NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 6956 24" (8/5/13): moderately bright to fairly bright, moderately large, elongated ~3:2 NW-SE, 60"x40". The view is somewhat hampered by a mag 11 star that is superimposed on the east edge and a mag 14.5 star is ~20" E of the bright star. Appears to be a barred spiral with a brighter bar oriented ~N-S extending down the middle of the glow. The brighter nucleus is quasi-stellar (~5") and similar to the mag 14.5 star in brightness. A faint extension (spiral arm) curves east from the south end of the bar, extending south of the mag 11 star. Brightest in a trio (KTG 71) with UGC 11620 6.9' SE and UGC 11623 8.1' E. Located in a rich Milky Way star field 3.7' SSW of a mag 9.6 star. UGC 1620 appeared faint/fairly faint, small, elongated 3:2 SSW-NNE, 21"x14". Two mag 13/14 stars are off the SE end and a mag 15.5 star is near the NNE end [22" from center]. UGC 11623 is fairly faint, fairly small, elongated 5:3 SW-NE, 36"x20", a small brighter core is embedded in a fairly smooth halo. A small trio of mag 13/14.5.15 stars is close preceding. 18" (9/10/07): fairly faint, moderately large, round, weak concentration except for a quasi-stellar nucleus. A mag 10.5 star is superimposed on the east edge of the halo and somewhat hampers the view. 17.5" (10/13/01): this moderately bright glow appears unusual as a mag 10.5 star is attached at the east side and interferes with viewing. The surface brightness of this barred spiral is pretty uniform except for a faint stellar nucleus. A mag 14 companion star (double) follows the brighter star. Brightest in a trio with UGC 11620 and 11623 situated 7' SSE and 8' ESE, respectively. 13" (6/29/84): faint, diffuse, even surface brightness, possibly slightly elongated E-W. A mag 10.5 star is attached at the east edge 26" from center and detracts from viewing. Brightest of three with UGC 11620 6.7' SSE and UGC 11623 8.0' E. 8" (7/16/82): faint, small. A mag 10 star at the east edge interferes.