M84 (NGC 4374) Vir galaxy Difficulty level
3NGC 4387 Vir galaxy Difficulty level 4
NGC 4388 Vir galaxy Difficulty level 4
NGC 4402 Vir galaxy Difficulty level 4
M86 (NGC 4406) Vir galaxy Difficulty level 3
the Markalian galaxy chain
Date of observation: 1998/03/06 02:35
Observing site: Kuju
Transparency/seeing/sky darkness: 2/3/4
Instruments: 32cm Dobsonian with XL14 at 110x
Width of field: 0.6‹
This is the center of the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies with fairly bright galaxies strung together, which is called the Markalian galaxy chain. Low power is suitable to enjoy the cluster of the galaxies.
M84 (NGC 4374): This is a bright and mid-sized galaxy, slightly brighter than M86 but smaller. It has a clear central brightening with a lineal fading toward the edges.
M86 (NGC 4406): It is elongated south-north. It is fairly large and bright. It has clear central brightening with an extensive halo.
NGC 4387: It is located between M84 and M86, slightly to the south. It is a small, faint, circular object with central brightening. It is not a difficult object. There is a star nearby.
NGC 4388: It is a mid-sized galaxy with a long elliptical shape. The central region is bright and both ends are faint. It is not as narrow as an edge-on galaxy.
NGC 4402: It is wide and fairly large. It is generally faint and diffuse.