IC1396

IC1396 is a large, scattered open cluster with some nebulosity involved located near the "Garnet star", Mu Cephei. The diameter of the nebula is about 3 degrees, and it is quite faint, but it is a popular target for people doing imaging since it has an interesting appearance with several dark lanes.
It is claimed to be visible in binoculars and small telescopes at low power. With bigger scopes and higher magnification it is very difficult, but narrowband filters are said to enhance the nebula. However, I have read some contradictory statements about O-III vs. UHC. In spite of repeated attempts I have never been able to make out IC1396. I have tried with and without O-III with no success.
It would be interesting to hear if any keen-sighted observer has any experience with this nebula.
The cluster itself is a bit too scattered to be really interesting in a big scope, but it contains a nice triple with a wide double nearby and the star field is very rich and beautiful.

Inge S

Inge,

You had small scope plans, what's become of them?

Dmitri

Hello there Inge,

You've tackled on of the RASC Deep Sky Challenge object!

My 4-inch TV-102 Light Cup showed me this object with difficulty because as you said, it's very large. My note said I used my lowest power eyepiece (40mm Pentax XL) at 22x. With the UHC, the sighting was uncertain until I dropped in the O-III. (NELM was 5.6).

Keep trying using low power and you should be able to bag it.

Best wishes to your hunt.

Ron B[ee]