NGC 151


Combination of 12, 3 minute images. SBIG ST9EX CCD.
14" f/11 schmidt-cassegrain with an f/6.3 focal reducer.

NGC 151 is a fainter member of the Sculptor group of galaxies that includes the more well known NGC 55 and NGC 253. The total magnitude is around 12.3, and the galaxy is readily visible in an 8" telescope under dark skies as a round, nebulous patch with a slightly brighter centre. The galaxy is situated about 8 degrees north and slightly east of the 2nd magnitude star Diphda. From the northern hemisphere it is very low to the southern horizon. For example, when this image was taken, the galaxy was only about 20 degrees above the horizon... almost its maximum altitude from my current location.

The galaxy appears to be slightly disrupted on its western side and may be interacting with a smaller galaxy.