NGC 2078 = LMC-N159F = ESO 057-10

05 39 39.7 -69 44 37; Dor
V = 10.9; Size 0.8′

25″ (10/21/17 – OzSky): NGC 2078 is the northwest portion of the multi-sectioned NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex (N159). At 244x + NPB filter, it appeared as a bright, elongated N-S patch, ~1.3′ in length, with a prominent mag 12.1 star (blue supergiant R148) involved on the south side and two mag 14/14.5 stars on the north end. It appears brightest on the southern end and dims on the northern end. NGC 2079, the brightest section, lies 1.7′ S.

24″ (4/9/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the northwest component of an impressive 4′ emission nebula filled with bright knots (N159), several of which form a curving “S” shape. At 200x and UHC filter it appeared as a fairly bright, moderately large glow surrounding a mag 12 star (B5 supergiant R148) and two fainter stars. This knot is elongated ~E-W, ~1.2’x0.8′ and is encased in a fainter outer halo that extends perhaps 1.5′, mostly to the north. NGC 2079, an extremely bright isolated patch, lies 1.7′ S, NGC 2083 is a similar distance to the east and NGC 2084 is 2.5′ SE.

R148 forms a 6″ pair – not logged in either of the two observations above – with the optical counterpart (V ≈ 14.8) of LMC X-1, a 10 solar-mass black hole and variable X-ray source. Nearby is the impressive N160 complex with NGC’s 2077 and 2080, another very bright patch of nebulosity 6′ N, and NGC’s 2085 and 2086, a smaller bright pair, a similar distance to the NE. This complex, along with N159, is within the O-association LH 105 = S-L 644.

Notes: James Dunlop discovered the NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex = D 152 on 24 Sep 1826. His summary description reads “a cluster of six or seven very small nebulae in a square form 5′ or 6′ diameter, with several minute stars mixt. This is a very pretty group of nebulae – see Figure 5.” Dunlop’s sketch shows a group of 6 or 7 patches within a group of stars. He viewed it again at the end of the first of his three drifts on 27 Sep 1826, after logging D 105 = NGC 2065. Although his published position was 15′ too far SE, his offsets with respect to nearby objects in the drifts confirm the identification of this nebulous complex. But he didn’t provide information to identify which specific NGC numbers he observed.

John Herschel sketched the complex on 23 Dec. 1834. He described NGC 2078 = h2948 as “the north preceding of the four principal nuclei of the nebula of Plate III, figure 4.” Herschel’s sketch shows 7 condensations or nuclei, involved in nebulosity. The four NGC objects in this grouping are NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and NGC 2084.

 

NGC 2079 = LMC-N159A = ESO 057-11

05 39 40 -69 46 20; Dor
V = 11.8; Size 1.0′

25″ (10/21/17 – OzSky): NGC 2079 = N159A is at the SW end of the impressive NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex (N159), and it has the highest surface brightness. At 244x + NPB filter it appeared extremely bright, moderately large, with an unusual triangular outline, ~1′ diameter, extremely high surface brightness. A thin fainter strip is on the south end, otherwise, the outline is very sharply defined. Contains a slightly darker interior region or perhaps a weak dust lane. Unfiltered a faint star or two is at the center, including the O5-type ionizing source DD 13. NGC 2079 is just detached from NGC 2084 to the NE.

24″ (4/9/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the brightest section of an impressive 4′ collection of perhaps 8 different emission knots (collectively N159) that are encased in a diffuse glow and carry four separate NGC designations. NGC 2079 (N159A) is situated on the southwest end of the complex and appeared extremely bright, ~1′ diameter,with a uniform very high surface brightness. The outline has an unusual triangular shape (one vertex at the north end) with a well-defined border and appears detached from the main section. Without a filter, a faint star and ionizing source (DD 13, an unresolved pair of O-stars) is located at the center of the glow.

NGC 2079 is collinear with two mag 12 stars 1.7′ N (at the center of 2078) and another mag 12 star 3.5′ N. The main section of the complex to the northeast forms a large “S” shaped group of multiple knots with NGC 2078 1.7′ N, 2084 to the east and 2083 to the NE.

20″ (3/29/25 – Coonabarabran): at 150x; using an OIII filter, the NGC 2083 complex (N159), which is only 40′ SSW from the center of the Tarantula Nebula, contains NGC 2078/79/83/84 and 2 or 3 more identifiable HII patches. The breathtaking 33′ field includes the high surface brightness knots of NGC 2077/2080 ~6′ NNW and NGC 2085/2086 ~5′ NNE.

