NGC 2903 is another of the fine galaxies within Leo. This spiral resides in the head of the lion just 1.5 degrees south of 4.3 magnitude Lambda Leonis. A trio of moderately bright stars, 6th to 8th magnitude in brightness, are shown to the north-northwest of NGC 2903 in my drawing. The sketch was made at low magnification, 36X, in the 10-inch Starfinder Newtonian. This Sb/Sc-type spiral galaxy shine at 9.0 magnitude and features a very bright nuclear region. The nuclear region is surrounded by an 11'x5' nebulosity elongated NE to SW. A pair of 11th magnitude GSC stars mark the southernmost extent of NGC 2903. |