Burbidge's Chain

[Lumpy Darkness]

I was looking today at this target for October, recalling observing it once (and only once) from Mt. Lassen, likely at the Lassen Peak parking lot (where I've logged my dimmest and most visually stunning observations).  I have clear recollection of seeing three of the four members.

While researching I've found few references.  This one, an image showing the members with associated PGC designations led me to search Simbad for info, before realizing it could well be on Adventures In Deep Space.  I was curious to find Simbad showing B values (I assume these are Blue magnitudes) of two members at 17 and 18.  Wow.  But it was indeed i ADS, with some notes by Steve Gottlieb.  Steve's notes show MGC designations with magnitudes that justify my own observation (three observed).

Who else has picked off these little bits of fluff?  I'm hoping for a good night next NM, to give it a lower altitude try.

[mccart...@yahoo.com]

2017 with 20-inch at Ritschel's place in Willow Springs, 21.4 SQML, ~250x: "I could see three components – a, b, and c. MCG-4-3-10 = a was easy, small, yet the largest and brightest of the group, with an evenly bright core slightly elongated NE-SW, 14.4 mag. MCG-4-3-13 = b was on the other end of the chain; it is smaller than a, round, 14.6 mag., and also picked up easily. MCG-4-3-11 = c was nearby to b, seen averted vision only held about 70% of the time once noticed; 15.7 mag. MCG-4-3-12 = d was not seen; it is closer to a in the chain, and very small and too faint for me, 17.0 mag."

Mark

[Steve Gottlieb]

My observation (with 3 members) was back in Sept. 1999 at Fiddletown.  Mark, you were there in December that year, along with Rashad Al-Mansour, Randy Muller, Marsha Robinson and John Gleason.  I was using Ray Cash's scope for the first time with my mirror, along with his equatorial platform. I remember being excited to have tracking for the first time at high power.

The only time I've seen the "d" component was in Jimi Lowrey's 48" and both components (it's a double galaxy) were just visible with some effort.  There's another 17th mag (B) galaxy at the very top edge of the image on the Adventures in Deep Space page that Mark linked, and that's about the same difficulty as "d".

Here's a great image, which includes NGC 247

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/157929594/original

Steve

[Richard Ozer]

That looks like a great target. I'm wondering if I can image it.

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[Mark Wagner Gmail]

Boy, what a memory that place is, Steve!  I always think of Bill Charringyton and wildman Charlie Stiffelmeyer.  Loved going there, but the road in and eventually neighbors somewhere in the hills shooting at night were enough.  We had quite a group the night you write about.

I never met him, but the land owner Bob Kestner was a source of pride for me that I was on his property observing, due to his optics notoriety.

Turns out my one documented observation of the chain was thru Bill Cone's scope at Bob Ayers Willow Springs property.  I think I'm mistaken about Lassen as it is the wrong time of year to be there and see the chain.  I believe I confused the brightest Shakbazian (Arp 330?), with Alvin Huey there.

I know I've seen it at least a few times.  I'll try if possible again next NM.

I like that it's three of us from Willow Springs days, here, that have seen it.

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[ma...@astrospotter.com]

Willow Springs (Kevin Ritschels place)  Aug 30, 2008  Sky conditions vary but all good.  21.5 through 21.7 at 3am

3 seen in good old 'DobZilla' but curiously enough  MarkW, Steve, RichardN were not present.  Jamie was present that time. 

ESO 540-25  MCG -4-3-13  Anon 0045-20B  PGC 2796        Burbidge chain by NGC247
 MltG  14.6p   1.0x 0.9' 158    SB(s)c pec:              RC3 00 47 37.7 -20 31 08
 1:30am  DobZil17mm Burbidges chain: S end.  Each end are the brightest of chain.

 ESO 540-24  MCG -4-3-11  PGC 2794                       Burbidge chain by NGC247
 MltG  15.7    0.9x 0.5' 120    SBbc                     PGC 00 47 37.1 -20 29 08
 1:30am  DobZil17mm Burbidges chain: 2nd frm S end.  Lot more difficult to spot than ends.

 MCG -4-3-12                                             NOFIND. Burbidge chain by NGC247
 DblG  17.0    0.6x 0.2'  43    Sb                       PGC 00 47 38.0 -20 27 09
 1:30  DobZil17mm   Burbidges chain: NOT SEEN even in DobZilla (Nor could Craig or Kevin)

 ESO 540-23  MCG -4-3-10  Anon 0045-20A  PGC 2791        Burbidge chain by NGC247
 MltG  14.4p   1.0x 0.5'  21    SB(s)b pec?              RC3 00 47 35.1 -20 25 44
 1:30am  DobZil17mm Burbidges chain: N end. Elongated end member in B

Marko

[Lumpy Darkness]

I was expecting to hear from you Marko....  love seeing the notes.

Dobzilla, what a beast!  Wonder where it is is living now.

Craig Skull and Jamie Dillon at Willow Springs? I never knew Jamie had been there.  Elena too?

I was scratching my head why I (or the others) was not there.  So I looked and on September 1, 2008 I was observing at Michelle Stone's outside Mariposa:

Monday, September 1, 2008

"Mariposa" - from the Cocoon
Michelle Stone hosted a wonderful star party for a large number of friends at her "Plettstone" home in Mariposa County, near Yosemite National Park. A few newer faces were becoming fixtures in the group, and combined with the old friends the feeling was reminiscent of earlier days in the southwest lot at Fremont Peak, at the height of TAC's early exuberance. Thanks to Michelle for such a great time.

<snip>

Without doubt, for me the observing highlight of the trip was an outstanding detailed view of IC 5146 / Sh2-125, the Cocoon Nebula.

[Lumpy Darkness]

For those unfamiliar with "Dobzilla"....   we sure had a great time there, gracias Kevin!

On Friday, September 29, 2023 at 12:00:27 AM UTC-7 ma...@astrospotter.com wrote:

[Jamie Dillon, DDK]

30 August '08, Kevin's Deepsky Ranch at Willow Springs, sure enough I was there. I'd been to Bob Ayers' place up the hill at least twice; this was my one visit to DSR.

Craig and Elena were there with their little girl Ziana, Marko sure enough, and Bob Ayers dropped in.

My favorite view that night was ic 1295, a bright PN next to the globular 6712 in Scutum. Fascinating comparison of objects, first in Dobzilla and then in Felix my 11".