WWW.ASTRONOMY.COM 59H
ere, we come to our
first challenge: mag-
nitude 11.5 NGC
3448. I call this object the
Cigarillo Galaxy because it’s
an edge-on amorphous galaxy
like the Cigar Galaxy (M82),
only smaller. This smooth,
5'-by-1.5' sheet of light hugs
44 UMa only 20' to the south-
east. Among the galaxies with
the highest known rate of
star formation per unit mass,
NGC 3448 is interacting with
UGC 6016, a 14th-magnitudedwarf 3.8' to the west.
Also in this section, nearly
5° west of Phecda (Gamma [γ]
UMa), we find the 10th-
magnitude grand-design spi-
ral NGC 3631. While only
4.5' in extent, this nearly face-
on galaxy sports a visual
enigma — namely, one “heavy
arm,” as Arp described it.
This peculiar feature origi-
nates just north of the galaxy’s
nucleus and points east.
Those viewing through 8-inch
or larger apertures should usemagnifications of 150x to
reveal this hefty appendage.
Visible in a 4-inch scope,
NGC 4026 is a high-surface-
brightness magnitude 10.8
edge-on lenticular galaxy in
Ursa Major. Look for a star-
like core punctuating its
4.5'-by-1' needle-thin disk
(oriented north to south),
which swells with averted
vision. You’ll find it about 3°
south-southeast of Phecda.
Larger scopes will also reveal
its faint elliptical halo.Next, turn your gaze about
1° north-northeast of Chi (χ)
UMa for the last target in this
section: the magnitude 10.5
grand-design spiral NGC
3893. Through a 5-inch tele-
scope, it’s an elegant sight. The
4'-by-2' spindle has a soft oval
core, as well as fainter arclike
extensions. Magnifications of
100x and greater will reveal
a tiny nucleus and two high-
surface-brightness arms
wrapping tightly around
the galaxy’s core.SECTION 2
Our second section lies entirely within Ursa Major.
NGC 4026NGC 3448NGC 3631SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEYSLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEYESA/HUBBLE/NASA/LUCA LIMATOLANGC 3893
BOB UMINSKI/CINDI KRISTOPEIT/ADAM BLOCK/NOAO/AURA/NSF