3 minutes exposure, Meade 416XTE CCD.
300mm f/6 newtonian telescope at prime focus.
Quasar 2204-57.4 is a good challenge for southern observers. It is situated in the far southern constellation of Indus about 2 degrees north-west of the star alpha tucanae. At magnitude 17.4, it is the faintest quasar I have seen, observing with a 17.5" telescope under very dark skies.
Below is an image of the quasar and several maps to assist observers in locating this very distant object. The first map is a large scale map showing the general area around the quasar. The second chart shows an area of about 3 degrees and includes the quasar and the nearest bright star, epsilon indi. This is for use at the finder. The final charts are small-scale maps of the quasar showing ever fainter stars and is for use with the main telescope.
To the upper left of the quasar is an edge-on galaxy. Neither MegaStar nor The Sky have any information on this galaxy which was very faintly visible in a 17.5" telescope. The "bright" stars to the left (east) of the quasar are about 11th magnitude and are very useful in locating the quasar.
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