AP#1 : NGC 55
Name: String of pearls galaxy
Constellation: Sculptor
Instrument: 8-inch F5 reflector and ASI 2600 MC (gain 100-20C)
Exposure time: A stack of 16 Five-minute and 9 three-minute exposures.
Star Chart from Michael Vlasov's Deep sky hunter star atlas available on line https://www.deepskywatch.com/deep-sky-hunter-atlas.html
Magnitude: 7.9
Angular size: 32' X 6'
NGC 55 is an Magallenic barred spiral galaxy that originally was considered part of the Sculptor galaxy group. However, recent measurements indicate it is much closer and not related. It is believed that it forms a galaxy pair with NGC 300 (AP7). Its low declination (-39 degrees) makes it difficult to image for observers above 40 degrees latitude. It is on the list because of its unique nature and large size. This was imaged from Chiefland, Florida with a latitude of about 29.5 degrees.
