The Caldwell Objects

The asymmetry remains at high power. The core
shatters into a sharp central pip surrounded by
fractured clumps of starlight. Two prominent
ripples can be seen to the west along with hints of
stellar rays. A spire of mottled starlight extends
to the east and is bordered to the south by a ray
of unresolved stars. And a pool, empty of
starlight, occupies the northern halo. The overall
impression is that of the great Hercules globular
Μ13 seen through a fog. At the 1994 Winter Star
Party, Barbara
73
Wilson observed NGC 1851 through an 18-inch
f/6 reflector and described an intensely bright but
mottled core surrounded by a well-resolved and
very loose halo.
Just 2¾° northwest of NGC 1851 is a double
treat for devotees of extragalactic targets: the
twin galaxies NGC 1808 and NGC 1792. These
slightly inclined magnitude-9.9 spirals are
separated by a mere ¾° and have bright central
lenses that should be visible even in binoculars.
What do you think?
The Caldwell Objects 291