HICKSON | NAME | SIZE (M) | MAG (V) | SB |
55a | MCG+12-11-028A | 0.2X0.2 | 14.9 | |
55b | UGC 06514 | 0.2X0.1 | 16.4 | |
55c | PGC 35573 | 0.2X0.1 | 16.9 | |
55d | PGC 35574 | 0.1X0.1 | 17.1 | |
55e | PGC 35576 | 0.1X0.1 | 17.4 |
Several of the Hickson groups appear as interconnected linear chains. Hickson 55 in Draco is an extremely compact string of five interacting galaxies that will probably require a 16" to clearly view. If the seeing is steady, use high power and try to resolve the individual knots that appear like "peas in a pod". This distant chain (radial velocity 16,000 km/sec) is also known as UGC 6514 and VV 172 and once again contains a member with a discordant redshift (55e). Look for this challenging object 25' northwest of NGC 3735. - Steve Gottlieb