. An eastern arm appears as a subtle arc curving counterclockwise and passing west and then south of a mag 12.7 star 1.4' east of center. I expected the western arm to be more obvious, but it was only visible as a slightly brighter curving "edge" of the outer halo from west to north. 18" (8/17/04): at 225x appears moderately bright and large, oval 3:2 WNW-ESE, ~1.8'x1.1'. On the east end is a mag 12.5 star. The galaxy suddenly brightens to a very small, brighter core. The edge of the halo fades and increases in size with averted vision. Appears slightly brighter along the major axis with a hint of structure. 17.5" (10/30/99): observed SN 1999el, which was discovered 11 days ago (Oct 20). Appeared as a mag 14.5-15 star just following the core (22" E and 8" S) and easily visible at 280x. The galaxy is fairly faint, moderately large. Sharply concentrated with a small bright core surrounded by a diffuse halo elongated 3:2 E-W. A mag 12 star is 1.5' following the center and a mag 15 star is just visible a similar distance WNW. 17.5" (8/13/88): bright with a very bright core surrounded by a fainter large oval halo 3:2 E-W. A mag 13 star is just off the east edge 1.4' from center and a mag 15 star is off the NW end. 8" (6/22/81): faint, small, bright core. A mag 13 star is at the east edge.