NGC 3166 lies to the west and NGC 3169 to the east.Click above image for larger version.
Observation Notes:
After tracking down NGC 3090, I headed for this beautiful pair. Under less than ideal conditions, general elongation and structure were difficult to discern. The view was still stunning as the two galaxies fit nicely in the 24 arcminute wide view. Eric Graff observed and sketched this pair about the same time, but in a wider field.
Object Information
NGC 3166 and 3169 were discovered in 1783 by F.W. Herschel.
NGC 3166 is also catalogued as UGC 5516, MCG+01-26-024, H I-3, h 684, GC 2038,
CGCG 036.064, KCPG 228A, IRAS 10111+0340, PGC 29814.
NGC 3169 is also catalogued as UGC 5525, MCG+01-26-026, H I-4, h 685, GC 2041,
CGCG 036.066, KCPG 228B, IRAS 10116+0342, PGC 29855.
| Subject | NGC 3166 and 3169 |
| Classification | NGC 3166: Galaxy (S0/Sa) NGC 3169: Galaxy (Sa) |
| Position* | NGC 3166: Sextans [RA: 10:13:45.6 / Dec: +03:25:31] NGC 3169: Sextans [RA: 10:14:14.8 / Dec: +03:28:00] |
| Size* | NGC 3166: 4.8′ x 2.3′ NGC 3169: 4.4′ x 2.8′ |
| Brightness* | NGC 3166: 10.4 vMag / 11.2 bMag / 12.9 Surface Brightness NGC 3169: 10.7 vMag / 11.4 bMag / 13.2 Surface Brightness |
| Date/Time | March 15, 2007 – 11:30 PM (March 16, 2007 – 06:30 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.