Herschel 181
NGC 3686

Object Type Galaxy Sc
Constellation Leo
Magnitude 11.2
Size 3.1' x 2.4'


Combination of 5, 3 minute images unfiltered.
SBIG STL-1001E CCD. 20" f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham cassegrain telescope at prime focus.

NGC 3686 is a beautiful, face-on Sc spiral galaxy in Ursa Major. Numerous other galaxies are visible in the image. At the centre-right (west) is the 11.7 magnitude NGC 3684, while towards the bottom is the 12.4 magnitude NGC 3691. The moderately faint galaxy to t he east (left) of NGC 3686 is the 16.1 magnitude PGC 35310.

Visual Observation Notes:- NGC 3686.

Fairly large but moderately faint. Slightly brighter centre surrounded by a faint disk. 3 fainter galaxies visible in the field. NGC 3681, NGC 3684 and NGC 3691. Several faint stars at the edges of the disk.
18" f/5 newtonian. 16mm nagler eyepiece. 143x.
Sky View observatory. Zenith limiting magnitude 6.7.