Notes: James Dunlop discovered the NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex = D 152 on 24 Sep 1826. His summary description reads “a cluster of six or seven very small nebulae in a square form 5′ or 6′ diameter, with several minute stars mixt. This is a very pretty group of nebulae – see Figure 5.” Dunlop’s sketch shows a group of 6 or 7 patches within a group of stars. He viewed it again at the end of the first of his three drifts on 27 Sep 1826. Although his published position was 15′ too far SE, his offsets with respect to nearby objects in the drifts confirm the identification of this nebulous complex. But he didn’t provide information to identify which specific NGC numbers he observed.

John Herschel discovered NGC 2079 = h2949 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded “The most southern of a group of 4 or 5 nebulae, 5′ diameter, mixed with stars. This is the south preceding of the four chief nuclei [NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and 2084] of the complex group of Plate III, figure 4”. Herschel’s sketch shows a complex object with 7 condensations or nuclei involved in nebulosity with the NGC 2079 at the upper right corner in the detailed sketch.

Williamina Fleming established the emission spectrum of NGC 2079 in 1897 during her spectroscopic survey for the first Henry Draper catalogue. It was independently found by Delisle Stewart around the same time.

 

LMC-N159I

05 39 48 -69 44 18; Dor

24″ (4/10/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is a brighter knot embedded within the glow of NGC 2083 on the west side on a line with NGC 2078. See complete notes for the NGC 2083 complex.

 

NGC 2083 = LMC-N159D = ESO 057-14

05 39 58.8 -69 44 10; Dor
V = 10.8; Size 1.5′

25″ (10/21/17 – OzSky): NGC 2083 is the main northern section and the largest piece of the NGC 2078/79/83/84 complex (emission nebula N159 and OB-association LH 105). At 244x and NPB filter it appeared bright, large, nearly 2′ in diameter, roughly circular. The surface brightness appeared fairly uniform, though lower at the northeast periphery where it merges with NGC 2078. Unfiltered, a half-dozen dozen stars mag 13.5 and fainter are involved in the nebula, along with RMC 149, a mag 12.5 O8.5-type supergiant near the center. At 397x (unfiltered), a mag 14.5 companion is 7″ N of RMC 149 and the star seemed slightly “soft”.

On the SE side of NGC 2083 [44″ SE of the mag 12.5 star] is N159-5, a 15th magnitude “star” known as the LMC “Papillon Nebula”. This very compact object is classified as a Young Stellar Object (YSO) and High Excitation Blob (HEB), a rare class of ionized nebulae associated with massive star formation. At 397x it appeared faint (15th mag) and quasi-stellar (though difficult to confirm).

24″ (4/10/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 214x and UHC filter, NGC 2083 appeared as a bright, large, slightly elongated glow ~1.8′ diameter, surrounding a mag 12.5 star (O-class supergiant). A brighter knot is embedded within the glow on the west side (N159I) on a line with NGC 2078. Removing the filter, the bright central star has a companion at ~7″ and several other mag 14 stars are embedded in the periphery of the glow.

NGC 2083 is situated in the northeast section of the curving “S” shaped NGC 2078/79/83/84 complex (N159 and OB-association LH 105). This complex shares the same field with two additional bright emission regions – NGC 2085/86 4′ N and NGC 2077/80 ~5.5′ NNW (N160), and the combined complex forms a superb field of bright HII regions ~35′ SSE of the center of the Tarantula Nebula. Although Herschel assigned 4 NGC numbers within N159, I logged at least 7 different brighter knots (see NGC 2084 for more).

Notes: James Dunlop discovered the NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex = D 152 on 24 Sep 1826. His summary description reads “a cluster of six or seven very small nebulae in a square form 5′ or 6′ diameter, with several minute stars mixt. This is a very pretty group of nebulae – see Figure 5.” Dunlop’s sketch shows a group of 6 or 7 patches within a group of stars. He viewed it again at the end of the first of his three drifts on 27 Sep 1826. Although his published position was 15′ too far SE, his offsets with respect to nearby objects in the drifts confirm the identification of this nebulous complex. But he didn’t provide information to identify which specific NGC numbers he observed.

