Galaxy NGC 55: The Largest Galaxy In The Sculptor Group
“Some deep-sky objects offer beautiful, breathtaking visual experiences. NGC 55 is one such object.” Walter Scott Houston
On November 9, 2012, while reviewing my deep-sky observing list, I was surprised to discover that NGC 55 was missing. My backyard offered a very poor view of the southern sky, so I packed up my 10-inch telescope and set out in search of a better observing site. I had my eye on a grassy field just a couple of miles from home, where light pollution was minimal. From the field, I could easily spot my starting star, Alpha Phoenicis, shining just above the tree line. After a quick polar alignment, I moved the telescope to the expected position of NGC 55, centered the scope, and looked into the eyepiece. But there no galaxy.
I started at low power and gradually increased to medium, but still, no galaxy. I spent nearly two hours trying without success, thanks to the sky glow along the horizon. At my latitude of 35º N, the galaxy reaches only 16º above the southern horizon. As a point of reference, a fist held at arm’s length spans approximately 10º of sky.
My second attempt was December 13, 2012:
I had originally planned to observe from a truly dark-sky site, somewhat remote, with an excellent view to the south. The only drawback was that it was about 45 minutes away and had no cellphone service.
I wanted my wife, Debbie, to come along, especially since I was still recovering from being hit while riding my bicycle a couple of weeks earlier, in November 2012. However, we got a late start and decided to choose a site a little closer to home.
The alternate site was reasonably good, although there was some skyglow extending about 10° above the horizon. I started with low power, then moved up to medium power, but still no galaxy. Everything seemed to be just right, yet there was a faint glow lingering just above the treetops. After more than an hour of searching without success, I finally gave up.
I’m hopeful to attempt again this year in November/December 2026:
From Skiff & Luginbuhl “The Observing Handbook and Catalog…” and observing from Arizona. “….6 cm at 25x although at higher powers the view rapidly deteriorates.”
November 2012 Bicycle Accident: While riding my bicycle, I was struck by a Ford F-150 pickup truck. I was extremely fortunate to escape with only a few hairline rib fractures, along with numerous contusions and bruises.
NGC 55 image by Mario Motta, taken from Florida. Celestron C14:
Sue French first saw the galaxy from the Little Cayman Island in November 2005 using a 4.25-inch f/4 reflector. The following pencil sketch was made using a 10-inch reflector.
Don Brooks saw it from the mountains of North Carolina using a 10-inch SC telescope. Photo of his observatory as following:
Jaakko Saloranta saw the galaxy and made the following pencil sketch from the Canary Islands, using a 4.7-inch refractor.
