NGC 16, 23

Two very small and very dim galaxies lie just south of the star Alpheratz. The first, H.IV.15 (left), was classed by Herschel as a planetary nebula; frankly, I would have made the same mistake had I not known better. Actually, it is a small, 13th magnitude elliptical.

The other is H.III.147 (right), another 13th magnitude galaxy -- this time a spiral. These two objects are a real test for vision, the telescope, and the night.

NGC: 16 17
OTHER NAMES: H.IV.15 H.III.147
CLASS: elliptical galaxy spiral galaxy
SIZE: 1' x 0.7' 1.5' x 0.5''
MAGNITUDE: +13.2 +13
POSITION:
CONSTELLATION: Pegasus
DATE OF SKETCH: 08/306/76
MAGNIFICATION USED: 70x