Observation Notes:
After hunting for a variety of challenging objects in the constellation Sextans and coming up empty-handed on several counts, I finally settled upon this diminutive puff. NGC 3090 showed up about 30 arcseconds from a prominent star. This galaxy resides in the midst of a cluster of fainter galaxies. I was not able to see any of these other companions with my 6 inch (15 cm) scope, but a check of the satellite loop when I got home revealed a stream of thin cirrus breezing overhead during the observation. On another, clearer occasion, I’d like to re-address this group and see if any other members are discernible. Have a look at these sketches of the group by Bill Ferris with his 18″ Obsession and Eric Graff with his 6″ f/6 Newtonian. Thanks Eric for suggesting the challenging targets in this section of sky.
Object Information
NGC 3090 was discovered in 1865 by Albert Marth. The galaxy is also catalogued as MCG+00-26-005, GC 5516, CGCG 008.016, IRAS 09579-0243, PGC 28945.
| Subject | NGC 3090 |
| Classification | Elliptical Galaxy |
| Position* | Sextans [RA: 10:00:30.3 / Dec: -02:58:06] |
| Size* | 1.7′ x 1.4′ |
| Brightness* | 12.6 vMag. / 13.5 bMag |
| Date/Time | March 15, 2007 – 10:45 PM (March 16, 2007 – 05:45 UT) |
| Observing Loc. | Cinder Hills Overlook, Sunset Crater National Monument, AZ |
| Instrument | Orion SVP 6LT Reflector (150 mm dia./1200 mm F/L) |
| Eyepieces/Mag. | 10 mm (120X) |
| Conditions | Mostly clear, calm |
| Seeing | 4/10 |
| Transparency | ~ Mag 6 NELM |
| *Sources | NGC/IC Project |
*Based on published data.