John Herschel sketched the complex of nebulae on 23 Dec. 1834. He described NGC 2083 = h2952 as “the north following nucleus of the complex group of Plate III, figure 4, from drawing.” Herschel’s sketch shows 7 condensations or nuclei, involved in nebulosity. The four NGC objects in this grouping are NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and NGC 2084.

 

LMC-N159E

05 40 01.5 -69 47 08; Dor
Size 0.7′

25″ (10/21/17 – OzSky): at 244x + NPB filter; fairly faint to moderately bright patch, irregularly round, 35″ diameter, even surface brightness. Unfiltered, a star was seen involved with the nebulosity (ionizing source?). Located 1.8′ S of the brightest part of NGC 2084 in the gorgeous NGC 2078-2084 complex. This piece is detached off the south side of NGC 2084.

 

Papillon Nebula = N159-5 = N159 Blob in LMC

05 40 04.5 -69 44 37; Dor
Size 8″x6″

25″ (10/21/17 – OzSky): On the southeast side of NGC 2083 [44″ SE of the O8.5-type mag 12.5 central star] is N159-5, a 15th magnitude “star” known as the LMC “Papillon Nebula” (butterfly shape on HST image). This very compact object is classified as a Young Stellar Object (YSO) and High Excitation Blob (HEB), a rare class of ionized nebulae associated with massive star formation. At 397x, it appeared faint (15th mag) and quasi-stellar (though difficult to confirm as non-stellar).

NGC 2083 is the main northern section and the largest piece of the NGC 2078/79/83/84 complex (N159 and OB-association LH 105). At 244x and NPB filter it appeared bright, large, nearly 2′ in diameter, roughly circular. The surface brightness appeared fairly uniform, though lower at the northeast periphery where it merges with NGC 2078. Unfiltered, a half-dozen dozen stars mag 13.5 and fainter are involved in the nebula, along with mag 12.5 RMC 149, an O8.5-type supergiant near the center. At 397x (unfiltered), a mag 14.5 companion is 7″ N of RMC 149 and the star seemed slightly “soft”.

Notes: Discovered in 1982 by Heydari-Malayeri and Testor: “Excitation and extinction in the LMC H II region N159A and discovery of a highly excited ‘blob’ in its vicinity” (http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1982A%26A…111L..11H)

“This object, denoted by number 5 in Fig. 1, is an elongated blog of about 8″x6” corresponding to about 2.2 x 1.5 pc. The blob has a clear boundary without any extension. It appear in the H-alpha, H-beta and more conspicuously in the [OIII] photographs…

The good seeing and cleanness of the electronographic photographs enabled us to show the non-stellar character of the blob and to resolve it into two components separated by about 1.5″, corresponding to about 0.4 pc. The blob is even more excited than N159A (NGC 2079), with the [OIII]/H-beta ratio reaching values as high as 8.

 

NGC 2084 = LMC-N159C = ESO 057-15

05 40 06.9 -69 45 34; Dor
V = 11.3; Size 1.2′

25″ (10/21/17 – OzSky): NGC 2084 is the second brightest section of the striking N159 complex (NGC 2078/70/83/84) on its SE side and the brightest part of N159C. At 244x + NPB filter, it appeared very bright, fairly large, irregular shape, over 1′ diameter (elongated N-S). Unfiltered two stars are involved included a 14th-mag O7-type star. Fainter nebulosity extends west for 1′ (also part of N159C) with mag 14 (O7-type) and 14.5 (O8-type) stars involved unfiltered. The nebulosity curls north on its west side and brightens in a 40″ circular patch (N159C-west) that includes two 15th mag stars (unfiltered), one a young stellar object (YSO). Overall, N159C displays a highly irregular curving shape with a patchy surface brightness and includes a half-dozen stars.

N159E, a detached piece ~1.5′ S, is a fairly faint to moderately bright patch, irregularly round, 35″ diameter, even surface brightness. Unfiltered, a star was seen involved with the nebulosity (ionizing source?). N159G, a slightly brighter detached piece 1.1′ ENE of NGC 2084, appeared moderately bright and large, roughly oval, ~45″ diameter. Unfiltered, a faint star is centered in N159G.

