In spite of unstable weather conditions and disturbing aurorae I have made a few observations the last week. Due to bad seeing I have mainly observed objects at low magnification, and I'm becoming more and more fond of diffuse nebulae. They come in all kinds of shape, size and brightness.
The Rosette complex in Monoceros is a very interesting object for visual observation with a filter. At first glance it may seem faint and featureless, but with some patience it is possible to capture its erratic outline and the dark lanes (bok globules) criss-crossing the bright parts. For observers who are frustrated by the horsehead nebula, the Rosette neubla offers many good (and much easier) alternative dark features against a brighter background.
Monoceros contains many additional nebulae, like NGC2261, Hubble's variable nebula. This one is much smaller and brighter than the Rosette, and should be observed at higher magnification. I'm interested to hear if anyone have been able to detect variable features of this nebula visually. It may be optimistic, but would be really interesting.
The great Orion nebula is, of course a very frequently observed object. As such, maybe we don't pay enough attention to its more subtle details. I have to admit that too often I have zoomed in on the Trapezium and forgotten the delicate structures in the outer parts of M42. Due to its brightness I haven't often used a filter when observing M42. However, it is clear that an O-III filter gives a different view of this object. I find that it makes out more whisps and filaments in the brighter parts.
The nebulosity near Zeta Orionis also contains interesting detail. It is generally a good idea to keep the bright star outside the field of view. It is generally recommended to observe this nebula with a filter. However, I often prefer to observe it without a filter. I have not seen the Horsehead nebula. Orion doesn't get very high in my sky, and I don't have a Hydrogen-beta filter. I suppose that a dark transparent sky and absence of ambient light is more essential than aperture for observation of the Horeshead.
The nebulae mentioned here is just a start for the lover of diffuse nebulae. The reflection nebulosity in the Pleiades can be seen with a small scope (although I didn't see it until I got my 12.5-inch). There are many good emission nebulae in Auriga, Perseus, Cassiopeia, Cepheus and Cygnus. And you lucky guys who have access to Sagittarius and surroundings (not to speak of the southern skies) have still much more to choose from.
Observation reports about such nebulae are very welcome (as well as anything else, of course). Good reports about the brighter nebulae are just as interesting as records of glimpsing the faint fuzzies.
Inge S
The Rosette complex in Monoceros is a very interesting object for visual observation with a filter. At first glance it may seem faint and featureless, but with some patience it is possible to capture its erratic outline and the dark lanes (bok globules) criss-crossing the bright parts. For observers who are frustrated by the horsehead nebula, the Rosette neubla offers many good (and much easier) alternative dark features against a brighter background.
Monoceros contains many additional nebulae, like NGC2261, Hubble's variable nebula. This one is much smaller and brighter than the Rosette, and should be observed at higher magnification. I'm interested to hear if anyone have been able to detect variable features of this nebula visually. It may be optimistic, but would be really interesting.
The great Orion nebula is, of course a very frequently observed object. As such, maybe we don't pay enough attention to its more subtle details. I have to admit that too often I have zoomed in on the Trapezium and forgotten the delicate structures in the outer parts of M42. Due to its brightness I haven't often used a filter when observing M42. However, it is clear that an O-III filter gives a different view of this object. I find that it makes out more whisps and filaments in the brighter parts.
The nebulosity near Zeta Orionis also contains interesting detail. It is generally a good idea to keep the bright star outside the field of view. It is generally recommended to observe this nebula with a filter. However, I often prefer to observe it without a filter. I have not seen the Horsehead nebula. Orion doesn't get very high in my sky, and I don't have a Hydrogen-beta filter. I suppose that a dark transparent sky and absence of ambient light is more essential than aperture for observation of the Horeshead.
The nebulae mentioned here is just a start for the lover of diffuse nebulae. The reflection nebulosity in the Pleiades can be seen with a small scope (although I didn't see it until I got my 12.5-inch). There are many good emission nebulae in Auriga, Perseus, Cassiopeia, Cepheus and Cygnus. And you lucky guys who have access to Sagittarius and surroundings (not to speak of the southern skies) have still much more to choose from.
Observation reports about such nebulae are very welcome (as well as anything else, of course). Good reports about the brighter nebulae are just as interesting as records of glimpsing the faint fuzzies.
Inge S
