For a PDF version of the annual report, click on the coverimage.

Onderzoeksinstituut "Sterrewacht Leiden"
Research Institute "Leiden Observatory"


Annual Report 1998





Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
University of Leiden
Niels Bohrweg 2
2333 CA Leiden
The Netherlands
www.strw.leidenuniv.nl

During the course of a search for compact, isolated gas clouds moving with anoma lous velocities in or near our own Galaxy, Burton, Braun (NFRA), Walterbos (NMSU ) and Hoopes (NMSU) have discovered in the data of the Leiden/Dwingeloo survey o f Galactic Hydrogen the signature of a large galaxy. Deep multicolor and spectroscopic optical observations at the Apache Point Obser vatory, as shown on the cover, indicate the presence of star formation in scatte red H-II regions. Interferometry at the DRAO confirms that the galaxy is rich in H-I and has the r otation signature of a spiral galaxy. The combined evidence support classification of the new galaxy as a low-surface- brightness spiral. The newly discovered galaxy, called Cepheus 1, resides in our cosmic background at a distance of 6 Mpc. It is amongst the nearest few LSB spi rals, and amongst the largest dozen galaxies on the sky. (Astrophysical Journal 117, 194-201)