24″ (4/10/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): This emission knot was noted while making a careful observation of NGC 2084, which is located within the southeast region of a very bright nebular complex NGC 2078-79-83-8 (N159), located ~40′ SSE of the Tarantula Nebula. At the northeast end of the NGC 2084 region I noted a moderately bright, round knot, ~45″ diameter. Without a filter a star is involved with this glow. Although John Herschel didn’t catalogued this knot, it’s shown on his sketch (Plate III, figure 4). NGC 2084, a brighter knot, is close WSW on a direct line with NGC 2079. NGC 2084 appeared very bright, fairly large, elongated, ~1.2’x1.0′. Removing the filter a couple of stars are involved (with one brighter star).

24″ (4/10/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): I returned to this detailed nebula the following night to make a complete observation at 200x using a UHC filter. NGC 2084 forms the SE region of the complex and it’s composed of several nearby components. At the NE end of this extended region is a moderately bright, round knot, ~45″ diameter (N159G). Without a filter a star is involved with N159G (sketched by John Herschel but not catalogued). A second, brighter embedded “glow” is close WSW on a direct line with NGC 2079. This knot corresponds with John Herschel’s position for NGC 2084 and is catalogued as N159C-east. It appeared very bright, fairly large, elongated, ~1.2’x1.0′. Removing the filter a couple of stars are involved (with one brighter star). Finally, N159C-west (also sketched by Herschel but not cataloged) lies 1.5′ W of N159C-east in the center of the entire complex and is connected to N159C-west by a faint bridge of nebulosity. N159C-west appeared fairly bright, moderately large, round, 45″ diameter.

24″ (4/9/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): this is the SE component of a fascinating 4′ HII complex filled with up to 8 distinguishable knots (4 have NGC numbers) with several of the brighter knots forming an “S” shape (this knot is at SE end of the “S”). At 200x and UHC filter it appeared very bright, round, fairly large glow, 1′ diameter and encased within fainter nebulous haze that extends to the west. NGC 2083 lies 1.5′ NNW within the background glow that envelopes the entire complex.

Notes: James Dunlop discovered the NGC 2078-79-83-84 complex = D 152 on 24 Sep 1826 (first drift). His summary description reads “a cluster of six or seven very small nebulae in a square form 5′ or 6′ diameter, with several minute stars mixt. This is a very pretty group of nebulae – see Figure 5.” Dunlop’s sketch shows a group of 6 or 7 patches within a group of stars. He viewed it again at the end of the first of his three drifts on 27 Sep 1826. Although his published position was 15′ too far SE, his offsets with respect to nearby objects in the drifts confirm the identification of this nebulous complex. But he didn’t provide information to identify which specific NGC numbers he observed. Glen Cozens assigns D 149 to the complex, but reference to his 2nd drift on 24 Sep shows D 149 was placed 9′ N of NGC 2080, the following object in the drift and this offset corresponds with NGC 2074, which has two brighter stars on its west side, so is “following two small stars”.

John Herschel sketched the complex of nebulae on 23 Dec. 1834. He described NGC 2084 = h2953 as “The south following nucleus of the complex group of Plate III fig 4, from drawing.” Herschel’s sketch shows 7 condensations or nuclei, involved in nebulosity. The four NGC objects in this grouping are NGC 2078, 2079, 2083 and NGC 2084.

 

LMC-N159G = DEM L 283c

05 40 19 -69 45 03; Dor
Size 0.8′

25″ (10/21/17 – OzSky): this patch of nebulosity is at the east end of striking NGC 2078/79/83/84 complex (N159), which is immediately south of the Ghost-Head Nebula, NGC 2077-2086 (N160). Using 244x + NPB filter, it appeared moderately bright and large, roughly oval, ~45″ diameter. Unfiltered, a faint star is centered in the nebula. Situated just 1.1′ ENE of NGC 2084 and 3.6′ ENE of NGC 2079.

24″ (4/10/08 – Magellan Observatory, Australia): This emission knot was noted while making a careful observation of NGC 2084, which is located within the southeast region of a very bright nebular complex NGC 2078-79-83-8 (N159), located ~40′ SSE of the Tarantula Nebula. At the northeast end of the NGC 2084 region I noted a moderately bright, round knot, ~45″ diameter. Without a filter a star is involved with this glow. Although John Herschel didn’t catalogued this knot, it’s shown on his sketch (Plate III, figure 4). NGC 2084, a brighter knot, is close WSW on a direct line with NGC 2079. NGC 2084 appeared very bright, fairly large, elongated, ~1.2’x1.0′. Removing the filter a couple of stars are involved (with one brighter star).