Object of the Week November 11, 2012 The Faith NGC 708 group

[Jimi Lowrey]

NGC 708 group (The Faith) VV992-AGC 262

Andromeda

RA
01 52 46

DEC
+36 09 08

NGC 703 Type S0 Mag13.2
NGC 704 Type S0 Mag 14.1
NGC 705 Type S0a Mag 14.6
NGC 708 Type E cD Mag 13.7 P

NGC 708 group is 5 bright interacting galaxies in the center of Abell 262. NGC 704 is two galaxies in interaction with each other and has only one NGC number. If you like interacting galaxy groups this is one of the best. this group has something for all observers, edge on galaxy (NGC 705) interacting galaxies (NGC 704) and a giant cD galaxy that is the brightest galaxy in Abell 262 (NGC 708).
340

Also there are several faint LEDA and 2MASX galaxies that are in the same field as the group that will be a good challenge for large aperture scopes. I would like to hear reports on these faint galaxies.
341

When you have observed NGC 708 group be sure to check out Abell 262. You could spend all night here and not see it all. I have seen report of people login as many as 46 galaxies in Abell 262. I wonder just how many can be seen? Some of the highlights for me are,

IC 1732
CGCG 522-18
UGC1400
NGC 717
NGC 714
NGC 679

So remember next time you are out be sure to try the NGC 708 Group and Abell 262 and,

"GIVE IT A GO AND LET US KNOW"

GOOD LUCK AND GREAT VIEWING!

[Marko]

A highly packed field to be sure and great group Jimi. This group forms the wonderful Y in the middle that is the centerpiece of course and I think you are saying these are their own group (perhaps foreground to Agc262?) Distilling my visits to this area from my notes there were 33 different objects I had considered in Agc262 but I had assumed anything I saw in this degree or so field to be in Agc262 which may be an error judging from your post. Apparently I have missed a few from your comment on 46 from one observer. The 33 galaxies were seen in my 18" f/3.7 scope between 188x and 278x.

[MarcE]

Jimi, nice group also for small scopes: i observed last month all 5 members with my 10 inch Dob. No problem the see them, but i could not split NGC 704 in two parts. With my (recently sold) 15 inch Obsession this was not a problem at all.
NGC714 was also easy to detect with 10 inches. Magnification was about 200x; very good skies in the austrian alps.
Will do this group again with my larger scope, if this one is finished.
CS Marc